Each of the candidates for the Melba ward were asked to respond to six questions relating to issues pertinant to Cremorne. These are the questions and responses:
QUESTIONS
1.Do you think Cremorne is in a healthy community and infrastructure state? What is your vision of an ideal Cremorne?
2.How do you feel about the traffic and movement issues in Cremorne? How would you resolve concerns related to congestion, pedestrian access and competition for parking?
3.What opportunities do you see for creating additional public spaces in Cremorne?
4.Cremorne contains a varied mix of residential and commercial properties with a recent and growing inclusion of large multi-storey developments. What tensions or opportunities do you see here and how would you address them?
5.If you received a $1 million grant to use for Cremorne any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?
6.What neighborhood do you live in? Where are your favorite places to spend time in Cremorne?
RESPONSE FROM HERSCHEL LANDES
Well done on forming an incorporated community group.
I hope I can answer your questions to your satisfaction
Cremorne as you are probably aware now falls under the planning jurisdiction of the VPA.
What seems to be missing is ;
a) link with the local planning authority – Council
b) Infrastructure that is keeping pace with development
c) open space
The issues I see is that City of Yarra has not successfully invested in strategic planning in Richmond with interim DDO’s for Bridge Rd and Victoria St still waiting for public exhibition
The long awaited Swan St structure plan is yet to go to a panel hearing….how many years!!!!
Consequently there appears to be a breakdown of trust between the two planning agencies. This needs to be rectified. Cremorne needs to be developed within a multi agency collaboration that meets the needs and aspirations of local residents as well as Government policies.
If I were to be elected , I am seeking to drive strategic planning reform which includes cross agency collaboration of the Cremorne precinct and dealing with the many frustrations of residents.
As for $1million grants -don’t get me started. But be aware Council is looking at a huge hole in its budget of the order ~20% and there won’t bee any Millions.
I understand there is proposed pedestrian link to Sth Yarra that will connect Cremorne
Happy to follow up your position if I were to get elected – but Cremorne is well and truly on my radar and I do have open door access with the Minister.
If junior candidates are elected, nothing will happen for another 4 years.
RESPONSE FROM DON ASH
Thank you for your email and as best I can here are answers for you:
First and foremost, let me say that the four drivers for my platform are Health of Community, Open Spaces, Planned Development and Equity and Justice through Engagement. I have much to learn about the issues in Cremorne but I do feel strongly that unplanned development, a lack of engagement with residents in Cremorne by previous Councillors, far fewer open spaces than elsewhere in the Ward and City, coupled with excessive traffic flows; parts of Cremorne being used as a rat run to the Freeway, narrow streets, an exceedingly high inflow and outflow during the week of workers and historical factors which saw Cremorne becoming a convenient location for Industries allowed to dump waste into the river have resulted in this part of the Ward being the one in most need of Council attention, support and aggressive actions to ensure health for residents. If Melba is treated at times as the poor Cousin in the City of Yarra then Cremorne surely is treated as the poor Cousin of the Ward. And I say this not as a resident of Cremorne. I live on the Eastern side if Church St.
But I need to stress that I would have much to learn from the Cremorne Community and people like yourself and one other person who has also reached out from Cremorne and who I will be responding to in similar vein albeit they have asked slightly different questions. I am articulate, passionate and fearless in advocating for people and causes I believe in and offer simply this much; I will give voice to your concerns.
- Do you think Cremorne is in a healthy community and infrastructure state? What is your vision of an ideal Cremorne?
No. I think the history of Cremorne provides great insight into the complexities facing the suburb today. It was, as I am sure you know developed to serve commerce and industry and what residences were eventually established were created to provide workers in industry close access to their places of work. Today I would argue there is still an imbalance at both State Government and Council level when it comes to planning, prioritising and decision making in terms of seeing Cremorne primarily as a great place to do business for the high tech and creative industries with residents issues and concerns coming as a secondary issue. The fact that there are most probably five times as many ‘workers’ coming in and out of the already very congested pocket of 3121 as there are residents actually living there makes me concerned as to what voice those residents actually have in the decision-making processes at State and City Council level. I am for Planned Development but do believe:
A) Previous Councils have not asserted themselves strongly enough when it comes to allowing developers exceptions and exemptions
B) Melba Ward seems to be a Ward in the process of overdevelopment and more generally that
C) The playing field between developers and residents is not always an even one
My vision for the city applies equally to Cremorne and that is: “A community united in kindness, diversity and compassion. A place where random acts of kindness are the norm; where diversity is embraced and celebrated and where we measure our worth by how we treat the most vulnerable. And, a Council serving the community without excuse or exception”. - How do you feel about the traffic and movement issues in Cremorne? How would you resolve concerns related to congestion, pedestrian access and competition for parking?
