Friday 3rd November 2017
The Melbourne Labor Government is arrogantly ignoring the issues at Random House despite the Rochester community’s concerns Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said in parliament this week.
The Murray Plains MP said the heritage listed house and gardens has been allowed to fall into disrepair by the Melbourne Labor Government who just do not seem to care.
“I first raised this issue in a constituency question back in August 2016” Mr Walsh said.
“There has since been a range of correspondence with the Minister for Families & Children Jenny Mikakos.
“In June this year the Minister stated that she shared my concerns about the disrepair of the property and that a review would be finalised in July 2017 which would inform the department’s decisions in relation to the Rochester property going forward.
“Importantly the Minister gave an assurance that in the interim action had been taken to see that the homestead is appropriately maintained.”
Mr Walsh said nothing has happened at Random House since that time and he has heard nothing further from the Minister.
“The property is overgrown with grass fallen branches are rubbing on the roof and there is a severe fire risk to the homestead and the surrounding properties.
“It is just not good enough and the people of Rochester feel very let down.
“The Minister claims to sympathise with the situation but her words are just rhetoric. If she really cared Random House would never have been allowed to dilapidate to its current state.”