The project was many years in the making and involved extensive input from the tenants of a major inner-city public housing estate. In the delivery of the project the tenants were required to forego a facility of their tenancies – usage of off-street carpark spaces. In the post-implementation phase of the project, the tenants now monitor its operation and make bi-monthly reports to Housing NSW.
The project is centred around the provision of free off-street car parking within a two to three minute leisurely stroll to a major interchange train station one stop away from the City Circle train loop. The project has the capacity to provide this service for 50 cars in an area regularly patrolled by security guards under a Housing NSW issued contract. The project is located alongside an extensive park with sporting and recreational facilities including BBQs and a children’s playground.
The location was chosen to enable the commuters to unwind prior to completing their journey thus enabling them to arrive home with an enhanced capacity to enjoy their evening in a domestic environment. It also provides a “refresh” break prior to completing their morning travel with the attendant capacity to reduce the onset of workplace induced stress. To enhance the uptake of the project by commuters it was included in all major street directories, where it still appears today.
In line with the demonstrated desire to reduce its carbon footprint Housing NSW’s next project on the same inner-city public housing estate may well be the adjusting of the timer mechanisms for the common area security lights throughout the estate. At present many of these lights are on during the daytime. Some turn off at night whilst others are on 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
