tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87835344325605212692024-03-14T03:27:25.767+11:00Help Save KnoxfieldHosted by a group of concerned residents who wish to protect their properties from high density development, in particular double storey townhouses, which are out of character with our green and leafy environmentSave Knoxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183397929356585543noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783534432560521269.post-19168698346224017892012-06-27T19:57:00.001+10:002012-06-27T19:57:11.757+10:0013/15 Kathryn Road, Planning Aplication P/2012/6050<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>The planned development at 13/15 Kathryn Road, consisting of 8 double storey houses and 1 single story house <span style='color:black'>is of </span>concern<span style='color:black'>,as:<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal>1. It clearly is an overdevelopment for 2,650 sq metres.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal>2. Only has two visitor parking spaces, therefore extra visitors will park on Kathryn Road, against a single white line which is illegal. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal>3. Has only a 7.1 metre setback.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal>4. Is out of character with single storey developments on either side of 13/15 Kathryn Road.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal>5. No on-site provision for rubbish bin collection.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal>6. Has no where for trucks to park during development, creating traffic congestion on a dangerous hill on Kathryn Road.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal>The closing date for objections is 1<sup>st</sup> July<span style='color:black'> 2012</span>, next Sunday, which means Monday 2<sup>nd</sup> July will suffice.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal>Ten objections are required to get a planning meeting with the developers.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p> </div> Save Knoxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183397929356585543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783534432560521269.post-20762347885554497962011-09-02T21:20:00.000+10:002011-09-02T21:21:14.478+10:00Home Alert for Knoxfield<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Hi Folks,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>I think we may have a fight on our hands again. No 52 Kathryn must be preserved as a site of local significance. This is probably the only remnant bushland set amongst residential houses in Knoxfield, No 52 also has been designated as a "Site of Biological Significance" by the City of Knox and the advert has no notice of this fact, but advertises it as a site suitable for development. You can find the Knox web page devoted to this site at the above web page. No 48 Kathryn Road is also advertised for sale too.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>The scenario we presented to VCAT when we attended to fight numbers 40 and 44 Kathryn Road is now presenting itself. That is six acre blocks with 10 to 12 apartments on each. We already have four of those blocks either built on or pending. This is the massacre of Knoxfield we feared.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>At all costs we must save No 52 Kathryn Road from the developers. What a wonderful idea it would be if the City of Knox, the State Government and Knox Environment Society could work out a scheme to preserve this site of remnant bushland.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <div align=center> <table class=MsoNormalTable border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=662 style='width:496.5pt;background:white;border-top:none;border-left:solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-bottom:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt'> <tr> <td style='border:none;border-bottom:solid #999999 1.0pt;padding:2.25pt 7.5pt 2.25pt 7.5pt'></td> </tr> <tr> <td style='border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'></td> </tr> </table> </div> <p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p> </div> Save Knoxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183397929356585543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783534432560521269.post-1862479318387616372011-03-08T17:01:00.001+11:002011-03-08T17:01:36.805+11:00Planning the main headache for Melbourne and Yarra residents - put a comment<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>It is not only Knoxfield residents that are concerned with planning. Read the article below for an explanation.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>A walk down Kathryn Road makes one wonder whether we live in the inner or outer suburbs. Look at the gardens in these latest developments, an absolute disgrace to residents that have pride in their suburb. Whatever happened to those magnificent gardens that were presented and articulated in VCAT? Whatever happened to the advanced canopy trees that were to be planted? Most have simply died as they were planted in water logged clay.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>This is just as we expected, without constant supervision from Knox City Council the developers get away with the cheapest option.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Here’s the article from the Melbourne Leader.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <div> <p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Melbourne Leader Article </span><o:p></o:p></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p> </div> <div> <p><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Planning the main headache for Melbourne and Yarra residents</span></strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p> </div> <div id=ygrp-mlmsg> <div id=ygrp-msg> <div id=ygrp-text> <p style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>THE threat of skyscrapers destroying the character of their neighbourhoods causes Melbourne Leader readers to lose sleep at night.<br> <br> A Leader survey has found residents in the Melbourne and Yarra municipalities are the most prone to worrying about planning and development matters.<br> <br> Respondents were asked to rate their concerns across a number of issues, ranging between zero (not at all concernced) and 10 (extremely concerned).<br> <br> Local readers' mean score on planning matters was 7, compared with 6.3 across the metropolitan area.<br> <br> Former lord mayor Kevin Chamberlin, now chairman of the North and West Melbourne Association, said he wasn't surprised by the results.<br> <br> "I think it's a very informed response. It's clear that planning was out of control under (former Planning Minister) Justin Madden and the Labor Party, and it has resulted in a lot of inappropriate developments being approved," Mr Chamberlin said.<br> <br> Melbourne and Yarra residents were also more concerned than average about crowding on public transport (mean score of 7.8), climate change (7.6) and urban density (6.2).<br> <br> But Melbourne and Yarra readers were less concerned about urban sprawl (5.8), access to the city (4.4), access to schools (3.5), water shortage (6.9) and petrol prices (5.5).<br> <br> The results were from Leader's 2010 Cash for Comment. Readers told us what matters to them, what makes them happy and what bothers them.<br> <br> Some lucky readers shared in the $10,000 cash prizes offered by Leader.<br> <br> >>What needs to be done to alleviate residents' concerns about planning and development? Have your say below<br> <br> <a href="http://melbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/planning-is-a-local-headache/#comment-form">http://melbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/planning-is-a-local-headache/#comment-form</a><o:p></o:p></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'>__._,_.___<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <div style='margin-bottom:7.5pt' id=ygrp-actbar> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#666666'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> Save Knoxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183397929356585543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783534432560521269.post-57919087779873561892011-02-09T10:23:00.001+11:002011-02-09T10:23:58.607+11:00McDonald's Win - Leader Newspaper publicity<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal>All Knoxfield residents that participated in having the McDonald’s Restaurant overturned in VCAT are invited to a photoshoot by the Knox Leader newspaper on the McDonald’s site at 9.30am tomorrow (Thursday 10<sup>th</sup> Feb)<o:p></o:p></p> </div> Save Knoxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183397929356585543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783534432560521269.post-77005971019087297352011-02-08T18:06:00.001+11:002011-02-08T18:06:57.029+11:00McDonald's VCAT decision<div class=Section1> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-AU style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:white'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-AU style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black'>Some great VCAT news for Knoxfield.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-AU style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-AU style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black'>At last we’ve had a win. The McDonald’s review against Knox City Council’s decision not to approve the restaurant on Ferntree Gully Road, Knoxfield was won by the council and residents.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-AU style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-AU style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black'>The main reasoning was that it was considered to be an inappropriate activity in a Residential 3 Zone and residents’ concerns with traffic management.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-AU style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-AU style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black'>This is a wonderful result for the power of the little people and excellent representation by Knox City Council at VCAT.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-AU style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-AU style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black'>So after eight visits to VCAT we have had a win and I must say the most important win as a McDonald’s restaurant would have had a major detrimental impact on Knoxfield.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-AU style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-AU style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black'>What a pity some of the other VCAT visits did not have the same result!