Consultation on the landmark $250 million public housing redevelopment in Carlton has kicked off with Housing Minister Candy Broad attending the first meeting of the project's community liaison group.

The Government announced in December 13 blocks of 1960s-era flats on Rathdowne, Drummond, Canning and Palmerston Streets would be demolished to make way for new public and private low-rise family housing and a reinstatement of the historic Carlton street network for pedestrians and cyclists.

'The families who live here deserve decent homes but they also deserve a say in how the redevelopment proceeds,' Ms Broad said.

'That's why we've established a new Carlton Community Liaison Committee for this important building project.

'The work of community liaison groups on other public housing redevelopments has been invaluable and we expect similar results here.'

The Carlton Community Liaison Committee will be chaired by MP Jenny Mikakos, who headed the original Ministerial Advisory Committee that explored concept plans for the estate redevelopment.

The committee will include representatives from among the local tenant population, as well as the Victorian Public Tenants' Association, City of Melbourne, Carlton Residents' Association, Carlton Local Agencies Network, Carlton Primary School, Carlton Business Association, Victoria Police and the Department of Human Services.

Carlton residents will be able to attend public meetings, where the proposed planning scheme amendments will be discussed.

Submissions from members of the public who wish to provide feedback on the planning scheme amendments will close in August.

Ms Broad also revealed the process of emptying out the buildings slated for demolition was in full swing.

The first stage of tenant relocations has reached the half-way point.

Of the first 40 households to move, 22 families have been relocated with 11 staying in Carlton.

Scheduled to be completed by 2009, the Carlton Housing Redevelopment involves:

•          Demolishing 192 old walk-up flats;

•          Building around 550 new privately-owned apartments for aspiring home buyers and private renters;

•          Constructing over 200 modern new apartments for low-income families needing public housing;

•          Building 45 or more affordable apartments to be managed by a not-for-profit housing association at the former Queen Elizabeth Centre.

The Government's contribution to the redevelopment is estimated at $50 million.

Carlton's high-rise buildings will not be affected by the works and will continue to be maintained by the Office of Housing.