| February 2008 |
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Minutes of the meeting of the Kensington Association, held on 4 February 2008 Apologies: Tony St Clair, Frank Gibson, Clive Gartner, Cr Rose Iser, Richard Reilly 1. Proposed development along Hobsons Road The proposal involves a triangular section of land bounded by Hobsons and Kensington roads, the rail line and a boundary between a point at the intersection of the railway and the river, north to Hobsons Road. It involves the erection of a 5-storey office block near the corner of Hobsons and Kensington roads, plus 45 factory units. The Association is concerned about height of the proposed office block and number of factory units for the area of land. It was resolved to ask the City of Melbourne to call the proposal in for consideration by its Planning Committee (action David Ettershank). Additionally, in order to be able to evaluate any future development proposal in an overall context. it was resolved to ask the City to provide a master plan for the future of the entire site along Hobsons Road (action Richard Reilly). In the meantime, Richard Reilly, Fincina Hopgood and Chris Thorn were authorized to carry the matter forward. It was recommended that residents in the Banks contact the Association and register their interest in this matter. 2. Proposed Transition Committee The North and West Melbourne Association has suggested the creation of a Community Transition Committee that would oversee and advise on the hand-over of the city of Moonee Valley sections of Kensington and North Melbourne to the City of Melbourne. It was agreed that the Kensington Association should support the proposal. It was resolved to coordinate a request with the North and West Melbourne Association (action Tony Dare). 3. Train services to Kensington The Association has received comments about the new Connex timetable, including express trains that bypass Kensington. Donna Lancaster agreed to discuss the matter with those who had expressed concern, gather further information and report back. 4. Trees in Bellair Street The City of Melbourne is concerned about the plane trees in the section of Bellair Street from Arden Street to Ormond Street. Many of the trees are in poor condition, and the road surface, storm water drains and footpaths are damaged. Proposed solutions are to be put to a public meeting, to be held in February. It was resolved to confirm the date of the meeting and inform members by email (action David Ettershank). 5. Traffic in Macaulay Road There are continuing complaints about trucks using Macaulay Road, contravening traffic restrictions. Cr Jim Cusack (Moonee Valley) promised to raise this matter again with Vicroads and Victoria Police. The Association representative on the West Melbourne Police and Community Consultative Committee, Therese Fitzgerald, agreed to raise the matter in the Committee. 6. Risks to the community from chemical fires and spills The meeting was told that Greens Senator Colleen Hartland is canvassing this issue as it affects western suburbs, including Kensington. Donna Lancaster agreed to liaise with Senator Hartland, with the view to inviting her to address a future meeting when she has completed her investigations. 7. Resurgence of the Flemington Association The meeting welcomed John Dickie, the new Chair of the reconstituted Flemington Association. Mr Dickie reported that the association was being rebuilt, and would hold its first meeting on 5 February. He looked forward to close cooperation with the Kensington Association. He informed the meeting that the Association had a new website: Association had a new website: http://home.vicnet.net.au/~flem3031 He thanked the Kensington Association for pursuing many issues in the past that benefited Flemington residents. He noted that the Association had pressed for the inclusion of Flemington within the City of Melbourne, a proposal that had not been accepted by the Review Panel. He noted that an immediate issue was the proposal to erect a 21-storey office block on the former Lombards site, a proposal the Flemington Association is opposing (for details, see the Flemington Association website). The meeting welcomed Mr Dickie and the resurgence of the Flemington Association, and looked forward to close cooperation on issues of common interest to the two associations. 8. Proposal to abolish the supervised school crossing on Gower Street The Association noted a proposal to rationalize school crossings in Melbourne, with the effect of removing the subsidy for a supervised school crossing outside Holy Rosary School. It was resolved to oppose the proposal and to support Holy Rosary School in it efforts to retain the supervised school crossing (action Richard Reilly). 9. Centennial Hotel It was noted that the appeared to be people residing in the hotel, whereas it had been understood that the planning permit had been revoked. Cr Cusack agreed to look into the current situation and report back. 10. Maintenance in the Rankins Road-Eastwood Street area It was noted that paint indicating the speed humps in Rankins Road and Eastwood Street was badly worn and presented a possible safety hazard. It was reported that there were a number of derelict cars in the streets. Cr Cusack agreed to look into the current situation and report back. |