Meeting Notes

Dear DADA Folk,

We met we talked we helped some objectors and gave ourselves lots more work.

The notes and related documents are attached for your edification.

Enjoy, Maria

DADA

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• Residents-Bill-of-Rights
• 20160615-Darebin-Climate-Forum-Northcote-Town-Hall
• 20160516-Public-Question-Time

Darebin Appropriate Development Association: Protect Your Community
Inc. No. A0094111Q
Web: https://www.darebinada.org

Meeting Notes: 31st of May, 2016
Present: Marion Coffey, Keith Coffey, Maria Poletti, Mandy Baird, Sally Mendes, Meryl Waugh, Craig Walters, Chris Erlandsen, Cathy Audley, Kevin Audley, Gim Loe, Di Cambridge
Apologies: Stewart Midgley,

1. Business Arising:
a. Discussed other city councils plan for buying up houses to eventually convert into public open space. Action: Maria to do more research to bring back to the meeting. Stonnington Council
b. 748 to 750 Plenty Road, 4 stories, 22 apartments with some at 40 square metres. Action: Mandy to keep an eye on it. Ongoing
c. Reply from the Minister’s office to Mandy’s emailed letter circulated and discussed Action: Mandy to reply in disgust to how condescending and deflective it is.
d. Discussion of lot consolidated sites over 1000 square metres or 1200 square metres. Also the interface is a concern that it isn’t integrated. Action: Craig to ask D Rudd about footprint on consolidated blocks and the status of garage
e. 137 Mansfield Street, Action: Meryl to write to Darren Rudd after DADA is incorporated regarding the work of the council representative. The letter will have DADA imprimatur.
f. Maria found a variation in the Planning Committee minutes. Action: Maria to write to the CEO and CC Councilors after checking with Robert Phillips as to how this can happen.
g. Sally suggested we go to town planner courses and ask if final year students will do pro-bono work on behalf of objectors. Action: Sally
h. We need to open a DADA bank account Action: Craig to pursue opening a bank account with Bendigo Bank. Done
i. Suggested corruption by developers asking for specific members to hear their case and that somebody should collect the data and talk to the papers. Action: Maria to contact Lucas Clay from the age to ask if he will do the research.
j. Email address list attached to C156 notice: Action Maria Contact those not on DADA list and invite to site and meeting. Done. Only one response asking for clarification of ‘poor development’
k. Meeting with the Mayor, CEO, Manager of Finances and Manager of Planning on the 21st of April. Meeting discussed. Suggested that council prepare a checklist so that we can more easily see what the application holds. An example for feedback was circulated. Action: Maria to add suggestions. Done. Meryl has started a spread sheet to help breakdown planning applications so we can more easily assess planning applications.
l. Letterboxing to get direct neighbours to object: Call for folk to help. Please contact Maria if you can. Susan has offered to do some letter box drops south of Bell Street.
m. DADA objector handbook completed and ready to go. Action: Maria to add suggestions (done) and post on website. In process.
n. Sale of Education Department land in Reservoir; Action: Keith will talk to Robin Scott about support for the land going to council. Done Keith has made a submission on preferred future use of the land at Glasgow Road. Keith has also spoken to Robin Scott and suggested a social housing use. Action: Keith will follow up on last weeks meeting with Robin.
o. Planned Statewide community meeting about the new zoning travesty on Sunday 29th of May at 2.30pm at Camberwell Civic Centre. Action: Put it in your diary. Done DADA members attended, around 250 in civic centre. All felt that the politician present had too much of the floor and said to little. Comments from the audience of the concern of tree/vegetation removal for development. Michael Buxton told us that only 12% of Melbourne is protected under the NRZ zone. He also said residents are being locked out of the discussion and that governments are addicted to the development taxes. Action: Maria to send a copy Bill of Rights for feedback to Planning Backlash; Mary Drost <drostmary@gmail.com>
p. Meet the Candidate, Jessica Doyle for Cazaly Ward. Action: Jessica will send us a link to her website. Maria will send Jessica example of past candidates statements Done
q. 71 Miller Street, Objections have gone in and next stage is to lobby councilors and prepare 5 minute submission to planning committee. Action: Dale to email Maria for supporting documents. Done
r. Managing Residential Development Advisory Committee:
Action: Craig to question council at the next meeting on why the council submission was so short and inadequate. Keith will also ask a question if needed. Done. Craig asked question and had a written reply. See attached. Action: Keith to ask a question around the schedule and indicate that other councils had much longer to speak. Maria to send Keith a copy of schedule.

