Save the Heidelberg Artists' Trail - UPDATE

Dear Supporters Just a quick update on the progress of the petition to Save the Heidelberg Artists’ Trial. So far, the online change.org petition has been signed by 552 people to date, which was achieved in roughly 2 weeks. The post containing the link has been seen by almost 4,500 people locally in Banyule. Over 100 people have left comments attesting to their sentiments in support of keeping the trail as it is and to preserve and honour our local artistic heritage. Banyule Council have been advised of the strong community sentiment and support for keeping the artists’ trail signage and for Council to continue to maintain the signs when necessary. Banyule council have advised the following: “Planning for the renewal of the Heidelberg Artists’ Trail is still in an early ‘ideas’ stage and there is no project underway or resources attached as yet. However when the project does begin to take shape community consultation will form an important part of the process. And we will ensure you are informed of this opportunity. Please be assured that our aim in any renewal project in the future is to explore opportunities to enhance the cultural & environmental experience offered by the Heidelberg Artist Trial. We’re interested in developing even more inclusive engagement, rather than removing any contextual relationship to the site.” I have reinforced with council that given the strong community sentiment around the trail, both within Banyule and more broadly as an important local, historic landmark and tourist attraction, that extensive community consultation should take place before any changes to the trail are made. In the meantime, if you could make sure you visit the local traders who are hosting the hard copy petition for Council, that would also help to show how strongly the local community feel about this matter. Drop in for some fantastic culinary delights or excellent coffee to sign the hard copy petition at: • Mr. Peebles, Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe; • Café Matto, Burgundy Street, Heidelberg, • Hunter Lane, Turnham Avenue, Rosanna. Further updates will be posted as they come to hand. Yours in Community Sonja