7th Annual General Meeting, February 24, 2003
2002 has been an important year for the Association, primarily for the passage of the C20 Amendment which sets constraints on development in much of Carlton, and also for the closer integration of Residents Associations in the Melbourne municipality on joint submissions and lobbying to MCC and State Government on issues of common concern. It was also the year of the State Government election which was more hotly contested than previous elections for the seat of Melbourne. This report begins with the development of the Coalition of Residents Associations and then provides a summary of the Association’s interactions with MCC, State Government and other activities.
Coalition of Residents Associations
During the year the Coalition of Residents Associations grew to include ten incorporated residents associations representing the different neighbourhoods in the Melbourne municipality: EastEnders, The East Melbourne Group, Hardware Precinct Resident and Tenants Group, Kensington Association, Melbourne-South Yarra Group, North and West Melbourne Association, The Parkville Association, Residents 3000, Southbank and The Carlton Residents Association. The coalition is an informal group that keeps in email contact, works on joint policy submissions, and meets with MCC Councillors and local MPs to discuss issues of common concern. Our Association has been proactive in the development of the coalition.
MCC
Several important strategies were developed by MCC during 2002. The main ones were Amendment C20, Statements of Heritage Significance, Growing Green, and the Municipal Strategic Statement.
Amendment C20 of the Melbourne Planning Scheme
This Amendment sets design objectives and outcomes (including height limits) for areas in Carlton, Parkville, North and West Melbourne and Southbank. Early in 2002, a Panel Report on the exhibited Amendment was received and in the next months MCC prepared a response and final Amendment proposal for the Minister of Planning’s decision. In the case of Carlton, there were several disputed areas including South Carlton (south of Grattan Street, west of Swanston Street and north of Queensberry Street), the area east of Trades Hall, and the Eastern Precinct (Elgin, Cardigan, Faraday, Swanston Streets block).
In preparing a case for Council the Association worked with a coalition of representatives of affected residents associations, in particular, Beverly Kennedy (Parkville Association), Angela Williams and Geoff Leach (North and West Melbourne Association) and Ray Macdonald (Southbank). Peter Sanders and I were the CRA representatives.
One initiative that helped clarify our recommendations was the use of a laser beam measure to actually measure heights of existing buildings in the disputed areas to obtain a more accurate picture of heights that would fit the context of buildings in an area. By its June meeting, Council’s redrafted amendment gained the support of the coalition of residents associations. We then awaited the Minister of Planning’s decision.
Prior to the State election there were many discussions and representations to and by the local MPs, and a commitment on many areas consistent with the Council’s recommendations. In Carlton’s case this was a commitment to a mandatory height limit of 10.5 metres for the Grattan, Rathdowne, Elgin, Cardigan Street block (Central Carlton North). Of the remaining 7 disputed areas, 5 were in Carlton.
We were very disappointed after the election to hear that the Minister’s determination on the disputed areas was more consistent with the independent panel’s recommendations for higher height limits than the Council’s recommendations. Local MPs have committed to trying to have a “Fix-it” Amendment to ensure that the C20 Amendment is consistent with election promises. For Carlton we are hoping this will ensure that the Trades Hall area will continue with current height limits for the area east of Lygon Street, rather than being included in the 32 metres height limit for the South Carlton area.
The net result of the C20 Amendment for the Carlton areas included in the Amendment is for higher developments to be permitted (with the exception of Central Carlton North). Residential areas in Carlton outside the C20 Amendment area will be protected by the 9 metres ResCode height limit and heritage constraints. These changes are consistent with Carlton, Lygon Street, becoming a Major Activity Centre as proposed in the State Government’s Melbourne 2030 Strategy (see below).
Growing Green
This policy is an MCC 50 year strategy for the management of public open spaces in the municipality. It recognizes changes in people’s attitudes to the use of parks and gardens, and the need to provide accessible green space for all residents. The Coalition of Residents Association submission (drafted by Kaye Oddie, Beverly Kennedy and myself) focused on ensuring equity and accessibility, the phasing out of car parking on parkland, the heritage significance of many of the parks and gardens, the contribution of open space to the amenity of residents, improvement in the efficiency of watering systems and the importance of greening streetscapes. The final document appears to have taken on most of the points in the submission. Given the publicity, it is important to note that MCC policy is to conserve the exotic trees in heritage gardens, including the Carlton Gardens.
