2. MRA position statement on City of Monash in relation to Melbourne 2030 and the Monash Strategic Plan

3. MRA position statement on Wheelers Hill Neighborhood Activity Centre MRA position statement on The Peak, 161 – 169 Jells Road, Wheelers Hill

The Monash Ratepayers Association Inc. (MRA) formerly, Waverley Ratepayers Association Inc., is an Incorporated Association and has been in existence for some twelve years. Its membership consists of ratepayers from across the City of Monash from all walks of life and numbers around 700. The MRA has had significant success on a number of important local issues:

We are a Community Advocacy and Lobby Group that helps our members to deal with issues of Council in any area that we can. Mostly, these issues range from parking tickets and noise to planning problems relating to developments both large and small where people feel aggrieved.

We also comment on Public Policy of Council and often offer an alternative viewpoint. We have worked closely with Council on a number of issues to get a balanced decision that has good outcomes for the Community.

Our position on the proposed "The Peak" development at Wheelers Hill is underpinned by:

Therefore we find it necessary as part of this submission to discuss in general terms our position on these matters before proceeding to our detailed objections to "The Peak" development proposal.

1.3 Comments by the MRA

In this submission’s section of general discussion on the City of Monash, we have indicated that we are generally supportive.

We do so because:

2. MRA position statement on City of Monash in relation to Melbourne 2030 and the

Monash Strategic Plan

2.1 MRA view of Planning Authority

Melbourne 2030 has been referred to by others as "an action plan to ensure the benefits of growth are shared fairly across the State, and in a sustainable way". It sets out the Government’s vision for the future, formulates policies, incorporates planning rules and begins the implementation process. It will help guide future planning decisions."

"Melbourne 2030 is a statement of policy intent only" (ref. Melbourne 2030, P 43, Para 4) It is a framework policy document that includes vision, principles, policies and key directions. But it does not provide detailed or specific municipality (by municipality) policy or planning.

Responsibility and authority for this rests with the respective municipal council (which may be assisted by State Government if required. Refer to several sections of Melbourne 2030). The detailed implementation of 2030 - the what, (geographically) where, when and how - is the responsibility of the Local Council. Since its release we perceive that Melbourne 2030 is seen by some as a planning document that also does all these things. This it is not!

In Monash, the Monash Strategic Statement, the "(Draft) Monash Housing Strategy, June 2004" are documents for doing so and we understand they will be supported with other appropriate documents.

2.2 Monash’s position within metropolitan Melbourne and Melbourne 2030

The City of Monash is at or near the demographic and geographic centre of metropolitan Melbourne. It has the added advantage of having what is arguably the largest Specialized Activity Centre in Melbourne centered around the Monash University and health precinct. (Refer Melbourne 2030, Page 48)

Also, being at or near the demographic and geographic centre of Melbourne means there are many influences on Monash that arise externally to its boundaries as well as those arising from within its boundaries. For example, traffic. Therefore in many ways Melbourne 2030 presents Monash with both opportunities and threats, particularly in terms of transport, traffic, Monash’s activity centers, recreation, entertainment and business.

Monash Council (and State Government) simply cannot, in our view, afford to deliver anything other than an optimum outcome from its planning processes. The likelihood of a less than optimum outcome is heightened by committing to controversial and even radical developments before these planning processes are complete.

One of the dilemmas with the implementation of 2030 is the fact that since its release in October 2002, local Councils across metropolitan Melbourne have been in catch up mode just trying to develop (much less implement) policies and strategic plans that reflect 2030’s vision, policies and directions. Monash City Council has done a lot of work over the last several years and much of this work, often with some revision, is compatible with Melbourne 2030. We believe that relevant Monash Council documents released in recent times (most of which we have seen) are substantially compliant with the requirements of 2030. Further, we believe the Council is highly proactive in its endeavor to implement 2030, although reactive in terms of time restraints and resources.

The directional intent of these documents could leave no prospective developer in any doubt as to where the Council wished higher density development to occur and what type(s) of development it considered appropriate. Any doubts could easily to clarified by discussion with Council before moving too far ahead.

We recognize that, for the best outcome (as defined throughout Melbourne 2030) it is essential that each Activity Centre in Monash must have a detailed strategic analysis and Structure Plan process, which is both expensive and time consuming. It is equally important that these analyses are not rushed. In the mean time there is a high probability that developments will be put forward pre-emptively and/or prematurely that are inappropriate for their proposed locations and that do not reflect the intent of Melbourne 2030. We believe that "The Peak" in Wheelers Hill is such a development.

For these reasons we support the application of an interim Design and Development Overlay (DDO) and further, we advocate that it should be conservative (safe). That is, we do not think it should move substantially away from the existing neighbourhood character and built form.

This will enable the Council to complete a Structure Plan for the Wheelers Hill Neighbourhood Activity Centre. We understand from discussion with Council that this structure plan should be completed by the end of November 2005.

2.3 Monash Municipal Strategic Statement (MSS)

The MRA generally supports the Council’s MSS which identifies areas for increased housing diversity and density as "being generally west of the Glen Waverley Activity Centre, generally north east of the Clayton Activity Centre and west and south of Monash University."

In considering its priorities, we are aware that the Council has focused on the higher level activity centres (Principle and Major) as required by Melbourne 2030. This is a logical and responsible approach, but has left it in a difficult position with respect to Wheelers Hill, a remote neighbourhood activity centre within the Monash municipality.

To top of page

3. MRA position statement on Wheelers Hill  Neighborhood  Activity Centre

3.1 The Wheelers Hill Activity Centre is:

Whilst buses pass through, there is no bus interchange.

The shopping centre is a relatively small convenience shopping centre providing a limited range of services.

An aerial view of the Wheelers Hill Intersection.

To top of page

The pines: Two different views

Below the pine trees on the same corner of the intersection is the library and art gallery, the latter designed by architect Harry Siedler. Interestingly, whilst attractive buildings, they are not a dominating building, blending well into the hill and the neighbourhood.

The Library & Art Gallery from the east

To top of page

The historic Wheelers Hill Hotel

On the north west corner of the intersection is the Gym and some other commercial buildings. Despite its four story height, it is surprisingly unobtrusive, and blends in naturally with its surrounding trees.

Three views of the Gym corner (NW corner)

The MRA is of the view that all these properties have been deliberately designed and developed over time to blend naturally into their surroundings. They are quite deliberately unobtrusive by design.

The same can be said of the rest of the Wheelers Hill District Centre and its surrounding environs.

"The Peak" proposed development has generated a considerable amount of public and local neighbourhood angst and activity.

The tone of those from the community who spoke at the public meeting ranged from concern to open hostility towards the proposal. The mood of the audience was reflective of the stance of the speakers from the audience. Except for the developer’s representatives, no one spoke in favour of the development.

(The issues raised in the objections are summarised in the Submission made by Mr Lonie of Clayton Utz on behalf of the Monash City Council. Ref Pages 2 and 3).

Through our ongoing communications with the community and other information we receive about community attitude towards this proposed development, nothing has changed.

At no time during this public information meeting was Melbourne 2030 and its objectives discussed in any detail by those representatives of the developer . We do not recall it being discussed at all.

4.2 "The Peak" Landmark building

The MRA believes that the basis of this proposed development arises almost solely from the views afforded by its location and the desire of the developer to create a landmark building. (An icon.)

Summary

We urge the panel not to recommend that the development proceed in its present form because: