Monday, October 26, 2015

Macquarie Park redevelopment update

The NSW Government has released further details of the Macquarie Park redevelopment.

According to a Department of Family and Community Services media release, construction works will take place on the site of the NSW Land and Housing Corporation's Ivanhoe Estate. It follows that State Property Authority land in Macquarie Park will not be utilised, and no private property will be acquired. Furthermore, the precise number of affordable housing dwellings to be constructed is 128.


An artist's impression of the Macquarie Park redevelopment

The redevelopment will also form part of a new FACS initiative called 'Communities Plus'. According to Fairfax Media's story on the announcement, the initiative will deliver approximately 550 social, affordable, and private dwellings in Gosford, Newcastle, Tweed Heads, Seven Hills, Telopea, and Liverpool, in addition to the Macquarie Park project. 

Precise details about the initiative are not yet available. It appears that all Communities Plus developments will contain a mix of social, affordable, and private residences. According to Fairfax, developers will hold the private dwellings, the NSW Government will hold social housing dwellings, and community housing providers will hold affordable housing. 

In the Fairfax story, FACS Minister The Hon. Brad Hazzard MP also describes Communities Plus as, "a new way of thinking in social housing. Many of the new social housing units will be a base for pilot programs that link housing assistance to education, training and local employment opportunities." And the FACS media release describes the project as a collaboration of "the very best in urban design, construction, community engagement and tenancy services."

Minister Hazzard will host an industry briefing on Communities Plus on 4 November 2015. 


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