Merri Parade Duplication

Many will have seen the old issue of Merri Parade's duplication resurfacing of late, largely in reaction to Council's decision to minimise traffic flows on High Street, creating a heavier flow through our precinct.  We already have westbound traffic on Westgarth Street unable to turn right into either High Street or Charles Street further on at the St George's Rd junction, requiring drivers to cut through established residential streets to access main roads on the south-west of Rucker's Hill. While some traffic calming measures are in the pipeline, Council is now considering establishing a four-lane highway between local residences and the creek parkland, to continue down Westgarth Street where opportunities for widening are scant without loss of on-street parking, plantings and amenity.

The Parade Development: increasingly an optimistic vision.
Picture a four-lane highway where the tree plantings are.

Darebin's Mayor, Cr Stevan Tsitas (a Rucker ward councillor), has urged Council officers to prepare a report on the viability of revisiting the idea of bringing greater traffic flow down Merri Parade yet again.  On this week's Council agenda a progress report was sought from Council officers:

1) Council officers prepare a report on what strategic direction
Darebin’s advocacy will take to VicRoads with respect to the ‘Main
Road’ status category attributed to Merri Parade once the full effects
of Tram Route 86 are felt.
(2) In light of the Council report of 21 March 2011 noting 18,000
passenger vehicle movements per day on Merri Parade that we seek
to engage the community to advocate for the duplication of Merri
Parade to alleviate the traffic congestion in this key area linking the
two major entrances to the city to the south, namely High Street and
St Georges Road, Northcote.
Felipe Carvajal Michael Ballock Report to Council in July 2012.

We need to be ready for this consultation and to have our arguments well formulated and grounded in basic common sense.  Naturally this would have a major impact on our precinct and its environment, further cutting us off from and compromising existing creekside reserves and in particular degrading the quality of life for residents close to or living on Westgarth Street and Merri Parade.

Of course, it would be great to get this sort of nonsense sorted out:

Some highly effective recent stormwater works.

Remember this is an election year.

If you're not on our group email list, please contact us with your details as soon as you can to keep up to date with progress and events.

Demolition and excavation recommencing

Couple of quick updates: first, advice from Merri Merri Developments is that the last bit of demolition on the site should be recommencing this week, weather permitting.  This should also roll on to the excavation works for the underground carpark - a whole bunch of jackhammering through the good old Northcote basalt.  Hang on to your hats!  Probably a good four month's worth of colour and motion in the neighbourhood before the site can move on to the construction stage.  Director Russell Gordon has generously pledged us as many landscaping boulders as our little hearts desire to embellish the Merri Station landscaping works (thanks Russell).  Will be a nice touch to have some local rock in our local spaces.

Second, some great work undertaken by many of us last week up at Merri Station, spreading out a vast heap of organic compost generously donated by Sita Organics to charge up the new garden beds on both sides of the train line.  Thanks to everyone who pitched in, particularly all the kids!  Photos soon at the new Stationeers blog at http://merri-stationeers.blogspot.com.au/ .

Commencement of Demolition Works - Removal of Asbestos Roof

Hello all,

Latest is that the hoardings/temporary fencing is due to be erected this coming Monday, 17 October to seal off the site for demolition works.  This is likely to take a couple of days, and is still subject to a Council permit, so we're looking at the enormous asbestos roof starting to be removed by around next Wednesday or Thursday.  We're awaiting advice from the contractor, Australasian Technical Services, as to the specific method to be employed.  We're assured hygienists will be involved and monitoring equipment will test for airborne particles at the perimeter of the site.

I'll forward more detailed correspondence to those living immediately adjacent to the site.  Meanwhile, if you'd like more information, just email us.

Mike

38 Merri Parade - Demolition in October 2011

For those not on the mailing list, we have received notice from the site's contract administrator that demolition will begin at 38 Merri Parade during October.  Currently it's looking like the week of the 17th, but could be earlier depending on the availability of various contractors.  We are told demolition of the whole warehouse will take about one month, including the significant concrete slab.  The whole project is scheduled to be completed over approximately 18 months.

We'll post key dates for major demolition, excavation and construction components of the project as they become available.  Meanwhile, if you're not on our mailing list and would like to be, please email us.

Merri Community Street Party

Thanks everyone for a terrific day last Saturday. The only rain-free day we've had in ages (scorching in fact), three great musical acts, a whole street for kids to run wild on and plenty of good company to while away the afternoon.

To be repeated! Great photos by Dominica Krstic available from the link below:

2010 Merri Community Street Party

Street Party!

Well the results are in and everyone seems keen on spending our leftover $$ from the VCAT process on a street party. Given that applications to Council to close a street for an afternoon require a month or two's notice, it seems sensible that we make it around the Christmas season, or maybe a bit earlier.

Since I'm a hopeless events person, interest from party animals in getting this organised very welcome! Just contact me on the admin email address at the top of the page if you're interested and available, or just have some good ideas.

Cheers,

Mike

VCAT Outcome

Well the results are in - despite a sterling effort, sadly we didn't gain any further ground at VCAT.

It's worth remembering we are still significantly better off with the latest plans than we were to begin with - I think this development is something we can all live with. Regardless, we gave it a damn good shot, and can take comfort we did everything we possibly could. Our advocate John Glossop really got his hands dirty and presented our case beautifully. Sad it didn't pay off in the end, but we now have some valuable experience under our belt. Unfortunately this will not be the last major development on our doorsteps.

I look forward to future rounds of late night scheming and red wine with you all! Thanks for a very memorable journey.

We're settling up our bills over the next couple of weeks and will be in touch to give a full account of expenses incurred and any remaining funds.

If it's okay with you all, I suggest we continue to use the Merri Community Group as a means for communicating with each other on various matters that affect us all. The Local Area Traffic Management Plan that Councillor Trent McCarthy kicked off with Council will invite our involvement soon, but the first order of business should be organising a get together to mark a welcome end to this particular chapter!

Warmest regards,

Mike Flattley