Thursday, 31 October 2024

 Trung LUU (Western Metropolitan) (21:56): (1249) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Planning regarding the development of an activity centre in Niddrie on Keilor Road in my electorate. The action I seek is for the minister to ensure in-person information sessions are held during the consultation period, allowing residents to voice their concerns about the proposed development rather than relying on flyers in letterboxes for feedback. The recent development plan to construct 10-storey apartment blocks in Niddrie along Keilor Road has raised concern among residents about the lack of consultation regarding this significant change in their community.

I recently attended, with my colleagues the Leader of the Opposition John Pesutto, the member for Hawthorn; Mr Evan Mulholland, member for the Northern Metro Region; Mr James Newbury, member for Brighton; and Mr David Davis, member for Southern Metro Region, a committee forum in Niddrie to discuss the plan for building high-rise residential apartments. The local member of Parliament and the minister were also invited, but no government MP or minister attended and no representatives of any department were present. Many residents expressed their concern about property and land acquisition, with some asking how this new housing development can be affordable without compulsory land and property acquisition. Many people were confused about how the government plans to accommodate an additional 60,000 residents in the Niddrie area when public transport and infrastructure are already lacking.

Melbourne is facing a housing crisis and requires more housing solutions; however, apartment high-rise is not the answer. A recent report suggests Docklands, located 15 kilometres from Niddrie and just a short walk from the CBD, has one of the highest vacancy rates in Victoria, with nearly 17 per cent of all apartments using no water at all. If the rest of Melbourne is not inclined to live in high-rise apartments in Docklands, what is the appeal of high-rise living in my electorate in Niddrie? Can the minister commit to a thorough consultation period, including in-person information sessions with the residents of Niddrie and the Keilor Road precinct regarding their concern about the proposed activity centre, to provide residents with the response they deserve regarding the proposed housing development, ensuring clarity and ensuring that their voices are heard?