DoH Letter to Tenents 20 May 2003

I am writing to bring you up to date with the redevelopment plans for part of the Department's Redfern Estate. These plans will provide new public housing on part of the site that will better meet the needs of our current and future tenants.

Following lengthy consultation, South Sydney City Council approved the masterplan effective from 18 February 2003. This allows the Department to progress the project to the next stage.

As mentioned in earlier correspondence and information sessions, this project will affect the property in which you are presently living.

As discussed with you previously, the relocation process may cause some inconvenience and disruption. In view of this, the Department will be doing everything it reasonably can to find you appropriate alternative housing. I am confident we will be able to provide you with accommodation which meets your needs and satisfies all your reasonable expectations. It is expected that tenants will not be asked to relocate for at least 18 months (late 2004) and every effort will be made to make this transition as comfortable as possible for all affected tenants.

If you wish, there may also be an option for you to return to your current location into the new accommodation to be built on this site. This would mean relocating to temporary alternative accommodation for approximately 18 months while the new construction takes place.

To ensure you are not financially disadvantaged, you may be compensated for improvements you have made to your home or you may be provided with equivalent facilities in your new dwelling. The Department will also pay all your reasonable removalist and re‑establishment costs.

I have included with this letter a "Fact Sheet" about the Department's general redevelopment process and this will confirm answers given to many of the questions tenants also asked at the last round of interviews.