Welcome to my Fairy Hills Ivanhoe 2019!

Heritage Uniting Church dominates streetscape Seddon St and all views to centre of the Shopping Village - across Ivanhoe and Eaglemont .

Here are the VCAT dates for the latest challenge to our Pictureque Shopping Village of Ivanhoe.

(Plans are available at  https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Planning-building/Review-local-planning-applications/Planning-applications-of-significant-interest/8-16-Seddon-Street-Ivanhoe )

TUESDAY 24th SEPT 2019  - COUNCIL Briefing - with Developer and Residents - Re some new slighly altered plans - A3 Hard Copy Plans will be delivered the following day ready for VCAT Compulsory Confernec the folowing Tuesday 

TUESDAY 1st OCT 2019 - VCAT Compulsory Conference - only registered Parties allowed to attend.

MONDAY 18th Nov 2019 - Full Hearing - currently 4 days  - all interested parties may attend - Including Observers 

Key Issues :

Heights above Mandatory Heights - NO Height given for Heritage Site by Council or GOVT. 

Change to orignal configuration of Site - develops potential height / setback  anomalies

Privatisation VS "enhancement" of Kitchener Reserve opposite Railway Station

Extra vehicle traffic hazard across KEY pedestrian route to Station. ( X 2 ) 

Massing to Seddon St and Rear Laneway -  with street wall ARCHES dominating Streetscape along Seddon and Norman Sts 

Overall lack of respect for heritage nature of Shopping Precinct.

Reduction in Light Amenity to Westley Ave Evergreen Apartments at rear. 

The home of Fairy Hills Artists Napier Waller and Christian Yandell - Preserved by the Victorian Government ( and also now identifyable as the fictional home of Dr Blake of the Dr Blake TV series.

- Fairy Hills is an older part of Melbourne. In the european era, it was first settled in the 1830's to 60's, - by some of the wealthiest and most influential figures in the Colony of Victoria.

The escarpments of the Darebin Creek and Yarra River meet in Fairy Hills, and together help to create it's undulating landscape and the abundance of wildlife and scenic views. The locality abounds in numerous shaded walking paths parks and quiet streets, a variety of very old and unusual trees, and many steetscapes of interesting period homes.

Local architetural gems range from the imposing mansions of the 1860s and 70's, to the smaller, but still fascinating, and extremely diverse range of well-crafted dwellings of the 1920's and 30s, and also the more modern, low profile, "outdoors on the inside" type dwellings of the 1960's -  with their walls of glass facing the river. (The Robin Boyd era - which many still emulate today) 

We hope to engage you with caring for your community and preserving residential amenity and heritage. We also aim to have good engagement with Council - and to inform our Councillors how they too can protect our diverse heritage, amenity and sense of community across Ivanhoe and Banyule.

See the Latest NEWS in the panels below for whats happening and what you can be involved in, around Fairy Hills and wider Banyule.

Current Civic Precinct Plan on Councils Shaping Banyule WEBSITE (Jan 11 -2018) Shows Current Library removed,

Jan 2018 - What has happened over the last 12 months ?

RE the Controversy over the Ivanhoe Civic Precinct Plan and the NEW Library HUB?

Oct. 2016 - Council Elections, the Civic Precinct Masterplan and the proposed Plans for a NEW Library and  Cultural Hub - were keenly discussed  issues. Town Planning issues also featured strongly and our new incoming Ward Councillor Peter Castaldo ran on both issues.

March 2017 - our new Ward Councillor -  was able to convince his fellow Councillors to amend the Plans for the Civic Precinct and Library Hub. The Council voted to remove a large decked Car Park behind the Town Hall, to allow more consultation on reinstating car access from Upper Heidelberg Rd.;  and also allow consultation on revamping the Civic Precinct landscape - along with discussion about the HUB istelf. To allay concerns about the sale of the council land where the current iconic 1960s Library stands; they instead proposed an at-grade car park on this part of the site.   (Also see more comment below : Concerns still remaining about the project )    

June - Oct 2017 - Following complaints about previous consultations run by Planning Staff (prior to the Council Elections) -  new ARTS and COMMUNITY based Council Staff engaged with residents  -  to review the Plans for the Ivanhoe Civic Precinct and the Library and Cultural Hub. Architects drawings were refreshed during the process, in response to mainly staff ( and some U3A) feedback.

GREAT CONCERN and DISMAY by OCTOBER 2017

While some parts of this second ( 2017 ) consultation were good; others were very much less so......  Particularly concerning  - was the lack of a  well advertised in advance, public information session and Q & A at a large-venue, ( To be held on a weekend  - when people can attend even if they work)

Residents who had placed themselves on the Council Consultation Committee for this Consultation Process in June 2017, were alarmed and dismayed to find that by October 2017 - this Public Info Meeting would NOT eventuate; As well - some messages about other smaller meetings were not communicated to committee members,( including the only weekend event - a small Sunday Pop Up event)  This was held in very limited space in the Library ( in about 2 square metres of aisle between 2 noticeboards ) and was attended by some by  accident - These members have become quite cynical about the process overall, and disppointed as they would have been able to publicise this only weekend event through their wide networks -  if they had known it was on, and especially as it became the one and only weekend meeting.  

The general poublic not already involved with Council groups or the library or U3A - have not particpated in a very deliberative way in this process because they have not known about it. Extra efforts were made to contact special groups via Schools and Kinders - which was great. BUT why avoid a basic town hall meeting ? Did they avoid suh a meeting when the wanted evryine to know about the NE LINK Campaign ? NO - They went all OUT with special letters across Banyule.

