High Density DD08 Zoning, High Density developments, Manningham Council, Traffic & Parking No comments yet

Bunnings Doncaster 9 Storeys and Beverly st

By on March 26th, 2013

A couple of contentious developments on the move presently.

1. Doncaster East, Beverley St 51-53 – small side street with big plans – see here for the big picture

2. Bunnings On Doncaster Hill is about to re-advertise it’s plans for 9 storeys next to the Primary school and shopping town. Stay tuned to see if they have found a way to keep the trucks and other traffic away from Council St and the Doncaster primary school.

The kids will be devastated – 7-11 will be knocked down, where will they get their Slurpies ?

Curlew Court, High Density DD08 Zoning, High Density developments, Manningham Council, Traffic & Parking No comments yet

C96 Internal Parking and Compliance in High Density Developments

By on March 19th, 2013

A great submision here by Frank, focussing on Internal parking issues, and compliance. <Surnames & Address etc withheld for privacy>

 MANNINGHAM PLANNING SCHEME – AMENDMENT C96

            Submission to Planning Panel Hearing Commencing 27th. February, 2013

Presented by Frank X.

1.   Introduction

I am a long time resident of Doncaster, Continue reading C96 Internal Parking and Compliance in High Density Developments →

VCAT No comments yet

VCAT Special Permision to Record Hearing

By on March 19th, 2013

Further to our article last week discussion how VCAT public hearings are recorded by VCAT but not shared, Kristian Silva from the Weekly Review has got some answers from VCAT on the topic.

  1. VCAT parties are not allowed to capture proceedings on audio or video recorders during the hearings unless they receive permission from the VCAT chief executive or president.
  2. VCAT’s communication manager, Ashe Whitaker, said “a potential privacy issue” was identified by the tribunal providing audio to parties.

However, considering it is a public meeting, and everyone is advised by the member that recording is running at all times even during breaks, how is there any privacy issue?

Further to that we have been shown legal documents that show Continue reading VCAT Special Permision to Record Hearing →

Elections, Manningham Council No comments yet

Manningham candidate David Muscat faces court – 2 yrs or $33600

By on March 4th, 2013

Kristian Silva from the Weekly Review – Eastern has the latest here –Manningham candidate David Muscat faces court

The second part of this saga – whether Mullum Mullum is to go back to the polls for a by-election is yet to be decided…

The man accused of running as an illegal candidate in last year’s Manningham Council elections could face a two-year jail term for alleged breaches of the Local Government Act. Continue reading Manningham candidate David Muscat faces court – 2 yrs or $33600 →

Curlew Court, High Density DD08 Zoning, High Density developments, Manningham Council, Traffic & Parking, Vic State Government 1 comment

C96 – DD08 zone changes Planning Panel Submission

By on February 28th, 2013

Today was the day several of us managed to present our views on the proposed changes to the Manningham DD08 high density Zones, and the current zone regulations as well.

This Government appointed Independent Planing Panel, ( IPP,) consisted of  a single member – Mr Lester Townsend –  hearing the views of residents, council and developers. the Council went yesterday, others today. Here is the schedule and list of presenters:  1-2405974-PPV_Manningham_C96__Timetable_v03_ Others also submitted their content but did not present in person.

My presentation was primarily on Growth targets versus development size. Continue reading C96 – DD08 zone changes Planning Panel Submission →

High Density developments, VCAT No comments yet

VCAT hearing transcription costs

By on February 28th, 2013

Last week I asked for a copy of the VCAT hearing I was a party in, so that I could refer to it during a planning panel submission.

I was told that  VCAT no longer give copies of the audio, and that I would have to pay for a company to transcribe it.  I am sure that to transcribe two days of hearing, roughly 16 hours, is going to be damn expensive. Particularly as I only need a couple of sections, not the whole thing…. received a quote from one of the parties on the VCAT approved list, it was as follows:

“The cost is $7.50 per A4 page (GST inclusive).  I would estimate for one hearing hour you would receive circa 25 to 30 pages of transcript.” ( $7.50 x 25-30 pages per hour, x 16 hours = $3,000 – $3,600.)

They also said Continue reading VCAT hearing transcription costs →

VCAT No comments yet

VCAT decision on solar panels – they need sun.

By on February 13th, 2013

This is a precedent case on a topic we have discussed before  – VCAT have now ruled it is NOT OK to overshadow a neighbors solar panels…

So it is OK to interrupt privacy, sunlight to living areas, but not solar panels… It has been suggested before that is because solar power is a business / and has a quantifiable monetary value of impact…

             So where else does this extend to?    What about my: Continue reading VCAT decision on solar panels – they need sun. →

High Density DD08 Zoning, High Density developments, Manningham Council, Vic State Government No comments yet

Untangle the Building Zone Maze

By on February 13th, 2013

It’s only a week away to the Manningham Event targeting the building zones, changes, and impacts night.

 Event : High Density Zones and planned changes – Koonung ward councilors review and discussion.

 RSVP here   Doncaster,  Wed Feb 20th, 2013  7:30pm

This event will be a mixture of public discussion and, council regulation insight from a qualified town planner.

A mix not offered before by our councilors – MAKE THE MOST OF IT.

High Density developments, VCAT 3 comments

VCAT fee changes – submissions close Fri Feb 15th

By on February 13th, 2013

If you haven’t already done so you may want to consider an objection to the fees changes on grounds such as this will deny natural justice to the community, and encourage expansion of developer practice to drag out hearings with pro-applicant “experts” etc.  Notable given almost any apartment building is over $1m and therefore a major case, whereas previously it was $10m
Deadline for submissions is 5pm on Friday 15 February 2013.
 http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/home/the+justice+system/regulatory+impact+statements/ris+for+proposed+vcat+fees+regs
Email submissions are preferred and can be sent to legalpolicysubmissions@justice.vic.gov.au with the subject ‘VCAT Fee Regulations’.
 The fee for lodging a basic planning appeal would more than triple from $322 to $1000 and many people would have to pay for mediation which is currently provided free of charge.

Major cases (now >$1m) over multiple days would be hit with

— a new case fee of $3,257.80

— pay $3,226 per day plus a further $1,834.40 per day for the need to have 2 members hearing.

For example your group could have to pay about $23k to fight at a  four day Hearing…

 VCAT Development Appeals Getting Further out of Reach.   MEG Submission to the VCAT Fee Review

EDO VCAT fees to rise, ordinary citizens to be priced out

High Density developments, Vic State Government No comments yet

Planning to be out in the open

By on February 5th, 2013

This article in the Melbourne  Herald Sun on Mon Feb 4, 2013.

Makes you wonder just how much sway the developers have with decision makers about the planning of our city.

Planning to be out in the open

MELBOURNE city councillors will be stopped from holding private meetings with developers who want to lobby them on building projects.

Councillors have agreed that senior council planning officers must be present at meetings, in order to avoid perceptions of conflicts of interest after big donations went to some candidates at last October’s election.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle and his team received more than $100,000 from developers such as Central Equity, Richard Gu from the AXF Group, and northbank developer Clement Lee.

Rival candidate Cr Ken Ong, who is chairman of the planning committee, also declared donations from companies linked to Mr Lee and from a consultant working for Mr Gu.

The local government watchdog is investigating claims of cash-for-access that were made during the city council election campaign and also a bribery allegation going back to 2010.

Last week, councillors agreed to a new protocol that there be no more meetings with individual developers unless a senior planning officer also attended. Continue reading Planning to be out in the open →