Thursday, 4 August 2022

Port Melbourne public housing

Mr HAYES (Southern Metropolitan) (10:48): Last month I visited the Barak Road public housing estate in Port Melbourne. As an unwanted Christmas present all tenants were told they were soon to be relocated due to government plans to redevelop the site under the new public housing renewal program. Residents are upset and disappointed by this eviction notice. Many of them have been promised Barak estate would be their forever home. Some have been moved twice in five years due to previous public housing redevelopments. There is no clear evidence on their future housing security or if they will ever return to Barak Road. It is clear the buildings are basically sound but have been left to fall into disrepair. They could easily be refurbished, and without disrupting and uprooting the lives of 200 residents. Also refurbishments may well be a much less expensive option. Each unit has access to open air and a tree-lined courtyard, giving children a place to play and tenants a place to meet. There have been no real consultations and no plans for when it will take place. We do not even know how many units will be built. It is likely that most of the site will be privatised to capitalise on the magnificent bay views. So where does this leave the tenants? Residents are devastated that they are not only to lose their homes immediately but also to lose the small community they have grown so fond of. We need to stop the privatisation of public housing estates and implement a more respectful solution for existing residents.