No Vacancy

ACT government puts Currong and Allawah flats sites on the market. The Canberra Times Nov 2015 Tom McIlroy. Demolition of the dilapidated Currong buildings had been expected to begin in August or September this year but substantial works were delayed and demolition of the eight-storey former student housing is currently under way. Planning approval was received in January. The buildings - considered to be Canberra's first medium and high density public housing, were designed for share houses and for married couples by principal architect Richard Ure for the Department of Works. They were built between 1956 and 1959. The development saw significant numbers of public servants move from communal hostels to private dwellings for the first time. Despite foundation rents of £4 and 7 shillings per week, the buildings quickly attracted long waiting lists. Total cost for the Currong demolition was estimated in late 2014 at $3 million but the price blew out to $6 million after significant amounts of asbestos and other hazardous materials were found on the site. In April, the ACT Heritage Council opted not to give heritage protection to buildings in the Allawah and Bega Courts precinct, finding the 1956 and 1957 flats did not make any important contribution to the ACT's public housing history. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hot on the tail of the latest Street Photography Competition I found myself staring in wonder at the toilets revealed by the demolition. My fascination with the sky, rectangles of light and colour were found throughout the demolition site.