Regal closure raises concerns: Same issues, just a different location
đź”— [SYSTEM UPDATE] Link found. Timestamp incremented on 2025-11-26 13:55:13.The closure of the notorious Regal rooming house might only shift the problem elsewhere, causing just as many problems. ANDREA THIIS-EVENSEN reports.
By ANDREA THIIS-EVENSEN
The closure of the notorious Regal rooming house will only make things worse for the community, former deputy mayor of Port Phillip Serge Thomann says.
Mr Thomann said that although the Regal – locally called "the new Gatwick" – was not up to "today’s standards", and closing it down would not solve the issues surrounding rooming houses.
"I am concerned that in a few weeks or months, the same issues will have to be dealt with elsewhere, in another street or part of St Kilda," Mr Thomann said.
The Regal's 28 residents are in the process of being moved out and the building, as part of the Port Phillip Housing Program, will be used to provide one-bedroom apartments for women aged over 55.
The complex, on Little Grey St, gained increased notoriety after radio star Kate Langbroek was attacked outside her St Kilda home, which is near the rooming house.
In the aftermath, Victoria's Housing Minister Martin Foley said there had been too many "unsocial activities" around the Regal and that the Government would support its closure.
Little Grey St resident Rohan Storey said he had noticed more people in the street over the past couple of months.
"Just the other day someone followed us down the lane and smashed a bottle behind us,” Mr Storey said.
He said there was a need for more social housing in St Kilda, and that closing down cheap accommodation would just add to the problem of homelessness.
"St Kilda traditionally has had lots of cheap housing, so there are lots of services here such as the Salvation Army and the Sacred Heart Mission, so it is a pity if people have to move …miles away from any services," Mr Storey said.
St Kilda Community Housing Interim CEO Joanne Holl said “all local support and housing services" would work together to relocate the 28 remaining residents at the Regal.
Sacred Heart Opportunity shop coordinator Edwin Fox, who works down the street from the Regal, said there would be an “influx” of homeless people coming to the center with nowhere to go.
“The Regal and the Gatwick shutting down will push people out to more suburban outer city areas,” Mr Fox said.
“The relocation could cause a lot of isolation for people who are in deep need of a close-knit community.”
