$17M urban redevelopment project for Langford announced

13/9/99
The City of Gosnell's Safe City initiative received a major boost today with the announcement of a $17 million urban redevelopment project for Langford under the State Government's New Living program.
Housing Minister Dr Kim Hames said after the regional Cabinet meeting in Gosnells that the project would include demolishing older high-density public housing.
"A major part of Langford's transformation will be the demolition of the Boxley Place and Powis Court followed by the Wingrove Precinct units," Dr Hames said.
"This unoccupied and boarded-up area has been vandalised and is a source of anti-social behaviour.
"Demolishing these units will allow the site to be redeveloped.
"Planning for the resulting sub-division will be tested by the City of Gosnell's Space Syntax Model, a computer program which examines plans to see if they tend to reduce anti-social behaviour or exacerbate it, in which case the plans can be modified."
Dr Hames said the Wingrove Precinct was developed in the 1960s, using an American style which had proven unsuccessful.
"It placed the front doors of the units into a narrow space while the rear faced the streets," he said.
"We believe this concept, with the strip of public open space running between the front of the houses actually contributed to anti-social behaviour.
"Certainly the design does not come up to today's standards.
"Everyone deserves decent housing, privacy and security.
"Under New Living's urban renewal concept, the Ministry of Housing found it was simply not possible to redesign these particular homes."
Dr Hames said Homeswest tenants still living in Wingrove Precinct should welcome the initiatives but they were given a choice.
"As in other New Living programs, tenants will be offered relocation, either temporarily or permanently," he said.
"Ministry of Housing programs will also be available to those wanting to buy their own home."
Tenants will be consulted by Homeswest accommodation managers and those wishing to be relocated will be moved over a 12-18 month period.
Dr Hames said Langford would benefit from New Living in the same way as Lockridge and Kwinana where the scheme had been piloted.
"In both areas crime reduced dramatically while property values rose, creating safer and more secure communities," he said.
Media contacts: Caroline Lacy 9424 7450
MOH: Janet Wainwright 9222 4500