Housing in Bellingen Shire has become increasingly unaffordable for people on local wages.

The price of a typical home is now around 14 times the median local wage, compared with around 8.5 times income across regional NSW.

This gap between wages and housing costs makes it extremely difficult for many local households to buy a home or save a deposit while paying market rent.

The 2021 Census identified at least 293 households in housing stress in the Bellingen Shire.

Waterfall Way CLT seeks to ensure that local workers can continue to live in the communities they support.

The Ferry Street proposal is a small affordable housing development designed for local working households on local incomes. The project would be delivered through a Community Land Trust model to maintain long-term affordability. It is a demonstration site which will show how the model works, demonstrate viability and encourage other landholders.

Waterfall Way Community Land Trust Ltd is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee established by the Housing Matters Action Group as a locally led response to the housing crisis.

A Community Land Trust (CLT) is a not-for-profit organisation that holds land for community benefit. Residents purchase the homes while the CLT retains ownership of the land, helping keep homes affordable.

The Ferry Street site was identified after reviewing land across the Shire that was not privately owned. Council land was considered the most realistic option for an initial demonstration project. Both Council and the Waterfall Way CLT believe that of under-utilised Council land, this is the best site available.

Independent ecological and arborist assessments have been undertaken to understand the environmental characteristics of the site.

The site is approximately 2,195 square metres and contains five significant trees that can coexist with sensitively designed housing.

The concept is for around six homes with a mix of two- and three-bedroom dwellings. We are exploring well designed modular housing with good environmental credentials and solar passive design. If the land is transferred, we will work closely with potential residents, local First Nations custodians and nearby neighbours on project design.

Homes would be allocated through transparent eligibility criteria and a lottery process from pre-approved applicants.

Waterfall Way CLT is working with a mutual bank to develop a mortgage product for residents and has received establishment support from the Siddle Family Foundation. If Council decides to transfer the land we will need to meet a number of tests to demonstrate project viability before settlement. This will include a consultation on the detail of a DA proposal.