2024 Rear Vision Round-up
Your Steering Committee investigated 10 possible cohousing sites over the year. The site with the most potential was 15-27 Reynolds Street, with a land area of 3586m² and 17 existing apartments. The options were minimal renovation or complete knockdown/rebuild. It was offered at $14 million – and we could have raised an $8 million bank loan if we’d been able to offer $6 million in cash. We lobbied our members and friends seeking 6 foundation investors prepared to put up $1 million for the first tranche (with potential returns on that investment given that the 17 units are 100% occupied/tenanted). We managed to find 2 potential investors at $1 million and another 4 for lesser amounts but that was insufficient for us to be able to move forward.
We conducted a professionally drafted follow-up survey with a range of questions designed to increase our understanding of our members’ perspectives. We sent out 60 emails and received 15 replies which gave us some useful insights for the future. We have taken on board the following for the future: (1) Our communications need to be clear, even when fast action is required and (2) Investigate ways to overcome willingness but lack of access to funds
Our 2024 AGM at Uniting Church Balmain meeting space was attended by 18 (16 members and 2 friends) who all stayed for the party that followed. The President’s Report was comprehensive and well received. You can view the AGM Draft Minutes, The full President’s Report and Treasurer’s Report at our website here.
2025 Looking Forward
Later-in-life Living – Smoothing the Transition
Downsizing & Reverse Mortgages
Thursday 14 August 2025, 6.30pm for 7pm start
Balmain Town Hall Library
Post our Reynolds Street survey and the issue of lack of access to funds that was identified by some, your Steering Committee thought it would be useful for Agency Members to hear about two later-in-life financial issues: Downsizing and Reverse Mortgages. Mark Macduffie from Downsizer will give a presentation on downsizing and ways to smoothly achieve this process. Downsizing to a smaller home can be financially stressful and Downsizer has several financial products to make this transition as painless as possible. Also, a representative from Gateway Bank will talk about Reverse Mortgages. This option permits access to equity in a home without having to move. We have joined with the Balmain Institute for a meeting with our combined members on these two interesting topics.
Save the date and watch out for further details for this event.
Social Events
These are a few planned social events for 2025. Bring a friend and help expand our social circle. Save the dates. Full details for each event will be provided closer to the date:
APRIL
Film night and a bite at Palace Norton Street
MAY – Sunday
Genesian Theatre (now located in Rozelle)
JULY – Sunday 20th
Pub Lunch @ East Village Hotel
Pocket Neighbourhood
At the 2024 Agency AGM, a Pocket Neighbourhood idea was proposed.
The Pocket Neighbourhood idea is to choose a Street/Apartment Block and members would subsequently buy properties in this Pocket Neighbourhood. Hence, we would establish a community of like-minded people at the same location.
We’ve sent out a questionnaire about this Pocket Neighbourhood project to our members.
Rozelle Village
In that vein, we understand that the Rozelle Village development will be going ahead in the near future. A display apartment is to be completed in the next couple of months. Some Agency members were considering buying apartments in Rozelle Village and this could be one version of the Pocket Neighbourhood. If you wish to be on the mailing list for Rozelle Village, here is the link:
https://www.rozellevillage.com.au/
Advocacy
Your Steering Committee will continue to talk with newly-elected IWC Councillors about increasing housing availability in the Inner West, particularly new models of living for seniors. This would have the flow-on benefit of freeing up housing stock for others.
Your Steering Committee for 2025:
Vincent, Susan, David (Dizzie) and Guy
W: www.agencycohcom.org
Agency Cohousing and Community 