Ian Stephenson, Planning Convenor, Bulletin 8/2022, October 2022

Ian Stephenson, Glebe Society, Jenny Leong, member for Newtown representing Jamie Parker, Carolyn Ienna, a resident of 82 Wentworth Park Rd, Councillor Jess Scully, Councillor Sylvie Ellsmore, Denis Doherty Hands Off Glebe and John Engeler, Shelter NSW.

On Saturday 17 September, Hands Off Glebe held a demonstration to protest against the demolition of 82 Wentworth Park Rd by the NSW Land and Housing Corporation. ‘Housing is a human right!’ was the rallying cry for residents and advocates.

The NSW Land and Housing Corporation announced in August that the 17 public housing units at 82 Wentworth Park Rd would be demolished, forcing tenants to move. Carolyn Ienna, who has lived at the site for 30 years, said the development would cause ‘disruption and heartache’ for residents. Wiradjuri hip-hop artist Ienna performed a song including the lyrics: ‘Government says they are building more housing or shelters, what they really do is selling to private developers.’

John Engeler from Shelter New South Wales, Ian Stephenson from the Glebe Society, Greens MP for Newtown, Jenny Leong, and Dennis Doherty from Hands off Glebe and Action for Public Housing spoke.

They called for existing public housing estates to be upgraded and repaired and for the social and urban fabric of Glebe to be respected. They said the Minister for Planning and Homes, Anthony Roberts, must reverse the demolition decision and meet with residents. They also want the Federal housing minister, Julie Collins, to pressure the NSW Government to stop ‘cannibalising’ public housing.