15th May – 3rd Tuesday of the month COFFEE GROUP – see you at “ILLY” 10.00am

Hello neighbours – coffee-holics will meet again tomorrow. The Adobe site  and Hayward Lane matters might dominate conversation , but feel free to bring your news from anywhere in town…for those new to the city “Illy” is in Little Lonsdale street near the corner of Exhibition.

Happy 111th Birthday to the Royal Exhibition Building, today 9th May, 2012

As the site of the first sitting of our federal parliament, this great building is deserving of a $20 million birthday present – we extend our congratulations and thanks to federal member for Melbourne, Adam Bandt for this outcome. Five community action groups have worked towards this recognition of our history and heritage. Looking forward to keeping you posted…3 cheers!

Here we all are..  

BIKE LANES for La Trobe Street – your say

A plan to install bike lanes along the length of La Trobe street seeks to make the thoroughfare safer for all users. Your comments are sought before 15th May so please join in and complete the on-line questionnaire (www.melbourne.vic.gov.au) or email fleur.maidment@melbourne.vic.gov.au   or attend the information sessions as follows  La Trobe Street Bicycle Lane Fact Sheet-9

Should the East-West Link go ahead? Join the debate

More roads, more cars, more tollways, more pollution  - is that what we want? Certainly not! Residents 3000 is committed to lobbying for improved public transport and we say “CONNECT THESE COMMUNITIES BY TRAINS NOT TOLLWAYS.” Julianne Bell is arguing against the East/West link going ahead and the RACV (no prizes for guessing what they want ). Please join the debate..here are some links. Adam Bandt our hard-working federal member can also be contacted.. http://adam-bandt.greensmps.org.au/sites/default/files/eastwest_tollway.pdf.
Should the east-west link go ahead  – the debate

 

 

 

PRECINCT POLICING & POLICE HOME PAGE…

If residents are curious about which Police Precinct they may fit into, click onto the link below and find out. There are also some maps…however, please note that if you want an issue addressed, using the email link on the Home Page will have your email sent to the appropriate person. You do not necessarily have to know which precinct you are part of at any given time. In all instances if you need police attendance, please ring “000″.

Victoria Police – Melbourne East Precinct Policing

Have YOU joined the “Green” conversation?

Urban Forests, Rooftop Gardens and Vertical Gardens…not just a topic of conversation, but about significant planning for our future, incorporating as much “green” as we can in our city .. please read the following article by Megan Backhouse…New shade of green for the city  and City of Melbourne’s “Urban Forest Strategy” still in draft form awaiting YOUR views – do write in to CoM , Residents 3000 or Corba in our USEFUL LINKS in the left hand column.

Tree Art – Melbourne & Spain

The City Square is back to being just that ,after a short stint at being “Christmas Square”. Some new art in the form of colourful knitted (or is it crocheted?) jackets adorn the gum trees… the Spanish forest at Oma has painted trees by an artist too…at least our  knitted “jackets” can come off if the weather gets hot or the mood for something new takes over! See both below:

3UA Lunchtime Series is back..

Take your lunch along and enjoy a motivational  and inspiring talk to kick off the new year!  FebforumCurnow

 

It’s MEMBERSHIP time – please join up or renew!

Hello All – If you live in Postcode 3000 and have not recently joined Residents 3000, please show your support and interest by joining for 2012. We are a community association to promote the wellbeing, amenity and environment of CBD residents .. this can be done in lots of ways, by either attending our meetings and social events, or by just dropping in to Coffee Club for an informal chat with neighbours. You can also be an observer at any of our committee meetings ….so please download the form and get in touch! Payment is by direct debit or cheque .. and lastly, if you are unable to join, you might be able to let others know through your Owners Corporations .. not forgetting to keep an eye on this website for latest news….here is the form…res3000_membership_2010-1

ALCOHOL & DRUGS – the govt. is asking us to help them – let’s contribute.

WOVG AOD Strategy JAN 23 2012    http://your-say.net.au/.

Last days and we are looking for people to respond… you can have you say by email or attend a focus group and participate actively…don’t be shy – your opinion is very important.

When ERR becomes Grrrrr…..

