25 November, 2016

MARKHAM ESTATE DISASTER

The Andrews Government has announced that it is redeveloping the Markham Public Housing Estate in Ashburton with a proposal to increase the number of public housing from 56 to 62. It will be financed by 190  dwellings to be built on the site and sold to private buyers.
What is not disclosed is that the number of bedrooms in the new 62 pulic dwellings will contain less bedrooms than the already demolished 56 public dwellings. 
The proceeds of the sale of the 190 private dwellings will achieve much more revenue than that required to build the public housing so really this con is all about making a profit while doing nothing to assist the 30.000 people on the waiting lists for public housing.
The Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne has appointed himself to be the "Responsible Authority" thereby removing any say or control by the Boroondara Council. Places Victoria, which is managing this development,  promised to "engaage with community and stakeholders"  which is a deceptive way of indicating that the community and council would be consulted but really meaning that they will have no input at all.
There has certainly been no consultation, instead Places Victoria has run "Pop-up information sessions" in the street around Ashburton displaying pretty pictures that are very deceptive. For instance they depict buildings that do not show their real heights and any details provided about the development is very general and of little value. These information sessions are nothing more than a public relations excercise that have had the opposite effect of making the local residents very angry. They are not against public housing, quite the contrary, they support this site for public housing, but not 6 & 7 storey blocks of  apartments that will not be for public housing squeezed into this site that will be totally out of character with their local area.
Shame on you Richard Wynne and shame on you Daniel Andrews.
THIS IS NOTHING MORE THAN A LAND GRAB FOR PROFIT.
If you would like to help use the attached submission in the top right corner of this post to send your own message to the government.... 
email: richard.wynne@parliament.vic.gov.au
            martin.foley@parliament.vic.gov.au
            jacinta.allan@parliament.vic.gov.au