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The Kensington Association looks out for the best interests of Kensington and its residents
Kensington Association Christmas Party - Now we're talking!
The Association will hold its Christmas Party on Monday 7 December, from 7:30 pm in the Holy Rosary School Hall and all members are invited. Now here is a meeting you will enjoy - no motions or amendments to the motion! We'll have a short speech listing our accomplishments during 2009 and appreciate and thank those who made them possible. We will hang out together and enjoy some pretty decent finger food and drinks. You are also invited to bring along Kensington friends and neighbours who might be interested in checking out the Association. No need to RSVP. Just drop in and have a good time!
Kensington Estate - Becton's proposal to erect 217 units on a parcel of land where the agreement is for 60
The Association held a PUBLIC MEETING about the Kensington Estate issue on Tuesday 13 October 2009, at which residents authorized the Steering Committee to vigorously oppose the 217 unit proposal.
A further public meeting to discuss progress and plan further action will be held on Tuesday 24 November at 7.30 pm at Kensington Community Recreation Centre, Altona Street in the Community Hall. A recent Association meeting has authorized a special sub-committee to plan for a vigorous public campaign in 2010 to stop this proposal.
Click here for letter from David Ettershank, Chair of the Association, discussing this issue.
Click here for details of discussion at the September meeting of the Association.
Hobsons Road - proposal to rezone the parcel of land between Hobsons Road and the Maribyrnong River
The City of Melbourne has initiated a proposed rezoning and has requested that the Minister for Planning appoint an Independent Panel to consider the submissions to Melbourne Planning Scheme Amendment C124.
The MCC wants to see the land rezoned and wishes to balance the difficulties inherent in the site with getting a good result that will benefit the public. The MCC is looking at issues like ensuring continuous access to the river, improved accessibility to the river (opening up the river) and provisioning for height controls.
Building heights that are proposed are 10.5 metres along Hobson’s Rd, 18 metres in the mid block and 22 metres along the railway line. There are constraints relating to the development of the site, including the need to raise the site and Hobson’s Road by over 2 metres, carparking, cost and contamination of the site.
The Minister will appoint the Independent Panel, which will make a decision on the planned amendment. The MCC will consider the Panel’s recommendation and make a recommendation to the Minister who will make the ultimate decision. This is planned for early next year.
At the last Association meeting, while it was generally conceded that the current use was inappropriate, members recalled a number of previous, inappropriate development proposals, and expressed apprehension at any action that would open the site to development without strict limits on heights, density and quality. Any redevelopment would have a major effect on Kensington Banks.
The Association has appointed a sub-committee to monitor the process and make representations to the Panel.
Thank you to the City of Melbourne for road and footpath upgrades in the former Moonee Valley section of Kensington
You may be interested to see what the City of Melbourne has accomplished in Kensington since it took over administration of the former Moonee Valley section of Kensington in July 2008, and what is planned. Taking information from the City, the Association has created maps of Kensington showing major road and footpath works that have been completed since the City took over, and works that are planned for the current, 2009-2010, financial year and beyond:
You'll notice that the resurfacing work of Bellair Street is complete. We understand from the City of Melbourne that works will commence in Rankins Road in December (kerb and guttering renovation) followed by resurfacing about March. Eventually, Eastwood Street will also be completely renovated, part of the work being completed this financial year and the remainder yet to be scheduled. Some funds from these projects come from Commonwealth stimulus funds and some from the Council's budget for capital works. These are part of the Council's plan to upgrade the former Moonee Valley section of Kensington to a City-wide standard.
Meanwhile, the City is tending our nature strips - not done before - and has instituted weekly (instead of fortnightly) recycling collections. Street sweeping seems to occur more frequently and the streets seem cleaner - an excellent result for residents. The only downside seems to be the loss of green bins, replaced with a kerbside collection on request.
The Association appreciates this input of resources for our suburb. We intend to work cooperatively with the City of Melbourne in identifying any other works that are needed, with the view to having them included in a future year.
Click here to see the plans
Be a member of the Kensington Association!
For details about membership, click here.
"Welcome to Kensington" kits -- they are free!
We have produced kits of information that are useful for newly-arrived people to Kensington. They make an attractive welcome gift for a new neighbour, and you can get one free at the Kensington Community House, McCracken Street.
East-West tunnel: The Association appreciates the State Government decision that "The use of JJ Holland Park for staging and construction is not supported"
Following rallies led by the Kensington Association and many submissions from local residents, the State Government decided that JJ Holland Park will not be used for the construction of the proposed East-West Road Tunnel. Even if the tunnel is built in the future, Holland Park is protected.
Local residents attend protest rally in June 2008, a turning point in the campaign:
 
Kensington Association's information services are suppported by the Melbourne City Council
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