Arabic version: استعدادات مشروع إعادة تطوير كبير في مجمع الإسكان في واترلو
The New South Wales (NSW) Housing Minister, Rose Jackson, has declared that the public housing community in Waterloo, inner Sydney, is ‘not functional’ as preparations for demolition commence. According to ABC News, the redevelopment will transform the area from 750 public homes into 3,300 private, social, and affordable housing units.
The demolition of the first block, consisting of around 150 homes, is scheduled to begin by the end of June. Minister Jackson emphasized that a mixed-tenure model would create a more functional community, stating that the old-style estates with a high concentration of public homes are not functional communities. She noted the significant financial investment required to maintain public housing, while assuring that the government would retain ownership of the land.
Current residents have been relocated to other public housing units, including at least 70 individuals who moved to newly-built homes adjacent to the Waterloo Sydney Metro station. However, some residents remain on-site, with reports indicating that at least ten individuals were still living in the area as of Monday. Activists have set up camp at the estate to protest the planned demolitions, expressing concerns about the loss of community and affordable housing.
Housing activist Karyn Brown, a long-time resident, criticized the government’s approach, advocating for the refurbishment of existing homes rather than their demolition. She argued that Waterloo should remain an affordable suburb to support low-paid workers who contribute to the local economy. Additionally, NSW Greens housing spokesperson Jenny Leong called for a commitment to 100% public housing on public land, asserting that increasing public housing is a more effective solution than introducing more private developments.
As the fencing goes up around the first homes to be demolished, the NSW government remains focused on its plan to develop a significant number of new housing units in the area, with a mix of private, social, and affordable options intended to address the housing crisis.