2. New Business:
a. Fund raising ideas. How to object in Darebin video for Youtube. Craig will write script for video and star and Maria will direct. Loans to DADA OK. Agreed to put a 3 month limit on the guide. Fundraising dinner with good guest speakers. $50 ticket for guest speakers and a meal. Need a long prep time so will put on business arising for a future meeting.
b. Paypal account: Craig will set up Paypal account and link it to the bank account.
c. Membership reasons: circulated for comment and suggested changes. Action: Maria to send to Brian. Done

3. From the papers:
a. Preston Leader; May 31st. Nightingale set to take flight. Darebin council approve planning application with no parking in Fairfield. , DADA quoted.
b. The Age; May 21st. Article on Chinese investors having new restriction on removing money from China which will affect their capacity to buy in Australia.
c. Domain, May 29. Choosy buyers shifting balance, the shifting market from high density to single level lots.
d. Domain May 15. A, B and C grade properties. Shows that there is a sharp fall in the uptake of the smaller apartments
e. Age, May 26. The knocking down of heritage sites in the city
f. Age May 23rd. about the lopping of protected trees by developer. These were protected trees that council subsequently gave approval to remove.
g. Age 29th May. Small footprint, big promises… Clifton Hill, Roseneath. Deep Green. Meryl is on the register for feedback.

4. Objector Updates:
a. 22-24 Knox Street Reservoir, Whole neighbourhood, 54 objectors, 7th of June is the third end date.
b. 425 Plenty Road, at VCAT. VCAT Members note was sent regarding questioning of C137.
c. 153 Wood Street, 18 objectors, only one party, Beck.
d. 27 Murphy Grove, at VCAT July 11th, new plans couriered this week.
e. 137 Mansfield Street, The site, with those VCAT-approved plans, just been onsold for $2.04 million!!! The developers originally paid $1.4 M, got the plans through for 6 2BR reverse living units, and have walked away with about half a million profit in less than 2 years.
Once the new developers build, the units will obviously need to be priced way beyond the realms of “affordable housing”.

5. Other Business:
a. Transition Darebin, Invitation to the Darebin Climate Forum on the 15th of June, 3 speakers, including Lauren Ricards. Can register on this website: Chris has sent a question and is planning to attend. Will send Maria info to send to network. Theme of talk is toward zero emissions.

Next Meeting: 7.00pm, Tuesday the 28th of June at 33 Dean Street, Preston | Post

Dear DADA Folk,

We met and had a lot of talk.

Here are the notes.

If you can make a bit of time to help us out it would be greatly appreciated.  There is much to do, still.

Cheers, Maria.

• 20160510-DADA-notes

Darebin Appropriate Development Association: Protect Your Community
Inc. No. A0094111Q
Web: https://www.darebinada.org

Meeting Notes: 10th of May, 2016
Present: Marion Coffey, Keith Coffey, Maria Poletti, Mandy Baird, Sally Mendes, Meryl Waugh, Jessica Doyle, Craig Walters, Chris Erlandsen, Dale Sulman
Apologies: Stewart Midgley, Susan Rennie

