Lot 1 Ferry St Urunga Consultation

Strong community support – Ferry Street proposal moves forward

Bellingen Shire Council has completed community consultation on the proposed transfer of Lot 1 Ferry Street, Urunga for an affordable housing demonstration project. Consultation was undertaken between 2 and 30 March 2026 and included an online survey and community drop-in session.

A total of 280 submissions were received, with 76% supporting the proposal to transfer the site to Waterfall Way Community Land Trust for affordable housing.

At its meeting on Wednesday 15 April 2026, Council unanimously adopted the consultation report and its recommendations. This includes progressing the proposal to the next stage — undertaking due diligence and entering into direct negotiation with Waterfall Way Community Land Trust — as part of Council’s process toward a potential transfer of the site for affordable housing.

We will continue to provide updates as Council progresses this next stage of work. Please watch this space for further information.

The rest of this page provides factual background information about the proposal, the Community Land Trust model, and the Ferry Street site to support community understanding. Additional supporting documents and detailed information are provided at the bottom of this page.

Key Facts at a Glance

Site: Lot 1 Ferry Street, Urunga

Site size: 2,195 m²

Proposed homes: Around 6 dwellings

House types: mix of two- and three-bedroom homes

Delivery model: Not for profit Community Land Trust

Ownership structure: shared equity - resident’s share to value of home, CLT share to value of land

Purpose: homes for local working households that they can afford

Housing context: housing crisis = house prices are around 14× median local wages. Out of reach for many locals

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.