AUGUST 9, 2017 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + THE WEST’S BEST PROPERTY GUIDE
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It’s not all elementary The action and intrigue of Sherlock Holmes has been combined with the seduction and wonder of an underground Berlin cabaret in Sunshine theatre company, wit incorporated’s latest production. A Scandal in The Weimar is the latest offering in the company’s commitment to creating a year of works by women. “This is not just about getting women on stage – it’s about making sure those women … are as diverse and as interesting as the women we see on the street,” co-writer Jennifer Piper said. “So our characters have differing cultural backgrounds, habits, sexualities and political views. They are flawed and human and so much more than whatever their tick-box on a census would be.” The show will be performed by Piper, Sarah Clarke, Emma Hayden, Kimberley Heberley, Tanya Hendy and Ebony McGuire. It has been co-written by Claire Bowen and directed by Belinda Campbell. It will be performed at Bluestone Church Arts Space, Footscray, from August 25 to September 9. Tickets: $25. Details: hello@witinc.com.au Stella Tzobanakis
JENNIFER PIPER, EMMA HAYDEN AND EBONY McGUIRE
Housing project revealed A leading social housing provider has lodged plans for a new project in Footscray to help tackle the state’s growing affordability crisis. Unison Housing is proposing a $9.4 million development at 52 Napier Street, on a 935 square-metre site currently occupied by single-storey social housing. The six-storey, 57-unit proposal is one of the single largest social housing projects flagged for the area in recent years. A town-planning report submitted with the proposal notes the site presents “a unique opportunity” to increase the availability of housing close to public transport, public open space and a “wide range of community and educational offerings”.
Speaking during Homelessness Week (August 7-13), Unison Housing chief executive Michael Perusco told Star Weekly the project has been driven by the housing affordability crisis in Melbourne. “One of the key ways of tackling this is to increase the supply of social and affordable housing options,” he said. “This site is already providing affordable housing and has been for decades. We have got the opportunity to increase the overall supply.” Unison Housing has built a number of similar projects, including the 71-unit redevelopment of the Barkly Hotel in Footscray. Mr Perusco said developing their own properties was the most cost-effective way to house the highest number of people at risk of homelessness. He said the problem should also
countries and large cities,” he said. “We certainly would call upon the state government to do more about that.” Community group HousingAIM – Affordable, Inclusive Maribyrnong has thrown its support behind the proposal. Spokeswoman Kate Breen said HousingAIM was concerned about the decline in housing affordability across Maribyrnong and the implications this has for the community. “Developments like this are very welcome, particularly when they are so well located … lower income households have opportunities to benefit from everything Footscray has to offer.” Feedback on the proposal is due to Maribyrnong council by August 15.
Artist’s impression - view from south east corner. (Supplied)
be tackled via an increased focus on zoning to set a percentage of development as affordable housing. “It has proven to be successful in other
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