North Melbourne, Sketch Plan ‘For Discussion’ Graphic: David Lock Associates
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ISSUE 177 WINTER 2017 THE NORTH & WEST MELBOURNE NEWS IS PRODUCED BY VOLUNTEERS AT THE CENTRE ‘Abbotsford St Estate Renewal’ to grow public housing Public Housing Renewal Program, North Melbourne, sketch plan ‘for discussion’ Graphic: David Lock Associates Katrina Kincade-Sharkey gram is part of the Victorian Government’s DHHS called a public meeting in the grounds notification and there was no appointed per- $2.7 billion in support for social housing and of the estate during April to deliver formal ex- sonal contact with their landlord (the DHHS homelessness and to renew existing houses planation of this major lifestyle change for its Director of Housing) or with the department’s he Department of Health and Human on public housing estates across metropolitan tenants. In leaflets distributed to the 60 or so manager, stakeholder engagement, Lisa Taylor, Services’ communication difficulties Melbourne and in regional centres of Victoria.” people in attendance — several of whom were although she did attend the meeting with sev- Thave devastated many of its North Mel- This advice continues: “The renewal will interested neighbours from adjacent streets eral departmental staff, including a number of bourne residents, with tenants facing re-hous- result in a 10 per cent increase of social hous- — DHHS says it is “… developing our plans foreign language translators. ing in potentially unfamiliar regions. ing homes at each renewal estate.” to renew the Abbotsford Street site … and we That meeting was the first of three planned Several dozen of the several hundred DHHS That generalised, fairly curt notification to want to work together with residents, local ‘consultations with residents’ to assess their residents housed in 16 blocks of apartments the 108 letterboxed apartments provided no services and council to decide how to create a specific housing requirements, allegedly be- within the Abbotsford, Haines, Curzon and ability for residents to appeal proposals for new, integrated neighbourhood”. fore any architectural plans are drafted for the Molesworth streets triangle received initial redevelopment. It was their first notification of The leaflet continues, noting the site “… site. Residents in attendance were asked to redevelopment notification about their homes a major life change, delivered to many people consists of older public housing buildings that report their specific requirements at the next on a single typewritten sheet inserted within who reportedly panicked. are rundown and have high maintenance costs. meeting, but not given a date or location for their quarterly housing newsletter delivered Those English-language letters were The site includes multi-storey ‘walk-ups’ — that event. mid-March. received by a housing community of pre- buildings commonly constructed in the early DHHS plans to begin work on its Abbots- It said the blocks would be replaced within dominantly disabled, aged and newly settled 1960s without lifts, making them inaccessible ford Street Renewal by the end of 2017, leav- the near future with “… vibrant, better-con- residents, many of whom could not read or to people with mobility issues, families with ing little time for this desired ‘consultation and nected, mixed-tenure neighbourhoods where understand the details. Certainly included were small children and elderly Victorians”. planning’, given the physical and emotional people can live in housing that is safe and se- single paragraphs in several languages telling Further: “We [DHHS] want to improve and states of many residents. cure, and meets modern standards”. readers where they could access translations of grow social housing at this estate because it is DHHS simultaneously wrote to each of its the circular, but no specific translations about close to transport, education and work oppor- Local residents’ concerns tenants on that block, but gave no specific their future homes were included on the notifi- tunities, as well as support services.” Neighbouring property owners and residents timelines for their individual tenancies, al- cation sheets. Fortunately, the gardens info meet was held were notified of DHHS public–private rede- though it has said Abbotsford Street Estate will Many worried tenants suspect restricted on a sunny autumn day, with DHHS providing velopment proposals in late May at a meeting be completely rebuilt by 2020. future access to critical medical, educational make-up artists to paint young children’s faces, that several attendees said they’d only learnt In questions and answers for the community and social services for themselves and/or their while several translators were on hand to speak of from community centres. Despite DHHS released to the media on 17 March, DHHS families in the wake of this ‘estate renewal’. with parents in their birth languages. says: “The Public Housing Renewal Pro- Following its March letterbox circular But tenants were given no new address Continued on Page 5 COMMUNITY 3 • THE CENTRE 