WHERE HAVE ALL MILLERS POINT’S RESIDENTS GONE?
In December 2014, Anthony Albanese wrote:
“As someone who grew up in public housing in Camperdown, I understand the importance of a secure home and a strong community that looks after each other.
In the late 1970’s, Sydney City Council tried to sell our council house. As my mother said at the time, the council treated us with no respect. It was as though we did not matter.
We cared for our house as if were our own, renovating and painting it at our own expense. Months of tension and uncertainty followed until Labor regained control of the council and shelved the plan.
Now, in 2014, NSW Liberal Premier Mike Baird is trying to do the same to these social housing tenants in Millers Point by selling off their houses to the highest bidder.
Sydney will be worse for it. Not only is it bad social policy, but a report published in August this year shows that it will hurt our city's economy too: http://bit.ly/12q3MYD
I was proud to join residents today to help Save Millers Point….”
The support of our now Prime Minister counted for nothing. On the NSW Government’s Communities & Justice website, former Minister for Social Housing Pru Goward is quoted as saying the decision to sell Millers Point properties and reinvest in new homes has resulted in a fairer social housing system.
In the Newcastle Herald today one resident writes that “half their homes are vacant, except for the odd Airbnb on a weekend. So people are sleeping rough even though they have jobs, whilst holiday home owners take advantage of crap tax law…I know a bloke who squats in these vacant homes at night, moving from one to the other. I think that squatting will become the only choice people have until the squatters in the house owned by all Australians in Canberra do something, but they won’t make policy that affects their property”.
What has happened to much of Millers Point housing? Walk the mostly deserted streets and note well the key boxes and keypads which, with code at hand, give no-matter-who access to empty homes.
An Airbnb landlord writes that she “recently purchased and renovated a wonderful Historic Building in Millers Point…we have 11 apartments all furnished to suit a King and Queen.”
Yes, 73 Windmill Street, Millers Point was sold in 2017 for $10,050,000. The heritage-listed Stevens Terrace is a former boarding house and was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. At the time of the sale, Robert Lowe, Savills Director of Metropolitan & Regional Sales, said: “Very rarely does an opportunity arise to purchase an entire row of residential apartments/duplexes and we received a record number of enquiries very early on and throughout the sales campaign…There is potential to transform the wonderful 1900’s historical masterpiece that is ‘Stevens Buildings’ into luxurious residences, prominently situated in one of the most coveted streets in Millers Point…There is actually tremendous scope to restore and transform both assets which are zoned as R1 General Residential, which will provide housing needs for the community and maintain the existing land use pattern of predominantly residential use.”
According to City of Sydney council records, the site was “owned by Department of Housing since 1986, and the buildings occupied as public housing”. Five Development Applications were lodged with council “to create, along with the subject application, a total of eight separate properties for lease”. And, “Zoned Residential. The proposal complies with the controls of the LEP (Local Environment Plan).” In terms of ‘Suitability of the site for the Development’, “the proposal is of a nature in keeping with the overall function of the site and reflects longstanding occupations…The subdivision will enable the building to be subject to long term leases and this will encourage their maintenance and viable use”.
