By KATRINA BRANDON
THE state government has claimed to boost home production through its ‘Big Housing Build’, including rooming houses.
Churchill resident Peter Mortimer however, is concerned about the development of rooming houses in his quiet neighbourhood.
After noticing the construction pop-up last year, Mr Mortimer, who is in his 70s, inquired with a local plumber about the work. The plumber pointed out that the work being done was similar to those in dwellings such as share houses or rooming houses.
The street on which the homes are situated is narrow with limited parking. Mr Mortimer highlighted this as a concern, as it would be difficult for emergency vehicles to pass through.
“McCarthy Street is four feet narrower at the start of our court,” Mr Mortimer explained.
“What if an emergency vehicle needs to get in? No emergency vehicle can get through to a child who’s fallen off the fence, done damage, or if I were to have a heart attack, anything you know, so I’ve said to the council, ‘Do you have to have a death before you do something about it?’”
When Mr Mortimer became aware of the potential issues surrounding the development, he approached the federal and state governments, as well as Latrobe City Council.
Mr Mortimer also raised concerns with Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron.
A plumber himself before entering politics, Mr Cameron said there are many loopholes in the building legislation that allows developers to bypass council and not have to specify or document the building’s intended use.
“It looks like a house from the front,” he said.
“But they can set it up inside to have nine or 10 separate rooms with a communal kitchen and communal bathing facilities, and there is no need for the council to come and inspect the properties. They simply continue with their regular planning scheme, get rubber-stamped, and away they go without anyone knowing.
“We’re trying to push the ministers at a state level to take charge and help councils out. We know there’s a loophole, and these are springing up all over the place. We need to ensure that there is some regulation and accountability for developers, as well as for the state Parliament and local council, to ensure that checks and balances are in place. We know what we’re getting in our community.”
Both Mr Cameron and Mr Mortimer acknowledged the need for housing. Still, they said there needs to be some oversight and regulations that keep local communities safe and easily accessible to all vehicles.
According to Mr Cameron, crime in Churchill has increased by about 35 per cent in the last year.
“We’ve had a lot of rooming houses right across the Latrobe Valley spring up now,” he said.
“Rooming houses have their place, and what they do they house ‘x’ amount of people in one dwelling. They can be people who are fleeing domestic violence who need accommodation straight away, but mostly, rooming houses are accommodating people who have come out of prison and need somewhere to rent.
“Some houses can actually accommodate up to 12 people. Here in Emerald Court, we have two completed houses that are nearly ready to open, and another one has been earmarked for the corner. So the possibility of having 36 people living within 50 metres of each other in a lovely new estate in a new court. It just doesn’t seem fair to the residents.
“There is a place for them, but all of them in one spot? We’re just asking for trouble in the future.
Last year, Latrobe City Council confirmed with the Express that developments were “up to code”, but Mr Mortimer said despite this, he feels developments of this nature shouldn’t be allowed to go up in quiet courts.
Based on the Public Health and Wellbeing Act of 2008, with which the development is registered, the requirements include:
The total floor area of all buildings on the land, measured from the outside of external walls or the centre of party walls, does not exceed 300 square metres, excluding outbuildings;
No more than 12 persons are accommodated, and;
No more than nine bedrooms are provided.
Mr Mortimer and his wife, Robyn, moved to Emerald Ct, Churchill in April 2022, downsizing from their one-acre block on the other side of town – their home of 32 years.
Before moving to the region, Mr Mortimer had lived his whole life in Melbourne. He and his wife were the first homeowners on Emerald Ct.
“We thought this would be beautiful and quiet out here,” he said.
“To have this happen is a complete and utter shock, especially when you can’t stop anything. The state government can’t even do anything about it. These individuals can purchase a block of land and do as they please. And I’ve been to the council and said, ‘There is no town planning’.”
Having spoken to other residents close by, Mr Mortimer found out that due to the development, one of his younger neighbours has decided to sell.
The Express reached out to the state government for comment, but had no response at time of press.
In response to further concerns, Latrobe City Council recently commented: “Once a rooming house has been constructed and is in operation, it is regulated by Consumer Affairs Victoria in collaboration with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.”
“Owners of rooming houses have total discretion on the allocation of tenants. Council has no power to regulate boarding house tenants.
“If a member of the community has concerns about how a rooming house is being managed, they can report the matter to council. Depending on the nature of the concern, council may try to work with the rooming house manager to resolve the concern, or alert Consumer Affairs Victoria who regulates the rooming house.”
