Constituency Question - Public Housing Safety and Security
My constituency question is to the Minister for Housing, and I ask: what measures are being put in place to increase safety at the Horace Petty public housing estate in South Yarra? I regularly meet with residents who have been raising issues with safety and security at the estate for a number of years. Residents have expressed that these ongoing issues are extremely intimidating and anxiety-provoking, and many report feeling scared to leave their apartments. Many residents on the estate are vulnerable. They do not speak English and are too frightened to complain. When residents do raise these issues, they feel that the security response is lacking, and they do not feel like adequate support is provided to them. I urge the government to increase security and improve safety at the estate, including through consideration of the implementation of a concierge system like that in place in Park Towers in South Melbourne, to better monitor who enters the buildings and grounds. I am significantly concerned about the safety at this estate and the mental and physical wellbeing of my constituents who reside there. Everyone should feel safe in their own home, and the current conditions are simply unacceptable.