New PPP to Revitalise Public Housing in Airds Bradbury

NEW PPP TO REVITALISE PUBLIC HOUSING

NSW Minister for Finance and Services, Greg Pearce and Minister for Family and Community Services, Pru Goward announced today that the NSW Government had embarked on the biggest social housing Public Private Partnership (PPP) ever in NSW with Expressions of Interest sought for the Airds Bradbury Renewal Project.

“The project is the biggest and most ambitious PPP undertaking in social housing ever in NSW and underpins the NSW Government’s commitment to both quality social housing and urban renewal,” Mr Pearce said.

“The Airds Bradbury Renewal Project demonstrates the Government’s new approach to social housing which targets the building of communities rather than construction of towers,” he said.

“The 15 to 30 year program will transform 1,470 dilapidated public housing units into around 2,000 21st century homes provided as a mix of social housing, affordable housing and private dwellings adjoining the Georges River Reserve.

“The PPP will deliver the full range of services necessary for the project – finance, design, refurbishment, construction, acquisition, tenancy management, maintenance, sales, community engagement, community renewal and development.

“Tenancy management services will be provided by a registered Community Housing Provider regulated by the NSW Government.

“Housing NSW and the Department of Finance and Services have been undertaking preparatory work on the renewal and will continue with the implementation until the PPP partner is chosen and can assume full responsibility,” Mr Pearce said.

Minister for Family and Community Services Pru Goward said the project aims to reduce the concentrations of social housing, support the social and economic participation of residents, and contribute to a more sustainable and affordable social housing system.

“We want to create a liveable and socially sustainable community, where residents feel a strong sense of place and belonging,” Ms Goward said.

“The PPP will also work towards providing an environment that will stabilise a person’s life so they can rejoin the workforce or live comfortably and safely in their senior years.

“This is why we have taken the extra step of ensuring the local community has been an integral part of the concept development.

“The public consultation phase will work towards creating this sense of community.

“Housing NSW won the International Association for Public Participation Award as Project of the Year in 2010, for their community consultation efforts on the project development.

“The principles of the project ensure there will be no reduction in social housing numbers.

“The community will continue to be consulted every step of the way and we will work in partnership at all levels to achieve the best outcome for the community.

“The NSW Government is committed to urban renewal and building communities. The Airds Bradbury Renewal Project will deliver that outcome,” Ms Goward said.

Copies of an information package for firms that might be interested in forming a consortium to respond to the EOI is available from the NSW Government tendering website, www.tenders.nsw.gov.au/dfs.

Source: Media Release from Hon Greg Pearce MLC Minister for Finance  and Services and Hon Pru Goward MP Minister for Family and Community Services on Wednesday, 30 November 2011 - http://www.housing.nsw.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/DE0C6F07-15AC-44E9-B593-4A877D947D4F/0/AirdsBradburyPPP.PDF