Fitzroy Residents’ Association January Newsletter
To contact FRA email fitzroyresidents@gmail.com
A. From the FRA Committee
Attached is our first FRA email Newsletter for 2015. We sent out a special notice
few days ago for the consultation meeting for 250 Gore St. as a special item, but
will try to prevent doing this in the future, to minimize email inbox clogging.
We are keen to get back in action after the Christmas break and have full agenda
to work on.
Development proposals keep coming. Identification of neighbourhood zones in
Fitzroy is urgently needed. Heritage issues are on the boil.
As well, we are keen to develop more social activities for the FRA in 2015. Happy
Birthday House planning is happening and a tour of Fitzroy’s historic pubs is
being planned.
We look forward to having more speakers attending meetings kicking off with
our next meeting on Monday 9th February, 6-30 in the upstairs rear Lounge
Room of the Union Club Hotel, cnr Webb and Gore St.
Regards
David, Sue and Rosa.
B. Next meeting
6-30 pm Monday 9th February
in the upstairs rear Lounge Room
Union Club Hotel, cnr Webb and Gore St
Meeting Agenda
A. Welcome – confirming minutes of last meeting
B. Business :
1. Planning and Development – reports on campaigns, Neighbourhood
rezoning update
2. Heritage and conservation – Happy Birthday House, World Heritage
Planning,
3. Council Liaison and use of council property
4. Links with other communities
5. Social events
C. Newsletter Contents (details below)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Planning and Development Campaigns
Heritage
News from City of Yarra Libraries.
East West Tunnel and Public Transport
Other Resident Group News
======================================================
1. Planning and Development Campaigns
1.1. Development at 166 Gertrude Street -- Community Update.
166-182 Gertrude Street Fitzroy Joint Application for a VCAT review
Jeanette Riakos <j_riakos@hotmail.com>
Please see below – please contact Denis or myself in order to sign the VCAT Application if you so desire.
Phillip Campbell
0408329862
From: Denis Sweetnam [mailto:denis.sweetnam@sgo.com.au]
Subject: 166-182 Gertrude Street Fitzroy Joint Application for aVCAT review
Hi Folks
This following is to bring you all to date;
Invitation for Joint Appeal
IDAC decision
In hindsight we should have rejected the planning approval outright.
On heritage contraventions alone we are all surprised that the planning department allowed
this proposal to get to a ‘Notice to Grant a Planning Permit’ phase at all.
Our many meetings with the developer have achieved meagre gains. It is still remains an
overwhelming 6 storey (or 5 storey) proposed development with a perforated metalscreened roof trying to hide the ‘elephant in the room’.
It appears that the IDAC decision is to limit the building height to 5 storeys, not 4 storeys as
many of us believe was what Stephen Jolly declared at the meeting.
Proposed Action
We invite you to appeal with us against the Council’s IDAC decision to approve the
planning permit with conditions.
Louise Elliot will be making a separate application on heritage grounds. Specific items
from policy 21.05 such as ‘protecting the heritage skyline’ and respecting the ‘stated
heritage significance of the precinct’ will be fundamental to the many issues she has
distinguished. Louise will pay the required application fee of $984.
There are a number of us who intend to rely upon the same objections and will be making a
joint application, on urban and architectural integrity grounds. For example, ‘the
proposed mansard roof is totally inappropriate, disrespectful of the neighbourhood
character and should be deleted altogether’.
Other specific items from policy 22.02 such as ‘ the proposal is dominant and not visually
recessive as required in Heritage Overlay areas’ and ‘meeting similar façade heights of
adjoining buildings’ will be highlighted in our joint submission.
The attached application form states as succinctly as possible our main concerns on urban
and architectural integrity grounds (refer to item 5). (Other items relating to who is to be our
applicant and/or our representative still to be sortedI. Yes we are requesting mediation
(refer item 7).
If you which to add additional items or suggestions to the attached please let me know
asap.
In this case the one (joint) application fee of $984 will be a shared expense.
Deadline
The deadline for lodging our joint appeal is next Tuesday 13th January, 2015.
