Darebin Appropriate Development Association

Protect our community

Meeting Notes

Meeting Notes: August 13th, 2014

Dear DADA folk,

Please find attached the meeting noted from last weeks DADA meeting.

Happy reading!  Maria

DADA

Meeting Notes: August 13th, 2014

Present: Laara Eames, James Dodson, Marion Coffey, Keith Coffey, Craig Walters, Chris Erlandson, Maria Poletti, Sally Mendes, Nola Martin

1. Business Arising:
a. Ask for a report of the expenditure of the developers contribution levy.
Action: Bo will ask a question at council.
b. Action: Craig, Robin Scott letter to ask question in parliament.
c. Action: Reminder to push for a much better planning register. When budget time comes up we should go in and bat on behalf of the planning department.
d. Darebin Planning Dept’s proposed Governance Charter.
Action: for Maria to follow up on research.
e. Trees, signs on trees in Carlton gardens showing their cost value over life-time,
Action: Maria to do same for street trees. Done Sending Robin Scott the panel submissions for information. Action: Maria
f. New Zoning wash-up:
Action: Follow up on the Planning Panels Victoria and Standing Committee reports. Go to council meeting, and ask a question, 21st of July. Chris, Craig and Keith to formulate and put question. Action: Ask Keith and Marion to ask Darren Rudd where the reports, Maria to call Keith and Marion. Visit to Robin Scott, Craig, Chris and Keith and Marion if available. Keith to call and organize. Early in the morning or late afternoon meeting time suits best. Discussing rezoning and schools for Preston and problems created by over development.
g. Preston Market redevelopment: Action: Maria to attend meeting and report. Done
Action: Preston Market redevelopment: next meeting scheduled Monday 18th. Manifesto circulated. Working in parallel but keep independent and having our own voice. Still a representative on the committee. Maria to go to Monday night meeting. Craig to do a graphic showing the size comparison’s, send to Maria for website. Look out for the consultation process for the next 2 months.

h. New Business:

i. Correspondence:

a. A number of folk responded re: Preston Market- circulated
b. People for Preston Market charter – circulated
c. SOS updates – circulated

j. Council Report:

k. Other:
a. Melaleucas, East Preston residents have been sent letters from Bryce Newstead, Coordinator Urban Tree Management, Culture Leisure & Works, outlining the trees to be removed and asking for feedback on options for replanting presented. Materials circulated.
b. Golden Guys seem a popular idea, need somebody to run with it.
Discussed ideas and parameters: A trophy at council and a virtual on the website. Any completed or unfinished development. Could only win once based on its monstrosity, lack of sustainability, sympathetic to neighbourhood character, outdoor space issues, noise
2
issues. Two awards, one for a good example and one we want to give a raspberry.
Dirty/Disgraceful/Disastrous/Diabolical Darebin Approporaite Development Award (DADA)
and the Dishy/Deserving/ DADA. On-line voting on the website. Looking for someone to
drive it. Folk could award points under a number of key criteria. Think about it more for
next meeting.
c. 40 hour famine- Clancy looking for sponsors, look on-line at
40hf2014.everydayhero.com.au/Clancy-4
d. Maria to ask Brian if he can tell us how many hits we get on the website
e. The death of the American Mall, add website.
f. Nola reminded us of the 2% rate rise to find 2 million for infrastructure for this financial
year. We need to watch what happens next year and if the rate rise is still there and for
what purposes.
g. Jury of 47 decided on an East Preston Neighbourhood House. Also 3 adult green gyms.

l. Press:
a. People for Preston Market this week’s Leader.

m. Objector Updates:
a. On 2014-07-16 14:07, Fiona Park wrote: Just to let you know that I presented at Darebin
council chambers on Monday night and they accepted the plans for 34 Miller St Preston.
Three, double storey, three bedroom town houses with three double garages at the rear
from right of way. We are disappointed with the outcome.
b. 112 Collins Street, is back, increase site coverage, lots of same issues as last time. Lower
heights than last time. Some increase in open space. The point made that the bigger
dwellings with more bedrooms could be used for illegal rooming houses.

