Affordable Housing Contribution Schemes

An Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme is one way to generate affordable housing for our community.

The Scheme provides detail about how, where, and at what rate development contributions can be collected from landowners for affordable housing.

The Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme 01 came into effect from January 2023, following an amendment to the Byron Local Environmental Plan LEP 2014.

Where does the Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme 01 apply?

  • Mullumbimby
  • Bangalow
  • Byron Bay.

It will help supply affordable rental housing when that land is upzoned. 

Upzoning is a change of zone to enable residential development or a change of planning controls. For example, a floor space ratio that enables greater residential density on the site.

What form will a contribution take?

The form of contribution will be determined by Council. It may include a combination of: 

  • Fit for purpose land within the development.
  • Monetary contribution.
  • Dwellings within the development.

Council’s preferred contribution form is land within the development.

Fit for purpose land is land that has been improved from a natural state and provided with urban servicing including:

  • Water.
  • Sewerage.
  • Stormwater drainage.
  • Sealed road access.

Community Housing Provider Register

We are required to hold a register of nominated community housing providers that can deliver and manage the affordable rental housing in line with this Scheme.

Council endorsed the following accredited community housing providers to be on the register:

  • Amelie Housing
  • Community Housing Ltd
  • Common Equity
  • Mission Australia
  • North Coast Community Housing
  • Wesley Mission

View the Community Housing Provider Register report to Council, 8 December 2022 meeting.

Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme 02 

The new Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme 02 has been developed to assist in addressing the shortfall in affordable housing for existing and future residents by generating contributions towards the provision of affordable housing. 

Under an Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme, Council will be able to consider the need for affordable housing and the potential to levy affordable housing contributions when land is rezoned for the purpose of increasing development capacity.

Scheme 02 applies to residential development in identified contribution areas in:

  • Bangalow
  • Brunswick Heads
  • Mullumbimby
  • Suffolk Park. 

These contribution areas are in addition to those already in Scheme 01.  This represents a key action in the Byron Residential Strategy 2041. 

Scheme 02 will augment Scheme 01 by requiring affordable housing contributions in additional areas where updated planning controls allow an intensification of development.

The Scheme 02 was reported to the 1 August 2024 Council Meeting.  Council resolved to prepare and submit a planning proposal to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for Gateway determination.