Further Concerns with process :

• No documentation was made available or on display at Ivanhoe Customer Service throughout the process,
• Articles in the Banyule Banner were vague and did not show pictures of the proposal in any clear way,
• Likewise newspaper advertising was vague,
• Points raised about effects to outside of the heritage listed Town Hall on several occassions were ignored.
• BUT especially of concern was to find, in October 2017, - that the consultation process was over -  despite the lack of a large, well-advertised Public Info Meeting -  
• This is amazing considering the sizeable cost of the project - about $23.8 Million*. In retrospect this proposed meeting should have been advertised with the Rates Notice.
• Cost of Project * See DEC 2017 anouncemnt by State Govt

Discussions with the Senior Staff managing this Consultation are continuing now, to ensure the staff are well aware of the community concerns about the "duping" of the committee into believing this type of meeting would ocurr.

Chance for More Comment:

If you did not know about the Civic Precinct and Library Hub Consultation meetings ("POP UPS") that were held, OR  you were not part of the special interest groups who were consulted, - please, contact this website -  to be placed on our email list for notification of any future consultations we may be able to have.

SOON : there will be Planning Permits SIGNS  for the NEW building placed on /or outside the TOWN HALL - this is another LAST opportunity to have your say about certain aspects of the plan which you may NOT LIKE. WATCH  OUT for the signs -  and let us know if you see them - We are not sure the staff will let us know !

You can also note your displeasure about the lack of well publicised Major Public Information Meeting on a weekend - on the Council's new Shaping Banyule Website :  https://shaping.banyule.vic.gov.au/ -  MORE  Info on the project is on that site  - BUT DO show you are interested and ASK QUESTIONS.

Concerns still remaining about the project are:

CIVC PRECINCT

1. The current iconic 1960s library is to be pulled down rather than added to by an aerial walkway to the new  building. Some believe this building should be part of the project.
2. Its removal, for a what at the moment is planned to be an at-grade Car Park - still seems to allow for the land UNDER the CURRENT LIBRARY  to be sold at a later date. ( It is zoned commercial already -  so that could be quick -  if Council decides on that later)
3. The Decked Concrete Car Park, originally for the rear of the Town Hall Precinct could still be built and road access plans could still alter - if Council changes its mind.
4. Plans are still not fully formed on how the Civic Precinct will mesh with the southern part of the lands commercial uses, despite elaborate landscaping ideas for the library immediate environs
5. Integration of the site with other Council land to the south ( Bryant's Reserve near Ivanhoe Primary, and the Car Park adjacentto it - which has views of the City  - has not yet been considered in the Plan.
6. The Hatch ARTSPACE ( a small, fully renovated, ....and beautiful...  ( with amazing ceilings) Art DECO Gallery -  owned by Council is STILL TO BE SOLD
7. The current U3A timber building attached* to the HATCH - is STILL TO BE SOLD.

These are both parts of our cultural heritage as buildings. They have been used for dances and as temporary Town Hall Offices -  as well as being used by many unusual organsiations making up our history. ( More details available from The Heidelberg Historical Society)  and these buildings will also be sold to developers who can build at least 4 storeys of Apartments on the site (The site overlooks the Bryant Reserve playground and the access to Ivanhoe Primary. ( * See More at Future of the HATCH and Old Council Offices - in the section below )   

LIBRARY and CULTURAL HUB

Many logistics matters were ironed out over the June to Oct period last year, but mainly with persistence by Library Staff and U3A members who had specific meetings with staff running gthe Consultation. Similar matters raised by the public were ignored.  

The Main Areas of Concern are :

• The Blacking OUT of Windows at the front of the State Heritage-Listed Town Hall- will make it seem desolate and unused and not a" live" buidling the simple fix is to swap the U3A space with the proposed gallery ( they are the same size ) and both will need some blacking out but the U3A less.
• How high the building might now be with added viewing deck and rooftop garden  and possibly later Solar Panels
• How much of the Town Hall Tower will actually be seen around Ivanhoe ? ( It is gradually being submerged by builidings suurounding it throught the shopping center and several important viewlines are already destroyed by the Westely Ave Building and Coles have yet to develop their site to gthe heights thye are allowed ( and possibly more of we lose Mandatory Controls at the end of 2018.
• The complicated layers of hard paving and landscaping ajacent to the Town Hall / Library HUB - will this look any good ? or look too fussy ? and hinder use ?
• Should more parts of the library be readable from the entrance ?
• Is there enough room for Customer Service functions  - as this will disappear from the curent location ?
• Won't the massive stairs throughout the middle of the plan be too noisy ?
• Is a Cafe needed in front ? OR could it be in a more secluded ( and quieter ) space ? What type of Cafe should it be ?
• Will staff be adquately be able to keep an eye on parked Prams ?
• Will there be enough parking for all the diffenre t uses ? and now more staff will be moved from other locations -what about that extra parking ?
• Shouldn't there be a cloak room for the use of the frint door at special evenst rather than have chair storage for U3A  in such a prominent ( and highy useful ) location.

There could be more issues that only YOU can detect ? .. OR you can suggest answers to ?  

The HATCH- Yellow ! at front on Ivanhoe Parade and the OLD Town Hall Offices at rear which form part of both the ART Space and the U3A Space.

