Welcome

Welcome to the fourth edition of Fitztalk for 2021. As we experience the extension of Lockdown #6 we trust you are keeping safe, well and taking care. 
 
Our PubTalk ‘The Pandemic: What next?’ was planned at a time when we expected to be out of the pandemic and ready to play our part in providing input into answering this question. We remain keen to have members discuss national, city and neighbourhood pathways to a post-pandemic normal when circumstances allow us to meet at the Union Club Hotel. Watch this space!
 
The FRA Committee continues its effort to protect our suburb from inappropriate development and adds our voice to that of other resident groups on city-wide issues. 
 
Development pressures across Yarra are “activating” residents. New groups and even associations are forming. Newer groups include the South Smith Street Action Group, the World Heritage Precinct Protection Coalition and Protect Clifton Hill. Fitzroy residents will also be aware of the People of Gertrude Street. 
 
Amendment C269 to the Yarra Planning Scheme encouraged over 50 individuals from fifteen Yarra resident groups to express their views. The resident groups formed a coalition to provide a united voice for improvements to the proposed amendment.
 
The FRA has been active at VCAT. The FRA was a party to the VCAT Hearing that recently concluded on the Kerr Street, Fitzroy Street and Argyle Street development and will soon present its case for a refusal of the 1-9 Gertrude Street development. 
 
The FRA provided a submission to the Priority Projects Standing Advisory Committee (established by the Minister for Planning to advise him) on the St Vincent’s Hospital development. We have sought significant permit conditions to ensure the integrity of the World Heritage Environs Area and the future of the heritage-listed Brenan Hall plus improvements to the Sustainable Management Plan.
 
We welcome your input and feedback as well as your membership of the FRA and support for our on-going work. 
 
Please email us your ideas and how you could help out at info@fitzroyresidents.org.au
 
Martin Brennan & Greg Chenhall
On behalf of the FRA Committee

Amendment C269

Amendment C269 is a rewrite of the high-level planning policies of the City of Yarra. Adjusting the format of Yarra’s planning policies is a requirement of State Government but Yarra has introduced new and improved policies. Information on C269 is available at https://yarraplanningscheme.com.au
 
Council received 424 community submissions, with the FRA submission being one of these. The FRA also participated in a community process led through the Queens Parade Heritage, Planners and Traders Group discussing Amendment C269 over several Zoom meetings. 
 
The FRA was pleased that Councillors voted to refer Amendment C269 to an independent Planning Panel along with improvements recommended by councillors following considerable community feedback. Cr Stone moved and Cr O’Brien seconded the amendments to the Officers recommendation. Following the Panel Hearing and submissions advice will come back to Council for further consideration.

Call for Minister to Act on Amendment C270

At the Council meeting of 3 August 2021 Cr Sophie Wade moved a motion endorsed by all councillors present, calling on the Mayor to write to Minister for Planning Richard Wynne MP to conclude Amendment C270. C270 contains nine DDOs covering some of Yarra's significant activity centres (or shopping strips) in Fitzroy (including Brunswick Street, Gertrude Street, Smith Street and Johnston Street).
 
Amendment C270 was approved by the Minister for Planning last week. This Amendment was approved by Council on 17 December 2019 and contains interim planning controls (Design Development Overlays) that include heritage protection of key shopping strips in Fitzroy and Collingwood. 
 
More information on C270 is available at: https://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/the-area/planning-for-yarras-future/yarra-planning-scheme-and-amendments/current-amendments/amendment-c270-fitzroy-collingwood-interims

Pub With No Permit

The proposed development of the British Crown Hotel at 14–18 Smith Street, Collingwood was refused by the Planning Decisions Committee (PDC) of Council at its meeting on 28 July. 
 
The PDC supported the view of the South Smith Street Action Group (SSSAG). The SSSAG was active in informing local residents and businesses to lobby councillors to oppose the development.

StV's Management Under The Microscope

The decision of the Minister for Planning to “call in” the proposed development of a new medical research facility on the corner of Nicholson Street and Victoria Parade, Fitzroy indicates the importance and sensitivity of the issues surrounding this development. 

No one is arguing against the need for a ‘state of the art’ medical research facility, but many are arguing against a building that does not respect the heritage values of the World Heritage Environs Area and fails to respond to the climate emergency with a building that has state of the art sustainability credentials. 

