TCPA Bulletin
Volume 4 Number 1 February 1997 Editorial In Defence of the Public Realm The defence of our public and national parks from the attacks of developers and the government is no less than the defence of the public realm. Our streets, parks and open spaces are all that remain of public land, which belongs to and is open to all people. It is vitally important that we show the government that we mean business, and turn out in strength on 23rd February at Carlton Gardens.
Transporting Melbourne Submission TCPA submitted a second response to Transporting Melbourne on 10th February. Written by Peter Hill, this paper elaborated on our earlier submission and developed a case for road pricing. Copies are available from the secretary. Quick Response Group TCPA has established a quick response group to respond to issues that arise at short notice. The contact person for the group is Robin Dunstone (ph. 9561 3907). Addresses for Correspondence Please address all correspondence to: The Secretary, Town and Country Planning Association, Box 312, Market Street Post Office, Melbourne, Vic. 8007. Secretary: Ray Walford: 9817 4684 (ah) Email: r.walford@praxa.com.au President: Miles Lewis: 9419 6030 (ah) E-mail: lewis@architecture.unimelb.edu.au
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Diary
FEBRUARY 23 Hands Off Our Parks, Carlton Gardens, 2:00 pm. 24+ Members' meeting - see notice overleaf.
MARCH 3 Committee Meeting, University of Melbourne, Architecture Building, ground floor, Wunderlich Laboratory, 5:30 pm. 19 Forum - Women and Urban Planning, with Prof. Leonie Sandercock at Room P408, VUT Library, Footscray Campus, 7:30 pm. Contact: Sheila Byard, 9329 8685.
APRIL 18-20 The Australian Institute of Urban Studies 1997 National Conference on Livability, Planning & Governance, Melbourne Town Hall. Price $340/160 concession before Feb 28th; $380/170 later. For further details ring Geoff Baker on 03 9459 0634.
OCTOBER 1-3 Environmental Justice Conference, organised by Nick Low, of the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, Melbourne University, will be held at the university. Price: $352 before 1st May, or $452 later. Conference details are on the internet at: http://www.arbld.unimelb.edu.au/events/enjust.htm or phone Nicholas Low, 03 9344 6429/6417.
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Committee Meetings .. are held on the first Monday of each month (except January) at 5.30 pm at the Architecture Building, Melbourne University. Members are welcome to attend as observers. Agendas are available from the secretary. New Members We welcome the following new members: Jo Lee, Christine Renkin Rate Capping and Urban Consolidation What has rate capping to do with urban consolidation? Well, rate capping means that councils are not allowed by the state government to increase their rate revenue - the total amount collected - no matter what development takes place within their area. At the same time, councils are required by the state government to implement urban consolidation, which means that the number of properties to be serviced, and the wear and tear on services such as drains and roads, will increase. So the more consolidation that occurs, the more work the council will have to fund from a fixed amount of revenue. This can only result in poorer quality services and a deterioration in the state of the infrastructure. Rate capping is a huge financial disincentive to carry out consolidation, as it imposes a financial penalty on councils which do so. Rate capping might seem attractive to ratepayers, whose rates will decrease with every new property built, but it is a Faustian bargain. If the government is serious about consolidation, then it should allow councils to fund the
increased costs from an expanding revenue base. Ray Walford Members' Meeting
Victorian Planning Provisions & Local Agenda 21 A members' meeting is planned for the last week of February to discuss the new Victorian Planning Provisions and Local Agenda 21. This will be an opportunity to learn more about these topics or share information and views with other members. No meeting venue, date or time have yet been set: these will be arranged to suit the majority. If you would like to take part, please call Lorna Pitt on 9628 5460 (work) 9380 1459 (home). Questions for your local candidate
In the run-up to the next round of municipal council elections, it is important to question candidates' understanding of planing issues. Here are some suggestions.
Have you read the Planning Charter? What do you understand by the term 'Municipal Strategic Statement'? This bulletin is produced by the Town and Country Planning Association Inc.