Long-term residents of a Williamstown industrial estate told to vacate

A group of vulnerable and disadvantaged people face being booted out of their homes after a “cold hearted” decision by a western suburbs council.

Vulnerable western suburbs families living in an industrial site could be booted onto the street after a council decided to act on a 30-year-old rezoning decision.

Residents of Techno Park Drive — a former refugee and migrant accommodation site at Williamstown — were shocked when they received a mass eviction notice from the City of Hobson Bay, citing zoning issues.

The estate, located within the City of Hobsons Bay, was picked up by the private market in 1988 and rezoned as an industrial space.

Techno Park Drive residents are dismayed following shock eviction notices from Hobsons Bay Council.

However, units had been advertised since the 1980s, and almost 100 residents now call the precinct home.

In May this year, Hobsons Bay City Council told residents, in a letter seen by the Herald Sun, that this occupation was not only illegal, but unsafe.

“While all accommodation uses (apart from caretaker’s house) in an industrial zone are unlawful, the proximity of your land to the Mobil petrochemical facility also makes the use of the land potentially unsafe because of the increased risks to health and safety from the Mobil tank storage facility,” the eviction notice read.

The council then told owners and tenants to cease using the land for accommodation immediately.

Resident Ross Brennan has lived there for 14 years and said his unit was advertised as a home office which he believed meant he could live there, and said he knows of other residents who purchased units that were advertised with bedrooms, showers and other facilities.

Ross Brennan is among the Techno Park Drive residents outraged and saddened by the recent action from Hobsons Bay Council.

“I came back thinking all my stuff was going to be on the street, we didn’t know what was going on, and it was that whole unknown and uncertainty that has continued,” Mr Brennan said.

“There is constant fear we are going to be dragged out and we don’t know whether they (council) can bring the police in or padlock the front door, some people are now hiding inside their own homes with the lights off, they’re terrified” he said.

“There‘s a great community vibe here with communal gardens and laundry, during summer we do barbeques and help each other with grocery runs, there’s always a helping hand,” he said.

“Council has turned a blind-eye for three decades, pets are registered, owners pay rates and the council knew units were used as residential spaces so why all of a sudden is it an issue?”

Since the eviction notices were received, residents have gathered every Wednesday to discuss their options and the latest information while attempting to support and reassure those acutely affected by the distressing situation.

In similar circumstances, Yarra Council rezoned an industrial area to mixed use in 2015, which allowed residents to remain.

On Tuesday, City of Yarra councillor Stephen Jolly slammed the “cold hearted” and “callous” approach by Hobsons Bay Council and joined with residents in demanding the immediate withdrawal of the eviction notice.

Yarra City Councillor Stephen Jolly attended Tuesday night’s protest in support of residents.

Mr Jolly, who will attend a protest outside Hobsons Bay Council on Tuesday night, said the situation was completely unacceptable and if the council cannot find a resolution they should be removed instead.

“We’ve seen in the City of Yarra that councils can rezone areas and allow residents to remain, in 2023 with the cost of living and housing crisis across this country, the approach from Hobsons Bay bureaucrats is unbelievable,” Mr Jolly said.

“It’s not rocket science, apologise, remove the eviction notice, change the zoning, and if they refuse then I’m sure the local government Minister can step in,” he said.

He said the council was now “at war with its residents” and he would do everything he could to help the Techno Park Drive community.

A Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) spokesperson confirmed they were informed of the situation by the council last week.

“REIV promptly responded requesting further information to support our review, which we are awaiting,” the spokesperson said.

The REIV was also asked whether there could be consequences for real estate agents or agencies if the properties were dealt with inappropriately.

“In Victoria, Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) is the regulatory enforcing authority … should CAV identify that an REIV Member is guilty of an offence in relation to these properties, we will work with them to take action as required.”

A state Government spokesperson simply said it was a matter for the council.

The council was approached for comment but did not meet deadline.