..and the actions YOU can take to stop council selling out to Woolworths. (Deadline 5pm Tues 17th August 2021).

Firstly, what is FOR SALE:

1. 828sqm of Rosanna Library “Public Use” land known as 72 Turnham Ave (the hatched area)
2. Trees and vegetation – Mature, High value, significant canopy trees – All to be destroyed without replacement.
3. Destruction of the Wildlife Corridor - this is a key site in the Salt Creek habitat link noted with specific relevance in the policy.  Supermarkets can be placed anywhere, but Wildlife Corridors are unique and irreplaceable.
4. The historical bluestone façade that could have been incorporated into a new library design.
5. Neighbourhood character and village aesthetics – will be forever changed.
6. The street setback - Woolworths will build their front wall right to the edge of the footpath.
7. Parking – Underneath and to the rear of the current library.
8. A Planning Permit - The sale is dependent on Council approving a new permit for the brand new development proposal (supermarket & library).
9. Control of the site and outcomes – Woolworths, not Council, is the permit applicant for BOTH the supermarket AND the library.
10. Democracy, transparency and unbiased decision making – the subdivision, planning amendment and planning permit processes are all compromised due to council’s seller’s obligation to Woolworths if it goes ahead.
11. All other community-based opportunities, that the land could have been used for, are gone. Public Land should stay in public hands.  It can never be replaced.
     

12.   ALSO for sale, is Council’s integrity in a duplicitous decision, should this sale of our valuable, irreplaceable public land be approved. The decision would go against many of Council’s own endorsed policies such as:

1. Climate (Emergency) Action Plan, 2. Wildlife Corridor Strategy, 3. Urban Forest Strategy  4. Biodiversity Plan, 5. Stewardship Strategic Plan etc.  which proclaim:

-        “Banyule Council recognises the intrinsic value of the natural environment and aims to conduct its activities in a manner which ensures its diversity, protection and enhancement.”

-        “… understand the values and importance of Banyule’s urban forest and operate in a manner that ensures we plan, protect and enhance it for future generations.”

-        “Address fragmentation of habitat by creating wildlife corridors across Banyule”

-        “Requirements - ….reinforcement of links through linear drainage reserves in Rosanna”(Wildlife Corridors)

-        “Create habitat for native wildlife”, & “Connect fragmented patches of habitat”

What we get in return

1. A portion of the library build - Council has not disclosed the value of the contract, but we know that the land for sale offsets only part of the total library build cost, and Woolworths obligation is to build a “soft shell” only.  There is still a substantial cost to be borne by ratepayers to see the completion of the library (in 2024!) including the internal fit out.

2. A slightly bigger supermarket (an additional 150sqm or 6% of floorspace) than Woolworths already has a permit for, on the land next door.  The additional 828sqm land will only facilitate a change in supermarket size from 2700sqm to 2850sqm approx. (Yes, the numbers are correct!)

3. The Rosanna library (rebuild) becomes a hostage to the planning process – AND the loss of all the beautiful trees will be seen as making way for a new library rather than the supermarket - see blue outline for planned new library footprint. (The green outline depicts the planned library footprint, should it be built in the current library position.)

4. An UNDEMOCRATIC and secretive Council as they tick every box to oblige Woolworths to complete the deal. A deal that was initiated by an UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL behind closed doors in early 2019. ie Woolworths made an offer for land that was not otherwise surplus or for sale.

WHAT YOU CAN DO  –

1.      Respond to Council’s “Notice of intention to sell land” at the following link https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Direct-use/Respond-to-a-public-notice with reference - F2015/788  (72 Turnham Ave, Rosanna).  (10 mins) – The above can assist you to write your submission. For example, you can start with something like – “I do not support the sale of Rosanna Library land, 72 Turnham Ave, Rosanna because…. ”.   Submissions deadline for this – 5pm 17th August, 2021.

Alternatively, you can write to :  Attn CEO, Banyule City Council, PO Box 94, Greensborough, 3088. Include the Reference - F2015/788 (Rosanna Library sale)

2.      Think about “speaking” at the council meeting on the 30th August along with us. Please tick the box YES “Do you want to be heard..” (“Speaking” options include having a statement read out, submitting an audio recording or a video recording.)

3.      Sign the petition to parliament (1 min) against all Unsolicited Proposals - https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/council/petitions/electronic-petitions/view-e-petitions/details/12/364

4.      Spread the word WIDELY- Inform other residents in Rosanna and across Banyule if not further.  This UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL and Infrastructure for Public Land partnership sets a precedent that will have impact across our municipality and Victoria - We are going to see a push of public land into developers hands without public engagement or consultation behind closed doors if this continues.

Additional Info for those unfamiliar with the history:   

Woolworths (Fabcot) bought the land next to the library (44 Turnham Ave) a few years ago from Banyule Council. The sale was dependent on Council approving a permit for a supermarket…which of course, they did. Then council spent a great deal of ratepayer funds defending their decision at VCAT. Woolworths actually do not need anything further to build their supermarket on the land they already own.

Link to council’s information - https://shaping.banyule.vic.gov.au/rosannalibrary

Links to previous updates:

Rosanna Library – Hostage to a Partnership - https://www.change.org/p/stop-woolworths-building-in-rosanna/u/29010226

Why Rosanna Library is At Risk - https://www.change.org/p/stop-woolworths-building-in-rosanna/u/18194576

Woolworths - How Many Storeys???? - https://www.change.org/p/stop-woolworths-building-in-rosanna/u/17930135