The Victorian Greens have slammed the Victorian Labor Government for steamrolling ahead with their devastating plans to demolish and privatise Melbourne’s public housing while residents still remain in the towers.
It follows reports in the Guardian that the Victorian Labor Government will sign a contract for demolition works to commence on or after 19 July at three towers that are the focus of a class action – 33 Alfred Street and 120 Racecourse Road in North Melbourne, and 12 Holland Street in Flemington.
The Labor Government plans to demolish and privatise all 44 public housing towers across Victoria, which would displace over 10,000 residents, forcing people out of their homes and tearing communities apart. The majority of this public land looks set to be handed over to wealthy property developers for expensive private housing instead of retaining it for public housing.
A class action to protect the North Melbourne and Flemington towers was launched in January and just last week the court ordered that it would go to a two-day trial commencing 28 October. A parliamentary inquiry into Labor’s privatisation plans is also set to begin within months.
Labor has previously used the awarding of demolition contracts to force residents to leave their homes using the threat of eviction and legal proceedings. This move shows a complete disregard for the existing class action and is a callous betrayal of residents still living in the buildings.
Labor’s plan to demolish these homes while more than 120,000 people remain on the state’s public housing waiting list demonstrates its contempt for public housing.
As stated by the Greens spokesperson for Public and Affordable Housing, Samantha Ratnam:
“Labor steamrolling ahead with this demolition and privatisation plan completely undermines the rights of residents who are being forced from their homes. People have called these towers home for decades and yet Labor is determined to rip these communities apart.
“Since this project was announced, I’ve had hundreds of conversations with residents who are angry, heartbroken and want answers.
“Labor fast-tracking this project while a class action is underway and residents remain in the buildings demonstrates a complete disregard for the rights and welfare of the residents and is a stark example of this government’s total contempt for public housing in Victoria.”
