Waterloo

More social and affordable housing at Waterloo

The NSW Government has announced an increase in social and affordable housing at Waterloo including:

• Delivery of 50% social and affordable housing in Waterloo South, resulting in an uplift of up to 500 homes from the previous plan.
• A minimum of at least 15% of all new social and affordable homes dedicated for Aboriginal people, helping to keep them connected to their community and work towards closing the housing gap.

Renewal of the Waterloo Estate

NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) is working across government and with the community to renew Waterloo’s essential social housing infrastructure, and deliver housing supply in a vibrant place to live, work and visit that is close to jobs and transport.

The Waterloo Renewal Project will enhance the strength and diversity of Waterloo, a unique urban village on Gadigal Land.

The renewal will deliver new homes, community places, and green spaces that prioritise the health and wellbeing of social housing residents and more sustainable mixed communities.

The project is underpinned by the following objectives:

• New and better social housing: deliver more and better social housing in mixed communities to meet the needs of residents now and in the future.
• Positive outcomes for residents: create a place that supports residents’ health and wellbeing, and sensitively manages change over time.
• Outcomes for Aboriginal people: prioritise outcomes for the Redfern- Waterloo Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community through planning, delivery and operations.
• An authentic sense of place: building on Waterloo's past and current strengths to create an authentic, distinctive and welcoming place.
• Environmental sustainability: support a community that is resilient to climate change and climate positive
• Strong collaboration: collaborate with the community, not-for-profit and private sectors to deliver social and housing outcomes.

Modern new housing

LAHC is renewing the Waterloo Estate to help address the housing crisis, to give more people access to a place to call home.

The future homes will be modern and well-designed, and replace the existing older social housing located on the site.

At around 40-70 years old, the current homes and facilities are nearing the end of their intended lifespan and are also increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain.

Many of the homes in Waterloo do not meet contemporary accessibility and sustainability standards and many residents have specific needs that can’t be met with current housing..

More open space, shops and community facilities

The community also wants more open space, better facilities and shops that suit their needs – all important elements of a vibrant community.

The renewal of the estate will be staged over the next 30 years to enable a coordinated approach that minimises disruption for existing residents.

The project is made up of three related stages: Waterloo South, Waterloo Central and Waterloo North.

Waterloo South

Waterloo South covers about 65 per cent of the Waterloo Estate and is the first stage of the renewal.

The rezoning of Waterloo South was finalised in late 2022. The new planning controls are now in effect which support the delivery of new social housing, affordable housing, and private homes with access to improved community facilities, parks, shops and transport.

The project will deliver around 3,000 new homes, made up of social, affordable and private housing as well as new and improved parks, open spaces and retail and community facilities.

The new social housing will meet modern accessibility and sustainability standards, including a minimum ‘Silver Level’ Liveable Communities Design Standard and some ‘Gold Level’ standards.

Buildings and outdoor spaces will be designed to minimise energy, water, waste and urban heat effects, achieving a minimum 6-star green star communities rating accreditation for the precinct.

We are creating mixed housing communities - where social housing blends with private and affordable housing, with better access to transport and employment, improved community facilities and open spaces.

Renewal Partner Shortlist

The search for a renewal partner consortium is underway with the shortlist announced in November 2022.

The successful consortium is expected to be appointed by in 2024.

More information

For further questions and more information:

• phone 1800 738 718
• email WaterlooConnect@facs.nsw.gov.au

The Waterloo Connect office at Shop 2, 95 Wellington Street, Waterloo is currently closed. We will let the community know when a re-opening date is confirmed.

Waterloo Central and Waterloo North

LAHC will continue working with the Department of Planning and Environment and the City of Sydney on plans for Waterloo Central and Waterloo North.