Wednesday, 4 August 2021

Ministers statements: Big Housing Build

Mr WYNNE (Richmond—Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing) (14:31): I rise to update the house on the most significant investment in social housing in the history of the federation. Right now, work is underway across six fast-start sites, which together will deliver more than a thousand social and affordable homes across Melbourne. The developments include architecturally designed, 7-star energy-efficient homes in Bills Street for the member for Hawthorn, Ascot Vale and Flemington for the member for Essendon, West Heidelberg for the member for Ivanhoe, Markham for the member for Burwood and indeed in my own electorate at North Richmond.

I can also report that right now we are acquiring more than nearly 1000 properties as part of our $948 million program to spot purchase ready-to-occupy and under-construction homes. More than 240 homes are ready to be tenanted, and some residents have already moved in after the first six months of our landmark program.

Recently I went to Ballarat and next week I am going to Bendigo and soon Geelong with significant announcements to make as part of our $1.25 billion regional investment guarantee. Our Big Housing Build will be coming to a town near you in regional Victoria. Our Big Housing Build is not just about building homes, it is a unique opportunity to change attitudes while changing lives. As we build these homes, we need to build awareness. We need to build understanding and we need to build compassion. Most of all, we need to build a realisation that homelessness could happen to any of us at any time and none of us are immune. Everyone deserves the dignity of a roof over their head, and I am proud to be a part of the Andrews Labor government that is working so hard every single day to make that a reality for Victorians, particularly this week, Homelessness Week.

Ms Britnell: On a point of order, Speaker, I have a number of outstanding matters that I am still awaiting answers to. They are question on notice 5865 to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, due on 3 June; question on notice 5867 to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, due on 26 June; adjournment 5891 to the Minister for Health, due on 8 July; constituency question 5891 to the Minister for Health, due on 9 July; and questions on notice 6016, 6017, 6018 and 6019, all to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety—no surprises there—and all due on 9 July. I ask that the minister follow those up for my constituents, please.

The SPEAKER: I will follow those matters up for the member.

Mr D O’Brien: On a point of order, Speaker, I also am waiting on an outstanding question, number 5864, also to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. If you could please follow that up, that would be good.

The SPEAKER: I will follow that up.