| November 2009 |
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Minutes of meeting of the Kensington Association held at Holy Rosary Primary School Monday 9 November 2009 at 7.30pm The meeting was chaired by David Ettershank, Kensington Association Chairperson Apologies: Paul Devereux, Mary Wynne, Sally Malone, Daniel Malone, Brian Walters, Stephen Alomes Agenda Item 1 – Members welcomed State local Member of Parliament, the Hon Bronwyn Pike MLA. Bronwyn gave a rundown on a few matters relating to the Kensington area: · The Department of Transport is conducting a review of the bus routes that run in and around Kensington (the 402 bus for example). Bronwyn will alert the Association of when consultation will be held. Members and residents might like to contact her to provide feedback on the current bus services – frequency of service, number and location of bus stops, the extension of routes – might be some issues to consider. Therese Fitzgerald agreed to make representations on behalf of the Association. · Members might recall that prior to the 2006 State election, over $1M was committed by the government to undertake a feasibility study on redeveloping the Doutta Galla Community Health Service in Kensington. This process is continuing with a number of potential options identified including redevelopment on the current site or at the old Kensington Town Hall. In response to widely heard rumours that the Health Service would be moving to North Melbourne, Bronwyn indicated her commitment to retaining a primary health service in Kensington and that nothing has been resolved to date. · Becton redevelopment – Bronwyn said that she was well aware of the issues relating to this development and has been in discussion with her colleague Housing Minister Richard Wynne. The Minister is looking into this matter. She is also very much aware of the Kensington Association’s actions and views on Becton’s changed proposals. · As Education Minister, Bronwyn was pleased to inform those who weren’t aware that both the Holy Rosary and Kensington Primary Schools were recipients of substantial moneys as part of the education stimulus. There are two tranches of funds – the first for maintenance, and the second, larger tranche of major capital redevelopment. It is important to note that there is a ‘community access stipulation’ attached to all moneys, meaning that a new hall, for example, must be made available for community use. · Members thanked Bronwyn for attending and briefing members on current issues. Agenda Item 2 – Proposed Hobson’s Road rezoning Members welcomed MCC Councillor Cathy Oke and David Mayes (Manager Strategic Planning – MCC) to the meeting to discuss the proposed rezoning of the five hectares of land at 1-89 Hobson’s Road from industrial to mixed use (commercial and residential). The MCC initiated the 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. 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 Chris Thorn, Sharon Inkster and Richard Reilly to monitor the process and make representations to the panel. Agenda Item 3 – Moonee Valley Council precinct plan for Racecourse Road, Flemington Members welcomed Jennifer Loulie and Rob Ball (Strategic Planners, City of Moonee Valley) and Tina Gallico (Strategic Planner, City of Melbourne) who presented information about the proposed Racecourse Road, Flemington ‘upgrade’ to better reflect its State Government classification as a Major Activity Centre (MAC). The overall structure plan proposes improved public open spaces and the public realm in general, the creation of one-way streets, potentially relocating the library, improving Newmarket Plaza, creating urban renewal, improving the area under the ramps at Newmarket station and generally improving the overall amenity of the area. The council is also going to use the plan to push for redevelopment of the Flemington flats. Community consultation on the proposed plans will take place next year. While the focus is on the Moonee Valley side of the road, the MCC is also participating in the plans and liaising with their Moonee Valley colleagues to ensure consistency and complementary in amenity and built forms. Katy Miller from the Flemington Association attended the meeting and presented their Association’s significant reservations about the plan. These include The fact that the MAC was nominated to the State Government MVCC with consulting locals: effectively removing many planning controls and processes. That it will result in over-development and inappropriate developments and Does not have an integrated approach with the City of Melbourne (that regulates the other side of Racecourse Road). This will be a watching brief for the Association. Burns MacGibbon agreed to liaise with the Flemington Association, keep abreast of developments and is a member of the working party. Members thanked Jennifer, Rob and Tina for their contribution. Agenda Item 4 – Proposed Becton Development Becton has submitted a proposal to increase the number of units on the final stage of the site from about 60 to 217. As no satisfactory assurances have yet been obtained it was resolved to hold another public meeting forthwith, with a public campaign in opposition to the development to commence early in the new year. Agenda Item 5 – Doutta Galla Community Health Service The meeting resolved to invite CEO of the Doutta Galla Community Health Service, Caz Healy to address the first meeting of the Association in 2010 to clarify likely developments for their Kensington Service. Agenda Item 6 – Noise at South Kensington Station Geoff Cox reported that a community/resident survey is currently being undertaken. This will be reported on at the next meeting. Agenda Item 7 – Vacancy of Secretary’s position Burns MacGibbon nominated for the position. As there were no other nominations, Burns was elected by acclamation. Agenda Item 8 – Police-Community Consultative Committee Therese Fitzgerald will be participating as the KA representative at this week’s PCCC meeting. If anyone has any policing issues they’d like raised at these meetings, please contact the Association. Agenda Item 9 – Christmas Party The Christmas Party will be held on Monday 7 December at 7.30pm at the Hall of the Holy Rosary. A Christmas Party subcommittee has been established to ensure the night is a cracker. Tony Dare, Sharon Inkster and Richard Reilly will make the necessary arrangements. Celebratory drinks and finger food will be provided. |