From the Minister for Housing

Tuesday, 09 February 2010

The transformation of Footscray’s former Barkly Hotel into affordable housing will help meet a high demand in the area, Housing Minister Richard Wynne announced today.

Mr Wynne officially opened the new development alongside Member for Footscray Marsha Thompson, not-for-profit agency Yarra Community Housing representatives and tenants.

“The Brumby Labor Government is committed to providing more affordable housing options to low income Victorians,” Mr Wynne said.

“The Barkly Street project in Footscray is an excellent example of safe, secure and well-designed affordable housing close to transport, services and jobs.

“We are working in partnership with local government, community groups and the private sector to ensure greater choice and diversity of affordable housing in areas of high demand through Victoria.”

Mr Wynne said tenants were now moving into the $20.2 million development, which is a partnership with Yarra Community Housing, and included 35 studio apartments, 12 one-bedroom units and 24 two-bedroom units, each with its own ensuite bathroom.

“The development of the site involved the demolition of the former hotel’s rear to make way for construction of a seven-storey apartment building. Importantly, however, the existing building fronting Barkly Street has been retained and will include offices, a café and space for use by the local community,” Mr Wynne said.

The Brumby Labor Government contributed $12.9 million to the project, with Yarra Community Housing providing $5 million and the Victorian Property Fund contributing $2.2 million. The new homes will be owned and managed by Yarra Community Housing, with local agencies providing additional services and support for tenants.

Ms Thompson said about 90 construction and direct supply chain jobs were secured across the life of Barkly Hotel development.

“The tremendous thing about the new Barkly Hotel is that we’re not just providing accommodation, we’re creating links to vital community services which will provide residents with the opportunities they need so that we can create stronger communities.”

One of the residents is employed as a chef in the café, while two other tenants volunteer their time to work in the café, which Mr Wynne said was a great example of how opportunities for tenants could be generated from local partnerships. He said the project was one of hundreds of new developments the Brumby Labor Government is building as part of its record investment in public and social housing.

“We are working shoulder to shoulder with the Rudd Government to invest $1.167 billion in stimulus funding to build 4,500 new affordable homes across Victoria over the next three years. This investment builds upon the record state $510 million investment in social housing has supported developments such as the Barkly,” he said.