10, 20 • ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 11 • EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY 14 • SPORT & HEALTH 16 • TRAVEL & FOOD 18 • HISTORY 19 2 NOTICEBOARD NOTICEBOARD North andNorth West and Melbourne West Melbourne News News WINTER WINTER 2017 2017 NOTICEBOARD Please deliver contributions, letters and feedback to: News from Errol’s Angels North and West Melbourne News Pam Every 58 Errol Street, North Melbourne 3051 Email: [email protected] Telephone: 9328 1126 Copy deadline for Spring 2017 edition: The North and West Melbourne News is a quarterly publication produced by Wednesday 9 August volunteers from North and West Melbourne Advertisers: Wednesday 2 August and the inner city. It is now in its 39th year Publication date: Wednesday 6 September of production. Readers’ contributions are welcomed. Where relevant the News may Provisional dates for December edition Errol’s Angels at the Port Melbourne Community Carnival seek alternative opinions in the interests Copy deadline 1 November, publication 29 November Photos: Marais Duckworth of balance. Contributors’ opinions are their www.northandwestmelbournenews.com Itʼs been a busy year so far for Errolʼs Angels Community Choir own, however, and the News takes no with two performances in Term 1. responsibility for them. We reserve the right We kicked off with an appearance at the vibrant Port to edit or omit articles and advertisements Melbourne Community Carnival in March. Under the direc- considered unsuitable or when space is Subscriptions to the News torship of Maryanne Clements, the Angels performed a well- limited. For just $20 you can become a News subscriber and receive received mix of songs from around the world specially chosen paper copies of four editions of the News through the post! for their maritime theme. Articles should be submitted by email to To apply to become a subscriber please email More recently, the choir presented a Musical Soirée, hosted [email protected]. Please use [email protected] or phone The Centre on 9328 1126. by Panagiota Kagkali, proprietor of Lulu Cafe & Gallery at minimal formatting and do not embed 506 Queensberry Street. In this beautiful, intimate local venue, graphics in documents. Photographs should more than 65 patrons enjoyed drinks and nibbles along with the be sent separately as JPEGs. singing. SHORT STORY COMPETITION We rehearse on Thursday evenings from 7.00pm to 9.00pm Finance The News congratulates North Melbourne at the Maternal and Child Health Centre at 505 Abbotsford The News is a non-profit organisation resident Julie Bateman, winner of our Street, North Melbourne. New members are always welcome — working as a program of The Centre. no auditions necessary. Just phone The Centre on 9328 1126. Funding is by way of a limited quota of Short Story Competition! advertising, sponsorships, subscriptions Julie will receive a cash prize of $500. and occasional donations. Read her winning story, The Suitcase, Events at North Melbourne Library News subscriptions on page 12. Shadow puppet workshop If you would like to receive the North and A fun, hands-on workshop. Learn West Melbourne News by mail, the rate how to create a shadow puppet, and is $20 for four copies sent anywhere play on the special shadow board. in Australia or pro rata for part of the Melbourne Osteoporosis Support Group Strictly for children 10 years and calendar year. The News is distributed free celebrates its 20th year over. For safety reasons, children throughout North and West Melbourne. under 10 will not be allowed to participate. Further copies are available from The AVOIDING THE PAIN OF BROKEN BONES Wedneday 5 July, 11.00am to 12.00 noon Centre and the North Melbourne Library. Free, bookings required The Melbourne Osteoporosis Support Group celebrated Book via Eventbrite link on website or on 9658 9700 Advertisement sizes and rates its 20th birthday in April. This group meets bi-monthly at Little Golden Books 60 mm W x 92 mm H $75 plus GST 1.30pm on the fourth floor of Ross House, 247 Flinders Did you have one? Do you still have it? Relive the golden age 124 mm W x 92 mm H $150 plus GST Lane, Melbourne, to support people who have osteopo- with Little Golden Books. Join in our golden talk and trivia. If 188 mm W x 92 mm H $225 plus GST rosis and inform them of the help that is available to them. you fancy a show-and-tell for adults, bring your favourite Little 252 mm W x 92 mm H $300 plus GST Interesting speakers address our meetings and mem- Golden Books along to the North Melbourne Library and relive A charge of 25 per cent may be added for bers receive a newsletter six times a year with information the golden memories. advertisements that require designing. about research and helpful hints to avoid broken bones. Wednesday 5 July, 6.30pm to 7.30pm For more information phone 9329 1627 or Printed material and DVDs on bone health can be Free, bookings required email [email protected]. borrowed from our library and meetings conclude with Book via Eventbrite link on website or on 9658 9700 Community announcements are published afternoon tea.