October 2007
Minutes of the meeting of the Kensington Association, held on 1 October 2007


Apologies: Cr Rose Iser, Jeannie Zacharov

1.  Kensington’s boundaries
The Kensington Association has lodged its submission to the Panel.  (See   http://www.kensingtonassociation.org.au/images/stories/Master%20Submission.pdf ).  The Panel is now deliberating, and is charged with reporting to the Minister for Local Government by 31 October.  About 20 residents emailed a copy of their submission to the Association for information.  All favoured reuniting Kensington under the City of Melbourne.  At this time, the Association does not know the nature or number of submissions the Panel has received.  It is known that the City of Melbourne favours taking back the Moonee Valley part of Kensington, and the City of Moonee Valley opposes it.  Resolved to contact the Panel secretariat and offer to assist further in answering questions and clarifying issues – for action by the Chair.

2.  Federal MP attends
MP for the seat of Melbourne in the Federal House of Representatives, Mr Lindsay Tanner, attended the meeting.  He said that his general policy has been to leave State matters to State members, but in the case of Kensington’s boundaries, he did ask residents to indicate their views.  He said that apart from the response from one community group, all feedback favoured reuniting Kensington under Melbourne.  He said that his personal view is to favour a “greater Melbourne” concept for the city.  He canvassed a number of other matters.  He then answered questions.  Members thanked Mr Tanner for his attendance.

3.  Holland Park Master Plan
The Association has contacted the Chair of the City of Melbourne Parks and Gardens Committee (Cr Fraser Brindley) to indicate its concern about proposals to alter the original plan for playing fields and the pavilion.  Cr Brindley indicated that further public consultation would precede any decision.  Noted.

4.  North Melbourne Recreation Reserve
Association representative, Clive Gartner, presented a tree inventory.  At the next meeting of the consultative committee, plans for landscaping and building will be further discussed.  The Association reiterated its opposition to the proposal that the North Melbourne Football Club administer the public recreation facilities, and asked Mr Gartner to make this policy clear at the forthcoming meeting.  He agreed to do this.

5.  Voting mechanism for City of Melbourne elections
There is a controversy about whether elections should be in-person or postal.  It was said that that postal voting entails considerable resources, candidates needing to fund at least two mail-outs to all electors to have any practical chance of contending a position.  As there is time for further consideration, this matter was deferred.

6.  Planning proposal at Stockman’s Way and McAllister Mews
There is a proposal to erect a loft over a carport.  The proposal appears to comply with planning regulations.  Some residents object to the proposal, saying that it would alter the design concept of the lane-scape.  Resolved to obtain the detailed plans and formulate a view – for action by the Chair.

7.  Succession planning
It was noted that the people currently occupying the executive positions had done so for several years and that for the continued organizational health of the Association, there should be some plan to train people to take their place over time.  Tony Dare offered to train people in the details of Treasurer and Membership Secretary positions.

8.  Public open space adjoining the Stock Bridge
It was resolved to ask the City of Melbourne what plans are in place to develop this land. – for action by the Chair.

9.  Cr Jim Cusack addressed the meeting
Cr Cusack (Moonee Valley) elaborated in the City of Moonee Valley view regarding Kensington’s boundaries.  He said the Council’s preferred position was the status quo, followed by the “natural boundaries” solution (Moonee Ponds Creek/railway/Maribrynong River), uniting Kensington under Moonee Valley.  He said he was puzzled as to why residents wanted to leave Moonee Valley and rejoin Melbourne.  Members referred Cr Cusack to the Kensington Association website for comments by residents ( http://www.kensingtonassociation.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=115&Itemid=71 ), plus the published outcomes of the Association’s poll that showed that over 90% of respondents in the Moonee Valley section of Kensington wished to rejoin Melbourne.

10.  Meeting the people
The success of the recent stalls at the Macaulay Road shops was noted. It was resolved to have a stall on Saturday 8 December to distribute fridge magnets and “Welcome to Kensington” kits as Christmas gifts.