Producer: Kirstyn Lindsay
The Waterloo South Concept Plan and Rezoning housing redevelopment is now moving forward with the first stages of demolition in effect. The demolition site is creating unease for residents and community members who are staging demonstrations to express their fear of being either relocated from their community and home and living amongst demolition works.
The New South Government reports that the proposal for Waterloo South was developed and finalised on 11 November 2022, since then the plans are now off exhibition after the planning controls began operation on 28 February 2023. The New South Wales Government selected The Waterloo Partnership to deliver and manage the Waterloo Renewal Project.
The project is led by Stockland, working in partnership with three Community Housing Providers Birribee Housing, Link Wentworth and City West Housing, all working alongside Homes NSW.
In 2025 some tenants in the district were issued an eviction notice giving people six months to work out if they wanted to be relocated to a site at the Metro station or leave their community. Although some people have moved closer to family and loved ones, not everyone is happy with having to relocate from their homes.
Underneath the surface of glossy images and promises of green spaces and community hubs is the reality for people who are on priority housing wait lists or tenants currently living with barriers and in fear of displacement. Many tenants have also expressed they don’t want to live in high density blocks and want to stay in their homes that are more accessible to them and closer to the ground.
Redwatch Spokesperson Geoff Turnbull says coming from a social justice perspective many community members in the housing estates are living with complex issues and combined health and well-being barriers. He says it is important that redevelopment and rezoning plans include support for wrap around services for community members, so they can be successful in their tenancy and not live under anymore stress from the upheaval.
For more information go to www.Redwatch.org.au
Images: Redwatch Community Meeting, Spokesperson Geoff Turnbull.
Waterloo South Concept Plan development and rezoning stage 1.