Demolition is progressing at Waterloo South, months after residents and supporters tried to stop fencing around homes marked for removal. At the same time, attention is turning to another major change: who will manage area once the ageing estate has been replaced.
On August 6, REDWatch hosted representatives from Link Wentworth, Birribee Housing and City West Housing at the Factory Community Centre in Waterloo. The meeting focused on what community housing is, how it differs from social housing and the role the three providers will play at Waterloo South.
REDWatch said all three providers are already housing some tenants relocated from Waterloo South. However, City West Housing is not managing Homes NSW-owned social housing.
New housing managers take shape at Waterloo South
Community housing forms part of the social housing system, but registered non-government organisations manage the tenancies. Public housing, by comparison, is managed directly by the NSW Government through Homes NSW.
At Waterloo South, the three providers are part of a redevelopment consortium led by Stockland. Stockland is responsible for design, planning and construction, while the housing organisations will take different management roles.
Link Wentworth will manage social housing buildings and provide support coordination. Birribee Housing will manage 20 per cent of the new social housing and 15 per cent of the affordable housing, with those homes prioritised for Aboriginal households.
City West Housing will manage much of the new affordable housing and own some affordable housing buildings. Birribee Housing will manage the remaining designated share of affordable housing.
Homes NSW will continue to lead the NSW Government’s work on social housing, tenant relocations and tenant participation across the Waterloo Estate. Together, these arrangements mean the rebuilt precinct will operate differently from the existing public housing estate.
Demolition follows months of resident opposition
The August meeting follows several months of disputes over relocation and demolition works.
In May, Redfern News reported that residents and supporters blocked contractors from installing demolition fencing around buildings earmarked for removal. The action followed concerns about relocation and the timing of demolition preparations while tenants remained in affected buildings.
Since then, the project has moved further into its demolition phase. Project information states that Homes NSW is demolishing buildings within Stage 1, in the south-western section of Waterloo South.
The staged demolition program is expected to take six to nine months. However, 29 John Street is expected to remain until about mid-2027 because it is being used for short-term rental accommodation.
Meanwhile, detailed planning for the replacement neighbourhood is continuing alongside the demolition work.
Current plan points to about 3,300 new homes
Waterloo South currently contains about 750 social housing dwellings. The current Waterloo Renewal plan proposes about 3,300 new homes across the precinct.
Under the project’s present estimates, at least 30 per cent of residential floor area would be social housing. That is equivalent to about 1,050 homes.
About 20 per cent of residential floor area would be affordable housing, equivalent to roughly 700 homes. Market housing would account for no more than half of the residential floor area, or about 1,550 homes under current estimates.
The redevelopment also includes new parks, community facilities, shops and upgraded streets. Stage 1 plans include seven residential buildings, among them four social housing buildings and one affordable housing building, as well as a new public park and community facility.
Published 10-Aug-2026
