From here to there …

It is worthy of note that the Fishermans Bend Taskforce, set up by Richard Wynne MP Minister for Planning (inter alia), is doing a fine job in focusing on the future needs for the up to 50 year plan for the largest urban renewal area in Australia - Fishermans Bend.

This plan is being formulated to be ready within the next 12 months and then to be embedded in its new home – Major Projects Victoria and Infrastructure Victoria.

BUT… what happens in the meantime, what happens whilst those in Fishermans Bend’s new homes take time to create the departments, committees, working parties, and start the planning roll out. Nothing!

So back to the meantime … in the Montague Precinct we have up to 20 developments of huge towers ready to start, 200 apartments being finished in next six months in Gladstone St, a new primary school of hundreds of students opening in 2018 (yes in 12 months!) and NO transition plan other than business as usual with the chaos of multiple developments, traffic out of control, Montague St at a standstill during peak hour and nowhere for the many, many new and existing businesses to park.

So that is why we are holding the first of three free public forums on May 16 at 6.15pm at the Golden Fleece Hotel, 120 Montague St, South Melbourne to discuss traffic management in the Montague Precinct.

Please come along and listen to our panel of directly involved stakeholders.

You will also be able to ask questions and be involved in discussion about this very important subject that affects us all.

Our panelists are: Martin Foley – State Member for Albert Park; Minister for Housing; Disability and Aging; Mental Health; Equality; Creative Industries; Bernadene Voss – Mayor City of Port Phillip; David Teague – director of transport and planning at VicRoads; Meredith Sussex AM – chair Fishermans Bend Advisory Committee; and Noel Creece – Principal of South Melbourne Primary School.

Each panelist will speak for five minutes on their understanding of the present needs of the precinct and, as the moderator of the event, I will be happy to take your questions for the panel.

Please get in touch if you have any questions.

See you on 16th!   Trisha Avery Convener - Montague Community Alliance