Minutes of the meeting of the Kensington Association held 1 February 2010

Apologies: Daniel Schwarze, Brian Walters, Caz Healy

Agenda Item 1 – No 12 Elizabeth Street, Kensington
A liquor licensing application has been submitted by Revolt Productions to amend the licensing arrangements for No. 12 Elizabeth Street, Kensington. Representatives from the company discussed their vision and plans for the building. They propose to develop a performing arts and entertainment space, complete with a bar and a coffee shop and an art gallery in the foyer. They propose that the venue will be theatrically driven, with live cabaret, photography art and visual arts spaces.
They propose to upgrade all the soundproofing currently in the venue. They have letters of support from a range of festivals (Comedy, Fringe).
They propose to operate the venue within the confines of the liquor application – being operating hours of 10am-1am, 7 days a week. If fully booked out on any one night, up to 660 people can be onsite at any one time. This includes theatre style seating, tables and seating.
Members asked a number of questions of the three representatives:
How do you manage the people not actually in the building, either entering or leaving? Both a venue management plan and a liquor licensing plan have been lodged.
Traffic management? A waiver on parking has gone to VCAT and this waiver currently stands.
What about smoking? Smoking in the ‘dock’ is currently permitted but this is currently under review.
A concern was raised that, notwithstanding all the reasonable sounding activities that may occur on the premises, once permits are granted, the company is entitled to utilise the facility to the maximum allowed under the permit, which may be at odds with the amenity of the local community.
Prior to the meeting, the Association has already lodged an objection with Council relating to this proposal.
The meeting resolved a meeting should be arranged between the Council, Revolt Productions and the KA to progress discussions on this proposal. A community meeting is also to be arranged.  Sharon Inkster from KA is to liaise with Council to facilitate this meeting.

Agenda Item 2 – Kensington Estate Update
A petition organised by the Association was delivered to local MPs, Bronwyn Pike and Richard Wynne before Christmas.  A total of 282 people signed the petition, which is a terrific response, clearly indicating local dissatisfaction with Becton’s plans for development and the State Government failure to rein them in.  Becton has proposed 217 units for the final stage of the Estate development, where the original in-principle agreement was for 60.  Becton has since revised its proposal to 125.
While the KA officially withdrew from the Kensington Estate Community Liaison Committee last year, we have ministerial reassurances that there will be no movement forward on this matter until a public meeting is held.
The meeting resolved that Geoff Cox request to address the Planning Committee meeting of the MCC at its next meeting.  David Ettershank said that a delegation of the KA is planning to meet with Minister Wynne in two week’s time.

Agenda Item 3 – Disability Report
Mary Wynne provided a disability report. Mary noted the new traffic lights in Epsom Road, providing a safe crossing for people with disabilities. She and others have done a lot of work recently liaising with the MCC on a whole range of issues (overhanging branches for example).  She called for the need for Council to undertake an audit of where street furniture is being put.
The new office of Vision Australia is located at 346 Macaulay Road, corner of Stubbs Street. This has brought 150 people into the area on a daily basis, contributing to the economic development of the local area.
There has been work undertaken to upgrade Macaulay Station, making it certainly safer for those with disabilities.  Mary said that the draft MCC Disability Action Plan will be uploaded onto Council’s website in February.  There is a concern among the disability community that more work needs to be done to engage with people in our community who have special needs.  Mary put it to the meeting – how can we as the KA become a more user-friendly organisation?
The meeting resolved to draft a letter to the MCC to thank them for their work done to date in this area.  Geoff Cox and Mary Wynne to draft the letter for the Chair’s signature.
Revolt Productions indicated that they would like to speak to Mary on including a disability plan in their proposals at 12 Elizabeth Street, Kensington.

Agenda Item 4 – The area between Hobson’s Road and the Maribyrnong River
The MCC has initiated a process to rezone this parcel of land from industrial to mixed use.  Richard Reilly reported that he’d been in contact with the MCC regarding the proposed Hobsons Road development. A directions hearing is being convened on 25 February 2010 where it will be decided who may appear, whether any expert witnesses will be called and any other specific directions are made.
A panel hearing will be held, at a date yet to be decided. The panel will make a recommendation to Council, which can make a decision on the planning scheme amendment.   The Minister has the final say on whether the proposed rezoning proceeds.
Richard is to write to Planning Panels Victoria asking that the KA be permitted to appear before the Planning Panel.

Agenda Item 5 – Westlink
Matt Hammond will attend on behalf of KA a Link in Melbourne Authority meeting on 11 February 2010.  The consultation has been convened to garner local opinion on different options for Westlink and the tunnel.

Agenda Item 6 – Racecourse Road Masterplan
Burns McGibbon reported back to the meeting on the latest developments relating to a proposed Racecourse Road Masterplan being developed for public comment by Moonee Valley Council officers.  This area was designated in the 2030 Melbourne overall plan as a major activity centre.
MVCC is looking at the vision of such a plan and is seeking community input. Only on the MVCC side of the road of course, now that Kensington is reunited.
The Flemington Association has submitted a 25-page objection to the Masterplan and presented it the MVCC.  Now there is a delay of 6 months. There is a working group established which will look into the design overlays which will guide the development.  Council officers are developing the new Plan. There is proposed to be community discussion and consultation. The plan when finished will be deliberated on by MVCC councillors.
The next working group meeting will see a further draft of the Masterplan by the end of March.
Burns is in contact with the Flemington Association and the MVCC on this matter.

Agenda Item 7 – Kensington Co-operative Child Care Centre
The KCCC is keen for more engagement between themselves and the KA, with a view to getting more people involved in this wonderful community asset. Anyone who is keen to get more involved with the KCCC, please speak to KCCC director, Liz Vittori.
Agenda Item 8 – Police Community Consultative Committee
Therese Fitzgerald reported back on activities of the PCCC from Melbourne’s west. Therese has requested more detailed crime statistics. Anyone with any queries, please see Therese.

Agenda Item 9 – Bus Review
There are currently 16 bus reviews being undertaken in Melbourne at the present time. There is a proposal to extend the 401 bus to include the North Melbourne shops. A bus route across the top of the city is also preferable, assisting people wishing to connect to LaTrobe University.

Agenda Item 10 – Freight yards
Noise from the freight yards is still a real concern and problem for those geographically near there. A survey was conducted by the KA in November last year – 94 responses. The next step now is a meeting with MCC Councillor Cathy Oke and Sue Clarke.  There is now a new siren in the Dynon Freight yards causing distress to many residents. It’s creating an echo effect in the Kensington Estate as well.

Miscellaneous
Caz Healy, CEO of Doutta Galla Community Health, was an apology for this meeting but will aim to attend the March KA meeting.
Cheryl from the Kitch Coffee Shop is representing the Traders’ Association.  She wants to upgrade the signage in Macaulay Road and is planning to attend the March meeting.
There is a view that the weekly Planning applications sent to the KA could be a breach of the privacy act.  David Ettershank is to pursue this further with Council.