Doco looks at the plight of eviction

Tue 07/07/2015 11:26 AM]

By Don Groves
After tackling children held in detention as the subject of her AFTRS graduate film, Blue Lucine is shooting a feature documentary on another controversial topic.

The writer-director is examining the plight of residents who are being evicted from public housing in Millers Point in Sydney by the NSW government.

She is focussing on six people, three who have moved out after their houses were sold, and three who say they refuse to budge and the police or army will have to forcibly remove them.

Lucine has teamed up with experienced documentary makers Tom Zubrycki and Helen Barrow, who are serving as the producers. Screen Australia and Screen NSW funded the early development.
She showed  the rushes to Zubrycki when she was doing some filming and editing work for him and he readily agreed to come aboard.

The doc’s working title is Forced Out. She is aiming for festival exposure followed by cinema release and TV broadcast. “This is a universal theme which is happening around the world,” she tells IF.
Lucine will discuss the difficulties she encountered while shooting her AFTRS short A Thousand Suns at the Ozdox forum The Ethics of Documentary Filmmaking, chaired by director/producer Rod Freedman at AFTRS Theatre on July 9.

Also speaking will be Struggle Street writer-producer Marc Radomsky, Sherpa director Jen Peedom and I Am A Girl producer/director Rebecca Barry.

A Thousand Suns told the story of 9-year-old Tamil asylum seeker Kumeran, who was living in the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre when Lucine visited him in 2013 with his father.
She secretly took notes of her conversations with Kumeran using an inkless pen, then coloured in the words when she got home.

“I wanted to tell his story in his own words, without being embellished,” she says. She was not allowed to film the boy so she used an actor in the doco, showing how Kumeran used his imagination to explore the possibilities of escape and to dream of a world he could not reach.

Kumeran was released in early 2014 but his mother is still in detention. The short premiered at the Antenna Documentary Film Festival.

At the Ozdox forum Lucine might also address the challenges she is having in dealing with the two government departments handling the Millers Point sales and relocation: the Department of Lands, Planning and the Environment and the Department of Family and Community Services.
Neither, she says, is co-operating with her.

Tags:

• blue-lucine
• ozdox
• struggle-street

RESOURCED

Bulking Up Barangaroo: Should The Crown Logo Shine Brighter Than The Stars?

By Alex Greenwich

 

Sydney Harbour's most important development in decades bears little resemblance to what was initially approved, writes Alex Greenwich.

Barangaroo is publicly owned land on Sydney Harbour and its redevelopment should create a world-class place to visit, live and work. It presents a unique opportunity to improve public access to the harbour and provide new parks and open space, and needed education and childcare services, transport and commercial and residential space including affordable housing.
But the planning process has become nothing more than an exercise in squeezing as much private gain on this public site as possible.
The 2006 winning design had broad community support. It set towers back from the waterfront to ensure public access, enjoyment and activation of the foreshore. Buildings were positioned to promote integration with the CBD and activation of public space throughout the site.
The 2007 initial concept plan was loosely based on this winning design, but successive modifications have massively increased bulk and scale, and diminished the waterfront potential through shadowing and wind. Further erosions are expected.
Changes to the initial approved built floor area of 388,300 square metres have now reached 563,965 square metres, with the latest modification under assessment at the Department of Planning potentially increasing this to 605,911. A future expected modification would increase it further to 661,686 square metres –almost double what was initially approved!

One modification involved building a hotel tower on the water. It led to community outrage over privatisation of the harbor, that led Lend Lease to relocate the hotel.
But the relocation would place the hotel on what was to be Barangaroo’s only waterfront public recreation space.
The public park would be moved behind the tower, relegating it to a mere inner city pocket park; a significant part of the waterfront – Barangaroo’s most valuable asset – would be privatised.
The height of the hotel tower would increase from 170 metres to 250 metres, creating massive shadowing and wind impacts on the public foreshore promenade. The claim is that a taller tower is needed to give it world class status, but design excellence is more important in hotels, with the trend for smaller boutique buildings.
What is vital is that Barangaroo provides a world class public experience of the harbour for all workers, residents and visitors; it is public space that makes a destination special.
The hotel tower would dominate most views of the site and create a barrier reducing Barangaroo South’s integration with the rest of Barangaroo and the CBD.
The latest proposal increases buildings to such heights that wind effects across the site will make parts of Barangaroo South only safe to walk in by able-bodied people. The waterfront promenade will be windy and overshadowed from morning to early afternoon, including the lunch period, between autumn and spring.
While Barangaroo is difficult to drive through, and its integrated transport plan estimates that 96 per cent of visitors will travel by public transport, bike or walking, planning is taking a different direction with the progressive addition of new private parking spaces.
The latest proposal would give the casino in the hotel 500 new spaces, despite government promises that the casino will only be available to high rollers, who chiefly come from outside New South Wales. A future application will massively add private parking spaces to this site.

