Gunnedah Shire Council October meeting: Draft Gunnedah Shire Local Housing Strategy back on the agenda

Councillor Murray O'Keefe told the September council meeting he did not feel satisfied the Draft Gunnedah Shire Local Housing Strategy was putting council's "best foot forward".

Councillors have since attended a workshop, and the strategy has been amended to reflect their concerns.

A council spokesperson told the Leader the strategy will set a clear plan for housing in the shire for the next 20 years.

"The shire is experiencing strong economic growth and, as the population continues to grow, there is pressure for residential land and a demand for new housing," he said.

"The strategy has been prepared following community consultation by WSP (Elton) Consulting.

"A targeted engagement process in April 2021 included workshops with the public, social housing providers, real estate agents, development industry and representatives from the mining industry.

"Thirty-two people attended the development industry and social housing workshops on April 21, 2021. The issues they raised included a strong demand for different types of housing, a lack of affordable, short-term and temporary housing, and a high demand for smaller housing."

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Councillors will vote on the policy at Wednesday night's ordinary meeting, and if adopted it will be placed on public exhibition for comment.

Meanwhile, a revised policy to lease council-owned property to established medical practices is hoped to go some way towards solving Gunnedah's crippling doctor shortage.

Gunnedah Shire Council's Director Infrastructure Services Jeremy Bartlett said the draft Medical Professionals Accommodation Support policy aims to support the provision of health services to the Gunnedah community.

"The revised policy seeks to lease council owned property to established medical practices with the provision to allow sub-leasing to prospective incoming medical professionals at the responsibility of the lease holders," he said.

The new policy includes the ability for council to authorise subsidy arrangements for medical professionals who are unable to source accommodation through medical practices.

The meeting will be held in Gunnedah's council chambers at 4:30pm.

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