Millicent Spencer
Hume councillors have called on Homes Victoria to urgently invest in social housing in the Banksia Gardens estate in Broadmeadows.
To date it is still unclear whether Banksia Gardens has been prioritised under the state government’s $5.3 billion Big Housing Build program.
Investment can’t come quick enough for residents like Marie who has lived in the estate for six years and is fed up with the conditions.
“I sleep with a flamethrower, I’m petrified,” Marie said, whose name has been changed to protect her identity.
“I’m 100 per cent willing to stand up for myself, but we’re standing up against drug dealers and kids on bikes and parents that are druggies that don’t care what their kids are breaking into.”
Hume mayor Joseph Haweil has asked councillors for their support in advocating on behalf of the residents of the estate.
At a council meeting on Monday 28 November councillors unanimously passed a motion allowing Cr Haweil to write a letter to the chief executive of Homes Victoria asking for an update on the plans for the estate.
Cr Haweil will also request that the chief executive address the council at the next Strategy and Policy Briefing in February 2023.
“The people of this municipality, and particularly the people of Broadmeadows, should not be forgotten anymore,” Cr Haweil said.
“The circumstances in which we find ourselves in relation to Homes Victoria are entirely unacceptable.”
Supporting the motion, Cr Naim Kurt said the housing was just not up to standard.
“It’s always been referred to as the Broady Bronx and not with a positive spin on that,” Cr Kurt said.
“I think it’s time for us to change the nickname for that area.”
According to a council agenda from September 27, 2021 Hume was declared a priority local government area for affordable housing, however the municipality is yet to receive any allocation of funding under the Big Housing Build.
Senior officials from Homes Victoria attended a council briefing session on July 19, 2021.
“[They] made a number of assurances to us, none of which have come to fruition,” Cr Haweil said.
“It’s important we have some answers provided to us by Homes Victoria.”
Marie said between people breaking into houses, the drug deals, and the syringes around the estate- Banksia Gardens is not a safe place to live.
“I don’t care how other people live but when it starts to affect my life something needs to be done, and nothing’s getting done,” she said.
“I don’t want to go back to hiding in a corner rotting away, I shouldn’t have to.”
Marie said the conditions of the flats were also a concern with moldy walls, rotted wood, and asbestos laden roofs.
“I’ve got a great big crack through the floor from the last earthquake,” she said.
“I haven’t got carpet because we made an agreement that the carpet would go in after the renovations that have not been done, so I still have not got carpet.”
“Then there’s the taps that are leaking, which is causing a gas bill, and that’s been over eight months.”
Cr Haweil said the council has been waiting patiently for two years now yet Broadmeadows continues to be neglected by successive governments over time.
“The state of Banksia Gardens is an absolutely unacceptable form of housing in this day and age,” he said.
“Money gets spent very very quickly, and we have seen projects in other municipalities prioritised.
“There is no greater need and no worse housing development than Banksia Gardens in the state of Victoria.”
Cr Haweil said this project must be fast tracked and until the money comes through he will continue to pursue a very strong and active advocacy campaign.
A Homes Victoria spokesperson acknowledged the need for social and affordable housing in Broadmeadows.
“[This is] why we are delivering the landmark Big Housing Build to provide the safety, security and dignity of a home to those who need it most,” the spokesperson said.
“Homes Victoria will continue to work with Hume City Council, community organisations and partner agencies on future investment in housing at Banksia Gardens as part of the Big Housing Build.”
Homes Victoria confirmed it received a $50,000 contribution from the Suburban Revitalisation program to assist in the master planning process for the Banksia Gardens neighbourhood and surrounding precinct.
