A letter from Social Housing Minister Brad Hazzard was hand delivered to 2,500 tenants on the morning of the minister’s visit (December 16) to announce the major redevelopment (2,000 apartments demolished and 10,000 new apartments over a 20-year period) and construction of a new Sydney metro station at Waterloo (the precise location has not been specified). The letter was written in English only.
Local housing representatives and social services were notified of the impending “community barbecue” late in the afternoon of December 15. Not surprisingly, many failed to receive the notice in time or were unable to attend.
Arriving two hours later than scheduled, the minister addressed a gathering at the Waterloo Neighbourhood Centre in Wellington Street, where senior staffers remained until 4pm to answer questions.
The letter and announcement, however, raise more questions than they answer. While tenants have been assured of their right to a home in the new development (along with a guarantee of equivalent tenure), it’s not clear how the process of interim placements will be handled.
A boost to social housing is certainly welcome, but what percentage of this “social” housing will be public? What percentage affordable or community housing? What percentage Aboriginal housing?
Tenant representatives feel overwhelmed and “under fire”, confused as to why the government would spring such an announcement at the end of the year when community centres have closed for the holidays. They are also puzzled at the wastefulness of recent maintenance to buildings now marked for demolition.
A statement from Counterpoint Community Services (aka The Factory Community Centre) expresses dismay: “These latest plans … will come as a shock to many, and again we find ourselves in the position that the community will be consulted after the decision has already been made.”
“The letter is so disrespectful,” says one tenant who prefers to remain anonymous. “It’s both dehumanising and demonising of tenants who make up a vital community. We are not the problem. The problem is lack of government support, too little funding for maintenance, and inappropriate allocations. We all know that.”
Another tenant says: “This is smoke and mirrors. What’s the reality behind this vision? And who will benefit financially? It’s a developer’s vision.”
Geoff Turnbull of REDWatch shares a concern for the welfare of tenants. “Redevelopment of the buildings will not result in improvements for residents unless it’s accompanied by changes in the way the government allocates housing to people with high needs and changes the support services provided to help them maintain their tenancies with minimal impact on their neighbours.”
Executive Officer of Counterpoint Community Services, Michael Shreenan, added: “This development, along with the others that will surely follow in the surrounding area, will have a profound effect on the public housing community who are rightly concerned and anxious about the news. Given issues such as traffic congestion, the lack of plans to improve currently inadequate social and community infrastructure, coupled with the projected increase in density, will come as no surprise to residents who are cynical after previous unsatisfactory discussions with government.”
Merry Christmas, 2015
Often our opinion
of others is revealed
through our inattention
to small details
like the Home Brand
bread and sausages
the Hon Brad Hazzard, MP,
thought suitable
to provide for tenants
of public housing
at a barbecue
held to announce
the destruction
of their loved homes,
their lively community,
to be replaced,
he announced …
with a better-quality
environment
frequented, no doubt
by a better-quality
human being
who buys Select Brand.
– Poet’s name withheld