Here are links to the 11 Airbnb listings at 73 Windmill Street. The NSW Department of Planning has issued one Licence Number ((PID-STRA) for these dwellings to operate as commercial holiday rentals:
Airbnb - Stunning Sydney Home 1 @ $265/night - PID-STRA-20637
Airbnb - Stunning Sydney Home 2 @ 113/night - PID-STRA-20637
Airbnb - Stunning Sydney Home 3 @ $233/night - PID-STRA-20637
Airbnb - Stunning Sydney Home 4 @ $227/night - PID-STRA-20637
Airbnb - Stunning Sydney Home 5 @ $265/night - PID-STRA-20637
Airbnb - Stunning Sydney Home 6 @ $265/night - PID-STRA-20637
Airbnb - Stunning Sydney Home 7 @ $265/night - PID-STRA-20637
Airbnb - Stunning Sydney Home 8 @ 239/night - PID-STRA-20637
Airbnb - Stunning Sydney Home 9 @ $252/night - PID-STRA-20637
Airbnb - Stunning Sydney Home 10 @ $227/night - PID-STRA-20637
Airbnb - Stunning Sydney Home 11 @ $250/night - PID-STRA-20637
And some more homes lost to Airbnb. This is not an exhaustive list. Maybe our Minister for Housing – Anthony Roberts – could direct our homeless to these properties – ‘lights off’ could mean available for an overnight squat:-
High Street Millers Point:
Airbnb - The Darlingbay – City Harbour View Escape - High Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-14661
Airbnb - Heritage Shore – Sydney Harbour View Escape - High Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-14664
Airbnb - Spacious Harbour View - 38A High Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-14664
Airbnb - The Highberry – CBD Harbour View Escape - 38 High Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-14641
Airbnb - Scandi design 2BR with Harbour Views - High Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-14650
Airbnb - Walk everywhere in the city from a historic home – High Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-30243
Airbnb – Sydney’s Modern Historical Water View - High Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-21452
Airbnb - The Rocks Harbour Water Views - High Street Millers Point PID-STRA-21496
Airbnb - Sydney Harbour Water View 3 Bedroom The Rocks #4 - High Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-33409
Airbnb - Water Views 6 Bedroom Home in Sydney The Rocks #78 - High Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-28672
Airbnb - Water View Vibrant Sydney The Rocks 6 bedroom #12 – High Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-21452
Airbnb - Waterfront View Stylish Modern Sydney 3 Room #8 – High Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-28672
Airbnb - Waterfront Balcony & Rooftop Deck The Rocks #7 – High Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-21489
Airbnb - Newly Renovated Sydney Water Front 3 Bedroom #6 – High Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-33145
Airbnb - Harbour View Terrace In The Heart Of The Rocks – High Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-30178
Airbnb – Breezes Retreat at Barangaroo – High Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-28829
Airbnb - Sydney CBD - Beautiful Apartment – High Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-13371
Airbnb - Sydney CBD - Beautiful Apartment w/ Harbour Views – High Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-13371
Airbnb - Perfect Location - Beautiful Historic Apartment – High Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-13371
Airbnb – Sydney CBC – Historic Apartment with Harbour Views – High Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-13371
Airbnb - Historic Apartment with Harbour Views - Sydney CBD – High Street Millers Point – PID-STRA-133781
Airbnb – Beautiful Apartment – Sydney CBD – High Street Millers Point – PID-STRA-133781
Airbnb – Beautiful Historic Apartments – Perfect Location – High Street Millers Point – PID-STRA-1337881
Airbnb – Beautiful Apartment 2/Harbour Views – Sydney CBD – High Street Millers Point – PID-STRA-1337881
Airbnb – Millers Point 5 – Sydney Lux Aprtm w Courtyard – 5 High Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-22958
Airbnb - Millers Point - SYDNEY Harbour, 3 Beds & Terrace – 5 High Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-29494
Airbnb – Millers Point Heritage Townhouse – 60 High Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-7710-1
Airbnb – Harbour Views in Perfect Location – High Street Millers Point – No licence number
Planet Hotels – Heritage Listed Terrace High Street Millers Point – Licence Number not obvious
ApartmentsPlus - High St 16 - 16 High Street Millers Point
