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VCAT hearing costs, shortfall, can you help?

 Building Developments, Timber Yard, Timber Yard Development: News, Timber Yard Development: Objecting  1 Response »
Sep 242012
 

Hi everyone,

While we wait for a decision from VCAT the fighting team is calculating the expenses of external professionals that were required. Some of these included the town planner and videographer, each of which gave us very good rates and excellent value for the communities money.

Previous fund raising activities and donations have helped cover a lot of these costs, but we have a funding shortfall of $1300 and are looking for further assistance to cover these final bills.

If anyone can assist please hit the Donate button on the right side of this screen, or drop into 2 Crawford St where Monique will happily accept donations and complete the bill paying.

Thank you to everyone who has already supported the fight, and to those who can lend a further hand (hand in pocket that is).

 Posted by at 11:33 am

VCAT hearing concluded today.

 Building Developments, Timber Yard, Timber Yard Development: News, Timber Yard Development: Objecting  6 Responses »
Sep 132012
 

After four days of submissions, expert witnesses, cross examinations, and conditions submissions; the hearing has concluded.

Council spent around a day presenting their expert witnesses, and being cross examined by the developer and residents.

A site visit was held on Tuesday morning. Residents representatives spend the rest of Tuesday providing their submission which included slides, DVD, and documents.

The developer’s lawyer spent two day presenting their expert witnesses, and being cross examined by the Council and residents representatives.

Thursday concluded with Council and residents submitting conditions (potentially applicable if the permit is approved), and the developer opposing these requirements where possible.

 

Melissa, Darren, Alison and Anthony spend the entire duration performing the cross examinations, providing submissions and conditions on behalf of resident objectors.

A few residents dropped in to observe and provide them support.

 

The VCAT members presiding over the hearing were courteous and provided us with sufficient time for detailed cross examination and provide our submissions in full.

 

A decision by the VCAT members was not made today and is not expected tomorrow, but will take the members more time to consider. It will not take longer than four weeks as per Major Case List procedure.

 Posted by at 8:25 pm

VCAT hearing update.

 Building Developments, Timber Yard, Timber Yard Development: Objecting  No Responses »
Sep 112012
 

Today saw the representatives for the objecting residents delivery their submission… which included a slide presentation of many issues; and a DVD highlighting key features of our neighbourhood, residents reactions, how the development will look if built, and how we will feel the impact.

The VCAT tribunal members also conducted an accompanied site inspection this morning. With us, Council and the developer’s representative present.

Tonight we are busily finalising our written submission to be delivered tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow will see the developer’s expert witnesses give their evidence. Council and the resident representatives will cross examine these experts. This is likely to continue through to the end of Thursday.

 

 Posted by at 9:42 pm

VCAT hearing – starts tomorrow. Can you come along?

 Building Developments, Timber Yard, Timber Yard Development: News, Timber Yard Development: Objecting  1 Response »
Sep 092012
 

The VCAT hearing on the Timber Yard development starts tomorrow. The develop is hoping to overturn the Councils permit refusal decision.

 

Schedule:

Council will present their case tomorrow. Calling two expert witnesses.

Representatives on behalf of residents will likely present their case Tuesday.

The developer will likely present their case Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.  Calling six expert witnesses.

 

Show your support?

Can you come to the hearing to show your support in front of VCAT? Even for just an hour is beneficial. If you can make it come in and be seated near the resident representatives.

 

When and where:

VCAT office: 55 King Street Melbourne.
Monday’s part will be held in room 5.1, other days may be in different rooms (to be advised).

 Posted by at 8:20 pm

VCAT Expert Witness Reports

 Building Developments, Timber Yard, Timber Yard Development: News, Timber Yard Development: Objecting  2 Responses »
Aug 282012
 

The Timber Yard development goes to VCAT  in less than two weeks.
The developer and Council have submitted their expert witness reports prepared for the hearing.

The resident objectors team are reviewing the reports and finalising their submission which will be given to VCAT during the hearing.

