Mr Brown today visited the site and met with tenants and
demolition contractors RK Civil and Environmental Engineering.
“This marks a significant step in our $28 million dollar
investment in the local community, rejuvenating an important part of Redfern by
providing attractive homes for tenants and opening up the area for new private
development,” Mr Brown said.
“There are currently 88 units on the site in 10 separate
buildings, each two to four storeys high.
“These units, built in the 1950s are no longer suitable
housing for our tenants and are also very expensive to maintain.
“The demolition contractor has secured the site and begun
the careful process of taking the buildings apart.”
Mr Brown said the contractor has lodged a detailed
demolition plan with Housing NSW to clear, level and have the 9,709 m2 site
ready for the start of construction.
“The work to demolish the buildings and prepare the site is
expected to take four months, with the construction of the 106 new public
housing dwellings due to start in August 2008,” Mr Brown said.
Ms Keneally said the new housing will be better suited to
local people in need such as the frail aged, people with a disability and
smaller families.
“There will be a mix of small, multi-storey buildings, with
66 homes for elderly tenants and 40 terrace houses with backyards for
families,” Ms Keneally said.
“What is also great about this project is that it is the
most environmentally sustainable Housing NSW development to date.”
State Plan Priority R4: Building Harmonious Communities
State Plan Priority E6: Housing Affordability