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Public rally to Save Smith Street

CAG announced today it was organising a public rally as part of the next phase in the community campaign to Save Smith Street from developers Banco. The rally on Smith Street starts 11 am, Saturday 27th August, assembling at the historic Grace Darling Hotel on the corner of Smith and Peel Streets, Collingwood. Local MPs and identities are lined up to speak.

INFORMATION RELEASE
Sunday 14 August 2005

'Public rally to Save Smith Street'

A public rally is part of the next phase in the community campaign to save Smith Street from developers Banco. The rally on Smith Street starts at 11 am on Saturday 27th August, assembling at the historic Grace Darling Hotel on the corner of Smith and Peel Streets, Collingwood.

Last week Planning Minister Rob Hulls called in Banco's controversial development proposal for Smith Street, Collingwood, due for a VCAT hearing on Monday 19th September. The Minister referred the plans to an independent panel for consideration together with Yarra Council's Interim Structure Plan for Smith Street.

Collingwood Action Group spokesperson, Mr Earl Sakareassen, said Minister Hulls should be congratulated for listening to the community and calling in Banco's plans. The call was unanimously supported by Local MP Richard Wynne, Yarra Council and residents groups Collingwood Action Group, 3068, South Fitzroy Residents, and Save our Suburbs.

Mr Sakareassen said CAG was organising the rally to send the message that continued community action was vital, and to mark an important step in the long campaign. '1500 people objected to Banco's plans last year and our latest campaigning on Smith Street shows clear community opposition to Banco's new proposal. The community deserves better development on Smith Street'.

Banco wants to demolish almost a whole block on Smith Street - destroying important heritage buildings in the process - and construct three high-rise apartment towers, a shopping mall, and massive underground car park in the heart of Collingwood and Fitzroy. CAG wants the Minister to reject the development, and ensure Banco comes up with a more appropriate plan for the site, that reflects the community's vision for the Smith Street precinct.

CAG had lined up local politicians and identities from the area for the rally. According to Mr Sakareassen, people will have a chance to hear about what the Ministerial call in means and how they can put their views about the type of development they want for their neighbourhood.

FOR MEDIA COMMENT
Collingwood Action Group, Earl Sakareassen 0425 748 888
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