State Government commits to funding upgrade of Northcote’s Walker St public housing estate

AN ESTATE in Melbourne’s north will be redeveloped as part of a $185 million State Government investment in public housing.

NORTHCOTE’s Walker St public housing estate will be redeveloped as part of a $185 million State Government investment in public housing.

Eighty low-rise units in the estate are set to be replaced by a mix of apartments and townhouses.

Victoria Public Tenants Association spokesman Raoul Wainwright said the association welcomed the proposed estate redevelopment and an increase in “desperately needed housing”.

“Walker St tenants are an integral part of the Northcote community,” he said.

“We are strongly of the view that tenants who pay rent in older, crumbling, walk-up flats are not getting value for money.”

Mr Wainwright said the association would focus on the implementation of the State Government’s package and ensuring public housing tenants were properly consulted and treated with respect.

Northcote state Labor MP Fiona Richardson said the redevelopment would ensure the site had modern public housing that was better suited to tenants’ needs.

Stage one of the package proposes to revitalise 1100 properties across nine sites. The project will increase the amount of social housing in Melbourne by 10 per cent.

The State Government has pledged to develop plans at each site with input from residents, the community and stakeholders.

Consultation will commence early next year to begin the planning process, with work to start in early 2018 at many sites.

The State Government has assured tenants they will not relocate “for some time” and “every effort” would be made to minimise disruptions.

Housing Minister Martin Foley said a “community of good people” had been condemned to live in properties that were built in the 1960s, “that are, at best, rundown”.

“This program of renewal will improve conditions for tenants, provide more housing and help shape a vibrant new future for residents,” he said.