Shelter NSW was relieved to learn that Minister Rose Jackson has declared the plans to redevelop the Telopea Public Housing Estate a poor deal for the people of NSW (a “dud deal” in fact), ending the formal relationship it had with Frasers Development to redevelop the site.
In October 2017, the NSW Government announced its proposal to redevelop the large, 100% public housing estate, applying the Communities Plus approach to redevelopment â where the 600 plus dwellings would be demolished to make way for a much denser precinct with just 30% social housing being delivered (and the remainder sold as private housing).
In the middle of a housing crisis, it is always astonishing (and frustrating) to learn about the large numbers of vacant and unused dwellings across NSW. None more so than when the dwellings are whole blocks of accessible, well-located public housing. Beyond the five plus years of uncertainty for residents, members of the public have been quite right to ask how buildings like the ‘Three Sistersâ at Telopea could remain empty for over a year. According to this July 2024 ABC News report, residents from 211 public housing units were relocated in July 2023.
Shelter NSW understands that Homes NSW is looking, at least in the short-term, to refurbish the buildings so that they can at least be offered as homes to people, perhaps as a form of transitional housing.
This is not the first time the NSW Government has halted public housing redevelopment projects â with an earlier decision to stop the Coffs Harbour Argyll Estate development project also declared a poor deal for local people and the people of NSW. Shelter NSW commends the NSW Government for its courage and making these hard calls.
For more information: Joint statement on Telopea Urban Renewal project (nsw.gov.au)