Terrific Support from Fiona Richardson PLUS 40km Speed Limits!

A good news post!

Very pleased to advise we've had some welcome assistance from Fiona Richardson MP, Member for Northcote with a couple of local issues. Tanya Wolkenberg, Christos Symeonides and I met with Fiona's  team last Friday to check in on progress and discuss next steps.

First, the Merri Creek Parkland: Fiona's office has earlier confirmed this will no longer be sold privately, which is a relief. Darebin Council and VicTrack continue discussion on the nature of either a sale/transfer or leasing arrangements; no further information available at this time, so nothing revelatory here.

Second, Fiona has provided terrific support for our request to secure a safe crossing over Merri Parade to the parklands, bike path and the Kunda Lat Bike Bridge beyond. She's also raised the issue of large trucks (still) entering Merri Parade to encounter the low rail bridge and performing calamitous turns through parkland or down narrow South Park Street. This follows Fiona's earlier advocacy for having the bike bridge built and installing sequenced traffic lights at the intersection of Merri Parade with St George's Rd, formerly the "roundabout of doom." We've been advised to sit tight and wait on a response from Minister Donnellan and VicRoads, who are aware of these issues through earlier discussion with residents.

Fiona's letter is online here for your reference, with our grateful thanks for the terrific representation (also to Fiona's helpful staff Michael Berthelson and Marion Dormer).

You will also have seen that Council is considering setting a 40km speed limit in our residential streets. This is fantastic news and follows our group's unanimous request to Darebin's traffic engineers at a big meeting convened by Cr Trent McCarthy a few years ago (2010!), so please do offer this welcome initiative your support.

The short survey tool for feedback is at http://surveys.darebin.vic.gov.au/s3/Northcote40km - calming traffic in our streets is very welcome, particular for all the kids, dogs and daydreamers hereabouts!

Jessi and Jennifer Hit the Bigtime

Great to see our erstwhile Bridge St neighbours Jessi and Jennifer hitting the big time in New York! Sad to see you go, but success is a fine consolation, congratulations both.

http://m.theage.com.au/victoria/the-melbourne-restaurateurs-taking-new-york-by-storm-20160205-gmn9i5.html

Progress for the Merri Creek Parkland

The good news from staff in Fiona Richardson's office yesterday is that private sale/development of the land is off the cards again - however, VicTrack still seek a sale to our Council and it's still important to sign the petition supporting the transfer of land back to the crown to remain as locally-managed parkland. We hope to see this matter resolved very soon.

https://www.change.org/p/jacinta-allan-protect-the-merri-creek-parkland

"Park's Fate Discussed"

From the article posted today in the Northcote Leader. Thanks to all who came along for the photo - remember, the petition is online at https://www.change.org/p/jacinta-allan-protect-the-merri-creek-parkland 

Petition: Protect the Merri Creek Parkland

Our petition to Ministers Allan, Neville and Richardson is now online - please sign to add your voice to the call to preserve the integrity of this open space, parkland and wilderness reserve.  https://www.change.org/p/jacinta-allan-protect-the-merri-creek-parkland 

VicTrack Sale of Merri Creek Parkland - Northcote Leader Photo

Hi again (already),

The Northcote Leader are now running a piece on this and would like to get a photo of the locals on site this Friday at 10.30am - grateful if you could factor this in to your morning! Please come along, same place, corner of St George's Rd and Merri Parade.

Thanks,

Mike

Proposed Sale of Merri Creek parkland by VicTrack: Channel Nine News item

A big thanks to everyone who came along to make their voice heard last month - many will have seen the subsequent news item that aired on New Year's Eve, but for those who missed it, here's the link: http://www.9news.com.au/national/2016/01/01/12/35/victorian-government-s-desperate-bid-to-save-land-from-developers

No further news as yet, but we'll certainly keep you posted.