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Thursday, 28 September, 2023
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Speaking up for the Voice
Inspiring others to grow
Seagulls to soar under Sweeney
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Shooting for glory
Out of hiding A Big Bandicoot Backyard program ran from 22 to 24 September at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, featuring a plant-made bandicoot sculpture, fun activities, theatrical performance, interactive guided walk, and teaching about how they are conserving the endangered species. The event provided an unforgettable experience for kids and families in the school holidays. Story page 8
Bandicoots Shazza and Razza entertained crowds. 362327 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Social housing bid By Violet Li Community Information and Support Cranbourne executive officer Leanne Petrides has advocated for more social housing properties in Casey in response to a major shake-up of housing and planning across the state. The Housing Statement rolled out on 20 September proposes to build up to 769 new social housing homes over the next five years
through the funding of Commonwealth’s Social Housing Accelerator investment, which adds to 12,000 homes in the pipeline as part of the Big Housing Build investment in public and community housing and more than 4000 social housing homes through other programs. The City of Casey’s Housing Tenure data shows about 4.9 per cent of low income households were in social housing in 2021. Ms Petrides said many residents in Casey
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were struggling with mortgage or rental stress. “Nearly 7000 social housing properties are needed in Casey right now, according to the 2023 data from Southern Homelessness Services Network. “Any steps towards increased social housing can only be a positive move, and a great start. “Right now, we need 6000 new social housing properties each year in Victoria for the next decade to meet the demand and make real in-
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roads in the public housing waiting list. “Proposed planning and zoning changes appear to increase the likelihood of more social housing being built.” Ms Petrides said she had been in her role for 24 years and she could not remember a time when the confluence of housing stress and cost-of-living pressures had made it so hard for people. Continued page 3
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