Wednesday, 19 March 2025

Ministers statements: housing

Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Minister for Housing and Building, Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts) (12:34): I rise to update the house on how Development Victoria is delivering on the Allan Labor government’s plan to build more homes in areas where people want them. Last year our government announced the Inner North Collective Joint Venture consortium will deliver 820 homes on two parcels of land at the Fitzroy Gasworks site. I can now report that expressions of interest have opened for the final parcel of land. Approximately 350 more homes will be delivered for this parcel, with 20 per cent of the new builds slated to be affordable. This will contribute to around 1200 new homes across the entire Fitzroy Gasworks precinct. EOIs will remain open until Thursday 17 April.

The message that we want to be sending, and sending very clearly, is that we are determined to provide more homes and more opportunities for Victorians. We do not block; we build. The Fitzroy Gasworks site project will unlock opportunities for more Victorians to live close to jobs, open spaces, education, transport and health care. This is surrounded by the Darling and Edinburgh gardens. It is a 5-minute walk to the route 86 tram, a 10-minute walk to Alexandra Parade and a 15-minute walk to the iconic Fitzroy Market. We have consistently –

Members interjecting.

Sonja Terpstra: On a point of order, President, I cannot hear the minister’s response, and she is just here to my left. I would ask that you call the house to order. There are constant interjections from those opposite.

The PRESIDENT: I will let the minister start from the start, because I could not hear her. But I have got to say it was not just one side of the chamber that was making a bit of noise. Let us all respect the person on their feet – everyone should.

Harriet SHING: What a joy it is to have the ear of the chamber to talk about how Development Victoria is delivering on our government’s plan to build more homes in areas where people want them. Last year we announced that the Inner North Collective Joint Venture consortium will deliver 820 homes on two parcels of land at the Fitzroy Gasworks site. I can now report that expressions of interest have opened for the final parcel of land, where we will deliver 350 more homes with 20 per cent of the new builds slated to be affordable. This will contribute to around 1200 new homes across the entire Fitzroy Gasworks precinct. EOIs will remain open until Thursday 17 April.

The message that we are sending is really clear. We are determined to provide more homes and more opportunities for Victorians. We do not block; we build. The Fitzroy Gasworks site project will unlock opportunities for more Victorians to live close to jobs, open spaces, education, transport and health care. Whether it is a 5-minute walk to the route 86 tram, a 10-minute walk to Alexandra Parade or the Brunswick Street tram stops or a 15-minute walk to the iconic Fitzroy Market, we are providing housing that is close to open spaces and amenities and providing the opportunity for people to live where they wish.

We have consistently fought to find more opportunities for housing projects across the state, but the same cannot be said of the Greens political party. Does anyone remember what the Greens political party has actually done? The Greens representative for housing in the other place has consistently opposed the delivery of housing. When she was mayor of Yarra City Council, she deemed it to be too close to the town hall. The recently departed Dr Ratnam has been sending out material –

Evan Mulholland: On a point of order, President, ministers statements are not an opportunity to attack either the opposition or minor parties, and I will remind the member that it was actually Richard Wynne who blocked the gasworks site.

The PRESIDENT: That is not a point of order. Actually, this is very good opportunity for me to say that I do call the chamber to listen to ministers statements and members statements in silence in fairness to the person on their feet. But if someone is going to provoke interjection, that is a different thing.

A member interjected.

The PRESIDENT: Not you, the minister. If it is someone doing a members statement, it is the same thing – if they provoke interjection, it is very difficult for me to call people to listen in silence. That is not on the point of order; it is just a chance for me to be an old man who has not had any sleep and ramble.

Harriet SHING: Dr Ratnam, who was here in this chamber, has been sending out material lauding her party’s efforts to secure both public and community housing, and other members of the Greens political party have changed their tune, putting up posters from Southbank to Box Hill advocating for renters and first-time homebuyers. That is exactly what this development will deliver. We are looking forward to continuing with the work, and perhaps the Richmond member should have a chat to her colleagues about getting some clear messaging.