VCAT have informed us that they are taking the full month to decide the hearing, and will be handing down their decision on Sunday 10th April and we should find out the outcome very soon after that.
Apr 012011
Admin
Mar 102011
As mentioned earlier, the three days of hearing already conducted did not provide enough time to hear all submissions. This morning is the conclusion to the hearings, with the Applicant making a final submission and the Council and Objectors speaker having a right of reply.
If you can show up and provide numerical support to the Objectors speaker, that would be great.
VCAT at 55 King Street, Melbourne. Starting at 10:30am, will take a few hours. But if you can make it for just an hour that helps.
Good luck to our Objectors speakers today.
Feb 092011
Just a quick update – the three days of hearing have concluded, but there was not enough time to hear all submissions. So in around a fortnight there will be a conclusion day with the Applicant making their final submission and Council and Objectors given a final right-or-reply.
More details soon including an update on what did happen at day three.
Feb 082011
Monday: Council presented their two expert witnesses which took all of Monday. Both the Applicant and Objectors representatives cross examined these witnesses.
Tuesday: Council gave their closing statement at the beginning of the day. The Objectors representatives gave their statements and presented their documented submissions throughout the morning. In the afternoon the Applicant made their opening and presented two of their expert witnesses. Both the Applicant and Objectors representatives cross examined these witnesses.
The VCAT member hearing the case undertook a site visit Tuesday afternoon.
Wednesday will see the rest of the Applicants experts present.
A further update tomorrow. A decision by VCAT is not expected on the day, but up to a few weeks away.
For the first two days, resident objectors have been attending to watch first hand and lend support. If you can lend moral and numerical support to the speakers presenting on behalf of the Resident Objectors, please come down to the VCAT hearing for the last day (Wednesday).
VCAT at 55 King Street, Melbourne.
Even coming in for an hour or so demonstrates to all parties the conviction of the objectors. You can quietly walk in and out at will.
Feb 072011
If you can lend moral and numerical support to the speakers presenting on behalf of the Resident Objectors, please come down to the VCAT hearing.
VCAT at 55 King Street, Melbourne.
Even coming in for an hour or so demonstrates to all parties the conviction of the objectors. You can quietly walk in and out at will.
Scheduled for submissions and present expert witnesses are:
- Monday – Council, although Objectors might start if Council finishes early.
- Tuesday – Objectors
- Wednesday – Applicant (developer)
And for everyone else who can’t make it, we will keep you informed with update posts.
Good luck and thanks to everyone for getting us to this point.
Feb 022011
It’s the final days of preparation of the Final Hearing submission on behalf of Objectors.
We need a few Objector volunteers to help with an urgent task. If you life in the area and have a few hours to spare over the next few day to help us out, could you please email info@protectnewport.com
Thanks very much.
Feb 022011
As mediation was unsuccessful, the final hearing at VCAT goes ahead, and has been confirmed for next Monday (7th), Tuesday and Wednesday.
Scheduled for submissions and present expert witnesses are:
- Monday – Council
- Tuesday – Objectors
- Wednesday – Applicant (developer)
We will keep everyone informed during the hearing.
Jan 192011
Mediation at VCAT did not produce a result satisfactory to all parties, so the case will proceed to a Final Hearing – still scheduled for 7th February.
But a commendation is due for all those who turned attended and participated – everyone put in a big big effort on the day.
Jan 182011
Today is VCAT mediation day, where the Applicant (developer), Council, and Objectors present in front of VCAT to see if there can be a mutually satisfactory resolution and avoid the formal hearing.
Objectors are being represented by a single speaker (although individual objectors who wish to represent themselves can do so) and the selected speaker will submit the required paperwork on behalf of the group of objectors.
Objectors may wish to be at mediation and observe the proceedings… in fact your presence will add weight to our case. So come along if you can make it.
VCAT, 55 King St Melbourne, 18th January at 2:15pm, expected to take 180 minutes.
Jan 062011
Hobsons Bay Leader has written anther article, this time about the resident sentiment about the proposed development. Below is the text in full…
If you view the Leader’s article on this page, you can place comments on the Leader’s website.
A NEW residents group has vowed to fight a “hideous” 46-apartment development in Newport that it claims will clog surrounding streets.
The Protect Newport group was formed after 82 objections were received by Hobsons Bay Council to a permit application for the former Newport Timber Yard in Paine St.
As previously reported by the Leader, the development (pictured) would include three-storey apartments, fronting Paine, Crawford and Latrobe streets and Armstrong Reserve. Much of the surrounding area is filled by inter-war and Edwardian homes.
Anthony Simmons, who started the website protectnewport.com, said residents were concerned about traffic congestion and the apartment’s design. “One aspect is the style,” Mr Simmons said.
“People are knocked out by how hideous it is or how it doesn’t fit in the area.
“The density is also really bothering people. The fact is these are a blocks of flats.”
The council knocked back the developer’s proposal, citing eight different reasons why it wouldn’t be appropriate.
Among these, according to the refusal notice, were: “the proposal will adversely affect the amenity of the area by way of overflow car parking in surrounding streets” and “the proposal is not consistent with heritage policies”.
But the matter will now be decided at planning tribunal VCAT after the proponent appealed the council’s ruling.
Proponent Peter Cahill, of Domain Hill Property, was overseas last week and unavailable for comment.
In August Mr Cahill told the Leader that the design was “architecturally striking” and “deliberately very contemporary and iconic”.
Mr Cahill said there would be high demand to live in the new development.
Note: The above text and images by Hobsons Bay Leader – copyright remains that of the respected owners.