Winter 2013

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Reference Group Reports

TRAFFIC TRANSPORT AND PARKING

East West Toll Road news
Mass community opposition is the only way this costly, destructive and unsustainable project will be stopped.
page 1

Whither Doncaster Rail?
The ongoing Trains not Toll Roads campaign will continue to confront the Government and Opposition with the urgent need to change direction on transport policy.
page 3

CARLTON POLICE STATION:

The historic former Carlton Police Station has been sold by public tender for $3.6 million. It had been valued at $5 million.
page 3

PUBLIC HOUSING

The Carlton Housing Estate Redevelopment
Since the last report there has been substantial progress across the estate sites with the official opening of the newly landscaped areas, including the new children’s playground. page 3

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Planning committee report on Applications.
page 4

New Planning Zones
Planning Minister Guy announced: ‘The reforms to Victoria’s residential planning zones offer a once in a generation change’.
And the Planning Minister is handing planning controls back to the Council on eleven major sites across the city, which will give the community more say on large developments, previously ‘called in’ by the Minister.
page 5

VCAT PRESENTATIONS

Fees Hike
Department of Justice released its new fees structure which confirmed a massive increase in costs at VCAT, to be phased in over three years. How will this affect CRA?
page 5

Topical Issues

DEVELOPER DONATIONS IMPACT ON COUNCIL

At the Council Meeting on 2 June 2013, Lord Mayor Doyle and five other councillors were forced to exclude themselves from the Meeting because of financial donations to their election campaign by a major developer, who had made a submission on the matter under consideration.
page 5

OUR RATES AT WORK

The City of Melbourne 2013- Rates will increase by 3.75%, among the lowest increase across the State, which will add $75 to a typical $2000 rates notice in Carlton.
page 6

MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY BUYS FORMER ROYAL WOMEN’S HOSPITAL

Although the State Government had valued the Hospital at $60 million, the University paid just $35 million. As the University is rates exempt, it makes no contribution to Council finances.
page 6

Community News

OPPORTUNITIES FOR CARLTON AWARDS

Community members were recognised for their contributions to the achievements of OFC at a celebration in July.
page 6

VOLUNTEER AWARDS 2013

Two CRA members honoured.
Megan Gathercole and Brian Falconer were both recipients of a MP Volunteer of the Year Award, presented by Adam Bandt MP, at a ceremony held in the Commonwealth Parliament Offices in August 2013.
page 6

Two important CRA members farewelled
La Mama – Betty Burstall Legacy
Betty Burstall, who founded Carlton’s iconic La Mama theatre in 1967, has died aged 87.
page 7

Vale Paul Mees
Paul Mees academic extraordinaire and ‘friend’ of CRA.who passed away on 19 June will be greatly missed.
page 8