LAHC post zoning planning.

With the exhibition for Waterloo South finalised in the first half of 2022 Land and Housing Corporation are starting the tendering process and planning for the early stages of the redevelopment of the Waterloo public housing estate. This includes contamination drilling on Waterloo South expected in August 2022 and planning for relocations and project delivery. LAHC are responsible during this stage of the redevelopment until contracts are entered into with a development consortium involving a developer, financing and a Community Housing Provider (CHP) that will run the new social housing. This section of the website deals with announcements and activities relating to this part of the redevelopment process.

LAHC statement on the Waterloo redevelopment post exhibition: In late June 2022 the Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) briefed Waterloo tenant representatives and agencies about LAHCs decision to proceed with the redevelopment. These briefings were not made public and more details will be released in the near future. On 30 June 2022, REDWatch requested a statement of what LAHC could say at that time to the wider community. This statement is below. A newsletter to all Waterloo tenants will advise the community in early July.
LAHC Submission to DPE PPA on Waterloo South: Mid 2022 the zoning for Waterloo had not been finalised. This submission for the Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) on the Waterloo Rezoning provides an insight into how LAHC view the exhibited proposal and the changes they would like to see made. While the zoning is expected to be finalised around the end of 2022 it would still be possible for LAHC to revisit the new controls and argue for changes at the Development Application stage.
LAHC Search for renewal partner for Waterloo Estate: Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) issues the following statement in their news section on 7 July 2022 announcing the launch of the EOI process for the redevelopment of Waterloo South and the option to redevelop the rest of the Waterloo Estate. The EOI is inviting interested parties, who must include a developer and a registered Tier 1 Community Housing Provider but may also include non-CHP members such as builders or investors. The tender summary says "LAHC is also seeking excellence in the long-term management of social housing residents and assets, including the provision of wrap around services to residents that improves their social and economic wellbeing. In addition, LAHC is focused on ensuring that the needs and ambitions of the Waterloo Aboriginal community are specifically addressed and advanced through the Waterloo Renewal Project". The tender documents are not assessible to the public and tenants, only to potential tenders under a confidentiality agreement.
Waterloo Renewal Project Update Newsletter - July 2022: This is a PDF copy of the Newsletter to public housing tenants distributed on 13 July 2022 advising tenants that LAHC is taking the next steps to the renewal of the Waterloo Estate. It sets out a timeframe and process for the appointment of a developer and Community Housing consortium to redevelop Waterloo South and potentially the balance of the estate. It also provides an indication on timeframes for relocations with currently none expected before 2024. This newsletter also has a section on DCJ Housing's approach to Anti-Social Behaviour an an details on Counterpoint and the Waterloo Redevelopment Group. File is 474 KB PDF.
LAHC "Moving to Delivery" presentation to REDWatch 4 August 2022: This presentation was made to a REDWatch meeting on 4 August 2022. It mirrors earlier LAHC presentations to the Waterloo Neighbourhood Advisory Board (NAB) the Waterloo Redevelopment Group (WRG) and Non Government Organisations. In affirms LAHC's decision to proceed with the Waterloo South Redevelopment as the first stage of the Waterloo Estate redevelopment. It sets out the areas that LAHC will be focusing on over the next year or two until a developer is in place and concrete development application (DA) plans for the Waterloo South precinct are ready for exhibition. The schedule includes refining precinct outcomes, relocation planning, human services and social sustainability, place making and outcomes for Aboriginal people and the procurement of of development partners.
LAHC focus areas for implementation of Waterloo redevelopment: This is one page from the LAHC presentation to REDWatch on "Moving to delivery" that sets out LAHCs focus now that the planning proposal rezoning exhibition has finished. The schedule includes refining precinct outcomes, relocation planning, human services and social sustainability, place making and outcomes for Aboriginal people and the procurement of of development partners.
Link to Waterloo Planning Controls: This website has a section dealing with the Planning Proposal / Rezoning application at www.redwatch.org.au/RWA/Waterloo/South/wsexhibit This link will take you to the proposed planning controls as modified after the exhibition
Simon Newport New Chief Executive of NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC): Simon Newport was named as the new Chief Executive of LAHC on 9 August 2022. The announcement was made by NSW Department of Planning and Environment Secretary Mick Cassel who up until is appointment of Department Secretary headed the Land and Housing Corporation. The text of the Departmental release is below.
