Call for community input on Mentone hotel plans Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au THE community will be able to have its say on the proposed Mentone Hotel development after Kingston Council voted to request approval from Planning Minister Richard Wynne to begin a formal planning amendment process for the site. If that is granted, the amendment process will include a call for public feedback on the proposed development. The council will then review submissions received and determine whether or not to refer them to an independent planning panel for further review. The mayor Cr Tamsin Bearsley said there had been a great deal of “misinformation” about the process in the community – including threats of an arson attack if the council did not vote the way one protester demanded. “Let me be clear. Kingston Council has not approved the plans for the Mentone Hotel development,” she said. “Last night’s vote was not about giving approval to the development, but rather about starting the formal planning process so that the community can have its say.” The application lodged with the council includes retention and restoration of the state heritage-protected building facade and internal staircase as set out in the permit granted by the Victorian Heritage Council.
The developer, Paul Huggins, has applied to build 56 apartments and 12 townhouses up to four storeys high on the iconic site. A food and beverage area will be established in part of the ground floor of the herit-
age listed Beach Rd building. Cr Ron Brownlees told a sometimes noisy meeting that “anger, hostility and hysteria” had marred to council’s consideration of plans for the hotel’s redevelopment.
“We’ve never even voted on it,” he said. “The whole issue has been hijacked by pollies and council wannabees. “There are two issues: Those who
want a hotel and those who are opposed to four-storey apartments – two clear choices. “The owner can reject our decision and go to VCAT, and then we’d be back to square one, or, we can stay in the game and have further discussions.” Cr Brownlees congratulated the Save the Edgy group for their efforts in trying to save the 1880s hotel “with limited success”. “The site has a wonderful history and I hope we can work with the owners to get a better outcome to preserve those memories.” Cr Bearsley said this was the first step in a long process. “I’m keen to ensure the community is aware of the facts and has its chance to give feedback on the plans – then later on, following community feedback, council will have the chance to vote on whether or not they wish to refer the matter to an independent panel for advice,” she said. “No matter what councillors decide, ultimately the final decision whether or not to amend the planning scheme rests with the Victorian Minister for Planning and this process is expected to take many months.” Interested residents can register with the council to be kept informed about the different stages of the Mentone Hotel planning process. Register by emailing strategic.planning@kingston.vic.gov.au or call the strategic planning team on 9581 4713.
Kingston’s kinders top of the class Council rejects sky rail WORKS are well under way on the Carrum Family and Children’s Centre at Roy Dore Reserve. The $3.6 million centre will provide high-quality kindergarten, childcare and maternal child health services. It has been jointly funded by Kingston Council with a grant of $2 million and the state government, $1.6 million. The mayor Cr Tamsin Bearsley said the project was part of Kingstonl’s ongoing $20 million investment in early learning facilities across the municipality. “In addition to upgrading many existing kindergarten facilities, Kingston Council has also built fantastic centres at Parkdale and Edithvale, and construction is now under way at Carrum and Westall,” she said.
“The Carrum Family and Children’s Centre – which will feature amazing outdoor learning areas and caring, experienced staff – is set to open in January. Enrolments are open now.” The Carrum Family and Children’s Centre will offer child care, threeyear-old kindergarten, four-year-old kindergarten (sessional and full-day options), kindergarten plus s program delivering extra hours and with extra an learning curriculum to build on a child’s school readiness. They will also offer maternal and child health services, playgroups and family and community services. For information and to register your interest call Carrum Family and Children’s Centre on 9581 3000 or go to kingston.vic.gov.au/carrumFCC
Residents are invited to come along on Saturday 28 May to check out the council’s family and children’s services at Edithvale and Parkdale. Opened last year, the centres offer full time and part-time childcare; four year old sessional kindergarten; three year old sessional pre-kindergarten; and the Kindergarten Plus program that delivers additional hours of learning and focuses on preparing a child for school. The centres have been independently assessed as being in the top 29 per cent of services nationally. Visiting times are Edithvale Family and Children’s Centre 10am-noon and Parkdale Family and Children’s Centre 12.30-2.30pm.
Continued from Page 1 “We met with the minister and we feel we have sufficient grounds to say that it is inappropriate for the City of Kingston. “We feel there is a consistent view among residents opposed to it. “We are still waiting on options to be presented and we hope they concentrate on producing alternative feasible options.” Anti-sky rail campaigner Simon Johnson was ecstatic: “We did it,” he said on Facebook. “This is unprecedented. This is why our Facebook group constructively engages with councils, politicians and community groups. “We owe a big thank you to Geoff Gledhill for putting up this motion. “This sends a clear message to the state government.”
The noskyrail.com.au group will meet Sunday 29 May, 2pm at the Mentone Bowls Club, 2 Swanston St Mentone. See website for details. The Level Crossing Removal Project aims to remove 11 level crossings on the Frankston line. Works are already under way at North, McKinnon and Centre roads. The state government had announced the start of planning for eight level crossings to be removed between Cheltenham and Frankston. Works are at the planning stages for removing the crossings at Charman Rd, Cheltenham, Balcombe Rd, Mentone, Edithvale Rd, Edithvale, Station St/Bondi Rd, Bonbeach, Station St, Carrum, Eel Race Rd, Seaford, Seaford Rd, Seaford and Skye/ Overton Rd, Frankston.
Speak to one of our Roofing Professionals
Call 1300 097 969 www.worldclassroofing.com.au
25% OFF
During Autumn and Winter when you mention this ad.
Roof Cleaning and Roofing Services Roof Painting Roof Coating Roof Replacement
Metal Roofing Gutter Cleaning & Replacement Roof Restoration Roof Repairs
Roof Plumbing in Melbourne Modern Roofing Roof Tiles and Roofing Materials Iron Roofing Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 25 May 2016
PAGE 3