 Many residents have lobbied Council at various Council Meetings to NOT SELL this site:

To see Herald Sun Article on objections to the Sale  - click here 

The current buildings are part of our history and can still serve many community uses. Especially in such a prime location connected to the CIVIC PRECINCT and Shopping Centre and large Car Parks and Bus and Train acces - Please ADD YOUR VOICE NOW on the Shaping Bayule website to retain these buildings !

For those interested in how these spaces could be used in the future: - READ ON ..

A trip to the Mallee oasis town of Mildura - will demonstrate the great passion which that City has for the Arts. - Not only have they had a dedicated modern public Performing Arts Theatre and Art Gallery,(from as early as the 1960s)  - but they NOW  also have, a thriving, privately owned gallery  - in the main commercial street that runs just like a Public Gallery

This gallery is open every day and contains an extensive, attached, and well equipped, multiple ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE SPACE at the rear of and above the Gallery. The Gallery is in a commercially zoned heritage building - with a shop front and kerb side parking - in the prestigous main banking street. It was once a bank ! The bank vaults are now Artworks on Paper vaults and there is a large wet ( and get messy ) area accessed from a rear commercial laneway ( simalar to the land beside Bryan'st Reserve. )

This private MILDURA project shows how Galleries with such attached artists spaces can be successfully run. Some of the artists spaces are leased out for periods of time and others are for exhibition related, long term creative visitor spaces ( Artists in Residence). You can tour the Artists in Residence Spaces, as well as the Vaults and the Wet Area (when not in use)  - and there are always extensive and fabulous NEW exhibitions on display. The Spaces attract serious Artists to work on special large projects and often notable projects - and they leave a contribtion on kind with some of their art work as well - as well as infusing some new ideas into the local art scene.

Its an exciting place to visit.  - We could have a similar Gallery and Artists SPACE here  - in Ivanhoe and Banyule - at the rear of the HATCH  -

- That would draw visitors just as  - MILDURA's priavte Gallery Space has become .

NOT only do vistors come to see these artists spaces -  but they are also sought out by artists who apply for an Artist in Residence role.

This potential use has not been seriously considered by Councillors and the senior bean counters and developers agents in ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ROLES at Council. These staff  are much more familiar with selling Council land than thinking of creative ways to use it

It is up to the PUBLIC to show they want such facilities, and that they want Banyule to be an Arts drawcard for Melbourne, in a similar way that Mildura has become -

There are several spaces around Banyule we could use for more ARTS projects  - which support our ARTS scene and return income and tourist dollars.

But we already have this space - which will be vacant when the HUB is built, and will - according to Council's decision in March last year, -  THEN BE SOLD > BUT we already have good access and a huge amount of car parking for this site readily available - and a Library and Cultural HUB being built NEXT DOOR !

We have a relaxing park for artists to look out upon as well as fantastic City Vistas.

JUST NEXT DOOR AS WELL- We have students who could visit and learn about, or participate in, the Artist's processses - and we have buses coming from all over Banyule as well - to bring other children to a lived artistic experience. 

While a gallery space is proposed in the NEW HUB, there is not the same opportunity for longer term work spaces that would have at the Hatch. Not all artists can bring their work materials along to the type of artist space -  that is planned for the HUB.

There are many other types of options as well for The Hatch and its' associated buildings,  - but many residents believe these  spaces there are well worth preserving.

Public Buildings and Spaces are needed more, rather than less, in cities with growing populations and an expanding cultural life.

For more info and pictures of the HATCH see  https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Arts-and-Events/Hatch-Contemporary-Arts-Space

Look closley at the ceiling in the first picture - OR just go for a visit !

For more info and pictures on the U3A part of the building see http://www.u3abanyule.org.au/our_news.html

Please get onto Councils' ARTS Committees and help with visioning such projects as the one decsribed in Mildura - We Can Save the HATCH ! and the OLD TOWN HALL -  for an ARTS Space - as well as saving our Cultural Heritage as well - which in itself is an important part of the ARTS ...

Our new Councillor is very keen on the ARTS ( of all types) ;- Maybe give him a call too ? ( See Peter Castaldo  - on Councils website for details)

Dear Fairy Hills Residents undergoing the IGS Area Parking Trial,

Residents received last week, a letter from Councils Traffic Enginner Bumeke Jayasinghe, requesting a response to a Survey on the 2 hr Permit Parking Trial around Ivanhoe Grammar School -  including a reference to the new Fees to be imposed on Permit Parking.

Below is a Suggested Response to this Survey - and below that, a Letter the Fairy Hills Residents Group has drafted to send to Senior Council Staff, our Ward Councillor Peter Castaldo, and Mr Jayasinghe, which more fully explains our REJECTION of the Timing of this SURVEY. In this  letter you will see that we argue that a premature Survey and discontinuation of the free Trial, will be confusing for residents and possibly lead to perverse outcomes from the survey and a need for a further trial and survey - when the IGS new large staff Car Park under the South Oval is completed and in operation - possibly some time in 2018.

Suggested Response to this Survey

Email to enquiries@banyule.vic.gov.au marked ATTENTION Cr Castaldo, Cr Langdon,  Mr Scott Walker, Mr Jayasinghe, or add this letter to the response form sent last week.  

Dear Mr Jayasinghe,

It is my understanding that the parking trial was intended to measure the effects of 2 hour non resident parking in streets adjacent to IGS. The trial was to continue until the IGS underground car park was built and in use. This has not happened yet.

IGS commenced preparations for the car park build in December 2016. Construction has not finished and I am not aware of and estimated completion date.

