What is this about?
#WeLiveHere2017 puts a human face to public housing, to encourage compassion, action, and where necessary, resistance to the rapid urban development we are experiencing in cities across Australia and globally.
In 2015 the NSW State Government announced their intention to redevelop the Waterloo Estate including 6 large tower blocks and numerous 'low rise' dwellings. This would involve relocating at least 3600 elderly, disabled and low-income people as the 40-acre estate undergoes massive gentrification. The proposed development would see a huge increase density, and a change of 'social mix' with the introduction of a large proportion of private housing and commercial properties. The new Metro station adjacent to the estate was the catalyst for the development.
2017 is the postcode of Waterloo, a socially diverse, dynamic, inner city community with an important cultural heritage will be changed forever. Good, bad, indifferent? Have your say with #WeLiveHere2017.
What are we doing?
Highrise community light project: Five hundred residents in Matavai & Turanga towers were given a coloured mood light for their window to express how they feel about the changes before relocations begin, to raise awareness of this important community and give them a voice in the lead-up to the release of the government's masterplan. The City of Sydney’s Art & About program supported the art project.
We launched the project on 9th September 2017
Documentary: We made a 57 minute documentary film that explores and celebrates our neighbourhood stories and the process of creating a community-powered light project with Matavai and Turanga residents in 2017. You can watch it here.
Story hub: We welcome people contributing their Waterloo story to our Facebook page or Instagram, just hashtag #WeLiveHere2017 - lets see who's out there, and what you love about Waterloo.
Get in touch
Email: hello@welivehere2017.com.au
Jason collecting wood to fuel the Waterloo Tent Embassy, a protest raising awareness and collecting signatures to represent Waterloo residents 2016
The #WeLiveHere2017 community light project has been commissioned by:
#WeLiveHere2017 has been supported by:
