Author Archives: Royal Park

Visit to Drill Site East West Link

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Visit to proposed Drill sites

PPL and RPPG reps  met at 12 noon at the Football Pavilion between Brens Drive and H G Smith Ovals

See Map of drill sites. We visited EWL-B12 – 012 first on the crown of the hill in the grasslands This was an aboriginal corroboree site and are important grasslands and habitat for grasslands parrots and feeding ground for flocks of native birds.  We also checked out EWL-B12-013 and 014.

The group then drove around to Brens Drive park outside the State Netball and Hockey Centre then walked back to meet at Anzac Hall.  We inspected the drilling site next to or opposite Anzac Hall.

See  EWL-B12-007 at the corner of O’Neill Street and Canning Street Carlton on the triangle of land near the Dan O’Connell Hotel Drilling will start there on Monday next.  The Dan O’Connell Hotel only got a note under its door on Thursday afternoon advising of the drilling. .

You do realise that the drill sites indicate the alignment of the EW Link and that the Government wont be able to afford a tunnel so as we were told during the Eddington Review the motorway will be “cut and cover” – cut now cover in 5 years if ever.

Meeting with Linking Melbourne Authority

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Briefing Session by LMA to Community Groups on Drilling Program: A request was made that LMA brief community groups on the drilling program as a matter of urgency as  – to our alarm  – it had already started on the roundabout in Carlton at the intersection of Swanston Street and Cemetery Drive and in Alfred Street Continue reading →

Protest to Council

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Royal Park Protection Group sought legal advice on what protection could be provided to the Royal Park regarding drilling planned.

Paul Leitinger and Julianne Bell, as our representatives. attended the MCC meeting on July 10th, 2012 of the Council’s Future Melbourne Committee’s stated position.

They provided submissions opposing the drilling and pointing out the Council

On May 8th the Council had stated it “was opposed to use of any parkland for the purpose of any roadworks or associated activities”.

The members of the Committee listened to our proposal that a management plan with penalties was required as a minimum and agreed to put in place such a plan with protection measures. We were thanked for the legal opinion and our submission.

Drill sites give clue to future path of road tunnel

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From The Age

IS THIS the path the controversial east-west road tunnel will cut through the inner city?

In an application to Melbourne City Council the Baillieu government is requesting approval for 13 test drilling sites in Royal Park and surrounding suburbs to plan for the multibillion-dollar project.

In an indication of its preferred route for the tunnel, maps show the drill sites run in a direct line from Alexandra Parade under the Melbourne Cemetery and Royal Park.

At the back of the indicative route the drill sites split, suggesting locations for inbound and outbound connections to CityLink in Royal Park and nearby neighbourhoods.

The application for ”preliminary geotechnical drilling” is part of a $15 million business case being prepared for the 18-kilometre tunnel, which tops the Baillieu government’s infrastructure wish-list.

The government says the project will ease traffic congestion on Melbourne’s roads and create an alternative cross-city route for cars and trucks. Since it was first proposed under the previous state government the tunnel has faced heated local opposition over tolls and concerns over its impact on the inner city and parkland.

The project received a boost earlier this month when Opposition Leader Tony Abbott committed $1.5 billion to help build it. It has been reported federal Labor could also commit funding later this year. Continue reading →

AUSTRALIAN NATIVE GARDEN

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Julianne Bell wrote to MCC on behalf of Protectors of Public Lands Victoria Inc. and the Royal Park Protection Group Inc. to draw attention to the condition of the billabong in the Australian NativeGarden.  It was covered in what appears to be a form of red algae or water weed which covers the water entirely.  It seems to have been there for at least 12 Months.

“This stretch of water used to be home to a number of species of birds but these have disappeared with the exception of a few ducks. In addition to the water birds,  there were little “bush birds” living in the vegetation on the banks of the pond and used to skim the water picking up insects. But, as far as we know, they are no longer there. See photo of the billabong taken last week.  Also of concern is the condition of the swale running north-south through the Gardens along the line of what once was a creek into the pond. We assume that the swale is now stagnant.    We should be pleased if you can immediately authorise removal of this carpet of red algae and proceed with the rehabilitation of the billabong and swale. This matter is urgent to encourage birds to return to theAustralian Native Garden.”

A positive response was received and the state of the billabong is much improved.

Toilets create stink at Royal Park

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Julianne Bell and Protectors of Public Lands members at the planned toilet site. PIC: MATT MURPHY

Julianne Bell and Protectors of Public Lands members at the planned toilet site. PIC: MATT MURPHY

A PARKLAND protection group is kicking up a stink over Melbourne Council plans to install a $200,000 public toilet in Royal Park, saying it would kill heritage trees.

