Edit: Disclaimer - we've been made aware that Change.org offer the opportunity to contribute funds to further support this petition. To be clear, we are not requesting this, we are just eternally grateful if you take the time to read and sign the petition itself. 

We have received a significant amount of community support in relation to our attempts to retain the fixed roller shutters to the front of our building, one of which has been there for over 16 years.

In synopsis the City of Vincent have demanded we remove the fixed roller shutters protecting our windows as there is a clear mandate to never approve these within the City. Full stop. Despite them being prevalent throughout the City. And despite other councils approving them...one such case within a town centre City of Vincent shares with the City of Stirling, a mere stones throw from the CoV border.

In order to keep this as brief as possible, we won't go into the considerable details of numerous communications, consultations and significant community support we've had, but we would sincerely like to thank the community for their support thus far.

And we need that support to continue. The council have contended (among many other things) that they are acting on the will of the people, the local residents, despite overwhelming feedback to the contrary...including in the decision making process itself. We will soon be heading off to the SAT to get the decision reviewed and would love to go armed with evidence of the true and impartial view of the community.

Please note the images and a video linked to this petition, all below:

1. The shopfront as it looked when we took over the lease - two images and a video. The building looked like this, or similar (completely boarded up windows etc.) for at least two decades prior us inheriting it.
2. The shopfront as it looked (with shutters down) taken directly after receiving the demand to take them down.
3. The shopfront as it looks now with shutters retracted (taken 18/5/2023). Please note the additional signage that has already been added as well as damaged roller shutter to the right (damaged whilst deterring an individual attempting to gain illegal access for around 20 minutes).
4. Images of a shopfront with metal grilles fitted internally, the council proposed solution.

And now to the crux of this petition, and what we are asking you to click in support of:

1. The fixed roller shutters, accounting for only 5% of our total street frontage, are completely in keeping with the character and aesthetic of the building, blending seamlessly with the overall frontage and providing depth (positioned as deep as possible into the window recess) and material difference (the metal of the shutters offsetting but complementing the predominantly painted brick frontage)
2. That fixed roller shutters in no way detract from the streetscape, either when open or closed. This position will be further enhanced if and when we get final approval and therefore the opportunity to complete the decoration of our shop frontage, further integrating them into the building itself and adding colour and variety to the streetscape.
3. Related to the 2 points above, specifically that fixed rollers shutters, again either open or closed, are more aesthetically pleasing than metal grilles, bars et al fitted either internally or externally, and in place 24/7 (check the image of the shopfront with these in place - forced by the City of Vincent).
4. That your feeling of perceived, or actual, safety is in no way compromised or influenced by the existence of fixed roller shutters being in place on a building. And for local residents, that it is definitely in no way compromised or influenced by our specific rollers shutters, covering as it does only 5% of the total shopfront.
5. That the actual safety level to the community at large is enhanced by the presence of fixed rollers shutters (down only outside of operating hours), ensuring that the windows cannot be broken, and glass strewn over the footpath (as has happened 3 times in 3 years at our building prior to fitment of the shutters to the windows almost 2 years ago) posing a real and legitimate public safety risk.
6. And most importantly, for the reasons above, you fully support our right to retain the fixed roller shutters, in spite of the council mandate to never approve.

We'd like to think we've improved the building out of sight. We also feel we've drawn a significant amount of people to the area, who often frequent surrounding businesses to have a coffee or a meal whilst waiting for their bike to be built, or a quick repair job to be done.

We've also heard the many horror stories of other residents and businesses when dealing with the City of Vincent. And we implore you to keep these coming - email any issues and challenges you've had to info@evolutionbikes.com.au.

So please, if you agree with all of the above, sign/click this petition, and assist us in making sure that the true will of the people, and feeling amongst those in the community, is heard.

Thank you to all!

 

Shopfront prior to transformation_1​

Shopfront prior to transformation_2​

Shopfront with shutters down_c.May 2022​

Shopfront with Shutters up_18th May 2023​

Other local shopfront with metal grilles 24/7