<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> </div> Save Knoxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183397929356585543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783534432560521269.post-56099062568597723902010-12-20T15:23:00.000+11:002010-12-20T15:30:06.184+11:00McDonald's Restaurant<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal>Congratulations to the eight objectors that ventured to VCAT for the McDonald’s Restaurant proposal and presented their arguments. A good hearing was conducted by the chair enabling a well-balanced argument against the restaurant to be heard. Objections centred on disruption to the neighbors’ lifestyle, traffic problems created by the proposal, lack of parking space within the restaurant, security in the vicinity, increased traffic, litter and smells for Kathryn Road residents and the undesirable effect on the Knoxfield Shopping Centre.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal>VicRoads also presented an argument against the traffic flow proposal presented by McDonalds, forcing McDonalds to present two scenarios. Option A had traffic entering and leaving the restaurant in both Ferntree Gully and Kathryn Roads and Option B with entry only from Ferntree Gully Road and an entry and exit in Kathryn Road. Option B was VicRoads desired plan, which creates numerous problems for management of the restaurant with three entry points and only one exit point for all traffic including delivery vans. At the conclusion to the hearing, the chair announced that as VicRoads control Ferntree Gully Road option B is the only option he can consider. McDonalds do not want Option B, so they announced that it looks like we’ll all have to return to VCAT in the future.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal>With some luck or good fortune we can hope that McDonalds will see the problems their proposal creates and withdraw their plan for a restaurant at the corner of Kathryn and Ferntree Gully Roads.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal>Congratulations must go to Kerry for his research into the parking for this and nearby McDonalds’ stores. His close questioning of expert witnesses also added much input to the residents case against. Thanks also to Peter, Rafaele, Nick and Ian for their presentations.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal>We now await the decision of the VCAT.<o:p></o:p></p> </div> Save Knoxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183397929356585543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783534432560521269.post-68648920411047328002010-11-01T10:32:00.001+11:002010-11-01T10:32:58.100+11:00Tawny Frogmouth in Knoxfield<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9p9RlWOAQFEF2aXN6vJQDJZGFVsGEA1xx6N5RQqLrOnF9PJcexYQyiUkonUuHxsy73ktBV0y4rZnHRyCrinap_TTFaWdNUIKZykzu66RiK1T_uZSq4yU0H2XF9Qr37mI6b2gC06j3ctc/s1600/Tawnyfrogmouth3-778102.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9p9RlWOAQFEF2aXN6vJQDJZGFVsGEA1xx6N5RQqLrOnF9PJcexYQyiUkonUuHxsy73ktBV0y4rZnHRyCrinap_TTFaWdNUIKZykzu66RiK1T_uZSq4yU0H2XF9Qr37mI6b2gC06j3ctc/s320/Tawnyfrogmouth3-778102.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534357327822092706" /></a></p><div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><img width=480 height=361 id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01CB7882.5BECD380"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class=MsoPlainText>Today I took this photo of a Tawny Frogmouth and her young one in a tree in Kathryn Road, Knoxfield. The Tawny Frogmouth feeds on rodents, small possums and large insects. You may hear them banging their prey on your spouts at night while they kill them.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class=MsoPlainText>With the continual building of townhouse units in Kathryn Road and depriving the wildlife of their habitat, what is to become of special visitors like these to our gardens. When was the last time you saw an Eastern Spinebill honeyeater in your garden. In the past they were frequent visitors to our gardens. Try planting some native plants like Correas and Epacris (heath) in your garden may encourage them to come back.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class=MsoPlainText>Knoxfield is rich in wildlife, it’s a shame that we are continually depriving them of a home just to over-populate our suburb.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class=MsoPlainText>VCAT has notified us that the hearing will now begin on the 14<sup>th</sup> December 2010 and go for four days. Please keep these dates clear in your diaries if you intend appearing before the tribunal<o:p></o:p></p> </div> Save Knoxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183397929356585543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783534432560521269.post-8166411774568109782010-05-17T20:42:00.000+10:002010-05-17T20:43:02.335+10:00McDonalds and VCAT<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal>If you lodged an objection to Knox City Council against the McDonald’s Restaurant planning application you should have received notification from URBIS that they are taking the planning application to VCAT. In the letter of notification you should have received a “Statement of Grounds” form. It is important that you complete this form to again lodge your reasons for an objection. To do this follow these steps:<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Complete your personal details<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>List briefly your objections that you submitted to Knox City Council<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>3.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Make two photocopies of your Statement of Grounds and forward them to: URBIS and the Knox City Council<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>4.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Write in the space provided the date you forwarded these copies to URBIS and Knox City Council<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>5.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Mail your Statement of Grounds to VCAT by Friday 28<sup>th</sup> May 2010<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal>Completion of this form then registers you to make a presentation of your objections to VCAT. The date and time of the hearing will be notified to you in due course. It is essential that as many objectors as possible attend this hearing to show the tribunal we don’t want this restaurant at this site in Knoxfield.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal>Should you require assistance in completing the Statement of Grounds you may contact me on 0425756688<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal>Ian Simpson<o:p></o:p></p> </div> Save Knoxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183397929356585543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783534432560521269.post-20948144182774771432010-04-30T11:28:00.001+10:002010-05-02T19:03:03.328+10:00Knoxfield Residents are not afraid of Change<div class="Section1"> <p class="MsoNormal">At the 27th April Knox City Council meeting Cr Gill, when moving an amendment to approve the McDonald’s Restaurant, stated that residents (of Knoxfield) were afraid of change. I need to correct Cr Gill, as Knoxfield residents appreciate that change and development must take place to house the population explosion we are experiencing, but this development must be in character with our suburb and be in pace with the infrastructure of roads and services. Not over-development as we are witnessing in Kathryn Road wherein a distance of 250 metres four houses will be replaced by thirty-five residences. This development must respect the leafy green bushland type character of the area and the wildlife that visits our properties. If we wanted over-development Cr Gill we would be living in inner suburbs like Richmond.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Our <b><i>Garden for Wildlife </i></b>is frequently visited by pardelotes,<b><i> </i></b>eastern spinebills, crimson rosellas, rainbow lorikeets to name a few and we have nightly visits from possums, tawny frogmouths, fruit bats and occasionally the powerful owl. We wish to retain this environment and preserve our trees.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Knoxfield residents vigorously opposed the McDonald’s Restaurant mainly because it was an inappropriate development in a Residential 3 Zone, that would have created dangerous traffic conditions for Kathryn Road and Knox Place, safety issues for pedestrians, damage the economy of the Knoxfield Shopping Centre and have a major environmental impact on immediate neighbors. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The first argument that developers have stated in various forums is that residents are afraid of change, it is a shame that some councilors that have the responsibility to independently assess developments use the terminology of developers. How independent are they?<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><o:p></o:p></p> </div> <input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Save Knoxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183397929356585543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783534432560521269.post-40610723846464416152010-04-28T12:10:00.001+10:002010-04-28T12:10:53.193+10:00Knox Council Refuses McDonald's Planning Application<img src="cid:image001.jpg@01CAE6CA.82F161C0" v:src="cid:image001.jpg@01CAE6CA.82F161C0" v:shapes="_x0000_Mail" width=0 height=0 class=shape style='display:none;width:0;height:0'> <div class=Section1> <p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> On a vote of 6 to 3, council last night refused the planning application for McDonald’s on the following grounds:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify; text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:#548DD4'>That Council issue a Notice of Refusal to Grant a Planning Permit for <i>Use and development of the land for a convenience restaurant with associated landscaping, carparking, advertising signs and alteration of access to a Category 1 Road </i>at 1563 Ferntree Gully Road, Knoxfield due to the following grounds: </span></b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:#548DD4'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify; text-indent:-27.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-autospace:none'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#548DD4'><span style='mso-list: Ignore'><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:#548DD4'>1. The proposed use does not satisfy any of the purposes of the Residential 3 Zone and is inappropriate for the chosen site. </span></b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#548DD4'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify; text-indent:-27.