New Amendment for Transparency
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NOVEMBER 2013 ISSUE 25 PRICELESS WWW.SOUTHBANKLOCALNEWS.COM.AU : SOUTHBANK_News The voice of Southbank Garage sale is a huge success Hard knocks on Boyd's door See page 3 See page 7 High praise for Eureka promo Isherwood leaves Arts Centre See page 5 See page 10 New amendment for transparency Th e City of Melbourne wants more transparency and, therefore, more accountability for developer contributions to public amenity within Southbank, after it introduced Amendment C208 to the Melbourne Planning Scheme. Th e council hopes the amendment will result “Th e most important thing is that we can see, in more money for public amenities within a little money goes here, a little money goes Southbank. there,” Cr Ong said. Th e amendment will be applied to both He also pointed out the obvious advantages the Southbank Structure Plan (2010) and to developers when the contributions are the City North Structure Plan (2012). It increased. introduces the Development Contributions “Developers also benefi t because properties Plan Overlay (DCPO), which will make with improved amenity and public spaces contributions far easier to track. are more attractive to potential purchasers.” In its press release the City of Melbourne Projects that will be undertaken as a result states the introduction of the DCPO will of the DCPO are yet to be fi nalized. Cr Ong be: “Providing a consistent, equitable and said: “We’re still looking at possibilities, with transparent way for the council to cover no fi rm items yet.” some of the costs of providing public infrastructure.” However, the City of Melbourne has confi rmed there will be streetscape upgrades Th e council said this amendment would help (including footpath widening, new cycling fund key capital works identifi ed in both of infrastructure and street tree planting), these areas through their respective struct key public space projects on City Rd and ure plans. improved areas underneath the freeway. Cr Ken Ong told Southbank Local News Southbank, along with City North, has that the City of Melbourne had done a been identifi ed as a benefi ciary of the new study about 12 months ago comparing its amendment because of its rapidly increasing developer funds to other municipalities and population and high level of development. found it was slightly down on average (taking “Th ese contributions will fund the into account how much developers spend in Dance club gets spiced up! infrastructure that meets the needs of areas like Southbank and City North). growing communities,” Cr Ong said. He hopes this amendment will help level Amendment C208 is currently up for those statistics back up. Th e First Friday Dance Club was preceded by a performance public consultation and can be viewed from dance troupe Too Hot To Handle last month, with the group Cr Ong also explained that an increase online at www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/ in transparency was at the heart of the publicinspection or in person at the thrilling the crowd. Find out more on page 7. amendment. Melbourne Town Hall. WE ARE YOUR LOCAL GROCER! 182 City Road, SOUTHBANK 2 SOUTHBANK LOCAL NEWS ISSUE 25 Smolders stands down, and tall Suite 108, 198 Harbour Esplanade As reported in this edition, the Southbank Residents’ Group president Michael Smolders has moved PO Box 23008 Docklands 8012 Tel: 8689 7980 Fax: 9602 2929 aside, but the impact of his 12-month term will be felt for many years to come. www.southbanklocalnews.com.au Michael moved into the role after the controversial approval of Queensbridge EditorialEdit Editor: Sean Rogasch Tower riled him and fellow residents at Freshwater Place. He vowed to make a CommentCom diff erence to the treatment of Southbank Tel: 8689 7980 Fax: 9602 2929 residents’ views and has delivered on that SeanSean Rogasch [email protected] promise, and then some. Supported ably by Barry Janes, Michael From a selfi sh standpoint, we’ve also been Reader contributions are welcome. has grown the visibility of the group to thankful for Michael’s constant willingness Please send articles and images to unprecedented levels. He brought a to work with and support the Southbank [email protected] professionalism that enabled the group to Local News, even when the big (well, bigger) media outlets in town came calling. Deadline for the Dec edition is Dec 6. establish and grow its connections to all levels of government, which has given it a far Charged with taking over is Tony Penna who louder voice. has taken to the job enthusiastically and, At the SRG’s AGM in October Michael further with the backing of his new team, is looking showed his professionalism, presenting to continue to build the SRG’s size