Tag: Victoria Square Precinct Committee

Victoria Square Precinct Meeting
1 February 2017
Multicultural Hub

Present: Clynton Cooper-Alyn, Martin Mulvihill, (DHRA), Drill Hall resident (name withheld) Mark Karutz, Ian Hicks, (CoM); Hon. Ellen Sandell State MP for Melbourne; Maria Tsopanis (AMES Aust –Multicultural Hub); Ben McDonald, Zoy Yerondais and Robert Whitson (HCA), Rachel Maguire, (adviser DHRA), Elliot Summers (Polygonia), Julia (Wonderment Walk), , Ian Symmons (CoHealth)

Apologies: Jean Cameron – AMES Australia; Mark Brown –DHRA; Dominique Belanger – HCA

1. Update from Council on the capital grant application for the community garden.

Mark Karutz – a capital works bid for renewal of garden has been submitted

High level feasibility study of the air rights above 506 Elizabeth Street just routine and part of ongoing process of monitoring potential of Council properties.

2. Ellen Sandwell State MP for Melbourne – office in Peel Street

· Portfolios including housing affordability, social housing, development and homelessness.

· Open invitation to contact Ellen re. Issues

· Renewed focus on housing. Press the State to do something re.an affordable housing

strategy. Can complete an online survey at www.fixhousing.com.au

· Homelessness – police do have powers to deal with people disturbing the peace and they also have a mental health assessment team who can make on the spot assessments

· Launch – Melbourne streets to homes, outreach teams

· Major issue is the lack of affordable long term housing, no new housing stock,

· Greens have some strategies but pressure needs to be placed on State and Federal governments

· Martin raised the local problems that residents have experienced with the increasing numbers of homeless in the area e.g. health hazards & waste accumulation. Ian from CoHealth explained that the lack of suitable storage for the homeless to store their goods contributed to the build-up of clutter that was left on the streets. In recent times access to lockers at train stations have also been denied.

3. Future arrangements for Council/Precinct liaison

· Ian Hicks CoM explained that a Community Development Group are to be engaged and will then be the contact/liaison point for the Victoria Square Precinct meetings.

· Previously within his area there were 2 groups; Community Engagement and Neighbourhood Development People

· Under the new structure the Community Development partner will bring together both functions. Thereby minimising duplication and maximising engagement processes

4. Overall Design for street perimeter landscape and community garden. (Elliot)

· Elliot to talk with Codesign to further expand project

· Concepts like Parking day could be incorporated to highlight the areas potential http://codesignstudio.com.au/

5. Update on Wonderment Walk project in community garden. (Julia)

· Philanthropist giving back to the City of Melbourne – arts and culture

· Meeting with John Cunningham- will act as curatorial consultant on the project

· Naming park: at present residents refer to area as Therry Street Community garden. And the term ‘backyard’ has been used as a thematic description. Further suggestions about the name will no doubt evolve as the project takes more concrete shape. It is probably best at present to concentrate in the project,

before discussing names, as this could simply be a distraction from the main task of bedding down the project.

6. Problems of animal management, biological waste in community garden. (Council officers access?) – Mark Karutz – will talk to his colleagues to seek enforcement of laws

7. Update on community garden wall restoration (HCA). Submission is being developed and will be submitted

8. Accessibility issues in Therry street – can Council’s Social Investment department help?

9. Other Business

Ian Symmons CoHealth – Update
· Install CCTV down Therry Street, down Vic and one to cover park.

· CoHealth do not intend to make the Cohealth garden entrance the main entrance. 53 Victoria will remain the main entrance.

We are planning to get glass doors installed at this main entrance.
This will provide better disabled access.

In addition we are also aiming to get a glass door installed at the garden entrance. .
This is to provide natural light and a better emergency access.
It will be locked from the outside unless we are holding an event in the garden.

Update Therry street accessibily works near cnr with Elizabeth streets.
Work is nearly complete and already great improvement for wheelchair users.

Next meeting proposed for Wednesday April 5th 2017 at the Hub 3.00 pm – 4.30 pm.