The Bonnyrigg Living Communities project was the first social housing Public Private Partnership (PPP) in Australia, creating new social and private housing by redesigning and reinvigorating a public housing estate in the south western Sydney suburb of Bonnyrigg.
The result is Newleaf Estate, where SGCH partners with the Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC).
Landcom and construction company Lloyd Group are now delivering the final stages of building social homes for larger families, along with a new park, roads, a town hub and community centre.
After bouncing around in 14 different homes and with a number of challenges along the way, Katherine and her family finally moved into what she describes as her “forever home” in Bonnyrigg.
Katherine is a proud mum of three who moved into Bonnyrigg four years ago when she was pregnant with her youngest and is now an active community member who makes the most of local events and connections.
Katherine enjoys spending time in the sensory garden and volunteers her time on the SGCH Tenant Coordination Panel (TCP) a group that connects customers from all SGCH locations with the SGCH management team and other tenant groups.
“On the TCP I am always learning. The knowledge you get from the other people is amazing. I really enjoy it, meeting them and hearing their stories”, she says.
“I met Shirley at a Tenant Group meeting with her daughter, and we decided to do it together. We also used to spend time together at the sensory garden. It was good for my mental health, especially with the COVID lockdowns.”
SGCH is the first community housing provider in Australia to deliver integrated management of services on the Newleaf estate, including tenancy management, property maintenance, community development and communications.
Katherine is grateful to have the additional services that SGCH offer such as the support coordination team who have helped connect her to support during times where she has experienced mental health struggles.
“You’re not a number, when it comes to SGCH. They do actually care; they care about all their tenants. I do not know how my property manager deals with me at times because I can get anxious about bills and other things.
“If I am stressed about something and they can’t get the service they’ll find the service for me. It is nice to be in an area where you’re not alone. There is always someone you can reach out to”, says Katherine.