[Greens-Media] Govt urged not to make Minto mistakes at Redfern

[Mithra Cox]

MEDIA RELEASE 
9th December 2004 

Govt urged not to make Minto mistakes at Redfern 

Greens MP Sylvia Hale this week urged the Government not to do to
Redfern what they have done to Minto. 

"Between 1998 and 2000, the Minto housing estate was a good example of
positive outcomes that can be achieved in public housing," Ms Hale said.


"I am sure honourable members will recall the good news stories that
emanated from the area at the time-stories of community gardens and of
award-winning community development programs," Ms Hale told the
Parliament on Tuesday. 

"There was a slowing of housing turnover, a reduced number of vacant
properties, increased resident involvement in improving the area and
increased feelings of safety and security. 

"A report on the program noted the remarkable success in such areas as a
significant reduction in reported crime, an improved sense of personal
safety, increased tenant satisfaction and increased tenant involvement
in community activities. 

"So good were the findings that the program was awarded the Premier's
gold award for improving service delivery in late 2000, and extended to
another eight public housing estates in 2000-01. 

"Suddenly, in mid-2000, Minto was once again being described as a ghetto
of disadvantage whose problems could only be solved by wholesale
demolition and relocation of residents. 

"On 1 August 2002, just two months after the residents were told that
their homes would be demolished, the bulldozing started at Valley Vista.


"To date about 300 people have lost their homes, 89 houses have already
been demolished and about 1,000 housing units are slated for demolition.
Not one home has been rebuilt in the area. 

"It is highly unlikely that the remaining 700 public housing units
marked for removal from Minto will be replaced in other areas of Sydney
because of the cost of land and construction. 

"The waiting list for public housing currently stands at 100,000. So the
prospect of finding housing for the people who will lose their homes at
Minto is extraordinarily grim, almost non-existent, and it will be
equally grim for the people who are removed from their houses in Redfern
and Waterloo," Ms Hale said. 

For more information: Mithra Cox 0425 351 844