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-autospace:none'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#548DD4'><span style='mso-list: Ignore'><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:#548DD4'>2. Traffic management arrangements are unacceptable and would have an adverse impact on existing traffic movements and on surrounding uses. </span></b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#548DD4'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify; text-indent:-27.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-autospace:none'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#548DD4'><span style='mso-list: Ignore'><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:#548DD4'>3. The proposed use and development would cause unreasonable adverse amenity impacts to surrounding residential uses, is an overdevelopment, and the landscaping design and package of advertising signs are inappropriate and unacceptable. </span></b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:#548DD4'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Cr Andrew Walter passionately moved the motion stating this application would create a dangerous intersection at Kathryn and Ferntree Gully Roads. He also stated that it would be dangerous for the youth that use the skate park, would create overspill of parking at Knoxfield shops and impact badly on Kathryn Road.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>The meeting threatened to develop into a stale mate with Cr Gill initially moving an amendment that would have permitted the McDonald’s application. The fourteen page legalistic motion presented by Cr Gill took 40 minutes to read and was seconded by Cr Cole and supported by Cr Pearce. All other councilors opposed the amendment, and then the original motion to refuse the application was put and won. Besides Cr Walter’s passionate argument, intelligent reasoned and supportive comments were also made by Crs Cooper, Van der Vreede and Mortimer.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Now if it goes to VCAT residents need to reply to VCAT’s correspondence and attend the hearing in large numbers to have an impact on their decision.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> Save Knoxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183397929356585543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783534432560521269.post-82417420416833513522010-04-21T18:58:00.001+10:002010-04-21T18:58:57.099+10:00Refusal Notice for McDonalds<img src="cid:image001.jpg@01CAE180.B1FFB830" v:src="cid:image001.jpg@01CAE180.B1FFB830" v:shapes="_x0000_Mail" width=0 height=0 class=shape style='display:none;width:0;height:0'> <div class=Section1> <p class=recommend style='margin-left:42.55pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Knox Council Planning Department have REFUSED the McDonald’s Application for a restaurant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=recommend style='margin-left:42.55pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>This is Good News Wednesday, well for Stage 1. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=recommend style='margin-left:42.55pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Next we must make sure that all councillors follow the recommendation of the Planning Department. Email all councillors reminding them of the Recommendation from the Planning Department and encouraging them to vote accordingly.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=Default><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class=recommend style='margin-left:42.55pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Be prepared to attend VCAT as it will surely go there. Forty passionate residents would have a major impact on this tribunal.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=Default><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class=Default style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>This decision is due to your objections and attendance at the PCC meeting. Find below the email addresses of all Knox City Councillors</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=recommend style='margin-left:42.55pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=recommend style='margin-left:42.55pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=recommend style='margin-left:42.55pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#548DD4'> </span><b><u><span style='color:#548DD4'>RECOMMENDATION </span></u></b><span style='color:#548DD4'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify; text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:#548DD4'>That Council issue a Notice of Refusal to Grant a Planning Permit for <i>Use and development of the land for a convenience restaurant with associated landscaping, carparking, advertising signs and alteration of access to a Category 1 Road </i>at 1563 Ferntree Gully Road, Knoxfield due to the following grounds: </span></b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:#548DD4'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify; text-indent:-27.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-autospace:none'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#548DD4'><span style='mso-list: Ignore'><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:#548DD4'>1. The proposed use does not satisfy any of the purposes of the Residential 3 Zone and is inappropriate for the chosen site. </span></b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#548DD4'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify; text-indent:-27.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-autospace:none'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#548DD4'><span style='mso-list: Ignore'><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:#548DD4'>2. Traffic management arrangements are unacceptable and would have an adverse impact on existing traffic movements and on surrounding uses. </span></b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#548DD4'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify; text-indent:-27.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-autospace:none'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#548DD4'><span style='mso-list: Ignore'><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:#548DD4'>3. The proposed use and development would cause unreasonable adverse amenity impacts to surrounding residential uses, is an overdevelopment, and the landscaping design and package of advertising signs are inappropriate and unacceptable. </span></b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:#548DD4'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#548DD4'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:177.2pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: -134.65pt;text-autospace:none'><b><i><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:#548DD4'>Report Prepared By: Planner (Nick Robins) </span></i></b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#548DD4'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:177.2pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-134.65pt;text-autospace: none'><b><i><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#548DD4'>Report Authorised By: Director – City Development (Angelo Kourambas) <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:177.2pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-134.65pt;text-autospace: none'><b><i><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#548DD4'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right: 0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:177.2pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: center;text-indent:-134.65pt;text-autospace:none'><b><u><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"'>Knox City Councillors<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:177.2pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-134.65pt;text-autospace: none'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:#548DD4'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:177.2pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-134.65pt;text-autospace: none'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Cr David Cooper - <span style='color:#4F81BD'><a href="mailto:david.cooper@knox.vic.gov.au"><span style='color:#4F81BD'>david.cooper@knox.vic.gov.au</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> Cr Adam Gill - <span style='color:#4F81BD'><a href="mailto:adam.gill@knox.vic.gov.au"><span style='color:#4F81BD'>adam.gill@knox.vic.gov.au</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> Cr Andrew Walter – <span style='color:#4F81BD'><a href="mailto:andrew.walter@knox.vic.gov.au"><span style='color:#4F81BD'>andrew.walter@knox.vic.gov.au</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> Cr Peter Cole – <span style='color:#4F81BD'><a href="mailto:peter.cole@knox.vic.gov.au"><span style='color:#4F81BD'>peter.cole@knox.vic.gov.au</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> Cr Joe Cossari (Mayor) – <span style='color:#4F81BD'><a href="mailto:joe.cossari@knox.vic.gov.au"><span style='color:#4F81BD'>joe.cossari@knox.vic.gov.au</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> Cr Sue McMillan – <span style='color:#4F81BD'><a href="mailto:sue.mcmillan@knox.vic.gov.au"><span style='color:#4F81BD'>sue.mcmillan@knox.vic.gov.au</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> Cr Mick Van der Vreede - </span><span style='color:#4F81BD'><a href="mailto:mick.vandevreede@knox.vic.gov.au"><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#4F81BD'>mick.vandevreede@knox.vic.gov.au</span><span style='color:#4F81BD'> </span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p> <span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Cr John Mortimore - <span style='color:#4F81BD'><a href="mailto:john.mortimore@knox.vic.gov.au"><span style='color:#4F81BD'>john.mortimore@knox.vic.gov.au</span></a><br> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> Cr Darren Pearce - <span style='color:#4F81BD'><a href="mailto:darren.pearce@knox.vic.gov.au"><span style='color:#4F81BD'>darren.pearce@knox.vic.gov.au </span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#548DD4'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> </div> Save Knoxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183397929356585543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783534432560521269.post-23542276237740080142010-03-15T12:29:00.000+11:002010-03-15T12:30:24.099+11:00Urgent Message - Maccas Meeting Tomorrow<img src="cid:image001.jpg@01CAC439.C3EDEC10" v:src="cid:image001.jpg@01CAC439.C3EDEC10" v:shapes="_x0000_Mail" width=0 height=0 class=shape style='display:none;width:0;height:0'> <div class=Section1> <p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Just a reminder that the Planning Meeting with McDonald’s restaurant and the council is on tomorrow night at the council offices at 7.30pm. Please try to make it as we need as many people in attendance as possible to show that there is opposition to this proposal. Michael Colling had a meeting with Cr Andrew Walter recently and was told by him that as no-one has contacted him about McDonalds he assumes that there’s NO opposition to it. Maybe the petition of 600 voters might change his mind. If you haven’t signed the petition there’s a copy at the Knoxfield Newsagency and Tony’s Fish and Chip Shop, but only until Tuesday morning.