As a result the expected traffic congestion has led to a proposal to remove most kerbside parking in Barangaroo South so there are extra traffic lanes. This will make Barangaroo Streets more dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists and diminish amenity. It is a further privatisation of public land. Why isn’t light rail being extended to the site?
Instead of integrating with adjacent areas and promoting complementary benefits, Barangaroo will terminate views from historically significant panoramic views of adjacent parks and reserves, severely impacting on their character and amenity. View corridors across the site to the water have been broken and there has been little attempt to minimise view interruptions of neighbours.
Shockingly, Lend Lease attempts to justify blocking views of four key Sydney Observatory target objectives at certain times of year because it claims the observatory is in what it calls an “inappropriate” location. Sydney Observatory has provided Sydney residents and visitors opportunities to learn about astronomy and see the stars since the 19th Century.
Community cynicism over the Barangaroo planning process is widespread. The progressive increase in bulk and scale may increase private gain but it will erode the future public experience of the site. We don’t want Barangaroo to become nothing more than massive buildings that tower over the harbour, second rate pocket parks, cold and windswept public space and escalating traffic congestion.
It’s time for the government to end the private land grab and refocus planning on public amenity and public outcomes.

- See more at: https://newmatilda.com/2015/05/24/bulking-barangaroo-should-crown-logo-shine-brighter-stars#sthash.ikoUR9fg.dpuf

Owners of old public housing at Millers Point prepare to renovate amid fears it could put heritage at risk

James Gorman  June 18, 2015



The Development Proposal notification has been pinned to the front fence at 11 Lower Fort St. Source: News Corp Australia

             THE first buyers of Millers Point public housing are wasting no time in planning their dream homes, with two development applications currently before the City of Sydney.         

A $784,696 DA for 11 Lower Fort St and a $350,000 DA for 30 Argyle Place have both been lodged in recent weeks.

Lower Fort St sold at auction for $3.95 million in October, while the Argyle Place home sold for $1.71 million in November.  

The Lower Fort St terrace features spectactular harbour views.... Source: Supplied

   

...but its interiors are basic... Source: Supplied

   

...and the yard could do with some landscaping. Source: Supplied

     The owner of the Lower Fort St property plans “internal reconfiguration, restoration works, demolition of existing outbuilding at rear and construction of a new single storey addition to courtyard.”

 

The plans for 30 Argyle Place include “internal refurbishment and conservation works throughout and rear single storey addition at lower ground level to courtyard”.

As well as council approval, both plans also require the approval of the Heritage Division of the Office of Environment and Heritage.

A DOZEN MILLERS POINT HOMES HIT THE MARKET

STRUGGLE STREET IN CENTRAL SYDNEY

Unlike the public housing sold for 99-year leases under the former Labor government, these acquisitions and those subsequent are freehold, resulting in reduced heritage restrictions in terms of renovations.

Sydney State MP Alex Greenwich suspected the big sales prices achieved by the Millers Point properties to date may have been influenced by the State Government’s decision to switch to a freehold sale.  



Independent State MP for Sydney Alex Greenwich. Source: News Corp Australia

 “When you sell a property on a 99-year lease the owners are charged with protecting the heritage values of that property or they risk losing that lease,” he said.

 

“When you sell a property freehold you don’t have the same enforcement powers. Based on the size of these DAs hopefully that indicates the buyers value heritage and will restore the properties accordingly.

“I am not sure why the State Government changed the lease for the Millers Point sale. They could have put the restrictions on but then that could have impacted the sale price.”

A spokeswoman from the Office of Environment and Heritage said even under a freehold sale, owners were required to seek approval for renovations from the Heritage Council of NSW.

“No 11 Lower Fort Street and No 30 Argyle Place were sold with a Conservation Management Plan endorsed by the Heritage Council of NSW (the Heritage Council) under Section 38A of the Heritage Act 1977 (the Act),” the spokeswoman said.  

A DA has also been submitted for 30 Argyle Pl. Source: News Corp Australia

    

The kitchen at 30 Argyle Pl. Source: Supplied

    

Like many of the old Millers Point properties, the home requires plenty of work. Source: Supplied

   

“Owners of properties listed on the State Heritage Register have responsibilities under the Act. They are required to seek the approval from the Heritage Council of NSW for most development or work carried out on the property.