The failure of St Vincent’s Hospital Management, the State Government and a number of our leading Universities to present an architectural design that respects the World Heritage Environs Area and to deliver a Sustainability Management Plan that has a ‘state of the art’ response to climate action is regrettable and therefore can not be supported by the FRA.  A copy of our submission is available by emailing info@fitzroyresidents.org.au

World Heritage Precinct Protection

The FRA’s written submission to VCAT on 1–9 Gertrude Street, which threatens the integrity of the World Heritage Environs Area (WHEA), will be presented at the forthcoming Hearing.  
 
A new group named the World Heritage Precinct Protection Coalition is proposing to incorporate. They have a campaign to raise funds for the defence of the WHEA relating to the prosed development at 1–9 Gertrude Street. How to donate and more information can be found here: https://chuffed.org/project/melbourneheritageprecinct

Over to VCAT

The future of the proposed development at 88 Kerr Street, 380 Fitzroy Street and 71-75 Argyle Street is now in the hands of VCAT following a 6 day zoom hearing that included presentations by Council, the applicant, the FRA and resident advocates.
 
The FRA sought a refusal of the permit given the large number of improvements needed to ensure that the interests of residents affected by this excessive and inappropriate development were met. We also identified the negative impact on the largely intact heritage streetscapes of both Kerr Street and Brunswick Street.

Latest Yarra Heritage Advisory Committee (HAC) News

HAC members met informally last Wednesday to draft advice for Council in relation to the new set of documents released in July 2021 relating to the urgently needed planning control for the whole of the WHEA. 
 
Some of the issues raised in the 2020 State Government consultation (e.g. a separate statutory authority to coordinate between authorities) have not been addressed as yet. It is excellent though that there is significant progress on the World Heritage planning issues faced. There are thirteen documents relating to Yarra and the World Heritage area (including consultation reports). The reports are accessible through https://engage.vic.gov.au/rebcgreview
 
Please feel free to email through your issues! It is expected that Council will consider HACs advice and consider a complete response for the State Government on 7 September. Individuals and groups can also send in submissions to State Government by 24 September.

Be Active — Advisory Committees in your City

Yarra has many advisory committees, and these are listed at https://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/about-us/advisory-committees. Council recently considered a Children, Youth and Families Advisory Committee (at its meeting of 3 August 2021).
 
Council is currently seeking expressions of interest to join the Active Transport Advisory Committee. 
The Yarra City Council is seeking nominations from community members who would like to be part of the Active Transport Advisory Committee. Visit https://bit.ly/3yWHHkL

The Active Transport Advisory Committee provides Council with advice to support its objective of reducing car dependency in the community and increasing the uptake of active transport throughout Yarra.
The committee provides recommendations to Council on self-powered and electronic modes of active transport, including: 

• walking
• jogging / running
• bike riding
• skateboarding / roller blading
• scooters
• electric assisted bicycles/scooters

Looking back — a notable first for Fitzroy!

On 11 August 1982 Australia’s first openly gay elected official was sworn into office as a Fitzroy City Councillor and in 1984 Cr McLean became Mayor of Fitzroy.

Latest Yarra Rainbow Advisory Committee (RAC) News

Items in discussion include i) how to protect the many Yarra LGBTIQA+ businesses from gentrification, ii) a thematic heritage study of LGBTIQA+ venues which may support heritage planning controls and iii) safety matters. 
 
The FRA spoke in support of a motion put forward by Cr Edward Crossland in relation to item ii). The Mayor is writing to the Minister for Planning as well as the Minister for Equality seeking assistance in obtaining external and internal heritage controls as well as a thematic LGBTIQ+ cultural heritage study which may lead to venue protections in the coming years.

Brunswick Street Masterplan starts with Kerr Street, Fitzroy

The Yarra City Council is seeking responses to the proposed public space improvements on the Kerr Street and Brunswick Street corner.

The Council has proposed the following design features:
- tiered seating that is ideal for individuals or groups
- elevated areas and a counter bench top for dining outdoors
- a unique design in keeping with the character of the area
- use of interesting textures such as Victorian bricks, ceramics and natural stone.
- bespoke ceramic slips and glazes by contemporary artist Kate Jones.

The Council has invited us to ‘Have your say’ via https://yoursayyarra.com.au
Consultation ends at 5pm on Friday 10 September 2021. 
 
 
Compiled by: Martin Brennan & Greg Chenhall