While the new public housing stock is not technically part
of Stage 2 of Redfern-Waterloo Authority’s Built Environment Plan, it is
considered to be a bellwether for future developments.
“How the Department [of Housing] handles this development
will have implications for Stage 2,” REDWatch’s Geoff Turnbull said.
The 88 public housing units on the former swamp site will be
demolished in the next four months, with 106 new dwellings taking their place.
A spokesperson for the NSW Housing said “These units, built
in the 1950s, are no longer suitable for our tenants and are also very
expensive to maintain.”
Minister Kristina Keneally,
the local member for Heffron, said the new housing will appeal to the
frail-aged, people with disabilities and smaller families. “There will be 66
homes for elderly tenants and 40 terrace houses with backyards for families,”
she said.
According to local housing activist Ross
Smith, the government has placed existing tenants in suitable
housing. “The DoH has been very good in their attitude towards the [existing]
tenants. We hope that would carry on with any future redevelopment in the
Redfern-Waterloo area,” he said.
Mr Smith said the RWA will unveil plans for the
Redfern-Waterloo public housing estate in March, but he has concerns about the
RWA’ s approach. “There has been no genuine consultation with tenants or tenant
body. The RWA has gone on record to say that they are not following the
Bonnyrigg model. We are saying this model should be followed.”
Bonnyrigg was the model the DoH employed following the
inflammatory outcomes at the Minto, Claymore and Airds estates.
Mr Turnbull said until plans are exhibited, which could see
a two thirds-private, one-third-public mix, it’s difficult to evaluate. “The
question is how they do it. Whether they opt for a master plan or whether the
Government takes planning control to be able to put in the densities they want
to put in,” the REDWatch member said.
Source:
South Sydney Herald February 2008 – www.southsydneyherald.com.au