Susanna Freymark
Hundreds of pods used for temporary accomodation after the 2002 floods are no longer required.
The Homes Reuse Program is offering 664 pods through an Expression of Interest process to eligible organisations – this includes local councils who can apply.
The pods come with everything – mains electricity, sewerage and water systems and vary in size from studies to four bedroom homes.
At the Kyogle Council meeting on Monday, July 13, mayor Danielle Mulholland asked that the council consider getting some of the pods to offer affordable housing for emergency accomodation and essential worker housing.
The issue is timing. Applications must be made by September 17.
Councillor Rob Cullen asked, “Where would the pods be placed?”
Councillor Tom Cooper said the homeless problem was in every shire.
“Can we put them somewhere while we sort out where they go?” he said.
General manager Marcus Schintler said the council did not have the capacity to take the pods on.
“We have to be careful of cost shifting to ourselves,” he said.
Councillor Janet Wilson said, what we don’t need is a trailer park establishing.
She suggested exploring using the pods for community spaces.
“We are desperate for a mens shed,” she said.
She said railway land could be used.
Mr Cooper half-joking said they would be perfect for accomodation at Toonumbar dam.
Ms Mulholland said the pods will be demolished after the deadline of September.
“We have an opportunity to secure pods that are completely kitted out,” she said.
Her suggestion was for the State Government to unlock Crown land to put the pods on.
The Reconstruction Authority has said it will pay up to $135,000 for moving buyback homes but not the pods.
The State Government will provide cranes though to load and unload the pods.
When it came to the vote, all councillors except Brett McNamara voted in favour of the motion which included writing to Minister for Housing Rose Jackson to request an audit of homelessness in the Kyogle LGA.
The homeless figures in Kyogle LGA are below the North Coast average although collecting census data are homeless people is unlikely to be accurate.