Huge and complex issues and massively compounded by Swan Street through traffic into and out of the CBD. I do think that there need to be measures put in place to reduce traffic; better regulate speeds and minimise the number of trucks moving through Cremorne. In addition, given that streets are blocked by commercial bins in contravention, as I understand, of permitting requirements I will be unrelenting in demanding of Council Compliance Officers that there be no excuse or exception in applying penalties where permit conditions are not met. Cremorne has such limited public space and most of what public space there is, are footpaths. They need and deserve to be protected to the full letter of the law. - What opportunities do you see for creating additional public spaces in Cremorne?
Short of placing conditions on developers that they work to this end I think there are realistically fewer opportunities than in Richmond and Burnley. I like many of the ideas put forward by Streets Alive and while I could not give definitive answers to all of their questions on the Candidate Questionnaire, I have made clear that the reason for this is that to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ given the diversity of areas and conditions across Melba is impossible. That said, I think Cremorne would be an ideal part of the Ward to fund and trial, in consultation with residents, many of the Streets Alive ideas and initiatives as well as any ideas local residents have. Given the limitations however I think the immediate issues to address are to ensure ease of safe walking and cycling for people in Cremorne to access other parts of the Ward.
https://streets-alive-yarra.org/about/#:~:text=5%20storey%20buildings.-,Vision,use%20public%20transport%20or%20drive. - Cremorne contains a varied mix of residential and commercial properties with a recent and growing inclusion of large multi-story developments. What tensions or opportunities do you see here and how would you address them?
I am wary of multi-story developments; concession on overlays and at best could be described as a development sceptic who would need to be convinced well beyond reasonable doubt that any further development of a high-rise nature would be a good thing for Cremorne. When I am asked about the third platform I am standing on which is Planned Development and how I define what I would do my answer is to redress the uneven playing field in the contest between developers and residents where I think most mechanisms of State and Local Government and indeed VCAT seem to favor the developers even where residents have serious concerns. Council needs to assert and win greater authority to fight for residents and this is a huge battle which I think Independent Councilors will be better able to fight. - If you received a $1 million grant to use for Cremorne any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?
I am always open to ideas and am offering myself not as the person with the best ideas but with the clearest and best voice to advocate for those who do have great ideas and so I will defer here to an idea which I think has great merit. And a simple answer to your question: I would suggest to the residents that the following idea be funded and take my lead from them:
https://streets-alive-yarra.org/cremorne-underpass-park/ - What neighborhood do you live in? Where are your favorite places to spend time in Cremorne?
I live near the old Channel Nine Studios and Burnley Park. I do my grocery shopping at Coles on Swan. My family are devoted to Messina gelato (albeit I am not a sweet tooth); I love the Avenue Bookstore and do most of my book shopping there. I do sometimes buy on-line but it just cannot replace the smell and feel and warmth of a good bookstore with shelf upon shelf of marvels to behold. WE do enjoy a Meatballs Meal from time to time and being of South African origin I am a sucker for their biltong. Bertie’s is my butcher of choice and my partner is devoted to his Chili Beef sausages. We are a family who treat ourselves on a monthly basis to trying a local restaurant and have loved evenings at Marcella; Feast of Merit and Noir (of course this year has changed much of what we used to do ☹). We have indulged the occasional birthday with a cake from the Cremorne St. Bakery but confession here, we more regularly buy at the baker just east of Church opposite the BP on Swan, The Swan Street Bakery.
RESPONSE FROM DORA TSIPOURAS
- Do you think Cremorne is in a healthy community and infrastructure state? What is your vision of an ideal Cremorne
Right now it’s a mess of greedy developers moving into rezone and squeeze in as many apartments as they can without adequate parking and Council is allowing them to do it in the absence of a plan for Cremorne. - How do you feel about the traffic and movement issues in Cremorne? How would you resolve concerns related to congestion, pedestrian access and competition for parking?
