Docklands apartments
Park Tower - DOH apartments
Eureka Tower pre-completion
Top of Eureka Tower
Top of BHP House
Melbourne Central Tower
Rialto Towers and Southbank apartments
Saturday, 31 March 2007
Not Williamstown
These are some pics I took of some buildings in Melbourne from the roof top car park of the South Melbourne Market.
Docklands apartments
Park Tower - DOH apartments
Eureka Tower pre-completion
Top of Eureka Tower
Top of BHP House
Melbourne Central Tower
Rialto Towers and Southbank apartments
Docklands apartments
Park Tower - DOH apartments
Eureka Tower pre-completion
Top of Eureka Tower
Top of BHP House
Melbourne Central Tower
Rialto Towers and Southbank apartments
Friday, 16 March 2007
Kororoit Creek Boatshed Owners to Fight Council Ultimatum
From The Star
KOROROIT Creek boatshed owners have been given an ultimatum by Hobsons Bay City Council — sign up or ship out.
After only two of the 14 boatshed owners signed the three-year licence agreement to remain on the site, the council has directed others to reconsider before 23 March.
In a letter to owners at Kororoit Creek Fishing Village it states that failure to sign the agreement by 23 March “may result in notification for you to vacate the site and remove all improvements and possessions”.
The licences, originally to be signed by 22 January, define uses and activities allowed at the site, require grey water and septic systems to be disconnected to protect the creek and outlines site holders’ rights.
Allison McAdam, Boatshed Owners Association of Port Phillip Bay and Victoria president, said she would never sign and would physically protest against any eviction.
“Good luck in trying to get rid of me — I will padlock myself to the front of the shed,” she said.
“That is my family history down there and they’re not going to move me or my family.”
Ms McAdam said boatshed owners had been advised by lawyers that they “would be mad” to sign the agreements.
“They (council) are saying that after three-years goes by we will have the first right of renewal if they choose to give it to us,” she said.
“And it states the licence can be changed at any point in time.
“Who would sign it?”
She said the boatshed owners would consider taking legal action against the council if they were removed from the sheds.
“They are trying to say we have no tenancy rights but we have paid rates and fees for decades,” she said.
Hobsons Bay mayor Leigh Hardinge said it was unfortunate the situation had “deteriorated so dramatically” but the boatshed owners were breaking planning controls.
“The council has been extremely lenient with site holders, particularly as residential occupation of the boatsheds is contrary to the planning scheme and the intent of the original permission to use the sites,” Cr Hardinge said.
Williamstown North Ward councillor Peter Hemphill said the council’s request was “fair and reasonable” and aimed to protect the environment.
“The council wants the fishing village to be cleaned up and kept tidy,” he said.
“We also want to stop grey water and sewerage from entering Kororoit Creek and Port Phillip Bay and reduce the risk of loose materials being flushed out into the bay during flash floods.”
Late last year local boatshed owners were celebrating a Magistrates’ Court decision that said Wyndham City Council could not force Campbells Cove boatshed owner Duncan Colbron to remove or vacate his property for refusing to sign a three-year licence.
Ms McAdam said the Kororoit Creek Fishing Village boatshed owners were considering similar action.
“We have been told we can certainly do that,” said Ms McAdam.
“We will fight this.”
KOROROIT Creek boatshed owners have been given an ultimatum by Hobsons Bay City Council — sign up or ship out.
After only two of the 14 boatshed owners signed the three-year licence agreement to remain on the site, the council has directed others to reconsider before 23 March.
In a letter to owners at Kororoit Creek Fishing Village it states that failure to sign the agreement by 23 March “may result in notification for you to vacate the site and remove all improvements and possessions”.
The licences, originally to be signed by 22 January, define uses and activities allowed at the site, require grey water and septic systems to be disconnected to protect the creek and outlines site holders’ rights.
Allison McAdam, Boatshed Owners Association of Port Phillip Bay and Victoria president, said she would never sign and would physically protest against any eviction.
