farmdoc's blog post number 447

It’s mid winter here in Mole Creek, so there are no flies about. But I’d love to be a fly on the wall in the office of Victorian Planning Minister Justin Madden. As this Age article explains, a company called Nelson Place Village Pty Ltd plans to to build 369 apartments, in four towers of up to 12 storeys, on the former Port Phillip Woollen Mill site in the Melbourne bayside suburb of Williamstown. As expected, the project’s being opposed by many locals, including former State premiers Joan Kirner and Steve Bracks, who live in Williamstown. The so-called developer, 25% owned by Grand Prix Corporation Chairman Ronald Walker, has approached the Hobsons Bay Council and the Government, asking them to refer the re-zoning and development decision for the controversial development to ‘a third-party, external panel’. The developer’s managing director Ashley Williams said the company had approached the Council and the State Government requesting the decision process for the site be referred from the Council to an expert ‘priority development panel’ which would produce ‘the best outcome’. One must ask: ‘The best outcome for whom, sir?’ The Council’s refused the request. It’s a real Mexican standoff. Like in Reservoir Dogs. Yipppeeeee. It’s mid winter here in Mole Creek. With nothing much to do but look for flies on walls. I can’t wait to see what happens. I’ll let you know.