Eyesore Perth housing tower makes way for ‘lifestyle' build

2 days ago

Construction has started on a new four-storey build-to-rent project in Perth's inner-north, replacing the abandoned Stirling Towers public housing block.
The 12-storey Stirling Towers was built in Highgate in 1971 and was a constant source of tension in the area, until major plumbing problems contributed to the decision to vacate the high-rise block, which was finally demolished in July.
Housing Minister John Carey said that he was confident the 109 units set to replace it would not suffer from the same social issues.
'It's about the design, this was one large tower,' he said on Monday.
'We've been able to create lower stories but two wings, there's really greater integration with green space, outdoor space.
'But the other critical part is the community housing provider.
'Where we have larger style precincts then we are using community housing providers and the reason is simple, they can have greater tenancy support and services at that larger scale, and on site tenant support if required.' The design for the new Smith Street build-to-rent project in Highgate. Credit: Tetris Capital
Premier Roger Cook, Mr Carey and Federal Minister Matt Keogh inspected progress at the site, with the State Government chipping in $30 million and the Federal Social Housing Accelerator Payment funding a further $46 million.
The first tenants are expected to move in late 2027, with a total of 109 one and two-bedroom units set to include 78 social housing homes, affordable housing and NDIS acccommodation.
Mr Carey, who recently accused some local councils of blocking high or medium-density development, said it was an example of what was needed to cope with rapid population growth.
'We've made it very clear that we have to integrate social housing and community housing across all suburbs and, in my own electorate, I'm not a hypocrite,' he said.
'I have three major social and affordable projects. This project, Pier Street and, of course, Fraser Suites. And, yes, you always get a mixed reaction but, ultimately, with 22,000 people on my waiting list, I have to do everything I can to get these types of projects off the ground.' Housing and Works Minister John Carey and Premier Roger Cook. Credit: Riley Churchman / The West Australian
Tetris Capital director Brent De Jong said the Smith Street development had been designed with neighbours and amenity in mind, even retaining a lemon-scented gum tree the local community wanted to keep.
'Providing a much better spatial and visual fit within the context of the broader Highgate landscape,' he said.
'It's delivering a rooftop garden with barbeque area, it's delivering a residence lounge. There's a communal courtyard with a kids play area.
'These are all things that we can build a community around.'

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The age where one in six boys is now on the NDIS

Sydney Morning Herald

a minute ago

Sydney Morning Herald

The age where one in six boys is now on the NDIS

Australian children are flocking to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, with 16 per cent of all six-year-old boys in the country now relying on it, as the government begins designing a new pathway to help families leave the rapidly growing $46 billion program. NDIS Minister Jenny McAllister said further reforms were still needed to make the scheme sustainable, as fresh data shows more than one in 10 children aged five to seven in Australia are participants: 13.7 per cent of boys and 6.4 per cent of girls. The figures are revealed in the latest quarterly report from the National Disability Insurance Agency, which discloses that about 80,000 people joined the NDIS in the last 12 months, taking total scheme numbers to almost 740,000 people. The data is further proof that the scheme continues to be a lifeline for struggling children, with families seeking NDIS support for their children's developmental delays or autism because it remains too difficult to get help outside of it. But even as the number of participants grew, the scheme came in under budget forecasts for the 2024-25 financial year, as the rising cost of the NDIS comes into focus for the Albanese government before its economic roundtable next week. Loading Quarterly figures show that scheme costs grew by 10.8 per cent last financial year, lower than the projected growth rate of 12 per cent, which meant its $46.3 billion cost to the federal budget was $520 million below predictions. The scheme is still one of the budget's biggest pressures, and its third-largest expense. The latest figures suggest it is on track to reach an 8 per cent growth target set for mid next year, but that number will still put substantial pressure on the budget bottom line. McAllister, who took on the portfolio after the May election, said there was data in the report that showed the NDIS was delivering more high-quality support.