Heritage Statements of Significance
These provide more detailed descriptions of heritage areas outside the Capital City zone and performance standards for developments within these heritage areas. The intention of this policy will be to strengthen protection for heritage buildings and areas. Don Chambers and I worked on the submission for Carlton. The policy is still to be finalized.
Municipal Strategic Statement (MSS)
The development of the MSS is of great importance to Carlton, given that it provides the MCC policy framework for future development of the area while dovetailing with the urban consolidation direction of State Government’s Melbourne 2030. In the latter plan, one of the Major Activity Centres listed is “Carlton, Lygon Street”, and one of the Specialist Activity Centres is the “Parkville Medical Bioscience Precinct”. We are seeking clarification of the boundaries of these centres, the extent of development envisaged, and the recognition of the existing local community policy for Central Carlton north of Grattan Street.
The extent of development planned for Carlton is concerning. Based on MCC figures (Melbourne 2030, City of Melbourne Submission, p14) there are currently 3497 proposed dwellings approved for development in the Carlton area. This compares with the 5087 current dwellings. Most of the new development, given Amendment C20, is likely to be in the mixed use zones (south of Grattan Street area), particularly those without a heritage overlay (mainly west of Cardigan Street). It is unclear how much net increase in dwellings will result from redevelopment of the Ministry of Housing estates and the Queen Elizabeth site.
The MSS document considers the amenity that residents can expect in the CBD and mixed use zones, and proposes that residents in these areas can not expect the same level of amenity as residents living in middle suburbs. The Coalition of Residents Associations’ submission argues that all residents should expect a high level of amenity. There may be variations in how a high quality amenity is achieved, but factors such as noise, safety, access to green space and provision of community facilities should be part of the planning for residents in all areas. Greening may be street trees or grassed medians rather than the traditional new parks provided in outer suburbs. These public facilities need to be planned for at the same time as high-density apartments. Once builders and developers leave, existing and new residents need to establish a social life in an attractive environment. This needs to be part of the planning in areas of substantial development.
Carlton Parking and Access
This study seeks to develop a local parking policy for Carlton as well as ways to reduce the need for cars as the main way to access Carlton. The results will be critical for mobility within, to and through Carlton while balancing the use and attractiveness of public space for pedestrians and residents. As representatives of CRA, Ian Bird and I attended a forum (along with many other stakeholders) to generate some ideas on how to improve the current car-based environment. An MCC report is about to be released for public comment. We have been lobbying for the development of a sustainable parking policy for Carlton for several years, since the number of residents eligible for permits is increasing greatly and many planned developments have parking requirements waived while the on-street spaces for parking remains static and median parking occupies potential green space. MCC traditionally uses a gradual change approach to parking regulation which should soften the impact of any change while creating a fairer system that copes with the increased residential population and non-residential activities planned for the area. Recommendations from the Northern Central City Corridor Study (NCCCS; see below) should provide a complementary framework to the Carlton Parking and Access Study
MCC Budget
In my last Annual Report, I highlighted the generous support of the MCC for the Carlton History project, the removal of graffiti, some under-grounding of cables and streetscape improvements, and lobbying for the implementation of the Carlton 2010 strategy. I am pleased to report that there has been considerable progress on key items in 2002. Cr Redwood will now be invited to make a major statement on the Carlton History project and the appointment of a Place Manager to assist with the implementation of the Carlton 2010 strategy.
There have also been considerable advances in streetscape improvements in Leicester and Pelham Streets in the University Square area, and plans for more work in Pelham Street right across Carlton to link Carlton Gardens with the Squares (Argyle, Lincoln and University) across to Elizabeth Street. Other streets due for improvement include Swanston and Cardigan Streets.
Regarding graffiti, MCC is working with owners of buildings with graffiti to share the cost of removal. Under-grounding of cables appears to be a difficult issue on which to make any obvious progress, given that the ownership of the cables is now in private hands.