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Cheers and hopefully see you tomorrow<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Ian<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> Save Knoxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183397929356585543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783534432560521269.post-26859769891583300342010-02-09T15:34:00.002+11:002010-02-09T15:39:20.178+11:00McDonald's Objections and PetitionIf you still wish to lodge an objection to the McDonald's Restaurant it is not too late. Council will accept objections up until a council meeting considers the objection, which will be in April.<br /><br />There is also a petition circulating. Most Knoxfield take-away foodshops, the newsagency and pharmacy have copies of the petition for you to sign. Let's show the councilors that residents in Knoxfield DON"T want a McDonald's Restaurant in our suburb.<br /><br />Ian<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Save Knoxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183397929356585543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783534432560521269.post-72679327355194454442010-02-08T20:58:00.000+11:002010-02-08T20:59:41.594+11:00McDonald's Campaign<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGba5Vs_5SVRSzf7zLcDByeps0rCJamNcGeJRCay2IqzWGfrob-KWLysrpa8w6JVs-yBOzs5ihgl0gq244gugkj18SWhrW1QGw_kPv8wMeX54C0RveTloz4KxWTsjFhMyg62JYT1uqYM/s1600-h/Petition+form-781595.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGba5Vs_5SVRSzf7zLcDByeps0rCJamNcGeJRCay2IqzWGfrob-KWLysrpa8w6JVs-yBOzs5ihgl0gq244gugkj18SWhrW1QGw_kPv8wMeX54C0RveTloz4KxWTsjFhMyg62JYT1uqYM/s320/Petition+form-781595.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435810179744172898" /></a></p><img src="cid:image001.jpg@01CAA8FF.FEA67890" v:src="cid:image001.jpg@01CAA8FF.FEA67890" v:shapes="_x0000_Mail" width=0 height=0 class=shape style='display:none;width:0;height:0'> <div class=Section1> <p><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:black'> Today I rang Paul Dickie, Manager of Planning, Knox Council, re McDonald’s Application and was told that to date 106 objections have been received by the council. This does not mean that you can’t still send in objections, as council must receive them until decision day which will be Tuesday 29<sup>th</sup> April 2010.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:black'>Knox Council has set down the 16<sup>th</sup> March for a Planning Consultation Committee meeting with the objectors, the applicant (McDonalds), councilors and Planning staff. You must mark this date in your diaries as it is essential that all objectors attend to display our opposition to this planned restaurant. Usually everyone that attends has an opportunity to speak. All objectors will receive an official invitation to this meeting from Knox City Council. Hopefully we’ll be able to present our concerns to McDonalds, the councilors and the council officials that make the decision.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:black'>Today I delivered petition forms to the take-away restaurants, butchers and newsagency, hoping that we can get many hundreds of signatures in opposition to this planning proposal. The petition only counts as one objection, but it delivers a message to the councilors about the wishes of residents. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family: Arial;color:blue'>If you wish to help further with the petition I have included a copy in this email. It is essential that everyone signs in the appropriate place and that only this form be used. Additional pages attached without the wording will not be accepted.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Thanks for your assistance and let’s win this campaign<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Ian 0425756688<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> Save Knoxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183397929356585543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783534432560521269.post-25745240659381560932010-02-05T17:37:00.002+11:002010-02-09T15:34:46.245+11:00Macca's Campaign<img src="cid:image001.jpg@01CAA689.E703D980" shapes="_x0000_Mail" class="shape" style="display: none; width: 0pt; height: 0pt;" height="0" width="0" /> <div class="Section1"> <p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:black;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;color:black;" > My apologies to everyone as I typed the wrong application number on the objection form, which went to council. Fortunately all that were delivered to my house were corrected before being submitted but some got through the system. Everyone apparently got a the same letter stating the wrong application number was entered.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:black;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;color:black;" > I’ll check on the final number next week, but earlier this week there were about 100 objections lodged.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:black;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;color:black;" >Ian<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> </div>Save Knoxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183397929356585543noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783534432560521269.post-74378670388109217382009-12-16T22:22:00.006+11:002009-12-17T08:27:08.689+11:00McDonald's Restaurant<img src="cid:image001.jpg@01CA7E9E.3853D0B0" shapes="_x0000_Mail" class="shape" style="display: none; width: 0pt; height: 0pt;" height="0" width="0" /> <div class="Section1"> <p><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:black;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;color:black;" > Did you read the Opinion page of the Knox Leader for the 15<sup>th</sup> December 2009?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:black;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;color:black;" >A very interesting letter exists which spells danger for the residents of Kathryn Road and the Knoxfield Shops. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CIan%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="Street"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="address"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><div style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 1pt 4pt; background: rgb(217, 217, 217) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in; background: rgb(217, 217, 217) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><b><span style="color:black;">Macca Mayhem</span></b><span style="color:black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in; background: rgb(217, 217, 217) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><span style="color:black;">Knox residents are being very smart by opposing the proposed 24/7 McDonald’s in <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">Ferntree Gully Road</st1:address></st1:street>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in; background: rgb(217, 217, 217) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><span style="color:black;">I live within the vicinity of the Ferntree Gully 24/7 McDonald’s in <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">Clyde St</st1:address></st1:street> and am constantly frustrated with the disruption this Macca causes to the neighborhood.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in; background: rgb(217, 217, 217) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><span style="color:black;">The drive-through constantly blocks access to <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">Clyde St</st1:address></st1:street> at peak times with vehicles lining up in both directions, forcing other vehicles to have to either wait for up to 10 minutes or make unsafe passes around these vehicles in order to access the rest of <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">Clyde St</st1:address></st1:street>. How there has never been no accident to date is beyond me.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in; background: rgb(217, 217, 217) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><span style="color:black;">Another 24/7 Macca in the area will just bring a new set of problems especially in <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">Ferntree Gully Rd</st1:address></st1:street> with hoon drivers.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in; background: rgb(217, 217, 217) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; text-align: right; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="right"><b><span style="color:black;">T B, Ferntree Gully<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </div> <span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:black;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;color:black;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:black;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;color:black;" >Could you imagine the how this scenario could play out in <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">Kathryn Road</st1:address></st1:street> at the intersection with <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">Ferntree Gully Road</st1:address></st1:street>?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:black;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;color:black;" >This application must be turned down by Knox City Planning Department. But unfortunately from past experience with development in Knoxfield, I don’t have much confidence in the Traffic Department to assess this problem and to present a solution.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:black;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;color:black;" >Maintain your opposition and join the protest on the council steps when council considers this proposal. We will inform you of action to take when the application is advertised. Be prepared for action over the Christmas break, as it could very well be advertised then.