'Sydney's last stand: the residents holding out against gentrification' diff viewer (0/1)

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Sydney's last stand: the residents holding out against gentrification	Sydney's last stand: the residents holding out against gentrification
2017-02-01 01:20:15 UTC	2017-02-01 06:35:14 UTC (about 5 hours later)
It is one of the last few weeks in the slow emptying of Sydney’s Sirius building, and Myra Demetriou is keen to talk about spoons. Sitting in her waterfront apartment, the 90-year-old ex-church deaconess has relocation on her mind, and in a cabinet above her couch, enamelled souvenir spoons keep track of every city she’s ever visited.	It is one of the last few weeks in the slow emptying of Sydney’s Sirius building, and Myra Demetriou is keen to talk about spoons. Sitting in her waterfront apartment, the 90-year-old ex-church deaconess has relocation on her mind, and in a cabinet above her couch, enamelled souvenir spoons keep track of every city she’s ever visited.
Demetriou lives alone by the harbour in the suburb of Millers Point. Her building, an architecturally adored icon of Sydney public housing, has found itself on land too valuable for its own good. In 2014, the New South Wales government told the suburb’s 400 residents their government housing would be sold to private developers.	Demetriou lives alone by the harbour in the suburb of Millers Point. Her building, an architecturally adored icon of Sydney public housing, has found itself on land too valuable for its own good. In 2014, the New South Wales government told the suburb’s 400 residents their government housing would be sold to private developers.
Demetriou has clung on and is one of the building’s last two residents. But every week she is forced to test alternative accommodation, despite having, by her own admission, knees that don’t work, no sight in one eye and less than 5% in the other.	Demetriou has clung on and is one of the building’s last two residents. But every week she is forced to test alternative accommodation, despite having, by her own admission, knees that don’t work, no sight in one eye and less than 5% in the other.
“Someone told me that in other states, in social housing, once you’re over 65 they can’t move you out,” she says. “Not here.”	“Someone told me that in other states, in social housing, once you’re over 65 they can’t move you out,” she says. “Not here.”
In the nearby suburbs of Waterloo and Redfern, 4,000 social housing residents are facing a similar prospect. The Central to Eveleigh project is a $550m (£330m) revitalisation plan to turn rail yards into high-rises and public housing into part-private development. Its centrepiece is a new train station on land currently used by the government housing of the Waterloo estate.	In the nearby suburbs of Waterloo and Redfern, 4,000 social housing residents are facing a similar prospect. The Central to Eveleigh project is a $550m (£330m) revitalisation plan to turn rail yards into high-rises and public housing into part-private development. Its centrepiece is a new train station on land currently used by the government housing of the Waterloo estate.
Land values in Sydney have been growing at a faster rate than anywhere in Australia – the median house price has doubled since 2009, from $550,000 to $1.1m, and a report in January ranked Sydney the second least affordable housing market in the world.	Land values in Sydney have been growing at a faster rate than anywhere in Australia – the median house price has doubled since 2009, from $550,000 to $1.1m, and a report in January ranked Sydney the second least affordable housing market in the world.
This has sparked a government strategy affecting Millers Point and Waterloo: trade valuable inner-city social housing – never quite as dense as it could be, occasionally in disrepair – for newer, cheaper, more numerous housing elsewhere, easing the state’s 60,000 person-strong waiting list.	This has sparked a government strategy affecting Millers Point and Waterloo: trade valuable inner-city social housing – never quite as dense as it could be, occasionally in disrepair – for newer, cheaper, more numerous housing elsewhere, easing the state’s 60,000 person-strong waiting list.
According to the state government, the sale of Millers Point alone will raise $500m and fund 1,500 new social housing dwellings in the city’s outer western suburbs. But to many, surging rents and the public eradication of the city’s few high-profile housing estates give the impression that inner Sydney is no longer a place where poorer people can live.	According to the state government, the sale of Millers Point alone will raise $500m and fund 1,500 new social housing dwellings in the city’s outer western suburbs. But to many, surging rents and the public eradication of the city’s few high-profile housing estates give the impression that inner Sydney is no longer a place where poorer people can live.