1. Business Arising:
a. Discussed other city councils plan for buying up houses to eventually convert into public open space. Action: Maria to do more research to bring back to the meeting. Stonnington Council
b. 748 to 750 Plenty Road, 4 stories, 22 apartments with some at 40 square metres. Action: Mandy to keep an eye on it. Ongoing
c. Reply from the Minister’s office to Mandy’s emailed letter circulated and discussed Action: Mandy to reply in disgust to how condescending and deflective it is.
d. Follow-up with Robin Scott’s office. Maria called back and spoke to Robin’s assistant but there was nothing new. Action: Maria to call and ask to speak to Robin or for him to call back.
e. Discussion of lot consolidated sites over 1000 square metres or 1200 square metres. Also the interface is a concern that it isn’t integrated. Action: Craig to ask D Rudd about footprint on consolidated blocks and the status of garage
f. 137 Mansfield Street, 2nd day in VCAT, Member said she will visit the site and that we will all be invited to attend. No word yet of the visit date. Expect a decision in January. Member put a time limit on objectors to ask questions of expert witness. The member would not accept the number of objectors. James Livingston acting for Council asked only one question of the first expert witness. Action: Meryl to write to Darren Rudd after DADA is incorporated regarding the work of the council representative. The letter will have DADA imprimatur.
g. Maria found a variation in the Planning Committee minutes. Action: Maria to write to the CEO and CC Councilors after checking with Robert Phillips as to how this can happen.
h. Sally suggested we go to town planner courses and ask if final year students will do pro-bono work on behalf of objectors. Action: Sally
i. We need to open a DADA bank account Action: Craig to pursue opening a bank account with Bendigo Bank.
j. Suggested corruption by developers asking for specific members to hear their case and that somebody should collect the data and talk to the papers. Action: Maria to contact Lucas Clay from the age to ask if he will do the research.
k. Email address list attached to C156 notice: Action Maria Contact those not on DADA list and invite to site and meeting
l. VCAT is planning on charging people to object/be a party to a proceeding. Fee of $51 dollars.
Information about the reforms, the proposed regulations and how to make a public submission, are available at http://myviews.justice.vic.gov.au/vcat-fees-regulations-2016 Public comments and submissions will close on Monday 2 May 2016. Direct action also suggested. Suggested we plan a protest outside VCAT with other Victorian planning groups. Action Maria to raise a protest idea with Mary Drost from Planning Backlash and start an online petition to go to the media and VCAT. Also explore the idea of a crowd sourced half page add. Action: Meryl to write submission on behalf of DADA
m. 305 to 307 Plenty Road, John thanked DADA for their supportive objections and did a letter drop, as of last Friday 33 objections. Action: John will send us templates he used to share. Done and thanks.

New Business:
2. Amendment C156: with only 35% NRZ. Met with D Rudd and G Hughes on Thursday the 14th of April. Report on meeting. Agreement that DADA continue to press council to make a case for more coverage of NRZ.

3. Meeting with the Mayor, CEO, Manager of Finances and Manager of Planning on the 21st of April. Meeting discussed. Suggested that council prepare a checklist so that we can more easily see what the application holds. An example for feedback was circulated. Action: Maria to add suggestions. Meryl has started a spread sheet to help breakdown planning applications so we can more easily assess planning applications.

4. Letterboxing to get direct neighbours to object: Action: Mandy has begun printing the materials we develop for direct neighbours and dropping in letter box in Cazaly Ward. Chris has offered to help her. We need volunteers to do the same in Rucker and Latrobe Wards. Posting on the website a page for neighbours to use and the refusal. Refusals are also being mined for common objection list. Call for folk to help. Please contact Maria if you can.

5. DADA objector handbook completed and ready to go. Draft copies circulated. Suggested additions collected and added so handbook will be launched. Suggested that we include a time link so that the handbook becomes unreadable after a certain amount of time. Also suggested updates are marked as versions. Action: Maria

6. GC42 includes ESD criteria for assessing planning applications. It is a recent development in Darebin. Will apply across the whole municipality and was developed in conjunction with Manningham Council. Seems to be giving permission for a lot of ESD requirements without some overviews like screening and sighting. Giving a big tick without an understanding of the consequences. There is concern about trade off for ESD inclusions of extra height. Action: Go back to council on more information.

7. Managing Residential Development Advisory Committee: Maria and Chris presented on behalf of DADA on Friday the 6th of May. Darebin Council presented same day. DADA submission can be read on the DADA website under DADA Blog 20. Follow the link: https://www.darebinada.org/dada-blog/dada-blog-20-managing-residential-development-advisory-committee-presentation
Councils presentation was disappointing at only 30 minutes. The chair asked the reps if they knew they were allowed 3 hours to present. Darebin was described as a middle-ring suburb. Council made a number of references about seeking guidance on amendments and the Better Apartments guidelines. Council is looking at intackness, consistency and constancy measures for zoning. Action: Craig to question council at the next meeting on why the council submission was so short and inadequate. Keith will also ask a question if needed.

