Social housing news a pleasing outcome

Moonee Valley City Council has welcomed the Victorian Government’s decision to abandon its controversial plans that would have seen them stop paying rates on social housing.

By deciding not to pay rates on social housing residences, Council was expected to lose $2.8 million per year which would have forced Moonee Valley Council to either increase rates, reduce services or cut capital spend to absorb the revenue loss.

Moonee Valley Mayor Samantha Byrne said the decision made by the State Government to not go ahead with their planning reforms was the right one and thanked them for listening to the concerns of Council.

The Mayor said it was important the State Government recognised the critical work undertaken by local Councils for communities.

“The rates paid by all residents, including the State Government enable us to provide important services to all residents in our communities.  This may include the provision of culturally appropriate food to residents when they were locked down in the Flemington Public Housing Estate, waste services, kinder and childcare services, library services, support for our vulnerable, elderly and disconnected community members, and local parks, gardens and roads.

“Moonee Valley’s Advocacy Strategy was adopted in December last year and includes a commitment to advocate to ensure the State Government continues to pay rates on social housing dwellings. Moonee Valley is home to the third-highest proportion of social housing dwellings in Victoria with around 2,600 dwellings.

Mayor Byrne said Moonee Valley had welcomed the much-needed increased investment on social and affordable housing, particularly the investment on renewals and upgrades but the Government needed to pay for the investments, not local Councils.

“Over the past week Councillors and the community and worked hard to ensure our local MP’s and Government heard of the potential impact of the Bill and the need to engage with all Councils.

“Yesterday's decision is a win for our community. We note that the social and affordable housing reforms contain many elements that are supported by the sector and urge the Government to continue its engagement with the sector to work out a funding solution that is fair to all”

ENDS

Media enquiries:

Maddison Majer, Senior Coordinator Communications
Email: media@mvcc.vic.gov.au