Each of the joint applicants must be an original objector.
A requirement for a joint application is that it must contain the names, addresses and
signatures of each joint applicant.
Please contact me asap if you wish to join our joint appeal and I will arrange to get your
signature. Phone: 9415 6770 Mobile: 0411 272 900
Cheers…..Denis Sweetnam
1.2 250 Gore Street & 221 Moor Street, Fitzroy Development Resubmission
A consultation meeting in relation to the development proposal at 250 Gore/221 Moor
Street has been held at the Reading Room, Fitzroy Town Hall on Thursday 29th January.
After enduring meetings on the proposed development at VCAT in December 2012, plans for
this site have been re-submitted to Council with an increase of 2 levels and increasing the
total number of apartments from 54 to 98!
For further details See
http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/planning--building/Major-developments/221-moor-streetand-250-gore-street-fitzroy/
A number of very cogent objections based on heritage, height and density and community
degradation were put on the table. It was attended by over 40 people and was primarily a fact
finding exercise by the City of Yarra.
Considerable frustration was voiced that, after reaching a conclusion last year at VCAT, a
further application, aimed primarily at increasing the size and density of the approved plan, is
being resubmitted. Attendees voiced anger that ambit style proposals seemed to underpin a
process of development negotiation, one which the council and/or the community is forced to
resist, wasting considerable public and private resources.
1.3 199 Brunswick Street – development of shop and dwelling - Heritage Concerns
A recent objection to the removal of an 1870 Bluestone wall at the rear of this building has been lodged by an
FRA member. Details are as follows:
Demolition to Heritage Bluestone wall in Council laneway 1717, off Moor St,
Fitzroy, under works proposed in PLN14/1005
A proposed three level property development at 199 Brunswick St Fitzroy (PLN14/1005)
involves demolition of a historic bluestone wall dating back to the 1870’s. The wall is an
important remnant of the lane approach to the coach, harness and saddle manufacturing
precinct started by Madden and Myers in 1875 (and could be the rear wall of the original
Labour in Vain Hotel).
199 Brunswick St is in an area designated Heritage Overlay. The Heritage Statement Response
in PLN14/1005 dates the building in the 1870’s but does not refer to the historic stone wall at
the rear, other than including it as a stone wall on the west elevation drawing of the existing
structure.
The bluestone wall is also not noted on the PLN14/1005 demolition plan, however the
development includes moving an existing roller door from one side of the property to the other,
therefore implying its demolition. In place of the current roller door a new wall described as
“brick wall” is proposed on the west elevation.
The following paragraphs summarise how she believes council statutory planning should more effectively
address heritage issues which may ensure heritage matters are more consistently handled as part of the
approval process by council.
As you will note from my reasons, I am targeting the paucity of heritage advice on the property both from
council and developer perspective. The ease with which the applicant dismisses heritage (both overlay and
contributory), is in my mind, bred from Yarra council’s own minimalist heritage messages communicated in its
statutory planning guidance and inconsistent procedures. At least as a minimum within planning permit
applications, Yarra needs. but Yarra does not have, is
a prescribed set of standards for heritage reports, whether submitted by the developer or commissioned by
the council, and .
a prescribed weightings of a property’s, or parts of a property’s, heritage significance, that will more clearly
determine the heritage impact of the proposed development, and
a set of standards for individual buildings, in or out of heritage overlays, and individually significant or
contributory buildings, against which planning permit decisions are made.
We are getting too many of these planning permits, and involving substantial and significant sites, where
heritage appears an optional extra. And moreover, the laisse faire manner of addressing heritage issues is
costly in heritage losses, developer gain and council's reputation. However well intentioned the strategic
heritage plan and its advocates, without changes to heritage matters in statutory planning we are really
wasting our time.
Councillors, will the review of Yarra’s statutory planning provide any opportunities to do anything about any
of these matters?
2. Heritage
2.1 National Heritage Festival 2015: Conflict & Compassion 18 April – 26 May 2015
It’s free to register so click through to the Heritage Festival website and register your events
today!