8. Sale of Education Department land in Reservoir; Keith and Marion attended community meeting which was held in the wrong place for the communities affected to access. Reported as another sham consultation but still submissions are called for and need to be submitted by 27th of this month. Mooted that zoning will change to GRZ and Industrial. Council can’t afford to buy but we would love to see it go to Darebin for reuse especially for open parkland, refuge housing or low cost housing all much needed in Darebin. Where is the local member on this? Action: Keith will talk to Robin Scott about support for the land going to council.

9. Planned Statewide community meeting about the new zoning travesty on Sunday 29th of May at 2.30pm at Camberwell Civic Centre. Action: Put it in your diary.

10. From the papers: Sunday Age 1st of May article on apartment boom and why it is not meeting the future needs of Melbournians. Shortage of separate family homes included.
Age Tuesday 10th May: Redevelopment of Public housing, 30,000 on the waiting list. Including Huttonham Estate development in Preston. Tender documents were released in 2011.

11. Meet the Candidate, Jessica Doyle for Cazaly Ward. Jessica spoke about her commitment to improve development in Darebin. Action: Jessica will send us a link to her website. Maria will send Jessica example of past candidates statements.

12. Council Meetings News:

13. Planning Committee Meeting News:

14. Blog: Ideas for content welcome.

15. VCAT Updates: New rules at VCAT about who can be a party to proceedings. It is not possible to be a party unless you tick the box on the statement of grounds that indicates you will attend the hearing and present. If you cannot make the hearing it is then possible to be represented by somebody who can otherwise your grounds alone will be considered by the members/s hearing the case. DADA is now included as an objector so that DADA can be a party and a DADA official can represent DADA but individual objectors will not be included as a party.

16. Objector Updates:
a. 425 Plenty Road, at VCAT. Debrief next meeting.
b. 153 Wood Street, 18 objectors, only one party, Beck.
c. 37 Flett Street, Preston, win at VCAT, congratulations to all involved. Decision has some impact on the weight of C137.
d. 71 Miller Street, Objections have gone in and next stage is to lobby councilors and prepare 5 minute submission to planning committee. Action: Dale to email Maria for supporting documents.

17. Other Business:

Next Meeting: 7.00pm, Tuesday, May 31st, and Tuesday the 28th of June (if needed) at 33 Dean Street, Preston. | Post

Dear DADA Folk,
Our last meeting had so many agenda items we didn’t get to them all. Still much to do as you can see from the notes attached.
Also attached is a map of Darebin showing our current coverage of NRZ 11% and that asked for under Amendment C156, to take us all the way to 30%.
It is still not good enough and Darebin has clearly been the victim of poor politicking by all responsible.
Take a look at the maps to see how you may bee effected.
Cheers, Maria
DADA

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Darebin Appropriate  Development Association: Protect Your Community
Inc. No. A0094111Q

Web: www.darebinada.org

Meeting Notes: 8th of March, 2016

Present: Marion Coffey, Keith Coffey, Maria Poletti, Mandy Baird, Sally Mendes, Meryl Waugh, Kay Wawn, John Fiesco, Rebecca Lindsay
Apologies: Stewart Midgley, Craig Walters, Chris Erlandsen,

1. Business Arising:
a. Discussed other city councils plan for buying up houses to eventually convert into public open space. Action: Maria to do more research to bring back to the meeting. Stonnington Council
b. 748 to 750 Plenty Road, 4 stories, 22 apartments with some at 40 square metres. Action: Mandy to keep an eye on it. Ongoing
c. Reply from the Minister’s office to Mandy’s emailed letter circulated and discussed Action: Mandy to reply in disgust to how condescending and deflective it is.
d. Follow-up with Robin Scott’s office. Maria called back and spoke to Robin’s assistant but there was nothing new. Action: Maria to call and ask to speak to Robin or for him to call back.
e. Discussion of lot consolidated sites over 1000 square metres or 1200 square metres. Also the interface is a concern that it isn’t integrated. Action: Craig to ask D Rudd about footprint on consolidated blocks and the status of garage
f. 137 Mansfield Street, 2nd day in VCAT, Member said she will visit the site and that we will all be invited to attend. No word yet of the visit date. Expect a decision in January. Member put a time limit on objectors to ask questions of expert witness. The member would not accept the number of objectors. James Livingston acting for Council asked only one question of the first expert witness. Action: Meryl to write to Darren Rudd after DADA is incorporated regarding the work of the council representative. The letter will have DADA imprimatur.
g. Maria found a variation in the Planning Committee minutes. Action: Maria to write to the CEO and CC Councilors after checking with Robert Phillips as to how this can happen.
h. Sally suggested we go to town planner courses and ask if final year students will do pro-bono work on behalf of objectors. Action: Sally
i. We need to open a DADA bank account Action: Craig to pursue opening a bank account with Bendigo Bank.
j. Suggested corruption by developers asking for specific members to hear their case and that somebody should collect the data and talk to the papers. Action: Maria to contact Lucas Clay from the age to ask if he will do the research.
k. DADA VCAT Member evaluation. Circulated draft for discussion and suggestions. Can add to website and collate data. Need somebody to do that. Trial as a PDF with the extra comment added first. Action: Maria to add to website Done