For the next MCC Budget, CRA has lobbied for improvements in the Carlton Gardens, including installation of a more efficient irrigation system in the Northern Gardens, removal of the depot, and the establishment of a Masterplan Reference Group. With the Fitzroy Residents Association and East Enders, CRA is encouraging the formation of a Carlton Gardens Group to be a focus for the three associations to promote the interests of the Carlton Gardens. CRA is participating also in an MCC working party to finalize the plan for an “Italian Piazza” in Argyle Square.
State Government
Our Association participated in the organization of a public meeting in the Town Hall for candidates in the November State Elections. At the meeting, promises were made on delivering the C20 Amendment as proposed by Council, and working with residents to improve the consultation process on large development projects determined by the Minister of Planning.
Since the election, local MPs (Hon. Bronwyn Pike, Glenyys Romanes, and Gavin Jennings) have committed to meeting quarterly with representatives from the Coalition of Residents Associations to make progress on residents’ issues relevant to State Government. The first issue being considered is the 25,000 square metres ruling that gives the Minister of Planning responsibility for planning decisions on projects over this limit. This is seen to be a quite arbitrary regulation which limits public scrutiny of major works in the Melbourne municipality.
Eastern Precinct Development
In late 2002, a new proposal for an 11 storey complex with 620 units for student accommodation in the Swanston, Elgin, Cardigan, Faraday Street block was submitted to Department of Infrastructure (DOI). In 1996-1997 a smaller project of 67 units on the Eastern Precinct block was approved by MCC following much community consultation. The new application was sent direct to DOI since it met the “over 25,000 square metres” regulation. Unlike the MCC consultation process, apart from being allowed to submit written objections, there was no other consultation of interested parties.
Our Association was extremely disappointed to hear early in January 2003 that the Minister of Planning had approved the plans with minimal conditions. Together with MCC and the National Trust, the Association is now a party to a VCAT appeal for a review of the Minister’s decision. There is substantial community objection to the current plans, and many willing helpers assisting with the appeal (expected in April-May 2003). CRA particularly thanks Elspeth Strong, Mark Irving, David Aitken, Mark Rubbo and Lee Bradshaw. Mark Rubbo has organized a petition at Readings bookstore, and Lee has kept the CRA website (now at www.carltonresidents.org.au) up to date with information on the Appeal.
Queen Elizabeth site
The redevelopment of the walk-up flats in Rathdowne Street is awaiting a more comprehensive plan for social housing in Carlton. This includes the redevelopment of the Queen Elizabeth site (Cardigan, Keppel, Cemetery Road block). CRA has been invited to be represented by Peter Sanders, Victoria Hamer and myself on a Ministry of Housing working party to develop the brief and consult with the community on this site. There is a commitment to respect the heritage buildings on the block and the low scale buildings on the surrounding streets, while developing residential units for a public/private mix of residents, with a 5 storey maximum height limit.
Northern Central City Corridor Study (NCCCS)
The results of the NCCCS are due to be released for public comment: any day. In the NCCCS Community Reference Group, Ian Bird and I as CRA representatives supported a recommendation to examine the feasibility of extending the underground rail loop to Carlton to relieve the pressure of car movements to, from and through Carlton. The Infrastructure Council Report included a recommendation for such a feasibility study. The recommendation gained some support from State Government. Encouraging an upgrade of public transport, in particular an underground railway system for Carlton has the support of several Carlton stakeholders including the President of the Carlton Business Association (CBA), Connie Paglianiti. We will be scrutinizing the NCCCS recommendations for strategies to minimize the impact of car movements for residents in Princes and Rathdowne Streets, as well as protection of local streets from through traffic, and working with CBA for long-term solutions.
CRA Activities
Carlton History Project
The CRA’s History project will conclude in 2003 with the publication (due in October) of the book by Melbourne University Press. It will be a magnificent tome which reflects the continuous and meticulous efforts of our editor, Peter Yule, the patience and brilliance of our 40 or so contributors, and the generosity of those who funded the project, in particular Melbourne City Council. Look out for a launch at Readings later this year. More news on purchasing copies will be provided as the publication date approaches.
