EastEnders keeps community conversation alive

EastEnders provides a vehicle for residents to come together, share thoughts on areas of common interest and hear from inspirational guest speakers.

Our values come from no political persuasion. We have an eclectic membership, which means we bring a diversity of views to many matters, but we discuss them in a productive, non-judgmental and collaborative way.

Over the past year we have welcomed some outstanding speakers and traversed a broad spectrum of local issues – from providing input to the City of Melbourne’s new Community Engagement Policy, to understanding the complex area of heritage protection across the city, learning about our 19th century history in the eastern end of the CBD, gaining insight into the work of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria, and hearing perspectives from our newest local member of Federal Parliament.

We have also conducted our own form of community engagement, as reported previously in CBD News. Addressing issues such as the City of Melbourne budget, the proposed external review of the Queen Victoria Market, planning and engagement with affected stakeholders, the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, safety and security on our streets, and health services in the CBD gave our group the opportunity to have its say in a way we believe should be replicated across the city.

The council’s new Community Engagement Policy enables such initiatives, and we await with interest to see whether our experience is valued by decision-makers.

At our July meeting we heard wonderful perspectives from one of our eminent architects, Professor Donald Bates, Chair of Architectural Design at the University of Melbourne. His experience designing the iconic Federation Square, and now inspiring students to creatively design for a better future, was met with great appreciation. We were privileged to hear his story.

Our next meeting will be another highlight when we welcome Lord Mayor Nick Reece and Deputy Lord Mayor Roshena Campbell. All are welcome to join us at 10.30am on Monday, August 17. You can be guaranteed a lively discussion.

We also continue to work outside our meetings by commenting on planning and development matters across the CBD where we believe the amenity, heritage and building implications are significant.

Recently we submitted that the City of Melbourne should not support a fast-tracked proposal to the Minister for Planning for a major development on Swanston and Flinders streets, which would significantly impact this iconic location at a key entry point to the CBD.

A 76.6-metre tower, where the planning scheme has a limit of 40 metres, was clearly worth calling out – and we did so. This was the only opportunity to make a public submission and was enabled by the matter being considered by council’s Future Melbourne Committee. The decision we sought was approved, so while that was a good outcome, the willingness to contemplate a 60-metre tower remains problematic.

The Minister for Planning referring these applications to council for an opinion is vital and provides at least some public engagement opportunity. Having recently attended a meeting of Liveable Victoria, it is clear there is widespread concern across the state about the new planning laws being implemented.

It is time to stand up before all that we know and respect about our planning processes is rendered an interesting historical artefact.

I am quite surprised that the Municipal Association of Victoria and the Victorian Local Governance Association have not taken a more aggressive and public position on these matters. Some would say this decline in political and civil liberties is an existential threat to democratic rights and democracy itself. As the level of government closest to the people, strong leadership by local government is expected.

If you like the sound of what we are doing at EastEnders, we meet at 2 Lonsdale St each month and have a token membership fee of $15 per year. Contact us at [email protected]

Finally, thanks to CBD News for all it has done to enable a community voice. We look forward to the next exciting chapter. •