We are getting some attention to the plight of Notting Hill in the local media - last week the Monash Journal newspaper ran a piece on the school closures. Although the comment by local member of parliament Hong Lim was not helpful and not well received in the suburb.
From the Waverley Leader newspaper this week
School sale space fear
NOTTING Hill's open space looks certain to shrink after the State Government pushed ahead with plans to put the former Monash Primary School site on the market.
The Government has asked Monash Council to rezone the land to RZ1 residential, making way for the classrooms to be turned into flats, units or houses.Under the Subdivision Act, the developers will be forced to keep at least 5 per cent of the land as open space. But the council will negotiate with developers to possibly save 10 per cent of the site.The rezoning application will not be ready before April.
Plans for the sell-off have prompted an angry response from residents and Oakleigh Ward councillor Gerry Kottek.Cr Kottek said the Government was ``flogging off public assets'' without concern for the community.``They are reducing the amount of open space and not having a meaningful dialogue with the community,'' Cr Kottek said.
The former primary school is one of four closed Monash schools that could be sold to the highest bidder.The Monash Secondary College, Brandon Park Secondary College and Clayton West Primary sites are still in limbo.Cam Scott, a spokesman for Education Minister John Lenders, said the future of all three sites was yet to be determined.
But Mr Scott confirmed the Government had plans to sell Monash Primary School.Notting Hill Residents' Action Group spokeswoman Melinda Ashton said she was worried the school's ovals would be replaced with dozens of high-rise units.``It's certainly not what we need what we need is some open space,'' Ms Ashtonsaid.``If we lose the school, we lose any recreation area we have. It's extremely important we maintain the school's oval.''
Similarly in the Oakliegh Monash Leader newspaper
School sale space fear
NOTTING Hill's open space looks certain to shrink after the State Government pushed ahead with plans to put the former Monash Primary School site on the market.
Link http://www.oakleighmonashleader.com.au/article/2007/03/06/11200_wov_news.html
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Sorry to be anonymous but I don't trust politicians of any persuasion. I find it hard to believe that the State Government would try and sell land without having a buyer in mind.
Look at the Treasury and what they do
From their website:
Land and Property Services
Property Acquisition and Sales
The Land and Property Services function develops and implements strategies and policies for government land and property including sales and acquisitions. It also provides advisory services on government property related matters.
In addition, the function manages:
• the sale of surplus Crown land to meet government revenue targets including overseeing delegated sale by other departments.
• transferring (or other disposal arrangements) of Crown land and property to meet whole of Government service needs.
• acquiring land or property to meet government service needs.
• project facilitation, consultation and coordination services for disposal of surplus Crown land and property.
• providing government land and property strategic asset advisory and consultancy services.
• optimising the value and service potential of Government land and property through strategies including land zoning, heritage, contaminated land clean-up, remedial works and road access.
Key words – “to meet Government revenue targets” The Government has its own real estate agents.
Its gone
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