Elgin and Nicholson streets towers being demolished

These two towers were emptied out more than two years ago, with Homes Victoria stating the sewerage lines were not repairable. 

A report from Heritage Victoria’s executive director excluding the towers from heritage coverage did state that the towers have structural “integrity”, so on face value they could be refurbished at far less cost than demolition and rebuilding: an estimated $40 million for demolition and close to $600 million by way of a federal government grant to rebuild.

They have sat empty for more than two years after residents were relocated to other public housing and possibly, some other community and/or leased private housing.

In the past, there have been assurances the new towers would be public housing. This was stated by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the press conference when he made the announcement of public funding jointly with ex-Premier Dan Andrews in 2023.

More recently Federal MP Claire O’Neil has been saying it will be “social” housing which we believe is a thinly disguised message that the rebuilt towers will be turned over to community housing provider management and become community not public housing.

There have also been hints in the past that the new towers will be used as temporary relocation camps (my description) for the 44 towers demolition plan of the state government. It is worth noting that the announcement on Elgin and Nicholson streets preceded the public announcement of their all towers demolition plan, so it is reasonable to suggest that the two governments had an agreement on what the real plan was.

I have joined with other Save Public Housing Collective members to respectfully ask Melbourne MP Ellen Sandell to seek an assurance in writing from both state and federal housing ministers that the new towers will be permanent public housing for returning residents and VHS applicants only.

Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry

I encourage readers to keep up to date with the Victorian Upper House Inquiry into the towers demolition plan. Go to this link: parliament.vic.gov.au/publichousingtowers 

I attended its first public information session and queried why the government was pressing on with demolitions while this Inquiry was under way. 

Opposition to demolitions is growing within the Victorian Labor Party

I was very encouraged to read in The Age on February 17 that a growing number of influential members of the Labor Party are opposed to the demolition plan. 

Brian Howe, housing minister in the Hawke/Keating governments in the 1980s and ‘90s described the plan as a “very bad decision”. He added that “there was no proper cabinet decision, no proper inquiry or investigation; just sloppy politics” of a Premier “on the way out the door”.

Federal Election: your vote will count

With a federal election on its way, please vote for public housing and opposition to the demolition plan. Elections are a very clear way to send sitting MPs a message: I want you IN or OUT! A minority government with progressive, pro-public housing MPs making up a majority will work and make the difference needed.

Prepared with the assistance of the Save Public Housing Collective •