‘I can’t move a fridge’: elderly residents forced out after Melbourne public housing towers earmarked for demolition

The high-rises, which are specifically for the over-55s, are home to residents in their 80s and 90s. Many have lived there for decades

Lana Sawyer was on her way to a local library on Thursday when she noticed the people in “lots of suits” in the community room at her public housing tower in Melbourne’s Albert Park.

Within moments, she learned in the coming months she would need to leave the apartment she has called home for four years.

The Albert Park apartment block is one of seven towers – all for older residents – that the Victorian government announced would be demolished as part of the second tranche under the Daniel Andrews-era plan to redevelop all 44 high-rises by 2051.

Sawyer said she felt “completely blindsided” and had previously been told by the state government her tower would be one of the last towers to be demolished.

“Now we’re being told we need to get out,” she says.

The state government on Thursday announced it had earmarked seven public housing blocks across six estates. The towers are in Albert Park, Flemington, Kensington, North Melbourne, Prahran and St Kilda.

Anne Downey, 93, has lived at the Albert Park site for four years. She said she initially thought her tower would be one of the last to be redeveloped.

“So I didn’t worry. And then this happened, and I thought, ‘Well, it’s obviously going to be happening in my time’,” she says.

“At my age I don’t really want to be moving around.”

Downey says she feels “really worried” about the upcoming move and will require assistance moving.

“I’m very happy where I am and I like the area,” she says.

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The announcement about the seven towers came as lawyers running a class action for public housing residents in the first tranche to be demolished confirmed they planned to take their bid to block the redevelopment to the high court. Last month, the court of appeal dismissed an appeal by residents in three towers in North Melbourne and Flemington for the class action.

But lawyers from Inner Melbourne Community Legal – who are running the class action – will next week apply for a court injunction to ensure the government agency Homes Victoria cannot serve notices to vacate until the legal process is complete.

Guardian Australia understands about 30 residents remain at the three towers in Flemington and North Melbourne that are among the first to be demolished and redeveloped by 2031.

Victoria’s housing minister, Harriet Shing, said on Friday that the government was replacing Melbourne’s ageing housing towers with modern, energy-efficient and affordable homes “because people deserve homes that meet today’s standards”.

“Our high-rise housing towers have reached the end of their useful lives, and replacing them is not a matter of if, but when – acting now gives more Victorians safer, suitable and more affordable homes for decades to come,” she said in a statement.

Housing advocates have previously raised concerns about the redevelopment programs leading to 10% more social housing, which includes both public and community housing. This is because community housing providers are able to charge higher rent – up to 30% of income compared with the 25% capped rate for public housing.

Sawyer, 58, who lives with chronic neck and back pain due to a car accident and complex PTSD, is worried about the physical process of packing up her apartment and moving to a new location.

“I’ve got serious health issues. I can’t move heavy boxes and a fridge on my own,” she says.

“Who’s going to pack up all this stuff? I didn’t bring it in in one go.”

Relocations for residents of the seven towers will begin in July.

The government said each affected household would be assigned a relocations officer to ensure their new home suits their needs and preferences, with priority given to keep people local if they wish.

Homes Victoria will run a peer-support program to connect affected residents with other residents who have already relocated from public high-rise towers, the government said.

The towers in the second trench are seven of the state’s 13 towers specifically for older residents aged over 55.

Non-profit Housing For the Aged Action Group said many residents had lived at the site for decades, with some in their 80s and 90s, and many with chronic health and age-related conditions.

“The impact of relocations on people in this age group cannot be underestimated,” the group said in a statement.

“We know that this announcement will be a big shock to that security, and we are concerned about how some people will survive the relocation process.”

In a statement, Homes Victoria said that staff had been on‑site at all seven towers “to support residents, answer questions and provide clear information”.

“No one is required to move straight away … supporting residents through the process is our priority. Many have welcomed the certainty and have already returned to meet with relocation teams, often with family, carers or advocates,” the statement said.

“Residents across all 44 high‑rises were advised in September 2023 they would need to relocate during the program. More than 600 residents will be supported through this next stage, working with the Victorian and Commonwealth health departments and community partners Better Health Network and Cohealth.”

• This story was amended on 31 January 2026 to clarify that housing advocates are concerned redevelopment will lead to 10% more social housing, which includes both public and community housing.