JOIN CAG

SmithStreet.org « CAG « News « Residents Groups ask Planning Minister to 'call in' Banco's plans

Delegation from CAG, 3068, South Fitzroy Residents meet with Planning Minister Rob Hulls' advisers to request that he 'call in' Banco's plans …

On 6th June 2005 a delegation from Collingwood Action Group, 3068 and South Fitzroy Residents Association met with Planning Minister Rob Hulls' representatives - Chief of Staff, Fiona Hayes; Senior Adviser, Mark Woodland; and Parliamentary Secretary, Elaine Carbines - to request the Minister 'call in' Banco's plans for Smith and Little Oxford Streets, Collingwood. The delegation said this was the unanimous view of the Collingwood Action Group, 3068, South Fitzroy Residents and Yarra Council.

The delegation supported Yarra Council's position that the Minister should immediately call in Banco's application and refer it to a Panel, for concurrent consideration with the Smith Street Interim Structure Plan, under development and due for endorsement in July. The delegation emphasized that unlike the developer, neither the community nor Yarra Council has the resources to respond to two separate processes - one in VCAT and one before a Panel.

The delegation was encouraged by the advisers' assurances that the Minister would give any interim control proposals prompt attention. However there were concerns that Ministerial representatives could not commit to ensuring they were approved swiftly, especially given instances involving interim controls from Yarra waiting up to 6 months for the Planning Minister's approval. The delegation also put the view that the community did not regard VCAT as an 'independent umpire'.