Redevelopment of Elizabeth Street, Redfern will be a sell off of public land for private profit - Jenny Leong Response

Redevelopment of Elizabeth Street, Redfern will be a sell off of public land for private profit

Today’s announcement from the NSW Liberal National Government to redevelop empty land across from Redfern Oval, that until 2013 was 100% public housing, will see more public land flogged off for private profit.
The plans announced today propose to build 300 new apartments at the site, of which none appears to be public housing, only one third would be for community housing and the vast majority for private development.
Jenny Leong MP, Member for Newtown and Greens Housing Spokesperson said:

“Make no mistake, this is the NSW Liberal National government once again selling off public land for private profit.

“This is public land, in the inner city, in the middle of a housing crisis. This should remain 100 per cent public land, and 100 per cent public housing – like it was just a decade ago

“Even more disgraceful is that there is no dedicated Aboriginal housing planned for this site in the heart of Redfern.

“This isn’t crown land, this is Gadigal land. If the NSW Liberal National wants to hand over ownership then they should return it to the rightful owners – and allow an Aboriginal owned and controlled housing organisation to deliver First Nations housing.

“Years of delay and incompetence from the NSW Liberal National Government have left this site sitting empty for nearly 10 years.
“Since then the housing crisis has only gotten worse and the chronic lack of public and affordable housing in Sydney and throughout NSW has intensified.

“There are more than 100,000 people on the public housing waiting list, some who have been waiting for over a decade. What is being proposed today will do nothing to meet their urgent need for housing.

“The 100 social housing properties proposed are allegedly meant to accommodate Waterloo public housing residents being forced from their homes, but they won't be finished till 2028 - cold comfort for residents for whom relocations have already begun.

“The Greens will always stand with the community calling for genuine investment in public housing on public land, against selling off public land and call out the special treatment given to private developers to maximise private profits.

“We are committed to seeing at least 10% of all new housing developments in Redfern, Waterloo and Eveleigh being dedicated Aboriginal owned and operated affordable housing to address the ongoing displacement of First Nations communities.

“The Greens will push the next NSW Government to build masses of new public and affordable homes - so that everyone can have a home they can afford without having to wait 10 years for it.”

Link to Minister's media release: Elizabeth Street Redfern Development - Bridge Housing and Capella Capital successful tenderers

Link to SMH Article: https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/hundreds-of-apartments-to-transform-empty-block-opposite-redfern-oval-20230119-p5cdrn.html