Indeed many residents have wanted something done about the dilapidated flats for years so too did many of those who lived in them.

But it is imperative that controls are in place that determine the outcome of this mass project is a positive one for the whole community.

The public housing precinct is just one of 13 being sold and redeveloped as part of the federal government's asset recycling program.

It is one that has created a lot of community angst given the inner south location and the original plans for high density development.

These plans were scaled back from six to four storeys in April and from 500 dwellings down to 252.

The development will replace the 144 public housing units which were built in the suburb in the 1960s.

Red Hill is a suburb that does not offer up many opportunities for infill development like other areas of the inner south.

Land will be at a premium and it is not surprising that the agents offering the precinct for sale expect competition from developers for the site.

It is also to be expected that the community remains a little skeptical about what the area will turn into and believe it will "make or break" the inner south.

Selling the precinct as an englobo land package and making sure it follows an estate development plan will ensure a holistic approach but does allow for great control by a developer.

It is important that the planning authority works closely with whoever buys the land to make sure what's delivered will be an asset to the community.

Done well it will rejuvenate the suburb and be a showcase of what's possible elsewhere in the territory.

Done badly and it will forever blight the suburb and be used an example of why infill in established suburbs does not work.

This is why the government needs to retain some control over the progress of development.