“Good luck in trying to get rid of me — I will padlock myself to the front of the shed,” she said.
“That is my family history down there and they’re not going to move me or my family.”
Ms McAdam said boatshed owners had been advised by lawyers that they “would be mad” to sign the agreements.
“They (council) are saying that after three-years goes by we will have the first right of renewal if they choose to give it to us,” she said.
“And it states the licence can be changed at any point in time.
“Who would sign it?”
She said the boatshed owners would consider taking legal action against the council if they were removed from the sheds.
“They are trying to say we have no tenancy rights but we have paid rates and fees for decades,” she said.
Hobsons Bay mayor Leigh Hardinge said it was unfortunate the situation had “deteriorated so dramatically” but the boatshed owners were breaking planning controls.
“The council has been extremely lenient with site holders, particularly as residential occupation of the boatsheds is contrary to the planning scheme and the intent of the original permission to use the sites,” Cr Hardinge said.
Williamstown North Ward councillor Peter Hemphill said the council’s request was “fair and reasonable” and aimed to protect the environment.
“The council wants the fishing village to be cleaned up and kept tidy,” he said.
“We also want to stop grey water and sewerage from entering Kororoit Creek and Port Phillip Bay and reduce the risk of loose materials being flushed out into the bay during flash floods.”
Late last year local boatshed owners were celebrating a Magistrates’ Court decision that said Wyndham City Council could not force Campbells Cove boatshed owner Duncan Colbron to remove or vacate his property for refusing to sign a three-year licence.
Ms McAdam said the Kororoit Creek Fishing Village boatshed owners were considering similar action.
“We have been told we can certainly do that,” said Ms McAdam.
“We will fight this.”
Newport to go nuclear?
From The Star
NEWPORT will fight any plans to build a nuclear power plant in the suburb, its most powerful leaders have pledged.
Williamstown MP and Premier Steve Bracks has introduced legislation into Parliament for a Victoria-wide vote if the Federal Government tries to build a reactor in Victoria.
And Gellibrand MP Nicola Roxon has promised to join the fight if a nuclear power plant is planned for Newport.
“It is too expensive, too dangerous and not the right solution,” Ms Roxon said.
The Australia Institute think tank listed the suburb, along with Werribee and Avalon, as potential sites for a nuclear power plant in a January paper on the topic.
Mr Bracks said he was extremely concerned at the thought of nuclear power in the area.
“Victorians do not want nuclear power,” he said. “I’m sure the people of Newport do not want nuclear power and Canberra should not be forcing this on anyone.”
Hobsons Bay mayor Leigh Hardinge said it did not make sense to build a large baseload power station in a residential area.
“I would be very surprised if it was ever built in a metropolitan area,” Cr Hardinge said.
Spotswood Ward councillor Bill Baarini said he would fight any nuclear proposal for Newport like “(Anthony) Mundine in a championship fight”.
“If Newport qualifies for a reactor by the (Australia Institute) criteria then I can’t understand why the rest of Australia doesn’t,” Cr Baarini said.
Hobsons Bay Community First co-convenor Tony Briffa has urged residents to speak out early in opposition of any proposals.
“Silence implies consent,” Mr Briffa said.
“I fear if we are not concerned or active about this it will end up being here.”
Mr Briffa said he was concerned about siting a nuclear plant so close to a highly populated residential area as well as the effects of dispersing nuclear waste.
“And I guarantee 100 per cent of residents would feel the same way about it,” Mr Briffa said.
Australia Institute deputy director Andrew Macintosh said that despite being a good candidate for nuclear power, Newport would never be the site of the first reactor for political reasons.
“Politics is the only thing that will write it off,” Mr Macintosh said.
“Some say population buffers (would be a factor in preventing the power station) but there is enough space to have sufficient buffers there.”
Mr Macintosh said he thought Newport would be one of the top 10 locations considered for a reactor because there was more interest siting them in the southern states.