Examining LAHC’s claims about the social objectives of estate renewal: As LAHC moves to implementing its decision to redevelop the Waterloo Estate, the social objectives claimed for the redevelopment and what is needed to deliver them becomes a focus. In this paper Dr Alistair Sisson, an academic in the field examines LAHC’s claims about the social objectives of estate renewal.
LAHC Briefing on "People and Place" framework for Waterloo: This presentation was given to REDWatch on 6 October 2022 by LAHC. The Presentation sets out the approach being taken by LAHC to community consultations about the "people" aspects of the Waterloo Estate redevelopment that LAHC want to provide to potential development partners including the CHP that will handle the social housing that will replace the existing DCJ Housing run public housing. The presentation a "deep dive" on the consultations four focus areas: Connecting with Country; Place Making; Human Services and Relocations and Support. The presentation also provides an expected time frame for the framework against the project procurement and relocations milestones.
Mirvac, Lendlease, Stockland, Frasers shortlisted for Waterloo South: Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) has announced the short list of four developer consortiums to be considered to redevelop the Waterloo Public Housing Estate. These developers will now submit proposals for the redevelopment next year before the list is reduced to two bidders before a final decision late in 2023.
Waterloo Planning Controls Finalised: The Department of Planning have approved the planning controls for Waterloo South following the rezoning exhibition. The details of the rezoning and approved controsl are in the post below. The approval was notified on November 10 2022.
Waterloo Renewal Project Update - December 2022: This update includes a LAHC update on the rezoning outcome, the shortlisting of consortiums for the waterloo Redevelopment, a project Planning timeline, the proposed infrastructure agreement between LAHC and Council, community consultations and support during relocations. It also includes a section from DCJ Housing about the introduction of the new Housing Practice Standards that are to guide DCJ Housing staff in their dealing with tenants.
Waterloo South Signed VPA with Optical Character Recognition (OCR) overlay: The Waterloo South Voluntary Planning Agreement released for the public exhibition was a scanned copy which means that it is not searchable. For a legal document that keeps referring to other parts of the document this is difficult to follow if you can't search the document. REDWatch has run an optical character recognition program across the document and made a searchable text overlay. This process is not perfect especially when the original document has scan marks so the text overlay may not be 100% accurate. If you are using this document you should check the underlying scan to be sure that the OCR text is correct.
Counterpoint Community Services Letter to Housing Minister Rose Jackson 13 April 2023: This is a copy of the letter sent by Counterpoint Community Services regarding the Waterloo redevelopment following the appointment of Minister Rose Jackson. In the letter Counterpoint deals with a number of issues they wish the Minister to consider about the redevelopment and put the view that "at this stage, we believe the Waterloo South plans should push forward under the current planning controls."
Groundswell Letter to Housing Minister Rose Jackson 13 April 2023: This is a copy of the letter sent by Groundswell regarding the Waterloo redevelopment following the appointment of Minister Rose Jackson. In the letter Groundswell offers to provide the Minister a background briefing from the NGO and community perspective and to discuss the plans for the Waterloo South Public Housing Estate redevelopment.
REDWatch Letter to Housing Minister Rose Jackson 21 April 2023: This is a copy of the letter sent by REDWatch regarding the Waterloo redevelopment following the appointment of Minister Rose Jackson. In the letter REDWatch has asked the Minister, to respect tenants and to deliver the news about Waterloo’s future to them before any media announcement. It also requests the Minister adopt the Compact proposed by Shelter NSW and the NSW Tenants Union to guide government interactions with public housing tenants around redevelopment of public housing.
Waterloo FAQs – 19 May 2023 Murawin and Land and Housing Corporation: On 19 May 2023 Murawin and Land and Housing Corporation held a consultation with the Aboriginal community about the waterloo redevelopment. Below is the FAQ provided for that event. It contains some additional information no previously said by LAHC.
