A stark divide has emerged in Sydney's Barangaroo development, where residents of affordable housing units are being denied access to basic amenities that remain exclusively available to wealthy banking executives and luxury apartment owners.
The Two-Tier System Exposed
The controversial policy has created what critics describe as a two-tier residential system within the same development. While affordable housing exists in name, residents face restrictions that fundamentally alter their quality of life compared to their wealthier neighbours.
According to multiple sources familiar with the development agreements, affordable housing tenants are explicitly prohibited from using building amenities including swimming pools, gym facilities, and common entertainment areas. These restrictions appear in tenancy agreements and building regulations governing the affordable housing portions of the development.
Growing Backlash and Community Response
The situation has sparked outrage among housing advocates and community organisations. This isn't just about swimming pools - it's about creating segregated communities within single developments, said one housing activist who wished to remain anonymous due to ongoing negotiations.
The development's management has reportedly responded to complaints with dismissive comments, suggesting that residents who wanted pool access should have pursued careers in banking or other high-income professions. This attitude has further inflamed tensions and highlighted the deepening inequality in urban housing policy.
Broader Implications for Housing Crisis
This case exemplifies a worrying trend in mixed-development projects across major cities. While developers receive incentives and planning permissions for including affordable housing components, the actual living experience for lower-income residents remains substantially inferior.
The Barangaroo situation comes amid a severe cost of living crisis that has placed unprecedented pressure on housing affordability throughout the country. Essential workers, young families, and vulnerable populations increasingly find themselves priced out of adequate housing while facing stigma and restricted access even when they secure supposedly affordable options.
Community groups are now calling for greater transparency in development agreements and stronger regulations to ensure that affordable housing means more than just reduced rent - it must include equal access to amenities and dignified living conditions for all residents, regardless of income level.