It makes a lot of sense to extend the end date of the trial until the IGS underground car park is completed and in use for at least one full school term. This would allow residents to see what impact the new car park has on parking in local streets and to provide Banyule City Council valuable feedback before implementing permanent changes.

In view of the above I request that your proposed resident survey be postponed until the car park has been completed and in use for a lease one full school term.

Signed Resident

REJECTION of the Timing of this SURVEY

Letter from the Fairy Hills Residents Group (by email)  to :

Mr  B Jayasinghe, Scott Walker, Director City of Banyule, Cr Peter Castaldo; Cr Langdon

Mr  B Jayasinghe

Transport Engineer

City of Banyule

Dear Mr Jayasinghe,

CC Mr Walker, and Councillors

Residents have received your letter dated 6th March 2017 this week regarding the 2 hr Parking Restriction Trial in Fairy Hills which started in January 2016.  

The Parking Restriction Trial which was outlined in a June 2015 Council Decision (Resolution CO2015/155) on the Ivanhoe Grammar School (IGS) Development Plan 2015-2021 – outlining Council's permission in principle (and with conditions ) for the IGS Development Plan to proceed, was based on Council's expectation that Ivanhoe Grammar School would commence construction of a large, new staff parking area – the underground car park, on or about December 2015. It was expected that the large, new staff car park would be completed and in full operation for several months before the scheduled end of the Parking Restriction Trial (scheduled for July 2017).   This timetable was planned to give residents an opportunity to fully assess the effectiveness of the large, new IGS car park in relieving parking pressure in the local residential streets. 

Unfortunately, Ivanhoe Grammar School did not commence construction of their car park until the following year  (December 2016 / January 2017 ) - a full year later than originally indicated in their discussions with Council.

The Parking Restriction Trial has been effective in reducing IGS staff parking in our residential streets but we are in no position at present to assess whether the restrictions will be required on an ongoing basis after the IGS car park is complete.  For residents to evaluate whether a Parking Restriction Zone is needed around the school for the future, the IGS car park needs to be completed and a representative period of operation observed to assess the operation and effectiveness of the car park.  Use of the car park by IGS staff and IGS out-of-hours visitors will be the key factor in determining whether long-term parking restrictions will be required in this area.

We request that the Trial continue until after the completion and full operation of this large, new staff Car Park over several months, - as originally intended.  Only then we people be able to judge the need for continued Parking Restrictions in their particular street. After the Car Park is built and in use people may decide that New Parking Restrictions and the associated fees and inconvenience are not really needed in their street and that the streets should be returned to the original restrictions which were the status quo prior to Jan 2016.  

The Fairy Hills Residents Group had discussions several months ago now, with Mr Scott Walker, Director at the City of Banyule about the impact on the Parking Restriction Trial of the late commencement of car park construction by IGS and understood we had successfully argued for an extension of the Trial until after the completion of the IGS car park, so residents could meaningfully assess what parking pressure still existed around the school.

We are disappointed that our understanding with Mr Walker appears not to have been communicated within Council regarding the timing of the conclusion of the Parking Restriction Trial.  

Rescheduling the conclusion date for the trial would ensure efficient use of Council resources already committed in setting up the trial and the associated street signage and a fair and effective outcome for residents.  

We ask that the Parking Restriction Survey be suspended and rescheduled once the IGS car park is completed and has been in operation for at least several months during a school term.  This will allow time for residents to make a meaningful decision and would be in line with the intentions of the original schedule for the Parking Restriction Trial.  Until then, we believe the trial should continue on the current basis, as a free trial.

 Yours sincerely

 R Roberts and R Sullivan  for the Fairy Hills Residents Group 13/3/17

PS we are more than happy to assist Council with letterboxing the survey at a later date -  if this would be helpful

Ivanhoe Grammar South Oval before work started in December 2016. An extensive Tree Protection fence has been erected to protect all the Trees around the site but especially the Council Listed Significant Trees at the Locksley House end of the Oval. The indent at right is where a new building( not part of the original Plans approved by Council ) is being built on the Fairy St to Merton St Footpath

Elsewhere on this website you can follow the progress of the Ivanhoe Grammar School Propsoed Development Plan during its 3 year community consultation phase.

Now, in 2017, things are happening !  The new Underground Staff and Visitors Car Park is being built on the site of the South Oval.  

A large Tree Protection Fence was erected in Dec 2016 and relocation of existing services started - to make way for the Car Park which will take up over just half the oval in area.

The Car Park will have Staff and Public entry from Russell St ( the new entrance-way is now dug out ) and Staff entry from the schools (exisiting) other Car Parks which are accessed from Scotts Parade, Fairy St and Elphin St. No Public Entry will be available from these other streets, and staff entry will be restricted to between 7am and 6pm on Fairy and Elphin St, and only Maintenance Staff may use the Scotts Parade entrance when the new entrances are complete.

It is envisaged that the public visiting the school will be able to use the Russell St entrance for special events and eventually to use the new proposed Sports Stadium south of the Oval where the current Tennis Courts are located.

Recently Residents have been concerned that an unplanned, additional building, (not discussed with the community during the Consutation Phase) has been permitted by Council last December -  as part of the final approval  for the building of the Car Park. This will be a liftwell, lobby and stairs and will be 3.7M high and located on the Fairy to Merton st Footpath directly adjacent to the laneway between Merton and Fairy Sts. The Fairy Hills Residents Group has objected to Council Staff over this. If you would like more detail about the Plan for the Car Park please call Robyn Roberts 0427949951 after businesss hours for the Residents point of view OR Banyule Council 9490 4222 for more feedback from Council Staff.   

