Northcott – observations of community and cultural development in a public housing estate

"What have they done there? 2 years at Northcott: An Observation of a Work in Progress" by Emily Mayo in consultation with all partners (December 2004) illustrates a process of community and cultural development in an inner-city Sydney public housing estate, part of the state’s largest cluster of Department of Housing stock.

The story of the Northcott Estate's development with the help of Big hART has become a hit of the 2006 Sydney Festival in the production Stickybricks (12 - 15 Jan).

The photo portraits exhibition of Northcott's tenants "Tenant by Tenant" is also showing at the Museum of Sydney as part of the Festival (1 Jan - 1 Feb 9:30am to 5:00 pm daily).

The report "What have they done there? 2 years at Northcott: An Observation of a Work in Progress" details the story of this developing community and the processes that over two years turned a notoriously troubled environment into a functioning one.

The estate is home to about 1000 people and many live alone. The average age of Northcott residents is 58 years and some have lived in the building for many years. 50 different countries of birth are represented. Many of those that live at Northcott have physical needs, drug and alcohol issues, mental health issues and ninety-five percent of the residents received aged or disability benefits.   

Opened in 1961 after extensive “slum clearance” of the original terrace houses in the area, the Northcott Estate comprises 591 apartments, most of which are in a 14-storey high rise tower.

By 2002, Northcott had developed an unenviable reputation as a place of violence and crime. A series of murders, suicides, assaults and ongoing drug and alcohol related crime resulted in a traumatised community – where people isolated themselves out of fear. To many it seemed that the “slum” was back.

In 2002, after some horrible crimes on the estate and a damning TV report and media coverage, various government and non-government agencies collaborated with the Northcott tenants to begin a process of positive change which continues.

Big hART, a multi art form organisation which creates art with marginalised groups of people; a Community Development Worker from the Department of Housing; Crime Prevention Officers from the Local Area Command of the NSW Police; The Sydney Lord Mayor and Local State Member; and a variety of local services, business and organisations have worked with Northcott tenants over two years to initiate process of change.

The collective goal is the development of a stable community where people are involved, feel safe, contribute and are optimistic about their future.

The Northcott Narratives interventions have developed a collective story that is being called by many a “best practice model”.

Northcott is happy to share its story with others and welcomes other partners in the Northcott journey. The Northcott partners hope to offer their experience and assistance to other marginalised communities.

This report is the first documentation of the Northcott community development experience.

Download the Report: “2 Years at Northcott: an observation of a work in progress”

Contents and Chapters 1 to 4 (pdf - 690kb)
Chapters 5 to 9 (pdf - 922kb)
Appendices 1 to 3 (pdf - 117kb)
Media coverage 1 (pdf - 806kb)
Media coverage 2 (pdf - 917kb)
Media coverage 3 (pdf - 645kb)

Examples of the photos produced in the Tenant by Tenant Photography Project at Northcott some of which have been published in the Sydney Morning Herald.

The photos have been reproduced with the permission of the photographers and the subjects.

Audrey and Sasha by Charmaine

Colin by Paul

Marina by John

For further information contact:

Sandy Henderson
Chairperson Surry Hills Public Tenants’ Association
Phone/Fax: 02 9318 1618
Mobile: 0418 493283
email: northcottcommunitycentre@yahoo.com.au

or see contact below

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For further information

Contact	:	Christopher Saunders Big hART Project Manager
Phone	:	02 9326 5473
Mobile	:	0418 477 156
Email	:	chrissaunders@iprimus.com.au