Shepparton Mayoral trip to Sister City Esashi in Japan

City Council has used the recent mayoral trip to Sister City Esashi to rescind a 1997 Council resolution in relation to the former International Village precinct.

The 1997 recommendation held in good faith and broadly debated in this community over the past seven years states:

‘The Japanese Folk Arts Museum not to be rebuilt and that any insurance payout be directed towards the development and maintenance of an enhanced Japanese Garden on the existing site at Parkside Gardens and other expenses associated with the development of Parkside Gardens as an area of public open space.’

We are extremely angered by the 2005 ‘in house’ Council decision to spend only a small portion of the monies on the artifacts promised to the Esashi people, and a plaque on the Japanese dedicated site indicating its historical significance.

The new recommendation is inappropriate and insulting to the international benefactors and local community’s efforts to establish and maintain a multicultural precinct which has achieved Victorian Heritage recognition for its significant social and cultural significance.

In response to a media suggestion by Mayor Anne McCamish in July, that it would be nice for the Parkside Gardens group to be involved in the replacement of Japanese artifacts, a written offer was sent to request a Council meeting with relevant community representatives.

The historical archives held can provide all that is necessary to expend the monies held in Council reserve for the past seven years. In her written response to our membership Cr McCamish indicated a possible visit by the Mayor of Esashi in October this year, and that "it would be good to have something to show him". No community consultation meeting has been arranged despite a second request in August.

Does Cr. McCamish intend to give the Mayor of Esashi a tour of the former pristine Village to show him the intended site for the cultural plaque? Maybe, at the same time he will observe the devastation incurred by the Council bulldozers to other cultural heritage buildings and icons, and removal of healthy trees in preparation for the VicUrban culturally insignificant Grove Lakeside residential development.

Postscript: On Tuesday 6th September, Mayor Anne McCamish told the public gallery that the Mayor of Esashi is to visit on 16th October 2005.

Does he know that housing will be built, not only on the Japanese dedicated site but also the Chinese, Dutch, Greek and Korean sites where Council demolition has cleared the once beautiful international displays and Gardens?

Does he also know of this community's campaign waged since 1995 to retain the pristine former International Village for all to enjoy?

Greater Shepparton Botanic Gardens Ass.Inc

		Friday 16th of September 2005 City Council Mayoral trip to Sister City Esashi in Japan
	City Council has used the recent mayoral trip to Sister City Esashi to rescind a 1997 Council resolution in relation to the former International Village precinct. The 1997 recommendation held in good faith and broadly debated in this community over the past seven years states: ‘The Japanese Folk Arts Museum not to be rebuilt and that any insurance payout be directed towards the development and maintenance of an enhanced Japanese Garden on the existing site at Parkside Gardens and other expenses associated with the development of Parkside Gardens as an area of public open space.’ We are extremely angered by the 2005 ‘in house’ Council decision to spend only a small portion of the monies on the artifacts promised to the Esashi people, and a plaque on the Japanese dedicated site indicating its historical significance. The new recommendation is inappropriate and insulting to the international benefactors and local community’s efforts to establish and maintain a multicultural precinct which has achieved Victorian Heritage recognition for its significant social and cultural significance. In response to a media suggestion by Mayor Anne McCamish in July, that it would be nice for the Parkside Gardens group to be involved in the replacement of Japanese artifacts, a written offer was sent to request a Council meeting with relevant community representatives. The historical archives held can provide all that is necessary to expend the monies held in Council reserve for the past seven years. In her written response to our membership Cr McCamish indicated a possible visit by the Mayor of Esashi in October this year, and that "it would be good to have something to show him". No community consultation meeting has been arranged despite a second request in August. Does Cr. McCamish intend to give the Mayor of Esashi a tour of the former pristine Village to show him the intended site for the cultural plaque? Maybe, at the same time he will observe the devastation incurred by the Council bulldozers to other cultural heritage buildings and icons, and removal of healthy trees in preparation for the VicUrban culturally insignificant Grove Lakeside residential development. Postscript: On Tuesday 6th September, Mayor Anne McCamish told the public gallery that the Mayor of Esashi is to visit on 16th October 2005. Does he know that housing will be built, not only on the Japanese dedicated site but also the Chinese, Dutch, Greek and Korean sites where Council demolition has cleared the once beautiful international displays and Gardens? Does he also know of this community's campaign waged since 1995 to retain the pristine former International Village for all to enjoy?

Greater Shepparton Botanic Gardens Ass.Inc