n. Strategy Ideas
a. Presenting Council with a bill for work done by objectors that should have been covered by
planning department
b. DADA awards for the ‘best’ Darebin planning decisions, the Golden Guy award for
development monstrosities in Darebin 2014. Start collecting photos of nominations now.
c. Suggest we start thinking strategically about the state election and making links with the
ALP shadow minister for planning Brian Tee, MLC.
Phone 03 9850 8600
Email Address: brian.tee@parliament.vic.gov.au
d. Suggested we keep a list of issues of incompetence by council planning officers. Maybe
something on the website that people fill in and at budget time we send it to the CEO.

Next Meeting: 7.00pm, Wednesday, September 10th at 33 Dean Street, Preston. | Post
Agenda includes: Awards,

Following Meeting: Wednesday 8th of October at 33 Dean Street, Preston. Regular issues.

Meeting Notes: July 9, 2014

Dear DADA folk,

We met last week and mostly discussed the new development proposals for Preston Market. The notes are attached.

On Monday night, I met with a group, People for Preston Market,  to discuss how we can have a say in what is built on that site.

We could agree that we did not want to see 2 x 28 story buildings taking up most of the current market precinct and that we, like many of you want to see the soul of the market maintained.

What is important to the ‘soul’ of Preston Market, that thing we want most to preserve?  Please send me you ideas.

Happy reading!

Cheers,

Maria

DADA

Meeting Notes: July 9, 2014

Present: Stuart Midgley, Marion Coffey, Keith Coffey, Craig Walters, Chris Erlandson, Maria Poletti, Apologies: Sally Mendes, Laara Eames, James Dodson, Nola Martin

1. Business Arising:
a. Ask for a report of the expenditure of the developers contribution levy.
Action: Bo will ask a question at council.
b. Action: Craig, Robin Scott letter to ask question in parliament.
c. Action: Reminder to push for a much better planning register. When budget time comes up we should go in and bat on behalf of the planning department.
d. Darebin Planning Dept‟s proposed Governance Charter.
Action: for Maria to follow up on research.
e. Trees, signs on trees in Carlton gardens showing their cost value over life-time,
Action: Maria to do same for street trees. Done but not hung.
f. Sending Robin Scott the panel submissions for information. Action: Maria

2. New Business:
a. Preston Market redevelopment: invitation to a meeting on Monday night with Mark Tregonning
and Jim Buckell who are concerned about the 28 storey‟s. Documents indicate concepts of over-development and super-development. Misleading statements about these super developments taking the pressure off development in the suburban streets. Noted that this development was not mentioned in any way at the Planning Panels Victoria hearings. Parking and congestion problems, especially on the supermarket side with the new development there. What we need is a master plan rather than seeing these developments in separate bits. Action: Maria to attend meeting and bring back information.
b. New Zoning wash-up: Darebin will have a direct translation from old to new which will amount to approx 30% NRZ as long as the caveated land is protected. If not probably approx 15% NRZ.
Action: Follow up on the Planning Panels Victoria and Standing Committee reports. Go to council meeting, and ask a question, 21st of July. Chris, Craig and Keith to formulate and put question.

3. Correspondence:
a. Reply from Mayor regarding our meeting on planning committee governance (see attachment)
b. Kelvin Thompson: application form for membership to Victoria First and copy of speech “Must Melbourne Keep Growing?” No action.

4. Council Report:
a. Council Meeting 16th of June, Item 903 amendments regarding participation in the standing committee on zoning. Also amendments on the Preston Market redevelopment.

5. Other:
a. Concern again about the removal of asbestos without the proper precautions, in houses being demolished.

6. Press:
a. Age article on new zones, emailed to contact list
b. Age: Re Preston Market redevelopment
c. The Leader: Preston Market redevelopment: Tuesday July 8th

7. Objector Updates:
a. 22 Sylvester Grove, Preston, granted by council, no further action.
b. On Plenty Road a new development with no little parking opposite Rene Street.
c. New development, overdevelopment, of old target site at Summerhill.
d. Gregory Grove, poring slab on what looks like a 3 dwelling development.
e. Darebin Boulevard: questions asked about concrete slabs against trees that were supposed to be protected.