Richard Weeks, a retired teacher and president of the Waterloo Public Housing Action Group, describes it as “one of the most aggressive social cleansing programmes by any government in the southern hemisphere”.	Richard Weeks, a retired teacher and president of the Waterloo Public Housing Action Group, describes it as “one of the most aggressive social cleansing programmes by any government in the southern hemisphere”.
“What’s happening at Millers Point is government-driven gentrification,” adds Shaun Carter, the NSW President of the Australian Institute of Architects.	“What’s happening at Millers Point is government-driven gentrification,” adds Shaun Carter, the NSW President of the Australian Institute of Architects.
For Demetriou, it’s evidence of how the government has mismanaged these places for years. “Every big city in the world has got at least 20% social housing. And we’re a rich country. Why are we different?”	For Demetriou, it’s evidence of how the government has mismanaged these places for years. “Every big city in the world has got at least 20% social housing. And we’re a rich country. Why are we different?”
“There’s a big stock of social housing in the city, but it’s declining,” says Philip Thalis, a city councillor and former public architect with 30 years’ experience. “The City of Sydney has a target of 7.5% affordable housing, and that target is currently being exceeded. But as there is intense redevelopment with virtually no new public housing being built, that percentage is dropping just through the arithmetics of it.”	“There’s a big stock of social housing in the city, but it’s declining,” says Philip Thalis, a city councillor and former public architect with 30 years’ experience. “The City of Sydney has a target of 7.5% affordable housing, and that target is currently being exceeded. But as there is intense redevelopment with virtually no new public housing being built, that percentage is dropping just through the arithmetics of it.”
In government parlance, “social housing” is an umbrella term that covers both public housing (fully government-owned) and “affordable” or community housing, run by third-party NGOs, charities or corporations, sometimes with government subsidies.	In government parlance, “social housing” is an umbrella term that covers both public housing (fully government-owned) and “affordable” or community housing, run by third-party NGOs, charities or corporations, sometimes with government subsidies.
“In England it’s quite common to have an affordable housing target of 30%, but here at the new Green Square development it’s only 3%, which is a tragically low figure,” says Thalis.	“In England it’s quite common to have an affordable housing target of 30%, but here at the new Green Square development it’s only 3%, which is a tragically low figure,” says Thalis.
Currently, Central to Eveleigh features only 88 affordable dwellings, built by community housing provider City West Housing in 2015. There are no plans for any more. “It’s crazy. We thought, and everyone thought, there was going to be a lot more,” says Janelle Goulding, City West’s CEO.	Currently, Central to Eveleigh features only 88 affordable dwellings, built by community housing provider City West Housing in 2015. There are no plans for any more. “It’s crazy. We thought, and everyone thought, there was going to be a lot more,” says Janelle Goulding, City West’s CEO.
New South Wales has the largest social housing system in Australia, with 150,000 dwellings and 290,000 individuals. One in three tenants are children or young adults, and the state’s ~~indigenous~~ population is notably overrepresented.	New South Wales has the largest social housing system in Australia, with 150,000 dwellings and 290,000 individuals. One in three tenants are children or young adults, and the state’s Indigenous population is notably overrepresented.
In Redfern, ~~indigenous~~ elder Jenny Munro has seen the steady loss of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander residents from a suburb known for its working-class, ~~indigenous~~ history. She sees Central to Eveleigh and other government development as the next frontier.	In Redfern, Indigenous elder Jenny Munro has seen the steady loss of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander residents from a suburb known for its working-class, Indigenous history. She sees Central to Eveleigh and other government development as the next frontier.
“If we can’t stop it, we will be moved,” she says. “We will be expunged from here. You won’t see any black people around.”	“If we can’t stop it, we will be moved,” she says. “We will be expunged from here. You won’t see any black people around.”
