High-rises near train stations could replace ‘horrible’ 60s commission flats

People from all walks of life could call “vibrant” communities built on top of train stations their home. Here’s how the proposal could solve Sydney’s housing crisis.

Housing hubs created around train stations with a mix of social, affordable, and affluent housing is the key to solving the state’s housing shortage, says the boss of a leading construction firm.

John Holland Group chief executive Joe Barr — who is putting up an “integrated station development” around Waterloo — is calling for lifestyle precincts to be set up around stations.

“You have this massive flow of people flow at these stations so therefore you have this opportunity, you are also putting affordable housing and student housing there, so you aren’t pricing people,” he said.

“A good example of that is the Waterloo integrated station development … above that station you have got a metro quarter, residential buildings, social housing, student housing, commercial and retail.”

Mr Barr said buyers would not turn away from precincts with social and affordable housing as long as they weren’t created like “horrible commission flats”.

John Holland chief executive Joe Barr. Picture: Supplied

“Having built to rent, affordable housing and social housing along with apartments that are more expensive creates vibrancy in your cities,” he said.

“You want nurses and teachers and students living together.

Vibrant housing communities could be built around train stations. Picture: Damian Shaw

“Sometimes when you think about affordable housing or social housing … your mind might go to those horrible commission flats built in the 60s.”

Mr Barr said the state urgently needed more affordable housing as both the state and federal government pushed an ambitious skilled migration agenda.

“People will come and not be able to afford to live properly, and that will be a lose-lose situation,” he said.

“We need to welcome people into society and make it affordable and the best way to do that is good, efficient housing.”