8. Strategy Ideas;
a. Presenting Council with a bill for work done by objectors that should have been covered by
planning department
b. DADA awards for the „best‟ Darebin planning decisions, the Golden Guy award for development
monstrosities in Darebin 2014. Start collecting photos of nominations now.
c. Suggest we start thinking strategically about the state election and making links with the ALP shadow planning spokes person Tees.

9. Next Meeting:

7.00pm, Wednesday, August 13th at 33 Dean Street, Preston | Post

Meeting Notes: May 28, 2014

Darebin Appropriate
Development Association
Web: https://www.darebinada.org

Meeting Notes: May 28, 2014
Present: Sally Mendes, Laara Eames, Maria Poletti, Nola Martin, Jim Fisher, James Dodson, Nick McCubbin, Stuart Midgley Apologies: Marion Coffey, Keith Coffey, Chris Erlandson, Craig Walters

1. Business Arising:
a. Ask for a report of the expenditure of the developers contribution levy.
Action: Bo will ask a question at council.
b. Action: Craig, Robin Scott letter to ask question in parliament.
c. Action: Reminder to push for a much better planning register. When budget time comes up we should go in and bat on behalf of the planning department.
d. Darebin Planning Dept’s proposed Governance Charter.
Action: for Maria to follow up on research.
e. Trees, signs on trees in Carlton gardens showing their cost value over life-time,
Action: Maria to do same for street trees. Done but not hung.
f. Sending Robin Scott the panel submissions for information. Action: Maria

2. New Business:
a. Residential Zones Standing Advisory Committee – Darebin Planning Scheme:
Omission on the map were the developments at northland and the major growth corridors which will be addressed at a later date Third party objector rights seem to be protected One on one issues from Alphington group which may have a cross over for us Indication that new zones are supposed to be a direct translation from the old, hence the low percentage of NRZ Indication that those areas that were automatically translated to NRZ because of caveat protection may not have that protection in the advisory committees report Developers peddling the same old lines of more diversity in development creating cheaper housing and better meet the needs of housing in Darebin in the future
b. Minister Guy meeting; No longer a promise to protect 50% under the NRZ but instead 50% across Melbourne which means if Boroondara gets 80% we could get 30% if we are lucky.
The Minister made a comment about feeling bullied by correspondence we send him.
c. Reply to Minister Guy letters, One received by DADA. Did anybody else receive a reply?
d. Darebin Jury, Nola Martin is a member and is happy to take DADA ideas and suggestions.
2 million budget to spend, 1 million this year and 1 next year. Council has decided they will accept all the ideas or non from the Jury. We have asked for a planning advocate and suggested an audit of the significant trees and a register for private land. Nola will push Mayor to not pass a planning application for 2 years after trees have been removed.

3. Correspondence:

4. Council Report:

5. Other:
a. VCAT is moving to the intercultural centre

6. Objector Updates:
a. 22 Sylvester Grove, Preston
b. 48 Murphy Grove, VCAT decision to grant the application
c. Don Street, VCAT decision to uphold council’s refusal of the application
d. 21 David, Preston, application is for 2 double story buildings with 5 dwellings, closing date 9th of June

7. Strategy Ideas;
a. Presenting Council with a bill for work done by objectors that should have been covered by
planning department
b. DADA awards for the ‘best’ Darebin planning decisions, the Golden Guy award for development
monstrosities in Darebin 2014. Start collecting photos of nominations now.
8. Next Meeting: 7.00pm, Wednesday, June 11th at 33 Dean Street, Preston.