New Business:
2. Amendment C156: passed through last council meeting without public consultation. Some of the participants in the process for C144 and C152 were contacted and advised of its impending passage with a 5 day window for feedback. DADA was not included. Maria rang council and asked why which resulted in a meeting with D Rudd and G Hughes on Thursday the 14th of April from 10 -11am.

Map circulated and attached shows new and old NRZ.

For more information see Agenda of Council Meeting 4th of April here: http://www.darebin.vic.gov.au/en/Your-Council/How-council-works/Meeting-Agendas-and-Minutes/Council-Meetings | PDF

3. Meeting with the Mayor and CEO planned for Thursday the 21st of April at 4pm in the conference room, 1st Floor, 350 High Street. Plan to discuss the workload create by DADA objections. Letter circulated. Ask if Jacinta the government rep can be present at this meeting. Consider contacting Adele Ferguson and Clay Lucas at The Age.

4. Developers harassing objectors, via phone, email and door stop visits. Withholding phone numbers from objection forms. Email from developer at 21 Crawley Street circulated for discussion.

5. Email address list attached to C156 notice: Action Maria Contact those not on DADA list and invite to site and meeting

6. DADA objector handbook completed and ready to go. Draft copies not circulated due to lack of time. Action Maria: Agenda for next meeting

7. Managing Residential Development Advisory Committee: Maria and Chris plan to present on behalf of DADA on Schedule for Friday the 6th of May. Darebin Council not listed on the first schedule but a second has been sent with Darebin presenting on same day as DADA. Ideas for presentation to map out the Amendments on a timeline and reiterate those things said over and over again to this panel.

8. From the papers: Age article on the Fairfield site with no parking. Journalist was invited by developer so reads like an advertisment for the development.

9. Planning Alerts have asked not to add repeated comments on their website. Email messages and response circulated. Maria now adding all of the objections on the planning alerts website

10. Council Meetings News:

11. Planning Committee Meeting News:
Monday the 11th the council granted 12 permits on block because nobody except DADA folk objected. This move is an attempt to undermine and dismiss our objections but appeared to backfire when objectors in the audience were prevented from being heard by the committee.

12. Blog: Ideas for content welcome.

13. VCAT Updates:
a. VCAT is planning on charging people to object/be a party to a proceeding. Fee of $51 dollars.
Information about the reforms, the proposed regulations and how to make a public submission, are available at http://myviews.justice.vic.gov.au/vcat-fees-regulations-2016 Public comments and submissions will close on Monday 2 May 2016. Direct action also suggested. Suggested we plan a protest outside VCAT with other Victorian planning groups. Action Maria to raise a protest idea with Mary Drost from Planning Backlash and start an online petition to go to the media and VCAT. Also explore the idea of a crowd sourced half page add.

14. Objector Updates:
a. 13 Dean Street PRESTON, proposal refused by council. Congratulations and thank you George.
b. 2A Hill St Thornbury, a success in that council refused a permit amendment for the closing in a third bedroom in a two bedroom completed development. Great work Marsha and Paul.
c. 425 Plenty Road, went straight to VCAT, 6 storey, 25 dwellings. Proposal refused by council. Maria intends to be a party at the hearing.
d. 154 and 256 Wood Street, From Kay regarding greens signs showing planning application going straight to VCAT.
e. 153 Wood Street, From Bec, also going straight to VCAT, new plans submitted, reverse living.
f. 305 to 307 Plenty Road, John thanked DADA for their supportive objections and did a letter drop, as of last Friday 33 objections. Action: John will send us templates he used to share.

