Lynda Voltz, Member for Auburn, today said the release of the 2021 Census figures show that many were still living on Struggle Street in the Auburn Electorate and more work is needed to alleviate this growing inequality.
Nearly half of all local residents in the Auburn Electorate are living in rented accommodation (48.8%) compared to 30% of people across Australia and 32% in New South Wales in general.
“This reinforces why life is often a struggle in the seat of Auburn which has, since the 2016 census, struggled with the second highest homelessness in New South Wales, after the CBD seat of Sydney,” Ms Voltz said.
“We know that in particular there are enormous overcrowding problems in local housing where often three generations are living in two and three bedroom rented accommodation to try to make ends meet.
“When you have huge numbers of refugees and those living on Safe Haven Visas without any hope for the future, it is no surprise to hear of 18 people sharing a two bedroom flat which is just one example of the reality in Auburn.”
The 2021 Census also reveals that while many live in Auburn looking for affordable accommodation, that reality is becoming less likely with local rent much higher than the median at $450 a week, compared to $300 a week across Australia and $340 a week generally in New South Wales.
When it comes to owning your own home the numbers are even more stark. Only 19% of local Auburn residents own their property outright compared to compared to 31% of people across New South Wales and Australia.
Mortgage stress will also hit the Auburn electorate hard with nearly 30% of local residents with a mortgage paying more than 30% of their income on mortgage repayments. This compares poorly with the rest of Australia (14%) and New South Wales (17%). It is much higher than wealthier trophy suburbs such as those in the Vaucluse Electorate where, despite the huge cost of housing, only 22% are paying more than 30% of their income in mortgage repayments compared to the 30% in Auburn.
“A sensible government would take heed of the critical data that is presented in the census,” Ms Voltz said.
“I hope this census starts ringing alarm bells for the NSW Government to start investing in infrastructure where it is most desperately needed to drive down inequality.
“While the state seats of Auburn, Granville and Parramatta now form the three most populated state seats after the seat of Sydney, and the NSW Government continues to cram thousands of more dwellings into the local area, investment to ease traffic chaos and create adequate school spaces has poorly lagged.
“It is time the NSW Government took more notice.”
