The NWMA supports the provision of social housing in North and West Melbourne, though we insist that government adopts its own policy of social housing integrated with private housing, that quality be maintained, that there be adequate provision of open space and that government keeps adequate statistics of the quantity of social housing and subsidised housing in each residential area.

Constancy of communication is so important – in hind-sight we all should have been copying some of our early correspondence to Shiran Wickramasinghe, Manager Planning and Building

Shiran.Wickramasinghe@melbourne.vic.gov.au

He is relatively new to this Council (2008) and from his report he seemed NOT to be aware of

the history of the particular Open Space and the VCAT hearing rejecting its use as a car park,

of the clamour for Open Space in “North West 2010 Local Plan” and its mention of Latrobe Close in particular,

of the neighbourhood character in North and West Melbourne especially  building facades, fences and

he did not mention that the Wholesale Meat Market and St Mary’s Church were Heritage Victoria listed.

He had recommended approval of the plan with quite a few minor conditions.

Fortunately a flow of correspondence had been maintained to Councillors as new ideas/information became available – it is so important that we give them information well before a Committee meeting so that they have time to mull over and discuss the issues amongst themselves.

We are indebted to:

Cr Shanahan for referring this proposal to the Planning Committee;

Peter Clarke, Chairmen of the Committee for his usual knowledge of the issues and his usual efficiency – he had a formal motion covering the major issues of Open Space and Height and Density already prepared;

Lord Mayor for his blunt, concise statement that if this was a private development it would have been thrown out immediately, and that government cannot expect a different set of height limits to private enterprise;

Cr Oke for adding the amendment re rubbish collection;

and to the Committee as a whole for their unanimous support.

Ray Cowling did not need to speak on the reasoning for maintaining the Open Space, but spoke on our appreciation, and the need for better communication with the Council Planning Dept re Ministerial applications,  rubbish collection and need for further support from the Council.

Cr Peter Clarke in response made it abundantly clear that the future of the proposal depended on our ability to lobby the two inner city members most involved in the proposal, Minister’s  Pike and Wynne (Minister responsible for public housing), especially as both are in Cabinet.

Relevant email addresses are:

Lindsay.Tanner.MP@aph.gov.au; responsible for providing the funds for the project,

richard.wynne@parliament.vic.gov.au; responsible for Public Housing

justin.madden@parliament.vic.gov.au; responsible for Planning decisions,

and our local MLA, bronwyn.pike@parliament.vic.gov.au;

Angela Williams spoke on the Heritage and design concerns with a clear power point presentation showing a thorough understanding of the detailed impact of the development, a presentation that cries out to be presented to the architects. Doone Clifton spoke on local community needs which could have been satisfied on this site such as elderly citizens housing.

The following recommendations were passed unanimously by the Planning Committee:
* The buildings should not exceed a height at any point greater than 14m.
* The existing publicly accessible open space area adjoining Chetwynd
Street be retained or an equivalent area in the development area
be retained as publicly accessible open space.
* There is a reduction of 30% in the number of units.
* Redesign of waste management to allow on-site collection.

Latrobe Close is bounded by Chetwynd, Courtney and Howard Streets North Melbourne, where the State Government, with Federal Government funding propose to construct a seven storey block of residential units. This proposal has been opposed by the Council of the City of Melbourne.

As a result of public protest and pressure applied to the local member, the Minister for Housing, Richard Wynne has agreed to defer a decision on the this development to allow further consultation to take place between Monday December 7, 2009 and closing on Friday January 15, 2010. The public meeting has appointed a sub-committee where further members are welcome, to prepare a community submission.

This sub-committee will be meeting on Wednesday 9th at 6 to 7,30 pm at the Castle Hotel, first floor, corner of Wreckyn and Courtney Streets North Melbourne – all welcome.

It is important that members of the community make their own submission on this development to the Minister for Housing, with copies to local MP’s Bronwyn Pike

Despite the number of experts in attendance, many of the questions asked by the locals failed to receive convincing answers. It was all about trusting the experts, who inevitably gave answers that did not conform with the opinions of the attendees as to how the development should proceed, especially with the lack of consultation on the part of the proponents and the appalling lack of a proper due process to deal with the planning of these projects involving State defined ‘social housing’ and ‘nation-building’ money.

Examples of the ‘spin’ answers include:

• The justification of seven stories, being objectively determined by the proper design team process – nothing to do with the Ministerial brief!
• The project could go to seven stories because there was no design or development overlay to restrict the height – only a heritage overlay.
• The trees to be removed were decided on the recommendation of an arborist.
• The justification of the small number of car parks, particularly in the social housing section on the basis of predetermined ratios (.43 per unit in the social housing and .77 per unit in the Stage 2), which took no account of the local conditions or the needs of existing residents and business.
• Failure to answer the question about whether Stage 2 would actually be done, as it was not to be funded with Federal money.