“Land and Housing Corporation has sought and received endorsement for a number of exemptions for minor works within Millers Point.”

Millers Point public housing resident Barney Gardner, whose home could be sold in the State Government sell-off, stressed the importance of maintaining the precinct’s historic values.

“If you take all of the resident away, Millers Point will lose its identity and if you take the heritage values of these properties away then you will lose a piece of Sydney’s history.” 

Millers Point public housing activist Barney Gardner. Source: News Corp Australia

     A Deparment of Family & Community Services spokesman said efforts were being made to protect the heritage of Millers Point.

 

“The NSW Government continues to work closely with the Heritage Council of NSW to ensure heritage values are maintained,” a spokesman said.

TELL US: WILL HERITAGE VALUES BY KEPT IN MILLERS POINT AS THE RENOVATIONS BEGIN?

“The provision of new social housing will mean that more families in desperate need on the social housing waiting list can get secure, affordable housing.

“Millers Point sales proceeds are being put into the social housing system and approximately 1500 dwellings are forecast to be funded from these sales.” 

Protesters outside the first of the Millers Point auctions held last year.

 

RESOURCED: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/city-east/owners-of-old-public-housing-at-millers-point-prepare-to-renovate-amid-fears-it-could-put-heritage-at-risk/story-fngr8h22-1227402162863 

Millers Point home on the market again as owners expect to reap $590,000 profit

Nicole Hasham June 16, 2015



A former public housing property at Millers Point has hit the market for $2.5 million. It was bought by an investor 10 months ago for just $1.91 million. Photo: Supplied
A former public housing property at Millers Point is on the market again with an expected sale price $590,000 more than the government netted last year, prompting claims the sale was rushed and taxpayers were dudded.
The potential resale comes as it emerged the private owner carried out illegal renovations and unlawfully ran a tourism venture from the historic 1880s property, highlighting the potential heritage issues involved in relinquishing public control of the assets.
The government sold the heritage-listed harbourside home at 119 Kent Street for $1,911,000 in August last year. It was the first of 293 properties to be sold at Millers Point and The Rocks, which will eventually force about 600 public housing tenants to relocate.

Before: The main bedroom when the home sold for $1.91 million last year. Photo: Supplied

The four-level Victorian Italianate terrace with views over Walsh Bay had an initial price guide of more than $1 million, which was later revised to more than $1.3 million.

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The government described the original sale as "an excellent test for the market" which confirmed buyer demand for the suburb.
It says the controversial sales program, decried by critics as "social cleansing", will raise much-needed funds to build more public housing properties elsewhere and alleviate long waiting lists.

After: Minimal work has been done on the property since it traded 10 months ago.

The buyers, the Sfeir family, carried out bathroom and kitchen works which agent Harriet France, of Sydney Sotheby's International Realty, said were "not an amazing super-expensive renovation but … clean and cheerful and liveable".
Ms France said the owners now expect to fetch $2.5 million for the home at auction – a price she said was in line with former government-owned properties recently sold in the same street.
The City of Sydney has confirmed it ordered the new owner to remove two unauthorised partition walls and to cease renting the property for tourist accommodation. The owner agreed to comply with the orders.

The four-level Victorian Italianate terrace has views over Walsh Bay. Photo: Supplied

The spokesman said while approval was required for the kitchen and bathroom renovations, none was sought and the council's investigations are continuing.
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said Millers Point was one of the nation's most important conservation sites and "it is absolutely essential that the area's irreplaceable history isn't damaged or lost through misuse or misunderstanding by new owners".
NSW Labor's social housing spokeswoman Tania Mihailuk said the government had rushed the sales "without any proper consideration to due process, without any proper consideration of the proper market value and the potential consequences … of what it would mean to the heritage value".
She demanded the government disclose the reserve price for 119 Kent Street, and the results of any independent property valuations it received.
The government has previously been criticised for failing to prepare a business plan for the sell-off.
The office of Housing Minister Brad Hazzard referred inquiries to a NSW Finance Department spokeswoman, who said property valuations and reserve prices were commercial in confidence.
She said price guides were determined by real estate agents and selling the homes at auction allowed the market "to determine true property value".
Millers Point: a community under the hammer
The spokeswoman said the expected price increase may be due to the renovations or market conditions.
Buyers agent Patrick Bright said the expected price increase begged the question: "Was it sold at the right money the first time around or was it sold a bit conservatively? I think the price guide clearly was on the low side".
However Mr Bright said a strong housing market, the renovation, limited housing supply around Millers Point and "foreign investment pouring into the market" meant it was possible the home had naturally increased in value by almost $600,000.