We need an emergency Local Area Place Making Plan (LAPM) for Cremorne as it’s the fastest changing part of Yarra. It’s outrageous that the Greens and ALP scrapped ALL LAPMs in the recent budget voted on August 7th. If elected, will push to introduce one at the first post-election meeting in mid November this year. This will allow locals to work with Council traffic engineers to make the changes necessary to improve safety, pedestrian access and parking. At the moment it’s one big construction site where the biggest trucks dominate at the expense of local safety. - What opportunities do you see for creating additional public spaces in Cremorne?
If we had density controls it would have right height limit with any extra only permitted if the developer gave back with public open space, a percentage of affordable housing. This is how planning is done in many major cities overseas and should be replicated here. - Cremorne contains a varied mix of residential and commercial properties with a recent and growing inclusion of large multi-storey developments. What tensions or opportunities do you see here and how would you address them?
We need a structure plan for Cremorne – Yarra’s fastest changing suburb to ensure there are rules for height, open space, environmental standards in new buildings. The alternative is an anarchic developers’ playground. - If you received a $1 million grant to use for Cremorne any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?
New open space and a child care centre - What neighborhood do you live in? Where are your favorite places to spend time in Cremorne?
I live in Richmond, Church St and Bridge Rd end. Some of the places I like to go are “LaManna & Sons”, “Top Paddock” and often go for walks with my dog to Petbarn to pick up some treats then hang out at the pocket park nearby before the bridge.
RESPONSE FROM KATHRYN DRAKE
Thank you for reaching out. As a child I was never allowed past Dimmy’s and certainly not into Cremorne (I lived in the Rising Sun Hotel and then a house in Burnley). Mum and Dad used to tell us that the factories were dangerous (it wasn’t until later that we learnt about some of the more infamous residents)! So I have only discovered Cremorne in the past few years – thanks to the outlets and eateries.
I’m a bit concerned about the infrastructure state in Cremone, as it appears to be growing by stealth. Also the only public green space in Cremorne is in front of the Top Paddock restaurant, therefore action on creating outdoor space is necessary. Whilst it would be lovely to have something like Barkley Gardens or Golden Square, I’m not sure where that could be achieved. However, Is that what the Cremorne residents want though, would they prefer smaller scattered spaces? This new council will be about advocating for the residents not the council.
I am aware that the movement of trucks can have a negative impact on the residents and this is something the council should consider when assessing new planning applications. I will review the current guidelines regarding construction vehicle movements and ensure it is monitored. With regard to ongoing movement, the whole area of Cremorne needs to be reviewed from a “what is needed and what is wanted perspective”. Any consideration changes will be presented to the residents prior to one cent of funds on construction being spent – the damage down to the relationship between the Council and Residents in Elizabeth Street has seen a lot of trust being lost, therefore it is most important that this be recovered.
Also the only public green space in Cremorne is in front of the Top Paddock restaurant, therefore action on creating outdoor space is necessary. Again what do the residents want and what is available for the council to create this? Work in conjunction with developers and review current council land.
Too much construction in a small space does not address the needs of all stakeholders, therefore we need to think smartly about how this is managed in terms of managing stainability of the rights of residents of space and amenities and the need to bring industries into the area. Are they needed? Are the right type of industries being induced to come into the area? Why are the residents here? What do they want to maintain about their neighbourhood?
What do the residents want to use this grant for? I would like to see some parklands, Cremorne was named for Cremorne Gardens, yet there is barely a blade of public grass in the area. I do love the murals that are springing up around the streets, and believe this could be a real draw card for day visitors. Who could arrive by train (need more stopping at East Richmond), tram or bike.
I live in Church Street, and love Top Paddock, Miss Frankies, and friends in Cubbitt and Balmain Streets. From where we wander up to La Manna (great addition to the area) or another ‘find’ they want to introduce use to. The Cherry Tree has evolved into a great corner pub, and I look forward to it opening and being able to provide entertainment again.