There were a number of speakers who raised questions about the design and management of the social housing. A lack of confidence in Melbourne Affordable Housing to consult with and, to manage the relocation of exiting residents was voiced and questions were raised about the high number of one bedroom units.

Our local member, who is also the Minister of Education, answered concerns about how Errol Street Primary School would manage an influx of new local students.

Questions raised about the existing open space on Chetwynd Street and in the development were not adequately answered. The open access claimed by the experts as recreation space was clearly mainly for access, even though it was denied that it was a gated community.

The question about an agreement with the State Government that had been made long ago to use the Chetwynd Street open space for a child care centre appeared to be news to many of the planners.

Many other questions were asked, such as whether the medians would be breached and whether links could be made to the Church.

There was great concern about the measurement of heights, as the plans measured height above sea level and not above ground level, which gives a much more realistic picture of how high the buildings are relatively.  This created difficulties as the site dropped by 4m from east to west.

Our local member will take the issues raised at the meeting to the Minister of Housing, Richard Wynne, for further discussion.  It was not clear how this would be reported back to residents and local business, although a comprehensive list of attendees and their addresses were collected.

Dear PPL VIC members and friends

Here is the reminder notice of Protectors of Public Lands Victoria Inc. AGM 2009. I am sending this out to members and contacts.

Dr Paul Mees is the guest speaker. He has been a great supporter during campaigns opposing the East West Link which would have devastated inner city Melbourne and Royal and JJ Holland Park. Our joint community action helped ensure that the East West Link – the extension of the Eastern Freeway – with its super size road tunnels was deleted (albeit temporarily) from the Victorian Transport Plan. We hope groups can show support for PPL VIC by attending. We would be pleased if you can advertise the meeting amongst your members.

Here are the details of our meeting:

Time: 1:45 pm for a 2 pm start

Date: Saturday 5 December 2009

Venue: Meeting Room 1 Upstairs North Melbourne Library 66 Errol Street North Melbourne. It is one building along from the Town Hall and Post Office on the south east corner of Errol and Queensberry Streets. Tram up Elizabeth Street from Flinders Street Station to Errol Street. Parking in surrounding streets. Disabled parking in front of Library.

Guest Speaker: Dr Paul Mees, senior lecturer in transport planning at RMIT, will speak on “The Cars that Ate Melbourne” – Public Transport Solutions for the State.” Stay for afternoon tea and make contact with other groups, including transport action groups.

Background Note: See below link to Dr Mees’ Age article of 22 November 2009 “We can keep our leafy suburbs and still save the planet”. This was presented on 18 November as a paper at a “State of Australian Cities” Conference in Perth. His book “Transport for Suburbia: Beyond the Automobile Age” will be released in December.

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/we-can-keep-our-leafy-suburbs-and-still-save-the-planet-20091122-isqz.html

Contact: Julianne Bell Secretary Protectors of Public Lands Victoria Inc. jbell5@bigpond.com Mobile 0408022408

Regards

Julianne Bell

Secretary

Protectors of Public Lands Victoria Inc.

26 November 2009

• Cost of admission to the event is to be $75-00 per head.
• The target audience is to be 25-30 year age group, plus, and not orientated  to youth or families.
• The event is not part of the open day family multicultural activity which is proposed to be on the 14th February 2010.
• Aussie Rock on Arden is a stand alone commercial event proposed for Saturday 20th March 2010 between 2-00pm and midnight.
• The main performers are Jimmy Barnes and John Farnham – chosen to appeal to an older audience.

Whilst the above information is confirmed, the Melbourne City Councillors appear to have only been briefed on this issue at a private meeting at the Town Hall. The matter has not been to a Council committee meeting where normally a detailed report would be available for public scrutiny. The Association is concerned about the process to date.

A number of issues are still unresolved:

• Proper standards for the conduct of the event including, infrastructure protection, public safety and health issues have not been defined.
• The Rock concert is not part of the opening and is actually being held 5 weeks later.
• It is a commercial event and it appears no opportunity exists for local youth to perform.
• Is the event consistent with the lease between the Council and the football club?
• Is State Government approval required for this event.?
• Are the Melbourne City Councillors going to make the decision on this proposal at a public committee and council meeting, or just leave it to the administration?
• What impact will the event have on the grassed surface and other recreation areas and facilities?
• What is the expected attendance of this event and what is the expected impact on the surrounding area?
• Will this event create a precedent for similar events in future years?
• The event appears to have little to do with the Language and Learning Centre or multiculturalism.
• Whilst comments have been made about sharing the profits between the Football Club, Language and Learning Centre and the community, no clear guidelines have been provided for the distribution.

Please make your view known to the Melbourne City Councillors and to the local member Bronwyn Pike.

Polo in Royal Park  Download (201KB)