Major NSW social housing project endures with four firms’ aid

Four firms were involved in the latest phase of New South Wales’ Social Housing Management Transfer (SHMT) program.

The second tranche involves the transfer of around 14,000 homes to community housing providers, as part of the New South Wales government’s community housing reform program.

Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF), Thomson Geer, Hall & Wilcox, and Corrs Chambers Westgarth have confirmed their involvement in the major project.

HSF advised the Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) in the second tranche, after being appointed by the NSW government body in February this year. The firm advised on the request for tender process, interactive workshops, contract documentation, regulatory parameters, and negotiations with bidders.

HSF’s cross-practice team was led by partner Nicholas Carney. He was supported by partners Peter Paradise and Drew Pearson; senior associates Nicholas Lazarou and Sophie Beaman; and solicitors Nick Middleton, Laura Ferraro, and Marlowe Mitchell.

Thomson Geer advised Link Housing, one of the community housing providers. Link will acquire leases and management rights of more than 1,900 affordable housing properties in Ryde, Hornsby, and Ku-Ring-Gai.

Thomson Geer’s team was led by partners Melinda Graham and Lucinda Smith. They were supported by special counsel Samantha Culshaw and lawyer Rachael Bass.

Hall & Wilcox acted for Compass Housing Services, which has been awarded 1,827 properties in the recent phase of the SHMT program. The properties are located in the Hunter Valley region. Before the award, Compass had more than 4,400 properties under management in NSW, Queensland, and New Zealand.

The Hall & Wilcox team was led by Newcastle-based property and projects partner Katrina Reye.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth advised St George Community Housing (SGCH) in its successful bid for about 1,400 properties, located in North Sydney, Hunters Hill, Lane Cove, and Willoughby.

The Corrs team was led by partner Andrew Chew, who was assisted by partners Stephen Price and Rommel Harding-Farrenberg, and lawyer Jennifer Gamble.

Corrs earlier advised SGCH in its successful bid in the first stage of the NSW government’s $1.1bn Social and Affordable Housing Fund.


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