State Government renewal of Ascot Vale’s Wingate public housing estate to bridge divide between tenants and community

A RENEWAL of a public housing estate people are “afraid to walk through” in Ascot Vale needs to help bridge a divide between tenants and the wider community, a Moonee Valley councillor says.

A RENEWAL of a public housing estate in Ascot Vale people are “afraid to walk through” needs to help bridge a divide between tenants and the wider community, a Moonee Valley councillor says.

Wingate Estate is next on the State Government’s list of housing estates to be redeveloped, as part of the $185 million Public Housing Renewal Program, and Cr Nicole Marshall says the social exclusion of people in the estate needs to end.

“People are genuinely afraid to walk through the estate. There is that divide … we need a sense of community as a whole,” said Cr Marshall, who holds the council’s strategic planning portfolio.

“I hope we can play our part in breaking down those barriers.”

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Moonee Valley Council has made a submission to the State Government regarding both the Ascot Vale and Flemington public housing upgrades asking that current tenants are well looked after during and after construction and the renewed estates cater for all demographics.

Wingate Community Centre general manager Jan Thorpe said the state of the housing estate wasn’t up to scratch.

“The current living conditions are really poor ... it’s a welcome change to think they’ll have something much better than what they’ve got,” Ms Thorpe said.

“Safety on the estate will be much better with the redevelopment.”

The 17ha estate on Epsom Rd was constructed more than 50 years ago, and is set to be redeveloped into modern buildings offering a mix of social and private housing.

Housing, Disability and Ageing Minister Martin Foley said tenants and the wider community would have input into – and be kept informed about – the development.

“This mix of public and private homes is helping break down the stigma unfairly attached to public housing estates and we will continue to talk to local communities to ensure we get this right,” Mr Foley said.

Moonee Valley Leader asked the State Government for an estimated cost of the housing estate upgrade, but did not receive a response.