and a detailed report into the year’s work and relevance. CONNECT illustrating just how large the shoes are to fi ll. As is his way, Michael has told Tony to get Keep up to date with local news & events. in touch if ever challenges arise that he can He was also highly praised by Barry Janes, help with. Freshwater Place OC chairman Peter Renner and even local member Martin Foley – all of Th e Southbank Local News team wishes Follow us on Twitter which is richly deserved. Michael all the best in his future endeavours. Outgoing SRG president, Michael Smolders. @SOUTHBANK_News Like us on Facebook Guy calls for more discussion on plan Southbank Local News Planning Minister Matthew Guy has put a call out for more discussion around the Plan Melbourne document, which outlines the future planning for Melbourne’s growth up until 2050. SOUTHBANK DIRECTORY Plan Melbourne was produced as an that Plan Melbourne has a truly integrated Don’t miss out on getting your business into overarching document and includes approach to land use, infrastructure delivery the ultimate guide to Southbank. information about many matters that have and transport planning,” he added. been discussed at length in Southbank such Call us on 8689 7980 to fi nd out more. Plan Melbourne was released earlier this as capital city zones, density, green space and community amenities for high-density year after two years of consultation. areas. Around 10,000 Melburnians had their say Mr Guy said the Government was ready and on the document while it was in drafting willing to take on board what the community stages and there will now be more forums to had to say. discuss the completed plan. “Th e Victorian Government is committed to Th ere will be a community event at 253 listening to the voices of the community so Flinders Lane for inner city residents and that we remain the world’s most livable city you can also check out the plan on the and a global city of opportunity and choice,” website www.planmelbourne.com.au Mr Guy explained. Th e plan is open for comment until “Th e contributions to date have ensured Planning minister Matthew Guy wants to hear from you. December 6. To register visit melbourne.vic.gov.au/amcs For enquiries email [email protected] or call 96048600 ISSUE 25 SOUTHBANK LOCAL NEWS 3 Inner city planning ‘mainstream issue’ By Sean Rogasch Inner city planning has thrust itself into the state political spotlight, according to Labor member for Albert Park, Martin Foley. “Inner city planning is now rightly a refl ection on Labor’s city centric attitude to mainstream state political issue,” Mr Foley Victoria,” Mr Guy said. said at the Southbank Residents’ Group’s Perhaps it’s actually a refl ection of Mr Foley (SRG) AGM in October. He added that taking up issues within his electorate which groups such as the SRG had signifi cantly is, of course, what he is elected to do. contributed to the issue’s rise in prominence. Mr Foley was just as keen to throw a political Th e issue has always been important in barb, saying: “Here (Southbank) Matthew Garage sale a huge success Southbank, but Mr Foley’s comments Guy rules as the unchallenged Planning suggest that it goes far wider than postcode Tsar.” 3006. Th e Garage Sale Trail at Boyd Community Centre was a huge With the progress made by the SRG and the Further proof of its rise is that inner city City of Melbourne on planning issues in the success last month, attracting about 40 stalls and numerous planning has also gained major media last 12 months, both groups have a right to coverage over the past 12 months, with visitors to enjoy the day. believe that this is far from the case. representatives from the SRG appearing on ABC TV and radio, commercial television Regardless of your political persuasion, as Th e trail was a statewide initiative to and radio and in the daily metro papers. politicians look for alternatives to the urban encourage neighbourhoods to have garage sprawl, inner city planning has become a In a follow-up statement to the Southbank sales which, of course, is a little diffi cult in a major issue and Southbank will continue to Local News Mr Foley said communities like high and mid-rise community where hardly be right at the heart of the debate. Southbank had matured to a point that they anyone has a garage of their own. could now demand to be at the forefront of Th ankfully Boyd provided the perfect political minds. space for the community day and having “Th e people of Southbank deserve nothing all the stalls in one place created a carnival less than these issues to be taken seriously by atmosphere. all levels of government,” Mr Foley said. Th e centralised venue meant Southbank’s Planning Minister Matthew Guy agreed with trail had an extremely high community feel.