Community groups within the City of Melbourne have long held the view that there must be a review of the Electoral System. We, at Residents 3000 (supported by the Melbourne Business Council) have been very vocal on the need for Attendance Voting to replace postal voting, and Council made representations to State government on our behalf. Not surprising all of this has fallen on deaf ears…government has agreed to increase the number of councillors (supported by us) but not a WARD system . Those were the only 2 matters up for review. Here are some submissions and more information for those interested…

http://www.vec.vic.gov.au/reviews/Melbournerr.html

What is CORBA? a real word or anagram? Let’s find out…..

the answer is found here :  www.corba.org.au

Are your “green thumbs” itching?

Then get in touch with City of Melbourne and find out – they may have a “job” that you might enjoy….or give them ideas, opinions health@melbourne.vic.gov.au

Gardening in the Street-3   and here’s more  www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/getinvolved.

PPL Submission to Council 0n 17/04/2012  Protectors of Public Lands Victoria Inc submission to Future Melbourne Committee 17 April 2012 on Street Gardens Residents 3000′s position, in short, is:

1/ Not relevant to the CBD  2/There are better ways to “educate” the community 3/ No identification of suitable sites 4/ A Big-Plan is needed,  integrated with Urban Forest and Open Space Strategies and on-going assessment.We acknowledge the work of officers in putting this together.

RESIDENTS 3000 EVENT- Trees & Forests – all welcome!

Hello All – This controversial subject will be the theme of our discussions – The URBAN FOREST STRATEGY…look forward to seeing you regardless of weather!

Where have all the Parks gone?

Given the recent closure of the Carlton Gardens for several weeks – to benefit a private company; and the closure of Albert Park – to benefit a private company, we do well to wonder how much  public space will continue to be accessible for  Melbourne’s citizens for their relaxation and enjoyment..http://theage.domain.com.au/real-estate-news/demand-for-parks-increases-20120316-1v8sw.html 

Does “one hand” know what the “other” is doing? Construction vs. Trees.

We refer to Planning vs. Urban Forests .The Urban Forest Strategy  released by City of Melbourne to manage our tree population well into the future, is in process of dialogue with the public.  However, what happens ( more commonly it seems) when developers find trees inconveniently “get in the way” of their project? They approach Council to have them removed. This happened recently when Council set a “bounty’” of $250,000.00 for trees marked for removal and replacement at the (Myer)Emporium site in Lonsdale Street. We find a similar situation in Russell Street where, in the eyes of the public, 3 trees were heartlessly removed.We are pleased that the 14/02/2012 Future Melbourne Committee saw fit to investigate a policy proposal ..”to determine the circumstances under which CoM will allow alterations, removal or replacement of street trees as a consequence of construction activities..” Residents 3000 would like to see permit applications for Tree Removal included in the weekly planning applications sent to us.At least we might know what is going on…

EARTH HOUR – Will you be turning your lights off?

Lights out: it’s time for bright ideas   8.30pm – 9.30pm on 31st March- let’s see if Melbourne CBD breaks last year’s record!

And P.S. daylight savings ends at 3am on Sunday 1st April – so move your clocks backwards by one hour and give yourself the illusion of an extra hour of repose!

Melbourne’s Heritage under threat ..again.. and again

The latest onslaught on Rosati’s in Flinders Lane confirms the sort of “vandalism” that can occur unless the Minister  for Planning places interim heritage protection on the 99 buildings and sites undergoing review by City of Melbourne. Rosati’s was one of the few building interiors that was listed for heritage protection. Judge for yourselves what has replaced this… a large yellow smiley face as signage (can’t miss it can you?) and covering over (painted over? ) the frescoes. We shall spare you the re-vamp! Those were the glorious Melbourne days…

…and AGAIN! Any comments, Minister?

here is The Age article from this morning …”A Rash Decision” for your interest..Not only is this a heritage issue – the 2 towers within “touching” distance of the proposed tower reflects the Wills Tower situation where residents’ amenity  will be affected if the Minister gives these the go-ahead. Stay tuned……. A rash decision

Important for residents to be “in the know”.

For more info.please go to www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/futuregrowth or contact  jill.cairnes@melbourne.vic.gov.au

Here are some details… Planning Scheme Amendment C186 – Central City (Hoddle Grid) Heritage Review – City of Melbourne

A quick reminder .. COFFEE GROUP.

Tuesday 17th April the locals will meet at ILLY cafe – 111, Little Lonsdale Street (cnr. Exhibition St.) at 10.00am. If you are new to the city or just want to catch up with friends and neighbours – see you there!