The redevelopment of the Bonnyrigg housing estate must involve genuine and extensive consultation with the local community and result in a better deal for existing tenants and for applicants, says Shelter NSW.
'Community is much more than bricks and mortar, it is about the people who make neighbourhoods tick, and we hope the interests of the community at Bonnyrigg – present, as well as potential – are foremost in mind,' said Shelter executive officer, Ms Mary Perkins, today.
'We note that the Minister has set three key principles to guide the project – to maintain social housing stock numbers in western Sydney; to ensure community consultation; and to protect residents’ and tenants’ rights.
'We endorse these principles, and will be active in helping to ensure they are carried through.
'We are also supportive of proposals for a Bonnyrigg community reference group and a living communities consultative group, both of which will advise on and contribute to policy and planning. These are promising signs for the future.
'Shelter’s concern is that the people most affected – the residents themselves – will be properly consulted and will have a say in the decisions that affect their housing and their future.
'Stories about bulldozing the lot and starting again, or demonizing public housing tenants as troublemakers are not helpful.
'Of course there are problems on public housing estates. When you deprive people of jobs and decent incomes, and put them in poor quality housing in dormitory estates remote from jobs, transport and services, of course there are going to be problems.
'What we want to see here is a long-term process of community development and community renewal, as well as fixing the housing.”
We have reservations about public-private partnerships, but we acknowledge the pressure for these in a climate where ideology prevents government from borrowing to provide basic pubic goods and services.
'We are concerned to ensure that any such deals are transparent and accountable, and that they provide public benefit and value for money. We’d also like to see additional public housing being generated to assist some of the 90,000 on the waiting list.'
Further contact: Mary Perkins Executive Officer 0419 919 091 (m), or Harvey Volke Policy Officer 95571965 (h)
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