Many of the residents of the Sailor Streets are either elderly or baby boomers. According to local and state authorities the motives behind the rezoning is to provide apartment accommodation for 35-45 demographic.
It is assumed that the most of the residents in the Sailor Streets are happy with their dwellings as it matches their needs. For the over 50's proximity to shopping, work, transport, health services and family and friends are important. Indeed these residents enjoy the prospect of being able to retire in a block that is manageable, level and have the capacity to accommodate grandchildren, children returning from overseas or possibly transitional accommodation arising from relationship breakups. The ability to have space to move, to have pets, to have private outdoor space and to live in a safe and secure environment is fundamental to a happy and healthy life where residents can be accommodated well into their nineties. If these areas are lost the real cost will be to the lives of these residents who are already living in downsized dwellings which are relevant to their needs. Apartments may increase the density of the area but they are not a suitable option for the over 50's who, as demographers predict, will live longer, be more productive and be an increasingly large proportion of Australia's population. The Sailor Streets provide this already. Why change?