Tolland Renewal Project to Deliver Over 500 New Mixed-Tenure Homes

Member for Wagga Dr Joe McGirr has described the signing of an agreement on the Tolland Renewal Project as “the beginning of an exciting journey”.

The project will deliver in total 500 new mixed-tenure homes across the Tolland Estate through the joint endeavours of the NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC), Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) and the Argyle Consortium.

“This is the beginning of a journey … it’s not just about building but also community,” Dr McGirr told the gathering at the Tolland Community Centre. “It’s also the renewal of roads and landscapes as well as the renewed support of people living within these communities.”

The development will provide a 16 per cent increase in new social housing within the Tolland and Duke of Kent Park precincts.

Image by Argyle Housing.

“This project will deliver a much-needed revamp of Tolland Estate and new social housing for the city, as well as increased supply of more affordable and privately owned dwellings,” Dr McGirr said.

“It’s a project I have been advocating since I was elected and it will absolutely help to address the shortage of social and affordable homes in the city.”

Wagga Wagga Mayor Dallas Tout said the project reflected the importance of a community working together to reach its “physical, social and emotional” goals.

Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts acknowledged the collaboration required to make the Tolland plan a reality.

“We are working with Wagga Wagga City Council and Argyle Consortium to develop the draft masterplan, and we’ll also seek Commonwealth financing from the National Housing and Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC),” Mr Roberts said.

Minister for Families and Communities Natasha Maclaren-Jones explained the agreement will result in Argyle Consortium managing tenancies for Tolland Estate’s existing and future social housing under a 20-year-lease.

“The Consortium will also assist with tenancy relocations, be deeply involved in local wrap-around services and be responsible for the delivery of 70 new social homes,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.

“We now have a blueprint to revitalise this area with high quality new housing that people want to live in, setting a strong precedent for future renewals across regional NSW.”

LAHC will lead the works, which will involve the development of new vacant lots for sale to the private market and new lots for social housing.  It will also include the development of upgraded and new community infrastructure - including roads and open space - to completely revitalise the area, similar to other estate renewal projects being delivered across Sydney and regional NSW.