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:black;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;color:black;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> </div> <input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Save Knoxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183397929356585543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783534432560521269.post-29338454158513909842009-11-20T09:54:00.001+11:002009-11-20T09:54:43.767+11:00McDonald's Restaurant<img src="cid:image001.jpg@01CA69C7.658E3F70" v:src="cid:image001.jpg@01CA69C7.658E3F70" v:shapes="_x0000_Mail" width=0 height=0 class=shape style='display:none;width:0;height:0'> <div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>McDonalds’ Restaurants have submitted an application to Knox City Council to build a restaurant at the corner of Ferntree Gully and Kathryn Roads, with traffic exiting into <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Kathryn Road</st1:address></st1:Street>. Knox Council Planning Department are in consultation with McDonalds at this stage. When plans are finalized they will be advertised with a notice on the corner site. It is then that we are able to submit objections about this development. So keep a watch to see when this notice is displayed as we only have 14 days from this time to submit an objection. Ten or more objections must be received by council to have a Planning and Consultation Meeting (PCC Meeting) at the council with the developer.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>To date the “Save Knoxfield “ campaigners have been to VCAT on 6 occasions and to date have lost five cases, as can be seen by the destruction of trees and vegetation in Knoxfield. So even if council refuse this permit the likelihood of VCAT passing it is obvious. What must be done is to get as many concessions out of McDonalds to help retain some of the beauty of Knoxfield. This may seem to giving in but it is realistic from our experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>We have had informal discussions with Knox Council and these were the main concerns presented to them. We can only hope they have addressed them with McDonalds to get some changes to their plans.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><st1:PersonName w:st="on"><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Ian Simpson</span></font></st1:PersonName><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><st1:PersonName w:st="on"><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>saveknoxfield@ozemail.com.au</span></font></st1:PersonName><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial; color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial; color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial; color:black'> </span></font><b><u><span style='font-weight:bold'>McDonald’s Knoxfield<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><u><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></font></u></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal><b><i><u><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'>Knox City Council must consider the McDonald’s planning application together with the one at 3/5 Kathryn Road, as together they both will have a major impact on safety for Knoxfield residents.<o:p></o:p></span></font></u></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><u><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></font></u></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal><b><u><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Concerns:<o:p></o:p></span></font></u></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Will <u><font color=red><span style='color:red'>create more traffic</span></font></u> for <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Kathryn Road</st1:address></st1:Street> – admitted by Paul Vallay from McDonalds<o:p></o:p></span></font></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Will <u><font color=red><span style='color:red'>create traffic chaos at Kathryn and Ferntree Gully Roads intersection</span></font></u>. Possibly four crossovers between <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">FTG Rd</st1:address></st1:Street> corner and <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Knox Place</st1:address></st1:Street> bus stop in <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Kathryn Rd</st1:address></st1:Street> an extremely dangerous situation.<o:p></o:p></span></font></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>A McDonalds store will have no competition locally, except for local takeaways – anti-competitive. <u><font color=red><span style='color:red'>Will result in lack of variety in takeaway services </span></font></u>in Knoxfield.<o:p></o:p></span></font></li> </ul> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Of the 21 shops, 7 are take-away food shops, that is 30% of the shops will lose trade. <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Anne Road</st1:address></st1:Street> shops will also be affected with 4 of the 7 shops offering takeaway foods.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><u><font size=3 color=red face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:red'>Environmental issues</span></font></u> including smells, litter, noise and lighting. Removal of two indigenous Eucalyptus cephalocarpa trees.<o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Will result in teenagers congregating in groups and moving through the estate noisily at night time –<u><font color=red><span style='color:red'> possibly more vandalism</span></font></u>. <o:p></o:p></span></font></li> </ul> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><b><u><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Concessions Requested from McDonalds:</span></font></u></b><o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><font size=3 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]>No Exit into <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Kathryn Road</st1:address></st1:Street><o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><font size=3 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]>Left turn lane from <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">FTG Road</st1:address></st1:Street> into <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Kathryn Road</st1:address></st1:Street><o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><font size=3 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]>Limit hours of operation<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><font size=3 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]>Plant and sound barriers<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><font size=3 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]>Diffuser for exhaust system to eradicate smells<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><font size=3 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]>Some road works to limit speed and density of traffic<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><font size=3 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]>Signs forbidding access to <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">High Street Road</st1:address></st1:Street><o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><font size=3 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]>Policy on dealing with unruly and noisy behaviour especially at night.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><font size=3 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]>Design to include retention of trees.<o:p></o:p></p> <p><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> </div> Save Knoxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183397929356585543noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783534432560521269.post-17401460271087180662009-07-15T10:40:00.000+10:002009-07-15T10:41:18.371+10:00No 32 kathryn Road - VCAT Decision - VCAT Review<img src="cid:image001.jpg@01CA0538.A3EA7700" v:src="cid:image001.jpg@01CA0538.A3EA7700" v:shapes="_x0000_Mail" width=0 height=0 class=shape style='display:none;width:0;height:0'> <div class=Section1> <p><b><u><font size=3 color="#ff6600" face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:#FF6600;font-weight:bold'>NO <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">32 Kathryn Road</st1:address></st1:Street></span></font></u></b><b><u><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial; color:black;font-weight:bold'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></u></b></p> <p><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:black'>VCAT issued an Order yesterday for the approval of the development of three double storey townhouses and one single storey townhouse on No 32 Kathryn Road Knoxfield.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:black'>There is no appeal unless we take it to the Supreme Court.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:black'>The main issues that are of concern with this decision are:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial; color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial; color:black'>The Order was issued for the wrong address (probably a typo, but how could they get it so wrong)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial; color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial; color:black'>No mention is made in the decision of residents’ concerns. Our efforts and the voices of 437 people with the petition have BLATANTLY been ignored in the process.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial; color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>3.<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial; color:black'>Amendments were made to the plans, submitted before VCAT. Changed plans ought to have been resubmitted to council again for approval. VCAT is usurping the role of council and becoming a defacto planning organization. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial; color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>4.<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial; color:black'>Agreements made with the developer in VCAT were not issued in the Order, therefore the developer can get away with issues they watered down in VCAT by saying they’d agree to building 2 metre high fences at their cost and retaining screening hedges to block out the units from neighbors vision.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:black'>There are some gains though that we did gain in the process. We now have a far better development than that initially submitted. We delayed the process by 16 months and in that process seemed to have dissuaded developers from approaching Knoxfield as a development area. There are now awaiting a decision on No 40 Kathryn Road. The hearing was 4 months ago. As the proverb says, ”No news is good news”. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p><b><i><u><font size=3 color="#ff6600" face=Arial><span style='font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#FF6600;font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'>Chairnan’s Review of VCAT</span></font></u></i></b><font size=2 color="#ff6600" face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#FF6600'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Yesterday four residents attended a meeting with Justice Bell, the Chairman of VCAT.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>The meeting was an open forum for people from all over <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Victoria</st1:place></st1:State> to express their concerns with the VCAT process and to initiate change. Justice Bell ensured everyone had a chance to express their opinions on issues and he followed up discussions on how the process could be improved.