Minister
for Housing, Matt Brown today green lighted the redevelopment of the Elizabeth
Street, Redfern public housing site, which aims to revitalise the inner-city
neighborhood and help turn it into a welcoming community for more young
families, the elderly and those most in need.
“After
years of community consultation and a tough competition between some of the
best architects in the State, I am pleased to announce that the Elizabeth Street
public and private housing project is going ahead – delivering better quality
housing in a high-demand inner-city area,” Mr Brown said.
“The
new designs are modern, eco-friendly, sustainable and attractive. We’re
honoring our commitment to improving social housing – and this development aims
to set a new standard in housing design in the inner city.”
The old
site, consisting of 106 walk-up units built in 1953, will be transformed into a
total of 264 modern apartments and houses – land for 158 of these will be sold
on the private market and the profits will absorb part of the $27 million cost.
Details of
the redevelopment include:
- 40 terraced houses with
backyards for families - 66 purpose built accommodation
for seniors - Common recreation and green
areas - Environmentally friendly
fixtures such as; rainwater tanks, water saving shower heads and cross
ventilation design to reduce energy use
Member for
Heffron, Kristina Kenneally, welcomed the redevelopment adding: “This is
great news for the people of Redfern. This new, state-of-the art development
aims to inspire this diverse, inner city neighbourhood that has remained relatively
unchanged for over 50 years.”
Mr Brown
said the Department of Housing will now lodge a Development Application for the
LFA Architect’s design. Construction is set to begin in early 2008 and is due
to be completed over the following 18 months.
FACT SHEET
Elizabeth Street, Redfern Redevelopment
- Construction will begin on the
$27 million, 264 dwelling estate on Elizabeth Street, Redfern in 2008. - It is expected to be completed
in mid 2009. - Community consultation began in
December 2002 when South Sydney Council approved the master plan. - The Department of Housing has
met with almost all of the 106 current tenants in the development - They will continue to work
towards addressing their concerns and meeting their needs during this
change - The new dwellings will replace
the older style apartments that were built in 1953. - The new development will
comprise of terrace family homes and custom-made apartments for the
elderly. - Part of the cost of the new
public housing should be absorbed by the sale of the private housing land. - The private land to be sold is
a footprint for 158 new dwellings. - The redevelopment saves the
Department of Housing $5 million in maintenance every ten years. - All existing residents will be
offered alternative housing in the area. - They will also be offered a
guarantee of return to housing appropriate to their needs in the new
accommodation if they so wish.
Further information is to be added to the Department of Housing Website at:
http://www.housing.nsw.gov.au/Changes+to+Public+Housing/Redfern+Redevelopment.htm