Residents have not yet officially objected to the school but we hope to have discussions in the near future.

If you have any thoughts on the Councils inability to stick to the advertised Plan in its Approval Process you are wecomel to document these on our website or email jroberts@alphalink.com.au  to input to our future consultation with Banyule staff and the school.

Napier and Christian Waller's Work Benches in the Glass Studio in the Waller House Fairy Hills

This year Griffin Ward Councillor Peter Casteldo is keen to involve more of the Ivanhoe Community in the Arts.

We are hoping to persuade Council to identify the artistic Heritage of Banyule more clearly and to use the vast array of artistic heritage in Fairy Hills as a jumping off point.

Local Fairy Hills Residents have been meeting with Cr Casteldo to generate ideas.

We also met with the author of a new book about to be released some time this year about the life of Fairy Hills Artist Napier Waller.

The Waller House and its contents have been preserved by the State of Victoria, and Banyule Council has previously held small tours there, in conjunction with Heidleberg Historical Society, Rosanna Library and The Hatch Art Gallery. - The Hatch is Council's small but well appointed and locally curated Art Gallery. It is in Ivanhoe Parade near Bryants Reserve,and the Library and Town Hall precinct in Upper Heidelebrg Rd.

"The Hatch" was recently expensively renovated preserving its elegant, heritage moderne 30's interior, and upgrading its lighting, and excellent public facilities. It was also saved from the threat of Sale in recent times, by residents keen to preserve this unique interior and its potential for more public engagement as part of the proposed new Plan for the Civic Precinct which lies adjacent to it.

Watch these Pages for updates  on the Progress of Preserving "The Hatch" and for more information about Tours and Author Talks on Napier Waller.

There are many more famous artists also connected with Fairy Hills, we hope to introduce the public to more of these as well.       

Our new Ward Councillor is Peter Castaldo.

Peter wants you all to contribute straight away to the new Banyule City Plan 2018 - 2021. The key topics include:

Health and Wellbeing Everyone wants to feel healthy, well and connected. What can we be doing to support good health and wellbeing?

Ed: Think mental health as well as physical health? Instead of mainly local business conferences, how about a health conference or two each year -with speakers on neglected areas of public health knowledge. Think walkability of the local area, less use of cars, more shade in summer? More rest stops on the walks to shopping centres for the elderly and infirm and everyone ! Local Council minibus routes - for the connectivity of isolated people especially. 

Environment and Sustainability - How can we best protect and care for our environment? What do you think is important for the future?

Ed: Don’t forget Chelsworth Park and Wilsons Reserve, the walking tracks, Powerful Owls, micro bats, open space for dog walkers, weeds such as Shiny Privet and Ash - which are out of control there. Also drainage from the increasing amount of hard surface runoff, flooding from creek barreling (Rosanna Woolworths site especially) and reduction of floodplains. Walkability - i.e. maintaining minor access routes and preventing private takeover by cars and buildings.  Climate Change - time for local-route only minibuses to prevent the need for private car ownership and free up railway station parking demand where possible (and more bike shelters) Preventative health education to free cash for the more neglected aspects of health and community well-being, as well as more parks and green spaces for a growing population. More local water recycling back to aquifers and streams through passive runoff management. More litter traps. A more significant Environment and Sustainability Department for Council - along the lines of Melb City Council. i.e. one that has more input into Strategic Planning for Development rather than a simple Economic Development Dept., which neglects sustainability.   

Getting Involved and having your Say - Do you want to have opportunities to be involved in local activities and to have a say on local issues and solutions?  Share your ideas on how to make this happen!

Ed: Don’t forget Council meeting question time, regular meetings with CEO? And with Ward Councillors? Directors?  

Good Public Spaces, Building and Infrastructure - The places we live, work, shop, meet, engage and play affect us every day. - Have your say on improving local spaces and places.

Ed: Don’t forget to mention the proposed Civic Precinct / the walkability of our streets, the rest stops, the amenity and location of public toilets, as well as parks and gardens, trees and shade, shelter from wind, and community facilities such as halls, drink taps, parking spots, arts and music and speaking/ listening venues, sports facilities, greening of shopping centres and the scale of all buildings relative to the path and roads, and communal vs private spaces and greenery, horizons and the heritage around us in all these places. 

The process includes:   

Hearing From You - November - February 2017 - Go online now at https://shaping.banyule.vic.gov.au/future - to comment and to register for notification of future consultation meetings

Discussion Forums - February 2017 - Join one of the community discussions to hear what's been said so far and help us further develop ideas. Join the mail list at https://shaping.banyule.vic.gov.au/future

What You Said and First Draft Plan - March 2017 - Staff will tell you what we have heard from you over the summer and provide a first draft of the new City Plan. Staff will be asking you if it hits the mark.

Final Draft City Plan - April 2017 - Staff will use your feedback to refine the City Plan and formally present it for final feedback.

