Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Thursday 20th March, 2014
at South Yarra Senior Citizens Centre, Fawkner Park, South Yarra.
Present: Over 100
Apologies: Brian Tighe, Shadow Minister for Planning, David Baillieu,Louise Green,Cr. Louey, Cr Richard Foster, Cr Jackie Watts, James Matthies, Martin Drerup, Cr Oke, Cr Leppert. Elizabeth Douglas, Dianne Berlin
Welcome: by Michael Butcher, President
President’s Report:
1 A report on the VCAT decision regarding 155-157 Domain Road development. MSYG was involved in objecting to this development which has now been approved by VCAT, with 35 conditions to be fulfilled. Issues that continue focus on liquor licenses, traffic counts, the waste disposal programme and noise and MSYG will continue to liaise with CoM about these issues being addressed
2 MSYG is persisting in strongly voicing concerns about the change to the Commercial Zone 1 for 3141. The principal concern is the CoM will no longer have any capacity to stop development in Commercial Zone 1, particularly in the shopping strip of Domain Road
3 MSYG formally objected to the East-West Tunnel proposal
4 MSYG successfully lobbied for the new Japanese restaurant in Park Street to downsize its advertising street signage
5 Membership of MSYG is important for all residents as gives the group a better voice
Guest Speakers:
Mr Neil Pharaoh, Preselected Labor Candidate for Prahran
Spoke of the State Opposition’s commitment to education, transport and liveability, the latter including planning issues and on-going developments. He values community engagement and looks forward to active contact with 3141 residents over matters of concern
Mr David Mayes, Manager – Strategic Planning for the City of Melbourne
Spoke in detail about THE NEW RESIDENTIAL ZONES FOR THE CITY OF MELBOURNE paper. Currently 3141 is zoned Residential 1 Zone and it may become General Residential Zone. He urged everyone to read the pamphlet and go on the website and make a submission: www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/participate This opportunity closes on Friday 25th April 2014 and a report will be made to Council for a decision in June 2014
In discussion it was agreed MSYG make a submission to CoM and attendees urged to go onto the website and put in a submission.
Financial Report:
The Financial Report was tabled. It was proposed as received by Anthony van der Craats, seconded by Douglas Butler. Motion Carried
Election of office bearers:
Nominations were accepted by Anthony van der Craats and seconded by Douglas Butler. Motion carried
President: Michael Butcher
Secretary: Andrew Bennett
Treasurer: Pam Dethridge
Committee: Jan Armstrong-Conn, Phil Lukies, and Anthony van der Craats.
Business:
1. Adoption of the new rules of the Association in accordance with the Associations Incorporation Reform Regulations 2012: the revised rules were proposed by Phil Lukies, seconded by Douglas Butler.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. Change of name of the Association from the Melbourne South Yarra Group Inc. to Melbourne South Yarra Residents Group Inc: the change of name was proposed by Phil Lukies, seconded by Douglas Butler.
Motion carried unanimously.
Other Business
1 Member for Prahran, Clem Newton-Brown MLA spoke about the Victorian Government’s introduction of the three new residential zones
2 A resident, Paul McSweeney, spoke about “GoodRest’ (corner of Leopold Street and Toorak Road West) and the Permit Application from Christchurch Grammar School to convert it to an Early Learning Centre. Local residents are very concerned that this is an inappropriate development in a residential area. He requested the meeting that those concerned file an Objection to CoM
3 Angela Mackenzie spoke about the disturbing increase of heavy helicopter traffic over 3141. She has been advised that the issue can only be address by a group voice contacting the Ombudsman. It was agreed that this matter would be discussed at the next MSYG committee meeting.
Meeting Closed