City West Housing
As late as the 1970s, City planners intended to develop public housing in Ultimo and Pyrmont, but councillors could not agree on the details. To break the deadlock, Michael Matthews and others persuaded Council to sell the land to the state government, which had better resources for the task. Once in possession, however, the government chose to sell the land and delegate the provision of housing to the private sector.
Guided by City West Development Corporation (CWDC), developers built high-rise apartment blocks for sale to – mainly affluent – private owners. However, CWDC also provided some relief for long-term residents who would otherwise have to quit Pyrmont. City West Housing (CWH) was created to build apartments and offer them at affordable rents. CWH began work with $50 million from the federal Better Cities program, supplemented by developer contributions. (Developers either include affordable housing in their projects, or pay contributions in lieu.)
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Unlike Department of Housing, City West apartments were built to standards comparable to private sector housing, and they have been well maintained. Demand is keen, and applicants must demonstrate a real connection with Pyrmont. Essentially, tenants pay in proportion to their incomes.
Three City West complexes have been built in Pyrmont:
61 apartments at 223-229 Harris Street, built in 1997
57 apartments at 6-10 Wattle Street, built in 2002, and
83 apartments in 56 Harris Street, built in 2007.