A DEVELOPER has unveiled a plan to boost Port Fairy's housing supply, proposing an 81-lot subdivision on a central greenfield site.
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Specialist land developer Michael Hearn acquired land at 169 Princes Highway in 2011 and 2019 and has been working on a plan to develop "affordable and sustainable" housing there for more than a decade.
The triangular land parcel, coined Rivers Run Estate, is on seven hectares abutting the Port Fairy Rail Trail to the south-west and houses to the west.
"It is probably the only central potential residential parcel of available land left east of the highway, which has direct pedestrian and bike access into town," Mr Hearn said.
The land would also include five per cent affordable housing, which Moyne Shire Council reports have highlighted Port Fairy has limited supply of.
"In every real estate office window here, the price tag starts at $300,000 and works upwards, and that's not fair for younger families trying to get a start, and even for people who want to downsize in the town," Mr Hearn said.
"What we are offering with this subdivision is it is a mixed housing model, so realistically having a mixed community of young, middle aged, and downsized retirees."
Houses would be designed to be energy efficient through orientation, the material used and renewable energy.
There would also be a park with provision for car parking, picnic facilities, bicycle repair station and water refill station.
"We are not going to go out and deliver 81 lots tomorrow - they would be delivered as you get your uptake," Mr Hearn said.
"What we are trying to deliver is a responsible, sustainable subdivision."
Myers Planning Group managing director Steve Myers said the estate would set "a new benchmark for sustainable, affordable, quality residential development" in the town.
The council has received a planning application for the site, which would require some farming land to be rezoned residential.
Council economic development and planning director Brett Davis said the application was "one of the larger subdivisions Port Fairy has seen" and the application was being reviewed to understand if it was consistent with a Port Fairy Coastal Structure Plan yet to be finalised.
Mr Davis said an "inundation overlay currently applies to the land and the extent of the overlay is proposed to be changed" through the structure plan.
"Council needs to assess the application and ensure it meets the planning scheme requirements. It can only exhibit the documents after approval has been issued by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning," he said.
Mr Myers said he was hopeful the plans could be exhibited in early 2021.
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