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>The main issues we have from our experiences are:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:39.75pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><font size=3 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt; color:navy'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><font color=navy><span style='color:navy'>Procedure of Hearings. The applicant ought to address the hearing first, followed by council and then other submissions. The applicant could have a right of reply at the end of the hearing. This would bring the hearings into line with the legal system. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:39.75pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><font size=3 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt; color:navy'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><font color=navy><span style='color:navy'>The weight given to the evidence provided by “Expert Witnesses”. These witnesses are in the employ of the applicant and should be treated as such. At one hearing we attended, the applicant organized the expert witnesses over the lunch break to present new evidence to counter everything </span></font><font color="#003300"><span style='color:#003300'>we</span></font><font color=navy><span style='color:navy'> said. Our evidence proved that of the expert witnesses to be false. This new evidence was accepted and the chair passed the application unchanged as she accepted the evidence of the expert witnesses over the local residents. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:39.75pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><font size=3 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt; color:navy'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>3.<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><font color=navy><span style='color:navy'>The low weight applied to retaining indigenous vegetation, especially in areas protected by a Vegetation protection Overlay 3. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:39.75pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><font size=3 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt; color:navy'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>4.<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><font color=navy><span style='color:navy'>The low weight applied to the planning regulations like the Rescodes, in favour of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Melbourne</st1:City></st1:place>’s 2030 Policy and the desired future outcomes. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom: 5.0pt;margin-left:3.75pt'><font size=3 color="#003300" face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#003300'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Most of these issues were expressed by people from other areas of <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Victoria</st1:place></st1:State>, from Port Campbell, Macedon, Kilmore, St Kilda, Camberwell, Hawthorn, Knox. The issues are the same and I genuinely think that Justice Bell was shocked with some things that were stated at the meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Basically people do not have confidence in the VCAT Review system, which is not operating as a system of justice as originally planned. People have a perception that local authorities do not have confidence to present good decisions on planning, as developers see VCAT as the final decision maker, and budget for this in their costs. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Appeal Process: The only appeal process is to take the decision to the Supreme Court. Justice Bell is suggesting another level of appeal could be implemented for decisions made which are flawed. This process would be available for all involved in the process.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Mediation: Justice Bell suggested that VCAT could operate a system of mediation to try to usurp the need to take Planning Applications to VCAT. This would be done at the local level. We are fortunate in Knox that the council will conduct a Planning Consultative Committee Meeting if there are 10 or more objectors. Basically from experience though this permits residents to air their concerns but has only resulted in one developer submitting alternative plans and that was for No 32 Kathryn Road. The other developers took the applications directly to VCAT and see the council process as only a stepping stone to VCAT.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Appointment of Members: Justice Bell was clearly shocked when told that having a chairperson as a Town Planner just doesn’t work. The process is incestuous, with Town Planners for the developer presenting to a Town Planner who is the chair and having the council argument presented by another Town Planner. As we have discovered they are all acquaintances, mostly having worked together at a council planning department. At one hearing concern was raised with the council’s Consultant Town Planner that the chair was overly interrogating him on issues, and his comment to me was don’t worry about it as he was my past boss at a local council. Justice Bell did say that in the past 18 months that he has been chair he’s been immediately involved in the selection process. But it does seem that the Minister of Planning has direct control of that process.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Leagal Representation: VCAT was set up to be the Peoples’ Forum where people could get mediation without legal representation. That has now generated into a legal forum and unless you have legal, professional representation with “Expert Witnesses” you don’t really get a hearing. When you are fighting developers that have millions in their bag to throw around what hope has the small citizen have in the process.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>The acoustics of the Hearing Room were also discussed and how the developers and their representatives intimidate residents with bullying tactics. The rooms need to be setup to provide everyone with equal space and position to be heard by all.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Finally a quote from one person present at yesterdays forum:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family: Arial;color:navy'>“It seems to be Government policy that VCAT presents decisions for developers”.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> </div> Save Knoxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183397929356585543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783534432560521269.post-91575975572466782092009-07-08T10:47:00.010+10:002009-07-08T11:40:53.034+10:00Knox City Council’s Landscape Plan for Knoxfield<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:180%;color:black;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;color:black;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-size:100%;" ><st1:personname st="on"><span style=""><span style=""><span>Over the weekend you would have received notification from the Knox City Council of a Landscape Plan for Knoxfield. (We have been fighting for this planning control to limit over-development in Knoxfield.) The results of this assessment will hopefully set planning limits for Knoxfield and will be set into State Govt Planning Agreements with KCC. It is important that you respond to the survey. </span></span></span></st1:personname></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-size:100%;" ><span>The Tree Study is also part of this investigation.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; font-family: arial; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span>Our emphasis in the past has been on</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span>· At least 9 metre setbacks from the road for all dwellings,</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span>· Retention of trees, especially the indigenous canopy trees which help to make the character of Knoxfield what it is,</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span>· Only single storey developments to fit the main character of Knoxfield,</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span>· Over looking issues imposed by double storey developments,</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span>· Speeding traffic on feeder roads, especially Kathryn and Anne Roads,</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span>· The intrusion on our Human Rights and mental well-being imposed by over-development</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span>· The affect of over-development on Knoxfield’s wildlife, birds, possums, etc</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span>· Strain on Infrastructure.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span>The Survey is also available at </span><a href="http://www.knox.vic.gov.au/Page/Forms.asp?Form_id=71">www.knox.vic.gov.au/Page/Forms.asp?Form_id=71</a><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: arial; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; font-family: arial; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span>Please spread the word to your neighbors that this is important. The aim of the study is to develop a Planning Control to be submitted to the Planning Minister to retain Knoxfield’s character and subsequently limit over-development.</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: arial; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><st1:personname st="on"></st1:personname></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;color:navy;" ><span style=""><o:p></o:p></span></span> <p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; font-family: arial; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"><span style=";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">Please try to visit the Knoxfield shops on Saturday and tell the council officers what you want and do not want in Knoxfield.</span></span></p><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; font-family: arial; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;">The Save Knoxfield Website has been updated and a link to the Survey is available from it as well <a href="http://members.optusnet.com.au/%7Esaveknoxfieldws/">http://members.optusnet.com.au/~saveknoxfieldws/</a><br /></span></p><p><br /><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:180%;color:red;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:20pt;color:red;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13333908044157084348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783534432560521269.post-57755792421217115652009-06-29T16:57:00.004+10:002009-06-29T17:10:06.987+10:00Launch of the Save Knoxfield WebsiteI am pleased to announce that the <a href="http://members.optusnet.com.au/%7Esaveknoxfieldws/">Save Knoxfield Website</a> is up and running. <br /><br />From time to time it will be enhanced.Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13333908044157084348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783534432560521269.post-20091172580727083132009-06-23T20:32:00.000+10:002009-06-23T20:33:07.440+10:00Meeting with Justice Bell - VCAT<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color="#003300" face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#003300'>Several residents from Knoxfield are joining with the Marvellous Melbourne organization to discuss VCAT procedures. Recently we have attended VCAT on 5 occasions and believe we have a good knowledge now of the VCAT procedures. We are very concerned with many of these procedures which definitely favour the developer over local residents.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid black 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt; margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <ol style='margin-top:0in' start=1 type=1> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:navy;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><font size=3 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Procedure of Hearings. The applicant ought to address the hearing first, followed by council and then other submissions. The applicant could have a right of reply at the end of the hearing. This would bring the hearings into line with the legal system. <o:p></o:p></span></font></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:navy;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><font size=3 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The weight given to the evidence provided by “Expert Witnesses”. These witnesses are in the employ of the applicant and should be treated as such. At one hearing we attended, the applicant organized the expert witnesses over the lunch break to present new evidence to counter everything </span></font><font color="#003300"><span style='color:#003300'>we</span></font> said. Our evidence proved that of the expert witnesses to be false. This new evidence was accepted and the chair passed the application unchanged as she accepted the evidence of the expert witnesses over the local residents. <o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:navy;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><font size=3 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The low weight applied to retaining indigenous vegetation, especially in areas protected by a Vegetation protection Overlay 3. <o:p></o:p></span></font></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:navy;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><font size=3 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The low weight applied to the planning regulations like the Rescodes, in favour of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Melbourne</st1:City></st1:place>’s 2030 Policy and the desired future outcomes. <o:p></o:p></span></font></li> </ol> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color="#003300" face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#003300'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color="#003300" face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#003300'>Many other issues are also of concern, which we hope to address at the meeting on July 14.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> </blockquote> </div> Save Knoxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183397929356585543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783534432560521269.post-15871634908662279782009-06-22T10:09:00.001+10:002009-06-22T10:09:27.831+10:00From Today's Age<img src="cid:image001.jpg@01C9F321.78E2CE50" v:src="cid:image001.jpg@01C9F321.78E2CE50" v:shapes="_x0000_Mail" width=0 height=0 class=shape style='display:none;width:0;height:0'> <div class=Section1> <h2><b><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:black'> </span></font>How to sell a planning decision<o:p></o:p></b></h2> <p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Jason Dowling<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>June 22, 2009</span></font></i> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'>IT READS like a script from the ABC's political satire <i><span style='font-style:italic'>The Hollowmen</span></i> — "preferred slogans", "communications challenges" — but it is in fact taxpayer-funded advice to the State Government on how to sell controversial planning decisions.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'>The Department of Sustainability and Environment commissioned the advice from Auspoll in January 2007 and the Greens obtained it through freedom of information.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'>Auspoll's research showed the public thought "the State Government was performing poorly on planning", the Victorian planning tribunal VCAT "does not allow people to object effectively" and "few people were aware of (the State Government's planning blueprint) <i><span style='font-style:italic'>Melbourne 2030</span></i>".<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'>There was also advice on how to sell planning decisions.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'>"Where there is controversy surrounding the rejection of an application the core communication messages should be based on the following themes:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'>■ Developments which are not sympathetic towards the existing character of the neighbourhood will not get approval.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'>■ We are protecting the lifestyles and streetscapes of people living in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'>■ Developers can't expect to get whatever they want just because they have money (i.e. to build and/or appeal decisions)."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'>The research showed it was harder to sell a controversial development approval to the public than reject a development application.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'>"When it comes to approving development applications arguments based around limiting urban sprawl and/or improving the availability of commercial services are unlikely to prove effective," the Auspoll advice said.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'>"Urban sprawl is simply not on the radar for ordinary people. Further, most people are happy with the commercial services in and around their area and feel that everything they need is close at hand."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'>Greens MP Greg Barber said the Government had fought hard to withhold the Auspoll advice. "It is politically based market research conducted in marginal seats paid for by the taxpayer," he said.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'>A spokeswoman for Planning Minister Justin Madden said: "Planning language can be complicated and technical. It is important effective strategies are in place to make it accessible to the community."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> </div> Save Knoxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183397929356585543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783534432560521269.post-68606626432885260922009-06-19T10:10:00.001+10:002009-06-19T10:10:32.067+10:0010 Valetta Cres - Sale - VCAT<img src="cid:image001.jpg@01C9EB84.EDE5F190" v:src="cid:image001.jpg@01C9EB84.EDE5F190" v:shapes="_x0000_Mail" width=0 height=0 class=shape style='display:none;width:0;height:0'> <div class=Section1> <p><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:black'>By now you would have received notification that the development at <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">10 Valetta Cres</st1:address></st1:Street> has gone to VCAT. You may also notice that there is a “For Sale” notice on the property. The L J Hooker website describes the property as:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <h2><b><font size=5 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 18.0pt;color:blue'>DEVELOPMENT SITE <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></h2> <h3><b><font size=4 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 13.5pt;color:blue'>$900,000+<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></h3> <p><font size=3 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt; color:blue'>Superb level site of 2350sqm approx. </span></font><font color=red><span style='color:red'>Situated in a nice court location there is a current council application for 8 units (STCA)</span></font><font color=blue><span style='color:blue'>. The current existing 3 bedroom residence would command a rental of $250 p.w. This site is convenient to public transport, schools and only a short bus ride trip to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Knox</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">City</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>You may also have attended the council meeting when this development WAS REFUSED. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Is it just me or am I imagining that improvements are made to the streets just before development applications are made, especially by Planning Vision. The round-a-bout at the intersection of Kathryn-Anne Roads was improved before No 61 Kathryn - 72 Anne Road was submitted and now Valetta Cress has been improved with new kerbing and sealing of the road. Is there any coincidence that the native street trees have been removed and replaced with deciduous maple trees, thus urbanizing the environment, especially when one of our arguments is to save the 100 year old trees on this property?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>This property forms an essential part of the Knoxfield Wildlife Corridor, joining the lake with the creeks south of <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Ferntree Gully Road</st1:address></st1:Street>. To remove these trees and replace them with double storey townhouses is just desecrating our environment. The developer is a smooth talker and performs well in VCAT. He will present arguments that the trees are so old they are dangerous, they are diseased, but will ignore the fact that they are essential for the biodiversity of the area. Further arguments will settle on the changing landscape of Knoxfield with No 7 Valetta also being approved for townhouse development and will show photographs of other double storey houses nearby. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>If you are concerned about Knoxfield, especially <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Valetta Court</st1:address></st1:Street> and saving trees in Knoxfield, you must forward a “Statement of Grounds” to VCAT within 10 days. It is essential to take time to appear at VCAT also and present your arguments, just like you did at council. VCAT is not overpowering and everyone that wishes to speak is given an opportunity. Please give this your serious attention.