RESOURCED: http://news.domain.com.au/domain/real-estate-news/millers-point-home-on-the-market-again-as-owners-expect-to-reap-590000-profit-20150616-gholmd.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=nc&eid=socialn%3Atwi-13omn1677-edtrl-other%3Annn-17%2F02%2F2014-edtrs_socialshare-all-nnn-nnn-vars-o&sa=D&usg=ALhdy28zsr6qiq 

Quick flip profits sought for 119 Kent Street, Millers Point former state government offering

From social housing to speculators.

The first government-sold heritage terrace at Millers Point that fetched $1,911,000 just 10 months ago is back for sale.

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The 1880s terrace was the first of scheduled 293 public housing properties to be sold off by Government Property NSW in August last year.

The then rundown four-bedroom heritage-listed home had been vacant since early 2011 with the last public housing tenant paying $77.20 a week rent at the property which has water views over Walsh Bay.

Jonathan Chancellor | 14 June 2015

The relisted 119 Kent Street, Millers Point home sits on a 109 sq m block with no parking.
The house has original fireplaces and floorboards, 3.25m high ceilings and a sandstone-walled sunlit courtyard.

It is marketed by Harriett France a Sotheby's as "recently refreshed with new kitchens and bathrooms - scope for further improvement."

Around $2.5 million is expected by the Sfeir family.

The controversial sell off, which has resulted in the relocation of public housing tenants, is tipped to set off a major gentrification in the historic suburb.

The state government has created a website to sell the virtues.

RESOURCED: http://www.propertyobserver.com.au/finding/residential-investment/investor-showcase/43409-quick-flick-sought-for-119-kent-street-millers-point-state-government-offering.html 

Demolished Glebe public housing to be resold to private buyers

Kirsty Needham 13.6.2015



Kirsty Needham

The site of the new development on Cowper Street in Glebe. Photo: Fiona Morris

The Baird government will finally announce plans on Sunday to rebuild the demolished Glebe public housing estate on Cowper Street as a mixed private, public and affordable housing community.

Last year Fairfax Media revealed the site was likely to accommodate public housing tenants forced out of Millers Point in the government land sell-off.

The O'Farrell cabinet approved construction plans for 153 public housing units, 95 affordable housing units and 247 private apartments on the site in 2013.

The site as it stood in 2010, when it was public housing. Photo: Marco Del Grande

Expressions of interest for the private apartments will go out next week. A spokeswoman for Families and Community Services Minister Brad Hazzard said the money raised from the private apartments will be reinvested in social housing.

Property prices in Glebe have recently soared amid interest from Chinese investors in the prime inner city location, significantly lifting the expected profit to be returned from the private apartments.

Fifteen public housing apartment blocks in Cowper Street, Glebe, were demolished by the state Labor government in 2011. Labor evicted 130 tenants but promised to build new housing on the site with the proceeds of money raised by the sale of 99-year leases to Millers Point terraces.

But the land was left vacant for years as a development application was lodged and contested in court.

Non-profit community housing groups City West and Bridge Housing will construct and manage the new properties, which will be partly funded under the now abolished National Rental Affordability Scheme. The units will include lift access for elderly people living alone.

NSW Treasury has handed over the title to the land to the community housing providers.
The project was originally expected to be completed in December 2016.

RESOURCED: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/demolished-glebe-public-housing-to-be-resold-to-private-buyers-20150613-ghn5wo.html 

Community Working Party Newsletter JUNE 2015

Where We Are At…..

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 The Community Working Party had a productive meeting with Minister Brad Hazard on Friday 22 May. The meeting was facilitated by our Local Member, Alex Greenwich and included the Lord Mayor Clover Moore. We were also accompanied by Flo Seckold, one of our older tenants who has lived in Millers Point for many years.   

The Minister agreed to consider and respond to the alternative plan for Millers Point put forward by Millers Point Public Housing Tenants’ Group Convenor Barney Gardner who said the State Government could retain around half of its public housing portfolio in Millers Point, Dawes Point and The Rocks and still make around $300 million for investment in new housing stock.

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“So far the State Government has raised around $38 million from the sale of just 16 properties million. Just last week the State Government collected $4.23 million from the sale of a single Millers Point heritage dwelling.

