IT IS one of Sydney’s landmark buildings but today, the Sirius public housing block — with its stunning vistas of Sydney Harbour — is a lonely ghost town.

There are only seven tenants still living in the 79-unit complex, the rest having already moved out ahead of the State Government’s controversial sell-off.

Dimly lit, empty hallways echo as you walk through them, while signs taped to the walls notify residents that the building’s once-bustling communal facilities are no longer accessible.

media_camera Cherie Johnson, Myra Demetriou and Maureen Hansen have refused to budge from their homes. Picture: Danny Aarons

Security guards are a constant presence, questioning any visitors.

Sirius was purpose-built in 1979 to accommodate social housing tenants displaced by redevelopment in The Rocks, a famous victory for union leader Jack Mundey’s Green Ban movement.

But more than 35-years later, history is repeating itself as the State Government moves forward with its plans to evict the entire Millers Point public housing community, including Sirius, in an act described by State Independent MP Alex Greenwich as “social cleansing”.

Cherie Johnson, 59 who has lived in Sirius for 35-years said she would be unable to cope with the loss of her community if forced to leave.

media_camera Notices in the building advise that locks have been changed.

“I can still remember when my mother and I first moved here and it felt like we had won the lottery, we had always lived together, we were mother and daughter but also like sisters,” she recalled.

“She recently passed away but the only saving grace is that she didn’t have to go through this.

“I feel as though if I am forced to move to another place I will curl up into a little ball and die.”

Like Mr Greenwich, Ms Johnson said the State Government’s Millers Point sell-off amounted to a social cleansing of the historic area.

“It is with great arrogance that they have treated us, as if we are not worthy of living here anymore,” she said.

“We were worthy many moons ago … now they are realising they can make money by kicking us out. It is like a social cleansing and it is a heartless and soulless move.

media_camera The once-bustling common area is now deserted. Picture: Danny Aarons (and below)

media_camera The entrance foyer is also empty. media_camera Deserted hallways in the Sirius.

“People talk about the views here but that is all secondary, for us it is the community. We all love and care about one another.

“We need a mix of people living in Sydney otherwise it is them and us with classes and that is not Sydney, that is not Australia, that is not who we are supposed to be.”

MINISTER GIVES HOPE TO MILLERS POINT RESIDENTS

HERITAGE FEARS OVER MILLERS POINT RENOVATIONS

The Sirius building is causing a rift between the State Government and the Office of Environment and Heritage, which argues the apartment block is of historical significance because of its design and the fact that it was associated with the Green Bans of the 1970s.

Family and Community Services opposes a heritage listing saying that it would deprive the state of sale proceeds.

MYRA REFUSES TO BUDGE

One of Millers Point’s oldest residents says she has no intention of leaving her historic home after 54 years within the pioneer precinct.

Having started a family in Millers Point, raised her children, Ruth and James, and buried her husband, Nicos, 88-year old Myra Demetriou, who is now legally blind, simply wants the right to age in peace within her Sirius apartment.

From her 10th-floor apartment, which displays the iconic SOS lights synonymous with the Millers Point sell-off, Ms Demetriou said she wouldn’t give up without a fight.

media_camera Myra Demetriou in her 10th-floor apartment. Picture: Danny Aarons

“I was very angry when I first heard that Sirius was under threat and I did all the right things — I answered the letters straight away and I got notes from my doctors who said that I can’t move away from the area due to my health,” Ms Demetriou said.

“This is my home, my children went to school here, and I know everyone. This whole thing has been pretty badly handled by the government; it is going to take a lot more to beat me — this is my home and this is where I am going to stay.

“Millers Point is the oldest white settlement in the country and it should be preserved with the people.”

Ms Demetriou said her ties to Millers Point stemmed from community bonds with residents.

“I am so close to everything I know, and I get to meet so many lovely people,” she said.

Ms Demetriou said while she was dubious about Social Housing Minister Brad Hazzard’s recent comments promising to examine “exceptions” to the forced sell-off, she remained hopeful.

media_camera Minister for Family and Community Services and Social Housing Brad Hazzard.

“I am glad he made those comments — any hope is good hope,” she said.

Mr Hazzard said his department would continue to work with the remaining tenants on their relocation needs.

Since launching the sell-off more than a year ago, the NSW Government has sold 23 former public houses, earning more than $50 million. Another six homes are scheduled to be auctioned on August 25.

The government is using the money raised from the Millers Point sales on new social housing projects within the Sydney area.

TELL US: SHOULD MYRA BE ALLOWED TO STAY?