Jenny Mullholland Recontesting Griffin Ward Oct 2016

The Banyule Council Ward Elections took place yesterday Saturday  Oct 22nd 2016

 Where we voted

The Fairy Hills Booth in Griffin Ward was at the IGS Buckely Hall in The Ridgeway (as usual). Most people walked to the voting centre an so parking for those unable to walk was ample and many disabled voters were able to park quite close to the Voting Centre which is wheelchair accessible. The other Booths were St Georges Anglcan Church Warnecliffe Rd and Ivanhoe Central booth at the Mc Cubbin Room at the rear of the Town Hall

Sausage Sizzle !! At IGS

This year for the first time in the memory of most residents the Grammar School via its Chaplain put on a marvellous sausage sizzle with a heated cupboard to make them last the whole day  - for both voters and the hard working campaign teams for candidates alike. ( We are hoping for coffee as well, next election ? )

Unlike the previous election which had a commercial beauty business sausage sizzle -  the funds raised this year were for charity. The bon homie of the school chaplain was much appreciated on the very cold and wet day and the quality of the food was excellent. As senior students all had exams that week the chaplain was very generous with his time - covering most of the day on his own.  Perhaps on future occasions residents may be interesed in assisting the chaplain ? if students are not availbale ?  

Who were the candidates  who did well ?

Griffin Ward had an extensive field of candidates - 5 in all, incuding the current Councillor Jenny Mullholland, who was recontesting. The candidates most successful in attracting votes  were the Recontesting Ward Councillor Jenny Mullholland http://banyule.net/about-cr-jenny-mulholland/-  previously connected with the Liberal Party  and Peter Castaldo http://greens.org.au/candidate/vic/peter-castaldo the GREENS endorsed candidate.

How did we vote ?

After the election closed at 6 pm, " scrutineers"  nominated by the Candidates were able to observe the counting of votes  by  VEC staff. Jenny and Peter obtained approximately equal votes on the night but many preferneces will need to be diistributed to them from the other candidates votes, later next week, to determine the outcome.

Apparently the voting prefereneces were simlar in other booths throughout Griffin Ward, and in the Prepoll voting  - which was also counted on Saturday night. Postal Votes are yet to be counted.

Would you like to be involved  ?

If you would like to help with further scrutineering contact the candidate team you are most interested in and offer your help. Their contact details should still be on the VEC website and many had contact detials on their letterboxed pamphlets during the campaign. There are usually very experienced scrutineers from all major political parties at the vote counts who will help you undertand the process. All candidates are entitled to have scrutineers, but they must personally endorse them on a special form.

The Main Issues

This election in Griffin Ward was dominated by planning issues - particulalry towards the end of the campaign,  when most candidates realized this was what the public was most concerned about. The civic precinct, potential sales of public land in that area,  as well as public land sales generally, the perceived lack of transparency in council processes,  the transfer and centralisation  of Council staff to Greensborough ( and the cost of this ) and paid parking, lack of parking, and the loss of  our treed skylines dotted with civic builidngs and church spires - which had once been protected under our planning scheme - but which are now are dominated by high rise commercial builidngs -  due to Government Policy on overdevelopment, as well as the deficencies that now exist for protection of trees and  neighbourhood character and amenity under RESCODE ( Rules for the construction of  single dwellings ) and the loose rules for extensions under Building Permits  -  The fact that these problems are caused by State Govt policies, and how to deal with all this as a council - were all hot buttton topics.

Many other signifcant issues were raised though - especially by Marcus Hill, an eighteen year old with a fantastic campaign manager, Dyson Russell  His pamphlet was very colorful and clear - wriiten  in elegant language and covered a very broad range of issues very concisely. Unfortunately his direct contact details were not given on the VEC website, unlike most other candidates. Two candidates did not complete the VEC website questionaire =which though limited, did help residents understand a level of committment undertaken by the candidates. It would be good to see more questions develped for this questionaire.

It was great see such able candidates contest the Griffin Watrd election and we hope to see just as many capable, and ethusiastic campain teams in all our wards in the future.

The new Council is expected to be sworn in after voting finishes in about 2 weeks. Why not roll up then  >  to particpate more in DEMOCRACY in your local area this Council Term ? Check for the first meeting at http://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Council/Council-Meetings/Minutes-and-Agendas

Ivanhoe Civic Precinct Hub ?

Consultation on the new proposed Civic Precinct Hub is expected to resume afer the election but for now Council staff have removed the webpages about this from their website. ( Despite public complaints about this prior to and during the campaign )  

Perhaps that disappeance of public information during the election would be a good topic to ask a question about at the next Council Meeting ?

The meetings usually have a public question time at the start for about 20 minutes and regular Council watchers often ask interesting questions. Just sign the form outisde the meeting before question time starts with your name and address and a precis of your topic ( If it is not on the Council Agenda that night )  

 More NEWS

More news on the Council elections soon ......

AN impression of the new HUB viewed from the south west -NOTE the green space in front is where the current library sits - It will be removed and the land can be sold to developers for a five storey commercial and residential building - proposed under the current MasterPlan - so the green space is purely a temporary impression for the drawing - A Double Deck Car Park will abut the rear of the Hub as well as homes in St Elmo Rd to the north and Ivanhoe Parade to the west - For more detail see the Master Plan link opposite and the design of the actual hub is accessed through the "Concept Design" Link also opposite

Latest News CIVIC PRECINCT DESIGN OUT for COMMENT NOW

SEPT 10th 2016

MEETING SUN SEPT 18th 1:30-4:30PM  

"A NEW Ivanhoe Community Learning Hub" has been designed to REPLACE  the existing Library and take over the TOWN HALL when all staff leave for GREENSBOROUGH. The design can be viewed on Councils website and a Community Meeting to explain the design and seek comment will take place on SUNDAY 18th SEPT at the TOWN HALL  1:30PM - 4:30PM

For info on the NEW Proposed Permit Parking Policy and to see ideas on how to comment: See  Edition 22 of the Fairy Hills News on our Fairy Hills Newsletter page.