Audio of REDWatch Federal Government’s Housing Policy Agenda Forum of 5 June 2023: At this REDWatch meeting on 5 June 2023, Tanya Plibersek, the Federal member for Sydney presents on the Federal Labor Government's housing policy. Responses and comments from both the NSW Housing Minister Rose Jackson and the President of the Australian Local Government Association, Linda Scott follow. At the start of the Q&A session (25 minutes) Rose Jackson provides an update on the NSW government's approach to public housing redevelopment and Waterloo. The file is an audio m4a file that will need to be downloaded to play.
Comments by Housing Minister Rose Jackson relevant to Waterloo - 5 June 2023: At the 5 June 2023 REDWatch meeting, NSW Housing Minister Rose Jackson, responded on the proposed Federal Government housing policy initiatives. She later provided an update on the NSW Governments approach to public housing redevelopments including Waterloo. In the transcript below the Minister says it will be another month or so before the process set by the previous government can be assessed under the principles the new government wishes to apply. Later in the meeting the Minister confirmed the government was implementing the 2022 Labor Conference motion and outlined that the current focus was on items they did not need to legislate.
Ron Hoenig letter about Waterloo to tenants 9 June 2023: This is a de-identified copy of a letter received by some tenants from the Member for Heffron, Mr Ron Hoenig MP. The letter makes reference to Mr Honig's speech in the Legislative Assembly on 25 May 2023 which can be seen at the following link - https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Hansard/Pages/HansardResult.aspx#/docid/HANSARD-1323879322-131169 . The letter reiterates the Housing Minister Rose Jackson's comments to REDWatch on 5 June that the Government expects to be in a position in about a month to better understand what they might be able to do to improve the Waterloo South proposal.
Homes NSW Consultation: On 20 July The Housing Minister held a consultation with invited organisations to get feedback on principles for the formation of Homes NSW. Further consultations are proposed. REDWatch is making available some of the details of the July consultation to encourage tenants, those on the waiting list and services to consider what they might want to say to the Minister about what should be stopped, what should be started and what should be continued. Below is what was supplied to participants at the 20 July Consultation.
Waterloo Redevelopment letter to tenants 19 Aug 2023: In this letter distributed to Waterloo Estate tenants on Saturday 19 August, Housing Minister Rose Jackson advised tenants that the Waterloo South LAHC redevelopment would now see 30% social and 20% affordable housing delivered. In addition a minimum of 15% of both kinds of housing would be dedicated to Aboriginal people. The relocations process has been delayed until mid-2024 with six months’ notice still being given for those initially required to move. The letter provided no details of how the government will fund the changes. REDWatch welcomes this letter being distributed to tenants before the media anouncement.
Action for Public Housing condemns Waterloo decision: Below is the text of the media release issued by Action for Public Housing, a grassroots collective of tenants and supporters who organise to defend and extend public housing, in response to the revised targets for the Waterloo South public housing redevelopment.
Waterloo South to proceed with new targets - updated REDWatch response: Below is an updated REDWatch response to the announcement of new social and affordable housing targets for Waterloo South announced publicly on 21 August 2023. Some changes have been made to the initial response to reference additional material and responses as well as to cover comments made at today's media conference.
Waterloo South social and affordable housing boosted to 50% - Media Release: This is the media release from The Premier, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, Minister for Homelessness, Minister for Housing that was issued about the increased targets for the Waterloo South housing redevelopment.
Counterpoint Community Services on Waterloo Increase: Below is how Counterpoint Community Services advised their newsletter readers about the Government announcement to increase the quantity of social and affordable housing in Waterloo South on 21 August 2023.
Waterloo South – good, but still time for a better deal for social housing and to raise the bar on what Government can deliver: This is the Shelter NSW media release on the announcement to increase the social and affordable housing on Waterloo South.
REDWatch calculations based on August 2023 increase in social and affordable housing: REDWatch has undertaken an analysis of the numbers for different tenure types in Waterloo South. The figures used are the minimum figures from the rezoning, and ministerial announcements on 4 November 2022 and 21 August 2023. While all care has been taken it is possible the spreadsheet contains errors so please check yourself and advise if any errors are found. At the media conference today the Housing Minister dismissed the suggestion that there would only be a 53 unit increase in social housing. These figures substantiate the basis for that calculation.