“If these sales values are maintained, the State Government could stop the selloff at 143 of the 293 Government owned properties in Millers Point and still make around $340 million. 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

The Minister indicated that he would meet the Working Party again to consider the alternative plan.

The Minister also agreed to visit Millers Point with members of the Working Party (WP)  the first to do this since previous Minister Greg Piece over two years ago.

The WP is working to have everyone who lives here now remain in Millers Point and only to move out at their express wish.

 

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Community Afternoon Tea

Come and join the fun when the Community Working Party holds an afternoon tea at the Harry Jensen Community Centre on Saturday 20 June, 2015 between 2.00 and 4.00 pm.   

Bring a plate if you are a keen cook!

Do you know a Community Angel? Someone who has made life in Millers Point better, safer or more interesting?

We should take the time to think about these people and organisations and give them recognition in our Newsletter so please let the Working Party know of your nominations. We will need to know why you re making the nomination, of course.

Paul Upham  Highgate

The WP can start by thanking Paul Upham at Highgate. Paul has kept the Secretary informed of press releases and information gleaned from elsewhere about Millers Point and has also sent us photographs of events taking place outside Highgate. Highgate has also helped the RAG with archive storage.

 

Thank you, Paul.
We also take this opportunity to congratulate Highgate on their 20th anniversary.

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 Lord Mayor’s Meeting

The Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, with representatives from Police, Housing NSW and other groups, held a community meeting in the Abraham Mott Hall on 20 May. While Housing NSW was unable to supply answers to those basic questions which we have been asking for over a year, there was a positive attitude to the meeting that was to be held on Friday 22 May.

On another matter, Inspector Tony Bell made the point that residents who are worried or frightened by noises in adjoining vacant public housing properties should ring the Rocks Police Station. While there has been little evidence of squatters in the area in recent months the Police would prefer to be notified so that they can check out any possible breakins. While the noises may have been generated by Housing NSW security guards it is better to be sure that the tenant and the adjoining property are safe.

Barney Gardner publicly acknowledged the fine work done by the Redfern Legal Service (RLS) and expressed the community’s appreciation for the work carried out by Local Member Alex Greenwich to promote the solution of the Millers Point ‘problem’. The Council’s financial support for the RLS was also warmly welcomed.

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RESOURCED: http://www.millerspointnotforsale.org.au/community_working_party_newsletter_june_20152

 

Affordable housing crisis: ideas are needed to keep workers in Sydney

June 6, 2015  Kirsty Needham

The sell-off of public housing at Millers Point boots out the poor to make way for the rich. Photo: Lisa Maree Williams

                                                                
Million-dollar price tags for unremarkable homes have changed the debate about Sydney housing affordability. Urban planners are now scratching their heads over how to include space for average wage earners – not the poor – in the city.

Much of the redevelopment of huge swathes of government land in the Bays Precinct will be glitzy harbour view apartments.

But the NSW Government's developer, Urban Growth, also wants "affordable housing" ideas for the inner west waterfront.

A year ago, "affordable housing" meant subsidising below-market rents for low income households.

 

Sky-rocketing property prices appear to have burst this egalitarian bubble. A Bays Precinct summit was told last month "affordable housing" would cater to the $40,000 to $90,000 income bracket.

By the time the official "call for great ideas" was issued by Urban Growth last week, only "moderate income earners that are so important to support a globally significant CBD economy" got a mention.
Moderate income is defined by the Centre for Affordable Housing as $60,000 to $90,000, or 80 to 120 per cent of the median Sydney income.

In 100 words or less, Sydney, please explain how police, teachers, nurses, and younger professionals can afford to live in this great city.

Committee for Sydney chief executive Tim Williams, who grew up in a public housing estate in Britain, has warned the housing affordability crisis in Sydney has locked 70 per cent of 35-year-olds out of home ownership.

Williams was a key adviser on housing affordability and urban regeneration in London, as Britain grappled with its own crisis a decade ago.

"The housing stress of global cities has reached people on average wages," he says.
Affordable housing policies are no longer about the very needy, but the ordinary, and will require government intervention to keep vital workers at the heart of the city.

There is a lot of public land in the Bays Precinct, he notes.

"Government has lots of land and could play a role in working with the housing sector and community housing sector. It would mean government moving from 'We sell the land to the highest bidder' to keeping the land for the long term."

The Committee for Sydney will release its affordable housing ideas shortly, in an attempt to prod the Baird Government into action. "The government needs a bolder approach," he says.

Among the ideas he is considering: shared equity (where the government pays half and the key worker pays half); more high-density public housing; and estate renewal of large public housing precincts in the city to include a greater mix of residents.

