Decision details

Moved by Councillor Thalis, seconded by Councillor Scully –

It is resolved that:

(A)      Council note:

(i)         Waterloo is the subject of urban renewal by the State Government;

(ii)        in January 2019, the State Government presented their preferred Master Plan for Waterloo:

(a)       they proposed 30 per cent social, 65 per cent market and 5 per cent affordable housing;

(iii)      in March 2019, the City released an alternate scheme for Waterloo for which it is seeking funding from the Federal Government:

(a)       the City's scheme included a mix of social and affordable housing - comprising 50 per cent social, 20 per cent affordable and 30 per cent private market housing; and

(b)       it substantially increases the number of social and affordable dwellings to address the social and affordable housing crisis;

(iv)      in May 2020, NSW Land and Housing Corporation lodged a planning proposal request for Waterloo South with the City of Sydney;

(v)       Sustainable Sydney 2030 envisages that, by 2030, 7.5 per cent of all housing in the City of Sydney will be affordable housing;

(vi)      access to affordable housing is essential for a diverse, inclusive, cohesive, and economically successful global city;

(vii)     the City of Sydney's City Plan 2036 - City of Sydney Local Strategic Planning Statement and Housing for All - City of Sydney Local Housing Strategy both identify the need for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing in Redfern/Waterloo in particular, and in the local government area generally;

(viii)    in 2013, the City entered into a deed with the Aboriginal Housing Company which included:

(a)       the transfer of land on Caroline Lane, Eveleigh Lane and Eveleigh Street Redfern to the Aboriginal Housing Company to facilitate the redevelopment known as the Pemulwuy Project; and

(b)       the deed was subject to the delivery of affordable housing, childcare, gallery space and public open space;

(ix)      in April 2016, the City granted $100,000 to Redfern Legal Centre to support tenants during the redevelopment of the Waterloo Estate;

(x)       in October 2017, the City granted $47,980 (excluding GST) to Waterloo Public Housing Action Group to support tenants through their Future Planning Office;

(xi)      in February 2020, the City granted $150,000 to St George Community Housing for a shared capacity development project (between St George Community Housing, Bridge Housing and City West Housing) to employ and train a dedicated Aboriginal Affordable Housing Manager to improve access to affordable housing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons in the local area;

(xii)     the Redfern Waterloo Aboriginal Affordable Housing Campaign advocates for:

(a)       10 per cent of all redevelopment on government land in Redfern/Waterloo to be Aboriginal affordable housing; and

(b)       an increase in Aboriginal social housing in partnership with an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation; and

(xiii)    an alliance of community organisations has given their support to the Redfern Waterloo Aboriginal Affordable Housing Campaign; and

(B)      Council support the Redfern Waterloo Aboriginal Affordable Housing Campaign.

Carried unanimously.

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