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.

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