UPDATE: A heated public forum in Melbourne has revealed intense opposition to the Victorian government’s controversial plan to demolish and rebuild all public housing towers in the city. Gathering at the Capitol Theatre on Thursday night, residents, legal experts, and engineers voiced their concerns over the relocation of more than 10,000 residents as part of the sweeping initiative announced by former premier Daniel Andrews in September 2023.
The ambitious project aims to demolish all 44 public housing estates by 2051, with the government claiming that none of the structures built between the 1950s and 1970s can be refurbished. Critics argue that this “scorched earth” approach is unnecessary and harmful, particularly for vulnerable residents who face sudden relocations. Margaret Kelly, a former resident of the Barak Beacon estate, described the traumatic experience of being informed just twelve days before Christmas that her community would be uprooted. “It didn’t have to be this way,” she lamented, highlighting the emotional toll on families.
Retired Supreme Court judge Kevin Bell, who grew up in public housing, emphasized the importance of consultation, stating, “You are being treated as if you do not count.” He echoed a sentiment from the iconic Australian film, The Castle, asserting that “a home is a castle.” Bell’s comments resonated strongly with attendees, who expressed the need for the government to reconsider its strategy.
The demolition of the uninhabited Elgin St towers in Carlton is expected to be completed by mid-2026, with redevelopment projected to finish by 2028. However, the timeline raises concerns, as structures in North Melbourne and Flemington will not be demolished until they are empty, pushing completions to 2031.
During the forum, experts like structural engineer Brendon McNiven criticized the government’s sustainability claims, calling it “pure nonsense” to justify demolitions. He warned that new buildings could never offset the carbon footprint of demolishing existing structures.
With a Court of Appeal hearing scheduled for Monday regarding a failed class action against the demolition plan, Louisa Bassini, a community legal lawyer, urged residents to attend and make their voices heard. The forum’s attendees collectively demanded that the state Labor government release detailed evaluations of the structural conditions of the towers before moving forward with any demolitions.
Housing Minister Harriet Shing acknowledged the challenges when she told a parliamentary inquiry in August that the government is “swimming against a very strong current of deterioration.” Despite this, data shows that 88 percent of residents in the initial redevelopment stage have agreed to relocate, a figure that many at the forum questioned.
As the debate intensifies, residents are left grappling with the looming changes to their communities. The call for alternative solutions grows louder, signaling that resistance to the government’s plan is far from over. Stay tuned for further updates as this urgent situation develops.
