Refurbishing not demolishing Port Melbourne public housing estate could save Victoria $88m, study finds

The Victorian government has slated the Barak Beacon public housing estate for demolition. Research by a not-for-profit firm has found refurbishment could fulfil the housing requirements and save $88m. Photograph: Penny Stephens/The Guardian

The Victorian government could save more than $88m and avoid causing distress to residents forced to leave their homes, by refurbishing a Melbourne public housing estate instead of demolishing it, a study has found.

A not-for-profit architectural and research firm, Office, this week completed a feasibility study on refurbishing the 40-year-old Barak Beacon public housing estate in Port Melbourne.