Save Our Suburbs (Vic)

NEWS

12/6/07 Planning Minister Justin Madden dumps M2030 Implementation group.

21/3/2007 Justice Stuart Morris, head of VCAT, has resigned! SOS Comment

22/11/2006 ALP release pre election Planning Policy

30/8/2006 Minister releases "Cutting red tape" paper.

1/5/2006 Libs release Planning Policy

15/4/2006 Tooronga Village call in.

13/3/2006 2pm 29/April/2006 - Protectors of Public Land quarterly meeting.

26/2/2006 Collingwood Action Group public rally - 1pm Saturday, March 4th 2006.

15/2/2006 Minister approves Smith Street towers

In a stunning sign of contempt for the community, Planning Minister Rob Hulls has approved a massive over development on Smith St (our original story). This will add a massive three tower complex, rising up to 7 stories high and will completely dominate Smith St.

In addition, he has knocked back Yarra Councils amendment C76, which would have provided some protection for Smith St. One of the reasons this was knocked back was "Any build form controls should be discretionary and not mandatory". As discretionary is interpreted as "optional" in the Victorian planning system, what would be the point in having them?

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13/11/2005 SOS Planning forum a success

We had a very interesting and informative day - more detail will be in our newsletter in the new year!

The highlight of the day was the presentation from Paul Mees (download the mp3 from here) - it's a pity he isn't planning minister! We also have mp3s of Planning Minister Rob Hulls, and shadow Planning Minister Ted Baillieu (download from the same link).

26/10/2005 SOS AGM Election result

12/10/2005 Auditor General produces damning report on planning at Glenelg Shire.

The Auditor General of Victoria has released the report into planning at Glenelg Shire - is is an excellent report into what should be regarded by anyone as an absolute shambles. If you thought your local council was the worse you could get, read this report to find out that you are probably wrong.
One of the most frequent questions we have heard is "how can I get a similar report done on my council?".

5/10/2005 SOS Forum: Planning for our future. 12th of November, at RMIT

5/10/2005 SOS AGM and Election called for the 25th of October

27/9/2005 State Government takes over planning in Dandenong.

27/8/2005 CAG rally to stop Banco on Smith St a success.

The rally held today was a huge success, with the crowd overflowing the footpath and temporarily blocking cars and trams. Hopefully this has sent yet another message to the Planning Minister (Rob Hulls) about the political consequences should this development go ahead. Interestingly, neither the local State ALP Member (Richard Wynne), or the local ALP Mayor (Kay Meadows), or the local ALP ward Councillor (Annabel Barbara) turned up to the protest. Read the full story.

23/8/2005 SOS is reviewing the Urban Growth Boundary

SOS Committee member Heinz Reitmeier has been heavily involved with the problems near the UGB. He has recently taken a number of photos highlighting some of these problems, and is currently involved with other committee members to develop the SOS response to to the issues. See the photos here.

19/8/2005 CAG organises Smith St Rally to stop Banco

The Collingwood Action Group are organising a rally for the 27th August at 11am. Read the full story.

11/8/2005 Supreme Court (Vic). Mitcham Towers get the final go ahead.

With the Supreme Court of Victoria turning down Whitehorse City Council, there is now nothing to stop the towers being built. Read the full story.

11/8/2005 Minister sacks Glen Eira Council.

In a surprise announcement today the state government has sacked the Glen Eira council only months before it would have gone to election anyway. Full Story