A project designed to inject new life in Waterloo South is underway, providing essential housing critical to Australia – but not everyone is happy.
One of the Minns Government’s key developments to help ease Sydney’s housing crisis has moved closer to fruition with work crews readying the site for demolition.
According to the NSW government, the project, which was first announced in 2015, will provide 21,000 new affordable and private homes, in a huge boost to potential homebuyers.
The development will also add 8,400 new public homes and upgrade 30,000 existing social housing properties.
Artist impression of the Waterloo South Renewal Project. Picture: Stockland
“This is one of the most significant housing renewals in the country and I’m thrilled to be moving into the next stage, offering the community their first look at the new Waterloo South,” Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said.
“When we came to government, we immediately reviewed the plans for the Waterloo renewal and boosted the number of public and affordable homes from 35 to 50 per cent. This was a crucial step to ensure Waterloo remains a welcoming place for people from all walks of life to call home now and into the future.
“We know how important this project is to the community and we want to hear from residents to help shape what comes next.
“There is no time to waste in a housing crisis. I feel that urgency every day and I’m looking forward to moving to the next stage of this renewal project that will deliver more than four times the number of homes currently on this site.”
The Waterloo South renewal is projected to cost $6.6bn.
The site is being readied for demolition. Picture: Stockland
The government says: “The proposal sets out a vision for a vibrant new inner-city neighbourhood that could enable around 3,300 new homes, where at least half would be delivered as social or affordable housing. This will more than double the number of social and affordable homes currently on the site”.
As part of the area’s transformation, Homes NSW and development firm Stockland, have lodged a Concept State Significant Development Application (SSDA).
The Waterloo South renewal will be delivered in stages over the coming years to support a carefully managed transition for existing residents.
“As delivery partner, Stockland is proud to be working with the NSW Government on the renewal of Waterloo South – a significant project with community at its heart,” Stockland Managing Director and CEO Tarun Gupta said.
The project has been in the planning pipeline since 2015. Picture: NSW Government
“The Concept Plan sets the framework for a liveable and inclusive neighbourhood with new social, affordable and market housing, supported by parks, services and community infrastructure.
“We look forward to continuing to work closely with Homes NSW and our community housing partners to deliver a place where the community can thrive over the long term.”
However the project is not without opposition in the form of a public protest and police being called in.
Several of the long-term residents of the 1950s era housing currently on the site on the corner of Cope and McEvoy St are refusing to budge.
Police were called in on Monday as protesters tried to stop contractors fencing off public housing in the Waterloo Housing Estate ahead of its impending demolition.
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Karyn Brown, 63, has received an eviction notice.
The police and protesters were in a stand-off, with police refusing to comment on what would happen next as they met with Housing NSW representatives.
Rachel Evans, from Action for Public Housing, said: “The teams should leave.”
“We’ve camped here overnight to save Waterloo and stop the demolition of public housing”
The protest and overnight camp was on the site of 150, 1950s era units about 10km south of the Sydney CBD.
More than 140 tenants have been evicted to make way for the new project.
Any residents required to relocate for the renewal will be given at least six months’ written notice before needing to move and will be supported throughout the process, the Minns Government has said.
Protesters camped overnight.
Jenny Leong, the Greens member for Newtown and the NSW Greens Housing spokesperson, said rather than being demolished, the old flats simply needed “a good lick of paint” and some new kitchens and bathrooms.
She said there are still 10 to 15 people living in the block.
“Shamefully what has occurred is fencing has been going up while there are still people — tenants — living in the public housing building,” Leong, said.
“This would not happen in any other state except NSW because what we know is that the lack of regard for public housing tenants is so great.”
Greens MP Jenny Leong with police.
She called on the Government to “come to the table” to discuss renovating the old flats rather than demolishing them.
“Housing Minister Rose Jackson is supposed to be housing people, not evicting them,” she said.
“And if Rose Jackson can’t understand that, it’s time for her to answer as to why in a housing crisis, why on earth is she evicting some of the most vulnerable tenants in our community.
“We need to discuss how we can renovate and infill this beautiful public housing in the middle of our city — all it needs is a good lick of paint, new kitchens a couple of new bathrooms and some accessible ramps and stairways.
“These could be amazing, incredible homes for everyone, instead what we see a 10-year plan for demolition and neglect before private luxury homes are built on this site.”
Karyn Brown, 63, has lived in the block next door for 35 years but says she recently received an eviction notice.
“I don’t know where I’m going to go,” she said.
“The first lot from here had 70 new apartments built over the [Waterloo] Metro, there’s nothing like that after that.
“There was only 70, and there are 750 homes here.”
She said she had no idea how long it would be before she was evicted.
“From the last 100 tenants to get the notice, no-one’s been moved out yet,” she said.
“We’ll see how long that takes, as they’ve actually admitted there’s not that many places to move people to.”
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