15. Other Business:

16. Letter from VCAT to some DADA objectors indicating they couldn’t be a party to particular hearings because they did not object originally. This has happened because of the growing DADA list where some folk came on later they may not have objected to planning applications that later go to VCAT.

Next Meeting: 7.00pm, Tuesday, May 10th, at 33 Dean Street, Preston.

Dear DADA Folk,

We met last night.  Notes and related documents attached.

Cheers, Maria

DADA

• 20160308-DADA-notes
• TheHonFionaRichardson

Darebin Appropriate Development Association: Protect Your Community
Inc. No. A0094111Q
Web: https://www.darebinada.org

Meeting Notes: 8th of March, 2016

Present: Marion Coffey, Keith Coffey, Chris Erlandsen, Maria Poletti, Mandy Baird, Sally Mendes, George Vitsentzos, Apologies: Stewart Midgley, Meryl Waugh, Craig Walters, Kay Wawn, Gavin Mann, John and Sara Fieschi

1. Business Arising:
a. Discussed other city councils plan for buying up houses to eventually convert into public open space. Action: Maria to do more research to bring back to the meeting. Stonnington Council
b. 748 to 750 Plenty Road, 4 stories, 22 apartments with some at 40 square metres. Action: Mandy to keep an eye on it. Ongoing
c. 672 Plenty Road, revised plans adding a story making it 4 at front, 5 at back, Action: Mandy and neighbours will send new objections on the amended plans. Done
d. Reply from the Minister’s office to Mandy’s emailed letter circulated and discussed Action: Mandy to reply in disgust to how condescending and deflective it is.
e. Follow-up with Robin Scott’s office. Maria called back and spoke to Robin’s assistant but there was nothing new. Action: Maria to call and ask to speak to Robin or for him to call back.
f. Discussion of lot consolidated sites over 1000 square metres or 1200 square metres. Also the interface is a concern that it isn’t integrated. Action: Craig to ask D Rudd about footprint on consolidated blocks and the status of garage
g. 137 Mansfield Street, 2nd day in VCAT, Member said she will visit the site and that we will all be invited to attend. No word yet of the visit date. Expect a decision in January. Member put a time limit on objectors to ask questions of expert witness. The member would not accept the number of objectors. James Livingston acting for Council asked only one question of the first expert witness. Action: Meryl to write to Darren Rudd after DADA is incorporated regarding the work of the council representative. The letter will have DADA imprimatur.
h. Maria found a variation in the Planning Committee minutes. Action: Maria to write to the CEO and CC Councilors after checking with Robert Phillips as to how this can happen.
i. Sally suggested we go to town planner courses and ask if final year students will do pro-bono work on behalf of objectors. Action: Sally
j. We need to open a DADA bank account Action: Craig to pursue opening a bank account with Bendigo Bank.
k. Letter from Fiona Richardson; circulate letter from Minister Wynne. Action: Maria to write a reply to Fiona express our deep disappointment of the Minister’s decision to not sign off on C152 that this means further poor impact on our streets from over development. Done Letter circulated and attached to this document.
l. Regular Meeting with Council Planning;No new meeting date yet but emailed sent to ask if it is OK to share submission via DADA website and for a new meeting time. Action: Maria to follow up. Done.
m. Suggested corruption by developers asking for specific members to hear their case and that somebody should collect the data and talk to the papers. Action: Maria to contact Lucas Clay from the age to ask if he will do the research.
2. DADA VCAT Member evaluation. Circulated draft for discussion and suggestions. Can add to website and collate data. Need somebody to do that. Action: Maria to prepare a trial on the website with the extra question added. Will send to Mandy for printing as well.
3. DADA Objector Handbook. Completed. Maria to send to Mandy to print and we will look at it next meeting
4. DADA how to vote card? Could be based on the data collected from planning committee meeting minutes. We hope new candidates will attend a DADA meeting to talk to us about their support for the anti overdevelopment issues in Darebin. Example circulated and discussed. Basic agreement to pursue the idea with the fine detail to be worked out as we know the candidates and get close to the election.
5. Regular Meeting with Council Planning; Monday 15th of February. Verbal report given by those who attended. Action: Maria to email D Rudd and ask that we have at least a one week notice.
6. Managing Residential Development Advisory Committee: Submission period closes at 5.00pm on Monday 14 March 2016. More detail in last set of notes, also sent to the network as separate email and listed on website blog. Maria has submitted for DADA.
7. From the papers: The article in the Herald Sun re the Birrell report discussed.
8. Planning Committee Meeting News
a. Council now preparing a map of where the objectors live. Example circulated. This is intended as a way of ranking objectors and disregarding the bulk objections we send. As yet no move to increase the trigger number for planning committee though planners and councilors not happy about the increase workload. Action: Ask that the map include all objectors.
9. Blog: Ideas for content welcome.
10. Objector Updates:
a. 13 Dean Street Preston, 27 objections including the close neighbours who door knocked others close by. Glossop employee advised on objections.
b. 55 David Street Preston; Won their VCAT Case. Congratulation!! Decision attached. VCAT Member: Christine Fong
c. 99 Helen Street, Northcote, 9 dwellings, two neighbours involved.
d. 72A Station Street, Planning application includes zero parking spaces for 20 dwellings on 5 stories on 529 square metres.
e. 27 Murphy Grove, going to VCAT on 11th July, 2 days, Statement of Grounds due on 31st of March
f. 303-305 Plenty Road Preston, Objectors from Swallow Street doing an extensive letter drop using DADA information and following our guidelines.
11. Other Business:
a. Apologies from Maria of the poor quality of the last notes. File was lost so notes were from memory.
b. Happy International Women’s day. Short discussion of women and poverty and lack of access to housing.

