Thursday, 31 October 2019

 Ms McLEISH (Eildon) (17:46): (1400) My adjournment this evening is to the Minister for Housing, and the action I seek is for the minister to make improvements and upgrades to the office of housing complex at 35–39 St Leonards Road, Healesville. I have a very long list of requests and suggestions. The complex itself is home to many proud residents over the age of 55, and they are quite frankly fed up with the state of disrepair and certainly with the lack of investment and action around many of the common areas. Some of the individuals have concerns about their own homes as well. I met with residents earlier this month who provided some very valuable feedback. I thank the number of people who came to speak to me for their time. A lot of the work that is being requested can be done simply and at a relatively low cost. I know that must be appealing to the minister, and so I trust he will look favourably on this matter.

Office of housing staff have previously met with people, and me, on site, and I really appreciate the manner in which they conducted themselves. But that was quite some time ago, and it is now time for some additional work to be done. Some of the suggestions from the locals include replacing the front fence, which is falling down and in a very poor state; the paint is peeling off. The internal railing on the steps and the internal fencing need to be replaced. There need to be new and clear street numbers and unit numbers because it is very confusing to know, between 35, 37 and 39, who lives where. The letterboxes are in some of the most appalling conditions I have seen. They are completely dilapidated and need replacing. There is no area for the bins—the bins sit front and centre at the units, looking unsightly.

There is also the line marking of car spaces. A convex mirror was vandalised some years ago, and it is very difficult for residents exiting the car park to see the road due to cars being parked along the roadway. The car park entrance and the exit itself are very steep, and cars bottom out. I experienced this, and I also saw how difficult it was to get a clear vantage point on St Leonards Road. They are looking for additional car parking; they think that it can be done.

Skylights are not clean. The terracotta roof tiles need cleaning, replacing, repairing and repainting. Gutters need cleaning. There are rotting fascia and timber supports and uneven footpaths. They are looking for additional seating and cover at the barbecue areas. The barbecue could be updated. I noticed when we were there that the barbecue was very, very slow and only heated at certain points, and that could certainly be replaced.

The clotheslines are old. The units outside could all be enhanced. There are some opportunities perhaps to enhance bedsits and one-bedroom units where possible. Some residents would like kitchen walls removed to open up their areas. There is so much to be done to modernise these facilities and to give the residents the pride that they really want to hold in this facility. They enjoy living there, but they do want to have pride in where they live.