Your Heritage – Going, Going, (almost) Gone - Royal Park Hospital Heritage Precinct – 18 December 2004

Royal Park Protection Group

News Bulletin – May 2004

 LAST DITCH STAND IN BATTLE TO SAVE ROYALPARK HOSPITAL HERITAGE

We have reported to members that, following the appeal by RPPG, the National Trust and the City of Melbourne, an earlier decision was overturned and a "provisional determination" was made by the Heritage Council of Victoria on 18 December 2003 to include the former Royal Park Psychiatric Hospital Heritage Precinct on the State Heritage Register. (This would give it protection from further demolition and from inappropriate development on the site.) Despite protestations made by the Games Minister Madden that he welcomed this decision and, despite his assurances to the Electrical Trades Union that the Government would not oppose the listing, sure enough the Minister is challenging the determination at the final hearing by the Heritage Council on 20 May 2004. The Royal Park Protection Group has engaged a barrister to help us in this last ditch stand in the battle for what is left of the Royal Park Hospital and its parkland setting, now largely destroyed by the combined forces of the State Government and real estate developers for the short term "Games Village" and for a long term mega property development. But we cannot continue to defend the heritage listing without financial help from members and supporters.

Meantime, even before the final hearing of the Heritage Council and with the Minister's approval, the developer is building a road through the heritage precinct and has started construction of the "Display Village" (seven display houses, a real estate "sales facility" office and a visitor's carpark) all bang up against the heritage buildings. The road and houses are only 15 metres away from the façade of the Heritage buildings, not 50 metres as prescribed by the Heritage Council. (See above diagram.) The complex was supposed to have been surrounded by parkland and gardens. The developer will build, if left unchecked, "intense infill" units in between the heritage buildings. Heritage walkways linking the buildings have already been demolished. The whole complex will be overshadowed by an immense apartment wall of 700 units along the freeway and – up against the heritage buildings - one of three eleven storey tower blocks approved by the Minister.

PO BOX 197 PARKVILLE 3052 BY 20 MAY 2004. Contact Julianne for information on 98184114 or 0408022408

The battle with the City of Melbourne bureaucrats continues with the three community groups – RPPG, North and West Melbourne Association and the Parkville Association – keeping watch on the Park to stop the insidious creep of infrastructure – roads, paths, toilet blocks, carparks, barbeques, seats on concrete blocks and more clutter.

One of the latest examples is the proposal, initiated by the Urban Camp, to construct a bus-parking bay on Brens Drive. Apparently, the children and staff visiting the Urban Camp are unable or unwilling to walk the 100 metres from the giant bus parking bay and turning circle outside the State Netball and Hockey Centre down the road. The SNHC also has a 700-vehicle carpark, largely unused during weekdays when Urban Camp visitors are arriving and departing. Construction of a bus-parking bay on Brens Drive would necessitate felling a mature healthy ironbark plus new trees. A planning permit is needed which RPPG will oppose. Official Council policy, which seems to have been forgotten, is to reduce carparking in City parks.

Another threat to the Park comes from a recently revived Melbourne Council staff proposal for "art installations" in the Park. The latest bizarre proposal came from New Zealand artists with giant poles/wind chimes to be floodlit at night. The staff was reminded that they should not forget Royal Park is officially a "dark park". It also seems to have been forgotten that only one third of the Park is available for passive recreation. Naturally it is never suggested that "art installations" be placed in the middle of sports fields, which occupy two thirds of the Park.

Thanks to the eternal vigilance of our community groups, we discovered that inscribed in very fine print on a plan for a community planting on the west side of the McPherson Field on Poplar Road were the words "remove 25 sugar gums". Despite the fact that the three groups are on the Vegetation Sub-Committee of the Royal Park Master Plan Committee we had never been advised of this proposal.

On 3 May 2004, a site inspection was arranged with Councillors Kitching and Chamberlin at which another plan was produced by a tree consultant, involving keeping 8 of the 25 trees. (These trees were deemed dangerous as they might drop branches but then this could apply to most of the mature trees in the Park.) RPPG has asked to see the consultant arborists’ reports. Also we reached agreement with Councillor Kitching, Chair of the Environment Committee, that in future Council staff advises RPPG of any tree or trees to be removed and arrange for a site inspection. See RPPG website www.royalparkprotect.org.au

PPL VIC met on 1 May 2004 to elect a permanent Committee and to made plans for future actions. A permanent web site has been established www.protectorsofpubliclandsvic.com Over 50 community action and environment groups have joined up. One of the roles taken on is to assist member organisations with campaigns. PPL VIC supporters attended the Camberwell Station Action Group’s rally on 2 May 2004. Councillor Kevin Chamberlin, the newly elected PPL VIC President, spoke at the rally on the need to retain public open space and heritage buildings in public hands.

Brunswick residents may be interested in attending the meeting of the newly re-formed Brunswick Progress Association. The next meeting is at 7 p.m. Wednesday 19 May 2004 at Senior Citizens’ Hall, Albert Street, East Brunswick, next to Fleming Park. The impact of the "Games Village" on Brunswick will be discussed.