Recent Events

Rally, Sunday 17th June

The campaign rally organised by the SSOSCC, drew a overwhelming response with the Strathallan Golf Club's clubhouse overflowing with many people standing outside and in the porch area of the clubhouse.  This was despite the inclement weather that saw over 38mm of rain dumped in the hours leading up to the rally and during the rally.  The attendance was estimated at approx. 300 persons with an even spread of people from the community as well as club members.

 

Short speeches of support from Colin Brooks, MP for Bundoora, Suzanne Newton, La Trobe ward councillor for the City of Darebin, Rick Garottie, Grimshaw ward councillor for the City of Banyule and Peter Roberts, President of the SSOSCC group were enthusiastically received. 

 

The Rally unanimously endorsed 4 motions all concerned with the retention of the existing zonage and usage of the land with the objective of the ownership being acquired by a public authority other than La trobe University.  (These motions will be published later).

 

The Rally concluded with a sausage sizzle and refreshments which provided an ideal social environment for all the concerned members of the community and the club to further discuss their concerns regarding the happenings and future of the Strathallan Open Space.

 

Rally Audience 17 June 2018

 A snapshot of some of the audience at the Rally

 

Rally Picture 2

Colin Brooks, MP for Bundoora addressing the Rally audience

flanked by President of the SSOSCC, Peter Roberts

with City of Banyule councillor, Rick Garotti in the background left. 

 

Photo of Rally Speakers

Rally Speakers united, left to right

Peter Roberts, President SSOSCC

Mrs Elizabeth Webb, resident of Moreton Cres and a member of the Bundoora Action Group that was successful in establishing the Strathallan Open Space in the late 1980's and early 1990's,

Suzanne Newton, La Trobe Ward Councillor for City of Darebin,

Rick Garotti, Grimshaw Ward Councillor for City of Banyule, and

Colin Brooks, MP for Bundoora

 

Erection of the Protest Banners

 

The protest banner installed on the front fence of the golf club

The protest banner erected on the front fence of the Golf Club

 

 

The Banner facing the Walking Trail and Habitat Link

The Banner facing the Walking Trail and Habitat Link

 

 

Darebin City Council Meeting 17-7-2017

 

 

At the July 17th meeting of the Darebin City Council, a further resolution was passed with the ultimate objective of the land known as the Strathallan Open Space be compulsorily acquired so that its current zoning and usage can be maintained.

 

A copy of this resolution follows -

 

 

6.4         PROCESS OF APPLYING A PUBLIC ACQUISITION OVERLAY AT STRATHALLAN GOLF COURSE

 

 

THE AMENDED MOTION WAS PUT AND CARRIED AND BECAME THE COUNCIL RESOLUTION AS FOLLOWS:

MINUTE NO. 17-254

 

 

MOVED:             Cr. S Newton SECONDED:      Cr. G Greco

 

That Council:

  • Notes this
  • Reaffirms its commitment to the protection of public open
  • Asks the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change to undertake an appropriately detailed environmental and biodiversity values assessment of the land, and offers to contribute to this
  • Asks the Minister for Planning and Local Members of Parliament to urge the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change to undertake the values
  • Encourages La Trobe University to follow through on their stated intention to extend the current lease of the golf course portion of the land until such time that the future of the land is
  • Seeks independent legal advice to fully understand the risk and liabilities associated with the potential of publically acquiring the
  • Receives further updates on this matter from Officers as
  • Notes that Council has written to the Minister for Planning requesting that the state government consider using their Planning powers to compulsorily acquire the land due to its significance as a part of the regional open space

CARRIED

 


Banyule City Council Meeting 26-6-2017

At the Banyule City Council Meeting of the 26th June, the council followed the previous action of the Darebin City Council and passed  a resolution in favour of the retention of the existing zoning and usage of the area of land known as the Strathallan Open Space. 

 

A copy of this resolution follows -

5.3  FUTURE OF STRATHALLAN OPEN SPACE LOCATED IN CITY OF DAREBIN

Mr Brian Grace spoke to the item.

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

The Strathallan Golf Course is currently located on land known as the Strathallan Open Space land located at 100 Main Drive, Bundoora, in the City of Darebin.

 

The Save Strathallan Open Space Community Coalition Inc. has written to Banyule City Council in relation to the Strathallan Open Space land raising concerns about the termination of the Strathallan Golf Club’s Lease and potential future rezoning of the land.

 

While Banyule Council is not responsible for decisions in relation to the lease, sale or rezoning of the land, it could make a submission in relation to any future rezoning application. Any rezoning request should be supported by analysis to determine future public open space, community facility and infrastructure needs as well as environmental, transport and nearby residential neighbourhood character impacts.

 

Resolution (CO2017/130)

 

That Council:

 

  • Supports the retention of the much needed open space provided by the Strathallan Golf Course and the original town planning vision that protected this land with Public Open Space and recreation zoning.
  • Writes to the Vice Chancellor of La Trobe University, the Minister for Planning, the Minister for Finance/member for Preston and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly/member for Bundoora and all Upper House Members of the area expressing support for the retention of the open space to protect environmental values of the land and retain the important recreation services provided to the community by the Strathallan Golf Course.
  • Writes to darebin City Council to express support for the resolution it adopted at its meeting on 13 February 2017 on this matter, and request that it keep Banyule City Council informed of progress on the resolution.
  • Writes to Save Strathallan Open Space Community Coalition Inc. to thank them for their community advocacy on this matter and to advise them of this resolution.

