Volume 5 Number 2 Home Page: http://www.vicnet.net.au/~tcpa/ May 1998
Report of TCPA Forum
Urban Consolidation – Finding the balance
The forum, held on 30th March, was moderately well attended. The speakers each gave a different perspective on the subject. Professor Patrick Troy spoke in support of the traditional suburban form of single dwellings on quarter acre blocks. He spoke of the benefits this pattern brings in terms of tree cover and open space. Dr Peter Newton described work of the CSIRO to model the effects of urban consolidation on air quality. It was clear that higher density would be a mixed blessing: reducing the quantities of some pollutants, particularly the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, but exposing more people to the particulates emitted by diesel-powered vehicles. Val Ross gave the residents’ viewpoint on what is happening in our middle suburbs: the loss of much-loved houses and trees, unimaginative use of the Good Design Guide for medium density housing, overlooking, parking and traffic difficulties, loss of control by local councils. Jeremy Reynolds talked about the changing demographics of Melbourne: the shrinking household size, the growing need for smaller housing units, the increasing popularity of inner city living. These different viewpoints were not reconciled in the ensuing discussion, but it is clear that Melbourne will continue to experience change, and change must be better managed if we are to avoid the verbal warfare that now rages between residents developers and planners.
On Your Behalf
Audit of Planning Performance
The Victorian Auditor General’s Office is developing a brief for a performance audit of the State’s planning system. The audit is to focus on assessing whether the Planning Act is being administered efficiently and effectively in the issuing of planning permits. The AG’s Office has called for submissions from the public to assist with the development of the brief. Very little time has been allowed: the closing date for submissions is 16th May. TCPA is preparing a submission (see overleaf).
Planning Practice ‘98
People’s Committee for Melbourne Planning Practice '98 Forum will be held on 23 May 1.30-5.30 pm at North Melbourne Library. Miles Lewis will be speaking about the Planning Charter. For further information, please contact Mark at the PCM office on (03) 9326 8245.
Public Lecture
Planning for Cities of Difference
Ruth Fincher, Professor of Urban Planning at Melbourne University, will consider whether, in the planning and regulation of cities currently being undertaken, we are generating material differences in our cities and in urban lives that are to be celebrated or regretted. Wednesday 20th May, 6.30 - 8.00 p.m. Refreshments from 6.00 p.m. Prince Philip Theatre, Faculty of Architecture, Building & Planning, University of Melbourne.
Public Transport Charter
The Victorian Public Transport Customer Charter is now completed. Copies may be obtained from Victorian Council of Social Service, Consumer Law Centre Vic Ltd, and Environment Victoria. Also available on the internet at www.vicnet.net.au/~clcv/charter.
Green Technology House Tour and Display
The St Andrews branch of the Victorian Greens are running a tour of houses in the St Andrews area which incorporate a wide range of green technology features. They include solar and wind generation, environmentally sensitive design, sun-sensitive aspect, double glazing, radially sawn timber, recycled timber, mud brick, water re-use, permaculture and much more. There will also be displays of the technologies employed, with tradespeople on hand to answer questions. The tour will be open between 10 am and 4 pm on Sunday June 7th, starting at Allwood Neighbourhood House, Hurstbridge (close to the station); cost $5 per person. Contact Karin Geradts 9718 2803.
Help Wanted
Web Pages
We would appreciate help from anyone with email who can use FTP to upload web pages to our web site. Please call or email Ray Walford if you can assist.
News
If you have any planning news that may be of interest to other TCPA members, please send it by post or email to Ray Walford, c/- TCPA.
The Main Points of our Submission to the Auditor General
• The TCPA believes that there are many defects in the current operation of the planning system, and that they relate mainly to lack of consistency, lack of transparency, and lack of effective consultation. It submits that the Charter for Planning, attached, expresses the basic principles under which the planning system should operate.
• The usual procedures of planning have been overridden by the State Government in relation to major projects such as Citylink, the Crown Casino, and the Grand Prix in Albert Park.
• In relation to the last point, the procedures for public consultation in relation to major projects have been inadequate where they exist at all.
• Parkland is being eroded at a prodigal rate for development purposes. The Alpine National Park has been unjustifiably dismembered. Almost every major urban park has had some attack upon it. There seems to be no conception that this is an irreversible process, and can only end up in the effective destruction of the whole parks system.
• Major roads are designed without taking proper account of their impact upon the environment and their effect upon urban development. The overall effect of projects like Citylink and the Scoresby Bypass is to make Melbourne an even more car-dependent city and to promote the urban sprawl.
• The public transport system is not being extended and improved to keep pace with new development. Not only are the routes themselves not being extended, but in the case of routes which might compete with Citylink they are actually precluded for the future.
• The powers of the Minister for Planning to issue directives, to intervene in cases, to call in cases, and to refer matters to panels and advisory committees have never been so great or so extensively used. They are used also as threats to Councils which may not act as the Minister wishes.
• The government has failed to take direct control to prevent land on the periphery of Melbourne being developed from agricultural to residential purposes, and has thus encouraged the urban sprawl.
Addresses for Correspondence
The Secretary,
Town and Country Planning Association,
Box 312,
Collins Street West PO, Melbourne, Vic. 8007.
President: Dr Miles Lewis: 9419 6030 (ah) e-mail: lewis@architecture.unimelb.edu.au
Vice President: Ray Walford: 9817 4684 (ah) e-mail:
r.walford@praxa.com.auSecretary (acting): David Rayson: 9690 1575 (ah) e-mail rddc@one.net.au