Prime Minister’s call to respect communities when building new homes

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese believes projects like Barangaroo and the transformation of the old Marrickville Hospital prove unity on housing development is possible.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pointed to the redevelopment of the old Marrickville Hospital site in his inner west seat of Grayndler as an example of how successful projects work when they show “respect for the culture of the community (they are) joining.”

Mr Albanese said that projects such as the one in Marrickville as well as Barangaroo in the CBD show that “Australia can design and deliver projects and precincts that unify our cities, grow our economies and serve our communities.”

“The Marrickville Hospital had been empty for nearly 30 years when Mirvac redeveloped the site,” he told The Daily Telegraph to mark the Bradfield Oration.

“That project delivered new housing, including affordable housing, and also valuable community spaces: an internationally acclaimed new public library with meeting and study rooms, a pavilion for parties, a cafe and generous outdoor spaces including a public lawn and seating, a junior playground, a dedicated youth area, all of it surrounded by specially commissioned public art works.”

The prime minister also paid tribute to Sydney’s western suburbs and noted that when Western Sydney Airport opens in 2026, “we won’t all be turning in, towards the CBD and the Harbour, we’ll be looking outward … to the west.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says successful housing projects show respect for the community. Picture: Justin Lloyd

“I would submit that nowhere is this more important – or more urgent – than in Greater Western Sydney, home to more Australians than Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart and Darwin combined,” he said.

Mr Albanese said that the reorientation of the city means that the west will be “an economic powerhouse, driving national growth,” but that it is crucial to get the infrastructure right.

“It can’t be an enclave of economic opportunity, cut-off from the community … building the right surrounding infrastructure and public transport and freight links is absolutely critical,” he said as part of an announcement of a new panel aimed at assessing the region’s infrastructure needs before next year’s federal budget.

Mirvac's Marrick & Co residential development has been completed, with 70 per cent of the apartments and terraces already sold.

It is understood the panel will be chaired by Sarah Hill, the chief executive of the Western Parkland City Authority.

“But it’s not just that ‘hard’ infrastructure of roads and rail that drives an area’s growth, it’s the green spaces, the parks, the community theatres and galleries, sports grounds and public pools, urban waterways and bike paths … these are the amenities that knit together a neighbourhood.

“And fostering this sense of community pride and connection and inclusion depends on empowering local knowledge and innovation.”