Residents rally against development
Angry residents took to the streets in a march against planned developments of the Glebe Housing estate by the NSW Department of Housing.
The group met last Saturday as part of an organised “Hands off Glebe” meeting to protest the redevelopment of the housing estate bounded by Wentworth Street, Bay Street, Cowper Street and the rear of the premises on Queen Street.
Protestors gathered in the park on the corner of Glebe Street and Mitchell Street before marching to the office of state member of Parliament, Verity Firth.
Members of the rally chanted the slogans “hands off Glebe” and “hands off our public housing” during the 15 minute walk to the Ms Firth’s office.
Speaking outside Ms Firth’s office, Mitchell Street resident and public housing patron Kate said the redevelopment would destroy homes lived in for generations.
“My grandmother was born two doors up,” Kate said.
“And she died in the house where my grandfather is living. He’s 83 and they are talking about moving him into a single bedroom unit now.
“We have had three generations of my family living in these units and they want to just move us on.”
The proposed redevelopment will see the demolition of 134 existing units and the construction of 153 new social housing units, 83 affordable housing units, retail spaces and 250 privately owned units.
Leichhardt Mayor and Greens candidate for the seat of Balmain in the upcoming state election Jamie Parker said the move was a case of “public land being sold for private benefit” by the State Government.
“What we will see with this development is up to 33 metre high dwellings for private houses,” he said.
“It’s not for an upgrade to public housing as is suggested.”
Mr Parker said the majority of the development would be devoted to 250 private houses.
He also branded claims by developers of 83 units of affordable housing a “con”.
“People in the community think that affordable housing means housing for the 40,000 plus people on waiting lists for public housing,” he said.
“It’s not, it’s private housing, that happens to be a little smaller.
“The fact is it’s not where the demand is.”
In a paper prepared by the group for submission to the State Housing Minister it states: “given that the majority of the proposed development is private residential and commercial, it is a misnomer to call the proposal the Glebe Affordable Housing Project.”
The paper also draws attention to further issues including the height and density of the development, overshadowing of the area, and lack of open space in the development.
The State Housing Minister, Frank Terenzini, was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.
The next meeting is organised for Thursday at 4.30pm, for information email handsoffglebe@gmail.com
By Simon Black
