March 2010
TAGGING AND FAGGING - Yes, our City looks pretty messy. Garbage collection is still an issue because the collecting companies are assorted and badly managed, and because many of us (especially small businesses) do not look after our bins.
But there is something we can do about the mess created by taggers and smokers. Tagging is growing everywhere. It is foolish and destructive – especially when it is scrawled on some of our excellent Street Art. In some lanes where genuine, legitimate Street Art flourishes, taggers think this gives them the right to scrawl with felt nib pens and spray cans, glue pointless posters and do anything they feel like.
And on “fagging”, the idea of banning smoking in the street for part of the day has been floated..but unfortunately not in Melbourne.When is the City going to start fining offenders? We know that some of our members do try to advise people they see”butting out” on the footpath, but most of us don’t have the nerve! A while ago the City gave away some “pocket” ashtrays, but to no avail – one lady said she wasn’t going to use one “because it made her handbag smell of ash”, so she presumably continued to let her butts flow down the gutter to the Yarra.
What about students outside “colleges” gathering in groups to smoke and “butt out” on the footpath? If enough people ‘phone in, we believe something can be done! Call Town Hall on 9658 9658 ( the earlier in the morning, the better).
CLOSURE OF OUR CITY MUSEUM -You may have missed it! From 14th March our City Museum in the Old Treasury Building is to be closed permanently by the Minister for Finance, Tim Holding ! Why? Holding says it will enable more weddings to be registered there – part of the building houses a marriage resistry office. And our “Tim – the Minister for getting Lost”, says he needs the revenue! There is no problem getting married in Melbourne, witness the number of wedding photography sessions around our parks and gardens, and, oddly, in the dirtiest lanes!
The City Museum is an important tourist facility in the City. The Council thinks so, and so do we! What about you? Let the Minister know by sending a fax to his CBD office on 8684 8014!
Thank goodness the City Council continues its excellent City Gallery at the Town Hall (adjacent to the HalfTix shop).Please go there when you can. There are some great exhibitions drawn from Council’s archives, from the impact of US military during the last war (“Over here, over paid, oversexed”) to the story of newspaper boys on the street, the history of garbage collection and much more….
February 2010
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Our Lord Mayor has suggested that if Our City became a truly 24/7 city,street violence would decline.He does not of course mean 24/7 for drinking/drugs, but the type of activities that would attract “ordinary” citizens to enjoy being in the city at any time throughout 24 hours.Former Councillor Catherine Ng had a similar idea a few years ago, but she had few suggestions beyond keeping galleries, museums,libraries and other public facilities open into the small hours. At that time Residents 3000 made a few broader suggestions for “night activities”, such as street soccer (remember the success of the World Championship Homeless Cup in Federation Square in 2008, laneway cricket in Rutledge Lane, outdoor film shows and more?) …. The old ballroom above Flinders Street station could be used for hobbies, classes of many kinds, debates and many more activities.And of course there are many other locations to which people could be attracted for “responsible” activities.
What do you think? Can we bring more “ordinary” citizens into the City 24/7? Would it reduce drugs/drink/hooliganism? Let us know or email the Lord Mayor direct at lordmayor@melbourne.vic.gov.au
Also have a look at at new Posts and editorials in our central Blog column….
EDITORIAL for 2011 is covered by the Committee Report – please read Committee Report 2011
What is “planning”? If you look at Abrose Bierce’s” Devil’s Dictionary” it says that to plan is:
“To bother about the best method of accomplishing an accidental result” (page94).
Now we know which dictionary they use in Justin Madden’s office!
Planning is one of the MAJOR issues in the forthcoming State election. Increasingly decisions are left in the hands of the Minister, Justin Madden. Citizens have a right to have input, whoever has the final decision.
Is there an overall State/Council plan for our City? There is no sign of one! It is not simply a matter of approval of a particular building plan, but of the impact on the entire locality. Have a look at the plans for the old Stork Hotel site, opposite the Vic Market, for example. How does it fit into the area? We never seem to see this apect of the planning process – each proposal seems to be consideredin isolation to its location. This is NOT planning, it is “development” in the worst sense (“bugger everyone else”.)
Yes we at Residents 3000 have equal concern and feel that this impulsive planning policy is a forerunner of the govt. (and business) orchestrated population “growth” that is about to overtake us. We were all happy with the idea of the Victorian Labor Govt. wanting a promising future for its economy by being innovative and building on Victoria’s intellectual capital (i.e the “Clever City” phenomenon) and adding cultural and “events” driven activities. However it does seem that the current population increase mostly of overseas students is leading to a boom in goods and services, and therefore revenue, without any long-term benefit for our State. Will Victorians be the long term beneficiaries of better infrastructure, housing, sustainable practices, not to mention water and clean air! or will we just continue to patch up in order to cope as we go along?Thank you for your comment. Stay tuned!