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> Save Knoxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183397929356585543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783534432560521269.post-63668330208906517532009-06-11T18:37:00.006+10:002009-06-11T19:52:06.298+10:00REPORT ON RESTORE RESIDENTS RIGHTS RALLY<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuJxwuUgZVs/SjDJf3FGAtI/AAAAAAAAAD4/30LV1jg2KrM/s1600-h/thissaysitallw.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuJxwuUgZVs/SjDJf3FGAtI/AAAAAAAAAD4/30LV1jg2KrM/s320/thissaysitallw.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345994306887221970" border="0" /></a><br />I attended this Rally when, at the last minute, others could not . Resident Peter also attended.<br /><br />It was well presented although where I was I could not hear Mary Drost's presentation and only parts of Rosemary West's.<br /><br />Signs had messages such as get off our democracy but I think this one says it all:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Comments and requests from other presenters were:</span><br /><br />Loss of privacy, sunlight and safe places for children to play. The denial of fundamental rights of people to protest.<br /><br />Give us our rights we demand to be heard.<br /><br />Strengthen the role of local Government's voice in future planning that affects people's life styles.<br /><br />If you run rough shot over the people they will come back to bite you.<br /><br />Consistency in planning decisions.<br /><br />Give the community a voice and give us planning laws that give us a community.<br /><br />We have the right to protest about things that matter to us.<br /><br />We can conform, consume and not be heard. If this happens it leads to disengaged people and possibly depression.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">People </span><br /><br />There were many councillors and even one from Brimbank apparently! Helen Harris from Whitehorse Council, who I know well so could recognize, was there and others from Banyule, Port Phillip. I didn't see anyone from Knox but I certainly couldn't move around easily because of the crowd.<br /><br />Matthew Guy, Shadow Minister for Planning made a lively speech <em></em>and there was a bulldozer that knocked down some paper buildings, a petition presented, and lots of people from Wonthaggi who were protesting about the Wonthaggi Desalination Project.<br /><br />At a local level I thought about what one resident had said at a PCC Meeting; she wanted to be able to keep the house she had, raise her family and be able to go to her clothes line in her underwear in the privacy of her own backyard.<br /><br />For me that sums it up very well.<br /><br />I caught up with both Mary and Rosemary and <em></em>unfortunately was about to speak to Matthew but he was called away.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A View of the Rally</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuJxwuUgZVs/SjDPxiUK84I/AAAAAAAAAEA/Zxi8nmGjTIo/s1600-h/generalview.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuJxwuUgZVs/SjDPxiUK84I/AAAAAAAAAEA/Zxi8nmGjTIo/s320/generalview.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346001207620727682" border="0" /></a>Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13333908044157084348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783534432560521269.post-14242967011572104282009-06-05T16:49:00.001+10:002009-06-05T16:49:36.694+10:00Rally to restore resident's rights<img src="cid:image003.jpg@01C9E5FD.920EF470" v:src="cid:image003.jpg@01C9E5FD.920EF470" v:shapes="_x0000_Mail" width=0 height=0 class=shape style='display:none;width:0;height:0'> <div class=Section1> <div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding:10.0pt 4.0pt .25in 4.0pt;margin-left:-9.0pt;margin-right:0in'> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:9.0pt;text-indent:-9.0pt;border:none; padding:0in'><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:black'> </span></font><b><font size=6><span style='font-size:28.0pt;font-weight:bold'>RESTORE RESIDENTS RIGHTS<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p> </div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=6 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:28.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'> PREMIER BRUMBY IS REMOVING<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'> RESIDENTS RIGHTS TO OBJECT OR<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'> APPEAL AGAINST DEVELOPMENT<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'> RESIDENTS & A COALITION OF CONCERNED<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'> COUNCILLORS JOIN FORCES IN PROTEST<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'> AT A RALLY <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=6 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:28.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=6 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:28.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'> ON THE STEPS OF PARLIAMENT<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'> </span></font><font size=6 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:26.0pt;font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=6 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:26.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'> WEDNESDAY 10<sup>TH</sup> JUNE AT 1 PM<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=6 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:22.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=6 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:22.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'> Come to the rally to send a message to<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=6 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:22.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'> Brumby and Madden <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=6 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:22.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=6 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:22.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'> </span></font><font size=2 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"'> <img width=190 height=79 id="_x0000_i1025" src="cid:image004.gif@01C9E5FD.920EF470"> <img width=178 height=79 id="_x0000_i1026" src="cid:image005.gif@01C9E5FD.920EF470"></span></font><font size=6 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:22.0pt;font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=6 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:22.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'>See over for more information …………………………..<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'>Contact : Mary Drost 9882 2829 0401 834899<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=6 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:22.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=6 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:22.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'> </span></font><font size=2 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium";font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'>YOU COULD GET A MULTI-STOREY APARTMENT COMPLEX NEXT DOOR & YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO DO A THING ABOUT IT ! </span></font><font size=2 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><font size=3 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'>Premier Brumby has an<st1:PersonName w:st="on">no</st1:PersonName>unced he is by-passing planning laws to bulldoze our suburbs so he can fast track the building of hundreds of apartment complexes and school extensions without the need for council permits.<o:p></o:p></span></font></li> </ul> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><b><font size=3 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium";font-weight:bold'>He has already moved to take away resident’s rights to <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></li> </ul> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><b><font size=3 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"; font-weight:bold'>object or appeal against such projects.<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><font size=3 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'>This follows his proposal for new residential zones which will effectively change our low scale suburban areas into blocks of three or four or more storeys of apartment complexes.<o:p></o:p></span></font></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><font size=3 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'>He is appointing unelected and unaccountable Development Assessment Committees to take over planning from our councils in Activity Centres to ensure that apartment towers will be built in these centres.<o:p></o:p></span></font></li> </ul> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on"><font size=3 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'>Victoria</span></font></st1:State></st1:place><font face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'>’s Planning Act is to be reviewed which will formalize these government edicts including property acquisition.<o:p></o:p></span></font></li> </ul> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><font size=3 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'>And what’s even worse, Planning Minister Madden is to be entrusted with greater planning powers to “call in” projects or over-ride councils to push high-rise development into the suburbs.<o:p></o:p></span></font></li> </ul> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'>Can he be trusted with these powers? After all he is the Minister who knew <st1:PersonName w:st="on">no</st1:PersonName>thing about branch stacking and<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'>corrupt practices at Brimbank managed from his own <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'>electoral office. We don’t think so. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium";font-weight:bold'>If you don’t come to the protest they will think you don’t care</span></font></b><b><font face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"; font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'> <img width=178 height=79 id="_x0000_i1027" src="cid:image005.gif@01C9E5FD.920EF470"> <img width=190 height=79 id="_x0000_i1028" src="cid:image004.gif@01C9E5FD.920EF470"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=5 face="Franklin Gothic Medium"><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium"'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> </div> Save Knoxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183397929356585543noreply@blogger.com0