This is sad and disturbing to watch in the neighbourhood, in Fawkner Park … The extensive works and removal of greenspace and trees, dissects the park, construction there is a bad precedent and contrary to the beloved greenspace views and vistas characteristic of this (previously) grass-based parkland. the construction workers said they are going to concrete “the court and skate park” on Monday. (B. McNicholas, Director, Walk in St Kilda Rd & Environs)
Reference: The City of Melbourne’s Skate Melbourne Plan 2017-2027. City of Melbourne marks that area in Fawkner Park on its map on page 35, without calling it Fawkner Park and without disclosing its higher status than open space i.e. the fact that it is a parkland on the Victorian Heritage list, including grass-based sports, our Council marking it as a “potential larger skate space”.
When we discovered this and put it to Council a few years ago they said, no they are not going to implement that plan. So, we asked it to be cancelled formally at FMC, (or at least the parts relating to FP and QVM and Edmund Herring Oval) which they said was not necessary and did not do.
So, now, they are constructing a ‘skate park’ area for skating and scooting right there, where they listed it in the Skate Melbourne Plan! Such a
significant re-development and change, and not in the Master Plan.
And in 2020, Parks and City Greening at City of Melbourne, during lockdown, without notice, did extensive re-development works all along the north of Fawkner Park, works not detailed in the Master Plan, including splaying large bitumen entrances, removing grass parkland, when it was not necessary – and no-one was consulted - not even Councillor Rohan Leppert, Chair of the Parks & Gardens committee was aware of the works, and he is also the lead for the Environment and Heritage Portfolios at Council.
This has caused cycling issues, as speeding cyclists see the wider footpaths and curved or splayed wider entrances as an invitation to ride on the pavement and speed downhill from Toorak Road through Fawkner Park!
When you look at it in the context of this Skate Melbourne Plan, it could seem that Council is implementing that Plan, unilaterally, without the community and residents … ?
Note e.g. on page 23: events programming, business opportunities, ““opportunities like public/private partnerships” …
Systemically, unilaterally, City of Melbourne is just doing what they want in Fawkner Park, without community consultation in forming plans, without doing a Conservation Management Plan and updating the Management Plan FIRST!
Your assistance and persistence are much-needed.
See attached a letter from Clifford Hayes MP to Ministers D'Ambrosio, Wynne and Leane, requesting a halt to the works and community engagement first.
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Wed, 2021-12-22 09:54
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Richard Wynn asked to explain shocking park destruction
20-12-2021
The following letter was sent to Ministers Richard Wynne (Planning) , d'Ambrosio (Environment) and Shaun Leane (Local Government and Suburban Development ) by Protectors of Public Lands Inc.
Dear Minister,
I write on behalf of Protectors of Public Lands to ask you to intervene in the current destruction of an area of Fawkner Park by Melbourne City Council. The works are termed "improvements" to the Pasley Street entrance to Fawkner Park, but in our opinion they are a degradation of this Victorian Heritage Registered park.
Unfortunately, trees have already been felled for the purpose of laying down a multi- purpose games court and skating area. Concreting of the area is scheduled for Monday 20th December 2021. PPL Vic. Inc. is asking you to intervene urgently to stop the works now so that restoration of the park can start as soon as possible.
There was very inadequate public consultation for these works, and they are being carried out in the absence of a current Master Plan. The Master Plan of 2006 gave no inkling of the dramatic changes that are now proposed. The Master Plan was meant to be reviewed in 2016, and would have involved considerable consultation. In November 2017, only a very small, select number of opinions were sought about this current plan. This current development is also at odds with the current espoused strategy of MCC of enhancing nature and connectivity to increase biodiversity.
Why the lack of consultation? This seems to be part of the trademark of many governments. Who really has a vested interest in this development? Who gains most? Why the push to do this so quickly?
PPL Vic. Inc. supported the decision of Heritage Victoria to deny the City of Melbourne a Permit for the works proposed for Fawkner Park on Heritage grounds. This decision was appealed at great expense by City of Melbourne, its lawyers and the Heritage Council and the decision was overruled in favour of this development.
Furthermore, PPL Vic. Inc. is of the opinion that the MCC has ignored the changed needs of the community at large in light of the pandemic of 2020 to 2021 (and probably beyond) when green areas have been shown to be invaluable to the people of Melbourne.
In this era of acknowledged climate change, these works will destroy the shade and cool of the lawns and trees, make the area impermeable to rainwater, and in total will be a local environmental negative.
This development is extremely ill considered and should not go ahead until there is a new Master Plan and appropriate consultation.
Yours sincerely,
Fiona Bell, President.
Protectors of Public Lands Victoria Inc (PPLVic.Inc)
Phone 0425 707637
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