A 22-year-old female was arrested as NSW Police cleared out a protest camp that had been disrupting the demolition of public housing at Waterloo in Sydney’s inner city.
Dozens of officers, including mounted police, reportedly arrived at the site at 7am today to assist Homes NSW in removing the camp, which had been set up on the lawn of the public housing estate since May 25.
Public housing activists were seen moving equipment from the site following the clear out. (ABC News: Declan Bowring)
The woman was arrested for trespassing and was taken to Mascot Police Station, where she was charged with entering inclosed land, not prescribed premises, without lawful excuse.
Demolition of 150 units in Waterloo is due to commence as part of a NSW government project to knock down and build 3,300 units, including a mix of private, affordable and social housing.
The woman was charged with with entering inclosed land, not prescribed premises, without lawful excuse. (Supplied: NSW Police)
Waterloo public housing resident Grant Donohue said he was disappointed to see the action against housing activists.
“This is about public housing keeping a roof over the heads of people who are suffering and desperately need it,” Mr Donohue said.
Waterloo public housing tenant Grant Donohue said the homes should be refurbished rather than demolished. (ABC News: Declan Bowring)
Activists have been trying to block attempts to knock down 150 units in an area known as Waterloo South, arguing they should instead be refurbished and any replacement homes should be 100 per cent public housing.
“We need to invest in new public housing, but why knock down perfectly sound homes that are only 50 years old?” Mr Donohue said.
“Especially in a housing crisis, it’s silly that they’re going to put a wrecking ball through these homes.“
Protesters have been disrupting attempts to advance the demolition since May 25. (ABC News: Declan Bowring)
NSW Housing Minister Rose Jackson said the protesters have been forcing illegal entry onto the work site, vandalising property and equipment.
“The protesters have been trespassing for the past 24 days,” Ms Jackson said.
“We have also had reports of verbal abuse and interference with workers and concerns and fears raised by residents about the noise and disruption caused by protest activity.
“This is a small group of protesters, led by political candidates for the NSW Greens and Socialist Alliance, who are putting ideology ahead of housing.”
702 ABC Sydney has approached Homes NSW for comment.
Among the 3,300 new units, 50 per cent will be private homes, 30 per cent social housing and 20 per cent affordable housing.
Action for Public Housing spokesperson Suelin McCauley described the use of police early in the morning as an “ambush”.
Vehicles to take away demolition debris began moving onto the site on Friday. (ABC News: Declan Bowring)
“It’s an obvious abuse of power by NSW Homes and NSW Police. The community campaign to defend public housing is only going to ramp up after this,” Ms McCauley said.
Tenants of the 150 units had been relocated prior to the demolition works, with 70 going into newly-built homes above the Waterloo Sydney Metro station. Activists said a couple were still in the buildings on Thursday.
The activists were warned by Homes NSW that they had until midday on Thursday to vacate the site.
The activists want the Waterloo Estate to be kept as 100 per cent public housing. (ABC News: Declan Bowring)
No attempts were made to enforce the deadline yesterday, after protesters organised a rally attended by about 50 people.
