Thursday, 12 September 2024

 Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Housing, Minister for Water, Minister for Equality) (19:13): This evening there were 15 matters for the adjournment and, save for one matter raised by Mrs McArthur this evening, they will be referred to the relevant ministers for response. Mrs McArthur, there are a couple of things in the matter that you have raised this evening that I can provide you some assistance with now while I am on my feet, but bearing in mind what you have said this evening there are a couple of things that may also sit with the Minister for Planning. So in order to help you out I am happy to perhaps go through some of the detail on Silvereye this evening to the extent that it sits alongside the social housing component of what is being done but then also perhaps to seek some further information for you. It perhaps goes a little beyond the standing orders as far as adjournments are concerned, but perhaps we can do a tandem effort.

What we are doing in Torquay, as you have quite rightly identified, is delivering social homes to people with complex needs, and this is part of a group effort between our community housing provider the Haven Foundation, which is a subsidiary of Mind Australia, Homes Victoria and the partnerships alongside the planning framework with the Surf Coast shire. You have identified the importance of this accommodation to people with specific needs. However, it seems – and I have seen correspondence from a number of members of the community; I know it has been the subject of public discussion as well beyond what the local member has said – it is an issue which people have raised, and I am aware of it.

It is a matter that has been really informed by the proximity of the site to public transport, medical services, shops and supermarkets, and it meets the requirements of the relevant planning scheme for community care accommodation as under the auspices of the Surf Coast Shire Council. Because it meets those requirements it is not then subject to a planning permit, and one of the purposes of the relevant clause of the planning framework is to support the confidentiality of community care accommodation. The Surf Coast shire is the responsible authority under that framework, and they have issued a certificate of compliance to confirm that no planning permit is required. Homes Victoria has also advised that the housing provider, Haven, will continue to engage with the local community to address concerns about the project, and you have named a few of the concerns here this evening, but there are a number of them which continue to inform local discussions, and Homes Victoria will continue that work.

Mrs McArthur, noting that there was also a request I think in the terms that you described this evening for the adjournment for some intervention from the planning minister, why don’t I see what I can do beyond what sits within my remit as Minister for Housing and get you an answer which perhaps goes to the purpose of your adjournment in the first instance? On that basis I will then refer all other matters to the relevant ministers.