The NSW Labor Government’s scrapping of the Argyll Estate redevelopment will mean even more housing stress on the Coffs Coast.
The redevelopment proposed by the previous Liberals and Nationals Government would have built an additional 322 private affordable homes, as well as 138 social dwellings, in a precinct that is close to schools, shops, and other amenities.
What is particularly disappointing is that even after six months of Labor being in government, the Minister for Housing, Rose Jackson, still has no plans to improve housing on the Coffs Coast.
Rather than investing in local housing, the Labor Government is forsaking local residents – especially those who are already enduring housing stress, or are searching for a path to the property market.
Minister Jackson today also failed to reveal whether the current Argyll Estate homes, some of which are 60 years old, will be renovated or rebuilt. The original Argyll Estate redevelopment plans would have designed homes suitable for people with a disability and older residents.
At the 2023 NSW Election, Labor promised to tackle head-on the housing crisis – but you can’t solve a housing crisis by cancelling housing projects.
I will write to the Premier, Chris Minns, to urge his intervention on Argyll Estate, on behalf of members of our community struggling to put a roof over their heads.
Also, I will continue to work with City of Coffs Harbour to ensure the Argyll Estate rezoning proceeds as planned.