Cr Baarini said he would seek more information on Newport’s potential as a nuclear power site from the Australia Institute and contact the Federal Government.
Mr Briffa said he would consider holding a community forum on the issue to get the full story from policy makers and environmental groups.
NEWPORT will fight any plans to build a nuclear power plant in the suburb, its most powerful leaders have pledged.
Williamstown MP and Premier Steve Bracks has introduced legislation into Parliament for a Victoria-wide vote if the Federal Government tries to build a reactor in Victoria.
And Gellibrand MP Nicola Roxon has promised to join the fight if a nuclear power plant is planned for Newport.
“It is too expensive, too dangerous and not the right solution,” Ms Roxon said.
The Australia Institute think tank listed the suburb, along with Werribee and Avalon, as potential sites for a nuclear power plant in a January paper on the topic.
Mr Bracks said he was extremely concerned at the thought of nuclear power in the area.
“Victorians do not want nuclear power,” he said. “I’m sure the people of Newport do not want nuclear power and Canberra should not be forcing this on anyone.”
Hobsons Bay mayor Leigh Hardinge said it did not make sense to build a large baseload power station in a residential area.
“I would be very surprised if it was ever built in a metropolitan area,” Cr Hardinge said.
Spotswood Ward councillor Bill Baarini said he would fight any nuclear proposal for Newport like “(Anthony) Mundine in a championship fight”.
“If Newport qualifies for a reactor by the (Australia Institute) criteria then I can’t understand why the rest of Australia doesn’t,” Cr Baarini said.
Hobsons Bay Community First co-convenor Tony Briffa has urged residents to speak out early in opposition of any proposals.
“Silence implies consent,” Mr Briffa said.
“I fear if we are not concerned or active about this it will end up being here.”
Mr Briffa said he was concerned about siting a nuclear plant so close to a highly populated residential area as well as the effects of dispersing nuclear waste.
“And I guarantee 100 per cent of residents would feel the same way about it,” Mr Briffa said.
Australia Institute deputy director Andrew Macintosh said that despite being a good candidate for nuclear power, Newport would never be the site of the first reactor for political reasons.
“Politics is the only thing that will write it off,” Mr Macintosh said.
“Some say population buffers (would be a factor in preventing the power station) but there is enough space to have sufficient buffers there.”
Mr Macintosh said he thought Newport would be one of the top 10 locations considered for a reactor because there was more interest siting them in the southern states.
Cr Baarini said he would seek more information on Newport’s potential as a nuclear power site from the Australia Institute and contact the Federal Government.
Mr Briffa said he would consider holding a community forum on the issue to get the full story from policy makers and environmental groups.
Thursday, 8 March 2007
Redevelopment of Knights Slipway
From The Star
HOBSONS Bay City Council and residents’ groups have responded angrily to a proposed development at the former Knight’s Slipway site in Williamstown.
The council last week resolved to object to a planning permit for the site on the grounds that it had “an over reliance on residential and non-maritime uses”, was contrary to planning schemes, and was submitted without adequate public consultation.
The proposal would see nine separate structures built by Nelson Marine Development, including a “place of assembly” that objectors believe will be a restaurant.
The Department of Sustainability and Environment, which controls the site, said it was awaiting more information from the applicant before considering the proposal.
The mayor, Leigh Hardinge, said the proposed development “completely strayed” from the Port of Melbourne Planning Scheme for the historic maritime area.
“To propose a restaurant and residential uses on that block of land is ludicrous.
“The developer is not acknowledging the importance of community consultation which is an insult to both the council and the wider Hobsons Bay community.”
Cr Hardinge indicated that the council would be submitting an objection to the Minister for Planning, Justin Madden.
However, Nelson Marine Development director Michael Flemming said there was “absolutely no basis” for objection or concern from the council or residents.
“There will be no residential use on the site.
“The whole site will be orientated towards marine uses. There will be things like sail makers and ship repairs.”
