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KEW COTTAGES COALITION

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Explore the Corruption ?

The Yarra River Green Wedge established in 1984. Kew, Melbourne Australia.

This prize 27 hectare site just kilometres from the city is

being developed on a model than concerns

the Committee greatly....

David Davis MLC
Chairman,
Select Committee
of the
Legislative Council
on
Public Land Development.

It was September 11th 2008. 

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"... The final financial return to the State will not be known until the end of the project....">>

Department of Human  Services
Melbourne
March 29th 2010

  "...  If a con game is successful, the mark does not realize he has been "taken" (cheated), at least not until the con men are long gone..."
 
(Read More)

Audio  Listen to "The Sting.."

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This STOP PRESS 25 September 2018 Heritage Permit 26760 With Conditions issued Read More >> 21 September 2018   Heritage Council Victoria Permit Review Decision Read More >> 4 June 2018 Heritage Council Victoria Permit Review Update  Public Hearing Scheduled for 18-21 June 2018 \ Download Kew Cottages Coalition Public Hearing Submission documents and video 1. Submission (.pdf file) 2. Appendix (.pdf file) 3. Video (.mp4 file) Links for downloading all public submissions we receive  are Here For more documents and background information go to our LINKS Page 26 April 2018 Renewed threat to Kew Cottages Parkland Heritage Victoria's second refusal to permit a developer's plans to build within the tree lined avenue approach to the former Willsmere Hospital is set to be reviewed by the Heritage Council. Sydney billionaire developer, Lang Walker, has lodged an appeal against Heritage Victoria's insistence  that the whole of the avenue approach to Willsmere  must be properly restored as parkland. Brian Walsh, President, Kew Cottages Coalition, said today that, "Walker Corporation now appears to have spent over a decade trying to find ways to legally encroach upon this fabulous piece of public parkland. This is the Sydney developer's fourth attempt to overcome  the long standing Heritage permit conditions imposed on the Main Drive Kew housing estate development "It's now gone beyond a joke", Mr. Walsh, said. "Nothing surprises me any more." "It appears to me that if developers have enough money, and access to Government bodies then they can go on appealing against the umpire for ever ! " Read More >> “This application is also frustrating because it directly stops the creation of the new Kew Arboretum that has been proposed by the Kew Cottages Coalition and mirrors the initial vision of Baron Von Mueller who designed this area (and the Royal Botanical Gardens).”  The Heritage Council will hold a Public Hearing commencing on the 18th June 2018 to review Heritage Victoria's rejection of Walker's application to build private apartments on the parkland. Thursday 2nd November   2017 Kew Public Meeting Motion carried Unanimously   This Public Meeting welcomes the recent ruling by Heritage Victoria to reject Walker’s recent building application and calls on Major Projects Victoria (MPV) to now transfer the land to Boroondara Council to establish a Kew Arboretum to fulfill the original von Mueller vision for this heritage site. * 7pm Thursday 2nd November 2017   KEW PUBLIC MEETING Important Information Update Melways  Map 45 D6 *** Download Nov 2017 Newsletter Print Version  here Wednesday  25th October  2017 Heritage Victoria stands firm against apartment development on Kew Cottages ground Paula Maud HERITAGE Victoria’s steadfast refusal to permit a developer’s latest plans for the former Kew Cottages site has been warmly welcomed by a long-time community advocate... Read More >> Download  Print Version: "No" Means No ! Submission Appendices Sunday 19th March  2017 Hundreds of millions unaccounted for from Kew Cottages Exclusive Royce Millar The Kew Cottages redevelopment was supposed to be a three-way winner. The 480 residents with intellectual disabilities living at the prime site in Melbourne's inner-east would be rehoused in new accommodation; the government's joint venture partner would make a handy profit for his trouble; the state would cover the cost of relocating the former residents and share in the profit, yielding millions of extra dollars to pour back into wider disability services... Read More >> Thursday 23rd February  2017 Kew Public Meeting Motion carried Unanimously This Public Meeting calls on: - Major Projects Victoria and Walker Corporation to provide an undertaking to respect the heritage values of the Kew Cottages site, and abandon their plans to build on the heritage parkland at the entrance to Willsmere - The Minister for Planning and Heritage to amend the current Heritage Bill before Parliament  in order to ensure the best interests of the community are given priority over exclusive or private developments. - The Minister for Major Projects and the Minister for Community Services to honour the Bracks and Brumby Governments undertakings not to