1 November, 2002

 Dear Candidate

The following check list has been prepared by representatives of Residents Associations in the municipality of Melbourne for candidates of the seat of Melbourne in the 2002 election. The list has items that address general issues which, with state level legislative and policy changes, would improve the protection of heritage assets and liveability for people living, working and visiting the municipality.

We would appreciate you taking the time to consider the list, and responding to indicate your level of support, and commitment to advocate on our behalf for items on the list. An early response would be appreciated so that we can report your responses to our members in good time before the election. Please send copies of your reply to all of the representatives listed on the next page.

 We would be happy to discuss any of the issues further by phone. Please ring any of the listed associations.

We wish you well.

Yours sincerely,

Ray Cowling

on behalf of the

Coalition of Residents Associations

(9326 8743)

Coalition of Residents Associations Representatives

[List] 

Check List for Candidates in the 2002 State Election for the seat of Melbourne

Commitment to protecting heritage assets and improving the liveability of the Melbourne municipality by

1. Adoption of C20 Amendment as recommended by Council.
2. Support amendments to Planning legislation and the Victoria Planning Provisions to:
   1. define and restrict the interpretation of “state significance” as a justification for Ministerial call-in of planning scheme amendments and permit applications;
   2. limit the discretion that may be exercised in relation to “discretionary”  building heights  to no more than 10% higher than the specified preferred height;
   3. clarify the protocols for the Ministerial/State determination of planning applications. The protocols should include a public consultation process which is transparent and accountable, and allow for a partnership of state and local government in the decision making process;
   4. restore 3^rd party appeal rights for planning applications in the Capital City zone;
   5. allow 3^rd party appeal rights for applications for permits under the Heritage Act 1995 (Vic);
   6. make the contribution of a heritage listed building to the streetscape and heritage value of the surrounding area a mandatory and principal consideration in determining permits under the Heritage Act 1995 (Vic);
   7. exclude developments with gross floors exceeding 25,000 square metres from the list of projects for which the Minister of Planning is responsible in the Melbourne Planning Scheme;
   8. ensure building heights for new developments take account of the height of adjacent heritage buildings and do not dominate them and that these constraints are clear in the specification of height controls;
   9. adopt the Port Phillip municipality policy on sunlight access to parkland during the winter solstice as a policy applicable to the whole of Victoria;
   10. ensure that development protects the amenity of residences including those in mixed use zones and provides high standards of residential amenity for new residences;
   11. empower Councils to impose “on the spot” fines for infringements of building and planning regulations;
   12. regulate the hours of operation of businesses with liquor licences near residences to ensure noise and anti-social behaviour is limited, particularly past midnight.

3. Support other legislation to

13. return the Docklands to the responsibility of City of Melbourne (and resist any change to the present municipal  boundaries of the City of Melbourne, including proposed changes affecting West Melbourne and Port Melbourne);
14. enable the use of developers’ levies for greening of streetscapes, in addition to the obtaining and maintenance of public open space to meet the need for accessible green space in all neighbourhoods;
15. enable the use of the Park Levy to ensure that a high percentage of the levy is spent on public open space within the municipality.

4. Support and sponsor policy to

1. protect public amenity by the minimization of the impact of cars (parking and through traffic), promotion of pedestrian amenity and promotion of public transport for travel within and to the Melbourne municipality;
2. commit to greater integration of rail, bus and train transport and a feasibility study for an extension of underground rail loop to service the municipality and link to suburban railways;
3. retain existing public space, provide resources for the maintenance of state level parkland, and work in partnership with local government on long-term strategy to ensure access to green space for all residents (within 400 metres);
4. oppose car parking on public open space, and support Council in the phasing out of car parking on parkland in the Melbourne municipality within 5 years;
5. ensure consultation between adjacent municipalities and affected community on planning matters that may have a material effect in an adjacent municipality.

5. Protection of the independence of local government as the third tier of government.