Protectors of Public Lands Victoria
MEDIA RELEASE 22 MARCH 2005
MONASH UNIVERSITY REPORT EXPOSES FLAWS IN MELBOURNE 2030
Today Dr Bob Birrell, Director of Monash University Centre for Population and Urban Research, and his team will formally launch their long awaited monograph - Melbourne 2030: Planning Rhetoric versus Urban Reality. (Melbourne 2030 is the Bracks planning blueprint for Melbourne.) Amidst all the hype and spin generated by the State Government and defenders of Melbourne 2030 such as Save Our Suburbs, this is the first piece of truly analytical research undertaken by esteemed academics from one of Australia’s leading tertiary education institutions. Included in the team was Professor Kevin O’Connor of The University of Melbourne.
Julianne Bell Secretary of Protectors of Public Lands Victoria commented:
"We commend Dr Birrell for this timely report, which delivers a warning to the Bracks Government that Melbourne 2030 is fatally flawed and if allowed to proceed will irrevocably change the shape of our city and suburbs for the worse. A central theme is that the presumption of Melbourne 2030, that a large population of ‘empty nesters’ and retirees will downsize and move into high-rise apartments in Activity Centres, is flawed. This will not happen as they are staying put in their houses
Planning Minister Hulls appears to be unaware that last year saw almost continuous protests by a broad coalition of hundreds of community action, resident and environment groups over the implementation of Melbourne 2030. Major protests were held in June 2004 "Melbourne Says No to Melbourne 2030" and in October 2004 which saw a major rally "Melbourne Says No to Towers in Our Suburbs", sparked by the Mitcham twin towers debacle. Also there were many protests held in the suburbs – Brandon Park, Brunswick, Burnley, Camberwell, Frankston, Kew, Mitcham, Parkville and Wheelers Hill
Minister Hulls appears to be resorting to the old platitudes parroted off by his ill-fated predecessor, Mary Delahunty. He has been quoted as saying that Melbourne 2030 will enhance our city and make Melbourne the world’s most liveable city. In our view it will open up the way to unbridled development and hasten the demise of Marvellous Melbourne. In addition he says that the Government has not sold Melbourne 2030 well enough to the public. Mary Drost of the Boroondara Residents’ Action Group has pointed out that ‘you can’t sell a flawed product’."
In his report Dr Birrell says that: "The Bracks Government needs an exit strategy …(the best outcome would be) to acknowledge the limitations of Melbourne 2030 and reassess its good and bad points and then commission a new plan. Our hope is that this book will contribute to the necessary reassessment. PPL VIC and thousands of Victorians have continually called for a review of Melbourne 2030. Planning Minister Hulls must listen to the people of Victoria.
Dr Birrell will launch his report on Melbourne 2030 today at 11 am at Monash University offices at 30 Collins Street (11 th floor)
Contact: Julianne Bell Secretary Protectors of Public Lands Victoria 98184114 or 0408022408