The community is calling on Brimbank Council to take action, by turning the empty council building into affordable housing.

As the housing crisis deepens across the country, Brimbank, a suburb in Narrm (Melbourne) West, continues to record some of the highest rates of homelessness in Victoria.

Between 2011 and 2021, Brimbank saw a 35% increase in homelessness, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated support and comprehensive policy responses to address housing insecurity and prevent further disadvantage.

The derelict council building on Alexandra Avenue has come into the spotlight, with some local residents calling for its demolition ,so as to move on perceived “antisocial behaviour” and rough sleeping in the area. 

While concerns about structural safety are understandable, demolition will not address the issues ,it would simply displace vulnerable people that may use the space as a refuge without providing long-term solutions. 

So it is of our proposal,  that the entire site be repurposed for public and affordable housing.

As housing is a fundamental human right, and every person deserves access to safe and secure shelter. 

While the property developers whom brought the block have let it sit in decay to bypass heritage protection. our most vulnerable community members are being left behind sleeping rough. 

If the current owners are unwilling to pursue proposal, the Council should withhold planning permits until a clear commitment is made,  that a proportion of new dwellings be allocated under an inclusionary zoning pilot, thus ensuring that some genuinely affordable housing remains available within the community. 

As our community deserves more. 

Every empty building ,every plot of land  can serve a higher purpose.

Imagine 35+ people in our comunity no longer on the street, living in safe, stable homes, the old council yards turned into a community garden for the whole neighbourhood. A place where people experiencing homelessness could rebuild their lives within the community they call home.

By transforming this derelict building into affordable housing, we can stop this space from dividing our neighbourhood. We have the chance to address the urgent need for shelter while turning an eyesore into a beacon of hope

It is time for Brimbank Council to lead with vision, compassion, and action. Our community cannot wait any longer.

Together, we could turn decay into opportunity, neglect into care, and abandoned buildings into homes.

So we call on the property owners, Brimbank council  and community  to take meaningful action. 

As Brimbank residents , and supporters, we stand united to fight for a fairer future for all, ensuring no one in our community is left behind.