Initiative to look at smaller scale second homes opportunities

Published: 26 Jul 2024 11:10am

Council will investigate the potential for small second homes in Wagga Wagga after successfully securing a $420,000 grant from the Federal Government via the Housing Support Program.

At its Ordinary Meeting on Monday (22 July), Council formally approved entering into an agreement with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts for funding for the development of the Wagga Wagga City Smaller Scale Second Home Initiative.

Secondary housing can provide a wider range of housing options to meet the diverse needs of residents and key workers and can cater to smaller household sizes, differing income levels and lifestyles, offering alternatives to traditional three or four bedroom homes.

Council’s General Manager Peter Thompson says the uptake of secondary dwellings is currently considered low in Wagga Wagga, compared to other regional centres in NSW.

“The intention of this project is to understand the potential for smaller, second homes in our residential and rural areas and to promote the opportunities that exist through this housing type to our community,” Mr Thompson said.

“We also want to find out what barriers exist and what changes are needed to improve the uptake of secondary dwellings, to assist in increasing supply and choice for upsizing or downsizing as life changes and creating opportunities for intergenerational living.

“There are obstacles in the Local Environmental Plan, the Development Control Plan, and the fees and charges, we will be looking at those and how we might change those obstacles to make it more attractive to build secondary dwellings.”

The project is aimed at trying to take some of the barriers away from people who might be looking at changing their residential lot into a dual occupancy or having a second dwelling, including blocks in rural areas.

“We're looking for ways where we can facilitate housing supply and address housing affordability,” Mr Thompson said.

“The more we can make it easier for the community to participate in providing solutions, the better off everyone will be and we can hopefully start to ease the housing shortage.”

Council will provide an in-kind contribution to the project by way of project co-ordination, administration and promotion to the amount of $30,000.

The project is due for completion by 30 May 2025.