York St Mediation report

During the week some objectors attended mediation about the development at 307 York Street.

Mediation went well with everyone getting a chance to have their say and to provide feedback to the developers about how the community and neighbours felt about the development.

You will find background and other info about this development here. http://ballarateast.online/topics/dev/307-york-street/

It’s not unusual with developments in the East that the major concerns were:

• over-development of the site (in this case 28 units on a block just over 8000m2)
• lack of diversity (repetitive design)
• lack of response to neighbourhood character
• lack of response to natural environment & waterways
• lack of response to heritage issues
• lack of understanding of sustainability (lack of public and private open space; one way in/out posing safety risk; lack of car parking for visitors)

We understand that these developers are attempting to build ‘green’ dwellings, however it must be ‘green’ for the eventual residents also, not just the buildings. Livability is a big issue for current types of housing being developed in the East. We need developers to be prepared to do more for the communities they are creating, more than the minimum outlined in state planning laws, more for the communities in which they are building – build with us, not over us.

In a more positive light the developers group (no longer TGM, now in the hands of a consultant who was once with TGM and the development group Eureka Holdings) all turned up which was very respectful. They genuinely listened to the concerns, however they gave no indication of willingness to act on any of the issues we raised. We hope they will return with revised plans that account for the legitimate concerns raised.

The consultant hired by the developers though showed us little respect, laughing during presentations and on a number of occasions throwing papers down the table.

Thanks to Councillor Belinda Coates for turning up, and thanks also to the council officers in attendance who were clear with their comments, happy to answer questions and support the process of mediation. It remains an issue that these meditations reflect such a power imbalance. For the community (usually objectors) its often the first time they have participated in mediation or have had any interaction with the planning process. Not so for everyone else at the table.