The article discusses the government’s failure to take action on the redevelopment of the Brownlie Towers site in Bentley, Western Australia. Despite promises and funding allocated for the project, little progress has been made over the past six years. The new Housing Minister, John Carey, blames the pandemic for the delay, but critics argue that this is just an excuse given the government’s efforts to keep the construction industry operational during COVID. Despite providing funding for private builders, the government has not prioritized public housing needs.
The article questions why the redevelopment of the Brownlie Towers site was not seen as a priority in 2020 or 2021, especially considering the government’s focus on keeping the housing construction industry alive during the pandemic. Instead, the project has been put back on the drawing board with a new line of spin from the government. The headline of a recent press release announced that the project was moving into a streamlined delivery phase, but critics question what this actually means in terms of progress. The government claims that the pandemic has changed the economics of large-scale developments, but critics argue that other projects like Metronet have faced cost blowouts.
Furthermore, the article highlights the disconnect between the government’s promises and actions regarding the Brownlie Towers redevelopment. The project was a priority in 2018 for political reasons, but it has since been overshadowed by other concerns. Minister Carey’s reiteration of the importance of creating an inclusive community at Bentley through the redevelopment is seen as cynical given the lack of progress on the project. Critics argue that the government’s failure to follow through on its promises raises questions about its priorities and commitment to addressing public housing needs.
Overall, the article criticizes the government for its lack of action on the Brownlie Towers redevelopment project, which has been stalled for more than six years. Despite providing funding for private builders during the pandemic, the government has not prioritized public housing needs in Bentley. The new Housing Minister’s attempts to spin the project as moving towards a streamlined delivery phase are seen as hollow promises, and critics question the government’s priorities and commitment to addressing housing issues in the community.