RESPONSE FROM EDWARD CROSSLAND
Cremorne is a wonderful part of Yarra, though it has a history of limited investment by Council. Cremorne and Yarra more broadly face a range of challenges and opportunities, including growth and development pressures, transport matters, and provision of open space. In light of the pandemic, climate emergency, and financial constraint, now is a really important time to reflect and look at how we can do things differently.
As a town planning, transport and urban design professional, I’m passionate about creating better places for people. I’m one of two candidates with qualifications in town planning (that I’m aware of), have worked within local and state government work environments for over a decade, and currently work as a strategic planner and urban designer at another Council.
Whilst in the capacity of Project Manager at the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR), I reviewed the Swan St Structure Plan five or six years ago, with the subsequent Planning Scheme Amendment (Amendment C191) to introduce permanent controls yet to gain approval.
Recognising the vibrant mixed use nature of Cremorne, and the emergence of the Enterprise Precinct, I’m really keen to establish a long term plan with the community, stakeholders, and State Government, to improve amenity for residents, and better plan for current and further needs.
Many Councils have already established 20 year strategies (including where I work now), and I feel Cremorne and Yarra more broadly needs a similar long term plan and vision.
Good question. Given where we’re at on a planning front and everything outlined above, I’d be looking to channel the funds towards the development of a long term plan and vision for Cremorne and Yarra more broadly. Planning work and associated studies/ reports (transport, built form, wind, etc) is expensive, and it’s one of the reasons why there are currently inadequate controls in place.
If there were funds left over from this process, I would be looking to channel them towards the detailed design and delivery of streetscape works/ public realm improvements (which would be identified through the above process).
I’m a long term Yarra local, having lived in Richmond (Erin St), Fitzroy North, Princes Hill and Carlton North. I have rented throughout this time and currently reside in Carlton North, though would love to buy locally if the stars align.
In terms of favourite local eateries, Messina would have to be up there (hello Super Dulce De Leche and Pistachio Praline), and noting it’s on the other side of Swan St, I’m a fan of Feast of Merit.
Walking the streets (noting how narrow many of the footpaths are) is always interesting. There are so many fab buildings – old factories, little cottages, and a range of contemporary additions.
I hope the above goes some way to address your questions. If elected to Council, I look forward to the prospect of working with CCI and the local community to progress some great outcomes for Cremorne and Yarra more broadly.
For those interested, please find Yarra Greens achievements, policies, and candidate profiles here
If you’d like to discuss any of the matters I’ve outlined, please do give me a bell.
RESPONSE FROM KATARINA RADONIC
In answer to your questions these are the things that I have found or see as answers/solutions to issues.
- What will you do to protect Cremorne residents and residential streets from the high volumes of business and commercial and business traffic including trucks, particularly on interface zones?
Cremorne is a beautiful cul-de-sac of Yarra which must be protected. I would review the plan prepared by VPA and CoY prior to commencement of any implementation to ensure adequate consultation was provided for the planning. I would seek a review of the outcome tabled particularly around the business growth and activity and how side effects including traffic and trucks affect community and are not addressed in the VPA/CoY/SGV outcome (https://vpa-web.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/PSP013_Cremorne-brochure_WEB.pdf).
I do not believe that Cremorne is built to hold large volume traffic and trucks and would work to a solution that would benefit residents but also allow businesses to operate well; such alternate routes, access and times as in many major cities. I would definitely oppose overdevelopment without appropriate parking for residents to ease the stress on the streets. - Cremorne footpaths are narrow and obstructed by commercial bins 24/7 in commercial zones in breach of planning permits and Council local laws (including Gwynne St, Stephenson St, Cubitt St, Dover Street). How will you ensure footpaths are not obstructed by bins?
The challenges faced by community with bins and planning permit breaches must be addressed with education and enforcement-regular and heightened as required. This is a cultural shift for business to learn to work with the community and in consideration of their needs. Just like residents bins should not be left on footpaths, neither is business allowed to do this. Council must address this and not pick and choose whom where and when they will enforce.
Cremorne was mainly industrial but as that has changed to more and more residential, Council and bylaws must keep up with these changes. - All new developments have large numbers of bicycle parking yet nothing supports this in the local road network. How will you provide safe bicycle routes throughout Cremorne?
