Over 50 community members, including public tenants, gathered at Ashburton Library last night for a Community information session on the redevelopment of the Markham Housing Estate.
The 56 units previously located on site were in poor condition, with only 12 habitable. All the ‘walk-up’ buildings were demolished in January 2016.
The plans that were displayed to the public show that the site will host 62 public housing units and 190 private units. The Government plan is for the sale of the private units to fund the construction of the public housing.
The increase in public housing is in line with the Government’s policy of delivering at least a 10% increase in public housing on redeveloped sites.
The public housing on the site will be indistinguishable from the private housing and there will be no barriers between the public and private.
The Markham Estate is in the City of Boroondara, a part of Melbourne that desperately needs more public housing. In June 2015, the City of Boroondara had only 812 social housing dwellings (public housing and community housing) but by June 2016 that number had reduced to 785.
Places Victoria are encouraging the public to give feedback on the proposal. They have an online form at http://www.places.vic.gov.au/precincts-and-development/markham and you can make a submission in writing to markham@places.vic.gov.au or write to:
Markham Redevelopment
Places Victoria
710 Collins St
Docklands VIC 3008
Written submissions must be received by Friday, 2 December 2016.