‘Keep our curtains drawn’: Residents block social housing for seniors

A Liberal state MP has thrown his support behind residents protesting against plans to build a three-storey social housing block for seniors in Sydney’s south and claiming it threatens to devalue their homes and disrupt the ambience of their “peaceful, family oriented neighbourhood”.

Oatley MP Mark Coure, who was minister for seniors in the Perrottet government, sent Housing Minister Rose Jackson a petition and letter from Riverwood residents who expressed their “strong opposition” to the proposed 29-unit “high-density senior housing development”.

An artist’s impression of the 29-unit housing block that Homes NSW is proposing to build for seniors in Riverwood in Sydney’s south.Credit: Homes NSW

As the NSW waiting list for social housing passes 62,590, Coure’s intervention on behalf of riled neighbours has put him on a collision course with Jackson, who said the project is a “well-designed, well-located three-storey building for older people at risk of homelessness”.

“The fact we have to push through objections from local Liberal MPs to deliver such a project is so frustrating,” she said.

But Coure told the Herald he did not oppose the project but had passed on residents’ concerns “to ensure that their voices were heard in the approval and consultation process of this development”.

“As a local MP, my job is to represent the concerns of my constituents to the government of the day,” he said.

Homes NSW is proposing to build the 29 apartments with 14 car spaces on Hardwicke Street. The complex would house people aged 60 and older – mostly women – without access to stable housing.

The petition from Hardwicke Street neighbours said the complex would create an influx of residents and cars that would compromise safety and parking, disrupt the street’s “serene atmosphere”, and overburden parks, medical centres and community facilities.

It warned the three-storey block would “loom” over the street’s mostly single- and double-storey houses, threatening the suburb’s “sense of seclusion and tranquillity” and leading to an “unwanted invasion of privacy” that might force many people to “keep blinds or curtains drawn at all times”.

The residents’ letter urged the government to reject the proposal in favour of a “low-density, low-rise housing option” that would not infringe on the character or integrity of the established suburb.

Oatley MP Mark Coure, who has held the seat since 2011, said the community had a proud history of supporting seniors housing developments in appropriate locations.Credit: Anna Kucera

“Hardwicke Street has long been a peaceful, family-oriented neighbourhood, and this high-density project threatens to fundamentally alter its character, ambience, and appeal,” read the letter sent in November.

“Preserving the unique, low-density character of Hardwicke Street is critical for maintaining the wellbeing and quality of life for its residents.”

Jackson said the project complied with planning regulations and would enable Homes NSW to build more much-needed social housing at a time when there were “elderly women sleeping in cars”.

“Mr Coure should be engaging with his community to explain why this project is a much-needed and positive addition to their neighbourhood – well-designed social housing integrated into our communities makes our city more functional and more stable,” she said.

NSW Housing Minister Rose jackson said the project would house seniors – particularly women – at risk of homelessness. Credit: Steven Siewert

Coure said residents had contacted him several months ago to express their “genuine concerns” regarding the proposed development’s impact on traffic and nearby infrastructure.

“In Riverwood and broadly across my local community, parking and congestion on our local streets are a significant issue and challenge for those who live and work in the area,” he said.

Coure said his community had a proud history of supporting “more appropriate” housing projects in the area, including a 16-unit social housing complex for seniors built at Lugarno in 2021.

The NSW Council of Social Service said there was an estimated shortfall of 221,500 social housing dwellings in the state in 2023-24.

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