See http://us5.campaignarchive1.com/?u=8b003b42b60ac03d2597c5c12&id=10d22cbd15&e=b28fafb3b9
To register as a Friend of the Festival please contact the Festival Team directly at
festival@nattrust.com.au or Emily Piper on 03 9656 9870.
The National Trust will be on hand to provide support getting events up and running. If you would
like further information on the Festival or have any other questions regarding event registration
please don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to working with you in the coming months.
2.2 City of Yarra Heritage Group activities
Dear members of Community heritage action group,
The first meeting of the Yarra heritage Advisory Committee is to be held on this Wednesday. Please
find the agenda attached.
Please also find attached for your information, the copies of record of council consideration of
submissions on draft heritage strategy at the December meeting the Yarra heritage strategic plan the
year one plan, and a copy of the action plan for the current financial year.
The action plan arose from the council’s endorsing changes to the plan that would bring forward
action to the current year and would include preparing of budget proposal for 2015-16 budget
round.
Of particular significance please note:
Actions 1.2.1, 1.3.1, 2.1.1, 3.1.1, 3.1.4, 3.1.5, 3.2.1, 4.1.2, 4.2.3 and 4.3.2 are highlighted and
identified as opportunities for HAC and other community volunteers to work with management
project team. As you know the FCHAG worked hard to negotiate these opportunities for direct
community contributions to the actions’ implementation. Management has also noted those projects
for which funding is needed in the 2015/16 budget. Out of the 35 actions there are 9 actions for
which funding is considered necessary. The other actions can be achieved through Council’s current
budget funding, other programs or through existing resources. The total funding considered
necessary for 2015/16 is $64,000. The 2015/16 budget preparations have begun and funding has
been sought for $70,000, which will provide for these actions plus some contingency.
Will you all please consider your capability and capacity to volunteer is some way from one or
more of these actions. I suggest that arrangements might not be finalised, and may be fluid and
adapted to fit in with the volunteers, their expertise and availability. Additionally, management has
asked that people offer suggestions of ways community volunteers might variously contribute their
skills to the implementation plan. So please don’t limit yourselves to the current action plan but put
forward your suggestions for consideration by the YHAC and the team.
Please also pass around to your wider, and perhaps informal networks, this request for volunteers
and ideas. I suggest that individuals might also like to contact other community advisory committee
member, for more information. A list of community reps on the YHAC is on the council website.
So please, if you can add to the expertise and resources, let me know. If you have any interest at all,
even, at this stage, an expression of interest to learn more, please let me know asap. As you will
note from the last attachment, Wednesday's agenda for this first 2015 YHAC meeting promises to
be very tight. It will be helpful if I can go to the meeting with some early responses from the wider
community; either expressions of interest or new ideas for community involvement.
Will those group members who previously, in principle, indicated their interest in being part of the
implementation action groups, please confirm their availability and interest in specific action, or
actions?
Kind regards, Margaret O'Brien
3. News from City of Yarra Libraries
3.1 Whats On Newsletter Download link:
http://yarralibraries.cmail2.com/t/ViewEmail/i/6CFDD472F8981B17/B20EF530FC2E
2CDE9A8E73400EDACAB4
4. East West Tunnel and Public Transport
4.1 MCAT goes forward to advance unfinished business
To MCAT supporters,
The Moreland Community Against the East West Tunnel (MCAT) Organising Committee at
its last meeting for 2014 endorsed moving forward as a group in the new year to advance
unfinished business in the interest of supporting an integrated, sustainable and efficient
transport system.
Please find attached an outline of priorities for ranking at the first MCAT meeting to be held
at 7pm Thursday 12 February, most likely at the senior citizen's centre at Temple Park,
Brunswick West. You are invited to join in the discussion and to raise other suggestions
for action.
All MCAT members and supporters are congratulated for the magnificent outcome each
contributed to driving the former state government's East West Link 'done deal' to a dead
end. And of course there were so many other individuals, groups and organisations
throughout Victoria that share in this success.
