Public Works Committee: Drew Court Walk-Up-Flat Site Upgrade Project

Thursday 20 August 2026

S.E. ANDREWS (Gibson) (11:28): I rise to commend the project at Drew Court. It is a fabulous location, actually, right in the middle of Oaklands Park. You are right next to the Oaklands train station which of course is really important for everybody but particularly people living in social housing who might have limited transport options. They are really close to Marion shopping centre, which is also really important for people with limited transport options.

Unfortunately, for a long time Drew Court was a real eyesore for our community and I knew from doorknocking in that area that neighbours were worried about the tenants there not having the kind of dignity that they thought another human being should have in order to live. This upgrade has been very welcomed across the community, not only by tenants but by all of the neighbourhood.

I am so pleased that it is a sustainable build as well. Once the builders got in there they did recognise that it had really good bones. I know it is currently a shell at the moment, because I do go in quite regularly to check out how the build is going, but I am pleased that they have been able to keep that because it is in really good nick.

It is also really good that they have acknowledged some of the social problems that existed prior, like having outdoor laundries, which meant that there was some unsocial behaviour that might occur in those areas. They have all been brought into people's homes. So acknowledging where the issues were and finding positive solutions for them has been absolutely fantastic. This is really welcome news for our community, and I would like to commend the work of everyone involved.