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SmithStreet.org « CAG « Timeline « November 2004

2004-11-04

CAG writes to Yarra Ward Councillors Deborah Di Natale and Greg Barber (Mackillop Ward) expressing concerns regarding Council's failure to formally respond to CAG correspondence of 22 October 2004 and Council's apparent lack of a position on the matter.

2004-11-04

CAG representatives attend Collingwood & Abbotsford Residents' Association (CARA) 'Meet the Candidates' evening, for residents and candidates in Langridge Ward. CAG asks candidates questions about their position on planning and the Smith Street development proposal; and seeks clarification on candidates' support base including details of financial support and preference deals with individual candidates and/or parties.

2004-11-09

CAG writes to Councillor Kay Meadows (Mayor City of Yarra) expressing concerns re Council's failure to formally respond to CAG correspondence of 22 October 2004; Council's apparent lack of a position on the matter; criticising Council's continued failure to meet its community consultation obligations on planning matters and its non-response to CAG's repeated requests for action on this matter. CAG calls on Yarra Mayor to make good the statement at CAG's August public meeting that 'a decision will be made' and asked for an indication of when.

2004-11-11

CAG representatives attend The 3068 Group 'Meet the Candidates' evening, for residents and candidates in Langridge Ward. CAG asks candidates questions about their position on planning and the Smith Street development proposal; and seeks clarification on candidates' support base including details of what specifically they will do to support the community and the 1500 objectors to the planning application.

2004-11-12

CAG representatives meet with Richard Wynne, State Member for Richmond, to re-affirm his support for the community about opposing Banco's scheme; Wynne states he believes that Yarra Council will reject the application at its November meeting.

2004-11-15

Letter to CAG from Councillor Kay Meadows (Mayor, City of Yarra) in response to CAG letter of 9 November 2004, apologising for not responding earlier and advising 'we have been waiting for a response from the Applicant in response to the matters you raised'. The letter states inter alia that 'our aim was to work together [with CAG and the Applicant] in an attempt to resolve a planning outcome that was to the satisfaction of all parties. It was then envisaged that this revised plan would be subject to public consultation and comment prior to Council determining the application ... On 11 November 2004, the Applicant asked Council to put the Application on hold while it reviewed the proposal and the 'without prejudice' revised plans in light of the concerns raised by Council and CAG'. In relation to CAG's request that Council meet its consultation obligations, the letter says 'In no way has Council abrogated its responsibility to publicly consult on the application, however as outlined earlier the without prejudice revised plans have no status and cannot be taken out for wider consultation at this stage'. In response to CAG's request that Council make a decision, the letter says 'Council will be reporting the matter at its meeting on 16 November 2004 to update the community on progress to date. In the report Council will be seeking approval from the applicant to consult more broadly with the community on the 'without prejudice; plans ... Council hopes to continue working with CAG and the community to resolve an outcome on the site to the satisfaction of all parties'.

2004-11-16

CAG representatives attend last Yarra Council meeting prior to local government elections to speak to Councillor Deborah Di Natale's (Mackillop Ward) request that Council reject Banco's planning application, a request Mayor Kay Meadows advised the Councillor is 'on track' and 'a report will be coming to council as a refusal'. It is not listed as an agenda item on Yarra Council's website; a report is not publicly available; and Council planning officers fail to prepare the report rejecting the scheme in line with Councillor's request. At the meeting planning officers cite late confidential legal advice claiming Council would be at risk by refusing the application without an officer's report. CAG representatives put the community view that after 1500 objections and 8 months the planning application should be rejected and the grounds for doing so should be well documented, including considerable work done by CAG and in the independent report Inner Urban Conservation and Development. Following a convoluted debate and despite subsequent disagreement about the motion Yarra Council advises CAG the carried motion is as follows: 'that Council request the applicant to substitute the current permit application plans PL03/4307, with the "without prejudice plans" within 2 weeks so that Council can take the plans out for comprehensive community consultation; if the applicant does not substitute the plans in the timeframe, Council officers prepare a thorough assessment of the planning permit application … if the application is refused then it be presented to IDAC for determination; if Council has determined the application and the applicant lodges an application for review to VCAT or the applicant applies to VCAT for review of the failure of Council to grant a permit within the time required ... Council request that the Minister for Planning exercise her power ... to "call in" the application'.

2004-11-18

Yarra Council planning officers advise CAG via email that a letter has been drafted to the Applicant (Banco) to notify them of Council's resolution and confirming that CAG will be advised once Council has 'a formal or informal response'.

2004-11-19

CAG issues media release 'Community outrage at Yarra Council meeting debacle'.

2004-11-22

CAG poses 5 questions to Yarra Council candidates about planning and development and posts responses on www.smithstreet.org.

2004-11-25

CAG's November edition of 'Latest News' posted on www.smithstreet.org and emailed to mailing list - covers what CAG has done recently; what could happen next with the development proposal in light of Yarra Council's decision at its November meeting; and what people can do (contact their local member, Minister for Planning, Council; make your vote count at Yarra Council elections; and visit www.smithstreet.org and send an e-petition).

2004-11-28

Yarra Council election results for 2004 - Following Councillors elected in order of first preference votes received. For Langridge Ward: Jenny Farrar (Green); Annabel Barbara (ALP); Stephen Jolly (Socialist Party). For Melba Ward: Kay Meadows (ALP); Judy Morton (Independent); Gurm Sekhon (Green). For Nicholls Ward: Kathleen Maltzahn (Green); Jackie Fristacky (Independent); Paul D'Agostino (ALP). For full details of enrolment, formal and informal votes, voter turnout etc visit Victorian Electoral Commission website (www.vec.vig.gov.au/council/Yarra/WP_Yarra_Results2004).