Sirius apartment dwellers set for unwanted exodus as Millers Point public housing sell-off continues

Sirius residents make their plight clear.

The  custom-built assisted living complex Sirius ­celebrated its 35th birthday this month, but the milestone could be its last in light of the State Government’s Millers Point sell-off. 
              
For more than three ­decades, the complex has combined aged and family units in the one development, providing an invaluable service to Sydney’s vulnerable community.

However despite its ­importance, the historic ­development is now under threat as the State Government prepares to sell the 79-room apartment complex along with public housing in Millers Point.

Sirius residents in the complex’s in-house community centre.

Friends of Millers Point member John Dunn said the Government’s proposed sale of Sirius was unjust.

“The sale of Sirius was a shock to us all when we found out and we still can’t believe the Government is even trying to go through with it,” Mr Dunn said
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“We knew Millers Point was at risk earlier in the year but when they announced Sirius was going to be sold as well we were stunned. It was just slipped into the proposal and that was that.

“It had never been included in any studies and had never been talked about at meetings. It was just tossed in.”

Mr Dunn said the apartments play a vital role in the housing and protection of Sydney aged and vulnerable residents.

Sirius celebrated its 35th birthday this month.

The Millers Point community has rallied to try and save the area’s public housing.

“There are very few places around the city which can accommodate people with accessibility issues – the only other place nearby which really could is Darling House but that is closing down as well,” he said.
“There is one local resident, Myra, who is in her 80s and is blind. She has lived in the area for years and she gets around OK because she knows Millers Point.

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If she were to be moved she would have no idea of her surroundings and her independence would be lost.

“I have a full study in my possession that was undertaken that proves Sirius doesn’t need money spent on it, it is in fabulously good condition and any comments that say otherwise are simply false.

“The State Government looks set on moving all the residents out so they can sell the complex as a single package despite the important role it plays and its historic value to The Rocks community.”

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore and State independent MP Alex Greenwich show solidarity with Millers Point residents when the sell-off was announced in March. Source: News Corp Australia

 



30 Argyle Pl was auctioned for $1.71 million. Source: Supplied

   

This rundown home at 23 Lower Fort St sold for $2.685 million. Source: Supplied

   

Created by Tao Gofers in 1975, the Sirius apartment was designed and built as a consequence of the Green Bans of the early 1970s and community opposition to plans to demolish the historic buildings along the western side of Circular Quay.

A spokeswoman from the Department of Family and Community Services said there had been no time frame announced for the sale of Sirius apartments.

The State Government have also announced the sale of three more Millers Point properties in the lead-up to Christmas, all situated on Argyle Place, one with Harbour Bridge and North Sydney views.
The three properties, which date from the mid 1840s, are scheduled to go to auction through McGrath Estate Agents on December 4.

The six Millers Point properties sold to date have netted the State Government over $15 million.



Sirius resident Myra is blind and unsure of what her future holds. 

RESOURCED: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/city-east/sirius-apartment-dwellers-set-for-unwanted-exodus-as-millers-point-public-housing-selloff-continues/story-fngr8h22-1227119459201