Southside Justice Response to the Inquiry Into the Redevelopment of Melbourne’s Public Housing Towers 

Since the demolition announcement in 2024, we have worked closely with residents and the South Yarra Public Tenants Association. Their voices formed the basis of our 25 recommendations to the Inquiry, calling for transparency, fairness, the protection of public housing, and genuine respect for residents’ rights. You can read our submission in full here. 

On 1 July 2025, Lloyd Murphy (Housing Justice Lead) and Jess Richter (Legal Director) appeared before the Committee at the Horace Petty Estate to present residents’ concerns directly to Committee members. You can read the full transcript of our evidence here. 

The Committee’s final report strongly echoes our calls. 

Key Wins for Our Community

1. Transparency and Public Accountability

We asked for full release of the documents used to justify demolition. 

The report recommends: publishing all technical documents, cost–benefit analyses, condition reports, and alternatives to demolition (Recs 6–10). It also recommends halting redevelopment work until this occurs (Rec 7).

 

2. Protecting Public Housing and Public Land

We argued that public land must remain public and that public housing should not be replaced by community or market housing. 

The report recommends: retaining public ownership of all 44 sites (Rec 2) and increasing the social housing target (Rec 3), as well as clarifying definitions of public vs community housing (Recs 11–13).

 

3. Stronger Rights and Protections for Residents

Residents told us about coercive practices, unclear rights, and pressure to move. 

The report recommends: independent human rights oversight (Rec 16), protections against coercion and better access to independent advice (Rec 17), and a clear, enforceable right to return (Recs 15 & 20).

 

4. Meaningful Consultation

We called for residents to be informed early and treated with respect. 

The report recommends: notifying residents before public announcements (Rec 18) and ensuring staff can properly explain residents’ rights (Rec 19).

 

This report is a significant recognition of the concerns raised by residents across Melbourne’s public housing towers. Many of the recommendations directly reflect what our community asked for—greater transparency, genuine consultation, protection of public housing, and a fair relocation process grounded in human rights. 

Southside Justice is proud to have amplified the voices of public housing residents and contributed to meaningful change in this Inquiry. 

We will continue standing alongside residents to ensure these recommendations are implemented and that public housing remains protected, valued, and centred on dignity and community.