Fabs Sydney: Daceyville

[Fabian]

Daceyville is a quiet suburb just six kilometres south east of Sydney's CBD.

But its history is unique to Sydney.

Why?

*Daceyville was the FIRST public housing project ever built in Australia. It came about from concerns over the unsanitary and cramped conditions that many were experiencing in inner city suburbs.
*It was meant to be a planned suburb - a garden suburb. It was meant to offer appealing streetscapes with single family homes. Haberfield in the inner west is also a garden suburb but that was privately built.
*It was hoped it would be a model for planning new suburbs in Sydney. Didn't quite happen. It was planned to head towards Pagewood & Botany Bay but by the 1920's it was being subdivided.
*Construction of the suburb began in 1912 with the last house finished in 1920. It became a working class suburb.
*At the time, Daceyville had electricity, curbed streets and sewerge which many areas didnt have along with fenceless gardens.
*Most homes are still owned by Housing NSW.

Source: Dictionary of Sydney

This is just a snippet of the suburb today. We are lucky that the homes are still here and this is the focus of this thread.

Daceyville Shops


By fabianamuso at 2012-03-03

The wide streets that make up the suburb


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St Michaels Catholic Church (1924)


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And its modern counterpart


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And lovely parks nestled amongst the homes.


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By fabianamuso at 2012-03-03

[Fabian]

It has been perfect timing for this thread, because the suburb is turning 100 this year and this has slipped under my radar.

Celebrations to mark the centenary are on tomorrow (June 11 2012) at Daceyville. It will be at Dacey Ville Gardens (Where Bunnerong Road and Gardeners Road meet) between 10am and 4pm.

Details can be sourced from the City of Botany Bay Website: http://www.botanybay.nsw.gov.au/index.php/home/1/254

[SydneyCity]

A lot of those homes look pretty darn nice for Housing Commission.

[Fabian]

And its to a point that you think its all private housing.

[SydneyCity]

Indeed, it eliminates the 'ghetto' feeling that many public housing estates have.