Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) -- I wish to raise a matter for the attention of the Minister for Planning. It concerns a proposed social housing development for disadvantaged women in Sunshine. It has caused some consternation in the local community -- perhaps even some outrage. I wish to refer to the letters page in one of the local newspapers to convey some of the community attitudes toward this particular development. One letter says:

... inadequate parking, shortage of space, no social and support services, traffic issues for immediate surrounding streets, noise levels from a licensed entertainment venue with live music two nights a week.

It is proposed that these units will be transitional housing for women in crisis. These women and children will need support to get back on their feet.

They do not need to feel isolated and they certainly do not need the temptations of alcohol and gambling on their doorstep.

I should mention that this particular development is proposed to be attached to the Sunshine RSL Club, which of course is licensed both for the serving of alcohol and for gaming. Another letter says:

There are also major concerns about potentially huge car parking and traffic management issues not to mention a potential loss of, what has been acknowledged by Brimbank City Council and state government, very scarce and highly valued parkland/playground space in Sunshine.

There is enormous concern about this, and I have received, as I am sure the minister has, an enormous number of emails and an enormous number of phone calls and other types of contact from many members of the Sunshine community about this. There is genuine concern about the impact such a development will have on the women who would be living there. Many of them would be coming straight from jail into the housing, which would be a halfway house of sorts into the community. There is genuine concern about what this development would mean not just for local people but for the particular women themselves.

I therefore ask the Minister for Planning to give me a date that he will be available to come out to Sunshine for a public meeting. I will be happy to hire the hall. Maybe we could use the Brimbank council chamber; it is not being used for much else these days. If the minister would be kind enough to give me a date I will

be very happy to organise that meeting. Other members representing the area would also be very welcome. Indeed those who are seeking to represent the area in the future would also be welcome to join us on this occasion. I ask the minister to take my request into consideration. This is a very important issue for the Sunshine community, and I ask him to come out and meet with us at his convenience.