2013 TVRAG NEWSLETTER

Positive Changes to the Village
Over the past year there have been a number of changes to The Village that TVRAG sees as positive to the growth and appearance of our retailing centre. The upgrading of the Jackson St. façade with the introduction of new shop fronts is an excellent improvement. The modern architecture sits well with The Village environs and the final build quality after a sticky start and a change of builders is very good. There appears to be a consolidation of traders as less have closed and traders of substance have opened. This is noticed where Monkey Bean, next to Laurent, has lifted a once moribund 475 Toorak Rd and along with well- established Simon Johnson at 471, making the entry to Lunn Lane most attractive. Further down Lunn Lane is another “new kid on the block” - The Dihnersaw and his Fionsay, nice play on words, and are they busy!! All the improvements TVRAG see as very positive signs pointing to confidence returning to The Village.

Reformed Residential Zones
Members will have read information regarding the new zones. Stonnington is about to enter a new phase in the realm of development regulations. The new guidelines will make it clear what can be built or changed, however the legislation is lengthy and complicated. There are to be six zones under the heading Residential, three of which could apply to our existing Residential Zone 1. Stonnington Council is to decide what parts of Stonnington fit a (new) “Zone”, and three that are relevant to Stonnington are: General Residential Zone, Neighbourhood Residential Zone and Residential Growth Zone. TVRAG is working with Council to ensure the appropriate Zone applies, however in general we agree with the proposal put to us at a Consultation Meeting with Council representatives on September 16th. These changes to zoning are the most important changes in recent times and their implementation will give clear definition to what can be built and where, subsequently VCAT will be less of a player in development decisions. That alone is a positive.

TVRAG and Council
As a group whose charter is to keep an eye on development in Toorak, particularly the North Ward and to object where we see inappropriate development, it is necessary to have a good rapport with officials in office. The Mayor, Councillor Matthew Koce, Councillor John Chandler and people in Planning are always helpful. At all times where we may need assistance in presenting an objection, working our way through consultative meetings with other objectors and developers or just plain talking to a point the assistance and help has been admirable and never denied.

What’s Coming Up?
As far planning goes, the next application will be paying attention to Application 0408/13. The Roman Catholic Trusts Corporation for the Diocese of Melbourne plans to build a retirement village on land at 581 Toorak Rd. Although in its embryo stage, the initial proposal is to build 38 apartments and 118 car parks next to St Peters Church. We see this as gross over-development of the site. The visual impact will be over-bearing on surrounding properties and dominate the Church. There are traffic concerns, with the use of a lane being the main point of entry for cars, including commercial service vehicles.

What’s Been Done?
A proposed development at 2 Brookville Rd came under scrutiny. The developer proposed to build a large apartment block, which showed basement excavation to be within the structural root zone of identified “significant trees”. TVRAG and residents objected and the matter went to a Consultative Meeting. We are waiting for new plans to be presented.
A relatively new trader The Cheese Cave has been expanding both geographically and in trading hours. They recently applied to extend their liquor licence to cover their extension of floor space and then again extend the licence to extra trading time. TVRAG has an issue with the extension of trading hours where it may include selling bottled liquor to passing trade. At a Consultative Meeting it was agreed to the extension of hours, provided packaged liquor was not sold over the counter to passing trade after 8.30pm on any day. On that understanding TVRAG agreed to not hinder the application.

CCTV for the Village
Toorak Village is a step closer to having a new CCTV camera system, thanks to a $50,000 funding commitment from Stonnington Council. The Council has allocated the money for the cameras as part of its 2013/14 Budget in a bid to enhance public safety, discourage anti-social behaviour and reduce crime. A Social Impact Assessment presented to Council earlier this year revealed a high number of late-night disturbances around Toorak Village, with Traders highlighting concerns about noise, littering, pedestrian safety and people urinating on the streets. Toorak Village Traders Assoc. President Tony Fialides is reported as saying the cameras would be a welcome addition to the area. TVRAG has worked with Council for some time and thanks go to Emil Gilels our erstwhile president and now ex-officio advisor and person to be taken notice of, for his continuing liaison with anybody who would listen to reason for the installation of CCTV. Stonnington Council CEO Warren Roberts said the cameras would reduce the cost and impact on crime on the community and help local police allocate their resources during peak times. Mr Roberts said consultation would take place with police, businesses and residents before decisions were made on the locations and number of cameras to be installed. He anticipated the new system would be in place next year.

Toorak Village Structure Plan
The Minister for Planning has approved Amendment C77 to the Stonnington Planning Scheme. The Amendment was gazetted into the Planning Scheme on 20 June 2013. Amendment C77 applies new planning controls to The Toorak Village Activity Centre. The new planning controls include the introduction of a new Local Planning Policy to direct use (Clause 22.20); a new Schedule 9 to Clause 43.02 (DD09) to direct built form and height; and rezones land to the south of Toorak Rd from Business 1 Zone to Business 2 and part 28-30 Jackson St, Toorak, from Public Use Zone 6 to Business 1 Zone. The Amendment also includes The Toorak Village Structure Plan (2008) and The Toorak Village Activity Centre Design Guidelines (2010) as reference documents in the Stonnington Planning Scheme. Please note that the State Government has advised changes will automatically be made to the planning zones in July 2013. A new commercial zone will automatically be replacing the existing Business 1, Business 2 and Business 5 Zones in Stonnington.

Sad News
Vale Bruce McBrien (1926-2013) OAM died August 30th. Many members will have known Bruce and others will remember him as our key note speaker at our last AGM. Bruce was born in Melbourne and studied Architecture. He however entered the world of catering and retailing, finally becoming a Buyer for Georges of Collins St before becoming the first Curator/Manager of “Rippon Lea”at Elsternwich, a position he held for 17 years. Upon retirement, he was appointed Honoury Courator at Government House along with many other voluntary positions in Melbourne. He wrote “Marvellous Melbourne and Me”. Bruce first appeared on stage in 1952 with the Heidelberg Theatre Company and went on to perform in over 150 productions at the Lyric, Festival, Whitehorse, CLOC, PLOS and Elwood Theatre Companies. In 1986 he founded the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria, which now embraces over 80 companies and supports judges travelling Victoria for our awards for excellence program. They have become known as Bruce Awards in his honour. In 1990 Bruce was created a Knight of St John for community service and in 2000 received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his contribution to Musical Theatre.