Williamstown Ward Councillor Angela Altair said the council had been given little time to mount a response, with just two weeks to lodge an objection.
“The council met with the developer and community representatives in 2002, and the developer agreed to consult with the public before any applications were lodged.”
Residents group Preserve Old Williamstown (POW) president Patsy Toop, said it would fight to ensure the site did not become an exclusive residential development, “come hell or high water”.
“It ought to be for the public use and this development will in fact alienate the public.”
Ms Toop said many people believed the “place of assembly” referred to in planning documents would turn out to be a restaurant, and was little more than “a ploy to reduce car parking requirements on the site”.
“It is an over-development of the site and we don’t believe that restaurants and this type of thing are consistent with maritime use.”
But Mr Flemming said the term “place of assembly” was used because planning documents because the final use of the land had not been decided.
“It might be a take-away food outlet but it will not be a sit down restaurant.
“Rather than simply put a tin shed on the site as before, we have designed something that will be open to the public.”
Ms Toop said POW wanted to see the site developed as “a major maritime port of call” and develop industries consistent with this.
Rennis Witham from POW said it was vital that residents and visitors could feel a sense of connection with the historic site.
“With this proposal, the sense of public and open space will be gone.
“The place will feel private and closed to the public and that means people will feel like they can’t walk through the area.”
A council statement indicated that the DSE would give the community an opportunity to comment on the proposal in the coming months.
HOBSONS Bay City Council and residents’ groups have responded angrily to a proposed development at the former Knight’s Slipway site in Williamstown.
The council last week resolved to object to a planning permit for the site on the grounds that it had “an over reliance on residential and non-maritime uses”, was contrary to planning schemes, and was submitted without adequate public consultation.
The proposal would see nine separate structures built by Nelson Marine Development, including a “place of assembly” that objectors believe will be a restaurant.
The Department of Sustainability and Environment, which controls the site, said it was awaiting more information from the applicant before considering the proposal.
The mayor, Leigh Hardinge, said the proposed development “completely strayed” from the Port of Melbourne Planning Scheme for the historic maritime area.
“To propose a restaurant and residential uses on that block of land is ludicrous.
“The developer is not acknowledging the importance of community consultation which is an insult to both the council and the wider Hobsons Bay community.”
Cr Hardinge indicated that the council would be submitting an objection to the Minister for Planning, Justin Madden.
However, Nelson Marine Development director Michael Flemming said there was “absolutely no basis” for objection or concern from the council or residents.
“There will be no residential use on the site.
“The whole site will be orientated towards marine uses. There will be things like sail makers and ship repairs.”
Williamstown Ward Councillor Angela Altair said the council had been given little time to mount a response, with just two weeks to lodge an objection.
“The council met with the developer and community representatives in 2002, and the developer agreed to consult with the public before any applications were lodged.”
Residents group Preserve Old Williamstown (POW) president Patsy Toop, said it would fight to ensure the site did not become an exclusive residential development, “come hell or high water”.
“It ought to be for the public use and this development will in fact alienate the public.”
Ms Toop said many people believed the “place of assembly” referred to in planning documents would turn out to be a restaurant, and was little more than “a ploy to reduce car parking requirements on the site”.
“It is an over-development of the site and we don’t believe that restaurants and this type of thing are consistent with maritime use.”
But Mr Flemming said the term “place of assembly” was used because planning documents because the final use of the land had not been decided.
“It might be a take-away food outlet but it will not be a sit down restaurant.
“Rather than simply put a tin shed on the site as before, we have designed something that will be open to the public.”
Ms Toop said POW wanted to see the site developed as “a major maritime port of call” and develop industries consistent with this.
Rennis Witham from POW said it was vital that residents and visitors could feel a sense of connection with the historic site.
“With this proposal, the sense of public and open space will be gone.
“The place will feel private and closed to the public and that means people will feel like they can’t walk through the area.”
A council statement indicated that the DSE would give the community an opportunity to comment on the proposal in the coming months.
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