Residents push back on states social housing blitz

The Andrews government’s plan to build 12,000 social and affordable homes has come up against residents and local councils that have been cut out of the approvals process for the $5.3 billion project.

Hawthorn residents will this month protest against a “farcical” consultation after Housing and Planning Minister Richard Wynne introduced sweeping powers to fast-track the planning process, meaning the government, rather than councils, will assess and approve the developments.

Jennifer Gong, Diane Hagqvist, Graeme Parncutt, William Rennie and David Rennie are disappointed at the proposal and lack of consultation for the Bills Street, Hawthorn, project.Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui

Mr Wynne said the government had been consulting with the community and councils on its building blitz, “but we can’t do that forever â€" these homes need to be built and we’re getting on and doing it”.

Graeme Parncutt and his neighbours say it is leading to poor outcomes for a development on Bills Street in Hawthorn that will replace 53 public housing units with 206 units in buildings of up to seven storeys.

The residents want no more than 300 people living in three to four storeys on the site, and are agitated that the plans remove 20 trees and block off a nearby street. They say this will create excessive shade and take up amenity.

Mr Parncutt, who will join a protest at the site later this month, said he did not want all the 206 apartments but could have accepted it if the government had worked with residents.

An artist’s impression of the Bills Street project with 206 units.Credit:Homes Victoria

“If there had been a proper consultation process, we might have resolved a couple of issues,” he said.

Some current public housing residents have also been irked by the lack of consultation, after the government announced an extra mid-rise building would be added to the dense Wellington Street estate in Collingwood.

The $5.3 billion Big Housing Build investment â€" aiming to create 12,000 homes in four years â€" was announced last year to make a dent in the 50,800 housing waiting list.

“The streamlined planning process strikes the right balance between the rights of those who are in a position to have their own home with those who, through no fault of their own, are missing out on the basic right of a roof over their head,” Mr Wynne said.

Unison chief executive James King at the organisation’s social housing development in Footscray . Credit:Jason South

The decision was attacked by councils in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and Liberal planning spokesman Tim Smith, who feared residents would get no say over their own communities.

Although the projects have been taken out of the hands of local governments, councils still have a say about projects on their land. They have been asked to identify land to hand over to the program.

Last month, Maribyrnong Council in Melbourne’s inner west struck a deal with social housing provider Unison for a new building in Seddon, with the provision it employs security guards three nights a week.

Unison’s application to turn student accommodation on Buckley Street into 66 social and affordable housing units was originally blocked by the council following 21 objections, despite the area having the state’s longest waiting list for public housing. Later, 119 people came out in support of the project, which does not currently have funding under the Big Housing Build.

One of the objectors, resident David Vasudevan, told the council he often witnessed antisocial behaviour at public housing sites in the area and the proposed development would lead to too many people with complex needs living in the area.

Labor for Housing spokeswoman Julijana Todorovic said the Maribyrnong case showed it was necessary to take powers away from local government â€" which could be influenced by a loud minority â€" to provide new homes for people in need.

Ms Todorovic said she expected the government would continue to face problems with councils in getting the big build completed.

She said using security guards set a dangerous precedent that should not become the norm.

“The demonisation of [social housing tenants] as associated with crime and drugs is terribly dangerous and frankly untrue.”

Earlier this year, Yarra City Council blew up plans to build up to 100 social and affordable housing units on council land surrounding Collingwood Town Hall.

Greens councillors, who were criticised by Mr Wynne for their decision, instead voted to pursue a community hub. They want government projects to remain in public hands rather than include private market homes to offset the cost.

Bevan Warner, chief executive of Launch Housing, said the waiting list for housing was now so dire that governments needed to work together pragmatically to stand up developments in any way that works.

He said Launch Housing had broadly positive relationships with local governments that were often desperate to minimise homelessness in their communities.

Monash Council has identified three parcels of land to hand over to the Big Housing Build and Banyule is working with Launch Housing to create 58 low-rise apartments in Bellfield.

To clear the way for more social housing, the state government also wants councils to give rate exemptions for the developments. The Municipal Association of Victoria has accused the state of shifting responsibility. Stonnington Council estimated the move would cost it about $1 million a year.

The government has so far announced almost 1700 homes as part of the big build, and there have been at least 400 spot purchases across the state.

More than 1100 houses have been purchased or started construction in the first six months.

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Rachel is a city reporter for The Age.

Chloe Booker is a city reporter for The Age.

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