Thursday, 15 August 2019

In reply to  Mr QUILTY (Northern Victoria) (29 May 2019)

Mr WYNNE (Richmond—Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs):

It is most regrettable your constituent has experienced this maintenance issue.

Repairs to public housing properties are managed and delivered by the Department of Health and Human Services Housing Call Centre. This service is available 24 hours per day, 365 days of the year for public housing tenants to report maintenance issues at any time and have the problem addressed as soon as possible.

The department provides an after-hours maintenance service for emergency works which are defined under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997. Urgent repairs such as a blocked toilet should be completed within 24 hours of notification.

Where the performance of the maintenance contractor impacts on service standards, the department addresses such issues through the contract management process.

I can advise the department initiated urgent works to the property in Seymour and the tenant has confirmed the repairs have been completed satisfactorily.

There were initial delays due to the complex nature of the works required, and the need for heavy machinery to complete them.

The Victorian Government is committed to maintaining public housing properties in a safe condition and good repair, and will ensure proper communication between contractors, the Housing Call Centre and local housing offices is maintained to address maintenance requests in a timely manner.