My adjournment is for the Minister for Housing, and the action I seek is that the Minister join me in Northcote to officially open the new social homes our Labor Government has built at Walker Street.
This project is a powerful example of what good government looks like in the midst of a housing crisis. For too long, the old public housing estate at Walker Street stood in poor condition - buildings more than fifty years old, cold in winter and sweltering in summer, with no proper heating, cooling or disability access.
I saw it for myself, Speaker, when I visited the old estate and spoke with residents. People were proud of their homes, but many lived with ongoing issues that made daily life harder than it should ever be.
They made do with what they had, but they deserved so much better.
Now, there are 250 brand new, energy-efficient and accessible homes – including 99 social homes – built to modern standards of safety, comfort and sustainability.
These homes are close to transport, schools, shops and services in the beautiful Westgarth area. They’re designed with open green spaces, have links to the Merri Creek, with shared courtyards and community areas that will help new and returning residents connect and thrive.
As Parliamentary Secretary for Renters, I know that making renting fairer and more affordable means building supply: real homes for real people. That’s exactly what’s happened at Walker Street. We replaced outdated decaying buildings with warm, dignified, modern homes that give more Victorians a secure place to live.
Coupled with the 99 new social homes we’ve also built at Oakover Road in Preston, this amounts to a 75% uplift in the social housing available across these two sites in the inner north of Melbourne.
Unfortunately, not everyone welcomes this progress. The Greens opposed these redevelopments from the outset – opposing, in effect, the renewal of social housing and the creation of new homes for Victorians who need them most.
Hypocritically, they choose to block housing for people – even while trying to convince us all they’re the champions of housing reform.
Speaker, safe and secure housing is at the heart of our Labor values and it’s why as the Member for Northcote I will always stare down those who cynically oppose and block the housing our community needs and deserves.
I would be honoured to welcome the Minister to officially open the new Walker Street homes and meet the residents moving in – families, older Victorians, and people rebuilding their lives with dignity and hope.
Because for Labor, it’s action – not words.
Answer - 17 December 2025
We are thrilled with the transformation of the Walker Street housing site to deliver more and better homes and quality public open spaces for the Northcote community.
The Walker Street redevelopment was recently completed and replaced 87 dwellings that were no longer fit for purpose with 250 modern and energy-efficient new homes with a mix of 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-bedrooms.
This includes 99 social homes and 151 market homes in the City of Darebin.
As well as providing more Victorians with a place to call home, this development has improved the site with new shared spaces and outdoor areas including landscaped courtyards, a rooftop garden and community room.
The Victorian Government completed this project in partnership with MAB Corporation, as part of our $185 million Public Housing Renewal Program (PHRP) which is replacing outdated public housing stock with over 1,330 new homes across five sites in inner Melbourne.
Residents have already begun moving into their new homes, with support from community housing provider HousingFirst.
Now that residents are settling in, we are planning a completion event to celebrate this important milestone and I would be delighted for you to attend.
My office will be in contact with the event details once these are confirmed.
Hon Harriet Shing MP
Minister for Housing and Building
