NEWS FROM MONASH COUNCIL MEETING, 3RD JUNE 2008

Objections to developments in Notting Hill
Three developments have sparked objections from Notting Hill residents in the last few weeks: two proposals to erect/maintain industrial buildings on the Road Traffic Authority land at the rear of premises in Longbourne Avenue and Risdon Drive, and one proposal to build a residential hotel on Blackburn Road and Finch Street. All of these have now been considered by Council, with mixed results from a resident’s point of view.
The two proposals concerning the RTA land – ‘the horse paddock’ – have both been reviewed by the Planning Department and refused – a good result, though it seems that one of the rejected proposals will be appealed to VTAC. The hotel proposal was considered by Council at its meeting this evening, 3rd June, and accepted without a dissenting vote. The report before Council recognised the number and substance of objections received, but Council was satisfied that the provisions of the proposal met the issues raised. The only outstanding issue was the objection that a residential hotel might become a venue for gambling and poker machines; the report noted that while this was possible, a further permit was required to install a gambling machine, and that this was unlikely to be supported by Council.
This is not a good result for residents, but it seems unlikely that further action – an appeal to VTAC – would have much hope of success. You can find the full report in item 5.9 of the papers presented to Council, 3rd June 2008: at www.monash.vic.gov.au/reports/papers125.htm.

Monash Domestic Animal Management Plan
Item 5.10 on the Council Agenda concerned the Council’s Domestic Animal Plan, a matter of some concern to Notting Hill residents, several of whom made submissions during the drawing-up of the plan about the lack of dogs-off-leash areas in the Notting Hill vicinity. Of the total of 9 written submissions received by Council, 4 were from Notting Hill. The report recognises ‘the lack of off leash opportunities in the Westerfield Drive area’ (page 159), also that ‘Westerfield Dog Walking Club needs a dedicated area to exercise their dogs (page 161), even that
The residential area bounded by Ferntree Gully Road, Blackburn Road, Monash Freeway and Duerdin Street/Dunlop Road does not have good access to an off leash park nor are there options for creating an off leash park in this area. (page 165)
But the relevant recommendation is that ‘No change in the number of Off Leash areas is proposed’.
Perhaps there is still ground here for further community action.

Monash Liveability Coalition
In one of the few personal interventions in a meeting almost free of discussion, Councillor Denise McGill rose to inform Council that on the evening of Monday 2nd of June she had attended a meeting at the Notting Hill Community House of the Monash Liveability Coalition, and had been impressed by the speakers, the issues and the audience. She suggested to that Council might consider supporting more such meetings in order to help residents understand the implications of current Government planning proposals.
Thank you Councillor McGill!