Threat continues

Monday 14 March 2005

Dear Editor, Yarra Leader

The threat of massive, high-rise development on Smith Street continues despite Yarra Council finally refusing Banco’s plans this February for a massive, multi-towered development on Smith and Little Oxford Streets. Now Council is moving fast on a Smith Street Precinct Urban Design Framework that will set future development parameters in an area bounded by Smith Street, Victoria Parade, Wellington Street and Johnston Street.

Since April 2004, the Collingwood Action Group has worked hard to represent
the record 1500 objectors to Banco’s monster proposal and fight for the right development on Smith Street. CAG has told Council we are concerned about its process for developing the Framework and its content. Yarra skipped important steps in community consultation; has rushed the process; and produced a draft that seems to ignore significant community and expert concerns about Banco’s proposal raised over the past year.

Therefore it is vital that people turn up to Yarra’s public meeting – Wednesday 23 March at 7pm, Collingwood Town Hall, 140 Hoddle Street, Abbotsford – and tell Council what they want for Smith Street. This may be our community’s last chance to have a say about our future. Smith Street’s heritage, amenity, culture, diversity will all be destroyed if Council introduces planning policies favouring developers’ profits at the expense of community values and neighbourhood character.

Cliodhna Rae, Spokesperson, Collingwood Action Group
(CAG’s website has the latest – www.smithstreet.org/cag)

c/ 26 Cambridge Street, Collingwood VIC 3066. PH 0414 268 579