Waterloo Estate dwellings slashed, social housing increased
It was once dubbed a “planning disaster” but the proposed new Waterloo Estate mega city has undergone a major overhaul in order for it to become a reality. This comes as the government approved $13b in projects in just under three months. SEE THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS
NSW
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It is the suburban mega city that was originally dubbed a “planning disaster” by Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore.
A year later the updated plans for the Waterloo Estate near Redfern have been dramatically dialled down in an effort to win wider community support and get the project moving.
In the latest large scale project aimed at breaking up Sydney’s public housing ghettos, the NSW Land and Housing Corporation’s updated planning proposal for the site has seen eight storeys chopped off the tallest towers, wider streets and a 4000sq m increase in open space.
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But in the face of criticism that too many public housing tenants are being pushed out of the city, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the state government has added more taxpayer-funded units to the project.
Water, Property and Housing Minister Melinda Pavey said the new proposal includes the development of about 3000 new properties in the first stage, with 30 per cent of the homes social housing.
“LAHC undertook extensive community and stakeholder consultation and the proposal will include an additional 100 new social housing dwellings in the area,” Minister Pavey said.
“By deconcentrating disadvantage, we can breathe new life into local economies to re-energise social housing to create vibrant communities, not just buildings — this is emblematic of the way we are now delivering social housing.”
Buildings have been cut from 40 to 32 storeys — still a long way from the City of Sydney’s desire for 13 storeys maximum.
There has also been a reduction in the total dwellings in the project, down from about 7000 to 6200.
The government is now proposing 2.57ha of open space in the area, which includes a signature park adjacent to the new Metro Station.
Population growth in the area was more than triple the Greater Sydney average in the year to 2019.
That population boom set to continue with the incoming Metro Station bringing increased density to the 17ha site and surrounding areas.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the council is still assessing the proposal.
“As we begin to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, this redevelopment offers the opportunity for more social and affordable housing in the inner city, while also boosting jobs in the construction sector,” she said.
“The City is committed to working with LAHC to ensure development of the site respects the character of the area and is supported by quality public spaces for the benefit of the community.”
Over the life of the Waterloo South Project it’s expected there will be about 6600 jobs created.
The government estimates the project will start in 2022-2023, depending on planning approval.
Until the 1990s Waterloo had some of the highest concentrations of public housing of any Sydney suburb.
Public housing blocks in the area still have security guards on site, dubbed “concierges”.
Like other sites across the city including Claymore, Airds and the recently approved Ivanhoe Estate in Macquarie Park, the government is aiming to break up large concentrations of public housing in the one area.
Waterloo Estate is the largest project in LAHC’s $22 billion Communities Plus program.
SYDNEY PROJECTS FAST-TRACKED
The state government is running full steam ahead in their mission to supercharge the property sector, approving $13 billion in projects in just under three months.
Planning Minister Rob Stokes had given the green light to 47 projects and more than 8000 dwellings since March 1.
To put that in perspective, they have approved as many dwellings as exist in the whole north west Sydney suburb of Kellyville – an area which took decades to develop.
Ivanhoe Estate in Macquarie Park, the Snowy Hydro 2.0 scheme and a swathe of education projects have been the big ticket items.
“We’re fast-tracking planning assessments to get shovel-ready projects started as soon as possible to support communities right across the state both now and in the months ahead,” Mr Stokes said.
“I’m calling on councils to follow our lead to fast-track assessments so they too can help to keep people in jobs and the economy moving.
“The construction industry is one of the few sectors that has been able to continue throughout this crisis.”
Urban Taskforce CEO Tom Forrest said the difference between today and this time last year has been chalk and cheese.
“This time last year, and before the election, nothing was being approved and there was a feeling that projects were not being supported by social infrastructure,” he said.
“Now we are seeing schools being approved and the government making very positive changes to the planning system.
”These projects have been (or will be) subject to the same planning laws, the same requirements for community consultation and public exhibition.”
The government will announce another tranche of projects around June 18.
Originally published as Waterloo Estate dwellings slashed, social housing increased
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