What qualification does Cr John Gray hold to enable him to assess local heritage?

Cr Gray is a member of the Greater Shepparton Local Heritage Study Committee which has overseen Stage 1 & 2 of Greater Shepparton's local heritage since 2000.

Cr Gray presented to the recent Parkside Gardens (former International Village site) hearing conducted by Heritage Victoria Council's Committee of three members.
His submission to Heritage Victoria was written as a personal objection to any heritage listing of the site, saying that it

"has very little historical, heritage or cultural value (and very little social or sentimental value) and virtually no state significance whatsoever."

He also stated that none of the submitters (475 objectors) to the planning scheme amendment to rezone the site for residential purposes, with the exception of the Philippine Association, addressed the cultural significance of the site.

"Had the community (or even the applicant group), 'Friends of Parkside Gardens' had the slightest sense that the site was of cultural heritage significance there would have been a much earlier application for such a registration", John Gray also stated.

Sorry John, but the facts are that the Minister's planning panel told the community in January this year that the only reason they were appointed was: to look at the suitability/or not of the site for residential purposes.

No social impact objections were considered and environmental factors such as noise, pollution and flooding are yet to be dealt with. There was no provision for cultural heritage discussion within this planning amendment C40 Panel Hearing in February ''04.

When a Heritage Victoria Committee Member asked Council representatives at the August hearing why the site and buildings had not been assessed during the four years of heritage study, no satisfactory explanation was given.

Prior to the Heritage Hearing, written evidence was provided to Heritage Victoria assessors that the former International Village site was first registered in 2000 by two of our members, with Stage one of the GS Council Heritage Study.

This evidence included copies of letters to Cr Gray, and each of the other Councillors, to advise them of this registration in June 2000.
At the Heritage hearing , Cr Gray stated that he had no recollection of this letter, or of the earlier registration to the study.

Council's destruction of the Chinese heritage then occurred in 2000 and 2002
(a significant loss to the integrity of the heritage value of the site).

How convenient for Council- given the subsequent decision for residential development in 2001!

The March "04 application to Heritage Victoria preceded the decision of the Planning Panel, and was not a "last-ditch effort" as the Cr suggests, but a comprehensive historical document submitted by this community to have our heritage assessed and protected by the State appointed authority.

Despite Heritage Victoria's strong recommendation that the entire site has significant local heritage and should be placed upon the local planning scheme - at the City Council meeting 2nd November, Cr Gray had the most to say in opposing the recommendation.

Only Cr Wilson who has, at all stages of this issue, been a dissenting voice in Council meetings, spoke in the broad community's interest.

Six of the seven Councillors recommend to apply a local heritage overlay only to the Philippine House and Museum. The beautiful surrounding land waterways, flora and fauna will be destroyed and covered with medium density private housing. Public open space on the site is minimal, and inaccessible, according to VicUrban's 2003 residential proposal.

Nothing was said about the Victorian state listing of the Bangerang Cultural Centre , an excellent outcome for the traditional owners of the land, and our community.
So much for the multi-cultural spirit yet abiding at this 31 year old established precinct.

This is economic rationalism at its worst -
democratic principles have departed Greater Shepparton.

Greater Shepparton Botanic Gardens Ass. Inc

		Cr Gray loudly disputes heritage recommendation. What qualification does Cr John Gray hold to enable him to assess local heritage?
	Cr Gray is a member of the Greater Shepparton Local Heritage Study Committee which has overseen Stage 1 & 2 of Greater Shepparton's local heritage since 2000. Cr Gray presented to the recent Parkside Gardens (former International Village site) hearing conducted by Heritage Victoria Council's Committee of three members. His submission to Heritage Victoria was written as a personal objection to any heritage listing of the site, saying that it "has very little historical, heritage or cultural value (and very little social or sentimental value) and virtually no state significance whatsoever." He also stated that none of the submitters (475 objectors) to the planning scheme amendment to rezone the site for residential purposes, with the exception of the Philippine Association, addressed the cultural significance of the site. "Had the community (or even the applicant group), 'Friends of Parkside Gardens' had the slightest sense that the site was of cultural heritage significance there would have been a much earlier application for such a registration", John Gray also stated. Sorry John, but the facts are that the Minister's planning panel told the community in January this year that the only reason they were appointed was: to look at the suitability/or not of the site for residential purposes. No social impact objections were considered and environmental factors such as noise, pollution and flooding are yet to be dealt with. There was no provision for cultural heritage discussion within this planning amendment C40 Panel Hearing in February ''04. When a Heritage Victoria Committee Member asked Council representatives at the August hearing why the site and buildings had not been assessed during the four years of heritage study, no satisfactory explanation was given. Prior to the Heritage Hearing, written evidence was provided to Heritage Victoria assessors that the former International Village site was first registered in 2000 by two of our members, with Stage one of the GS Council Heritage Study. This evidence included copies of letters to Cr Gray, and each of the other Councillors, to advise them of this registration in June 2000. At the Heritage hearing , Cr Gray stated that he had no recollection of this letter, or of the earlier registration to the study. Council's destruction of the Chinese heritage then occurred in 2000 and 2002 (a significant loss to the integrity of the heritage value of the site). How convenient for Council- given the subsequent decision for residential development in 2001! The March "04 application to Heritage Victoria preceded the decision of the Planning Panel, and was not a "last-ditch effort" as the Cr suggests, but a comprehensive historical document submitted by this community to have our heritage assessed and protected by the State appointed authority. Despite Heritage Victoria's strong recommendation that the entire site has significant local heritage and should be placed upon the local planning scheme - at the City Council meeting 2nd November, Cr Gray had the most to say in opposing the recommendation. Only Cr Wilson who has, at all stages of this issue, been a dissenting voice in Council meetings, spoke in the broad community's interest. Six of the seven Councillors recommend to apply a local heritage overlay only to the Philippine House and Museum. The beautiful surrounding land waterways, flora and fauna will be destroyed and covered with medium density private housing. Public open space on the site is minimal, and inaccessible, according to VicUrban's 2003 residential proposal. Nothing was said about the Victorian state listing of the Bangerang Cultural Centre , an excellent outcome for the traditional owners of the land, and our community. So much for the multi-cultural spirit yet abiding at this 31 year old established precinct. This is economic rationalism at its worst - democratic principles have departed Greater Shepparton.

Greater Shepparton Botanic Gardens Ass. Inc