The council is set to start work on the aluminium toilet building in Gatehouse St, near the corner with Park Drive, next month.

But Protectors of Public Lands is fighting to have the toilet moved, saying the proposed site would kill two historic pepper trees and spoil a major entrance to the park.

“It is an extreme act of vandalism,” spokeswoman Julianne Bell told the Leader last week.

Ms Bell also warned public toilets could attract illegal and anti-social behaviour, which she said had led to the partial closure of a public toilet at nearby Western Oval.

But council spokesman Sam Bishop denied there would be any tree damage and said the plan had been supported in public consultation that ended on April 10.

“The public toilet will be installed next to the path at the edge of the park to ensure the safety and convenience of park visitors and local residents,” Mr Bishop said.

Cr Cathy Oke said the council had done a significant amount of work with tree expert

From Melbourne Leader see article http://melbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/toilets-create-bit-of-a-royal-park-stink/

Wells plans to fix projects dilemma

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From the Age 27 Jun 2011 – http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/wells-plans-to-fix-projects-dilemma-20110626-1gltm.html

A TUNNEL from the Eastern Freeway to the Tullamarine Freeway will be considered by the Baillieu government as part of an infrastructure plan ordered by Treasurer Kim Wells, following widespread criticism that Victoria is not planning major projects.

Mr Wells has ordered his department to urgently get to work on an infrastructure plan for Victoria after being warned the state is at risk of losing billions of dollars of investment and thousands of skilled workers to New South Wales and Queensland.

The Age believes the government will reconsider a range of transport projects flagged by the previous government, including an east-west road tunnel from the Eastern Freeway to the Tullamarine Freeway, a metro rail tunnel from Footscray to St Kilda Road, and a ”missing link” connection between the Metropolitan Ring Road and the Eastern Freeway. Continue reading →

OUR PARKS FOR HIRE

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Toss the Council’s position and to review the comments and add your own
in the discussion about the hire out of our park. It is amazing to see the
money being generated. If there were no such events then money would not
be required for repair and restoration!
Events now held in parks should be held in purpose built venues not in
parkland used for passive recreation e.g. the Big Day Out – a rock concert –
was in Princes Park and after community opposition was moved to
Flemington Racecourse.
RPPG managed to prevent having polo matches in Royal Park which would
have destroyed the hill top used for passive recreation south of the State
Netball and Hockey Centre.
It is important that Royal Park be protected and preserved for passive
recreation for all including our wildlife. Our wonderful park should not be
seen as just paddocks for hire.

From Melbourne Leader

HAVE YOUR SAY: Melbourne Council rakes in park hire revenue

Royal Park in Parkville was Melbourne Council’s most profitable park during 2009/10. Picture: MATT MURPHY from Melbourne Leader

MELBOURNE Council expects to reap more than $1 million in park hire fees this financial year, prompting claims that resident access is being overlooked in favour of financial gain.

The council’s predicted revenue stands in stark contrast to neighbouring Yarra Council, which projects it will make just $81,522 out of park and sports ground hire in 2011/12.

Melbourne Council chief executive Kathy Alexander said parks were hired for purposes including weddings, personal training, sporting activities and major events.

The council collected $924,315 in 2009/10 and about $676,000 in 2010/11. Estimated revenue for 2011/12 is $1,090,864. For event organisers wanting to hire a section of a park, the cost is $1 per sq m.

Ms Alexander said all revenue was used for service provision and a portion of it was reinvested into parks. But Protectors of Public Lands spokeswoman Julianne Bell said it was “appalling” that public space was being tied up for private or commercial use.

“Access to public open space, parks and gardens for passive recreation is a right of all people of Melbourne, and it is particularly important given Melbourne’s growing population,” Mrs Bell said.

“By hiring it out for specific purposes they (the council) are denying people access to parks and gardens. The city council is there to serve the ratepayers – they’re not a money-making operation.”

Mrs Bell said the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, which occupies the southern part of Carlton Gardens for 18 days and makes the council $110,000 in fees, was an example of people losing access to community parks.

Ms Alexander said a review of the fee structure was underway and would be considered by councillors this financial year.

Greens councillor Cathy Oke said the council needed to be careful how often it closed off areas for private use. But she said the fees were appropriate given the cost of managing and rehabilitating parks after events.

For Full Article http://melbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/melbourne-council-rakes-in-park-hire-revenue/