Plans to rejuvenate areas of public housing in Midland and Midvale formalised

4/6/99
The State Government and the Shire of Swan today formalised their partnership in the implementation of plans to rejuvenate areas of public housing in Midland and Midvale as part of Homeswest's highly successful New Living program.
Attending a signing ceremony at Midvale Primary School today, Premier Richard Court said the Eastern Horizons New Living project would see the demolition of the controversial Hynam Court flats on the corner of Ferguson and Henry Streets in Midland and several other blocks of flats, the Mallawa apartment complex in Midvale and units in John and Margaret Streets in Midland, would be refurbished and sold.
Mr Court said the expansion of the New Living project to Midland and Midvale would involve $7.5 million in State Government funding and take more than three years to complete.
"The Government is very pleased to have the support of the Shire of Swan for this and other significant projects it is implementing within its boundaries," he said.
The Premier, Homeswest and Shire President Charlie Gregorini signed a Memorandum of Understanding which will assist in the progress of the project and allow the objectives of both parties to be met.
Mr Court said he was looking forward to seeing successes achieved by New Living in the Midland and Midvale areas and was confident they would be similar to those achieved by the Lockridge and Kwinana projects.
"Lockridge is now entering its fifth and final year of New Living and is not only a better community than it was in 1995, it's a safer community," he said.
"Property values have increased, and crime has dropped by a staggering 55 per cent - a good example of the effectiveness of the Government's strategy to make WA communities safer."
Mr Court said the success of New Living projects undertaken to date had depended upon community consultation and acceptance. He said it was important that Government listened to the community and where possible acted on the advice.
"Many local residents have lobbied Homeswest for the demolition of Hynam Court - a block of 42 flats - complaining of crime, anti-social behaviour and vandalism. The Government has listened and the flats will come down, " the Premier said.
"Homeswest tenants are being consulted about relocation and will be given the chance to purchase a property, to stay in the area or to relocate to another area."
New Living aims to reduce public housing presence in estates with high concentrations of Homeswest dwellings. This includes refurbishing homes for sale to the public and to existing tenants, reducing the social stigma attached to areas with high concentrations of public housing, upgrading and refurbishing Homeswest rental housing stock and create a sustainable, revitalised community.
Mr Court said New Living projects were a partnership between Homeswest, the private sector project manager (Midland Project Management) , the local authority - in this case the Shire of Swan - and the community.
"This project has the added advantage of the Eastern Horizons Taskforce, chaired by local Member of Parliament, Derek Tomlinson, to advise on urban renewal strategies," he said.
"An across-Government approach has been adopted to the credit of all agencies involved, including the Police Service and Family and Children's Services."
Mr Court said more than $300 million would be spent under the State Government's New Living program across the metropolitan area and involved redevelopment and urban renewal in Karawara, Armadale, Westminster, Balga, Girrawheen, Koondoola, Westfield, Langford, Coolbellup, Kwinana and Lockridge.
"The changes Homeswest is currently undertaking will have profound effects on the next generation of Western Australians," he said.
"Large public housing estates will no longer be evident and Homeswest homes will be in a 'one in nine' mix with private housing."
Media contact: Bronwyn Hillman 9222 9475