Question details
Morwell electorate
(148) My question is to the Minister for Housing. Minister, has a high-density public housing project been signed off by the Andrews government and the developer without the knowledge of local council and residents in the Traralgon Dunbar Road precinct? Residents en masse have raised concerns over the proposed 52-dwelling development, citing a range of real and valid concerns that will impact their day-to-day lives if the build goes ahead. Residents acknowledge the need for more public housing in the Latrobe Valley but have concerns about the alleged secret deal to deliver high-density public housing to this particular site. From traffic management in the already congested area, which comes to a standstill at school drop-off and pick-up times, to the impact on our medical and emergency services, which are already near impossible to access, the residents rightly ask: Minister, what has the Andrews government agreed to behind closed doors and without proper consultation?
I thank the Member for Morwell for his question regarding 23 Dunbar Road, Traralgon. In June 2022, Homes Victoria entered into a contract of sale to purchase 36 dwellings in the proposed development at 23 Dunbar Road, Traralgon. The remaining 16 dwellings, which were proposed as part of a later stage of development, were not purchased by Homes Victoria.
At the time of contract execution, the project was yet to receive a planning permit. The vendor has since sought planning approval via the standard planning process. This involved a standard advertising period where the proposed development was available for review by the community. Homes Victoria understands that a number of objections were received as part of this process. Homes Victoria will continue to work with the developer to make any reasonable amendments to the plans to address the design related objections.
Latrobe Shire Council is yet to issue the final planning outcome for this application.
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Hon Colin Brooks MP
Minister for Housing
