GREENS-LABOR COUNCILLORS VOTE AGAINST AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Independent Member for Kiama Gareth Ward MP has today condemned the Greens-Labor councillors who voted to stop more affordable housing in the Shoalhaven.

“I am beyond angry with the actions of the Greens-Labor alliance opposing the development of 40 affordable homes and adding more than 1000 hectares to the Jervis Bay National Park. This development proposal was a rare gem – a combination of boosting housing supply and protecting our environment,” Mr Ward said.

“These Greens and Labor councillors ‘talk’ about affordable housing but when it comes to crunch time, they simply don’t support it. It’s actually elitism at its finest.

“I want this simple question answered by those Greens and Labor councillors: how many affordable homes do we need and how many have you approved?

“From renters to home ownership - lack of supply of housing is causing so much pain and hurt in our community and I’m fed up with the political rhetoric of those who claim to care whilst they simultaneously do nothing,” Mr Ward said.

Deputy Mayor of Shoalhaven City Council, Clr Paul Ell said it was disappointing but not surprising about the decision.

“Amanda Findley talks a big game about housing affordability and the rental crisis, but it's all opportunistic posturing for votes,” Clr Ell said

“This political decision was based on inaccurate information being peddled about the bio certification process. The claim that the status of the Greater Glider population was not being considered by the assessment, has been proven to be false.

“Just last week councillors received the benefit of a detailed briefing from the Department of Planning which busted many of the myths about this issue spread by Amanda Findley and her Labor and Greens councillors.

“Amanda Findley and her merry mob of Labor Greens councillors are anti-growth, anti-progress and the world’s biggest roadblock when it comes to housing affordability in the Shoalhaven,” Clr Ell concluded.