Waterloo estate plan rejigged to accommodate more social housing

Half the 3000 apartments built in the first stage of the Waterloo public housing estate redevelopment would be social or affordable housing, under revised plans put forward by the NSW government to provide nearly 500 extra homes for vulnerable and low-income residents.

Housing Minister Rose Jackson said the future Waterloo South precinct in Sydney’s inner south would comprise 50 per cent social and affordable homes, up from 34 per cent promised by the former government, alongside hundreds of private apartments. The process to move hundreds of existing tenants whose homes will be bulldozed is expected to begin in mid-2024.

The plans for Waterloo South include 3000 dwellings and a 2.2 hectare public park next to the future metro station.

Jackson said the promise was part of the government’s broader plans to increase the supply of affordable housing and provide secure, long-term homes for vulnerable people in the community.

There are more than 51,000 people on the public housing waiting list in NSW.

“The Waterloo estate is one of the largest social housing renewals in the state, and this announcement is a significant step forward in addressing injustices by the former government while ensuring our commitment to providing more homes for those who need it most,” Jackson said.

The $3 billion plan to overhaul the full 19-hectare Waterloo estate, built in the 1970s, has been the subject of significant disagreement between the state government, residents and the City of Sydney.

The proportion of social and affordable housing proposed for the redeveloped estate, and the provision of information to tenants, have been major sticking points.

Premier Chris Minns’ government has been pressured since March to clarify its plans for the project after frustrated residents complained of mixed messages.

Jackson said 30 per cent of homes at Waterloo South would be social housing under the new plan. This includes public housing managed by the state government, as well as community housing run by not-for-profits. Another 20 per cent of homes would be affordable rental housing for low-income earners.

Waterloo South represents about 65 per cent of the estate, which is being redeveloped adjacent to the future metro train station.Credit: NSW government

At least 15 per cent of social and affordable homes would be set aside for Aboriginal residents.

The remaining 50 per cent of homes will be private dwellings. The government is expected to name a development partner to deliver the Waterloo South project early next year.

It has yet to decide on plans to redevelop the northern end of the estate, which contains the 30-storey Matavai and Turanga towers, and four 18-storey apartment blocks.

The former Coalition government had proposed to demolish the estate and rebuild it with roughly 30 per cent social housing and 70 per cent private homes, under its controversial policy of building private dwellings on public land to fund new or upgraded public housing.

Plans placed on exhibition last March showed 749 social housing properties at Waterloo South would be replaced with 3012 units, 1074 of which would be social or affordable housing. Of those, 847 – or 28 per cent – would be social housing, nearly 100 more units than at present. Another 227 units – less than 8 per cent – were earmarked as affordable housing, alongside 1900 private homes.

The Labor government said its revised plans would increase the number of social and affordable properties to about 1500.

Residents have been in limbo since the government revealed plans to redevelop the estate in 2015.

Jackson said tenants in Waterloo South would be given six months’ notice before they had to move, and the project would be completed in small stages to minimise disruption as much as possible.

She said all residents would be given the option to return to the rebuilt estate. Tenants can also choose to move to new social housing being built at the Waterloo Metro Quarter and in Redfern.

“Throughout this project tenants have been left in the dark about their future ... We want to take tenants with us every step of the way to provide clarity and certainty,” Jackson said.

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