Jandyra values living in the Waterloo area and has created strong ties with Waterloo community life. She enjoys the activities at the Cliff Noble Centre in Kepos Street particularly the day trips organised by the centre, and participates in a variety of classes, for instance, jewellery making and instruction in computer use.
As Jandyra always travels by public transport she is particularly dependent upon the accessibility to shops for her daily needs, for instance, supermarkets and the chemist. She also points out that she is able to access several buses and consequently if she needs to go farther afield, for instance, Marrickville Metro, the colourful Newtown, the city, and St Andrew’s Cathedral, she is easily able to do so.
Jandyra is a chronic diabetic. She needs to be close to her doctor in Cleveland Street who knows her history and upon whom she relies for continuing treatment and support. Living in Waterloo means that she is also close to St Vincent’s Hospital, which gives her a sense of security.
In addition, and most importantly, as Jandyra has no family here, she relies upon the network of people she knows and loves for her sense of wellbeing and belonging. She has a very close friend of 30 years who lives locally and the friendship is very important to her.
When Jandyra received the letter from Housing Minister Brad Hazzard, just before Christmas, she felt extremely anxious as she had no idea of where she might be housed in the future. She was particularly puzzled as Housing had inspected her unit just before Christmas and came up with a list of repairs, which they said would be done before Christmas. Why would they spend money on repairs when they plan to knock the building down?
Jandyra found the two public meetings intended to clarify the redevelopment’s plans for the tenants of Waterloo Public Housing extremely unhelpful. She remains concerned that she and the other tenants are being displaced from a community they love. She fears that she and other tenants will be moved to locations remote from transport and consequently will be isolated and vulnerable.
