Fitzroy, Prahran and Richmond estates

Three exciting new projects at key public housing estates in inner-city Melbourne are set to deliver around 547 high-quality homes for Victorians on low incomes, following the announcement of funding approval.

The projects have been designed to provide high-quality rental housing, and to better connect the Fitzroy, Prahran and Richmond estates with their surrounding streetscapes.

The new homes will be energy efficient and meet high standards for design and amenity.

Demand for affordable rental housing in the inner city is high and supply is extremely limited. Currently, about one per cent of available rental housing in the City of Yarra and Melbourne is classified as affordable. In Stonnington that figure is closer to zero.

The new housing will help ensure that a diverse population can continue to live in the inner suburbs and remain connected to existing networks.

All three sites provide excellent access to transport, services, and education and training opportunities.

The new housing will bring benefits to the wider community too. Suburbs that house a diverse population tend to be more resilient and to provide the social mix required to support a range of local businesses, health and community services.

The success of any large-scale community is dependent not only on quality design and construction but on building the social fabric. The new housing is part of a wider plan to strengthen the economic, social and environmental sustainability at the three sites.

Community-building will be introduced at the three sites as an integral part of the developments.

This approach builds on the success of Victorias Neighbourhood Renewal program and on the approach adopted at the former Kensington public housing estate, plus international best practice.

The introduction of place management will improve liveability, better connect tenants with the surrounding community, improve access to health and other services and support links to jobs and training opportunities.

A place management team will shortly be appointed. The team will include a dedicated on-site place manager, a work and learning broker and a community development worker. An interim team is already working at the three sites.

Victorian Planning Minister Justin Madden will appoint a Priority Development Panel to undertake a consultation process for the new developments. This process will include public exhibition of the proposed housing projects, an opportunity for submissions from the public, and input from Yarra and Stonnington councils. Construction will take about two years from the approval of planning permits.

Funding of $175.3 million for the developments was announced on 17 May 2010. The projects are supported through the Australian Governments Housing Affordability Fund and will be delivered by the Victorian Government.
 
Information on the public consultation process will be widely promoted to residents of the estates, neighbours and other interested parties.

Residents of each estate can get more information on the developments and on place management from:

    *      Ben Righetti (Atherton Gardens, Fitzroy), on-site at 90 Brunswick Street or on 03 9093 5018.
    *      Dianne Hill (Prahran), on site at 259 Malvern Road or on 03 9096 9014.
    *      Simon Scrase (Richmond) on-site at 106 Elizabeth Street or on 03 9096 8184.  

For information on employment as a Place Manager at any of these locations please contact Kathy McLean of Fish & Nankivell on 0414 376 698. Applications close on 14 June 2010.