Peak low-income housing agency Shelter NSW has expressed alarm that ageing public housing tenants would be forced to pay the price for expansion of the metropolitan CBD into Redfern under plans announced today.
'When two thirds of the Redfern-Waterloo public housing estate is scheduled to be handed over to private developers, you have to ask who are the real citizens here: the local residents, or developers?' said Ms Mary Perkins, Shelter NSW executive officer.
'Some of these people have lived there for 30 years and more – some for generations – it’s their home, and the only home they know.
'And when the government plans to pull down their tower blocks, it’s only going to build more and denser tower blocks and take away already-scarce public space – bussing people to Bondi to get some fresh air is simply an offensive suggestion, and isn’t going to solve anything.'
Ms Perkins also expressed grave fears that far more people will be affected than the 200 the government says will be 'temporarily' moved out during the 'reconstruction phase'.
'There are 7,000 public housing tenants in Redfern, and they make up a living community proud to call Redfern home, and all of them are going to be affected one way or another', said Ms Perkins.
'And what flabbergasts us is this scheme was dropped on us from on high, without consultation, without discussion, and without the slightest consideration for the wishes of the residents.
'We urge the government to withdraw this scheme immediately and begin the consultations it promised with the community, and never delivered. If the government has been thinking these thoughts, it’s about time it took the people of Redfern into its confidence and started an open process.
'Any plans involving the use of public assets need transparency to ensure the public gain from the sale of any public assets – it must involve replacement and adequate compensation.
'I doubt that is likely with the present proposition – many developments of this kin involve loss of stock and effective public subsidy of private profits.
'Vast amounts of public money have been spent on the construction and maintenance of public housing on public land in Redfern, and it should stay in public hands.'
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