Save Millers Point, Dawes Point & The Rocks.: 08/22/14

Friday 22 August 2014

Time for Strategy: Part 2

Saturday, 16 August 2014

It's been a while since I wrote my first instalment on the eviction of public housing tenants from Sydney's harbour front - Millers Point, the Rocks, and Dawes Point. As promised, I am going to look at potential strategies and tactics residents can use in the resistance.

But first, here's an update on what's happened so far...

The NSW Liberal Government has been doing a pretty good job of screwing over elderly, the disabled, the working class, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged. The taskforce on Sydney's housing affordability crisis has not met in over a year. But is has gotten rid of strict heritage rules for property developers. We also know that the government feels comfortable cooking the books to hide the deadly effect of sell-off. There has been reports of hospitalisations, a heart attack, and at least one suicide. Some excellent reporting from Nicole Hasham, Sydney Morning Herald.

How do they sleep at night?

And also, the campaign to save Millers Point, et al...

The indomitable Barney Gardner has been front and centre of the campaign. There has been sustained media attention from mainstream and alternative media, mostly sympathetic. Social cleansing. Two-legged rats. Let's not forget that the residents took on the government in the 1970's, and won. The government is experiencing getting its message across. Good. There has been some really good fundraising initiatives, from t-shirts to family days. Great. You can't run a campaign without money. If you have coins to spare, please consider making a donation.

But, have they won..?

Nope. The government has pressured some residents to relocate, but many are refusing to move. We understand 102 households have accepted offers of relocation but a further 291 at Millers Point and the Rocks have not accepted the offers. The hard data is a little sobering, but we must remember this is a David and Goliath battle. The NSW Liberal Government has employed questionable tactics from the very start. It has been inundating residents with casual drop-ins, telephone calls, texts, letters, and interviewing residents with no lawyers, guardians, or support persons.

I could think of a few choice words to describe this behaviour, but I will restrain myself. Indecent. Immoral. Unethical. Unconscionable.

What else can be done..?

We need to dig in our heels and up the ante. Labour in opposition is opposed to the fire sale. The next NSW election is scheduled for next year, March.

Delay, delay, delay

It is difficult not to link the Millers Point sell-off with claims of large-scale and systemic corruption. Property developers have been banned from making political donations in New South Wales since 2009. We know now that members of the Liberal Party have been accepting bribes from property developers. There has been talk of bundles of cash. I wouldn't be surprised if the Independent Commission into Corruption (ICAC) is quietly investigating the sell-off. Eight MPs have stood down, including former Premier, Barry O'Farrell. In light of this scandal, the sale of Millers Point is hardly tenable. If I was Mike Baird, I would be seriously reconsidering this decision. If anyone has any information, please come forward.

Ramp up the resistance

We've got to ramp up the resistance. There comes a point where no matter the community outrage, the government forges ahead with its plans. I would be talking to trade unions to see how they can help. I would refuse to comply with eviction and other notices. I would be picketing inspections and auctions of the properties. I would be employing peaceful resistance tactics. I would be holding prayer vigils in parliamentary offices.

Above all else, tenants must stick together no matter what. I have seen Channel 10 interview homeless people for their views on the sell-off. This is part and parcel of the NSW Liberal Government's strategy. Divide and conquer. As I've said before, I highly doubt the Liberal Government is going to reallocate funding to housing. Look at the evidence.

Media Coverage:

Resourced: http://landlordwatch.blogspot.com.au/2014/08/time-for-strategy-part-2.html

SECRET AUCTIONS AT MILLERS POINT RAISE COMMUNITY CONCERN

August 21, 2014

The NSW Liberal Government’s secret auctions of public housing properties at Millers Point strikes at the heart of community confidence that this is nothing more than a fire sale of public assets and should be stopped.

“The revelations that public housing at Millers Point are going to be sold in secret is just more evidence that taxpayers can have no confidence in this process and that it needs to be stopped immediately,” Shadow Minister for Housing Sophie Cotsis said.

“These secret auctions show the government is more concerned with a quick cash grab, rather than the best interests of taxpayers and the current tenants of these properties.

“The Liberals claims they want to invest the revenue from the sales in new public housing but there is no evidence of that in the budget.

“Everyone knows that if you are selling your house at auction, you want to attract as many bidders as possible in order to get the best price.

“Instead of making these auctions open for everyone, the NSW Liberal Government is holding them in secret.

“These secret auctions are not transparent and they do not guarantee the best return for the sale of a public asset.

“The Liberals’ watered down heritage requirements mean that potential speculators can landbank these properties for future development.”

Labor candidate for Sydney Edwina Lloyd condemned the Liberals’ handling of housing at Millers Point.

“Labor opposes the forced eviction of public housing tenants from Millers Point,” Labor candidate for Sydney Edwina Lloyd said.

“The NSW Liberal Government has already been caught tampering with reports to downplay the impact that forced evictions will have on residents’ health - and they have watered down heritage rules for purchasers of these properties.

