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SmithStreet.org « CAG « News « PUBLIC RALLY SAYS NO TO BANCO ON SMITH STREET - CAMPAIGN TO GO ON

Crowd of some 300 overwhelmingly supports continuation of community campaign, seeks support of Yarra Council and Unions

The SAY NO TO BANCO rally held on Smith Street Fitzroy today called on Yarra Council and Unions to stand together with the community to fight the Minister's decision to approve the Banco development and reject Council's Amendment C76. An often vocal crowd of 300 heard from MC Rod Quantock and speakers Richard Wynne the State Member for Richmond, Dave Kerin from Union Solidarity, Ian Quick of Save our Suburbs, Greg Barber Greens candidate for Northern Metro region, Steve Jolly from Yarra Council and Louise Grace from the Collingwood Action Group.

Nearly 200 people signed a petition calling on the City of Yarra to stand together with the community and continue fighting the Minister's decision to approve Banco's development and reject Amendment C76, by seeking proper legal advice and funding an ongoing campaign:
1. We the undersigned ask the City of Yarra to do everything in its powers to act in accordance with the Council resolution of Tuesday 21 February 2006 re the above matters by urgently obtaining legal advice from senior counsel as subsequently recommended by its in-house lawyers and ensure this advice:
" Examines whether the Priority Development Panel's (PDP) conduct in revising Banco's plans in meetings without resident representation represents a denial of natural justice to residents excluded from the meeting;
" Examines the legal validity or otherwise of the process followed by the PDP to reach a determination to grant Banco a planning permit;
" Examines whether or not the PDP's conduct in considering Banco's planning application prior to considering and determining on C76 was appropriate;
" Explores the potential to use local laws to modify any negative impacts of the proposed development; and
" Is reported by Council to the community at its planned public meeting on the Minister's decisions prior to making any decision on the advice.
2. We the undersigned also ask that the City of Yarra initiate and fund an active campaign in conjunction with the community to oppose the decision to approve the Banco development and reject Amendment C76, based on the successful campaign by the Wyndham Council to defeat the proposed Werribee Toxic Waste Dump.
3. We request that each of the undersigned be treated as an individual petitioner.

The rally also overwhelmingly supported this motion requesting support from the City of Yarra and unions in the campaign against the decision to approve the Banco development and reject Yarra's Amendment C76:
a) City of Yarra obtains legal advice from senior counsel on the validity of the Planning Minister's decision to give Banco's plans the go ahead; whether residents were denied natural justice; and how local laws could modify the worst impacts of the approved development;
b) City of Yarra funds and initiates and active campaign working with the community to oppose the approval of Banco's plans and rejection of Amendment C76 based on Wyndham Council's successful campaign to defeat a proposed toxic waste dump at Werribee.
c) Unions and specifically the building unions use their power to help get Banco to the table to reach a better outcome for the community; respect any community picket in the future; and slap green bans on Banco site if necessary.

Yarra Council is currently considering the question of seeking further legal advice about the Minister's decision with a view to appealing (see story on Yarra Council motion).

More news on the rally, a media release and photographs to follow soon.