IT was pretty cool (pun intended) so see the tangible results of years of lobbying come to fruition with the first rollout of airconditioning in public housing in the Mildura electorate this week.
The Victorian Government announced 110 split-system units had been installed in public housing in Mildura, Ouyen and Red Cliffs as part of the Social Housing Efficiency Program.
Five hundred are expected to be installed in properties in the Mildura Rural City, Campaspe Shire and Greater Shepparton City local government areas by June as part of a rollout of 2000 airconditioners across northern Victoria as part of the program.
Getting airconditioning installed in public housing has been a priority of mine since being elected.
I spoke about the issue several times in Victorian Parliament and lobbied Minister for Housing Richard Wynne, outlining the perils facing tenants during our harsh summers.
It certainly was not a solo effort, and credit must go to the work put in by Mallee Family Care whose report with the University of Sydney showed how harsh the conditions were for public housing tenants.
Poor physical and mental health outcomes, learning problems for children due to sleep deprivation, higher rates of domestic and family violence were all highlighted in the report.
The cause was also taken on last year by Mildura’s team at the YMCA Victoria Youth Parliament.
The team of Ella Beard, Jordan Currie, Jemima Lotika, Chloe Hosking, Brady Glen and Chloe Horne introduced a Bill which was passed on to then Minister for Youth Ros Spence.
The terrific advocacy by community activist and public housing tenant Mick Jones, who kept the issue in the public eye for 10 years, can also not be understated.
The rollout of airconditioning will soon be complemented by the Victorian Government’s $40 million investment in public housing in the Mildura LGA as part of the Big Housing Build announced in last year’s budget.
Mr Wynne, in an answer to my recent question on notice about the program, said there would be a mix of new development as well as acquisition of existing housing stock.
It is estimated 360 full time equivalent jobs will be created in Mildura during the construction phase.
The government, and particularly Mr Wynne, need to be commended for recognising the importance of investing in public housing.
There is no doubt it will have a hugely positive impact on public housing tenants.
