Letters to the editor

Who is this Guy?

Re your articles “New council, new approach” and “90,000 Southbank population claim”, in issue 14, I make the following comments.

What credentials does Matthew Guy have to be made Planning Minister, with sole approval of large developments?

He should be titled Minister for Pro-Development, as there appears to be no planning involved for Southbank, as there was none for Docklands.

Mr Guy will be responsible for the:

* Development of the tallest high-rises possible to be squeezed into Southbank to house 90,000 people (from 10,000) and match New York’s Manhattan, the world’s 50th most liveable city;

* Destruction of Southbank’s liveability, and residents’ enjoyment of their homes with no allowance for space between high-rises, privacy or sunlight, a basic human right. With 10 metres, for example, (originally to be eight metres) between the approved 71 storey, 275 metre, 1 Queensbridge St (QB Tower) and the picture windows of Freshwater Place’s west-facing apartments;

* Denial of any voice or objection from residents, the Planning Minister having the sole right of approval; and

* Decision to approve all high-rise developments, whether suitable for the site or not and with no thought as to whether the infrastructure can cope, or the facilities are available to service the huge increase in the resident population and vehicular traffic.

Citizens of Melbourne beware! Our “Most Liveable City” is in danger!

John B. Sheather, Southbank