SOS has received this from WERA (West of Elgar Residents’ Association) – they have had many many problems with Deakin University…
WERA:
Deakin Uni has ‘struck again’ without any community involvement.
They are suddenly on the Whitehorse Council Agenda for Monday night [3 days notice for us!], seeking to build their “Interconnect” -actually a high level bridge that will carry maintenance vehicles across the Gardiner’s Creek valley parkland.
Our email to Council –
West of Elgar Residents’ Association Inc.
W E R A
A.N.:A0031410U
To : ALL COUNCILLORS, CITY OF WHITEHORSE
RE : Council Meeting of 17 March 2008 and Item 10.2.4
Deakin University Interconnect Project
This dot point note is being sent to you now – WERA is planning to prepare a more detailed letter.
Please do NOT support Deakin University’s application as put before you at this meeting.
WERA strongly supports the retention of ALL of the Gardiner’s Creek Reserve as Public Open Space
We are therefore opposed to the placement of a bridge in the park and the alienation of a central section of the park to an outside interest.
WERA puts forward the following points to support our request to you:
- WERA, together with CROWAG [Combined Residents Organisation of Whitehorse Action Group], have consistently opposed the proposed Interconnect. These are your resident community who feel strongly about open space in Whitehorse. At two public meetings held about the proposed Interconnect, not one resident spoke in favour.
- Deakin University’s “Public Consultation” [mentioned in your agenda] was a farce. “Options” were displayed, but community involvement never occurred….. The pylons of the bridge were there beforehand ……. And the community was unable to discover what happened to those “options” ……And a prize was awarded within weeks for a bridge built to fit the pylon specifications!! ……
- Further ……. Historically, Deakin University’s relationship with the community has been poor. There is a longstanding sense of distrust among residents.
- Whitehorse Open Space Strategy is now Council Policy. In this, the Gardiner’s Creek Reserve has a high priority.
- Legislative Council Select Committee on the Sale and Alienation of Public Land. WERA has a submission before this committee with respect to the integrity of the Gardiner’s Creek Reserve.
- There is an ‘overlay’ along Gardiner’s Creek in this area.[State Government]
- Granting this application could create a precedent for future outside [eg Deakin] applications to alienate open space
Elizabeth Meredith