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SmithStreet.org « CAG « Media Releases « INFORMATION RELEASE: PUBLIC RALLY 27 AUGUST SAVE SMITH STREET & SAY NO TO BANCO

Residents, activists and politicians join forces for a public rally this Saturday in the next phase of the campaign to save Smith Street from developers Banco. Rally starts at 11 am Saturday 27th August, at Grace Darling Hotel, corner Smith and Peel Streets, Collingwood.

INFORMATION RELEASE
Wednesday 24 August 2005

PUBLIC RALLY 27 AUGUST - SAVE SMITH STREET & SAY NO TO BANCO

Residents, activists and politicians have joined forces for a public rally this Saturday to mark the next phase in the community campaign to save Smith Street from developers Banco. The rally starts at 11 am on Saturday 27th August, at the historic Grace Darling Hotel on the corner of Smith and Peel Streets, Collingwood.

The line up of speakers includes Rod Quantock (local resident, comedian, Deputy President of Protectors of the Public Lands Victoria), Steve Jolly (Yarra Councillor), and Ian Quick (President, Save our Suburbs).

Collingwood Action Group spokesperson Mr Earl Sakareassen said it was vital people come to the rally and send a message that new development on Smith Street must be in line with community values. 'The rally is a chance for people to make themselves heard for a neighbourhood with variety, heritage and a human scale, not towers and a shopping mall. Developments like Banco's threaten Melbourne's status as one of the world's most liveable cities.'

CAG congratulated Planning Minister Rob Hulls Minister Hulls for listening to the community and calling in Banco's plans. An independent panel will consider the plans together with Yarra Council's Smith Street Interim Structure Plan. The panel's first meeting is set for 31st August, with the hearings finishing in early October.

Councillor Steve Jolly has run a 'Say NO to Banco' campaign at his weekly stall outside Smith Street's Safeway, 'Only community mobilisation will make Minister Hulls do the right thing. This rally will send the message: put residents' interests before those of developers or pay the political price next November'.

Residents groups 3068, South Fitzroy Residents Association, Protectors of the Public Lands and Save our Suburbs have all come out against Banco's proposal and supported the need for better development on the Banco site.

President of Save our Suburbs, Ian Quick, said 'SOS believes the proposed development is completely unacceptable. It's too big and completely out of character for Smith Street. We strongly support CAG in its efforts to make the development more appropriate'.

FOR MEDIA COMMENT
Collingwood Action Group, Earl Sakareassen 0425 748 888
Protectors of Public Lands, Deputy President, Rod Quantock 0438 862 079
South Fitzroy Residents, Sivy Orr 0411 047 399
Yarra Council, Cllr Steve Jolly 0437 856 713
Save our Suburbs, Ian Quick 9421 2373
State Member for Richmond, Richard Wynne, 9429 1813