James Gorman July 17, 2015
A DEVELOPMENT application for a $3 million beautification of the Millers Point precinct has angered public housing residents, who claim they will not benefit from the works because they are being forced out.
The DA, which has been submitted by the City of Sydney, will include upgrades to footpaths, the creation of shared zones, the installation of new lighting and seating, and the reclamation of the bus layover next to the Abraham Mott Hall for use as a new community pocket park.
Public housing tenant Barney Gardner said the council’s DA felt like another nail in the community’s coffin.
“We aren’t entirely surprised,” he said. “We knew this work was probably coming, but it’s not exactly the most ideal time to hear about it.
“The footpaths and roads have been deteriorating for years and these works are now being put into effect just as we are being forced to leave.
“We have put up with all the noise and dust from Barangaroo and now that is almost finished, we have to go.
“There is no way these works would have happened if Barangaroo had never happened and the new buyers were going into the area.
“Barangaroo has caused us nothing but trouble and misery. We won’t benefit from these upgrades, they are not for us, we know that.”
A spokeswoman for the City of Sydney, which has fought the State Government over the evictions, said the improvements were not for the benefit of the precinct’s well-heeled new residents.
“The City of Sydney Council approved the Argyle Street Improvement Project at its March 2014 meeting — before the NSW Government announced its plans to sell off social housing in the area,” a spokeswoman said.
MILLERS POINT HOUSING EVICTIONS DESCRIBED AS ‘SOCIAL CLEANSING’
STRUGGLE STREET IN MILLERS POINT CAPTURED BY BLUE LUCINE
“It is nonsense to suggest the plan was conceived for the benefit of Millers Point’s incoming residents. The City has been a supporter of the Millers Point social housing tenants.
“In April 2014, Council approved a $100,000 grant to the Redfern Legal Centre to support, advocate for and provide advice to tenants affected by the public housing sales.
“In April this year, Council resolved to grant a further $50,000 (excluding GST) to enable Redfern Legal Centre to carry on its work until November 2015. This additional funding will ensure those remaining tenants have access to independent legal advice to assist them.
“The money provided by the City will help the remaining Millers Point tenants get the advice and support they need.”
RESOURCED: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/city-east/a-city-of-sydney-da-for-upgrades-to-millers-point-angers-soon-to-be-evicted-public-housing-tenants/story-fngr8h22-1227444539387?from=newslocal_rss
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| Barney Gardner of Millers Point is disappointed his community will not be around to see the City’s works completed. Source: News Corp Australia |
A DEVELOPMENT application for a $3 million beautification of the Millers Point precinct has angered public housing residents, who claim they will not benefit from the works because they are being forced out.
The DA, which has been submitted by the City of Sydney, will include upgrades to footpaths, the creation of shared zones, the installation of new lighting and seating, and the reclamation of the bus layover next to the Abraham Mott Hall for use as a new community pocket park.
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| Proposed Millers Point upgrades listed in the City of Sydney’s DA Source: Supplied |
While the renovations were planned by the council before the State Government’s public housing sell-off was announced, Millers Point residents are disappointed they will not be able to enjoy the improvements.
“We aren’t entirely surprised,” he said. “We knew this work was probably coming, but it’s not exactly the most ideal time to hear about it.
“The footpaths and roads have been deteriorating for years and these works are now being put into effect just as we are being forced to leave.
 |
The Millers Point community has attracted several advocates opposing the forced sell off including Blue Lucine who is making a documentary about the area. Source: News Corp Australia
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“There is no way these works would have happened if Barangaroo had never happened and the new buyers were going into the area.
“Barangaroo has caused us nothing but trouble and misery. We won’t benefit from these upgrades, they are not for us, we know that.”
 |
| An artist impression of the Barangaroo developments. Source: Supplied |
“The City of Sydney Council approved the Argyle Street Improvement Project at its March 2014 meeting — before the NSW Government announced its plans to sell off social housing in the area,” a spokeswoman said.
MILLERS POINT HOUSING EVICTIONS DESCRIBED AS ‘SOCIAL CLEANSING’
STRUGGLE STREET IN MILLERS POINT CAPTURED BY BLUE LUCINE
“It is nonsense to suggest the plan was conceived for the benefit of Millers Point’s incoming residents. The City has been a supporter of the Millers Point social housing tenants.
“In April 2014, Council approved a $100,000 grant to the Redfern Legal Centre to support, advocate for and provide advice to tenants affected by the public housing sales.
“In April this year, Council resolved to grant a further $50,000 (excluding GST) to enable Redfern Legal Centre to carry on its work until November 2015. This additional funding will ensure those remaining tenants have access to independent legal advice to assist them.
“The money provided by the City will help the remaining Millers Point tenants get the advice and support they need.”
RESOURCED: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/city-east/a-city-of-sydney-da-for-upgrades-to-millers-point-angers-soon-to-be-evicted-public-housing-tenants/story-fngr8h22-1227444539387?from=newslocal_rss
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