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Danny O’Brien criticises ongoing social housing maintenance delays leaving vulnerable Gippslanders waiting far too long

Danny O’Brien warns ongoing delays in social housing maintenance leave vulnerable Gippslanders waiting months, highlighting a vacant Foster property and urging timely repairs and better decision-making to address shortages.

By news@gippsland - 18th December 2025 - Back to News

The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien says ongoing delays to social housing maintenance are continuing to leave vulnerable Gippslanders waiting far longer than they should for a home. Mr O’Brien said the Minister for Housing has now confirmed that a property in Foster he first raised concerns about in May remains vacant.

The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien MP at a Foster social housing property left empty awaiting maintenance while local residents wait for homes

Delayed housing decisions

Mr O’Brien said, "I wrote to the Minister about the status of this home after being contacted by a local elderly couple who have been on the social housing list for over three years. I was alarmed and saddened when I finally received a response from the Minister, just this month, to read that a decision is still pending on whether the property will be repaired at all."

"It’s one thing for maintenance works to be delayed, but we now have a situation where even the decision about whether the work will occur or the home will be sold is taking months. This house has been empty for more than six months in a community where the waitlist keeps growing and affordable rentals are harder to find every week," Mr O’Brien said.

Protect social housing

Mr O’Brien said social housing stock in the South Gippsland local government area has already reduced in recent years and any talk of disposing of an existing property should be a clear sign that more investment is needed.

"When social housing numbers are going backwards and private rentals are becoming scarce, we should be doing everything possible to keep every available home in service. This Foster property is in a good location and could be helping a local couple right now. Instead, it’s tied up in delays with no certainty about what happens next," he said.

Mr O’Brien said he will continue to push for timely maintenance and clearer decision-making to ensure homes aren’t left vacant unnecessarily. "It is clear that Labor can’t manage housing or housing maintenance and it is our most vulnerable Gippslanders who are paying the price."

Pictures from Danny O'Brien MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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