Question details
Question on Notice
(1) Has the Government officially authorised Nelson Alexander or any such real estate agencies to act on its behalf to identify properties in Kensington, Flemington or North Melbourne (or surrounds) for Homes Victoria to buy in order to house people displaced from the public housing demolition.
(2) What are the addresses of the apartment blocks that have been identified by Homes Victoria as targets for purchase.
(3) What is the proposed timeline, process, and compensation framework for residents on this arrangement, including any relevant documentation.
(4) Will any homes be compulsorily acquired for this purpose.
(5) How many private homes have been bought by Homes Victoria in the last three months to house tenants displaced by the demolition of public housing towers in Flemington and North Melbourne.
(6) How many private homes have been rented by Homes Victoria in the last three months to house tenants displaced by the demolition of public housing towers in Flemington and North Melbourne.
By 2051, Melbourne will be home to almost 9 million people. Our city needs more social, affordable, and market homes, and we need to start this work now.
That is why we are getting on with the job of delivering our high-rise redevelopment program.
Once complete, this program will allow around 30,000 Victorians to live at 44 sites across Melbourne; three times more than can currently be accommodated.
Thousands of these new homes will be social – with a 10% uplift to social housing across the program.
And at sites like North Melbourne, the redevelopment will more than double the amount of social housing available.
What this means is that thousands more Victorians will come off the Victorian Housing Register and into housing that is close to jobs and services.
Their new homes will meet 21st century standards, replacing aged post-war apartments with housing that is modern, accessible and comfortable.
All of this is happening thanks to our Government’s high-rise redevelopment program – a program which is vehemently opposed by the Victorian Greens.
As this program kicks off, Homes Victoria is helping tenants relocate to homes suitable to their preferences while the towers are redeveloped.
Homes Victoria is currently considering a range of housing options to offer to tenants, including the acquisition of new properties where they suit households’ needs.
Homes Victoria has and will continue to source dwellings in and around Kensington, Flemington and North Melbourne (or surrounds) as we work closely with tenants to meet their needs and preferences. Since January 2025, 4 dwellings have been leased and 16 dwellings purchased.
Addresses of the purchased properties cannot be shared due to the need to protect renters’ privacy.
All properties are acquired on the basis of market value supported by Valuer General Victoria. There is no other compensation measure adopted.
Contrary to the allegation in the question, there is no arrangement or appointment of marketing agents to act on Homes Victoria’s behalf, and there are no plans to compulsorily acquire properties.
Allegations like these are simply untrue.
Worse still, they can cause fear and confusion in the community.
The reality is that opposing the high-rise redevelopment program means opposing the delivery of thousands of new homes, including social and affordable homes.
These are homes that Melbourne needs to sustain its growing population.
Blocking them means locking out an additional 20,000 Victorians from living in suburbs that are close to jobs and services.
While the Greens continue to oppose measures to deliver more homes, especially in Melbourne, our Government is getting on with the job of delivering this landmark urban renewal program.
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Hon Harriet Shing MP
Minister for Housing and Building