The state government in Australia had promised to build 5000 homes through infill developments six years ago but has failed to follow through with their promise. One of the areas that have been affected by this delay is the old Brownlie Towers site in Bentley. After 13 years in the planning phase, the project was sent back to square one earlier this year, causing frustration and disappointment among residents and officials. The Bentley regeneration project has failed to get off the ground, despite the potential for positive change in the area.
City of Canning mayor Patrick Hall spoke out about the situation, highlighting the 26 hectares of prime government land in the site that is currently sitting dormant just eight kilometres from the CBD. He expressed his disappointment at the lack of progress in the development and the missed opportunity to address the social issues that have plagued Bentley for many years. Hall criticized the latest idea of making one in every seven dwellings at the site social housing, calling it a potential disaster following the issues with the previous Brownlie Towers public housing precinct. The policy of reducing public housing to 1 in every 9 dwellings has also disappeared from the state government’s website in recent years.
Hall emphasized the need for areas like Bentley, which have been burdened with high percentages of social housing, to be given relief and an opportunity for renewal. He pointed to surrounding suburbs with far less public housing ratios and questioned why the government would not take the opportunity to change the narrative in Bentley. The lack of progress in the development and the failure to address social issues in the area have been a disappointment for both residents and officials. The potential for positive change through the regeneration project has not been realized due to delays and setbacks.
The frustration and disappointment surrounding the Bentley regeneration project reflect a larger issue of unfulfilled promises and failed developments in the state. Despite the initial commitment to build 5000 homes through infill developments, the state government has not laid a single slab, leaving projects like the old Brownlie Towers site in Bentley stagnant for years. The lack of progress in the development has perpetuated social issues in the area and failed to provide relief for residents burdened with high percentages of social housing.
The potential for the Bentley regeneration project to change the narrative in the area and address longstanding social issues has been hindered by delays and setbacks. City of Canning mayor Patrick Hall’s criticism of the lack of progress and missed opportunity to renew Bentley reflects the disappointment felt by residents and officials. The failure to follow through on promises and commitment to reduce public housing ratios has left Bentley and other areas in need of revitalization without the support and development they were promised. It is essential for the state government to address these issues and prioritize the completion of the promised homes through infill developments to bring positive change to affected communities like Bentley.
