Power of Community Voice: Unsolicited Development Stopped

Last year families and community members of East Orange who have lived in the area for decades were shocked upon receiving the news they would have to be relocated to make way for the new public housing development by NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC).

After months of public outcry and support from Member for Orange Phil Donato MP, the people of East Orange opposed the development going forward and demanding answers to why no formal community consultation was made.

“LAHC’s failure to consult the community, before advancing their plans to displace families, demolish family homes and develop high-density housing, caused undue anxiety for residents who were naturally concerned about losing their homes and uncertain about their future,” Mr. Donato says.

Following LAHC’s community consultation sessions back in April, where the discussion of the proposed plans was presented to the community while presenting an opportunity for the residents to reach out to provide their official feedback. From this point onwards, LAHC would announce they would overturn their initial decision to proceed with the development proposal.

Mr. Donato happily expressed the “welcome news” in NSW Land and Housing Corporation’s decision to no longer proceed with the proposed housing developments.

Due to several factors, such as heritage conservation incompatibility and the existing integrated community of both private and social housing (proven to be very successful), would be disturbed if further developments were made in changing the East Orange area.

This is a triumph example of the power community voices can have, when outside forces converge to change people’s lives and homes, whether directly or indirectly, without consultation.

“It should not have taken public criticism of the department for this decision to have been reached. If proper consultation had occurred before advancing plans and notifying residents they were being kicked out, much upset could have been avoided,” Mr. Donato states.

“The community accepts that there is a shortage of public housing, but greater consideration needs to be undertaken in identifying appropriate locations for future developments. That design and purpose complement established neighborhoods. New housing is needed, and I look forward to appropriate housing developments which involve thorough consultation, consideration, and planning.”