See also, our Residential Parking Permit PETITION (to down load,  or to read before signing at our collection points )  Go to the Petitions Page

See more at our Parking and Traffic page and our age.

New Parking Trial starts in Fairy Hills Jan  Feb 2016

The signs are now in place and 100's of FREE residents' permits issued.

IGS staff, who will be very affected by the trial, have already been making other plans for getting to school - ( as the school is beyond its permitted staffing levels and therefore has inadequate parking spaces on site)

Starting in early February, specially contracted parking officers will be issuing warnings for one week and after that fines will be blitzed out to change behaviour.

Unfortunately for staff, the IGS management has not provided adequate parking - despite promises that it can rectify the situation, and meet compliance throughout the recent two year consultation process.

COUNCIL MEETING ON MONDAY 8th FEB IVANHOE TOWN HALL 7 for 7.30pm

This lack of compliance will be addressed in an officer report to a Council Meeting Monday 8th Feb at the Ivanhoe Town Hall - The details in the report will be published on the Friday prior at around 12 noon on Councils website  ( Google Banyule and Agenda to get to the correct page )

In adition to staff concerns - local residents are also disappointed in IGS for going over the student and staffing limits imposed by Councils previous Planning Permits and thus causing the traffic and parking havoc that has required the Resident Parking Scheme to be in place.

To have to put up with timed parking for any more than two visitors and to have ugly poles all over the place is not our idea of heaven - So pull up your socks IGS - Get on with a new Car Park under the oval that the teachers will be happy to use.

OUR PLEA is for IGS to make its NEW underground CAR PARK staff friendly -with a new staff pedestrian entrance under the new proposed 5 storey senior centre at the end of Merton St ( This is to replace Benson Hall )

IGS management should visit MLC or IGGS - to see how well this concept works in reducing staff stress)

Make the new Car Park large enough for all staff ( as has  IGGS ) and provide some real amenity and modernisation for your staff. A tiny underground park on the end of the oval near Locksley will NOT BE ADEQUATE - as most staff will still be walking in the rain and cold to their offices.

At this point the local Community Representatives on the IGS Plan Committe / Working Group ( IGRIG ) -   have no idea what that report contains.   

William Frater (1890-1974), leading Australian modernist http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/frater-william-6239 - artist and stained-glass designer, ( several Fairy Hills homes have his work even though he did several large commissions) also painted Lina in "The Red Hat " 1937 when he first met Lina. The work is often mentioned in textbooks. John Brack recalls he was first stirred to paint when he met the striking couple in a Melbourne Street at this time. To listen to a 1987 interview with Lina go to http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/hindsight/the-pink-house/3195942

LINA BRYANS and Australia's  MODERNIST artists - the 1940s at the Darebin Bridge Hotel

ARTS Heritage in Fairy Hills - TUES 10th FEB 2015 - Lina Bryans an the Darebin Bridge Hotel Modernist Art Group - - Heidleberg Historical Society - ALL welcome SEDDON ST UNITING CHURCH HALL 8PM; " Darebin  Brdige Hotel Residents included the charismatic Scotsman William Frater, the retiring Miss Ada May Plante and the secretive Ian Fairweather.  Visitors to the house included the Meanjin set: novelist Jean Campbell and early broadcaster Adrian Lawlor.  Lina's parties at the house were legendary! "

http://www.heidelberghistoricalsociety.com.au/whatnew.html

• William Frater lived for quite some time in Alphington. He did modernist landscapes from around Darebin Creek Fairy Hills to Warrandtye ( did many stained glass windows for homes in Fairy Hills. Check if you have any paintings too ! (
• Lina was apparently enticed to Fairy Hills by artisit Norman McGeorge ( whose home was designed by famous ealry arcitect Desbrowe Annear.) The MacGeorge home is often opened to the public by Melbourne University who own it.  
• Fairy Hills also has the home of famous artists Napier and Christain Waller, also near the Darebin Creek, which is owned by Heritage Victoria and sometimes seen on TV in the Doctor Blake series of murder mysteries.

Darebin Bridge Hotel from Sparks Reserve in the 1960s - In 2014 a new suspended bike track was added to the original 1840s bluestone bridge (left in Photo), and in 2015 a new link to that across the RESERVE is being built - very close to the original TURN PIKE RD where carriages and cattle crossed the creek before the bridge was built MORE at http://www.heidelberghistoricalsociety.com.au/darebin01.html and http://heritage.darebinlibraries.vic.gov.au/article/858

Ivanhoe Grammar School Development Plan ( for latest NEWS skip to the Latest News section below: Includes 2015 extended deadline for submissions and Help needed for surveys of parking and traffic )

Background This website originally began in mid 2013 to help inform the public about the Ivanhoe Grammar Schools NEW Development Plan which encompassed an increase in built form adjacent to sensitive residential areas, and an increase in student and staff numbers by around 25%. A concommittent increase in parking and traffic, and related congestion and safety problems around the school, for residents and for parents and students accessing the school was and is a major focus of concern with the Plan and with exisitng conditions around the site. Fairy Hills Ivanhoe has been working with an independent traffic consultant and with Councils own traffic enginnering staff - to undertake surveys and make suggestions for greater Council led safety around the site, and has been meeting with Council's Planners via the "IGRIG" Community Consultation Group set up by Council, to express community concerns with the NEW IGS Plan 

Although the Fairy Hills Ivanhoe Residents Group originally met to discuss the IGS Development Plans; early community meetings quickly informed us that there were OTHER  important PUBLIC AMENITY issues in the surrounding area, we also needed to consider.