Life in Sirius	Life in Sirius
For Shaun Carter, the brutalist, critically feted Sirius is the blueprint for how to mix public and private housing in the inner city. “Sirius does all the urban design things right. It’s purpose-built housing for people that need housing. It puts people from the community back into the community.”	For Shaun Carter, the brutalist, critically feted Sirius is the blueprint for how to mix public and private housing in the inner city. “Sirius does all the urban design things right. It’s purpose-built housing for people that need housing. It puts people from the community back into the community.”
From its completion in 1980, the Sirius building – visible from the Sydney Harbour Bridge – aimed to reflect the kind of social mix you’d expect of a well-integrated city, with homes for singles, older people and large low-income working families. Designed by Danish architect Tao Gofers, the building has an impressive quality of what architects call “human scale”.	From its completion in 1980, the Sirius building – visible from the Sydney Harbour Bridge – aimed to reflect the kind of social mix you’d expect of a well-integrated city, with homes for singles, older people and large low-income working families. Designed by Danish architect Tao Gofers, the building has an impressive quality of what architects call “human scale”.
“You can walk in without feeling intimidated by it,” Claire McCaughan, former director of the Sydney Architecture Festival, told the Australian Financial Review. It’s a kind of modular living, reminiscent of Japanese capsules or stacked concrete boxes. Natural light, large windows and sea reflection give off a sort of aquarium feel, as if fishbowls were made pleasant for humans.	“You can walk in without feeling intimidated by it,” Claire McCaughan, former director of the Sydney Architecture Festival, told the Australian Financial Review. It’s a kind of modular living, reminiscent of Japanese capsules or stacked concrete boxes. Natural light, large windows and sea reflection give off a sort of aquarium feel, as if fishbowls were made pleasant for humans.
For Demetriou, clinically blind and immobile, it is the most accessible building she has ever lived in. There isn’t a single raised step between the street and her front door. She knows where everything is and can find her postbox by touch.	For Demetriou, clinically blind and immobile, it is the most accessible building she has ever lived in. There isn’t a single raised step between the street and her front door. She knows where everything is and can find her postbox by touch.
Demetriou has lived in Millers Point since 1972, and in the Sirius building since 2008. “At the time [in the 1970s], this was working wharves,” she says. “It’s always been a very close community. I immediately became friends with my neighbours, and you were never short of someone to talk to or ring up.	Demetriou has lived in Millers Point since 1972, and in the Sirius building since 2008. “At the time [in the 1970s], this was working wharves,” she says. “It’s always been a very close community. I immediately became friends with my neighbours, and you were never short of someone to talk to or ring up.
“But now, because so many people have moved away, they’re frightened they’re going to close the school down. There’s hardly any kids in the area. It’s very sad.”	“But now, because so many people have moved away, they’re frightened they’re going to close the school down. There’s hardly any kids in the area. It’s very sad.”
According to the NSW government, the Millers Point sales will fund public housing in a range of outer suburbs – the closest, Peakhurst, is 20km from the Sydney central business district; the furthest, Warilla and Mount Warrigal, lie 130km away, past the coastal city of Wollongong.	According to the NSW government, the Millers Point sales will fund public housing in a range of outer suburbs – the closest, Peakhurst, is 20km from the Sydney central business district; the furthest, Warilla and Mount Warrigal, lie 130km away, past the coastal city of Wollongong.
Pru Goward, the new minister for Family and Community Services, may consider it a simple matter of arithmetic for the public interest. She told the Guardian in 2014 that she could not “look the 57,000 people on the waiting list in the eye when we preside over such an unfair distribution of subsidies”.	Pru Goward, the new minister for Family and Community Services, may consider it a simple matter of arithmetic for the public interest. She told the Guardian in 2014 that she could not “look the 57,000 people on the waiting list in the eye when we preside over such an unfair distribution of subsidies”.
But Carter disagrees: “You’re taking people who are already vulnerable and putting them out in the margins. When you put them out west in these areas which are poorly serviced by public transport, and 50km away from jobs in the CBD, you’re entrenching vulnerability.	But Carter disagrees: “You’re taking people who are already vulnerable and putting them out in the margins. When you put them out west in these areas which are poorly serviced by public transport, and 50km away from jobs in the CBD, you’re entrenching vulnerability.
