Ivanhoe Estate Redevelopment Announced

28 September 2015

On Thursday 24th September 2015 the NSW State Government announced its decision to redevelop the Ivanhoe Social Housing Estate in Macquarie Park. Originally proposed in March 2012, since that time State Government has undertaken a community consultation process and maintained communication with local residents through a monthly 'Community Reference Group' meeting, both of which The Salvation Army have been vitally involved in.

The redevelopment of the Ivanhoe Estate will not begin until all of the existing residents have been appropriately relocated to secure and safe housing in a location which matches their family's needs. This relocation process is expected to take up to three years culminating in 2018 after which time the esate will be closed.

It is expected that the redevelopment will yield over 2500 properties of which approximately 1800 will be private housing, 556 will be social housing and 128 will be affordable housing. This number represents a 168% incease on the current social housing figures in the estate. For more infomation on the Governments announcement please click here.

The Salvation Army welcomes the commitment of the State Government to increase the social and affordable housing supply in the City of Ryde. But The Salvation Army also calls on the relevant departments of Planning, Land & Housing Corporation, and FACS (Family & Community Services) to work collaboratively to ensure the very best outcome for every one of the existing 460 tenants have been told they will have to move to other public housing from next year. It is worth noting that The Salvation Army also welcomes the option presented to existing residents to have a 'right to return' when the new apartments are ready.

The Ryde Salvation Army will continue to serve and support the residents of the Ivanhoe Estate throughout the relocation process and will work to ensure that every tenant ends up as 'well off' or 'better off' than they currently are. Our desire is to add value to the story of every resident and ensure that not a single person ends up left behind or feeling 'worse off'. 

History of Salvation Army Involvement in the Ivanhoe Estate

The Salvation Army originally began work in the Ivanhoe Estate in 2001 after being directed by Ryde Police local area commander. They encouraged the Salvos to attempt to 'make a difference' in the then troubled neighbourhood. That same year then Department of Housing granted The Salvation Army a community lease on 47 Ivanhoe Place, a three bedroom towhouse at the bottom of theIvanhoe Estate. Since that time The Salvation Army has been a critical part of the transformation of the entire community.

For more information on the story of how The Salvation Army began work in the Ivanhoe Estate please click here.

For more information on the impact The Salvation Army has made over time in the Ivanhoe Estate click here.

To download a copy of the Report 'Community On Hold" please click the button below. The Report which was published by The Salvation Army and Macquarie University in 2014 explores the impacts of the proposed redevelopment of the Ivanhoe Estate on the heath and wellbeing of its residents (please note the PDF file is 18MB):