The Minns Labor Government has reached a significant milestone in delivering one of the largest social housing renewal projects in Australian history, with the announcement of delivery partners for Waterloo South.
Following a tender process, the NSW Government has selected Stockland, Link Wentworth Housing, City West Housing, and Birribee as the preferred partners to build homes and lead the Waterloo renewal.
Waterloo Estate is one of the largest social housing estates in the country, it will be renewed in stages, starting with Waterloo South where 750 older public housing properties with be replaced with new, well-designed and fit-for-purpose homes.
The delivery team is tasked with delivering a substantial increase in social and affordable housing in inner-city Sydney, with 50 percent of all new homes in Waterloo South dedicated to social and affordable housing. This adds 500 homes beyond what the previous government committed.
This is significant increase in social and affordable homes compared to the former government’s plans.
Committed to building better communities, the mixed-tenure Waterloo South project will deliver approximately 3,000 new social, affordable, and private homes, along with new facilities, retail precincts, and public open spaces.
Homes NSW will now start negotiating contracts with the building partners to plan, design, deliver and fund the development over the next 10-15 years, as well as ongoing operations. The negotiations are expected to take six months, and are the final step in the competitive, multi-stage procurement process.
This will ensure Homes NSW and the building partners are aligned on roles and responsibilities, a program for renewal and how the partnership will work with the community to deliver better outcomes for the people of Waterloo.
Residents of Waterloo remain the priority throughout this process, Homes NSW will work with the local community through the staged relocation process. All impacted residents will be given at least six months’ notice before having to move and provided with dedicated support every step of the way. All residents will be given the right to return when the renewal is complete.
Homes NSW and the delivery partners will work together to support residents through change and create a vibrant and mixed inner-city community with a genuine sense of place.
For more information visit: nsw.gov.au/homes-nsw/waterloo
Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:
“We are proud to be building Australia’s largest ever social housing project – modern, accessible and better homes to confront the housing crisis head on.
“This is another step forward in addressing the state’s housing crisis, the announcement of our delivery partners for Waterloo South means we are closer to building 1500, new and sustainable social and affordable homes.
“This has been a hugely competitive process and we look forward to continuing to partner with the sector to deliver our vision for a stronger and vibrant community for the people who need it most.
“We are especially proud to be working Birribee to deliver dedicated homes for our Aboriginal community.
“Tenants deserve to be with us every step of the journey, which is why we will continue
our efforts to be out and about in the community, and I want to thank people for their patience.”
Member for Heffron, Ron Hoenig said:
“I have been fighting to improve the conditions of my constituents living in Waterloo Estate for more than a decade. The most important thing for me has always been ensuring the more vulnerable members of our community can live in safe and healthy homes.
“This announcement brings us a step closer to vastly improving the quality of life for these residents, many of whom have lived in their homes for many years and have built a community with their neighbours.
“Importantly, we are making sure these residents are given every right to return to their new homes once the renewal is complete so they can maintain these community ties.
“We desperately need more social housing in NSW and I am proud we are delivering the country’s largest social housing renewal project in my electorate.”