privatise the three remaining heritage buildings, but to adapt and continue to use them for the provision of services for both the intellectually disabled and the wider community. - The Auditor-General to undertake a forensic audit of the Walker Corporation and Kew Development Corporation books in order to investigate serious financial anomalies including why the project has never turned a profit, despite the significant rise in eastern suburbs property values since Main Drive Kew sales commenced in 2007. * 7pm Thursday 23rd February 2017   KEW PUBLIC MEETING Important Information Update Melways  Map 45 D6 *** Download Feb 2017 Newsletter Print Version  here ==== Friday 9th December  2016 Major Projects Victoria revives Walker Contract like a phoenix rising from the ashes... Link: Victorian Government Contract Publishing System Website (CPS) Thursday 10th November  2016 Heritage and public get raw deal in development rush Jefferson Kinsman Age - Comment Page 22 Download Print Version here Just east of Yarra Bend Park, on the gentle slope of a quiet hill, there hangs in its frame an antique school bell, seemingly suspended mid-swing by a heavy coat of paint. Alongside the bell, equally frozen in time, are the vestiges of a European cottage system consisting of an 1887 school and chapel building and its two timeworn siblings – a dining hall and a cottage designed for housing children with mild intellectual disabilities. Historians have come to regard the site as an example of extraordinary Victorian innovation, and one of high national significance . The three buildings and the bell have been lucky to survive one of the more controversial chapters of the state’s recent political history – the privatisation of an enormous tract of public inner Melbourne land, formerly known as the Kew Cottages . The result was a spanking new estate of 300 or so almost identical low-density luxury homes, developed by the Walker Corporation in a rocketing property market, and referred to by some as the tissue box houses.... Read More >> (Demolition of the Corkman hotel is just the tip of the iceberg) Thursday 27th October  2016 Walker contract Expires 1. Major Projects Victoria Contract Number 3669 as accessed CPS website Wed 21 Dec 2016 2. As currently published.  See: Victorian Government Contract Publishing System Website (CPS) Tuesday 10th May  2016 Developer pulls Kew Appeal FIVE-STOREY APARTMENT BLOCK NO LONGER ON THE CARDS Greg Gliddon Progress Leader Download Print Version here A STUNNING about-face has seen Kew Development Corporation, a subsidiary of Walker Corporation, withdraw its appeal to the Heritage Council of Victoria over the rejection of plans for a five-storey apartment complex in Princess St... Read More >> Wednesday 24th February  2016 Kew Public Meeting Motion carried Unanimously " This Meeting calls on the Andrews Government to direct Walker Corporation to withdraw its application for the Heritage Council to be reconstituted." Summary of Presentations >> President and Treasurer's Reports Vice-President's Report KCC Balloon Assisted  Walker Building Visualisation Power Point Slides (Download) Links: Kew Cottages Blog Kew Cottages Library February 2016 Lang Walker's Application for Heritage Council Victoria to be reconstituted Read More.. You are Cordially Invited to our Annual Public Meeting at the Kew Civic Centre   KEW PUBLIC MEETING 7pm Wednesday 24th February 2016 Melways  Map 45 D6 *** Download Feb 2016 Newsletter Print Version  here Monday 15th February 2016 Walker Corporation/Kew Development Corporation have submitted an Application for the Heritage Council to be Reconstituted. The Heritage Council has, therefore, determined to adjourn the final day of the hearing scheduled for Monday 15 February 2016, to allow time for consideration of the application, and any material submitted by parties in relation to it.  (More... )   Monday 8th February 2016 Community Opposition grows to High Rise in Park Plan  and Walker Corporation uses Photoshop to fight back in the Yarra Parkland ...        Walker Image Scharp  Fig. V12AA                                                  Where's Walker ? Walker Corporation may have tried to make it easy for the public to see  Main Drive Kew in this Photoshopped Image presented to Victoria's Heritage Watchdog .. After all,  they have even gone to the trouble of marking their proposed High Rise Block of Apartments in RED ! BUT Question  1. Can you actually Find the Walker Building ? (If not, try downloading a higher resolution image file of their photo and look again !) Question 2. Can you Find the Willsmere Heritage Listed Landmark Building on Main Drive ? Question 3. Can you Recognise where Walker's photo has been taken From  ? Kew Cottages Coalition President, Brian Walsh,  said today that I am sure that technically this is a very nice photo, and demonstrates a very professional use of Photoshop. But I think the way that Walker has presented this material to Victoria's Heritage Watchdog  is a problem, because ... "It  looks to me like mutton dressed up as lamb.  "Walker appear to be trying to manipulate the true story in at least two ways", Mr. Walsh said. 1. Site selection. There are many other sites, even using their methodology, where the impact of the building is  dramatic and clearly impacts on the heritage value to the lay person who uses the park and lives in the area. 2. Impact distortion. The use of a 22mm lens minimises the visual impact of the building. Use of a 50mm lens  is more consistent with what the naked human eye sees. Using a 50mm lens the impact of the development is much greater – both using the Scharp-selected sites and other routine sites. 'We would like the Heritage watchdog  to be able compare the developer's 'Photoshopped' views with a few simpler and more 'transparent'  images of the Main Drive Parkland,' Mr. Walsh said. So we have undertaken a small 'Test and Demonstration' Project to present to the Heritage Council at their Public Hearing on 15th February (Details below) This will include: 1. Balloon-Assisted Building Visualisation - to test Walker's Claims Kew Cottages Coalition Balloon Building Visualisation  Image                                                Walker is still fighting to avoid having to return this Main Drive Kew site to its historic Kew Cottages parkland setting Walker wants to build High Rise Apartments blocks instead. Our Red balloons (above) provide a 'best case' estimate of the height of the Walker Apartments. plus 2. Drone-Assisted Visualisation  of Main Drive to help put Walker's own views into perspective. YouTube Kew Aerial #1 Dur: 4:36 min  * Kew Cottages Coalition Drone-Assisted Main Drive Visualisation * Links: Answers : Scharp Design Pty Ltd methodology relied on by Walker is  here. Scharp's  Studley Park camera location (V12AA) is here and for a closer view of the planned site See Google Maps Streetview link to Main Drive, Kew below We would value your feedback. Heritage Council Public Hearing The Walker Appeal Hearing has been adjourned until Date: Monday 15 February 2016 Time: 9.30am Venue: Planning Panels Rooms  Ground Floor 1 Spring Street, Melbourne Monday 7th December 2015 Kew Cottages Battle goes to the  Heritage Council Public Hearing All Welcome Date: Thursday 10 December  and Friday 11 December 2015 Time: 9.30am Venue: Royal Australian College of Surgeons, 250-290 Spring Street, East Melbourne Map For further information contact Heritage Council of Victoria  Tel: (03) 9208 3666 Email: heritage.council@delwp.vic.gov.au You can follow all the Kew Cottages Coalition Links for the Public Hearing using the links below *** ** Links: Walk the site with Google Streetview Read the Submissions to the Heritage Council  Smile at the Sydney Developer's Photos of Willsmere (Magnifying Glass Required-:) Heritage Tree Protection (Courtesy of Major Projects Victoria) ! Dig into all the Documents -:( ===== Remix From The Archives... 2015 2014 2013 2012 Monday 20th February 2012 A cracking public meeting over Lang Walker's Kew Cottages fiasco Stephen Mayne I've been to some lively public meetings in my time but few rank alongside last Thursday night's community meeting over the 27ha Kew Cottages site being developed by colourful Sydney billionaire Lang Walker. The site has a sordid history of broken promises, excessive secrecy and utterly inappropriate political donations by Walker, who even sent Graham Richardson down from Sydney to try and bang a few Labor heads together. Once the Brumby Government was defeated, things were meant to get better. Alas, whilst local member and Justice Minister Andrew McIntosh repeatedly called the Labor government's contract with Walker "an abomination" he hid behind so-called "sovereign risk" arguments in justifying little change and the non-release of the contract. Health Minister David Davis, an upper house member for the region which includes leafy Kew, made the incredible claim that he supported Boroondara Council's recent litigation over Walker's attempts to have nature strips classified as public open space. He even called on Boroondara's Green mayor Heinz Kreutz to further explain what was happening? It wasn't until Davis had left the meeting that Mayor Kreutz explained that council had only obtained legal advice and this had strongly argued against actually launching litigation. Given that Kew Cottages is state government land and the previous government kicked the council totally out of the process, it was incredible to have Ted Baillieu's factional enforcer somehow calling on the council to explain what was going on. Mayor Kreutz just asked that the government reinstate the council as the relevant planning authority. Both McIntosh and Davis came across as being poorly briefed on the whole situation, which is ultimately in the hands of Major Projects Minister Denis Napthine. The Baillieu Government is badly split on planning issues. Planning Minister Matthew Guy is strongly pro-development, yet Baillieu himself is hugely conservative and believes passionately in preserving Federation suburbs which dominate the Boroondara landscape and includes his Hawthorn electorate. Throw in a whole bunch of angry new residents who are opposed to ongoing disability services being provided on the historic site and cranky with Walker for