The King’s Trust Australia Royal Founding President Majesty King Charles III visited an eco-friendly social housing development in Sydney in October 2024.
The Cowper Street Development is a collaboration between the NSW Government and The King’s Trust Australia, which provided design services and training for young people.
His Majesty met three young Australians participating in The King’s Trust Australia’s Get Into Construction programme, at the worksite.
The King’s Trust Australia Chair, The Hon Julie Bishop said, “These wonderful terrace houses and apartments are eco-friendly and will provide safe and welcoming homes to those who need it most. The Trust runs Get Into programmes worldwide, helping young people into work, and the young people on The King’s Trust Australia Get Into Construction programme are thriving.
“The project is inspired by our historic wool store buildings and Glebe’s iconic Victorian terraces.
“As it has the highest sustainability rating possible of Six Green Stars, it is designed to be an exemplar that can be copied across Australia,” The Hon Julie Bishop said.
The NSW Government social housing project will deliver 75 new fit-for-purpose social homes in the inner-city, at Cowper Street and Wentworth Park Road in Sydney’s inner west.
During its life cycle, the project is expected to create more than 250 jobs.
The development features a cross-laminated timber structure, rooftop gardens, solar power, on-site bike-parking, and water retention to achieve the highest sustainability ratings possible of Six Green Stars. Cross-laminated timber (CLT) uses glued layers of timber to create a very strong structural frame, produced sustainably in Australia.
It will incorporate public art being created in consultation with the local First Nations community by First Nations artist, Dennis Golding.
WHAT IS GET INTO CONSTRUCTION?
Get Into Construction is a four-week programme that helps young people gain a foot hold in the thriving construction industry. Designed to address the growing demand for skilled labour in the construction sector while offering a pathway for young people to kickstart their careers, it is run in collaboration between The King’s Trust Australia, First Choice Apprentices and Kane Constructions.
The King’s Trust Australia CEO Michelle Endacott said, “It can be difficult starting out in any new career. This offers full support, including things like White Cards, First Aid certificates and safety gear. The young men are all hard workers and keen to learn, it’s a pleasure to work with them.”
