October 2002

Contract signed on Kensington high rise tower refurbishment

An $8 million contract to refurbish and upgrade the 12-storey high rise tower at 56 Derby Street on the Kensington public housing estate in Melbourne’s inner west has been awarded to Victorian company S. J. Higgins Pty Ltd.

The contract for this major stage in the redevelopment of the Kensington estate was announced by Housing and Community Services Minister Bronwyn Pike.

The 56 Derby Street upgrade and the refurbishment of the neighbouring high rise tower at 94 Ormond Street, form part of the overall redevelopment of the Kensington estate to create a unique public and private housing mix on the site.

S. J. Higgins began work on 94 Ormond Street in May 2001 and is undertaking works including two new lifts, 12 new one-bedroom flats and improvements to security and the building façade, parapet and roof.

‘The redevelopment of the Kensington estate is a most significant investment in public housing, rejuvenating an ageing public housing estate and transforming the Kensington community,’ Ms Pike said.

‘The redevelopment is an exciting partnership between the Government, the private sector, and the Kensington community that will renew an inner-city neighbourhood and deliver quality public and private housing close to shops, transport and schools.’

The Kensington redevelopment includes a $60 million investment by the Government for public housing construction and the upgrade of the two high rise towers.

With the private housing construction on the site by the Becton Group, it is estimated that the overall development will have a total end value of $190 million.

The refurbished high rise block at 56 Derby Street will include upgrading of flats, 12 new one-bedroom flats, converting 35 family flats to create 45 new flats, two new lifts, improving electronic security card entry for tenants and upgrading of the ground floor entry and foyer.

Improved street and landscaping will include a new children’s playground and basketball court.

The project is scheduled for completion in January 2004.

The project announcement ended with the formal signing of contract documents by Housing and Community Building Director Jennifer Westacott and Higgins Managing Director Stephen Higgins.

The development agreement with the Becton Group—that will see the ageing low rise public housing blocks on the site replaced by an integrated public-private housing precinct consisting of 195 public units and 421 private units–was also signed.

A Memorandum of Understanding with the Kensington Estate Redevelopment Community Liaison Committee, affirming the role of the local community during the course of the redevelopment, was also signed by Jennifer Westacott and committee chair Glenyys Romanes.