Greens MP for Balmain Kobi Shetty has slammed the Minns Labor Government for delivering just 10% affordable housing on publicly owned land — far short of their election commitment of 30% on surplus government-owned land.
Kobi Shetty MP for Balmain said:
“There’s no question that above a metro station is exactly where new density should go, properly supported by public transport and infrastructure.
“But delivering just 10% affordable housing on publicly owned land during the worst housing affordability crisis in generations is not good enough. It’s another broken promise from the Minns Labor Government.
“Without significantly more social, affordable, and public housing, this development risks becoming another exclusive waterfront enclave for the rich, while nurses, teachers, essential workers, and young families are pushed further out of the communities they serve.”
Shetty said the decision represented a major backflip on NSW Labor’s commitment to deliver at least 30% social, affordable and universal housing on surplus government land.
“This is public land. They’re sacrificing our last working port in Sydney Harbour for this new development. It should be used to deliver public good — not be a cash cow for developers.
“NSW Labor promised 30% affordable housing on surplus government land. Delivering just 10% falls drastically short of that commitment. It even falls short of what the former Liberal Government had planned for the Bays West Precinct– which was for 30% affordable housing.
“We have a NSW Labor Government who claims to care about working people. They claim to be addressing the housing crisis – but their vision is even less ambitious than what we were set to get under a conservative Liberal Government.
Shetty said genuine community consultation and stronger affordable housing targets were essential to ensure the project delivers for the broader community.
“We need more homes — but they need to be homes people can actually afford. It’s a significant amount of housing, and the government will need to plan it very carefully to ensure it is integrated with the rest of Balmain and Rozelle, and people can access all of the services they need.
“We welcome the firm commitment to delivering the Glebe Island Bridge as an essential walking and cycling link for our growing city”