Some good news: Hobsons Bay City Council have finally announced a pause on their efforts to evict residents from our homes at Techno Park. 

Internal documents revealed by the ABC show that in 2022, Hobsons Bay Council knew people had been living at Techno Park for more than 15 years and were entitled to existing use rights to remain. 

When Council decided to “enforce the planning scheme” last year, they could have done this by inviting applications from owners to formalise these rights. 

Instead, they attempted to—in their words—“extinguish” our rights, and to force a mass eviction by sending notices accusing each household of unlawful residential use, and demanding we leave our homes immediately or face legal action.

A change in the planning scheme 7 weeks ago means that after 15 years of continuous residential use has passed, a council no longer has the power to take that right away.

Council’s letter says: “Council will not take any further enforcement action at Techno Park until it has fully considered its obligations following Ministerial changes to State planning rules and determined its next steps.”

A welcome first step—now Council must recognise existing use rights for Techno Park, and ensure that residents can remain safely and securely in our homes for good.

If you live in Melbourne, please come along to our rally and march to save Techno Park this Tuesday April 9. We'll meet at Logan Reserve Altona at 5.30pm, and march to the Hobsons Bay City Council ahead of the next Council meeting—a family-friendly community event, with an accessible short walk.

If you live anywhere, please email the Mayor of Hobsons Bay to ask him to stand up for Techno Park residents! It takes three minutes at this link.

If you'd like to, you can make a contribution to our fighting fund at Chuffed.org, and find us on Facebook and Instagram.

On behalf of all of us at Techno Park, thank you so much for your ongoing support—your solidarity means the world.