“These secret auctions show that the entire process is a sham and that the Liberals are determined to sell these properties, even if it means that taxpayers do not receive the best sale price at auction.

“I am calling on the NSW Liberal Government to halt this sale process, talk to the tenants they are evicting and develop a real plan to deliver affordable housing in the inner-city.”

Resourced: http://www.johnrobertson.com.au/secret_auctions_at_millers_point

Vacated Millers Point four level terrace fetches $1.911 million at private State Government auction

Jonathan Chancellor | 21 August 2014

Vacated Millers Point four level terrace fetches $1.911 million at private State Government auction

The jubilant Minister for Family and Community Services, Gabrielle Upton, and Minister for Finance and Services, Dominic Perrottet, have announced the first sale of a government-owned heritage property at Millers Point sold at McGrath auction for $1.911 million tonight.

The news of the sale price was broken on twitter by 2GB, with bidding starting at $1 million.

The last public housing tenant paid $77.20 a week rent at the property which had revised price guidance of $1.3 million plus. It has water views over Walsh Bay.

An initial price guide of $1 million plus was suggested for the rundown four-bedroom heritage-listed home which has been vacant since early 2011.

“For every Millers Point property that is sold, we can build three modern properties that are more accessible and comfortable,” Ms Upton said after the auction.

She said the sale was "a win" for the 58,000 households on the waiting list for public housing because it helps make the social housing system more sustainable and will help get new properties in the system sooner.”

But activists says that the minister who introduced the relocation policy, Pru Goward has thrice refused to commit all sale proceeds to public housing.

The first property to go under the hammer, 119 Kent Street, received strong buyer interest with more than 200 groups inspecting the four bedroom, four level property in the first two weeks of its listing.

That was despite property inspections being strictly by appointment, with buyers teeing it up with the listing agent.

There were also more than 1500 enquiries received through the real estate agent’s website and more than 50 pre-auction very bulky contracts were issued.

There are currently five other properties on the auction market - including through Di Jones Real Estate - as part of the Government’s first tranche of sales in the Millers Point precinct.

Given concerns of activist tenants turning up to distrupt the auction, there was no disclosure as to the location of the auction.

Conditions of entry to the auction, drawn up by Government Property NSW and obtained by Fairfax Media, banned any form of video, audio or photography.

All media outlets were to be denied entry.

Almost 600 public housing tenants will be evicted across 263 homes for the sales program, which has been described by critics as ''social cleansing''. Even the Pet Shop Boys during their recent visit tweeted their concern as to the relocation outcome.

One of the properties is a four-bedroom 1840 Georgian house called Tarra, that has views of the Opera House from underneath the bridge.

The strict silly auction rules were reported by The SMH as including:

1.      As the auction will be held on private property, McGrath reserves its rights.

2.      Admittance to the auction is for bona fide buyers who are in a position to purchase the property on the night.

3.      Due to restricted space, only pre-registrations will be accepted and only two people per group are permitted.

4.      No press or media or other real estate agents will be permitted entry.

5.      No video, audio or still photography will be permitted.

6.      Individuals that cause disturbance on the night or during the auction process will be asked to leave or may be removed.

7.      You will be asked to sign the above conditions of entry on the night.

Resourced: http://www.propertyobserver.com.au/finding/residential-investment/sales-and-auctions/34760-millers-point-four-level-terrace-fetches-1-911-million-at-private-auction.html

First Millers Point property sells for $1.9 million

The first property to be auctioned as part of the state government sell-off of public housing at Millers Point sold for $1,911,000 on Thursday night.

The house at of 119 Kent Street was initially marketed through McGrath's Peter Starr for more than $1 million. Due to the high level of interest, the price guide was was revised to more than $1.3 million ahead of the auction.

The private auction was held at McGrath Estate Agents' head office in Edgecliff with only vetted pre-registered bidders invited to attend. On arrival potential buyers were required to show their cheque book before they were were allowed to enter.

An auction attendee advised Domain of the sale price and said "everyone in the room was shocked".
Bidding started at $1 million but then jumped up to $1.45 million. It was purchased by a buyer who appeared to be in his thirties.
The Minister for Finance and Services, Dominic Perrottet, said "this initial sale is an excellent test for the market".

Sold: 119 Kent Street, Millers Point sold for $1.9 million at a private auction on Thursday night.

Millers Point: a community under the hammer

The four-bedroom unrenovated terrace had been vacant since February 2011. The last public housing tenant paid $77.20 a week in rent.

There were approximately 80 people present at the auction. More than 50 pre-auction contracts were issued for the property.

One of the conditions of entry specified that only two people per group were allowed to attend due to "restricted space".

Members of the Millers Point community were gathered outside the auction to protest the government sell-off.

The house is the first of 293 state-owned properties to be sold in the Millers Point precinct.
The remainder will be sold off over a two year period with the next auction taking place on Tuesday August 26.

There are currently five freehold Millers Point homes listed on Domain.com.au.

Resourced: http://m.smh.com.au/domain/real-estate-news/first-millers-point-property-sells-for-19-million-20140821-106usl.html