The National Rental Affordability Scheme was axed by the Abbott Government amid claims of "rorts" when it was used to market apartments in Broadway's Central Park (opposite a university) to students.

But the benefit of affordable housing schemes like that one is now highly visible around the city's university precinct – where student apartments have mushroomed.

Meanwhile, the sell-off of public housing at Millers Point boots out the poor to make way for the rich. Seven of 12 unrenovated terraces sold have fetched over $2 million each.
No teachers moving into that city neighbourhood, then.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/comment/affordable-housing-crisis-ideas-are-needed-to-keep-workers-in-sydney-20150606-ghhygz

Housing minister Brad Hazzard reviews new plan to stop forced eviction of 130 Millers Point residents

June 04, 2015



Housing minister Brad Hazzard will be taken on a tour of the government housing at Millers Point. Picture: Adam Taylor Source: News Corp Australia

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.  



Independent Sydney State MP Alex Greenwich. Picture: Craig Wilson Source: News Corp Australia

 “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.

“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.”

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.  



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.  



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.”  



Residents want to retain 150 of the historic Millers Point public housing terraces.

 Resourced: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/city-east/housing-minister-brad-hazzard-reviews-new-plan-to-stop-forced-eviction-of-130-millers-point-residents/story-fngr8h22-1227381401008

Community Working Party Newsletter

Where We Are At…..

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There has been some feedback that there are residents who do not know what the Community Working Party is doing.  

We, the Working Party, are a bit like ducks—looking cool and calm floating along the surface but paddling madly under the water!  

Working to engage with politicians is a slow process and it is important that we take each step with care.

We also working on plans for future activities to gather information, public attention and media support.

We follow up on residents’ concerns and hold regular meetings with representatives from the Redfern Legal Service (RLS) who have been very supportive and positive in their approach to our dilemma.

We are also encouraging the Friends of Millers Point to spread the word through other organisations about our housing plight and seeking wider public support.

We encourage residents to attend all the public meetings that are held in the community. You not only get the chance to hear what is happening but also have the opportunity to ask questions. Bring your neighbour along.

If you need transport to get to the Centre ring Marcia on 9241 2875 and we will see what we can do.

We are a Community -let’s stay together!

Community Working Party Newsletter

Meeting with the Minister

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The Hon. Brad Hazzard MP is the Minister for Family and Community Services, and Minister for Social Housing. Unlike his two predecessors he has indicated a willingness to meet with community representatives and has ex-pressed in various interviews his willingness to consider alternatives for the elderly in the Millers Point community.

On Radio 2UE he said: “Mike Baird’s given me the very clear two priorities of care and compassion…

In the SMH he has been quoted as saying: “I’m not ruling out trying to get more

Public housing in and around the Millers Point area and …. The CBD because there are lots of older residents who’ve been in that area for a long time” he said adding that moving was a “tough ask”.

Representatives from the Working Party, accompanied by Flo Seckold will be meeting with the Minister in Friday 22 May, 2015.

We are particularly appreciative of the work that our Local Member Alex Greenwich has put into bringing about the meeting with the Minister Alex with the Lord Mayor, Deputy Lord Mayor and Chief Executive Officer of the City of Sydney Council will also be attending the meeting.

We hope to be able to re-port a positive outcome from this initial discussion at a public meeting and look forward to the community having the opportunity to talk with the Minister in Millers Point in the near future.

It is a refreshing change to have a Minister who will communicate face-to-face with the residents and listen to the issues and options.

Sydney City Council

We must acknowledge the excellent support we are given by the Harry Jensen Centre staff. They have been wonderful! Their service to the residents is an important part of community life in Millers Point.

The Centre and the Abraham Mott Hall have been important to the community in our battle. We have held public meetings, had 40 guests to Working Party meetings, made a major submission to the Government’s Discussion paper, held barbecues and had a super Spring Picnic last September. Our weekly Working Party meetings and occasional weekend planning meetings need a central space and the Centre has met those needs.

The support given by the City of Sydney Council - Lord Mayor Clover Moore, Deputy Lord Mayor Robyn Kemmis and the Councillors with the Chief Executive Officer Monica Barone and her many helpful staff members - continues to be greatly appreciated. The situation so far would have been difficult to survive without their support.

