July 2002

Community profits from Valley project

The transformation of many older tracts of public housing under the Government’s three-year Latrobe Valley Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy has created jobs and delivered tangible skills for members of the local community.

Working in partnership with TRY Youth and Community Services, the $2 million Latrobe City Urban Renewal Project is employing 240 young people to renovate 20 former public housing properties in the Valley.

When completed, the houses are sold and profits reinvested in the local community.

‘Of 110 participants who have completed training as part of the restoration of former public housing properties in Moe and Morwell, 52 are now employed full-time, part-time or casual and five have returned to study,’ said Housing Minister Bronwyn Pike.

‘The work by the mostly young participants has seen two recently renovated properties, previously valued at $23,000 and $32,000, sold at auction for $52,000 and $50,250 respectively—an excellent result all round.’

‘Without any doubt, the rejuvenation of public housing in the Valley is delivering direct community benefits with renovated properties for sale and real jobs and training opportunities for local people,’ said Ms Pike.

The Latrobe Valley Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy is committed to building stronger communities and working with local people to develop local solutions.

The success of the Strategy is reflected in a similar project being undertaken at Wendouree West, with $12.4 million recently committed to the expansion of the scheme to communities such as Geelong North, Eaglehawk, Seymour, Collingwood/Fitzroy, Maidstone/Braybrook and Shepparton.

‘Through Neighbourhood Renewal and other initiatives, the Government is turning the public housing system around and building stronger, thriving communities where people are happy to live,’ said Ms Pike.