SOME of Sydney’s most notorious public housing blocks are to be blown up and replaced with a new metro train station.

The Turanga and Matavai tower blocks on Phillip Street in Waterloo and four neighbouring smaller public housing blocks are to be destroyed and the area completely redeveloped, under sweeping plans unveiled by the Baird government.

The government is razing the properties to build a new train station on the planned Metro line where the existing public housing estate is located. A number of smaller walk-up public homes are also to go.

media_camera Flattened... One of the area’s notorious blocks to be blown up.

The Waterloo and neighbouring Redfern estates, including the McKell Tower, have long been a crime hotspot and has faced significant issues with drugs - including ice - and alcohol abuse. Some of the buildings are also an eyesore. The McKell Tower will not be demolished.

Public housing tenants are expected to be booted out of their homes in 2017 and the government will redevelop the public housing stock, which is currently home to about 2000 people.

media_camera An artist’s impression of the Waterloo station, part of the new Sydney Metro. Picture: Supplied

media_camera The area will be completely redeveloped under the plan. Picture: Supplied

media_camera The new station won’t open until 2036. Picture: Supplied

The government has guaranteed tenants they will be allowed to return to the area once new public housing has been built, though it remains unclear how close that will be to the old buildings.

“If they want to come back to a new dwelling they will be given that opportunity,” said Premier Mike Baird.

Housing Minister Brad Hazzard described the plans as a “golden opportunity” to have a new train station near the CBD.

“Some of the properties there are very dated – they date back to the 1950s – and when I’ve been in there talking to the public housing tenants they really would like to see some renewal,” he said.

media_camera Project will make area better place to live... Mike Baird flanked by Rodd Staples and Andrew Constance today.

Mr Hazzard said where public housing had been redeveloped elsewhere crime rates had fallen and he expects the same in Waterloo.

Mr Baird said the plans were a chance to renew the area – which covers about 17 hectares of government land. The metro station won’t open until 2036.

The state government is building the multi-billion dollar Metro line from the city’s northwest, under the harbour via a tunnel, through the CBD and down to Sydney’s southwest.

Waterloo is the 31st stop on the route. The announcement dashes Sydney University’s hopes of getting a metro stop but Mr Baird said his government would boost transport to the uni.

media_camera The Waterloo and neighbouring Redfern estates have long been a crime hotspot

A metro stop at Barangaroo Central was revealed earlier this year and the Baird government is also considering a stop in Liverpool.

“The metro station creates the opportunity to transform Waterloo and make it a better place to live for future and exisitng residents, many of whom are among the most vulnerable people in NSW,” Mr Baird said.

There has been massive population growth in Waterloo over the last decade, with a surge in apartments and new homes.

The government claims the new metro stop will lead to an additional 10,000 homes in the area.