“They could have allowed people to age in place and gradually move those properties on, but the government is aggressive. It’s seeking to create an enclave of the haves by removing the have-nots.”	“They could have allowed people to age in place and gradually move those properties on, but the government is aggressive. It’s seeking to create an enclave of the haves by removing the have-nots.”
The Waterloo estate is home to 4,000 residents and six spindly, Soviet-style towers named for Maori words (Matavai, Turanga) and colonial botanists (Banks, Daniel Solander). Unlike Millers Point and its genteel social mix, the Waterloo estate has a rougher reputation; residents are open about past issues with drugs and crime.	The Waterloo estate is home to 4,000 residents and six spindly, Soviet-style towers named for Maori words (Matavai, Turanga) and colonial botanists (Banks, Daniel Solander). Unlike Millers Point and its genteel social mix, the Waterloo estate has a rougher reputation; residents are open about past issues with drugs and crime.
The nearby McKell estate, further into the neighbouring suburb of Redfern, made headlines in August 2014 when Harriet Wran, the daughter of a former state premier, was arrested for her role in the murder of a local drug dealer, Daniel McNulty.	The nearby McKell estate, further into the neighbouring suburb of Redfern, made headlines in August 2014 when Harriet Wran, the daughter of a former state premier, was arrested for her role in the murder of a local drug dealer, Daniel McNulty.
But the market doesn’t mind. In December, a renovated terraced house opposite the towers – airy, bright, three bedrooms – sold for $1.2m. Over two years its value had increased by $300,000.	But the market doesn’t mind. In December, a renovated terraced house opposite the towers – airy, bright, three bedrooms – sold for $1.2m. Over two years its value had increased by $300,000.
From mid-2018, Waterloo estate will be replaced by a new development: three times as dense and 70% privately owned. The low-income housing that remains will be further sliced into public housing and non-government affordable housing.	From mid-2018, Waterloo estate will be replaced by a new development: three times as dense and 70% privately owned. The low-income housing that remains will be further sliced into public housing and non-government affordable housing.
City councillors are calling the new plan “the densest residential development in urban Australia”. It is twice the density of London’s Battersea Power Station estate, and is matched only by parts of urban Hong Kong – although the state government contests the precise projections.	City councillors are calling the new plan “the densest residential development in urban Australia”. It is twice the density of London’s Battersea Power Station estate, and is matched only by parts of urban Hong Kong – although the state government contests the precise projections.
Nevertheless, Sydney’s directly elected lord mayor, Clover Moore, described it as “wholesale carnage” that would “condemn people living in the area to substandard living conditions”.	Nevertheless, Sydney’s directly elected lord mayor, Clover Moore, described it as “wholesale carnage” that would “condemn people living in the area to substandard living conditions”.
Gentrified Sydney	Gentrified Sydney
Karen Brown , 54, worked as a cleaner for 15 years and has lived on the Waterloo estate since 1991. “The demographics of the private housing have changed,” she says. “It used to be a pretty undesirable area – sharehouses with students and young people who didn’t have lots of money. Now they’re getting bought and renovated by professionals on high incomes, and they’re just out of the price range.”	Karen Brown , 54, worked as a cleaner for 15 years and has lived on the Waterloo estate since 1991. “The demographics of the private housing have changed,” she says. “It used to be a pretty undesirable area – sharehouses with students and young people who didn’t have lots of money. Now they’re getting bought and renovated by professionals on high incomes, and they’re just out of the price range.”
“I think people aren’t moving out of public housing like they used to because they can’t afford to go anywhere else,” says Paul, a 59-year-old resident of the estate’s Matavai tower who spoke on the condition of a pseudonym.	“I think people aren’t moving out of public housing like they used to because they can’t afford to go anywhere else,” says Paul, a 59-year-old resident of the estate’s Matavai tower who spoke on the condition of a pseudonym.