 

Meeting Notes: April 30, 2014

Darebin Appropriate
Development Association
Web: https://www.darebinada.org

Meeting Notes: April 30, 2014 Present: Keith Coffey, Maria Poletti, Chris Erlandson, Sally Mendes, Craig Walters, David Keuneman Apologies: Marion Coffey

1. Business Arising:
a. Ask for a report of the expenditure of the developers contribution levy.
Action: Bo will ask a question at council.
b. VCAT has approved the Grandview application for pokies. Susan suggested a study on what happens to the local shops and impact on neighborhood character.
Action: Susan to talk to Bo Li
c. Action: Craig, Robin Scott letter to ask question in parliament.
d. Action: Maria to draft a letter asking councilors to ensure that our third party objector rights are not removed in the schedules.
Action: put it to Darren Rudd Action: ask Ian Wood for his model
e. Action: Reminder to push for a much better planning register. When budget time comes up we should go in and bat on behalf of the planning department.
f. Planning Panels Victoria, Darebin Planning Scheme Amendments C136, C137, C138.
Action: Ask Darren Rudd about the New Zoning Committee and can we have representation Action: Ask to be sent a copy of the Panel’s report as early as possible. Maria Action: Attach copies of DADA member presentations. Action: Check the new draft zone map and see if your street is protected under the NRZ
g. Darebin Planning Dept’s proposed Governance Charter.
Action: for Maria to follow up on research.
h. Amendment C144 new zones
Action: Maria to send out link and something written for people to make submissions.
i. Minister Guy letter on new zones. Done
Action: Maria to add in Chris’s suggestion. Send out to network to sign and send to the minister. Done
j. Asbestos still a huge issue in Darebin with development and renovations putting people who live in the neighbourhood at risk. Council and Worksafe need to be rung if you think there is a problem. The rule is that if you don’t know if it is asbestos you treat it as if it is. Best don’t go near it if you can help it.
Action: Keith to local paper. Worksafe visited Keith to check sample and said it was good that he followed through. Done
k. Trees, signs on trees in Carlton gardens showing their cost value over life-time,
Action: Maria to do same for street trees. Done

2. New Business:
a. Residential Zones Standing Advisory Committee – Darebin Planning Scheme: meeting next
week. NRZ is the best protection for us from over-development. School zones work best to protect low income housing for families. This hearing is only addressing C144 general housing not the corridors of Plenty Road and St Georges Road which will be processed at a later date, post 1st of July. We need to continue to ask questions of the council as to why they are so miserly in only offering 36% NRZ.
2
Lack of public open space in East Preston, so there is an argument to preserve private open
space. Private open space need should take priority over public transport walking catchment
area.
There is flexibility in applying the criteria for the NRZ and further criteria could be included
especially for Darebin. The high density zones are plenty for development.
Folk already living on a site that suffers in extreme conditions, floods etc will find development
around makes that worse.
No evidence of affordability in new developments.
b. Minister Guy meeting; ask for at least 70%, invite him to a DADA meeting. Action: Maria
c. Sending Robin Scott the panel submissions for information. Action: Maria

3. Correspondence:
a. Susan Rennie: research re the East West Link. Is anyone from DADA following this closely and /
or actively involved in the campaign? No. Action: Sally to follow up
b. Mary Drost: re offer to meet with the minister.

4. Council Report:

5. Other:
a. RACV Redspot survey, have your say online at redspotsurvey.com.au.
b. VCAT may be moving to the intercultural centre
c. Junction, rent reduction and free month rent signs on shop fronts

6. Objector Updates:
a. 22 Sylvester Grove, Preston, over 30 objections

7. Strategy Ideas;
a. Presenting Council with a bill for work done by objectors that should have been covered by
planning department
b. DADA on-line petition and in hard copy, Maria to send Nola a hard copy for printing as well as
developing the on-line petition.

