CAG Update Nov 2004

Latest News from Collingwood Action Group on Banco's Proposed Smith Street Development.

November 2004

Collingwood Action Group continues to work for the 1500 objectors opposed to Banco's massive high rise, mixed-use development proposal for Smith Street, Collingwood/Fitzroy in the City of Yarra (PL03/1407 132-72 Smith Street and 63-71 Little Oxford Street, Collingwood).

WHAT WE'VE DONE RECENTLY

• Held a public meeting in August 2004 to update the community on progress, and hear from council and state politicians and the public
• Launched the report Inner urban conservation and redevelopment by Melbourne planning experts criticizing Banco's proposal and warning it's a 'test case' under State planning policy, Melbourne 2030
• Participated in Council brokered meetings with Banco under enforced secrecy provisions to explore community concerns about their proposal
• Lobbied Yarra Council for broader community consultation on Banco's schematic drawings for Smith Street tabled during the secret meetings
• Met with local MP Richard Wynne to reaffirm his community support – Wynne expected Yarra Council to reject Banco's plans in November
• Attended Yarra Council's November meeting to address Council on why Banco's development proposal should be rejected after 8 months – Councilors and Mayor expected Council to reject the plans
• Issued media release 'Community outrage at Yarra Council planning debacle' – Council described as 'secretive and incompetent' for failing to reject Banco's scheme and asking Banco to submit new plans for community consultation.

WHAT COULD HAPPEN NEXT

Following Yarra Council's decision at its 16th November meeting, any of the
following could happen:

• Banco submits new plans to Yarra Council based on schematic drawings by
• Wednesday 1 December 2004 for Council to take out for 'comprehensive community consultation'
• Banco fails to submit new plans within this timeframe and Yarra Council rejects the original development proposal
• Banco applies to VCAT because Yarra Council either has failed to make a decision within required timeframe or rejected their planning application
• Banco goes to VCAT using either the original plans or the schematic drawings arrived at during the secret Council meetings
• Banco asks Minister for Planning to 'call in' the application
• Yarra Council asks Minister for Planning to 'call in' the application
• Minister for Planning rejects Banco's original Smith Street proposal, amends
• it or approves it
• Minister for Planning refers matter to a Panel which calls for submissions – Panel advises Minister to reject Banco's original Smith Street proposal,
• amend it or approve it.
• NB Banco can apply to VCAT for review at any time given Yarra Council's failure


• to determine the matter within 60 days.

WHAT WE NEED

Your continued support, so here's six things you can do...

• Make your vote count at Yarra Council elections, by electing candidates opposed to inappropriate development who've worked with CAG – Sivy Orr (Langridge Ward), and Paul Mees (Nicholls Ward) – or said they'll fight for Smith Street – Steven Jolly (Langridge Ward).
• Contact local MP, Richard Wynne, ask how he'll support the community and why State Government planning policy – Melbourne 2030 – encourages high rise towers in residential areas and on heritage shopping strips (ph 94291813 or email Richard.wynne@parliament.vic.gov.au).
• Phone Mary Delahunty MP, Minister for Planning, request she heed expert concerns about Banco's proposal in the report Inner Urban Conservation and Redevelopment and opinions of 1500 objectors by 'calling in' this planning application (ph 96378087).
• Contact Yarra Council, ask why Council didn't refuse Banco's proposal in 60 days and why it's been 8 months with no decision (ph 92055555 for the CEO, Director of City Management or Manager of Urban Planning).
• Visit our website www.smithstreet.org to keep up with news, join CAG, or email an E-Petition protesting about Banco's Smith Street proposal to key Yarra Council and Government decision makers.
• Forward this email to others opposed to Banco's proposal and who want a say about the right development for Smith Street.

Cliodhna Rae
Spokesperson, Collingwood Action Group