Waterloo Community Update Newsletter 13 October 2023: This newsletter was distributed to Waterloo public housing tenants in October 2023. It provides an update on the redevelopment of Waterloo South after the increase in social and affordable housing to 50% and some reporting on meetings with tenants in Waterloo South and responses to some of the rumours that were raised. It also has an update on the Waterloo Human Services Action Pls\an dealing with the current issues facing tenants.
LAHC Waterloo South - People and Place Feedback Overview: This feedback overview was provided to attendees at a workshop for government and non-government organisations on 11 October 2023. It gives a very high overview of what LAHC heard from consultations about it People and Place framework. Concern has been expressed by some NGOs including REDWatch that the report does not adequately reflect the input from NGOs at previous meetings. As an example the "Community Plan workshop" report on page 27 makes no changes to the strongly criticised four sheets shown.
DPE SIA Social Impact Assessment Assessment Tool: This is the NSW Department of Planning and Environment 2023 assessment tool for Social Impact Assessments.
Towards a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) for Waterloo: Eight years into the Waterloo redevelopment there has still not been a Social Impact Assessment (SIA), it is not required until the first Development Application (DA) probably in 2025. The Department of Planning undertook a SIA for the rezoning of public housing at Explorer Street Eveleigh in 2023 using the state government’s SIA requirements as part of a joint SIA and Social infrastructure study. As the Eveleigh site has an existing public housing community that will be impacted, the findings of that SIA portion gives us a good starting point to think about what should be covered in a Waterloo SIA. The social infrastructure element of the Eveleigh report is site specific and is not readily comparable to Waterloo.
Stockland Lendlease shortlisted LAHC letter to tenants: LAHC letter of 5 December 2023 to tenants regarding short listing of Stockland and Lendlease consortia for the redevelopment of the Waterloo public housing estate. This letter was distributed prior to media announcement in line with LAHC commitment to tenants.
Waterloo Consortia down to the Stockland and Lendlease consortia: LAHC have announced that the Stockland and Lendlease consortia have been shortlisted to undertake the Waterloo public housing redevelopment with a final decision on the successful tenderer expected mid 2024.
Rebecca Pinkstone named as inaugural head of Homes NSW: The Government has just announced the new head of Homes NSW which is to start operation on 1 February 2024. Homes NSW will be established within the department of Communities and Justice. The text of the DCJ media release of 21 December 2023 is provided below.
Minister Jackson's message to tenants about Homes NSW: This message to tenants from Minster Jackson was sent on February 1 2024 on the launch of Homes NSW. The email also contains a link to a Homes NSW information page at www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/homes-nsw. More information will be available at the REDWatch meeting on February 5th 2024.
Homes NSW Launch Statement: This is the media statement of 2 February 2024, issued by Minister Rose Jackson, about the launching of Homes NSW.
Homes NSW Services: This Homes NSW Services diagram shows what makes up Homes NSW and how it proposes to deliver services.
Homes NSW Fact Sheet and Services diagram - 1 Feb 2024: This is the text of the Homes NSW Fact Sheet handed out at the REDWatch Homes NSW meeting on 5 February 2024. The Homes NSW Services diagram was also provided to the meeting. This meeting with Minister Jackson and senior staff was recorded and can be viewed on REDWatch_Redfern-Waterloo YouTube at https://youtu.be/5nh_20Y3Xro?si=80HyXjidBZoy8am5 . A link to PDF versions of both documents are at the foot of this email.
Homes NSW Fact Sheet and Services diagram PDF - 5 Feb 2024: This PDF contains the Fact Sheet and the Services diagram provided by Homes NSW to the REDWatch meeting on 5 February 2024 on the establishment of Homes NSW. This meeting with Minister Jackson and senior staff was recorded and can be viewed on REDWatch_Redfern-Waterloo YouTube at https://youtu.be/5nh_20Y3Xro?si=80HyXjidBZoy8am5
Look before you leap: A community guide to social impact assessment by Alison Ziller PhD February 2024: This Guide to social impact assessment is for communities concerned about the social consequences of a proposed project or development. The redevelopment of Waterloo South will need a social impact assessment. This guide explains when a social impact assessment (the process) is required, what a SIA (the document) is expected to include, and when and how decision making takes place. The Guide sets out what communities should look out for, when they may provide a response, for example in a submission raising concerns about a proposed development or project, and the timelines affecting these steps.
