- Published:
- Sunday 6 September 2015
The Andrews Labor Government is delivering on its election commitment to fix the ageing Markham Estate, announcing the first step in the redevelopment process in Housing Week 2015.
Minister for Housing, Disability & Ageing Martin Foley today announced plans to increase social housing on the site with a brand new development.
Delivering on the election commitment to demolish the estate, the Labor Government announced plans to completely rebuild the estate and grow public housing stock numbers.
The estate will become home to around 240 units, including a 10% increase in social housing onsite.
The Department of Health & Human Services and Places Victoria are collaborating on options, and will pursue a range of development models as part of the scoping works.
The local community, the City of Boroondara and other stakeholders will be consulted as plans progress.
Existing rundown, 1950s-era buildings will be demolished by the end of this year with construction of social housing homes expected to be completed by the end of 2018.
This major development announcement forms part of Housing Week 2015, running from September 6–12.
After Housing Week was abandoned by the previous government, it has been brought back by the Andrews Labor Government to spark conversations to celebrate, grow and improve social housing.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing, Disability & Ageing Martin Foley
“The Government is delivering on its commitment to address the appalling condition of the Markham Avenue Housing Estate.”
“This is the perfect site for increasing social housing. It’s an old site in desperate need of a rebuild, and well located close to Alamein station, Holmesglen TAFE, parks and walking trails.”
“We know many Victorians are struggling with high housing costs and more people will rely on social housing for support. We have to build more, and this is the right place to do it.”
“Markham is rundown, neglected and dangerous. We are taking action because those in desperate need of housing deserve better than this.”
“The last government didn’t care about this estate or the people living there. They did nothing and let it run down. We’re acting to provide more housing.”