June 04, 2015
A PROPOSAL to save the remaining 130 public housing residents of Millers Point from eviction will be considered by NSW Families and Community Services Minister Brad Hazzard.
A delegation from the Millers Point community, along with Sydney State MP Alex Greenwich, Lord Mayor Clover Moore and Deputy Lord Mayor Robyn Kemmis, recently met Mr Hazzard to share their thoughts about the impacts of the government’s relocation program.
Mr Greenwich said the minister listened to an alternative proposal which would allow the 130 remaining residents to continue living in the precinct.
“The minister has said that he will consider the proposal however there are no guarantees. He has also agreed to review the Social Impact Statement.”
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Mr Hazzard will now arrange a time to join Mr Greenwich on a walk-through of Millers Point to see first-hand the local community and the plight they face.
“I stressed to the minister who has been through Millers Point before that has been given the real estate agent’s tour, not the resident’s tour.
“The impressions of the situation after the meeting were more hopeful than before and the minister seems genuinely interested about the community’s concerns.”
A spokeswoman from Minister Hazzard’s office confirmed a walk-through of Millers Point would be arranged in the near future.
“The minister met with Alex Greenwich, Lord Mayor Clover Moore and several Millers Point residents ... to discuss their concerns,” the spokeswoman said.
Local resident Barney Gardner said the State Government can generate a substantial financial gain while still retaining a handful of properties for social housing.
TELL US: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PLAN?
“If these sales values are maintained, the State Government could stop the sell-off at 143 of the 293 Government-owned properties in Millers Point and still make around $340 million,” he said.
“The State Government could retain purpose built, low maintenance and low value properties for people who are elderly, frail or have a disability to age in place in their community while selling higher value heritage terraces.”
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Housing minister Brad Hazzard will be taken on a tour of the government housing at Millers Point. Picture: Adam Taylor Source: News Corp Australia
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A delegation from the Millers Point community, along with Sydney State MP Alex Greenwich, Lord Mayor Clover Moore and Deputy Lord Mayor Robyn Kemmis, recently met Mr Hazzard to share their thoughts about the impacts of the government’s relocation program.
Mr Greenwich said the minister listened to an alternative proposal which would allow the 130 remaining residents to continue living in the precinct.
“The alternative approach would allow the retention of the modest housing that exists in Millers Point, the properties which don’t have harbour views and the Sirius building which will allow the government to sell off the larger terrace houses,” he said.
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| Independent Sydney State MP Alex Greenwich. Picture: Craig Wilson Source: News Corp Australia |
HERITAGE HOUSE SELLS FOR $4.23 MILLION
STRUGGLE STREET IN CENTRAL SYDNEY
Mr Hazzard will now arrange a time to join Mr Greenwich on a walk-through of Millers Point to see first-hand the local community and the plight they face.
“I stressed to the minister who has been through Millers Point before that has been given the real estate agent’s tour, not the resident’s tour.
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| Public housing sell off: 11 Lower Fort St, Millers Point sold for $3.95 million in September 2014. Source: Supplied |
“So he has committed to joining me and the community for a walk around to see the properties we are referring to.
“The impressions of the situation after the meeting were more hopeful than before and the minister seems genuinely interested about the community’s concerns.”
A spokeswoman from Minister Hazzard’s office confirmed a walk-through of Millers Point would be arranged in the near future.
“The minister met with Alex Greenwich, Lord Mayor Clover Moore and several Millers Point residents ... to discuss their concerns,” the spokeswoman said.
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| Millers Point campaigner Barney Gardner. Picture: Craig Wilson Source: News Corp Australia |
“It was a positive meeting and the minister is now in the process of finding a time he and Mr Greenwich can conduct a walk-through of the precinct.”
Local resident Barney Gardner said the State Government can generate a substantial financial gain while still retaining a handful of properties for social housing.
TELL US: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PLAN?
“If these sales values are maintained, the State Government could stop the sell-off at 143 of the 293 Government-owned properties in Millers Point and still make around $340 million,” he said.
“The State Government could retain purpose built, low maintenance and low value properties for people who are elderly, frail or have a disability to age in place in their community while selling higher value heritage terraces.”
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| Residents want to retain 150 of the historic Millers Point public housing terraces. |