ApartmentsPlus - High St A16 - 16A High Street Millers Point
ApartmentsPlus - High St 14 - 14 High Street Millers Point
And here just a few more in what was once a very tight knit community area:
Argyle Place Millers Point:
Airbnb – Luxury Colonial Terrace House in the Rocks – 62 Argyle Place Millers Point - PID-STRA-6006
Airbnb – Charming Terrace in the heart of Millers Point – 30 Argyle Place Millers Point – claims Exempt
Airbnb – Apartment – Upper Levels – Historic Rocks House – 56 Argyle Place Millers Point - PID-STRA-16542
Dalgety Road Millers Point:
Airbnb - Contemporary Charm with Spectacular Harbour Views – Dalgety Road Millers Point - PID-STRA-21101
Airbnb - Idyllic Heritage Home Footsteps to the Harbour – Dalgety Road Millers Point - PID-STRA-21106
Airbnb - 2 BR near **Harbour bridge and Opera house** - Dalgety Road Millers Point - PID-STRA-19198
Airbnb – Newly-Renovated Luxury in the Heart of Sydney – 23 Dalgety Road Millers Point - PID-STRA-21089
Airbnb – Eclectic Heritage Comfort with Terrace & Views – Dalgety Road Millers Point - PID-STRA-21110
Lower Fort Street Millers Point:
Airbnb - The Rocks Quiet Luxury Harbour View - 71 Lower Fort Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-4847-1
Airbnb - The Rocks Quiet Peaceful Oasis - Lower Fort Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-4847-2
Airbnb – Diving Inner City Living – 58B Lower Fort Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-9504-3
Merriman Street Millers Point:
Airbnb - Heritage Terrace with City & Park on your doorstep - 26 Merriman Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-15388
Airbnb – Modern Heritage Home // Stunning Bridge Views – 22 Merriman Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-24332
Munn Street Millers Point:
Airbnb - Luxury Clifftop Heritage Apartment + Roof Terrace - Munn Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-15406
Airbnb - Luxury Heritage- next to Harbour and Barangaroo! – 18 Munn Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-15409
Airbnb - Heritage Luxury with Secret Courtyard – 20 Munn Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-15404
Airbnb - Stunning Heritage Apartment with Massive Balcony! – 20 Munn Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-15400
Kent Street Millers Point:
Airbnb – The Rocksberry – Charming Terrace in the Rocks – 38 Kent Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-16407
Airbnb – e1855 Heritage Listed Home v near Opera House – Kent Street Millers Point – unregistered
Airbnb – 2 bedrooms in the heart of CBD walk to Opera House – Kent Street Millers Point – unregistered
Airbnb – 3room Waterview Terrace at harbour bridge – 45 Kent Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-14756
Airbnb – 3BR Terrace in the Rocks Step to Harbour Bridge – Kent Street Millers Point – claims Exempt
Airbnb – Luxurious, comfortable house near Harbour Bridge – 75 Kent Street Millers point - PID-STRA-30229
Airbnb – Historic Elegant Terrace at Observatory Hill – 88 Kent Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-28841
Airbnb – Grand Victorian Terrace, The Rocks – 117 Kent Street Millers Point - PID-STRA-28094
Airbnb - Private waterfront apartment on Kent Street – Kent Street Millers Point – unregistered
Bettington Street Millers Point:
Airbnb – Do The Rocks in Style From CBD’s Historical Heart – 8/56 Bettington Street Millers Point – unregistered
Gloucester Street The Rocks:
Airbnb - Divine Workers Cottage in The Rocks – 46 Gloucester Street The Rocks - PID-STRA-9441
Airbnb - Quintessential 2BR Terrace House - The Rocks! – 50 Gloucester Street The Rocks - PID-STRA-26673
Airbnb – City Escape*The Rocks* 3bd*Hamilton*Phantom Opera - 56c Gloucester Street The Rocks - PID-STRA-9648
Airbnb – 3bd Enjoy The Rocks City Trip Great Location – 56d Gloucester Street The Rocks
ApartmentsPlus - Gloucester 115 - 115 Gloucester Street The Rocks
Trinity Avenue Dawes Point:
Airbnb - Victorian Rocks Terrace Retreat with Backyard Patio – 20 Trinity Avenue Dawes Point – PID-STRA-16634
Airbnb - 4 bedroom modern terrace at harbour bridge - 22 Trinity Avenue Dawes Point - PID-STRA-9158
Longs Lane Millers Point:
ApartmentsPlus - Longs Lane 3 - 3 Longs Lane Millers Point
Carahers Lane The Rocks:
ApartmentsPlus - Carahers Lane - 13 Carahers Lane
We do our best to highlight what’s happening to housing in local communities and across our State. At times it feels as if one is yelling into a vacuum.