8. Next Meeting: 7.00pm, Wednesday, May 28th at 33 Dean Street, Preston.

Meeting Notes: April 9, 2014

Meeting Notes: April 9, 2014 Present: Laara Eames, Marion Coffey, Keith Coffey, Maria Poletti, Chris Erlandson, Nick McCubbin, Stuart Midgley Apologies: Sally Mendes, Craig Walters, James Dawson
1. Business Arising:
a. Ask for a report of the expenditure of the developers contribution levy.
Action: Bo will ask a question at council.
b. VCAT has approved the Grandview application for pokies. Susan suggested a study on what happens to the local shops and impact on neighborhood character.
Action: Susan to talk to Bo Li
c. Action: Craig, Robin Scott letter to ask question in parliament.
d. Action: Maria to draft a letter asking councilors to ensure that our third party objector rights are not removed in the schedules.
Action: put it to Darren Rudd Action: ask Ian Wood for his model
e. Action: Reminder to push for a much better planning register. When budget time comes up we should go in and bat on behalf of the planning department.
f. Planning Panels Victoria, Darebin Planning Scheme Amendments C136, C137, C138.
Action: Ask Darren Rudd about the New Zoning Committee and can we have representation Action: Ask to be sent a copy of the Panel’s report as early as possible. Maria Action: Attach copies of DADA member presentations. Action: Check the new draft zone map and see if your street is protected under the NRZ
g. Darebin Planning Dept’s proposed Governance Charter.
Action: for Maria to follow up on research.
2. New Business:
a. Amendment C144 new zones
Discussion of high density developments along Plenty and St Georges, the new zoning doesn’t quite fit the existing land use along these major corridors. Talk to panels to say we aren’t happy but also talk to councilors. Action: Maria to send out link and something written for people to make submissions. Keep them simple and remember that you will get a chance to talk to a panel and can elaborate in detail then.
b. DADA signs, Officeworks will print and laminate to big sizes.
c. Minister Guy letter on new zones,
Action: Maria to add in Chris’s suggestion. Send out to network to sign and send to the minister.
d. Planning Panels direction to Darebin council, passed around meeting recommendation.
e. Trees, signs on trees in Carlton gardens showing their cost value over life-time,
Action: Maria to do same for street trees. Council asking for help from community members to plant street trees.
f. Asbestos still a huge issue in Darebin with development and renovations putting people who live in the neighbourhood at risk. Council and Worksafe need to be rung if you think there is a problem. The rule is that if you don’t know if it is asbestos you treat it as if it is. Best don’t go near it if you can help it.
Action: Keith to local paper.
2
3. Correspondence:
a. Stuart Midgley: Photos of more poor quality developments in Darebin (the ones that got
away!) Strange brick work on Albert Road, rendering over poor brick work to conceal it.
b. James Dawson: submission on C144
c. Jeanette McCarthy new email address
d. Mary Drost: planning panel feedback to those councils who have asked for high NRZ rates
e. Mary Drost: significant tree register
f. Rudi Anders: Planning Panel presentation, to be sent out with notes.
g. Paula Venter: Generous offer of support for objectors
h. Mara Manfrin, sale of house at 26 Kitchener Grove, and an email about buying Birdseye
and Edgell food for distribution – sent sign designs. Decision not to forward network
anything that doesn’t relate to development issues.
i. Forwarded from Sally Mendes – No DADA follow up
Just wondering if anyone at TD has been involved in the St George’s Rd planning scheme process. I am really
happy with the work council has done towards incorporating sustainability into our precinct (Oakover village)
development plan overlay, and am now trying to pull together people who are interested in pushing for a
sustainability and social justice charter (or other such mechanisms) for the area … addressing not just new
developments, but also existing communities and streetscapes.
You’re welcome to pass on my contact details to anyone who’s interested.
Elizabeth Wheeler
Preston
0425 763 677
j. Laara Eames, on the Darebin Directory listing for DADA,
Action: Maria to ask Brian if he knows, ask if there can be a link from planning.
http://www.darebin.org/Directory/Agency.aspx?MKey=5455&S3Key=617#sthash.XhSKF9tv
4. Council Report:
Notification of new process for amendments.
5. Other:
6. Objector Updates:
a. 22 Sylvester Grove, Preston, please sign objection forms
b. 96 Cheddar Road, sold again, still concerned about bulldozing for a major development
7. Strategy Ideas;
a. Presenting Council with a bill for work done by objectors that should have been covered by
planning department
b. DADA on-line petition and in hard copy, Maria to send Nola a hard copy for printing as well as
developing the on-line petition.
8. Next Meeting: 7.00pm, Wednesday, April 30thth at 33 Dean Street, Preston. Main discussion on
rezoning panel presentations.