Thursday, 19 February 2026

 Gabrielle DE VIETRI (Richmond) (10:02): At Noone Street in Clifton Hill, the government has announced that they will demolish the low-rise public housing, so long neglected, as well as the basketball courts, playground and open space. However, it is unclear what is going to be built in its place. Are there going to be any public homes, or will it be outsourced to housing associations who provide more expensive, less secure housing? Will there be private, market-rate apartments on this public land? Will the land be sold to private developers, or will it be leased long term for peppercorn rent? What guarantees are there that the developments will be quality, sustainable homes maintained in the long term and remain genuinely affordable into the future? Without answers, the residents who were relocated do not know how secure their return will be. They do not know, if they do return, if they will be paying 25, 30, 35 per cent or more of their income on rent.

It is currently open for consultation, but residents feel the government has not even listened to the last round of consultation. Strong community feedback to retain the playground and basketball court has been completely ignored. How can the community actually give proper feedback when they have not got a full picture of what will be built and they do not believe the government will actually listen? I am joining the community in calling for genuine consultation, public homes on public land and open space for everyone to use.