Opposed to Residents Concerns
Robert Doyle | Ken Ken Ong | Stephen Mayne |
Susan Riley |
[ Kevin Louey |
|
[ Cathy Oake |
Rohan Leppert |
Support for Residents
Richard Foster | Beverley Pinder-Mortimer | Jackie Watts |
For the last two years the City Council engineers and planners have opposed the establishment of an early-learning centre, on the Corner of Toorak Road West and Leopold Street South Yarra, supporting residents concerns in relation to traffic management, parking, Safety and heritage.
Last weeks decision to support the development has come as a surprise given that very little has changed to address the problems foreseen with the proposed development with no net gain to the amenity of the area.
Goodrest is one of South Yarra's most prized heritage assets, located within a residential neighbourhood zone the proposed construction of a 28 underground car-park with the car park entrance off Toorak road, demolition of residential apartments at the rear and the construction of a new Commercial building in its place.
Only Two Councillors (Cr Beverly Pinder-Mortimer and Cr Kevin Louey) met with residents on site. Both indicated at the time they would be opposed to the granting of a planning permit.
Cr Louey later voted with the Lord Mayor to approve the development whilst Cr Pinder-Mortimer, who lives in the area, maintained her position and concerns over safety and planning. Cr Richard Foster spoke passionately in opposition to the granting of a permit and Cr Jackie Watts (who did not attend the meeting on September 1) has also privately indicated that she was opposed to the development.
The level of dissatisfaction with the City Council is growing, with some residents calling for a review of the City of Melbourne;s external boundaries. The City Council is focused on the CDB, Kensington and North Melbourne, Melbourne two Green Councillors sided with the Lord Mayor in supporting the non-conforming development