 

Moved: Cr Rick Garotti

Seconded: Cr Peter Castaldo                                                                         CARRIED

Darebin City Council Meeting 19-6-2017

 

 At the Darebin City Council meeting of the 19th June 2017, a report was submitted that was relevant to the Council resolution of the 13th February Council meeting (see below).  At the commencement of the meeting and prior to the matter being discussed by Council several people (7) that represented a mixture of local residents, members of the SSOSCC and the Strathallan Golf Club spoke to the Council about the contents of the report highlighting their concerns and some errors and omissions in the report.  In attendance at the meeting in the public gallery their were over 50 people who have genuine concerns on the matter.

 

The following is an extract from this meeting minutes of the subsequent resolution passed by Council on the matter of protecting the area of land known as the Strathallan Open Space. 

 

  1. CONSIDERATION OF RESPONSES TO PETITIONS, NOTICES OF MOTION AND GENERAL BUSINESS

 

7.1                                PROTECTION OF OPEN SPACE VALUES AT STRATHALLAN GOLF COURSE

 

Author:                        Manager Strategic Assets Management

 

Reviewed By:            Director City Futures and Assets

 
  

 

Report Background

 

This report is in response to Notice of Motion No. 329 from the Council meeting held on 13 February 2017.

 

That Council:

  1. Reaffirms that it supports the retention of the open space provided by the Strathallan Golf Course and re-emphasises the original intentions for this land to serve as a buffer between local conservation reserves and residential development when this land was first declared public open space by the Victorian Government.
  2. Convenes a meeting with representatives of relevant community stakeholder groups to discuss a shared advocacy approach to protecting the open space value of the Strathallan Golf Course.
  3. Provides a submission to the Victorian Government’s consultation processes for both the Statewide Golf Course Strategy and the Metropolitan Open Space Strategy supporting its position that the land occupied by the Strathallan Golf Course positively contributes to open space values in the City of Darebin.

 

THE AMENDED MOTION WAS PUT AND CARRIED AND BECAME THE COUNCIL RESOLUTION AS FOLLOWS:

MINUTE NO. 17-209

Moved: Cr T. Laurence

Seconded: Cr S. Newton

 

That Council: 

 

  1. Notes that this land has inherent environmental, ecological and open space values.
  2. Notes that a petition for the retention of this open space with over 4,700 signatures has already been submitted to the La Trobe University Council.
  3. Reaffirms that it supports the retention of the open space provided by the Strathallan Golf Course land and re-emphasises the original intentions for this land to serve as a habitat buffer between local conservation reserves and residential development when this land was first declared public open space by the Victorian Government.
  4. Recognises this green open space as an essential part of Darebin’s Open Space network and ensures that this is emphasised in the new Open Space Strategy.
  5. Receives a report in July 2017 on the process and time lines to make an amendment to the Darebin Planning Scheme to introduce a Public Acquisition Overlay to the land which will require approval by the Planning Minister.
  6. Writes to the Minister for Planning requesting that the state government consider using their Planning powers to compulsorily acquire the land due to its significance as a regional open space network.
  7. Writes to all local MP requesting letters of support urging the Minister for Planning to compulsorily acquire the land.
  8. Convenes an urgent meeting in June 2017 with representatives of relevant community stakeholder groups including the Save Strathallan Open Space Community Coalition Inc., the Springthorpe Owners Corporation and representatives from Strathallan Golf Club and other known interested parties to discuss a shared advocacy approach to protecting the open space value of the Strathallan Golf Course.
  9. Based on the outcome of the above urgent stakeholder meeting Council officers prepare a report for Council in July 2017 on advocacy actions and appropriate funding and in-kind communication support which Council can provide to support the retention of the site.
  10. Provides a submission to the Victorian Governments consultation processes for both the Statewide Golf Course Strategy and the Metropolitan Open Space Strategy supporting its position that the land occupied by the Strathallan Golf Course positively contributes to open space values in the City of Darebin.

 

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

 

Darebin City Council Meeting 13-2-2017

 

 At the City of Darebin's council meeting of the 13th February, Cr Tim Laurence tabled a motion that effectively supports the objectives of the association to save the Strathallan Open Space. The following is the exact wording of the approved resolution (No. 17-063) -

 

That Darebin Council:

1. Supports the retention of the much needed open space provided by the Strathallan Golf Course and the original town planning vision that protected this land with Public Open Space and Recreation zoning.

2. Request an officers report, seeking the following information:

(a) options and cost for the Council, State and/or Federal governments for, placing a caveat or covenant on the land to prevent development for compulsorily acquiring the land, or, any other option which could be used to protect the land for future generations.
(b) clarify who the responsible authority/ies will be should an application for rezoning be received
(c) include the circumstances of the transfer of the land from the department of Health to La Trobe University, including the cost of the land at that time and any conditions or expectations that were attached to its transfer
(d) an indicative valuation of the land based upon its current public park/recreation zoning, and a general residential zoning.
(e) long term protection of conservation areas and the public open space network in Bundoora and Macleod in La Trobe Ward for consideration by the new proposed Darebin Nature Trust.  The report will cover flood mitigation issues surrounding and downstream areas.

 

3. Council will arrange a meeting with community stakeholders including the Save Strathallan Open Space Community Coalition Inc., the Springthorpe Owners Corporation and representatives from Strathallan Golf Club.

4. That the Mayor write to the Vice Chancellor of La Trobe University seeking a meeting to discuss the university's intentions regarding the land.

5. The mayor to write to the Minister for Planning, Minister for Finance/Member for Preston and the member for Bundoora expressing support for the retention of the open space to protect the environmental values of the land and retain the important recreation services provided to the community by the Strathallan Golf Course.

 

Cr Susanne Newton, Cr Gaetano Greco and Cr McCarthy spoke in support of the motion and provided some worthwhile amendments to the original motion and it was passed unaminously.