 | Clifton Hill's landmark House of the Gentle Bunyip has been spared the bulldozer and will come to life again as social housing following a $3.4 million makeover, Housing Minister Candy Broad said today.
Ms Broad joined local MP Richard Wynne to open the new homes at local celebrations with representatives from the City Of Yarra, residents, activists, and local community agencies.
"The Bracks Government believes every Victorian deserves a decent place to live. The new homes at The House of the Gentle Bunyip are a bricks and mortar demonstration of this," Ms Broad said.
"The long-running grass roots community campaign to save this building has delivered a stunning result and it shows what can be achieved when the Government, local residents, and community groups work together.
"If the Bracks Government had not stepped in, there was a real threat that a heritage icon may have been lost forever. The Government recognised its value to the community and acted to save it by providing $2.6 million."
Mr Wynne said the outcome was a good example of collaboration between community, agencies and government.
"This is a great day and a very proud one for me as the local MP. I know very well the level of commitment it took from a great number of people to save the House of the Gentle Bunyip.
"This result is due to a passionate and committed local community and a receptive government joining forces to save this great icon while providing affordable homes for those who most need them."
The original homestead was built in the 1860s and is an example of an early Victorian double-fronted brick villa. Scheduled for demolition and redevelopment in 1997, it was saved after the Bracks Government acted in response to a resident campaign that included a 24-hour community picket lasting 465 days.
The project consists of six self-contained units within the old Bunyip building and five new self-contained homes at the rear of the property. All homes have five-star energy ratings and include solar hot water services.
As well as the $2.6 million investment by the Bracks Government, contributions from Melbourne Affordable Housing and donations from community organisations made up the remaining $800,000.
The development is part of the Bracks Government's $94.5 million Social Housing Innovations Project (SHIP) that is providing more than 800 affordable homes for low income Victorians across the state.
The units will be owned and managed by Melbourne Affordable Housing, a not for profit community agency with a proven track record in managing affordable housing across metropolitan Melbourne.
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