Megacity reaching for the sky in a smaller way
EXCLUSIVE – BEN PIKE · URBAN AFFAIRS WRITER Sunday Telegraph 31
May 2020
IT is the suburban megacity that was originally dubbed a “planning
disaster” by Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore.
A year later, the updated plans for the Waterloo Estate near
Redfern have been dramatically dialled down in an effort to win wider community
support and get the project moving.
In the latest large-scale project aimed at breaking up Sydney’s
public housing ghettos, the NSW Land and Housing Corporation’s updated planning
proposal for the site has seen eight storeys chopped off the tallest towers, wider
streets and a 4000sq m increase in open space.
And in the face of criticism that too many public housing tenants
are being pushed out of the city, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal that the state
government has added more taxpayer-funded units to the project.
Water, Property and Housing Minister Melinda Pavey (pictured
right) said the new proposal includes the development of about 3000 new
properties in the first stage, with 30 per cent of the homes social housing.
“LAHC undertook extensive community and stakeholder consultation
and the proposal will include an additional JOO new social housing dwellings in
the area,” Ms Pavey said.
“By deconcentrating disadvantage, we can breathe new life
into local economies to re-energise social housing to create vibrant communities,
not just buildings this is emblematic of the way we are now delivering social housing.”
Buildings have been cut from 40 to 32 storeys – still a long
way from the City of Sydney’s desire for 13 storeys maximum.
There has also been a reduction in the total dwellings in
the project, down from about 7000 to 6200.
The government is now proposing 2.57ha of open space in the
area, which includes a signature park adjacent to the new metro station.
Population growth in the area was more than triple the
Greater Sydney average in the year to 2019.
That population boom is set to continue with the incoming metro
station bringing increased density to the 17ha site and surrounding areas.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the council is still assessing the
proposal.
“As we begin to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, this
redevelopment offers the opportunity for more social and affordable housing in the
inner city, while also boosting jobs in the construction sector,” she said.
“The City is committed to working with LAHC to ensure development
of the site respects the character of the area and is supported by quality public
spaces for the benefit of the community.”
The Waterloo South Project is expected to create about 6600 jobs
over its life.
Source: The Sunday Telegraph May 31 2020 page 27 via optical character recognition
Online Version
The online version of this story was titled Waterloo Estate dwellings slashed, social housing
increased
This online article is for subscribers only. https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/waterloo-estate-dwellings-slashed-social-housing-increased/news-story/810555948cc927aef146d67f189d87af.
The online version is extensively the same as in the print issue but it does
have some additional information at the end of the article.
The online version says that the government estimates the
project will start in 2022-3 depending on planning approval. It also states that
in the 1990’s Waterloo had the highest concentration of public housing as any
suburb and that the Government is aiming to break up large concentrations of
public housing. It also states the development is part of the $22 billion Communities
Plus program. Controversially it also states: “Public housing blocks in
the area still have security guards on site, dubbed “concierges””!
Waterloo South NSW Government Video
A Video from the NSW Government about the proposed “Waterloo
Urban Village” can accessed outside the paywall at https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/waterloo-estate-development-in-sydney/video/c207fc339bff2edd9f1f1529262624ee.
The structure of the Telegraph site however means it is not possible to pause
the video and inspect the detail.
Please note that the Government decided to “drop” this story exclusively to The Telegraph so currently this is the only place this important information can be found.