Rail Bridge Row

We are aiming to identify a qualified organisation(s) with relevant expertise to collaborate on the design, delivery, and operation of affordable housing at this site. 

This EOI is part of a two-stage procurement process – the current EOI stage and a subsequent Request for Proposal (RFP) stage.

The outcome of this two-stage procurement process comprising an EOI and RFP will be the selection of a Development Partner who will, in collaboration with CN, develop and refine the concept design for the project, obtain Development Approval, complete detailed design and then deliver the project with an ongoing role to own, operate and maintain the affordable housing component thereafter. 

The design, delivery and operation of affordable housing is a specialised undertaking. We have a long-term strategy and as a result we need to colloaborate with housing experts and industry stakeholders.

The Rail Bridge Row site was identified as being suitable for this project due to its central location, access to public transport and potential to link to existing community infrastructure (pedestrian and bicycle pathway). 

For the purposes of the definition of affordable housing in section 1.4 (1) of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979, very low income households, low income households and moderate income households are those whose gross incomes fall within the following ranges of percentages of the median household income, for the time being for the Greater Sydney (Greater Capital City Statistical Area) or the Rest of NSW (Greater Capital City Statistical Area) according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics: 

• Very low income household = less than 50% of the median income 

• Low income household = 50% or more but less than 80% of the median income 

• Moderate income household = 80% -120% of the median income 

As Newcastle is outside of Greater Sydney, the Rest of NSW income is used to determine very low, low and moderate income households. 

Many different people need affordable housing and for lots of different reasons. This may include people who work full- or part-time in lower paid jobs, where their household income is not high enough to pay market rent in the area in which they live and/or work. This is sometimes the case even for people working full-time in an essential service such as a police officer, a nurse or a childcare worker, particularly if they are just starting out in their career or supporting a family on only one income. 

People may also need affordable housing because a change in their lives has impacted on their financial circumstances – for example, a household member has lost their job, a family has separated, a family moves to a single income household after a baby is born or a spouse has died. 

Affordable housing is sometimes only needed for a short- or medium-term period, depending on the life changes a household is experiencing. Over time, the household’s circumstances or income may change again and some households may re-enter the private rental market or purchase a home. For example, the primary income earner may progress in their career or a family on one income moves to two incomes. 

Affordable housing is not the same as social housing. 

Social housing is government subsidised, long-term, rental housing for people on very low incomes with a housing need. Social housing includes public, community and Aboriginal housing. Public housing is managed by Homes NSW while community housing is managed by non-government organisations. 

Affordable housing is rental housing for very low to moderate income households. It is open to a broader range of household incomes than social housing. Households do not have to be eligible for social housing to apply for affordable housing, though people who are eligible for social housing may also be eligible for affordable housing properties. 

Affordable housing is usually rental housing which is managed like a private rental property, but there are eligibility criteria and the managers are mostly not-for-profit community housing providers. When an affordable housing property is advertised, people submit an application to the manager as they would if they were applying for a property in the private rental market. 

A community housing provider is a not-for-profit organisation which provides affordable rental and social housing for very low, low and moderate income groups and is registered under the National Regulatory System for Community Housing. 

The benefits of this project include the provision of much needed housing which is more affordable than the private rental market. 

The final cost of the project will only be determined once a partner has been selected, detailed design undertaken and planning approval obtained. However, there will be no increase to rates paid by the community to fund any contributions made by Council towards this project. 

The Rail Bridge Row site is the final section of the former rail corridor, purchased in 2020 to support revitalisation of the East End and cycling infrastructure.

Activation of the Hunter Street frontage will be considered as part of the detailed design process to be undertaken collaboratively between CN and the chosen Development Partner. 

Provision of a laneway through the project site is an essential component of the project, supporting active transport and connectivity. The proposed design includes a two-way road transitioning into a single lane for vehicular traffic, a shared cycleway that connects to Hunter Street and a loading bay for servicing the future development.