All the best for ongoing efforts in 2015,
Moreland Community Against the East West Tunnel (MCAT) Organising Committee
4.2 Authority behind East West Link ditched
Victorian Integrated Transport Alliance (VITAL)
Bye bye, LMA ...
The Age: Authority behind East West Link ditched. January 7, 2015. Clay Lucas, City Editor,
The Age
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/authority-behind-east-west-link-ditched20150107-12jg0e.html
The authority that was responsible for the former Napthine government's dumped East West
Link road project is to be disbanded.
On Tuesday, staff at the Linking Melbourne Authority were told it would be wound up.
A statement from Treasurer and acting Roads Minister Tim Pallas said that the government
recognised the expertise of staff at the authority in delivering major infrastructure.
Mr Pallas said the Transport Department was now working with the authority to retain key
staff and redirect them to work on other projects.
Staff at the Linking Melbourne Authority will be offered redeployment within the state
government, but work to wind up the authority has already started.
Mr Pallas has written to chief executive Ken Mathers and the authority's chairman to tell them
it would be disbanded.
"During the previous Liberal government, the men and women at the authority did their best
in difficult circumstances, working on a project that had a completely flawed business case,"
he said of the East West Link.
He said their skills would be better used assisting the government in its plan to remove 50
level crossings across Melbourne, and on other projects.
4.3 Victorian Integrated Transport Alliance (VITAL) Award
Hi all,
As many of you may of heard, the East West Link community campaign was awarded the
Community Service of the Year Award at Yarra Councils Australia Day citizenship ceremony.
Here's video + media of the event at Richmond Town Hall: East West Link campaign wins
Community Service of the Year Award
http://www.ycat.org.au/?p=7464
cheers,
Chris S
5. Other Resident Group News
5.1 Carlton Resident Association News
Dear CRA Members and Friends,
We celebrate a VCAT win - the rejection of a horrendous redevelopment proposal!
Attached is the latest edition of the CRA Newsflash (see facebook link below). Just before
this paper went to press, we rejoiced at the VCAT decision to reject a permit for a highly
inappropriate development proposal for an 8-storey building at 15-31 Pelham Street. This
was a wonderful victory for our hard working Planning Group and for the whole Carlton
community.
In 2013 CRA informed the community of the inappropriate planning proposal, and appealed
for objections to the City of Melbourne. An impressive 65 objections were submitted, and
CoM rejected the application. The developer then appealed to VCAT.
CRA led community opposition and, together with two owners corporations, supported the
CoM against the proposal for this totally inappropriate development, which is within the
Royal Exhibition Building World Heritage Buffer zone. The scale, height and bulk of the
proposed building were grossly excessive, and would have severely impacted the adjacent
highly graded heritage streetscapes of Drummond, Rathdowne and Pelham Streets.
This is a wonderful note on which to end the old year.
Warmest wishes from the committee to all for 2015!
Kind regards
Greta Bird
for Secretary
Carlton Residents Association Inc.
A0034345G ABN 87 715 923 898
T.0419 583 457
P.O.Box 1140 Carlton Vic 3053
carltonresidents@gmail.com
www.carltonresidents.org.au
http://facebook.com/pages/carltonresidentsassociation/112403528827845
Email:carltonresidents@gmail.com
Or phone me on 9347 1411.
Greta Bird
Christmas Party Convenor
Carlton Residents Association Inc.
5.1 CRA News Continued
Dear Residents and Friends
Carlton Residents Association believes that a proposal for a 17 storey building in Lygon
Street on a site with a preferred height control of 8 storeys, is highly inappropriate. If
approved, this development will create a precedent for this low scale section of Carlton.
Please see details on CRA website, and lodge your objection with reference to the reasons
we have provided.
Regards,
Julie Harrison
Secretary
Carlton Residents Association Inc.
A0034345G ABN 87 715 923 898
T.0419 583 457
P.O.Box 1140 Carlton Vic 3053
carltonresidents@gmail.com
www.carltonresidents.org.au
http://facebook.com/pages/carltonresidentsassociation/112403528827845