 

Developer’s Documents

Urban Design Evidence

Visual Amenity Statement and Visual Amenity Photomontages

Statement of Town Planning Evidence

Traffic Report and On-site parking plans

Heritage Issues

Landscape Report  and Landscape Plans

 

Council’s Documents

Urban Design Evidence

Heritage Evidence

 Posted by at 4:31 pm

Asbestos on Timber Yard site? Is it being correctly managed?

 Building Developments, Health and Environment, Timber Yard, Timber Yard Development: News  2 Responses »
Aug 092012
 

Back in 2011 broken pieces of sheet material on the surface of the Timber Yard site were visible. To the casual observer the pieces look like asbestos sheet fragments, which would be logical considering the site legally sold asbestos products for many years and the large central building demolished in 2006 had asbestos roofing. Since the demolition the surface of the site has been graded over but the sheet material detritus became exposed on the surface amongst the gravel, dirt and weeds.

These below images were forwarded to an asbestos assessor and based on these images and a description of the site, the assessor assumed many of the pieces are most likely asbestos.

If this is asbestos, it’s of concern because the site is regularly disturbed by a mowing contractor, and any potentially hazardeous materials further broken up and scattered. And as most people know the site abuts the public park Armstrong Reserve and is only meters away from the children’s playground and cricket nets. Children have also bee observed on the site.

Most likely as a result of the mowing of the site, most of the previously visible potential asbestos detritus is no longer observable. It’s likely the pieces are now broken into fine particles and scattered throughout the site and/or surrounding environment.

Council, EPA, and WorkSafe were all contacted about the matter, with the outcome of responsibility for investigating the matter being with WorkSafe Victoria. WorkSafe Victoria were asked if the matter had been investigated, or if there is/was asbestos on site and if it poses any danger to workers or community; they would not provide any information as they were protecting the confidentiality of the employer/land owner. An Fredom Of Information request could be lodged if information on the matter were sought by individuals or the community.

Below are images of the broken material that were observable in 2011 after a year of regular mowing of the site. Another year later this detritus is gone. But no doubt more is graded under the surface of this site.

So with the evidence scattered, no information from the responsible authourity, should the community be worried? If it was asbestos, how are we to know now, have our children been put at risk? Is there more under the surface and will this be correctly managed when the site disturbed in the future?


 Posted by at 6:24 pm

Greens member of State Parliament Colleen Hartland MLC writes to Planning Minister Matthew Guy

 Building Developments, Timber Yard, Timber Yard Development: News, Timber Yard Development: Objecting  No Responses »
Jul 182012
 
Colleen Hartland MLC(Member of the Legislative Council) has responded to our situation with a letter to Matthew Guy, highlighting her discussions with residents about the negative impact of the timber yard development on both neighbourhood character and amenity of Armstrong Reserve. Thanks Colleen.Here is a PDF copy of Colleen’s letter to the Planning Minister. Below is a scan of her letter.

Now is the time for residents to write or email the Planning Minister Minister Guy seeking his support to uphold Council’s refusal to grant this development a permit.

You may wish to include:

  • Mention the address (6 Paine St Newport) and the type of development being proposed. A single structure of 3 and 4 stories covering half a block, taller and more massive than anything in the area. Totally out of scale and character to everything else surrounding it.
  • Mention aspects of the immediate area and park that make this neighbourhood great, and how they will be impacted by this size and style of development. You might mention how disconcerting it is to have these apartments overlook the park and children’s playground.
  • Tell the Minister how the plans for this development have remained essentially unchanged in design, mass and density, despite being rejected by Council twice and VCAT once. Yet Council and residents are required to fund and fight the case in VCAT all over again.
  • Mention something personal, how long you have lived here, if you children use the park, the style of house you live in or surrounding the site. The neighbourhood character that is appreciated and important to retain in this area.
  • Ask the Minister to support the Hobsons Bay Council’s decision to refuse a permit for this development.

