James Gorman August 05, 2015
Social Housing Minister Brad Hazzard has given hope to the remaining public housing tenants of Millers Point by conceding there may need to be “exceptions, extensions or alternative measures” to the State Government’s plans of selling-off the area’s housing stock.
In a letter to Independent State MP Alex Greenwich, Mr Hazzard said he would review the sell-off process.
“While the timing of relocations remains geared to making properties available for sale as quickly as possible ... I am actively considering the question of whether there should be exceptions, extensions or alternative measures for tenants in particular extenuating circumstances,” Mr Hazzard wrote in a letter dated August 4.
Mr Greenwich welcomed Mr Hazzard’s commitment to re-examine the sell-off process.
“This is the most encouraging new since the campaign to preserve Millers Point began and since the Minister got to meet first-hand some of the locals and hear their story,” Mr Greenwich said.
“It is clear that it’s had an impact on him and he has said he is actively considering exceptions, extensions and alternative measures.
“It is a great victory for the community that they have been able to get their story through to the Minister. I am encouraged to keep fighting this campaign to see what we can do to retain some of the community in Millers Point.
MILLERS POINT BEAUTIFICATION ANGERS TENANTS
MINISTER LISTENS TO ALTERNATIVE PROPOSAL
Mr Greenwich said despite the good news the fight to save Millers Point was far from over.
“We hadn’t received any correspondence from the Minister since he met with the community and I forced the point during question time in Parliament and he spoke openly about the people he had met,” he said.
“It is my hope this consultation continues and ends with the retention of some of the community that helped build Millers Point.”
Since launching the sell-off more than a year ago, the NSW Government has sold 23 former public houses, with most selling between $1.6 million and $2.5 million.
Combined, the sales have totalled more than $50 million.
Another six homes are scheduled to be auctioned on August 25. They include two 19th century terraces on Trinity Avenue and four additional terraces on Kent St, the oldest of which was built in 1871.
RESORURCED: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/city-east/social-housing-minister-brad-hazzard-will-consider-exceptions-to-forced-eviction-of-millers-point-tenants/story-fngr8h22-1227471322149
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Minister for Family and Community Services and Social Housing Brad Hazzard. Source: News Corp Australia
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In a letter to Independent State MP Alex Greenwich, Mr Hazzard said he would review the sell-off process.
“While the timing of relocations remains geared to making properties available for sale as quickly as possible ... I am actively considering the question of whether there should be exceptions, extensions or alternative measures for tenants in particular extenuating circumstances,” Mr Hazzard wrote in a letter dated August 4.
Hopeful: Independent State MP Alex Greenwich. Source: News Corp Australia
Mr Greenwich welcomed Mr Hazzard’s commitment to re-examine the sell-off process.
“It is clear that it’s had an impact on him and he has said he is actively considering exceptions, extensions and alternative measures.
“It is a great victory for the community that they have been able to get their story through to the Minister. I am encouraged to keep fighting this campaign to see what we can do to retain some of the community in Millers Point.
MILLERS POINT BEAUTIFICATION ANGERS TENANTS
MINISTER LISTENS TO ALTERNATIVE PROPOSAL
Mr Greenwich said despite the good news the fight to save Millers Point was far from over.
“We hadn’t received any correspondence from the Minister since he met with the community and I forced the point during question time in Parliament and he spoke openly about the people he had met,” he said.
“It is my hope this consultation continues and ends with the retention of some of the community that helped build Millers Point.”
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| Protesters outside the first of the Millers Point public housing auctions. Source: News Corp Australia |
In his letter, Mr Hazzard said his department would continue to work with the remaining tenants on their relocation needs, with Millers Point residents having first choice of available social housing properties in NSW.
Combined, the sales have totalled more than $50 million.
Another six homes are scheduled to be auctioned on August 25. They include two 19th century terraces on Trinity Avenue and four additional terraces on Kent St, the oldest of which was built in 1871.
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| One of the homes up for sale in the next round of auctions later this month. |
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