Why should we object now if this is a done deal?

An application for the subdivision of the library land will be considered by council at their next public meeting which will enable the completion of 828sqm of public land to be transferred to Woolworths.

You can object to application REFERENCE: P631/ 2022  (72 Turnham Ave, Rosanna):

By Emailing:   enquiries@banyule.vic.gov.au and devplan@banyule.vic.gov.au (both)

Or CLICK HERE to complete the online objection form and CLICK HERE to view the planning application.

Why should we object now if this is a done deal?

Only your objection to this application will be a true record of opposition.

• Get our voices on the record
• Stop council manipulating our views
• Remind council they are accountable to us, as residents not Woolworths
• Highlight that council DO NOT back their policies of climate change, urban forest, wildlife corridor, stewardship, sustainability etc
• Unite to combat corruption in Banyule
• Keep talking, sharing and informing others

We recognise that Banyule Council had planned to thwart public opposition and breed apathy with this partnership since it’s inception. CLICK HERE for prior update.

The sequence of applications for the sale, planning permit, then subdivision and rezoning (An application to State Government in 2023) has not followed the usual process that allows for transparent unbiased decision making.  This is perceived as a deliberate, forward planning by council aimed at reducing the number of objections at each application so that residents stop objecting when they feel it is pointless and irrelevant to the process.  There is no evidence that shows any significant support for the library partnership with Woolworths, however councillors claim falsely that objectors are the loud minority. Those with a conflict of interest are interfering and sometimes stifling views of objectors with false information and misdirection, particularly on social media.

Are you aware that State Government has also tipped the scales by awarding a living library grant of $1.5m applied for in 2021 before the partnership amended planning application had been advertised. With Woolworths building the library “essentially for free” (attribute to Cr Tom Melican) although in exchange for our valuable library land.. we wonder why the State Government grant? However, State Gov has also funded Turnham Ave upgrade but contributed nothing to assist our long suffering traders on the West side upgrade ('upgrade' used loosely in this context!). 

And…are you aware that Banyule Council refused to accept this online petition OR additional signatures to the previous paper petition (1,600 signatures) based on it’s origination in 2016 - and have then consistently attacked the online petition’s legitimacy. The irony and contradiction is that Council allowed Woolworths permit “amendment” application that originated in 2016 prompting the original petition! (Note that online petitions were accepted by council as an exception to their published guidelines throughout COVID.  However, as the guideline itself was not amended, this allowed claims on social media that this online petition was in breach of guidelines.)

REASONS TO OBJECT include:

1. Councillors have no “open mind” to this decision due to the sale contract and permit issued.
2. Council documents demonstrate that the subdivision application is a fait accompli as documents submitted in May 2022 reference an “existing development permit” even though this permit did not exist until 5 months later!
3. Interference by State Gov. including an incentive grant of $1.5m received in early 2022
4. All reasons based on Environment & Sustainability as previously noted (see below)
5. Bias of Banyule Council for partnership initiated in early 2019 by City Development Director Scott Walker.

You can add to your objections any or all of the reasons already highlighted in a previous post. CLICK HERE for other Reasons to object.

You MUST also:

- Ensure you receive an objection receipt (prior objections have gone missing and remain unrecognised by council!!)

- Request your objection be included VERBATIM on the council report (some previous objections were ignored by council adding to the lack of transparency)

NB. Banyule Council had advised that P631/2022 was running a parallel process to the previous application, however it seems that those of us that included an objection to the subdivision resulted in council holding back P631 advertising so that the objections would not count. In usual circumstances, the subdivision of public land is done before the sale process begins.  Although Woolworths was the applicant for the library development build, council are now back to being the applicant on the subdivision of the land.....more smoke and mirrors..

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Further reading on council bias and guidelines:

Local Government Inspectorate:  “Under our democratic system we expect our elected representatives to have an open mind and to act fairly and without bias when making decisions which affect the rights and interests of others.”

From Local Government - https://www.localgovernment.vic.gov.au/council-governance/how-we-regulate-councils

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD full report – ‘Ensuring Unbiased Democratic Council Decision-Making’

Excerpt:

A councillor will fail to bring an open mind to a particular administrative decision making process if he or she:-

• Closes their mind to the consideration of all relevant factors because they have already reached a particular decision before weighing up those factors;

• Is so committed to a conclusion already formed as to be incapable of altering their view, whatever evidence or argument may be presented;

• Has so prejudged the issue that any representations at variance with the adopted view would be futile;

• Before taking part in the decision making process has expressed a final opinion on the matter which cannot be dislodged.

CLICK HERE to view The Ombudsman’s ‘Investigation into the transparency of local government decision making’