Email to the Planning Minister’s at matthew.guy@parliament.vic.gov.au

 Posted by at 12:40 pm

Letter to Planning Minister Matthew Guy from Wade Noonan MP

 Building Developments, Timber Yard, Timber Yard Development: News, Timber Yard Development: Objecting  No Responses »
Jul 142012
 
Wade Noonan MP who took our petition to Parliament in June has written to the Planning Minister Matthew Guy seeking urgent assistance to help stop the Timber Yard development.Here is a PDF copy of Wade’s letter to residents and the Planning Minister. Below are scans of the letters in full. 

Now is the time for residents to write or email the Planning Minister Minister Guy seeking his support to uphold Council’s refusal to grant this development a permit.

You may wish to include:

  • Mention the address (6 Paine St Newport) and the type of development being proposed. A single structure of 3 and 4 stories covering half a block, taller and more massive than anything in the area. Totally out of scale and character to everything else surrounding it.
  • Mention aspects of the immediate area and park that make this neighbourhood great, and how they will be impacted by this size and style of development. You might mention how disconcerting it is to have these apartments overlook the park and children’s playground.
  • Tell the Minister how the plans for this development have remained essentially unchanged in design, mass and density, despite being rejected by Council twice and VCAT once. Yet Council and residents are required to fund and fight the case in VCAT all over again.
  • Mention something personal, how long you have lived here, if you children use the park, the style of house you live in or surrounding the site. The neighbourhood character that is appreciated and important to retain in this area.
  • Ask the Minister to support the Hobsons Bay Council’s decision to refuse a permit for this development.

Email to the Planning Minister’s at matthew.guy@parliament.vic.gov.au

 

 

 Posted by at 3:52 pm

Hobsons Bay Weekly article: Protect Newport petitions Guy over apartment complex plan

 Building Developments, Timber Yard, Timber Yard Development: News, Timber Yard Development: Objecting  No Responses »
Jun 142012
 

An article regarding the 6 Paine St development has just been published in the Hobsons Bay Weekly.

The article at the Hobsons Bay Weekly website.

See your letterbox or this page to join the petition – your participation is appreciated.

Protect Newport petitions Guy over apartment complex plan

BY GOYA DMYTRYSHCHAK
13 Jun, 2011 12:00 AM

A PETITION is calling on Planning Minister Matthew Guy to intervene in a controversial development proposed on the former Newport timber yard site.

The petition, launched on Friday by the group called Protect Newport, states that plans to build 42 apartments up to four storeys at 6 Paine Street ” are highly inappropriate and will do nothing to enhance the Newport area”.

At least 360 residents have objected to the proposal by Domain Hill Property Group.

Hobsons Bay Council has twice refused the developer’s plans – in 2010 and last year – and the developer has lodged a second appeal at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

The developer’s first proposal for a three-storey, 46-dwelling apartment block was rejected by the council and VCAT.

Residents also said they felt “blackmailed” by the developer’s letter, which indicated that if they did not accept the plans, a four-storey, 136-dwelling social housing complex could be built without council approval. The council denied this was possible.

Protect Newport spokesman Anthony Simmons last Friday joined state Williamstown MP Wade Noonan in launching the petition.

It states that: “The government was elected on a platform of giving more power to councils and we mean it. The Baillieu state government should also support the Hobsons Bay Council’s decision to reject plans to build this high-density multi-storey development in Newport, within
a low-scale, heritage neighbourhood.”

Mr Simmons said: “Newport residents have been fighting this ridiculous over-development for two years now. Yet we are determined to continue fighting and win.

“I can’t believe the arrogance of this developer who thinks his high-density development is appropriate for our neighbourhood, when he is opposed by council’s planners and hundreds of residents who think his plan’s very inappropriate in almost every respect.”

Mr Noonan said he made no apology about getting involved. “This has become a David versus Goliath battle, so I am making no apologies for weighing in to support the community in their opposition,” he said.

“It’s time to restore some balance in our planning system and give greater power back to the local community. I think we’re all sick and tired of seeing ridiculously large developments being built in predominantly low-rise areas.”

The developer and Mr Guy’s office had not responded by the time of going to press.

The petition will be distributed to about 1000 local households

 

Article by Hobsons Bay Weekly

 Posted by at 10:03 pm
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