Hobsons Bay: Residents call for ‘tennis courts’ not social housing

A group of residents in Melbourne’s west say they council should not waste their time building social housing and instead turn their attention to sporting facilities.

A group of residents in Melbourne’s west have petitioned their council to not build social housing nearby, arguing the land would better suit “tennis courts”.

The petition was presented at the Hobsons Bay council meeting on May 10 and objected to the planned construction of residences for up to 80 individuals and families on the site of an old school in Laverton.

Signed by 34 residents, the signatories wrote they “believed” the land should remain open and integrated with the park.

“The land behind the fire station should be used for sports such as tennis courts,” the petition reads.

Hobsons Bay bought the former site of Laverton Primary School in 2014 with the intention of building social housing and a community park on Epsom St.

Curlew Community park was opened to the public in December 2019, featuring several ovals, a playground, basketball court and picnic locations, with two buildings proposed to be included on either side of the block.

The proposed housing model enables people of low to moderate income who have been priced out of the rental market to access a mix of low to medium rise dwellings at a max of four storeys.

The Epsom St reserve concept plan. Picture: Hobsons Bay Council.

Mayor Peter Hemphill said since council bought the site the intention has always been to provide affordable housing for Hobsons Bay.

“Our aim is to create dignified, safe and accessible affordable housing options which will contribute to the amenity of the local area,” he said.

“The Big Housing Build is offering us the opportunity to access funds to turn this vision into a reality and ensure that people experiencing rental stress or difficulty securing a long-term home can stay within their own community.”

No construction date has been set for the project as it relies on securing funding from the Victorian Government’s Big Housing Build program.

At the meeting, a motion to receive the petition and for council staff to prepare a report on the matter was carried unanimously.

Moving the motion, councillor Matt Tyler said regardless of personal views, petitions were an “important part of democracy”.

“The people eligible for this housing, it’s often due to circumstances beyond their control. They’re no different to anyone else,” he said.

“I look forward to discussing this with the lead petitioner further.”

Councillor Daria Kellander said she had spoken to the lead petitioner who “made it clear” he didn’t oppose social housing, just wanted council to consider other locations.

There is a waitlist of more than 9000 households for social and affordable housing within Hobsons Bay and Melbourne’s western suburbs.