Plans to demolish public housing towers in Melbourne will power on despite a class action and residents' widespread objections.
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Inner Melbourne Community Legal said it had been told Homes Victoria confirmed its intention to proceed with the demolition and would sign a contract for works to start on or after Friday.
The service's managing lawyer, Louisa Bassini, said on Thursday it came after Victoria's Supreme Court ordered that the class action could proceed to a two-day trial.
"Homes Victoria's intention to enter a contract for demolition by the end of this week demonstrates a lack of regard for the arguments residents are putting to the court," she said.
"Public housing residents have been treated as an afterthought in the government's plans.
"The determination to proceed with demolition contrasts with Homes Victoria's lack of transparency about what their plans are for the estates or commitment to rebuild public housing."
The three towers at the centre of the class action are on Alfred Street and Racecourse Road in North Melbourne and Holland Street in Flemington.
Ms Bassini said Homes Victoria failed to ensure residents who are being relocated have legally enforceable rights and protections.
"Families in public housing estates are feeling pressured to leave their homes with no certainty of what they are moving into and whether they will be able to return to public housing and the communities they depend on," she said.
Homes Victoria has been contacted for comment.
The Victorian Greens took aim at the state government for continuing with the demolition despite some residents remaining on site.
"Since this project was announced, I've had hundreds of conversations with residents who are angry, heartbroken and want answers," Greens MP Samantha Ratnam said.
"Labor fast-tracking this project while a class action is underway and residents remain in the buildings demonstrates a complete disregard for the rights and welfare of the residents."
All 44 of Melbourne's high-rise public housing are set to be redeveloped by 2051, with five in Flemington, North Melbourne and Carlton expected to be replaced by 2031.
The project was a key pillar of the government's housing statement unveiled by then-premier Daniel Andrews in September and would lead to the relocation of more than 10,000 residents.
Australian Associated Press
