The Hagelthorn development, artist's impression. All images: Housing Australia Choices
By Catherine Watson
A 30-UNIT social housing development just minutes from the Wonthaggi CBD will be fast-tracked by the State Government.
The $12.7 million development by Housing Choices Australia Ltd, a not-for-profit housing provider, comprises 17 one-bedroom dwellings and 13 two-bedroom dwellings, each with a private balcony.
A 30-UNIT social housing development just minutes from the Wonthaggi CBD will be fast-tracked by the State Government.
The $12.7 million development by Housing Choices Australia Ltd, a not-for-profit housing provider, comprises 17 one-bedroom dwellings and 13 two-bedroom dwellings, each with a private balcony.
The 2000sqm site, on the corner of Hagelthorn and Billson streets, was recently vacated by the Wonthaggi Christian Life Centre. It currently houses an old church building and toilet block. All buildings and a few trees on the site will be removed for the development.
The apartments are housed in three three-storey blocks with a central courtyard, making it the first three-storey residential development in town.
With the site just a few minutes’ walk from the CBD, and surrounded by on-street parking, on-site parking is limited to 18 resident parking spaces and 13 bike parking spaces.
The project is being partially funded by the State government under the Victorian ‘Big Housing Build’ program. It’s been in development since early 2024.
The development has been assessed as strategically important for housing supply in Bass Coast, and will be fast tracked under the State Government's Development Facilitation Program.
Standard referral and notice requirements still apply. Authorities and neighbouring owners may be consulted where the planning scheme requires.
Bass Coast Shire Council has been consulted and its recommendations considered in the final design.
With the site just a few minutes’ walk from the CBD, and surrounded by on-street parking, on-site parking is limited to 18 resident parking spaces and 13 bike parking spaces.
The project is being partially funded by the State government under the Victorian ‘Big Housing Build’ program. It’s been in development since early 2024.
The development has been assessed as strategically important for housing supply in Bass Coast, and will be fast tracked under the State Government's Development Facilitation Program.
Standard referral and notice requirements still apply. Authorities and neighbouring owners may be consulted where the planning scheme requires.
Bass Coast Shire Council has been consulted and its recommendations considered in the final design.
Construction is expected to be finished in the last quarter of 2027.
Housing Choices Australia says the development will provide much-needed new homes for the increasing number of people who struggle to find suitable accommodation in the private rental market in the area.
The homes will be offered to people who have struggled to find suitable and affordable accommodation in the Wonthaggi area and are on the Victorian Housing Register (social housing).
The houses will contain either 1 or 2 bedrooms, to respond to the demand and need of individuals on the Register.
One- and two-bedroom units are in particularly short supply in Bass Coast. According to the 2021 census, more than 60 per cent of Bass Coast households consist of one or two people yet less than 20 per cent of dwellings have one or two bedrooms.
Jessica Harrison, a spokesperson for advocacy group Housing Matters Bass Coast, welcomed the development in central Wonthaggi.
“We are pleased that it will include two- and one-bedroom units, which are almost impossible to find in the private rental market.
“We have always been strong advocates for public housing. We support the cap on this project, which means rent on most dwellings is restricted to 30 per cent of a tenant's income.
“Gippsland needs many more of these projects, after many years of chronic under-funding of public housing.”
Housing Choices Australia says the development will provide much-needed new homes for the increasing number of people who struggle to find suitable accommodation in the private rental market in the area.
The homes will be offered to people who have struggled to find suitable and affordable accommodation in the Wonthaggi area and are on the Victorian Housing Register (social housing).
The houses will contain either 1 or 2 bedrooms, to respond to the demand and need of individuals on the Register.
One- and two-bedroom units are in particularly short supply in Bass Coast. According to the 2021 census, more than 60 per cent of Bass Coast households consist of one or two people yet less than 20 per cent of dwellings have one or two bedrooms.
Jessica Harrison, a spokesperson for advocacy group Housing Matters Bass Coast, welcomed the development in central Wonthaggi.
“We are pleased that it will include two- and one-bedroom units, which are almost impossible to find in the private rental market.
“We have always been strong advocates for public housing. We support the cap on this project, which means rent on most dwellings is restricted to 30 per cent of a tenant's income.
“Gippsland needs many more of these projects, after many years of chronic under-funding of public housing.”
Design response
- Apartments will meet the Livable Housing Australia silver-rating with stepless access. Most are designed to be accessible and readily adaptable for people with limited mobility.
- Development incorporates communal spaces for residents to interact and connect with each other and with the community, both in the central courtyard and along the street front.
- Clear sight lines ensure residents feel secure.
- Private areas are clearly delineated from communal and publicly-accessible spaces.
- Full width verandahs allow for opening of doors and windows all year round with the benefit of weather protection.
- Minimum 7 Star NatHERS energy rating.
- Gas free and supports rooftop solar energy generation and high efficiency appliances.
- The landscape design maximises canopy cover and planting using native and local indigenous species.