Morale boost for objectors, but the fight is not over yet…

On Wednesday 23rd June more than 200 local residents turned up to the Moreland Council Urban Planning Committee meeting to object to the proposed expansion of the Brunswick Terminal Station. After several compelling presentations by objectors, Council unanimously agreed to reject the application for a permit from Singapore Power Ausnet. Several Councillors thanked local residents for organising such a strong and well-argued campaign.

Moreland Council Urban Planning Committee

It is unclear at this stage what Singapore Power Ausnet will do next (either back to the drawing board to develop a new planning application, or appeal the Council’s decision at VCAT) however what is certain is that this issue has not gone away. There WILL be an upgrade/expansion of the Brunswick Terminal Station in some form, and it is up to residents to ensure their voices are heard and given proper consideration.

If you want to keep up to date with the campaign to put the Brunswick Terminal Station underground, watch developments as they are posted on this campaign blog.

If you want to get actively involved in the campaign, contact one of the following by phone: Francesco 9486 6359; Anne 9481 8404; Irma 0421 838 856; Kerry 9489 8009.

Thank you to all those residents who have already shown their support for this campaign and all those who have made a commitment to helping sustain the campaign as it goes forward. Thanks must also go to the Moreland City Councillors who listened to the voices of residents, and both Darebin and Yarra Councils for responding so quickly to this issue once it was brought to their attention by the residents’ campaign. We look forward to continued support from our elected representatives at local, state and federal levels during the next stage of this campaign.

MORELAND COUNCIL’S VISION FOR OPEN SPACES

a summary, based on Moreland Open Space Strategy 2004

as published on the Moreland Council’s website

(http://www.activemoreland.com/parks-pools-sport/parks-and-playgrounds/new-and-better-parks.html

Open Space Strategy (DOC 3Mb) )

or

http://www.moreland.vic.gov.au/mccwr/publications/policies-strategies-plans/moreland-open-space-strategy.pdf

Moreland Council has a strategy in place for the open spaces of Moreland.  It sits within a broader policy framework that includes policies adopted at a State Government level.

Moreland Council’s strategy supports the State Government’s Melbourne 2030 policy which recognises the Merri Creek “as being part of the regional public space network” (ie. a major, rather than local, park which is consequently managed by Parks Victoria.)  Parks Victoria’s intention is to “protect, enhance and where possible link the significant riparian vegetation of waterways such as the Yarra River, the Plenty River, the Moonee Ponds Creek, the Merri Creek and Watsons Creek in order to establish regional wildlife corridors.”  So the Merri Creek is not considered only of relevance to the local area, but to the region.

The State Policy Planning Framework, Victoria Planning Provisions Cl.56-05, states the provision of public open space should “take advantage of and protect natural and cultural features, and incorporate land for regional linear open space where appropriate.”

Moreland’s goal is to “restore ‘natural’ landscapes, primarily along the waterways, to provide habitat for indigenous plants and animals and for informal outdoor recreation”.  To achieve this, council says it will “utilise up-to-date, sustainable environmental design and technology in open space development and redevelopment” and ensure that “any new buildings, other structures and car parks cause minimal encroachment into public open space…”

Council acknowledges that “to many people, the appeal of open space lies in vegetated landscapes and opportunities for contact with nature within the urban environment”, and the role these spaces have on “human spiritual and physical wellbeing”.  Council also notes that “in Moreland, most of the natural plant and animal communities, and even some landforms and creeks have been replaced by roofs, roads and other hard surfaces.”

Council says there is “still much work to be done in restoring the creek corridors to conserve and enhance their natural, cultural heritage, landscape and recreational values.”  And it is their intention to “acquire land to establish a minimum 30 metre wide public open space corridor along the Merri, Moonee Ponds and Edgars Creeks” as opportunities arise.