Public housing in Waterloo set to be demolished

The Minns government has promised to build more social and affordable housing at a controversial redevelopment in central Sydney.

Transcript

00:00 This is Karen Brown's home at Waterloo South.

00:04 Probably could use some new kitchen cupboards, it's otherwise perfectly good.

00:08 Since 2015, residents have been fighting to stay in their homes.

00:12 Now they've been told relocation starts next year to make way for 3,000 new apartments.

00:19 We'll get six months notice, that's all we've been told about relocation.

00:23 Waterloo South currently has 749 social housing units.

00:28 The previous government said it would sell the land and build 3,000 homes,

00:33 promising just over 1,000 would be social or affordable housing.

00:37 Labor has increased that to 1,500.

00:40 Every single one of those existing residents will have the right to return to a better home.

00:45 Last year Labor opposed the plan. Now it's pushing ahead.

00:50 It is so important that these buildings are renewed.

00:54 We feel sold out, I feel sold out, there are many others that feel sold out.

00:59 The government says this isn't an example of selling public land to developers

01:04 because it will still own the land while the building is underway.

01:08 But once it's finished, those other 1,500 homes will be put on the market.

01:13 We've got a long way to go when it comes to the supply of housing,

01:17 social, affordable and private rental as well as private sale in NSW.

01:21 We're determined to do it. We have to do many things at the same time.

01:25 Out of the 3,000 which we think they're going to build...

01:28 Building isn't set to start until 2027,

01:32 making an already eight-year battle for residents an even longer one.

01:36 the school's first ever

01:37 virtual school day. The school

01:38 has been named the first ever