DOWNLOAD MAY 2015 NEWSLETTER

RESOURCED: http://www.millerspointnotforsale.org.au/community_working_party_newsletter_june_2015

Former NSW premier Nick Greiner says public housing is 'crap' and slams bureaucracy

May 25, 2015  Nicole Hasham

Public housing in NSW is "crap" and the housing bureaucracy is "conservative in the worst sense of the word", former Liberal Premier Nick Greiner says, claiming number-fiddling cannot disguise a dearth of new public housing.

Mr Greiner was speaking on Monday at a meeting of business and community leaders, who had gathered to find solutions to the problems of burgeoning demand and a near absence of new supply, exacerbated by increasingly unaffordable private housing.

Social housing is a vital safety net for society's most vulnerable, yet the state's waiting list has blown out to almost 60,000 households. The flailing system runs at a loss of about $300 million a year. The government has controversially been selling properties, such as historic homes at Millers Point, to raise funds – an approach described by the NSW Auditor-General as "not financially sustainable".



Six generations of history: Colin and Terry Tooher at their home in Millers Point earlier this year. Photo: Tamara Dean

 Mr Greiner said that though the Baird government had achieved much on its 2011 election promise of "Making NSW No. 1 again", the state took the wooden spoon on social housing.

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"This is an area where something bloody well ought to happen," Mr Greiner said. "Frankly it needs some courage. I don't think the area is being distinguished by courage from political leadership on both sides."

He said that though "you can fiddle the numbers … there's been no new [net] supply for a very long time."



"This is an area where something bloody well ought to happen.": Former NSW Premier Nick Greiner on social housing. Photo: Daniel Munoz

"At the end of the day the existing stock is crap and the new supply is non-existent," he said.

"It's pretty obvious, there's been no new government money for a while [and] there's going to be no new government money – state or federal, Liberal or Labor."

Mr Greiner said he had made little progress on social housing while in power, and little had been achieved in the 23 years since.

Public servants were not spared the criticism. Mr Greiner described the Department of Family and Community Services and the NSW Land and Housing Corporation as "conservative in the worst sense of the word, worried about failure rather than worried about trying things".

Former Labor Premier Morris Iemma said housing supply was insufficient and did not meet the needs of the 20 per cent of tenants with a disability or mental illness.

Mr Iemma said that during his time in government, he had met "frustrations and obstacles" from caucus and cabinet. He also came up against hesitant government agencies that were "risk-averse, not wanting to reform and not making it a priority".

On Monday, Housing Minister Brad Hazzard released a summary of feedback on the government's social housing discussion paper. It included calls for more involvement from the private housing and community housing sectors, and recognition of the link between the private housing market and social housing demand.

Mr Hazzard said forum participants could share knowledge with government officials to help improve social housing.

"There's been lots done to date by the … government but the pressures are building, forcing more and more people to seek social housing," he said.

#‎savemillerspoint‬

RESOURCED: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/former-nsw-premier-nick-greiner-says-public-housing-is-crap-and-slams-bureaucracy-20150525-gh90pb

Meeting with Hon. Brad Hazzard the Minister for FACS & Social Housing.

G'Day Friends & Supporters of Millers Point, Dawes Point & The Rocks!


Brad Hazzard says, "A pleasure to meet you all & discuss the issues!"



A delegation from Millers Point, the Working Party made up of the Public Housing Tenants Group and the Resident Action Group along with Elder Tenant "Flo" Sekold, also present where Lord Mayor Clover Moore, Deputy Lord Mayor Robyn Kemmis and Independent Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich who was responsible for arranging our meeting with the Hon. Brad Hazzard the Minister for FACS & Social Housing.

We met with Minister Hazzard and presented a way forward and a solution to the retention of Social Housing in the Millers Point, Dawes Point & The Rocks!

We received a warm welcome and a fair hearing of our issues. We now await Minister Hazzards response and will keep all of you our Tenants & supporters informed.

We must give our profound "THANKS" to the Lord Mayor, the Dept. Lord Mayor & Alex for their enduring support!
 

#‎savemillerspoint
 

MEDIA RELEASE FRIDAY 22 MAY, 2015

 

MEDIA RELEASE  FRIDAY 22 MAY, 2015

Millers Point Residents Propose Solution to Housing Stand-Off

Public housing tenants from Millers Point, Dawes Point and The Rocks today presented NSW Housing Minister Brad Hazzard with a potential solution to the stand-off over the sale of inner city public housing.

Millers Point Public Housing Tenants’ Group Convenor Barney Gardner today said the State Government could retain around half of its public housing portfolio in Millers Point, Dawes Point and The Rocks and still make around $300 million for investment in new housing stock.

