Campaigns

Dear DADA Friends,

Attached is a request from the good people who live near 57 Station Street, Fairfield where another outrageous development is on the drawing board.

If you can help by filling out an objection (link below), you only need to add your name and address, and sending in the attached objection form it would be greatly appreciated.

The time line is extremely short on this one, funny that, so I suggest an emailed objection if you can.

Thanks,

Maria DADA

Objection Application (PDF)

By Post to:

City of Darebin, Town Planning

PO Box 91, Preston. Vic, 3072

– OR –

By Email to:

townplan@darebin.vic.gov.au

Saving Preston’s Highest Tree at 48 Murphy Grove from Kang Investments

Background
1923 (we believe)    –    Lemon scented gum tree planted on extreme back border of 48 Murphy Grove and grows to become Preston’s highest tree (as is our area’s tallest tree on top of Preston’s highest hill).  Arborists report states that it is in good health, fair in structure and would be significant to local fauna.
December 2009    –    Kang Investments buys deceased estate (extremely well maintained weatherboard house)
5 October 2010    –    Ken Kang makes application for 4 units (2 double storey)
27 April 2011    –    Darebin Council rejects planning permit
28 February 2012    –    VCAT rejects planning permit
March 2012    –    Ken Kang refuses Department of Justice’s invite to enter mediation to build 3 units and save the tree
1 April 2012    –    Community holds rally to save the tree only to discover that an attempt has been made to poison it.  Water, bio-char and wound dressings save the tree from this shameful act.  Tree sitting platform installed.
31 May 2012    –    Tree choppers defeated by community members occupying the tree and standing beneath it
7 June 2012    –    Tree choppers and police arrive but choppers defeated by community members standing beneath the tree.  Police tell Ken Kang to go to mediation.
6 July 2012    –    Mediation through the Department of Justice fails as Ken Kang refuses to even consider how the tree could be incorporated into a 3 unit development.
He avows to cut the tree down.
27 July 2012    –    Jacks Trees announces that they will be cutting the tree down
29 July 2012    –    National Tree Day.  Much online protest results in Jack’s Trees saying they have only been asked to quote the job
10 August 2012    –    Tree choppers and police arrive but choppers defeated by community members occupying the tree and standing beneath it. 
Ken Kang returns to cut the rope ladder to the platform but is foiled.
13 August 2012    –    Sneak attack on tree removes our rope ladder and platform
14 August 2012    –    Tree choppers and police arrive but once again choppers defeated by community members occupying a 6 metre scaffold nestled in the branches

It has literally been woman, children and senior citizens who have repelled every attempt to cut the tree down.  In the last attempt the tree choppers were intimidating us. 
Though we now have our community scaffolding erected, a quick surprise attack could substantially destroy the tree within an hour.

TO THE POLICE – WE SAY ENOUGH
Enough of Ken Kang snapping his fingers and police doing his beckoning! – see photo
Ken Kang should spend some of his own money and take us to court to get an injunction to force us to move from our own property while the tree gets cut down. 
At least that way he and the tree choppers will do it in the full glare of whatever publicity we can muster rather than through his shameful sneaky tactics with the police in tow.
Please contact Preston Police 9479 6111 and tell them to tell Ken Kang to get an injunction!
 
TO WORKSAFE – WE SAY ENOUGH
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 – Part 1 Clause 2 (1) c
“The objects of this Act are to ensure that the health and safety of members of the public is not placed at risk by the conduct of undertakings by employers and self-employed persons”

WorkSafe refuses to attend saying that we should protest from a safe distance.  As the tree choppers dangle above us with their chainsaws, they tell us that WorkSafe doesn’t matter – see photo 

No!  Why should WorkSafe be supporting Ken Kang?  We are members of the public exercising our legitimate right of protest!
Please contact WorkSafe (Lisa_Sturznegger@worksafe.vic.gov.au) or phone 1800 136 089 (toll free) and tell them to tell Ken Kang to do the job safely!

• Preston Leader
• Melbourne Times
• Only Melbourne – Save Preston’s Highest Tree

Dear all – it is with pleasure that I report that last night Darebin Council rejected unanimously the proposed development of 10 storeys overlooking Bundoora Park. It will now of course go to VCAT but the residents are in a stronger position as they are on the same side as council. 604 objections were received – thanks to all who helped.

Now for the bad news: 25 Madelaine Street, Preston

I received a council letter last night informing me that they had an application to build 6 units at 25 Madeline Street (the gorgeous little California bungalow on the corner). Yes – six on a normal Preston suburban block! The applicant is Ikonomidis Reid Pty Ltd – a name well known to those concerned about appropriate development.

The deadline on my letter for objections is 14 July – even though no signage had gone up as of this morning, (which I have reported to council so anyone living in Madeline street I would appreciate you being able to confirm this if it is disputed).

I am aiming to get the matter before council so I need 100 Objections – I know it is a big ask for a local development rather than a massive tower, but is it also seriously excessive and quite obviously a trojan horse – they are testing the waters, and if they get this without a fight it will set a very ugly precedent.

Please please lodge an objection – obviously, the closer you live the better but anyone in Cazaly ward will be great, and even outside – we need to get it before full council. The mayor made some good comments last night about preserving our streets by keeping over-development out of them and I would like the opportunity to hold him to those comments.

I have just looked on the web – the plans are not yet on there for viewing so I have attached both the plans and an objection form with the details of the developer and proposal.

If I could ask that you drop me a line when you have lodged an objection so I can keep track that would be wonderful.

I hope to have a leaflet for distribution in letterboxes in the immediate area in the next few days, and would appreciate anyone being able to give me a hand – just let me know.

Pre Completed Application (add your name, address and sign)