Building work on three multi-storey complexes should start in February to help relieve Port Macquarie’s public housing shortage after a controversial proposal got the green light.

Housing NSW got the go ahead for a 24-unit Grant St apartment building, 32 apartments in a complex at the corner of Church and Mowle streets, and 41 units in a complex at Gordon and Mowle streets.

A Housing NSW spokesman welcomed Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s approval of all three development applications on Wednesday.

“There is a critical need for social housing in the Port Macquarie area, particularly for older people, and this development will be a welcome announcement for people who have been waiting for housing in this area,” he said.

“Housing NSW refutes any claims that nearby properties have been devalued by Housing’s intention to develop in the area; public housing has existed in the area for the past 50 years.”

Country Labor Port Macquarie Branch representative Jeff Condron said Port Macquarie needed the development.

He said there were 109 people waiting up to six years for one-bedroom units and 390 people were facing an 11-year wait for two-bedroom units in Port Macquarie.

The Housing NSW spokesman said 80 to 85 per cent of the units would be for older people.

“Housing NSW will build on 10 lots and the remaining 17 lots will be sold off after construction to the private sector to achieve a more balanced community,” he said.

The spokesman said there had been extensive community consultation since February to address issues of concern.

Parking and the scale of the developments were among the concerns over the plan.

Council administrator Garry Payne said after a great deal of public debate, he was pleased to support the application.

“Like so many regional areas, public housing is in very short supply and this development will go a long way to improving that situation locally, particularly for seniors and people with a disability,” he said.

The construction work is due for completion in April 2011.