Leong calls for Redfern development to retain 100% public housing
Image: Greens MP for Newtown Jenny Leong. Photo: Twitter/Mehreen Faruqi.
By ERIN MODARO
A development on government owned land in Redfern has drawn criticism from housing advocates, including Greens MP for Newtown and housing spokesperson Jenny Leong. The rectangular block at 600 Elizabeth Street, just across from Redfern Oval, has stood empty for years since 18 public housing dwellings were demolished in 2013.
The NSW government announced tender was granted to Bridge Housing and national infrastructure group Capella Capital to develop 300 new mixed housing units at the site, one third of which will be allocated for social housing. The development is due for completion in 2028.
In a move that is becoming all the more common across Sydney’s inner-suburbs, redevelopments of social and public housing are undercutting previous shares of 100% public housing blocks, and revamping the majority of these government owned lots for private sale. In recent cases, the government has been sticking to 30% allocated for social and affordable housing, with no specific figure for how many units will be for public housing only.
“Make no mistake,” Leong warned in a statement, “this is the NSW Liberal National government once again selling off public land for private profit”.
The plans for redevelopment have drawn the ire of housing groups since the announcement that the previous 100% public housing would be replaced with a much lower percentage. A rally was held in April last year protesting the privatisation of the land, attended by Leong and Shelter NSW chief executive John Engeler.
“A good government can get things wrong… but admits it, turns around and makes it right,” Engeler said to the crowd of residents and housing advocates.
The City of Sydney Council also criticised the government’s housing allocations at the time of approval, after Council’s original development proposal including 30% for social dwellings and 10% for affordable housing units was traded for the current amount of 30%.
Rental crisis at hand
Leong stressed that Sydney is in the midst of a rental crisis, with vacancy rates at historic lows while cost of living and rent rises at a significant pace.
“This is public land, in the inner city, in the middle of a housing crisis. This should remain 100 per cent public land, and 100 per cent public housing – like it was just a decade ago,” she said.
Leong also criticised the lack of housing allocated for First Nations peoples. With Redfern home to one of the highest concentration of First Nations communities in Sydney, Leong said it is “disgraceful is that there is no dedicated Aboriginal housing planned for this site in the heart of Redfern”.
300 new homes
The redevelopment, which is located in prime position for public transport and social amenities, will see 300 new homes built, as well as rooftop gardens, outdoor spaces and a new head office for Bridge Housing.
Minister for Families and Communities Natasha Maclaren-Jones said that the new homes will be used as a relocation site for residents being evicted from the nearby Waterloo Estate public housing blocks which are up for demolition this year.
Leong expressed apprehension via social media about the promises for helping Waterloo residents, as the 2028 completion date leaves a significant gap that she said is “cold comfort for residents for whom relocations have already begun”.
The Waterloo Estate redevelopment has come under fire for all the same reasons as Elizabeth Street, with community campaigns protesting its demolition running throughout 2022. Waterloo will be home to a new mixed housing development with 28% social housing, 7.5% affordable homes and 63 per cent private homes.
Maclaren Jones said the Elizabeth Street redevelopment will go towards “supporting greater connection to Country for Aboriginal residents and the broader community”.
Developers Bridge Housing described the Redfern location as an “iconic inner-city site”.
