Cr Richard Foley interviews Tolland resident Dave Jones. Photo: Richard Foley.
Wagga housing advocates have urged the NSW Government to stop demolishing what they describe as “perfect” homes at the Tolland Estate, arguing the move is displacing residents and reducing the city’s already limited supply of social housing years before replacement dwellings are built.
The Tolland Estate Renewal Project is a major redevelopment of the public housing precinct in Wagga’s south. The NSW Government plans to progressively demolish ageing social housing and replace it with hundreds of new homes, including social, affordable and private housing. The project is expected to be delivered in stages over several years, with the first new homes not anticipated to be completed until 2029.
Wagga councillor Richard Foley recently visited the estate and interviewed residents who were confused and anxious about the demolition program, fearing it could worsen homelessness in a city already experiencing a severe rental shortage.
“This week they’ve knocked down 13 houses and they were perfect houses,” resident Dave Jones told Mr Foley.
“I don’t know why they don’t let people live there for another year; at the moment they’re living homeless on Wagga beaches.”
Cr Foley said the government was removing homes from the housing stock at a time when many residents had few alternatives.
“If you’re going to knock a house down, at least give people somewhere to go. Where are they going to go with rental vacancies at less than half a per cent?
“The new houses are not going to be available until 2030; it’s disgraceful.”
The criticism comes as Wagga continues to grapple with a tight rental market and growing demand for public and community housing.
Homes NSW, however, rejects claims that the renewal project has left residents homeless.
“We want to be clear that no residents have been made homeless as result of the Tolland Estate renewal,” a spokesperson said.
“Any resident required to relocate as part of the renewal is supported throughout the process, with dedicated relocation officers working closely with residents to understand their individual needs and identify suitable housing options.
“The first social homes in the renewal are expected to be complete by 2029. All current residents will have the right to return to the renewed estate when the new buildings are complete, should they choose to do so.”
Wagga Ratepayers Association president Chris Roche said that while residents may have been rehoused, the project was still placing additional pressure on an already stretched social housing system.
“I don’t understand why the NSW Government demolished homes before replacements were ready. It doesn’t make sense,” he said.
Mr Roche argued the renewal had indirectly contributed to homelessness by forcing existing tenants into other public housing properties that could otherwise have been allocated to people on waiting lists or in crisis accommodation.
According to Homes NSW, many of the social housing properties earmarked for demolition are decades old and nearing the end of their intended lifespan. The agency says the homes are increasingly expensive to maintain and do not meet modern accessibility, sustainability or design standards, nor the needs of many current and future tenants.
Cr Foley said Homes NSW had failed to adequately monitor its tenants or inspect its housing stock.
He said many of the properties being demolished remained structurally sound and could continue to house vulnerable residents until replacement homes were available.
Mr Jones acknowledged there were significant issues within the estate, claiming his windows were smashed after he asked a neighbour to turn down loud music.
Despite the controversy, the government maintains the renewal will ultimately deliver significantly more housing, with new dwellings designed to be safer, more accessible, more energy efficient and better suited to modern living.