Next Meeting: 7.00pm, Tuesday, April 12th, at 33 Dean Street, Preston. | Post

Dear DADA Folk,

Meeting notes and related documents from our February meeting.

Cheers, Maria

DADA

• 20160209-DADA-notes

Darebin Appropriate Development Association: Protect Your Community
Inc. No. A0094111Q
Web: https://www.darebinada.org

Meeting Notes: 9th of February, 2016

Present: Marion Coffey, Keith Coffey, Chris Erlandsen, Maria Poletti, Mandy Baird, Craig Walters, Sally Mendes, Geoff Toll, Kay Wawn Apologies: Stewart Midgley, Meryl Waugh

1. Business Arising:
a. Discussed other city councils plan for buying up houses to eventually convert into public open space. Action: Maria to do more research to bring back to the meeting. Stonnington Council
b. 748 to 750 Plenty Road, 4 stories, 22 apartments with some at 40 square metres. Action: Mandy to keep an eye on it.
c. 672 Plenty Road, revised plans adding a story making it 4 at front, 5 at back, Action: Mandy and neighbours will send new objections on the amended plans.
d. Reply from the Minister’s office to Mandy’s emailed letter circulated and discussed Action: Mandy to reply in disgust to how condescending and deflective it is.
e. Discussed standing orders. Action: Craig to talk to Trent about the best way to get something like standing orders on all decisions so we can have more transparency on how councilors vote.
f. 13 Brown Street, demolished house, worried about asbestos. Also concern that work has started without planning permission. Action: Craig to ask council if they have a planning application and do they know the development has begun.
g. Follow-up with Robin Scott’s office. Maria called back and spoke to Robin’s assistant but there was nothing new. Action: Maria to call and ask to speak to Robin or for him to call back.
h. Discussion of lot consolidated sites over 1000 square metres or 1200 square metres. Also the interface is a concern that it isn’t integrated. Action: Craig to ask D Rudd about footprint on consolidated blocks and the status of garage
i. 137 Mansfield Street, 2nd day in VCAT, Member said she will visit the site and that we will all be invited to attend. No word yet of the visit date. Expect a decision in January. Member put a time limit on objectors to ask questions of expert witness. The member would not accept the number of objectors. James Livingston acting for Council asked only one question of the first expert witness. Action: Meryl to write to Darren Rudd after DADA is incorporated regarding the work of the council representative. The letter will have DADA imprimatur.
j. 108 Wood Street, going to VCAT, Action: All to send in statement of grounds Done
k. Maria found a variation in the Planning Committee minutes. Action: Maria to write to the CEO and CC Councilors after checking with Robert Phillips as to how this can happen.
l. Sally suggested we go to town planner courses and ask if final year students will do pro-bono work on behalf of objectors. Action: Sally
m. And a fantastic comment by Craig alerting objectors to the DADA meeting and website. Action: Develop a set statement for planning alerts. ‘If you would like some help with objecting to this planning application come to the next DADA meeting, 7pm on February 9th 2016 at 33 Dean Street, Preston or go to the DADA website https://www.darebinada.org Done

