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SmithStreet.org « CAG « Media Releases, News « YARRA STEAMROLLS COMMUNITY ON SMITH STREET

Yarra Council is moving closer to keeping its promise to fast-track an Interim Structure Plan for the Smith Street and Wellington Street precinct. In April Yarra made a pact with Planning Minister Hulls to deliver an Interim Structure Plan in 8 weeks - for approval at the July Council meeting - after over two years of inaction. But a community backlash could be brewing against out of scale maximum heights following Council's preview of its proposal at a public meeting last week.

A Council Steering Committee of Councillors, Council staff, and representatives from the State Government, resident groups and traders, gave advice on theinterim plan's development. The Collingwood Action Group successfully moved aresolution to create the Committee at Council's heated public meeting in March.

Local town planner, Ms Sivy Orr - CAG's Committee nominee - commended Council for following State Government directives on consulting with the community. However CAG was disappointed this was the best Council could come up with, 'It is clear the timeframe agreed with the Planning Minister was too tight to deliver good outcomes for the community, although we understand the threat posed by Banco's VCAT appeal. The compromise position adopted by Council, with the foreign 'tower' element, risks permanently transforming Smith Street, and over time destroying the heritage significance of this area.'

Ms Orr said CAG was dismayed Council's proposal did not reflect community consultations indicating people wanted Smith Street to retain its heritage character with 2 -3 storey buildings. People were aghast at last week's public meeting when Yarra unveiled plans for maximum 5 storey heights on Banco's Smith Street site, and provision for towers. Residents on Oxford and Little Oxford Street were shocked the land slope means they would be overlooked by the equivalent of buildings around 7 storeys. Council officers also told the meeting there had been no time to analyse issues such as the traffic impact of increased development on the Banco site.

According to Ms Orr, CAG had grave reservations about the level of community support for Council's interim plan. 'Yarra's community consultations provide no justification for a maximum 5 storey height for the Banco site. That is why CAG argued for alternative maximum heights at the last Steering Committee meeting.'

CAG was also disturbed that expert views on using the interim plan to protect heritage and conservation were being ignored by Council, 'Professor Miles Lewis recommends the interim controls specify conservation measures for the Banco site - such as conserving historic buildings and re-opening the tunnel under Smith Street'.

Ms Orr continued, 'This is the most significant planning issue facing Yarra and it's now up to Councillors as our elected representatives to show leadership and listen to the people. It may not be too late to lobby Councillors ahead of Yarra's Council meeting on Tuesday 12 July, when the interim plan will be considered'.

CAG will now refocus its efforts on fighting the Banco appeal at VCAT, due to start in September, and getting the Planning Minister's to call in and refuse Banco's plans.

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Collingwood Action Group, Sivy Orr 0411 047 399