Plibersek questions Redfern housing authorities

Federal MP Tanya Plibersek criticised the state of housing developments in the Redfern Waterloo area at a REDwatch meeting last week.

The Minister for Social Services and Social Inclusion acknowledged Housing NSW (HNSW)and the Redfern Waterlook Authority (RWA) had failed to adequately consult the community over the controversial Built Environment Plan 2(BEP2).

“At the moment we still have citizens living in third world conditions. The reason I allocated money for the housing affordability fund was that the quality of housing just isn’t good enough,” she said.

“In every conversation I had with state departments and relevant ministers when I was Housing Minister I made it clear we don’t want to see any reduction in public housing stock, we simply don’t have enough as it is.”

As the former Housing Minister, Ms Plibersek is responsible for the federal funding given to Housing NSW to conduct their preliminary Master Plan.

REDWatch spokesperson Geoffrey Turnbull said the community is confused over the recent NSW Housing Master Plan.

“When we ask for details about the relocation of 700 units of public housing tenants for example, HNSW replied by saying the federal funding they received from the housing affordability fund didn’t cover research into such an area.”

Both HNSW and the RWA have released independent reports that detail the community feedback conducted over the BEP2 and living conditions in government housing.

Last month, RWA CEO Roy Wakelin-King said: “We will be using the Stakeholder Engagement Report in preparation for further studies of the Redfern-Waterloo area and acknowledge the need to have a far reaching consultative process.”

Almost half of the RWA respondents said safety was vital to the future development of the area and that they were concerned about the suitability for seniors and the disabled.

A quarter of residents responded favourably to the BEP2’s proposal to increase social mix and boost population growth in the area. Approximately 43,000 people are waiting for government housing in NSW.

HNSW’s Redfern Waterloo Public Housing Tenant Survey also shows concern over safety with almost a third of residents worried about drug related problems, while 20 per cent were concerned about crime related problems.

The 25 minute survey was conducted by 752 public housing residents with overall general satisfaction of the area averaging at 70 per cent.

However when asked: ‘Given the opportunity would you move out of your neighbourhood?’ almost half said they would.

But this figure jumped to 75 per cent for the 18-34 age bracket.

Last week Mr Turnbull criticised the report over inaccuracies and poor research.

“They ask guiding questions instead of offering preferences, which is not comprehensive.”

Ms Plibersek said: “From now until the end of the year there will be a series of excellent opportunities for people to comment.”

HNSW will host a Masterplan Expo at Redfern Park on August 20.

Local residents are encouraged to come along and learn about the development proposals and share their input.

By Christian Meagher