failing to deliver their long-promised pool, gym and cafe, and you have one almighty mess. Surely the Baillieu government should just write a cheque to make Lang Walker go away and then completely go back to the drawing board with a new masterplan for the site which involves Boroondara Council at every level. Read the Full Edition >> Link: http://www.maynereport.com/articles/2012/02/18-1643-8209.html Remix Remix Remix Kew Cottages February 2012  Newsletter Download PDF  Print Version The Baillieu Government promised Disabled a real Alternative at Kew BUT Failed to Deliver... Promise Performance Lift the veil of secrecy on Kew Development Contract arrangements Failed Insist on developer fulfilling all its contractual obligations including preservation of 40% of the site as open space and Failed Restore the recreation building  that was demolished in breach of contract. (The Hamer Centre) Failed Support the Kew Coalition 5 Point Plan* Failed Refer Kew Cottages Development to Anti-Corruption Commission by July 2011 Failed The story so far...   125 Years Ago, way back in 1887,  Kew Cottages was Australia's  first 'Government Insurance Policy' for intellectually disabled kids and their families. It offered asylum for the children on a significant piece of Public Land outside of the walls of the Willsmere that was permanently reserved by an Act of Parliament for the intellectually disabled. Today, Kew Cottages is like a "canary down a coal mine".  Over the past ten years nearly half of the the 27 hectares of Public Land surrounding the Cottages in 2001 has been progressively sold off by the Bracks, Brumby, and Baillieu Governments in a most disturbing manner. The 'State Government Insurance Policy' for intellectually disabled kids and their families looks decidedly battered and bruised. In 2008 concerns were raised by a Parliamentary Inquiry that the Government sell-off of the Kew Public Land was shrouded in secrecy and not in the public interest. The Inquiry also expressed concern that two property developers involved with the Kew Public Land deal, Walker Corporation and Mirvac,  had both made large political donations to the Victorian ALP days before the 2006 State Election. At the end of 2008 Parliament instructed the Victorian Ombudsman to investigate the probity of the Victorian Government's Kew Cottage's contract, including the role of lobbyist Graham Richardson in the deal. At the time of the November 2010 State Election there was a strong smell of corruption in the air. The Brumby Government was voted out of office, and the incoming Baillieu Government made an election promise to refer numerous concerns about the redevelopment of Kew Cottages to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission that Baillieu promised to establish by July 2011. The Baillieu Government also promised that, subject to any contractual obligations to the contrary,  all of the remaining Kew Cottages Public Land would be listed on a new Victorian Register of Significant Public Land. In February 2011 a Public Meeting convened at the Kew Civic Centre endorsed the Baillieu Government policy. The Public Meeting also called on the Government to impose an immediate moratorium on further Public Land sales at Kew Cottages, and to implement all of the Recommendations of both the Victorian Ombudsman's Inquiry, and the Victorian Public Land Inquiry. Read More >> However, after a year in power, the Baillieu Government has comprehensively failed to deliver on its election promise for Kew Cottages. And while the Government has so far failed to set up its promised Anti-Corruption Commission, and failed to preserve Public Open Space, it has continued to develop, approve,  and sell off Kew Cottages Public Land.  The Challenge for Change.  << 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010  2011 2012 NOW! >> 2011 2012 The Developer's Contract Lang Walker, Kew Development Corporation  & Ted Baillieu, Premier of Victoria It is January 2012 and it is still not too late to achieve a better outcome at Kew Cottages because the Government still owns the land... Read More >> From The Archives... 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007  Royce Millar's Front Page Story The Age Wed Mar 28 2007 'Richo' on board cottages project' (Click here for Hardcopy Version) Or Read Online Version at: http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/richardson-weighs-in-on-cottages-project/2007/03/27/1174761470790.html Remix

Background Environment Issues Monday 10th July 2006 Melbourne Channel 10 TV News Reports "Yarra Bend Park May Now Be Under Threat" from Deadly Tree Disease at Kew Cottages View  Windows Media  wmv video file (1min39s): (Archive ..)	Bracks Government Cover up on Biosecurity Threat to Yarra ? Tuesday 14th March 2006 Brian Walsh tells the ABC's 774, Jon Faine, he is astounded that the Government now claims it was unaware of the discovery of the fungus at Kew Cottages. Walsh says the Government claim is nonsense, "our information is that they have known for weeks.. " (see below) Listen to the full Interview mp3 audio (2min 34s):

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