2. DADA Incorporated: on 8th December 2015
a. Composition of Committee; Add Brian in position of Webmaster.
b. Raising funds: Do we need to open a bank account? Bunning’s sausage sizzle? Maria rang but all booked out for this year. Discussed possibility of a cake sale. Have to write a letter on letterhead to request. Some discussion of sign making and workshops on either objecting or, offered to council, as a fund raisers. Action: Craig to pursue opening a bank account with Bendigo Bank.

3. Letter from Fiona Richardson; circulate letter from Minister Wynne. Action: Maria to write a reply to Fiona express our deep disappointment of the Minister’s decision to not sign off on C152 that this means further poor impact on our streets from over development.

4. Better Apartments survey results: Sent summary to network.

5. Regular Meeting with Council Planning; D Rudd emailed Council’s submission to the Plan Melbourne Refresh process and the VCAT decision handed down by Member Byard in relation to a complete parking waiver (supported by Council) for a development in Brunswick.
No new meeting date yet but emailed sent to ask if it is OK to share submission via DADA website and for a new meeting time. Action: Maria to follow up.

6. Managing Residential Development Advisory Committee: List of suggested Improvements circulated. Documents can be found here: http://www.dtpli.vic.gov.au/planning/panels-and-committees/current-panels-and-committees/managing-residential-development
Submission can be made here: http://www.dtpli.vic.gov.au/planning/panels-and-committees/current-panels-and-committees/managing-residential-development/managing-residential-development-submission-form Submission period closes at 5.00pm Monday 29 February 2016 Help needed to produce DADA submissions; for further discussion.

7. Blog: Seems to be getting a response. Ideas for content welcome.

8. VCAT:
a. Decision to support planning application with zero parking in Brunswick. Something to look forward to in Darebin. No member name attached but Maria suggested we name Members who make such appalling decisions.
b. Suggestion from Planning Backlash that some developers ask for and get their planning application heard by specific members. Maria suggested this equates to corruption and that somebody should collect the data and talk to the papers. Action: Mary Drost, Planning Backlash, to ask somebody to collect data. Action: Maria to contact Lucas Clay from the age to ask if he will do the research.

9. Objector Updates:
a. 1 Hawker Street, council planning rejected now going to VCAT.
b. 27 Murphy Grove, council planning rejected
c. 13 Dean Street, Action: Sally to lead this objection
d. Clyde Street, Thornbury, opp. the old pottery site is to have 20 apartments over 3 levels.
The developer has sent an open invitation to an informal presentation of the development.

10. Other Business:
a. Information on Asbestos and how to deal with:
Try contacting these organizations; http://www.asbestos.vic.gov.au/contact-us/who-should-i-call How to identify asbestos sheet “Products that may contain asbestos include cement roof sheeting and wall lining, vinyl floor tiles lagging and jointing material and fire blankets.” – surface may have hex pattern of dimples like a golf ball. – take sample, break off a small section (postage stamp), inspect visually for short hairs sticking out of fracture site. the asbestos sheet has short hairs approx 1 mm long and very narrow – consider gathering photographic evidence of sample collection from site, bagging (lunch) and labeling on site with address, date, location (nature strip rubble pile) and number (01, 02, etc) A collection of post card size evidence would be useful for proving the case amongst the different agencies who are supposed to help manage this legacy. Also consider talking to the EPA, worksafe, and others http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/our-work/publications/publication/2009/july/iwrg611-1 http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/forms-and-publications/forms-and-publications/management-and-disposal-of-asbestos

11. From the papers: A number of Age articles and local paper letters discussed.

12. Planning Alerts: Changed process with sending objections to the network.

Next Meeting: 7.00pm, Tuesday, March 8th, at 33 Dean Street, Preston.