The Andrews Labor Government is calling for an end to the fight against the renewal of public housing.
Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing Martin Foley today condemned the Liberal and Greens Coalition for once again flagging their intention to revoke the planning scheme amendment that would allow for the Markham Estate revitalisation project.
The project will deliver 62 new public housing dwellings on the former Markham Estate – more than previously existed on the site – and will make homes more affordable for Victorians and those that need housing the most.
Earlier this year, the Labor Government announced it would push forward with the revitalisation of the estate, and the delivery of urgently needed new public housing, with a reduction in height to address community concerns after the Liberals and Greens blocked the original Planning Scheme Amendment in November last year.
Six homes on the estate would be fully accessible and provide for people with a range of mobility needs and requirements, and all homes on the estate would meet the Better Apartments Design Standards.
The Liberals either don't support public housing in their electorates, or they don't support public housing at all. Either way, their moral opposition to helping vulnerable people is a catastrophe for the 36,000 Victorians on the public housing waiting list.
The Labor Government is providing a record investment in housing and homelessness of over $820 million, in addition to a long-term plan that will help more than 19,000 Victorians to access and sustain housing through our $1 billion social housing growth fund.
It’s time for the Liberals and Greens to end their coalition of mutual loathing of social housing and get behind this important project, so we can get on with building housing for those most in need.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing Martin Foley
“This is nothing more than cheap political point scoring by the Liberal and Greens Coalition – it’s time they got out of the way so we can get on the with the job of providing a roof over the heads of vulnerable Victorians.”
“We have listened and responded to community concerns to get the mix right. Now it’s time to get more Victorians in new homes as quickly as we can.”
“The Greens have decided to enable the Liberals’ agenda to remove all public housing tenants from Liberal-held electorates. According to them, leafy streets and public housing don't mix.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020