Tuesday, 3 October 2023

Banksia Gardens public housing estate

Kathleen MATTHEWS-WARD (Broadmeadows) (19:08): (344) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Housing, and the action I seek is for the minister to join me in visiting the Banksia Gardens housing estate in Broadmeadows. Firstly, I would like to thank Minister Brooks for his incredible work and advocacy on housing. I have been working very closely with him and his dedicated staff to advocate for improvements at Banksia Gardens housing estate, and they have always been very responsive and have listened to and acted on all concerns raised. Since earlier this year I have been chairing a multi-agency taskforce, and working together we have been able to improve residents’ experience at the estate. They are feeling heard and responded to. We have had a reduction in vandalism, crime and the dumping of rubbish, improved lighting and maintenance and increased feelings of safety and community wellbeing. I thank all partners who have come together regularly in a spirit of goodwill and cooperation to work collectively and achieve positive outcomes for the residents of the estate, including the office of housing, Homes Victoria, the office for suburban development, Banksia Gardens Community Services, Victoria Police, Hume City Council, Broadmeadows Central shopping centre, DPV Health, the Department of Justice and Community Safety and Broadmeadows Valley Primary School.

Banksia Gardens housing estate was built over 50 years ago and is home to a resilient and proud community who help each other out and work hard to make a better life. I am so proud of this government’s investment in social and affordable housing with our landmark Big Housing Build and our recent release of the housing statement, and I thank Minister Kilkenny for her work on this. I am also very proud of our federal Labor colleagues, who understand the fundamental importance of making sure everyone has the security and comfort of a roof over their head and a safe place to call home. I am really looking forward to working with our new housing minister Harriet Shing and would love to have her join me on a visit to Banksia Gardens to discuss the opportunities and challenges at the estate and how we can work together to improve outcomes for all people living in Broadmeadows.

I also take this opportunity to thank Minister Spence and her team for their support of the Broadmeadows Revitalisation Board, which also helped deliver projects at Banksia Gardens, including the establishment of the Common Bean Cafe social enterprise at Kangan TAFE; support for DPV Health; and funding for murals, greening activation and the community connections program.