Back to basics: Social housing maintenance call centre back in public hands: This media statement of 13 November 2023 sets out the major changes proposed to public housing maintenance to come into effect mid 2024. This was a major focus of many questions to the Minister for Homes NSW and the CEO at the REDWatch meeting of 5 February 2024.
People and Place Report: Waterloo Place Framework prepared by Hatch Roberts Day: This is one of the one of the People and Place studies conducted for LAHC (now Homes NSW Portfolio) for the Waterloo South Redevelopment. This Waterloo Place Framework study was undertaken by Hatch Roberts Day. It was released to the Waterloo Human Services Collaborative and Groundswell and will appear on the Waterloo Redevelopment website with the other studies.
People and Place Report: Waterloo Connecting with Country Framework prepared by Murawin: This is one of the one of the People and Place studies conducted for LAHC (now Homes NSW Portfolio) for the Waterloo South Redevelopment. This Waterloo Connecting with Country Framework study was undertaken by Murawin. It was released to the Waterloo Human Services Collaborative and Groundswell and will appear on the Waterloo Redevelopment website with the other studies.
People and Place Outcomes Report from October 2023 NCIE Workshop: In October 2023 LAHC held a People and Place workshop. This is the outcomes report from that workshop - it covered relocations and human services for which People and Place Reports have not yet been released and hence points to some of LAHC's approach to these parts of its People and Place approach. It is important to note that this report reflects what people said off the top of their heads in the workshop. It was not possible to comment on all material in the short time allowed and LAHC declined to allow attendees to make considered contributions after the workshop. Unlike the Waterloo Human Services Collaborative where there is discussions about different actions and a consensus reached the comments made at the session recorded have not been tested. This outcomes report was released to the Waterloo Human Services Collaborative and Groundswell and will appear on the Waterloo Redevelopment website with the other studies.
Draft Waterloo South People and Place Plan | For feedback until 14 June 2024: This is the Draft People and Place Plan released on 17 April by Homes NSW Housing Portfolio for input from tenants, stakeholders and community. It describes how the NSW Government and the renewal partner will work together with the community to realise positive outcomes for the people and places in Waterloo South. This document includes the following focus areas: Relocations and support, Human services, Connecting with Country and Place making and management. Feedback on the draft plan was open until Friday 14 June 2024.
Draft Waterloo South People and Place Consultation - Extended until 14 June 2024: The Draft People and Place Plan released on 17 April by Homes NSW Housing Portfolio for input from tenants, stakeholders and community. It describes how the NSW Government and the renewal partner will work together with the community to realise positive outcomes for the people and places in Waterloo South. This document includes the following focus areas: Relocations and support, Human services, Connecting with Country and Place making and management. Feedback on the draft plan was open until Friday 14 June 2024.
Focus Group Questions for Draft Waterloo South People and Place Plan: These questions were used for discussion groups at the REDWatch Meeting 2nd May 2024. The questions may help people think about their own responses to the Draft People and Place Place Plan which is open for feedback until the end of May 2024.
REDWatch Initial comments on the People and Place Plan: This Draft Plan brings together consultations Homes NSW (LAHC) have had over the last 8+ years as well as consultant reports commissioned by LAHC. The reports from some of these consultations and consultants have not been made public so this is the first chance people have to review what Homes NSW Housing Portfolio (LAHC) have heard or decided from these consultations.
Waterloo Renewal Principles February 2023: The Waterloo Renewal Principles reflect the intent of the State-wide compact but have been developed specifically for the Waterloo Renewal Project. These principles incorporate community engagement standards such as the International Association of Public Participation and learnings for other renewal projects. The principles reflect the feedback from residents and the community regarding ways of working during the current and future stages of the planning and implementation of the Waterloo Renewal Project. This document forms the foundation for how Land and Housing Corporation will work with the community through the renewal project, and these principles will also guide significant streams of work .
Some further REDWatch comments on the People and Place Plan: These are some further comments by REDWatch, circulated in our email update 0f 27 May 2024 regarding Homes NSW's Draft People and place plan, which is open for feedback until14 June 2024.
