LEETON'S growing housing crisis is set to be addressed under a new plan currently being put together by council.
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Leeton Shire Council has endorsed its first ever draft housing strategy, but it hasn't been placed on public exhibition for the community to view just yet.
Councillors requested more time to view the document before putting it out to the public to comment on.
With housing an identified constraint for attracting workforce to the region, including in Leeton shire, the strategy will aim to provide guidance to close this gap, support council to undertake necessary interventions, give developers increased confidence and attract government investment into enabling infrastructure.
At the moment, Leeton shire also faces the challenge of accommodating a growing population.
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Demand for housing has been rising in the shire in recent years. According to council, prices have skyrocketed by 50 per cent over the last three years.
Council said while rising popularity was a welcome challenge, it did come with its own set of issues and it has shown there are inefficiencies and inadequacies in supply that are forcing residents and businesses to sacrifice "significant social and economic opportunities".
Through the strategy council will aim to increase rates of dwelling and supply and see more low-rise medium density options delivered through a range of policies.
Options for redeploying council assets towards appropriate housing supply will also be considered.
Councillor Michael Kidd said the draft strategy was a good starting point, acknowledging a lot of hard work had gone into putting it together by staff.
"It is a great starting point," Cr Kidd said during last week's ordinary meeting.
"If we want to be around and still going, being viable as a community, something like this was needed."
His thoughts were echoed by mayor Paul Maytom, who said the strategy had been a long time coming.
"We've now bit the bullet and are moving forward," he said.
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