It is the first time private investors have been involved in
the redevelopment of public housing in Australia
– and it is likely to be a template for others in NSW, such as the troubled
Minto estate in south-western Sydney.
Central to the Bonnyrigg development is cutting the number
of public dwellings – as well as moving a large number of tenants into
surrounding areas, according to evidence to a budget estimates committee
hearing yesterday.
The Bonnyrigg estate, developed in the 1980s, included 833
public dwellings and 100 private houses.
Under the redevelopment proposal, the number of dwellings is
to more than double to 2330, with just 699 residences to be public housing.
The cost of the redevelopment to be borne by the Government
will be $368 million, the Minister for Housing, Matt Brown, said.