Thursday, 31 August 2023

Ivanhoe electorate public housing

Anthony CARBINES (Ivanhoe – Minister for Police, Minister for Crime Prevention, Minister for Racing) (09:42): I thought I would just give the house a public housing update about West Heidelberg and Tarakan Street, a $63 million investment from our government: 669 jobs and 130 homes, which will be open before the end of the year. That construction is on track with one-, two- and three-bedroom homes, a 5-star green star rating and a 7-star Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme average rating. A significant percentage of those homes will be fully accessible, with Disability Discrimination Act 1992 compliance there, with drop-off areas and paths and the like. It replaces a lot of the 1950s homes that were built that were great homes for many years post the Olympic Games here in Melbourne, but it is well past time for those to be knocked over for a new investment in West Heidy.

Just across the road is Launch Housing in Bellfield – 50 dwellings over four levels, a $24 million development. In partnership with Launch Housing, the Victorian government contributed over $18 million. That will also be open before the end of this year. That land was provided by Banyule City Council, so it was a real team effort across the board to get that project concluded. Of course the Minister for Housing, my colleague in the electorate of Bundoora, knows about the $18 million development opened just last week in Bell Street: 42 modern homes, particularly for women and families with a history of homelessness and complex needs. There are 11 one-bedroom, 30 two-bedroom and one three-bedroom social housing homes now providing a roof over the heads of so many people who need it in my electorate. Right across West Heidelberg we are seeing social housing being delivered by the Andrews Labor government.