The VPA plan has identified the priority for better and safer access to bike paths and pedestrian pathways. I would work with the community to ensure their valuable insight is maximised to create the best routes, safe routes, reduced speed limits and is implemented with community support. It is all about community consultation and involvement. I vehemently believe that residents should have the largest say in their community. - What suburb do you live in?
I in Richmond, part of Melba Ward. I have lived here for 20 years and prior to that I grew up in the suburb and went to both Primary and High School here. I Have owned 3 cafes in Melba and been on the board of a numbers of NFPs. - If you don’t live in Melba Ward, how can you understand resident’s concerns?
I totally agree. I believe strongly that to understand a Community’s concerns truly, a Councillor must live in the area. Sadly only about four of those standing in this election are actually living in Melba. Others are in other wards where conflict of interest will certainly arise or have been moved into the area short term by their political parties. It is upto the citizens to discern who these are. Transparency is not really forthcoming sadly. - What political party are you affiliated with?
I am an independent. I am not, nor has been a member of any political party. My main platform is to get rid of Political Parties out of Council as their interests are not those of the people but of their Political leaders and affiliations as has been witnessed by the disregard and ignorance that they have shown us and our concerns. My views on this are on my FB page and on all my literature. - Do you have a full or part time job that you will need to carry out in addition to Council duties?
I work as a speaker and consultant now so my time is flexible and geared towards directing my efforts to the benefit of my community.
RESPONSE FROM DAVID HORSEMAN
I think Cremorne has a strong and active local community identity and benefits from a great location in terms of the vibrancy of Swan St, access to public transport and proximity to major sport and recreational opportunities, including the Yarra River. Being identified as a significant enterprise precinct and coming under increasing pressure from commercial and residential development, there are however a number of related community and infrastructure challenges that mainly revolve around the limited and highly contested street / public space and impacts to local amenity.
Traffic congestion and the conflicts between vehicle movements (including significant construction traffic), cyclists and pedestrians in what is very limited and highly contested space is a significant problem. I believe we need to fast track the necessary place making plans and, in particular, delivery of resultant projects in order to address these issues ASAP. This would build on the work already completed in the Victorian Planning Authority’s Cremorne Place Implementation Plan, with the Issues and Opportunities Paper having been released in November 2019.
Increased public space via the reallocation of street space, identification of under-utilised spaces that could be repurposed and via planning requirements on provision via development.
Tensions exist in terms of the scale and appropriateness (or otherwise) of the built form that is emerging or proposed via development, the significant related impacts on local area amenity and the long term consequences to the Cremorne community if these challenges / tensions aren’t managed effectively. The impacts of decisions made now will have a lasting (decades long) impact on Cremorne. Opportunities exist from the high quality jobs, enhanced amenity, better / safer transport / movement opportunities and economic activity that could result from well managed place making.
Implementing the priority place making projects I referred to above, which would likely include the provision of more public green space and safer active transport options as a minimum.
My wife and I (with our 2 greyhounds) live in North Richmond. Most of our time spent in Cremorne is at KX Pilates on Swan St, live gigs at the Corner (not technically Cremorne, but across the road :-)), various shops / cafes (big fan of My Oh My) and along the Yarra River.
RESPONSE FROM MITCHELL PRICE
- I want Cremorne to be a place people want to live, work and visit. A place where our businesses are thriving, our community is engaged and their concerns are herard. I want more open space for the community to use. Far too long the State planning influence on Cremorne has been an issue. I would like to harness the tech and co working businesses and create a Tech Hub with open street concepts that make Cremorne a more livable community.
- Cremorne does support a lot of the traffic movements through Church and Swan and the streets in between. I would like to see more investment in Active Transport – bikes, scooters and more.
- I am a big supporter of open public space. We need more of them. From community gardens to parks and more. Council should be the ones that lead the work with developers and business to explore what public space can be created for the community.
- Communities in large metropolitan areas are being faced with this question right across the world. How do you maintain the character and culture of a community whilst still allowing growth and development? It’s clear the balance needs to be stuck right here to ensure that new developments are all approved inline with community expectations, and not that of developers or outside stakeholders. It needs to be sustainable and always keep inline with the character that Cremorne is famous for. Striking the balance between growing and keeping that loved character will be the challenge, however as I have advocated across most of my policy positions, communication and consultation along the way will be key.