Planning Applications
During the year our Planning Group reviewed on a monthly basis MCC town planning applications. Members of the group were Lyn Behenna, Don Chambers, Warren Green, Victoria Hamer, Peter Sanders and me. We reviewed about 174 planning applications and submitted 40 objections. The main objections were for small extensions at the rear of houses that appeared might cause overshadowing or loss of privacy for neighbouring properties and heritage issues which included extensions to heritage houses that could be seen from the street or used inappropriate materials. Grounds for objections to commercial applications included waiving of car parking requirements, extension of liquor licensing hours which might impact on residential amenity, and signage on heritage buildings or oversized illuminated advertisement boards.
Group members attended several MCC mediation sessions on specific applications, a MCC Planning Committee on extension of hours for the Comedy Club and a VCAT case on substantial new dwellings at 7-19 Waterloo Place and 11 Canning Street. We were pleased with the mediation sessions on the Silver Top taxi site (Faraday, Barkly, Rathdowne Street block), the former Mobil Garage site on the Cardigan, Elgin, Keppel Street block and signage on the KFC site on the corner of Grattan and Swanston Streets. There have been an unusually high number of developments in the Murchison Square area which have taken much fine-tuning to resolve heritage and amenity issues. We are most grateful to members of the Planning Group for their continuing contributions.
Other contributions
Don Chambers again represented CRA on the Carlton Police Community Consultative Committee (PCCC) and the MCC Heritage Advisory Committee. We were pleased to help achieve the registration of La Mama Theatre with Heritage Victoria. La Mama Theatre continues to be the venue for our end-of-year Party which is always a great occasion. Our toast for 2002 was proposed by Cr Kate Redwood. Brunettis continue to be a great contributor of food for our general meetings and end-of-year party, for which we are most grateful. We also thank the Royal Women’s Hospital for providing a room at the Kathleen Syme Centre.
Speakers & Newsletters
We acknowledge the fine contributions of the following speakers for our General Meetings in 2002: Professor Miles Lewis “Carlton: Resistance and Change”; William MacDougall and Dr Paul Mees, “The Cars that Ate Carlton”’ Dr Peter Yule “Carlton’s History Project”; Cr Kate Redwood “Making Carlton 2010 Happen”; Jennifer Westacott, Director of the Office of Housing “Building Carlton Community & Housing”. Our monthly Newsletters have been circulated widely and provide a good account of developments of all kinds in Carlton. The contributions of Dale Harvey and Colin MacNamara in the distribution of the newsletters are much appreciated.
Committee & Membership
The elected Committee members for 2002 were Sue Chambers (President), Lyn Behenna (Vice-President), Colin Macnamara (Secretary), Richard Standish (Treasurer), Warren Green and Alexander McCall with Don Chambers (Heritage) co-opted. I would like to thank all Committee members and other members who have contributed to smoothing the work of the Association. Lyn Behenna, Dick Standish and Sandy McCall are retiring. We wish them the best and thank Lyn for her great support as Secretary and Vice-President, and to Richard as Treasurer and Public Officer. The challenge of the introduction of GST was met admirably. Fortunately we have some reinforcements with Warren Green taking on the Treasurer’s role and Greta Bird and Rhonda Day becoming Committee members. A list of meetings scheduled for 2003 is now on the web site.
CRA membership was about 200 during 2002. We also have contact with many other residents in the community who are not members but seek our advice and support. Higher membership numbers remain an important goal for the Association, not just for sharing the financial load, but also for ensuring the representative nature of the Association and increasing the people resource pool we can call on. We continue to be grateful to the MCC Councillors, local MPs, numerous MCC officers, National Trust, and members of the media, who have helped our Association to have another successful year.
Sue Chambers
President
General Committee: Sue Chambers (President), Colin Macnamara (Secretary), Warren Green (Treasurer), Greta Bird, Rhonda Day, Don Chambers (Heritage)
Planning Group: Sue Chambers, Warren Green, Victoria Hamer, Peter Sanders