Department apologises for delays in getting food to tower residents

The Department of Health and Human Services has apologised for delays in getting donated food and supplies to more than 3000 public housing residents in hardline lockdowns.

Three days after the lockdown was announced, Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp has moved to ensure donations will be delivered to tower residents on Tuesday afternoon.

A resident stuck in their flat at a locked down tower in Flemington.Credit: Justin McManus

The announcement on Saturday that nine public housing towers would be subjected to the country's toughest lockdown measures – with residents unable to leave their buildings for any reason and given no notice before the lockdown took effect – caught residents unaware.

Charities, religious and cultural groups and community organisations have launched massive donation drives and collected tonnes of food and goods.

But confusion about whether donations could be accepted has led to standoffs at some towers, with donations being turned away at the Flemington estate.

Deliveries of food in the first two days were haphazard and disorganised.

Boxes of donated food left for residents in communal corridors in a North Melbourne tower included frozen meals that had thawed and pies that were cracked and broken.

Other residents were given boxes of food including Weet-Bix with no milk, and jam with no bread.

Late on Monday, residents received two boxes of food including fresh goods.

Deputy lord mayor Arron Wood said discussions involving Mr Crisp took place at one of the North Melbourne blocks on Tuesday morning to ensure donated goods could reach people in the towers.

"It was just highly confused," Mr Wood said. "The community moved on this really quickly because it's our neighbours in there. But we've just got agreement now that food can be delivered."

Mr Crisp could not be immediately reached for comment.

Food left outside a lift at Melrose Street, North Melbourne, on Monday.

A mosque and neighbouring community centre on Boundary Road in North Melbourne have become unofficial donations hubs, with food and fresh produce piled high inside.

Abdiqafar Ahmed, a spokesman for Youth Connect – the Australian Muslim Social Services Agency's young people's branch in North Melbourne – said police started rejecting items about 4pm on Monday.

He said some residents had been struggling to feed their children because they didn't have key cooking items such as oil.

"It was really sad to get it to the door, for that to be rejected is sad."

He believed there had been a communication breakdown, with officers claiming the donations may have been contaminated, "which is nonsense because they were taking food earlier in the day".

AMSSA Youth Connect had not yet sent deliveries to the estates on Tuesday, but Mr Ahmed said the issue was resolved by about 8pm on Monday.

The group has also asked people to hold off on donating goods until Wednesday, as it is overwhelmed by donations.

In a statement, a DHHS spokeswoman said the department was aware of "some delays" with accepting donations and deliveries to some housing estates in lockdown.

"We are currently working with the parties involved to make sure food and other supplies are being provided without further interruption," she said.

"We apologise for the inconvenience and frustration caused and thank the residents for their co-operation and patience."

A spokesman for the State Emergency Service said about 30 volunteers had been helping to distribute food on Monday night when they were told to remove it.

“There was all this donated food and supplies and stuff kind of congregating … at the base of one of the Flemington towers,” the spokesman said.

He said there were concerns around the integrity of the donated food and volunteers were directed to remove it.

The decision was immediately reversed when it created more angst and tension, and SES crews were told to return it.

Mr Ahmed said the AMSSA centre had also reformed its processes to ensure donations go where they're needed.

Flemington tower resident Tehiya Umer on Tuesday said she had enough food to last for a five-day lockdown. She thanked supporters in the community, saying she feels she can ask for anything she needs.

But she said the hard lockdown without prior warning was shocking, and more communication was needed.

"I'm not happy with [the response]. It's a bit shocking, it's a bit harsh."

If you or anyone you know needs support call Lifeline on 131 114, or Beyond Blue's coronavirus mental wellbeing support service on 1800 512 348.

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