“So far the State Government has raised around $38 million from the sale of just 16 properties million.  Just last night the State Government collected $4.23 million from the sale of a single Millers Point heritage dwelling.

“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.

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.

“Our plan would enable the remaining residents who wish to stay the opportunity to age in place, while retaining a supply of public housing for inner city workers on low incomes.”

Mr Gardner said it was very positive that Minister Hazzard was prepared to meet with Millers Point tenants to discuss their situation.

“While he didn’t make any promises, we believe Minister Hazzard understands where we’re coming from, and is sympathetic to the needs of the Millers Point community.  We hope to have further discussions with him over the coming months.”

Mr Gardner said there was an enormous demand for inner city public housing, and it did not make sense to be selling such a large proportion of the State Government’s inner city public housing portfolio.

“Many of the remaining Millers Point tenants are people who have lived in the area for years, and have deep ties to the local community.  There are many others on low-incomes who qualify for public housing and who live and work in the inner city.

“It’s just not fair to expect these people to move out to the city fringe where they are isolated from their support networks and have to pay excessive transport costs just to get to get to work or to see their doctor.

“Public housing tenants have received outstanding support from the local community in Millers Point, including many business owners, home owners and people with long-term leases.

“Together we have put forward a proposal that would allow elderly residents of the Millers Point area to age in place while still enabling the Government to recycle around $300 million worth of public housing assets.  We think this is a sensible solution, and is worthy of the State Government’s consideration.

#‎savemillerspoint

Public housing tenants in Millers Point make desperate plea to stay despite Government sell-off plans

Posted yesterday at 5:30pmFri 22 May 2015, 5:30pm      

Photo: Some Millers Point residents have draped banners over their balconies protesting the Government's local housing sell-off. (ABC News: Thuy Ong)      

 Related Story: NSW Government says Millers Point to fund 'five-for-one' housing deal

 

Related Story: National Trust slams Millers Point public housing sell-off

Map: Millers Point 2000

Public housing tenants facing eviction from their homes at Millers Point in Sydney have met with NSW Housing Minister Brad Hazzard in a last-ditch attempt to avoid eviction.

 

The State Government is selling off nearly 300 properties in the inner-city suburb and using the expected proceeds of about $500 million to build 1,500 new homes across the state in Sydney's south-east and south-west, the Illawarra region and the Blue Mountains.

The residents told the Minister there are enough vacant properties in Millers Point to accommodate the remaining 120 residents, most of whom are elderly.

One of the homes was auctioned yesterday for a record $4.2 million and the NSW Opposition said every dollar from that sale should go back into public housing.

The predominately elderly community at harbourside Millers Point has been fighting eviction from their homes, and some said they know of several residents who have taken their own lives.

Long term residents plead to stay in Millers Point

One of the local residents, 81-year-old Florence Seckold, was born in the area and has lived there all of her life and has been told she may have to leave.

"But I don't want to. This is my home. This is where I live," Mrs Seckold, a widow, said.
"How long am I going to live for?



Photo: Florence Seckold is fighting to ensure she and other long term Millers Point residents can stay in the area. (ABC: TV News)      

 

"Leave us here. That's all we ask.

"We're not being defiant, we just want to finish off what's left here in Millers Point."

Another long-term resident, 88-year-old Myra Demetriou, was too frail to make today's meeting but also pleaded with the Government to be able to stay.

"I'm hoping that they'll leave those of us who can't move about too quickly where we are," Mrs Demetriou said.

"I'm angry, wouldn't you be?

"There's just tears everywhere. It's terrible."

After the meeting with Mr Hazzard, Mrs Seckold said she was satisfied with the outcome.

"It was very productive as far as that went and I think he [Mr Hazzard] will do the very best he can," Mrs Seckold said.

Mr Hazzard said he would consider the plight of the remaining residents of Millers Point, but also said the Government was committed to their public housing program.

"I'm certainly happy to go away and think about those ideas," Mr Hazzard said.

"But at the end of the day it is about 58,000 people on the housing waiting list and we do need as much money as we can get to try to get as much new housing as possible.

"But perhaps there's a balance and I'll look to see what I can do."

The Government has already unveiled some new public housing units funded by the sales, but the Opposition's Tanya Mihailuk said more affordable accommodation needed to be built.

"It's not clear yet how much of the money that the Government is receiving for Millers Point will be going to new stock," Ms Mihailuk said.

"NSW Opposition has asked the Government to formally provide information, on precisely how much of that money is actually being transferred to new housing stock."

RESOURCED: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-22/millers-point-residents-meet-government-minister/6490120

#‎savemillerspoint