The Albanese Labor Government and the NSW Minns Government have announced a significant infrastructure investment in Cooma, amounting to $23.6 million, aimed at addressing the housing shortage in the region. The project, centred around the Cooma North Precinct, plans to unlock 177 new homes by developing essential infrastructure such as roads and the delivery of electrical, water, sewer, and telecommunications systems, with work to commence this month.
PHOTO: Member for Monaro, Steve Whan (left), Member for Eden-Monaro, Kristy McBain (centre), and Snowy Monaro Regional Council Mayor, Chris Hanna – at the Cooma North Precinct this morning
The eventual development will transform a previously unused 12.6-hectare NSW Government land site, located merely two kilometres north of Cooma’s town centre, into a comprehensive housing precinct.
PHOTO: The precinct is located 2kms outside of the Cooma CBD CREDIT: NSW Land and Housing Corporation (NSW-LHC)
This will include a diverse mix of housing options: 127 private market lots, 26 seniors living apartments, 12 social housing duplexes, and 12 duplexes for key workers and affordable housing.
PHOTO: Aerial view of the proposed Cooma housing site CREDIT: NSW-LHC
Kristy McBain, Member for Eden-Monaro, highlighted the urgency of increasing the housing supply in Cooma, stating, “Boosting housing supply is a huge priority for the Cooma region, and that starts with getting the enabling infrastructure in the ground.”
Ms McBain added that the $23.6 million joint investment would pave the way for “more social housing, more homes for growing families, and more housing to attract and retain the key workers Cooma needs.”
PHOTO: Member for Eden-Monaro, Kristy McBain
This infrastructure investment is crucial to the next stage of development, with planned housing construction scheduled to commence by June 2026, following infrastructure works.
PHOTO: The project utilises vacant state government land CREDIT: NSW-LHC
NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Rose Jackson, noted the strategic use of vacant state government land in delivering essential housing, citing that the development would provide immediate support to clear the priority social housing waitlist in the region.
Steve Whan, Member for Monaro, expressed the critical nature of this development, reflecting, “When you are hearing stories of people sleeping in cars over a Snowy Mountains winter you know there is a serious problem.”
PHOTO: Member for Monaro, Steve Whan
Mr Whan emphasised that the mixed housing approach taken by the project would foster better social cohesion within the community.
PHOTO: The announcement was made today, Wednesday April 9, in Cooma
The Cooma North Precinct development is poised to bring substantial benefits to the region, but with the completion of new homes some time away, so to, is relief for locals struggling to find an affordable home, or meet the cost-of-living.