At the 18 April 2023 meeting, Council made the decision to seek expressions of interest for a Community Housing Organisation to lease the land at 1F Ashline St in Wollert for affordable housing.

The decision was made after extensive community consultation dating back to 2021 which included an online survey, online information session, focus groups and an in-person community drop-in session. The recommendation took on board community feedback and will require any proposal to meet the following criteria:

• a high-quality design integrated with the surrounding neighbourhood character
• development not exceeding two storeys and be single detached, duplex and townhouse style only
• establish a comprehensive community development program alongside the development
• provision of a flexible community space on the site that would be managed by Council as part of the adjacent community activity centre
• preferentially allocate the homes to local residents or people with local connections in the following cohorts; young families, older people, women, key workers and people with disabilities.

You can view a copy of the council minutes at the City of Whittlesea website.

Local residents will be invited to provide feedback on draft plans and designs in the future once a suitable Community Housing Organisation is selected and plans have been prepared.

If you have any questions, please contact Council at strategic.planning@whittlesea.vic.gov.au or on 9217 2056.