Controversial television series Struggle Street has made its way to Melbourne’s outer northern suburbs – despite Hume council objecting to filming in the municipality.
The second series of the SBS show was filmed across Queensland and Victoria and highlights the struggles of people battling poverty, mental health issues, drug problems, homelessness and unemployment.
Among the Victorians sharing their stories in the six-part series are three Broadmeadows residents – Nick, Allan and Tamara.
Last year, Hume council knocked back a request from production company Keo Films to film the new season on public land in Broadmeadows, with former mayor Helen Patsikatheodorou saying the suburb should not be made fun of.
Struggle Street executive producer David Galloway has defended the decision to film in Broadmeadows, saying the show was not about Broadmeadows but rather the hardship being experienced by ordinary Australians.
“Every suburb there are people doing it tough,” he said. “These are issues being experienced in every postcode.”
Mr Galloway said everyone featured in the series wanted their stories to be told.
Former Ford worker Nick was made redundant last year after working for the car manufacturer for 22 years.
He fitted the dashboard to the last Falcon manufactured in Australia.
Nick wants to find a job to support his wife and 11-year-old son, but is unsure where he will find work. He is also worried about former colleagues, many of whom he knows struggle with reading and writing.
He is one of more than 1200 adults in Broadmeadows who are unemployed.
Allan, who is originally from the Cook Islands, is struggling with crushing debt.
He had accumulated $35,000 in debt from fines and loans, but hopes starting his own gardening business will help lift his family out of poverty.
Single mum Tamara is struggling with debt after being caught up in a vocational training loan scheme.
She is trying to create a better life for herself and daughter, Madisyn, by starting her own cleaning business.
Single mum Michelle, and her 21-year-old daughter Jess, also from the outer north, feature in the series, as well.
Michelle quit her job as a pharmacy assistant three years ago to become Jess’ full-time carer.
Jess has a rare genetic condition and autism.
The family’s Centrelink benefits are not enough to cover their costs.
SBS television and online content director Marshall Heald said the series offered a “really raw, unflinching and honest portrayal of hardship”. He said 2.99 million Australians lived below the poverty line, with 105,000 people homeless.
He hopes the series would put issues such as homelessness, poverty and unemployment on the national agenda.
Hume mayor Geoff Porter said the real story of Broadmeadows was one of “pride and determination”.
“While some people in Broadmeadows face challenges, just like others in suburbs across Australia, our community is home to some of the best and most hard-working people you’ll ever meet,” Cr Porter said.
“The future of Hume, and particularly Broadmeadows, looks bright, with recent reports showing above average gross regional production rates, strong business growth and, most importantly, a significant increase in the number of local jobs.”
Struggle Street will air on SBS on Tuesday-Thursday from November 28 at 8.30pm.