Inner Sydney Voice Submission on Draft Waterloo South People and Place Plan: This is a copy of the Inner Sydney Voice (ISV) submission on the Homes NSW Draft Waterloo South People and Place Plan which was open for comment in May and June 2024.
Shelter NSW Submission on Draft Waterloo South People and Place Plan: This is a copy of the Shelter (NSW) submission on the Homes NSW Draft Waterloo South People and Place Plan which was open for comment in May and June 2024.
Counterpoint Community Services Submission on Draft Waterloo South People and Place Plan: This is a copy of the Counterpoint Community Services submission on the Homes NSW Draft Waterloo South People and Place Plan which was open for comment in May and June 2024. This submissions includes feedback from tenants and agencies from consultations with a tenants only meeting of the Waterloo Redevelopment Group, workshops run by REDWatch and a workshop held by Groundswell agencies.
City of Sydney Submission on Draft Waterloo South People and Place Plan: This is a copy of the City of Sydney submission on the Homes NSW Draft Waterloo South People and Place Plan which was open for comment in May and June 2024. It can also be found at https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/city-of-sydney-submissions/people-and-place-plan-waterloo-south-redevelopment
REDWatch Submission on Draft Waterloo South People and Place Plan: This is a copy of the REDWatch submission on the Homes NSW Draft Waterloo South People and Place Plan which was open for comment in May and June 2024.
Waterloo Connect – Community Update (newsletter) July 2024: This newsletter was distributed in July 2024. The Homes NSW newsletter was rebranded as Waterloo Connect. This issue advises tenants that "The successful consortium is expected to be announced in mid to late 2024." It provides no new timeframe for relocations which were due to start mid year according to earlier Homes NSW material.
Homes NSW Advise Tenants Stockland Consortium is Waterloo South Developer: In keeping with undertakings to tenants, Homes NSW Minister Rose Jackson advised Waterloo tenants that a decision has been made on the successful consortium to develop Waterloo South. A message to tenants read: Dear Residents of Waterloo. Rose Jackson, the Minister for Housing has some important information to share with you regarding the Waterloo South Renewal Project. Please click the link to read the letter. The text of the letter is provided below. A media statement was issued the next day along with further information for tenants and agencies. These are also provided below.
Stockland ASX Announcement: Waterloo Renewal Project Preferred Proponent: Below is the announcement at 6:50pm on 8 August 2024 by Stockland to the Australian Stock Exchange that its consortium was the selected by Homes NSW as the preferred proponent to deliver the Waterloo Renewal Project with Homes NSW
REDWatch Unpacks the Stockland Consortium Waterloo Redevelopment Announcement: A few days on from the announcement that Stockland, Link Wentworth, City West Housing and Birribee are Homes NSW's preferred partners for developing Waterloo, REDWatch has provided the links and some analysis of that announcement.
Waterloo Relocations start in south west of estate: Waterloo South tenants living in the two block surrounded by John, Cope, McEvoy, and Mead Street to the South of the estate were hand delivered relocation notices on 27 February advising them that they will be relocated within the next six months.
Waterloo renewal reaches new milestone to deliver Australia’s largest social housing project - Media Release: The following media statement was released to announce the signing of the of contracts for the redevelopment of Waterloo South on 10 April 2025
Retain Repair Reinvest Waterloo high-rise refurbishment and infill draft proposal: This is a draft proposal from OFFICE that was shown to people on 5th April at the BBQ held by OFFICE of how the Waterloo high-rises could be refurbished and in-fill buildings included around them to meet the Waterloo redevelopment goals stated for Central and Northern areas of Waterloo Estate. You can provide feedback on this proposal to hello@OFFICE.org.au - The RRR project is independent from Homes NSW and separate to the redevelopment plans for Waterloo South. Homes NSW say that it will be many years before they develop this area and 10 years before people have to relocate.
Confirmed Waterloo South Consortium delivers homes from 2031: The article below was produced for the South Sydney Herald and it sets out what has been learnt about the Waterloo South Redevelopment now that the Consortium and Homes NSW have finalised their redevelopment agreement. On 3rd June 2025 it is hoped that more information will become available when the Consortium presents to a REDWatch public meeting.

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LAHC post zoning planning.