A PLAN to build sustainable housing units in White Gum Valley is currently before Fremantle council as part of a decade-long build to alleviate WA’s social housing crisis.
The 24 new units, referred to as WGV Baugruppe, are to be built as part of the larger WGV, a plan to build 80 new environmentally and socially conscious dwellings in the Valley.
The new homes will be one- and two-bedroom units as part of WGV, which is located on Beazley and Stevens Streets in the Valley, just opposite Booyeembara Park.
WGV was developed as a “demonstration project” by sustainability experts Peter Newman and Josh Byrne.
WGV will eventually comprise Baugruppe, as well as the Sustainable Housing for Artists and Creatives, a private build (‘Evermore’), and additional low-income housing known as Generation Y, as well as individual lots tailored to the WGV design.
According to Development WA, WGV is Western Australia’s first “One Planet Community”, which they say integrates sustainable building design with community need, which will include additions such as eco-friendly facilities such as solar power and rainwater tanks.
However, Citizens Climate Lobby member Louis de Villiers says while WGV “sets the standard” for sustainable housing in WA, he’s not convinced the government’s plan to ease the need for social housing will be solved by Baugrauppe.
“We know that there is not a single successful example of social housing where social housing makes up more than 20 per cent of the development,” Mr de Villiers said.
“We don’t want to see something developed here which is bound to fail, we want to see something developed which will form a sustainable, creative part of the community, something which sets a new benchmark for development.”
Some White Gum Valley residents have taken local Facebook page to unofficially complain about the proposal, saying the Valley is “only a small suburb” and WGV will only leave residents “on top of each other”.
Residents are able to voice their concerns through the City of Fremantle website.
Community feedback submissions to the council’s plan will be open until this Monday, April 29.
by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER