Charlestown MP Jodie Harrison says 151 social housing tenants "do not know their fate" after a plan to rezone parts of Windale was endorsed by Lake Macquarie City Council.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The council voted to endorse a planning proposal to amend the Lake Macquarie Local Environmental Plan and adopt a Windale Area Plan on Monday night.
The proposal, which will see the "walkable area" between the Windale and Mount Hutton shops rezoned from low to medium density, has drawn concern from residents fearful of the potential redevelopment of 151 government-owned homes subject to the rezoning.
"Now is the time for the Berejiklian government to reveal its plans for social housing stock in Windale," Ms Harrison said.
"We could all be much more excited about the possibilities for Windale that this rezoning would enable if only we could trust the government to not profit from social housing tenants."
After the exhibition of the planning proposal last year, the council consulted with the Land and Housing Corporation about the potential for residents to be displaced as a result of the rezoning.
According to council's response to public submissions, the LAHC advised council "that the potential to provide denser housing" as a result of the rezoning "makes it more feasible ... to renew ageing housing stock".
"It is likely that any future housing renewal by LAHC would be a mix of public and private housing, while maintaining the existing number of public houses," the council said in its response to submissions.
The advice aligns with comments made by Housing Minister Melinda Pavey, who told the Newcastle Herald last month there was no "formal" plan to redevelop government-owned housing properties in the area.
However, after touring a new unit development in Glendale - a mix of social, affordable and private housing - the minister said the government would consider "initiatives" for Windale.
"I'm not putting a timeframe on [Windale], but if we can, we'd be crazy not to put fit-for-purpose buildings in that are better for the residents," she said.
"If it's property close to services, close to transport, close to town centres and the properties are not giving the best return to the government in terms of drain on revenues, we'd be crazy not to look at maximising opportunities for better social housing, for more affordable housing."
Ms Harrison said "any money raised from a sell-off" of government properties in the area must be reinvested into social housing.
"Windale is a strong and resilient community and many who live in these 151 homes do not want to leave," the Labor MP said.