Social Impact Asessment of the sale of further housing in Millers Point
NSW LAND AND HOUSING CORPORATION
In 2013, social housing properties accounted for around 83% of dwellings in Millers Point, located at the north-western edge of the Sydney CBD, between The Rocks and Barangaroo, with some families living in the area for over six generations.
The area was undergoing strong transition, with an increasing ageing population and decreasing number of children and families, and increasing residents with complex social issues moving there due to Housing NSW’s Allocation Policy.
CRED Consulting was engaged by NSW Land and Housing Corporation to undertake an independent Social Impact Assessment to identify the potential social impacts that may result from the Land and Housing Corporation’s evaluation of social housing in Millers Point, Sydney.
An important part of the evaluation was to ensure that the community had input into the review process and to ensure that the social impacts of any decision were understood and considered.
HOW WE DID IT
Historically recognised as a ‘working class’ area with connections to the early days of European settlement and Sydney’s working harbour past, Millers Point features on the NSW State Heritage Register as a “living cultural landscape” for both its social and physical character.
An important part of the evaluation was to ensure that the present community had input into the review process, and to ensure that the social impacts of any decision were considered and understood.
Our approach included:
- engagement with the community, and
- determining a list of mitigation principles to minimise social impact, should the government decide to sell public housing in the area’s heritage precinct.
OUTCOMES
The study was based on comprehensive qualitative and quantitative research and was in accordance with the Planning Institute of Australia guidelines.
CRED’s assessment cautioned that relocating social housing tenants could negatively impact on their health and wellbeing, particularly older people who identified strong connections with the area and their neighbours. We highlighted that many tenants talked about not having other friends or family support systems, and the high dependence they had on their relationships in Millers Point.
Sadly, the outcomes predicted by CRED were realised when the State Government moved the Millers Point tenants.
“Four years on, these impacts have been sadly realised. Sydney MP Alex Greenwich and staff in the City have kept in contact with many former tenants and have heard them speak of the stress and intimidation they experienced during the relocation – separated from their homes, history and community.
Some relocated tenants have told us they feel extremely lonely and isolated. They no longer feel a sense of connection and belonging to the area they are living in which has reduced their sense of safety and quality of life”.
– Sydney Lord Mayor, Clover Moore
“no one wanted to know about this place when i was growing up. [now] we are not good enough and it will be for the lah-de-dahs who don’t care about it, all they want is the harbour view.”
Colin Tooher, the sixth generation of his family to grow up in Millers Point
Source: Millers Point – A Community Under the Hammer, Sydney Morning Herald