Premier marks completion of revitalisation of Lockridge (with pics)

25/6/00

Premier Richard Court has commemorated the completion of one of Western Australia's most successful public housing redevelopment projects which, among other benefits, has delivered a reduction in crime.
Mr Court said that Lockridge, once characterised by unsightly blocks of flats and inappropriate public housing, had been revitalised into a community where demand for housing was high and people were proud to live there.
The Lockridge New Living project is the first of 17 currently being undertaken by the State Government to be completed.
"The five-year Lockridge New Living project has been a real success story," Mr Court said.
"More than $22 million has been spent transforming the suburb, using the best aspects of Lockridge, its location and beautiful Peppermint trees, to landscape, redesign and refurbish, and create a real community spirit."
Mr Court said that many people who knew the area when it was dominated by a high level of public housing units would now find it virtually unrecognisable.
Flats have been bulldozed and replaced by modern villas, townhouses and family houses on contemporary-sized blocks, new parks for families and playgrounds for children have been built, there are now bus shelters and street furniture, dual use footpaths have been built and lighting installed for the safety of everyone.
"Geographically, Lockridge is just 20 minutes from Perth, 10 minutes from Midland and a short drive from the beautiful Swan Valley and it was clear that there was a lot of potential to do something better for residents," Mr Court said.
"Once more than half of the properties were owned by Homeswest - now there is just 16 per cent public housing and we are well on the way to reaching our target of 12 per cent, the aim of New Living throughout WA.
"Over the five years of the New Living project, property prices have risen more than 30 per cent, with an 8.5 per cent rise just in the past year.
"Property sales are have already exceed $21 million."
Mr Court said perhaps the most significant benefit of the New Living project was the dramatic effect on crime which was a reflection of renewed community spirit.
"The latest figures from the police this week show that compared to five years ago, when New Living was introduced, the number of offences reported has dropped 38 per cent.
"Lockridge is now classified by the police as a suburb of 'low crime' where once it was rated officially as an area of 'high crime'.
"This is a tremendous result for residents and the general community, knowing that Lockridge is now a much safer place to live and visit, and I am confident the community will work hard to maintain this.
"Interestingly, while Lockridge has been transformed out of all recognition from what it was five years ago, the community was proud to retain the name.
"When the developers wanted to change its name to Pepperwood, there was strong resistance. People are now proud to live in Lockridge - and that is the real measure of its success."
New Living is a $320 million program across Western Australia which aims to reduce the level of Homeswest rental accommodation in suburbs dominated by public housing.
The initiative has so far included 17 redevelopment projects around Western Australia, including Kwinana, Balga, Koondoola, Girrawheen, Westminster, Karawara, Coolbellup, Langford and Armadale, as well as a number of country areas including Withers and Carey Park in Bunbury, Collie, Spencer Park in Albany, Adeline in Kalgoorlie, Nulsen in Esperance, Rangeway in Geraldton, South Carnarvon and South Hedland.
The Premier congratulated everyone who had been involved in the New Living Lockridge project, including the Ministry of Housing, developers Voran Construction and the City of Swan.
Media contact: Justine Whittome 9222 9475
Janet Wainwright 9222 4500

Premier Richard Court with Lockridge residents Rita and Nick Kotsoglo, their son Marcus and grandchildren Imogen and Nicholas celebrating the completion of the New Living project at Lockridge.

Milena Barunovic was ready with some of her special biscuits when Housing Minister Kim Hames visited some of the New Living redevelopments. Neighbours Ljubica Milivojevic, 9, and Stevan Cehmamster joined the celebrations.