Implications for Equity and Social Justice
With the redevelopment of the Pyrmont–Ultimo area and the change in the demographic characteristics of the population, especially the move from blue-collar to whitecollar employment, long-time residents of the area were likely to be displaced as houses were redeveloped and higher income earners were attracted to the area. In an attempt to manage the impact of the redevelopment on the existing residents, the state government developed City West Housing Pty Ltd, an organisation with the responsibility of developing public housing for the original residents of the Pyrmont–Ultimo area. Today they have a total stock of 381 units on the peninsula, 70 per cent of which are occupied by low- or very low-income households. Funding for the program started with AU$50 million from the federal government’s ‘Better Cities’ program. Other income has come from an affordable housing levy that has been imposed on all new developments on the peninsula. By 2024, City West Housing has a goal of providing 600 units for accommodation to lower-income residents of the area.
Implications for Sustainability
A redevelopment scheme like Pyrmont–Ultimo has implications for the environment. Urban consolidation, with a high population density, means that the population uses the infrastructure that has been provided more efficiently. With car usage and multiple car ownership a feature of the outer Sydney suburbs, Pyrmont–Ultimo goes against this trend as residents patronise the public transport network. Ferries, light rail, monorail and buses all service the area, as well as a series of well developed pedestrian walkways that offer access to the city.
