Yarra's Mayor, Cr Stephen Jolly and Cr Mecca Ho appeared at a public hearing for the Victorian Government's Parliamentary Inquiry into the redevelopment of Melbourne's public housing towers in July.
Yarra City Council strongly opposes the blanket demolition of all 44 towers. We reject the narrative that these homes are beyond redemption – when no public engineering assessments or costings have been released to prove it.
The Mayor took the opportunity to express Council's opposition to the State Government's slated demolition, citing the lack of sufficient evidence that tower upgrades were not viable. The Mayor's appearance gave voice to concerns that had been shared directly from residents.
Council called on the Victorian Government to make the relevant documents public, to ensure that the decision to demolish the towers was made based on sound and strategic advice.
As an alternative to blanket demolition of all towers, the Mayor called for a site-by-site approach, one that values refurbishment, reinvestment, and retention of community.
He also stressed the urgent need for a comprehensive master plan – not just for the estate, but for the whole precinct. A master plan based on real population projections and future need would ensure effective provision of community amenity including open space and kindergarten places.
"Let's be honest: this is not just about bricks and mortar, it's about community. It's about Elders who raised children here, and young people building their futures," Mayor Jolly said.
"Many residents are being left in the dark. Residents, particularly from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, have told us of unclear timelines, inconsistent information, and inaccessible communication."
"The communities of Yarra's public housing towers and close-knit and integral to our City. These communities deserve transparency during a time of significant change and to be active participants in how their community is shaped," Cr Ho said.
"This is a once-in-a-generation moment. We cannot afford to get it wrong. The people of Yarra, and of Victoria, deserve better than demolition by default," Mayor Jolly said.
Hearings for the Inquiry into the redevelopment of Melbourne's public housing towers are ongoing.
