Media Release by The Hon Tanya Pibersek MP

Flemington housing shares in Nation Building Funding

Joint Media Release with:

  • The Hon Lindsay Tanner MP, Member for Melbourne
  • The Hon Richard Wynne MP, Victorian Minister for Housing
  • The Hon Bronwyn Pike MP, Victorian Member for Melbourne

Residents at Holland Court, Flemington are enjoying the benefits of the Rudd Government’s Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan through maintenance work at 14 apartment buildings and a new outdoor recreational area.

Federal Tanya Plibersek visited the Flemington Estate today to view the works along with Victorian Housing Minister Richard Wynne, Federal Member for Melbourne Lindsay Tanner and State Member for Melbourne Bronwyn Pike.

“The Rudd Government has committed nearly $100 million through the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan for repairs and maintenance to public and social housing properties across Victoria.

“This work will help to sustain jobs and businesses across the State, while improving much-needed housing for hard-pressed Victorians,” Ms Plibersek said.

Victorian Housing Minister Richard Wynne said that Nation Building funding would deliver repairs to 5600 properties across Victoria by July 2010.

This will extend the life of some housing by up to 15 years and enable approximately 1600 homes that would have been lost to public and community housing to be retained.

“This significant investment in repairs and maintenance will prolong the useable life of these units and improve amenity for tenants,” Mr Wynne said.

“And on top of the repairs and maintenance work, the Rudd Government and the Brumby Government are embarking on the biggest one-off program of new social housing construction since the 1956 Olympics.”

Federal Member for Melbourne Lindsay Tanner said the Rudd Government is investing $6.4 billion across Australia to build 20,000 new social housing dwellings – supporting 15,000 jobs nationally over the next two years and cushioning the impact of the global economic crisis.

“Of the $50 million allocated so far for social housing repairs and maintenance in Victoria, more than $17.5 million will be spent in the electorate of Melbourne,” Mr Tanner said.

“Here at the Flemington Estate, $110,000 is being spent on the Holland Court walk-up buildings. These buildings have been repainted while a new pergola and BBQ are being built, and a storage shed, seating and new fencing are being installed.”

Victorian Member for Melbourne Bronwyn Pike MP said that the Brumby Government was committed to building on these investments through the recently announced Flemington Neighbourhood Renewal initiative.

“It’s good to see these infrastructure projects which show governments and the community working in partnership,” Ms Pike said.