Save public housing. People before profit.

That Council: 

1. Reaffirms the policy and advocacy positions adopted on 12 December 2023 and 9 July 2024 in relation to the State Government's High Rise Redevelopment program, including Council’s strong opposition to blanket demolition and privatisation of the public housing sites in response to advice given at a meeting held on 11 September 2026, where senior staff at Homes Victoria informed Council officers that Homes Victoria: 

• (a) proposes an indicative increase across the North Richmond estate from approximately 1,000 to 3,000 dwellings; 

• (b) proposes to replace the 220 dwellings at 139 Highett Street with approximately 800 dwellings, comprising a minimum of 150 social-housing dwellings and 650 market build-to-rent dwellings, with a portion of the build-to-rent dwellings described as affordable housing; 

• (c) proposes to replace 75 public-housing dwellings with 187 social-housing dwellings across the walk-up sites at 72–76 Church Street; 111, 119 and 127 Elizabeth Street; 6 and 8 Anderson Court; and 1–5, 7 and 9 Williams Court; and 

• (d) intends to commence an expression-of-interest process for 139 Highett Street within approximately two weeks of the briefing, with submissions closing at the end of October 2026. Shortlisted market proponents would then be invited to submit detailed technical and financial bids through a request-for-tender process anticipated for 2027. 

2. Reaffirms Council's strong support for the retention and expansion of public housing; and the provision of diverse, tenure-blind, accessible and sustainable housing supported by quality open space and equitable community services and infrastructure.   

3. Notes that neither the Victorian Government nor any of its departments or public bodies, including Homes Victoria, has published a tower-specific case for demolition or committed to replacement public-housing capacity, bedroom mix or the affordability of the proposed build-to-rent homes. None has provided a financial case for the redevelopment, funded infrastructure and open-space plans, a construction-management program or a commitment to a comprehensive precinct master plan. 

4. Calls on the Victorian Government and Homes Victoria to immediately cease procurement for the North Richmond housing precinct and undertake no further demolition or relocations in relation to demolitions. 

5. Calls on the Victorian Government and Homes Victoria to defer major contractual and land commitments for the precinct until after the 28 November 2026 state election and formation of the post-election government. 

6. Requests the Mayor urgently to write to the Premier, the Hon. Ben Carroll, and the Minister for Housing, Building and Precincts, Homelessness and Seniors, the Hon. Nick Staikos, requesting that the State Government commit to: 

• (a) not commencing the planned Expression of Interest for 139 Highett Street, or immediately suspending it if already commenced; 

• (b) the publication of all tower-specific condition reports and comparative assessments of retention, refurbishment, retrofit and redevelopment; 

• (c) the preparation and public release of an independently reviewed financial viability and public-value assessment of the proposed build-to-rent and social-housing model for 139 Highett Street and the walk-up replacement, separately and together. The assessment must compare credible alternatives and disclose public contributions, land arrangements, housing outcomes by tenure, projected rents and any State payments, and the scale and direction of any cross-subsidy. It must also specify enforceable commitments concerning the number of build-to-rent homes affordable to lower- and moderate-income households, eligibility, rents and the duration of those commitments; 

• (d) the provision of an integrated community hub for North Richmond providing services to support families with young children, early childhood education and care services, library, neighbourhood house and flexible community spaces, together with a permanent, larger and fit-for-purpose youth facility; 

• (e) the provision of an expanded network of welcoming, high-quality green spaces for recreation, gathering and cultural celebration, including pursuing a Council-managed neighbourhood park at Lennox and Highett Streets; 

• (f) the provision of clear information and a meaningful opportunity to respond to proposed dwelling yields, tenure arrangements, relocation and return before those choices are settled; 

• (g) ensuring housing stability and community continuity through early, culturally accessible engagement, enforceable tenant protections, a meaningful right of return and funded, culturally responsive tenancy support, including voluntary specialist in-reach services and on-site concierge or service coordination for residents with complex needs; 

• (i) the preparation and public release of an integrated social and economic impact assessment and a fully State-funded construction-management program. These must address, at a minimum, infrastructure demand, open space, construction staging, traffic, access, waste management and community amenity; identify responsibilities for managing impacts; and quantify how any additional costs to Council will be funded; and 

• (j) the continuation of essential maintenance, safety works and tenant support. 

7. Calls on the Victorian Government to urgently amend planning regulations related to public-open-space contribution rules so large build-to-rent developments contribute fairly to publicly accessible open space, regardless of whether individual dwellings are subdivided. 

8. Calls on Homes Victoria to fully fund all of Council’s additional staffing and operating costs throughout construction, including road and traffic approvals, local laws permit assessment and compliance, protection of Council assets and management of community amenity, while retaining responsibility for construction and site management. 

9. Requests the Mayor to write to the Shadow Minister for Planning, Housing and Building, Mr David Southwick, seeking an urgent meeting on Coalition policy concerning public housing, public land, tenant protections, precinct planning and infrastructure funding, and the future of Yarra’s 12 public-housing towers. 

10. Endorses an issue-based public advocacy and community-engagement campaign concerning the future of the North Richmond housing precinct, including: 

• (a) Digital communications explaining Homes Victoria’s stated redevelopment intentions and Council’s adopted position; and  

• (b) A Council-hosted public meeting in North Richmond to support informed participation by tenants, residents, community organisations and local service providers, and to seek commitments from the Victorian Government and other relevant political parties. 

11. Seek legal advice on avenues to block the application/permit to demolish the tower at 139 Highett St, North Richmond. 

12. Host a community festival on 7 or 8 November 2026 at the open space at the corner of Highett and Lennox Streets, or the nearest available public space if this site is not available, to protest the demolition and privatisation of public land. 

13. In support of the community advocacy campaign, install campaign banners at Collingwood, Fitzroy and Richmond Town Halls and produce corflutes for residents and businesses to display.