Don’t let them pave paradise and put up a parking lot
Stacey Morland has written the following article about Bellfied Community Garden for the Transition 3081 Grapevine newsletter.
In the words of Joni Mitchell, “Don’t it always seem to go. That you don’t know what you’ve got. Till it’s gone. They paved paradise. And put up a parking lot.”
The Bellfield Community Garden and Bellfield Community Centre are under threat. Council plans to demolish both (as well as selling off HiCity & former Royal District Nurses building) and build 4 or more 5 & 6 storey apartment blocks along the length of Oriel Road (96, 98 and 100 Oriel Road) between Perkins Avenue and Banksia Streets, Bellfield and build new facilities in Perkins Avenue, a narrow suburban street. It appears the only reason Council is moving the community facilities to this section of the land is a restriction to title that the Department of Education put on part of the land when they sold it to Banyule City Council in 2013.
We would like to see a dialogue between Council and the Department of Education to consider removing the restriction (penalty clause) (we are aware that Council has not approached State Government about this other than purchasing more Department of Education land) and for Council to provide the same public land footprint or larger along Oriel Road, keeping the Bellfield community garden and refurbish and regenerate the community centre to meet the needs of the community and for Council to develop additional community facilities on adjacent properties at 98 and 100 Oriel Road or along Banksia Street. So, retaining and expanding the community facilities to meet the needs of the growing population of Bellfield and surrounds. Also, this will ensure community facilities are visible to the community and not tucked away. The location of community facilities along Oriel Road and Banksia Street also connects the two sides of Bellfield, dissected by Oriel Road and the local shops and Ford Park. Keeping the community faculties together.
It has taken 4 years to develop the garden from a patch of grass, to a space to nurture, grow and develop community. The garden has fostered a spirit of connection and engagement for the many that visit. No matter how attractive the proposed plan may appear as a colourful document, the reality is that it takes years to build communities like that at Bellfield Community Garden. So let’s build on what we already have.
The remainder of the land, when Council does develop for housing, we would like to see Council take this opportunity to develop an iconic development using best practice design showcasing good sustainable, environmental and social outcomes.
What you can do
To voice your opinion, go to the Shaping Banyule Bellfield Masterplan webpage:
- Vote on the Quick Poll located at the right hand side of the webpage.
- Put a marker and add a comment on the Have Your Say Map located at the bottom of the webpage. Add as many markers and comments as you see fit. Comment on different parts of the Masterplan.
- Email your thoughts (submission) to all of the following:
- enquiries@banyule.vic.gov.au.
- The Bellfield Masterplan Project Officer: james.stirton@banyule.vic.gov.au.
- Director of Communities: Allison.Beckwith@banyule.vic.gov.au.
- The Olympia Ward Councillor, Craig Langdon: Cr.Craig.Langdon@banyule.vic.gov.au.
- Local State MP, Anthony Carbines: anthony.carbines@parliament.vic.gov.au.
- All other Councillors, as they will be voting on the Masterplan.
- Email the Bellfield Community Garden to become a member and join our community and follow us on Facebook.