Chelsworth Park

The first was the proposed loss of the Chelsworth Park Tennis Club ( est 1920s ) Lease - which was about to be transferred to Ivanhoe Grammar School  - as they were proposed by Council to become the Leasees of Chelsworth Park over an extensive time period and control all land on the site. Fairy Hills Ivanhoe campaigned with Chelsworth Park Tennis Club (CPTC) to retain the community clubs lease of the en tous cas Tennis Courts at Chelsworth - and this was agreed to by IGS and the Council in late 2013.

While pursuing the CPTC Lease  issue, we also became more aware of the full nature of the proposed IGS Lease of Chelsworth;  and of community concern that the Lease was for such a long period of time ( 20 plus 10 years ) and would allow IGS much control of the site and preclude any extra community users from the site over that period. As this is proposed to be a period of high expected population growth in Melbourne and in Ivanhoe, particulalry with the approval of the new Ivanhoe Structure Plan - designed to encourage higher density living in the local area, many in the community felt this proposed Lease ( voted on at an in camera Meeting in 2012 ) - was a most inappropriate decision of Council.

After saving the CPTC Lease in late 2013 (for the Club to run its own affairs) - the campaign focus switched from the Tennis Club, to the Chelsworth Lease generally, and was finalized in Septmeber 2014 with a final Council decision to Lease CP to IGS - some changes had been achieved in the wording of the Lease BUT overall residents remain very unimpressed with the process of achieving and justifying such a LEASE. Generally State Govt. rules prevent Public Parks being leased - In this case, and similar ones to do with Rowing Sheds on the Yarra -  a Peppercorn RENTAL (and here a  block $1million payment for the Water Project) get around this detail. A community REP on a management committee for CP is yet to be finalised.

Ivanhoe Civic Precinct

In 2014 another important issue arose around protecting public land and public amenity - Banyule Councils plan for the Civic Precinct in Upper Heidberg Rd Ivanhoe.

Background

The Civic Precinct Plan was first discussed with the community in 2008 - at which time a Public consensus was drawn from a Council Sponsored meeting that the site should remain completely as as publicly owned and used site, with Civic type activities and that any plans for a motel and convention complex or similar financila venture - should be dismissed as infringeing on the  rights of a community to have a community space for particpation in democracy and community actvities

In 2012 during the public* part of the Ivanhoe Structure Plan process ( See the Save Ivanhoe website) Residents were assured that the Civic Precinct part of the Ivanhoe Structure Plan would be discussed at a later stage of the process.  In March 2013 this proposed detailed discussion began. however residents discovered that many aspects of the Plan for that precinct had already been cast in stone. {* The whole process started in between 2008 and 2012 with a committee of mainly business interests};

2014 Consultations on the CIVIC Precinct

Many in the community felt that new ideas for a Civic Precinct Plan were ignored by Council staff and a pre-established "Plan"  was predetermined -  Residents felt they were ignored, and the meetings left little room for discussing the basic proposition.

Ugly Council Meeting and follow up appeals to Council

The Fairy Hills Ivanhoe Residents Group campaigned with the general community to put many questions to Banyule Council about the Plan prior to its adoption, but in a very ugly meeting meeting of Council - these concens were ignored and Council proceeded to approve the Plan without delay. Community members and Fairy Hills Ivanhoe were dismayed at such an apalling meeting and also the outcome - They immediately engaged with CEO Simon Mc Millan and the Mayor and Deputy Mayor to work to salvage community representation and trust in Council.

Ongoing engagement with Council

The Civic Precinct Plan was approved  without any real alteration, and with many questions about the Plan left unanswered, especially concerns about privatising PUBLIC LAND. The Fairy Hills Ivanhoe Group has continued to seek from Council, - further public participation in developing and possibly changing aspects of the Plan, as well as seeking justifcation and explanation for undiscussed aspects of the Plan. We and other community representatives have had amicable and serious  discussions with some Staff and Councillors concerned to have greater openness about, and public input to the Plan, and when any positive outcomes occurr in this direction we will ensure these opportunities are well advertised to the broader Public. In the meantime -  See our Civic Precinct pages and especially the Civic Precinct Petition.

The Fairy Hills Ivanhoe Residents Group have spent considerable energy alerting the broader community to all these isssues over the last 12months

JOIN US

We hear that people really appreciate our information arriving via newsletter and flyer drops, and via our email list. If you would like to contribute financially or by leafletting or in other ways - to the three campaigns above or to any ONE campaign only, please contact us via the Contacts page of this website

You can also be added to our EMAIL LIST - to stay abreast in more detail with the three campaigns.

You can find our various petitions, and currently, the latest Fairy Hills News at local shops; Dont forget these all cost money to produce and even small donations to our work are helpful 

PETITIONS and current Fairy Hills Newsletters

( There are no current petitions BUT when we have them,  we have been supported by the following businesses. : Coffee Plus Ivanhoe ; The Brotherhood of St Lawrence Op Shop Ivanhoe ; Georgias Cafe, Ivanhoe, Bed Bath and Table, Marshall St Lower Ivanhoe, and our longest running petition sponsor Eaglemont IGA; (see our adverts for them on our general Petitions page)