Tolland Estate agreement signed to deliver new housing in Wagga Wagga
The former Tolland housing estate in Wagga Wagga’s south will be transformed to deliver hundreds of new homes, including more than 250 homes for people in need.
Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said an agreement signed by the NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC), Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) and the Argyle Consortium would deliver a 16 per cent increase in new social housing within the Tolland and Duke of Kent Park precincts.
“In total, almost 500 new mixed-tenure homes will be delivered across the renewed Tolland Estate, of which around 180 will be new social housing that fits seamlessly with other affordable and private housing,” Mr Roberts said.
“We are working with Wagga Wagga City Council and Argyle Consortium to develop the draft masterplan, and we’ll also seek Commonwealth financing from the National Housing and Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC)."
Minister for Families and Communities Natasha Maclaren-Jones said the agreement will see the Argyle Consortium manage tenancies for Tolland Estate’s existing and future social housing under a 20-year-lease.
“The Consortium will also assist with tenancy relocations, be deeply involved in local wrap-around services and be responsible for the delivery of 70 new social homes,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
“We now have a blueprint to revitalise this area with high quality new housing that people want to live in, setting a strong precedent for future renewals across regional NSW.”
Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr said he was delighted the agreement had been signed and that a completed Tolland Renewal Project was a big step forward.
“This project will deliver a much-needed revamp of Tolland Estate and new social housing for the city, as well as increased supply of more affordable and privately owned dwellings,” Dr McGirr said.
“This is a project for which I have been advocating since I was elected and it will absolutely help to address the shortage of social and affordable homes in the city.
“I want to acknowledge the work of LAHC and AHO and also Argyle Housing and their team, led by Carolyn Doherty.
“I also want to note the work of former Argyle housing CEO Wendy Middleton, whose vision and work were a key part of moving this project forward. Sadly, Wendy passed away earlier this year, but I am sure she would be delighted by this news.”
The project works will be led by LAHC, and will involve the development of new vacant lots for sale to the private market and new lots for social housing.
It will also include the development of upgraded and new community infrastructure including roads and open space, to completely revitalise the area, similar to other estate renewal projects being delivered across Sydney and regional NSW.
*The Argyle Consortium is made up of community housing providers Argyle Housing and BlueCHP, and Aboriginal community housing provider Birribee Housing.
Read more about the Tolland renewal.
