Does the Urunga community want an affordable housing project in its neighbourhood?

Bellingen Shire Council might hand over land for an affordable housing project in Urunga. But first, it’s asking the community what it thinks.

What happened: A community-led, not-for-profit organisation is working to create what it calls affordable housing solutions for locals in Bellingen Shire and the Nambucca Valley.

In 2017, Housing Matters introduced the Waterfall Way Community Land Trust (WWCLT) to support the “missing middle” – those on local wages who earn too much to qualify for social housing but not enough to buy a home or keep up with rising rental prices – with housing.

Kerry Pearse, Executive Officer of WWCLT, said the proposal is for “forever affordable housing” to help locals who live and work in the area to be able to stay.

Local impact: Pearse said the group noticed impacts of the rise in cost of living and property prices.

• “Some people are leaving the area because they just can't find secure homes that they can afford to live in,” Pearse told Mid North Coaster.

• “The CLT model offers a practical, community-owned solution to deliver housing that remains affordable for generations to come.” 

How does it work: A Community Land Trust (CLT) is a form of shared home ownership to keep it affordable for locals, long term.

• The trust owns and manages the land

• Residents who live on the land typically lease or co-own their homes with the CLT

• The land is taken off the market, removing its value. Limits are set on resale price to prevent people being priced out of a rising market

• House prices are linked to local wages

• Focus is put on procuring low cost or no-cost land

Can’t build without land: The WWCLT previously put forward a proposal to Bellingen Shire Council, asking for land it owns to be transferred to the WWCLT to deliver the affordable housing project.

At the November meeting, council agreed to move forward with the transfer of the vacant Lot 1 Ferry Street. 

• Council says its investigation into the potential transfer, or "disposal", of land for affordable housing aligns with council’s strategic plans and says the WWCLT initiative responds to housing affordability.

• If the lot is transferred, the WWCLT said it could develop around six two and three-bedroom homes for local workers.

The next step of the process is community consultation.

Community have a say: Council is now seeking community feedback on the potential disposal of Lot 1 on Ferry Street before a decision is made.

• Online submissions close on Monday, March 30 (11:59pm).

What next: Feedback will be reviewed and presented as a report at the April Council meeting, where councillors will vote on whether to proceed, amend the proposal, or not progress with transfer of land.

🗣️Have your say here: https://www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au/Have-Your-Say/Potential-Disposal-of-Operational-Land-for-Affordable-Housing

Thumbnail: (L-R) Location of the lot and a site scenario from November 2025. Bellingen Shire Council and WWCLT.