THE construction of a residential care home for young people in Ardeer has been put on hold.
The Department of Human Services (DHS) informed residents living near the proposed site at 44 Rockbank Rd that work would start on the residential home in March.
But residents’ strong lobbying with Brimbank councillor Costas Socratous and Derrimut MP Telmo Languiller have led to the work being postponed until Community Services and Children’s Minister Sherryl Garbutt can look more closely into residents’ concerns.
DHS spokesman Brendan Ryan said the minister was taking action “in the light of” Mr Languiller’s representation on behalf of the residents.
Mr Languiller met the residents and Cr Socratous recently and said he believed the site for the home was inadequate for young people aged 12 to 18.
“I’m giving careful consideration to the argument put to me by Cr Socratous on behalf of the residents,” Mr Languiller said.
Cr Socratous said he was 80 per cent confident that construction of the home would not go ahead at all.
He added that the lack of transport facilities in the area would not be suitable for young people.
Ardeer resident Taras, who did not want his surname printed, said the area was populated mostly by elderly people.
“What about getting an elderly home here instead of a residential housing for young people?
“This is a very settled and old area,” Taras said.
Mr Languiller said he hoped to receive an answer from the minister in the next two weeks.
If construction goes ahead, the residential home would be operated and managed by The Salvation Army Westcare and would accommodate four people at a time.
Children with histories of social neglect, social abuse and sexual abuse would be cared for by seven staff for 24 hours, seven days a week.
