There are numerous abandoned properties around Bendigo that are not on the market, despite the rising cost of land within the centre of Bendigo and the lack of affordable housing. Such properties include: 130 Garsed St, 14 MacKenzie St, 23 Creek St South, and, of course 125-131 Garsed St, also known as Guillies.

During the 2021 census, 521 people in Bendigo were homeless, and this has since risen. I was once one of them. More and more people have been driven to share houses, rather than rent a home to call their own. Very few even dare to dream of buying a home any more. Especially with rising immigration and the return of students to uni.

I personally see it so wasteful for these places to fall into disrepair and ruin while people can’t find a home to live in. It’s also hilarious to see that the council does work to seal up such places; preventing people from having even that poor amount of shelter and privacy. 

Through grants and action, these places could be bought and redeveloped into affordable housing for locals. 

I know any of this is unlikely to happen. But after seeing the extravagant use of our tax dollars to fund the new council building and law courts. And don’t get me started on Hargreaves Mall. This is a small ask for the basic rights to safety and shelter for the people of Bendigo. 

I ask that you sign this petition and show your support for Bendigo’s most vulnerable in order to put weight on the local and state governments to take the issue of housing more seriously, and to use the resources we already have. This is something we can change, something we can do to make our community better. For everyone.