“The reality is that our several decades long housing crisis has escalated to such a degree that pods on Crown and council land for thousands of flood-ravaged families is necessary,” she said.
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“If the premier is serious about providing medium-term housing for people displaced through the recent floods then he needs to immediately cap short-term holiday letting in Byron Shire at 90 days.”
Smith said the government needed to address the underlying causes of the region’s acute housing crisis, with locals priced out of the market as rents have soared by more than 20 per cent.
“Nobody is thrilled by the prospect of living with their loved ones in a tiny shipping container, sharing communal bathroom and kitchen facilities. But that’s where we are, and it’s incredibly sub par.”
The latest Domain Rent Report found Sydney’s median weekly asking rent of $600 for houses was surpassed by rents in flood-affected areas like Byron ($950) and the Tweed ($700).
Rental demand in regional NSW has been on a steady rise, as sea and tree changers from metropolitan areas outstrip housing supply.
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said flood-affected locals were also being supported by other temporary housing options like motorhomes, recreation camps and 16-weeks rental support.
Responding to the flood emergency, the government introduced regulatory changes to allow temporary accommodation to be set up without the need for development consent.
Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said cutting through red tape had also been a successful measure after the Black Summer bushfire.
Nearly 1500 people were forced into emergency accommodation as a result of the floods which left about 4000 homes uninhabitable.
Former police commissioner Mick Fuller and Professor Mary O’Kane, chair of the Independent Planning Commission, are leading an investigation into the causes of the deadly floods, the emergency response and the future of building on floodplains.
They will report their findings to the government is by September 30, while a separate upper house inquiry will also be held to examine the crisis response, to report back by August 9.
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Bushfire housing ‘pods’ headed for flood victims
Source: Philippines Alive
