Housing Tasmania has revealed the issues it identified at a mouldy public housing complex

Authorities have revealed the maintenance works carried out at a mould-ridden public housing complex.

Block of units in South Hobart that has been overtaking with mould. Picture: Zak Simmonds

• Tenants’ tales of mouldy misery in public housing complex
• Outrage at mouldy public housing units, with former tenant revealing problem existed nine years ago

AUTHORITIES say no issues were identified and living conditions were acceptable at a South Hobart mould-riddled unit where a tenant fears sleeping in.

The Mercury last week revealed residents at a Milles St public housing complex were suffering health issues, including nose bleeds and migraines, due to mould growth at the housing block.

Three separate medical reports highlighting resident Matthew Rooke’s ongoing health issues were linked to mould at his unit, with a general practitioner urging authorities to grant his request for a housing transfer.

A Department of Communities Tasmania letter Mr Rooke received last week says eligibility guidelines found he was not eligible for a housing transfer.

Mould in a South Hobart unit. Picture: Zak Simmonds

A Departmental spokesman yesterday said Housing Tasmania considers any requests for a transfer on its merits.

“One of the units raised by the media last week was inspected by an Environmental Health Officer at the Hobart City Council in November 2019 and by an independent building surveyor in May 2020,” he said.

“On both occasions, the advice to Housing Tasmania was that no issues were identified and the living conditions are acceptable.

“Housing Tasmania has reviewed the history of the Miles St unit complex and identified that all outstanding maintenance issues raised with Housing Tasmania in the complex over the past two years have been resolved.”

The spokesman said the unit had received several maintenance works to address the issues raised, including:

• Installation of a fan/rangehood over the stove area in the kitchen
• Installation of tastic fan/heater in the bathroom to assist with extraction of moisture.
• Full clean of kitchen cupboards with mould prevention to sustain a long term result
• Installation of a roof ventilator (whirly bird) into the roof to also assist with the damp and condensation issue.

Mr Rooke said his health issues had lasted beyond the undertaking of maintenance works.

Mr Rooke’s neighbour Natasha Richardson said she has also endured mould-related health issues while living in her unit which does not have a bathroom fan or window.

Supplied photos of mould inside a South Hobart unit. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Tasmanian Council of Social Service chief executive Adrienne Picone last week slammed the “unacceptable” living conditions, saying targeted investment and a focused program of upgrades and maintenance of public housing properties was required.

Despite authorities’ findings, residents said mould issues remained.