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Southbank Residents Group

Southbank Residents Group
Tony Penna

Does the new Planning Minister, Richard Wynne, have Southbank’s interests at heart?

Well, in general from my observations from his recent public comments and rejection of some Southbank and non-Southbank developments I was quietly confident Southbank might finally be gaining some traction.

However, this perception came to an abrupt halt when earlier last month an application to amend an already-approved development on the corner of Balston St and City Rd, adding an additional 14 floors, was approved.

So I ask the question, if the City of Melbourne councillors may have contributed to this approval through the application not being considered at a Future Melbourne Committee meeting in November last year owing to a number of councillors being conflicted by developer donations and subsequently the quorum being lost.

I was scathing of council in my column back then and this approval only raises more questions. I intend to address this approval with the Minister personally in my next meeting.

Have you walked across the “renovated” Southbank footbridge lately? Well take your hearing protection as you will need it!

While I understand there was a pressing need for maintenance as the pins holding the planks in were popping out and creating trip hazards, I certainly didn’t expect the user experience to worsen.

While it might be safer, it certainly isn’t a pleasant walk anymore. I am a farming boy and the sound that comes from the bridge when a large number of people are walking across reminds me of the hoof sound from herding cattle up a loading ramp.

There is a horrible echo in the material which was chosen to replace the planks. It seems to be some carbon-fibre/metal mix, maybe even hollow.

Well if you haven’t walked along the footbridge yet, you will certainly know what I mean when you do.

I feel for those patrons in Ponyfish Island, I am not sure how anyone could have a conversation under the bridge now. I think this will be a good item for me to raise with the Lord Mayor at this month’s Future Melbourne Committee meeting. I will certainly be recommending he takes a walk across it himself to understand.

Did you know Southbank Residents Group’s legitimacy relies on having a membership base?

Our advocacy is only taken seriously when we have numbers backing us up.

If you are a resident or investor in Southbank please consider joining, it is only $10. Details can be found at www.southbankresidents.com.au

Tony Penna
President

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