- I’d like to sit down with the residents and first ask them the question as well. I am a big fan of duplicating the work City of Melbourne is doing with Little Streets – closing streets and opening them up to the people. Perhaps local street festivals to support businesses and create a sense of community with local residents.
- 54 Neptune Street Richmond. Few of my favourite places are F45 on Cremorne Street and Coe & Coe
RESPONSE FROM SANDEEP SARATHY & JULIE BIGNELL
- Do you think Cremorne is in a healthy community and infrastructure state? What is your vision of an ideal Cremorne
Our ideal vision of Cremorne is a well connected suburb with multiple transport options, open green space and harmony between businesses and residents. If elected, Julie and I will work with the community to move towards this vision.
However, as prospective local representatives, it’s not our place to tell you if your community and it’s associated infrastructure is in a healthy condition – It’s our job to listen to your lived experience and advocate your views through council processes.
Having said that, Cremorne has a long history as an industrial powerhouse of the inner city, whether it be its previous industrial manufacturing or in contemporary technology focused industries.
Given this strong history we believe that many of these issues have always been present but we can’t deny the current rate of transformation being seen in Cremorne is often absent in addressing these concerns.
Our vision for the Cremorne community revolves around addressing the following key issues that many locals have expressed concern about including:
•Parking
oEnsuring equitable access to parking spaces for residents, visitors and workers.
•Rat-running through the neighbourhood
o Many residents have expressed issues with vehicles using the neighbourhood as a shortcut to access the freeway or Hoddle Street, or byass the arterial roads like Church and Swan Streets.
•Lacking open space.
oThe Cremorne area is completely lacking in quality open-space, a problem that will only get worse as more commercial developments complete and staff begin to frequent the neighbourhood.
•Large Companies moving into the area seeking larger and larger buildings.
oNaturally companies seeking to move into the area are good for our local economy as their staff will utilise the local service economy within the area and along Swan Street. But there is a growing need to balance the needs of local residents and the needs to encourage economic activity in our local area. - How do you feel about the traffic and movement issues in Cremorne? How would you resolve concerns related to congestion, pedestrian access and competition for parking?
Having spoken to residents, we get the view that Cremorne has several issues with traffic and movement. As a growing suburb we believe Cremorne needs good transport infrastructure to give people a whole range of options for transport. The CPIP issues paper has identified areas where walking and cycling routes can be improved, and where public transport access points can be improved to lower the number of cars on our roads.
There will always be issues with car parking in such a densely populated neighbourhood, but alternatives including the improvement to public and active transport identified in CPIP, plus other initiatives like vehicle sharing can minimise congestion.
Finally, rat running adds to the congestion in Cremorne. This is part of a larger traffic management issue which we will be happy to advocate for if elected. - What opportunities do you see for creating additional public spaces in Cremorne?
We think there are two issues here: one is improving access to the existing green space, though admittedly these are outside Cremorne. This includes Gosch’s Paddock to the west and Barkly Gardens to the east. The second is to create more public space within Cremorne. The CPIP issues paper suggests exploring the idea of greening up government owned carparks and opening them to public access, as well as laneways. If elected, we will follow up with these ideas. - Cremorne contains a varied mix of residential and commercial properties with a recent and growing inclusion of large multi-storey developments. What tensions or opportunities do you see here and how would you address them?
The tensions with these developments are increased traffic and population commuting in and out every day. The opportunities are that small businesses will thrive as the employees shop, eat and drink in this precinct. We have mentioned the strategies for managing the transport tensions in an earlier question. - If you received a $1 million grant to use for Cremorne any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?
With the current COVID conditions, we would use the grant to set up outdoor dining places that local cafes, restaurants and businesses can access to resume operation. We would do this to kick start the local economy and help the small businesses in the area. - What neighborhood do you live in? Where are your favorite places to spend time in Cremorne?
Sandeep and his wife have just bought their first home on Burnley Street. Prior to this they lived on Coppin Street, near Swan Street and would often head through Cremorne. The Cremone-to-city part of the Yarra trail is beautiful to bike or walk!
Sandeep and Julie also enjoy the local shops, bars and restaurants including Glasshouse Inside for plant shopping, Cherry Tree and South of the Wall.
