2019 Snapshot

Written on 21 October 2019.

Welcome to our 2019 Snapshot.

Introduction

This newsletter we would like to acknowledge community members who we consider to be “stars”.

These are people who give their time, effort and resources to protect our natural and built environment. These are people who bring common sense to the table and often put to shame those decision makers who are responsible for the continued enjoyment of our communities.

Decision makers who are either paid employees of the Territory or “promising politicians” and I don’t mean promising as ones we might encourage.

Here we seek to give voice to issues your neighbours and your neighbouring communities are experiencing. Each issue is different but to us it seems the underlying themes are similar and recurring.

• The transfer of open space from public to controlled ownership
• Attacks on our amazing natural environment
• The public’s right to the foreshore
• A built environment that is responsive and forward thinking while preserving the best of the efforts of those who have gone before
• Best practice in creating a liveable and economically valid urban environment.

Here is a walk through some of those items that PLan are aware of:

Rapid Creek

This just hurts to discuss, but at one point in time, back in the past an opportunity existed to continue the good work, but all we have seen is travesty after travesty, rampant growth without adequate planning and now to my mind the crazy flood mitigation. We know who the responsible bodies are and we know that those same bodies have ignored the advice of experts.

The Rapid Creek Landcare Group continue to do fine environmental work in this space.

Hughes Avenue

How many sky walks does the average Territorian need? This is a heritage listed road very popular with people for exercise.

Two Trees

Post Office Car park, given the current issues with Woods Street not being fit for purpose I now push bike Cavenagh Street and cut past two significant trees in the heart of our city. Are both of these trees worthy of preservation?

The City Deal looms like some unseen and (done without a production team) alien invasion movie and we know how the average citizen ends up in those movies.

Is the city deal a loan of a grant?

Kulaluk, Ludmilla and the open sky

We see today clearing in action. Some doubt that what this town needs is to replace wetlands with shopping centres and some doubt the whole process of getting your hands on the wetlands.

From a letter by a concerned resident:

Just quite why beautiful Dick Ward Drive, with its Jabirus, Brolgas and White-bellied Sea Eagles, needs industrial eyesores built in conservation areas can only be answered by the NT Government and the Development Consent Authority. Both of these bodies seem to have a very limited concept about eco-tourism and environmental responsibility.

Dual Occupancy

Even today after all that has gone before we have a process where the minister giveth and the minister taketh. Why have a town plan, a review, a consultation and finally a law if all that comes is the minister giveth and the minister taketh?

Some why does an application in Brinkin get knocked back and an application on East Point get the go ahead?

Is it possible that this decision will become a precedent for Dual Occupancies and Exceptional Development Permits?

And finally here, what will the new buildings look like? Is the minister endorsing the build also?

Reform Agenda

Many of you are practiced at providing submissions which contribute to the decision making process according to the powers that be. Many of you end up scratching your heads, where did those comments go?

Plan call for the results of these consultations before the final plans and schemes are enshrined.

The recent Draft Central Darwin Area Plan is an example, where are the comments on this significant body of work?

The Compact Urban Growth Policy of the dying days of Dave Tollner’s reign of terror is coming to roost.

Lee Point and Casuarina Coastal Reserve

For all the ignorant destruction to date this next round of development at Lee Point is massively worse and compounded with the promotion of tiny blocks as a lifestyle choice, shame on Defence Housing Australia (DHA).

Three thousand people (the population of Tennant Creek) living in homes that mandate a 1 tree garden combined with 8 story apartment buildings alongside a world class ground nesting migratory bird site beggar’s belief. How many cats and dogs will be introduced to Casuarina Coastal Reserve by this act of magnificence? Imagine Carey Street reproduced on Lee Point.

It seems that DHA’s concept of tropical living is solid walls cheek and jowl. Design is based on getting an air conditioner as efficient as possible.

The idea of forcing children out of their backyards and into Casuarina Coastal reserve is repugnant. Try this for a backyard:

There is no room for side access to park a boat or camping trailer, put up a trampoline or a basketball hoop with some room to practice. All are shown as having virtually zero lot frontage on one side and rear boundary and apart from an “indicative’ open space’ of 6m x 6m at rear right with 50% of this area being under roof overhang. This space is required to have 5m2 (2.3m x 2.3m) where a tree can be planted. Defence Housings contribution to managing the tropical environment.

Here is a sample of block size and ratios

• 450 to 540M2. 146 lots
• 540 to 600m2. 60 lots
• 600 to 800 m2. 34 lots

Again we see building going into flood zones.

Going for a drive? Try these numbers:

The plan provided shows 3705 m of roads comprising 495m (13.5%) being 25m width. 635m (17.0%) at 20m width and 2575m (69.5%) at 17m width. This is not road surface width but lot boundary to lot boundary. Allowing walkways and setbacks a minimum of 5m is need to road gutter on each side, leaving 7 m for 70% of the road network. With two cars at 2.0m width parked on either side leaves 3.2m for a bus to drive along. To provide access, residence will need to park on the footpath to allow vehicles top drive safely. Parking tickets anyone?

Each and every road should not be less than 25m lot boundary to lot boundary.

The Black Footed Tree Rat habitat is clear-felled. 100% of trees removed. Perhaps a solid wall between the development and Casuarina Coastal Reserve.

Waterfront Hotel

Dare we say one ugly building that contributes zero to the public space.

Darwin City Council

Did I mention promising politicians earlier? If the city is broken let’s focus on the broken bits not trade away our open space. DCC needs to improve pedestrian and bike path access to schools, shops and the CBD. The DCC is uniquely placed to fight to preserve and improve and contribute more open space to the city and surrounds. They have no mandate as developers.

How many parks has DCC created in recent history? How many public assets have DCC traded away? If DCC now is short of funds perhaps they should have thought about the future before paying millions of dollars to wreck Frog Hollow.

Little Mindil

The countdown is running, the covenants are expiring. What was given away when we were told the public access to the foreshore would be preserved, open space would be preserved, the escarpment would be preserved? Think back to Clare Martin and Paul Henderson reassuring the good citizens of the Territory. Now we see a for sale sign with a block outline that shows no reality to what is happening on the ground.

Bagot Park Milner

In a surprise to residents of Milner, public open space has been slated to become part of a bicycle sports complex. Originating with a set of lights for Bagot Park Oval the term Sporting Precinct has been taken up. Next has come an upgrade to the velodrome which has morphed into a takeover of adjacent open space. Darwin City Council offered up a set of options to comment on, none of which allow for an alternate set of outcomes which may be valid.

Here is an extract from a letter by local residents:

From memory, at no stage during the consultation process was the extended use of the velodrome mentioned. The proposal to extend the velodrome area into a cycling precinct has caused dismay, concern, disappointment and anger that we have not been acknowledged as a group of importance to consider during Stage 2 of the development of Bagot Park.

Concept drawings have been shown at two community meetings on the site. It is clear that no comprehensive master plan exists (although council have said they created a master plan with Triathalon NT in late 2018). Residents are being asked to comment on infrastructure that even the proponents do not understand. For example is the proposed criterion track for racing on?

This proposal highlights the gross inadequacy of public consultation in use in the Territory. The original lighting submission advised that 94% of residents are for the lights. The makeup of the survey was over 50 sports-people and 7 residents. Not a resounding mandate perhaps?

BTW Way go the Mindils!

An extract from a local resident:

I like the park behind not being developed I feel a sense of calm walking through there after a hard day’s work. Am wondering about the opportunity for a doggy park (unfenced), community garden anything that is low impact. 

Traffic and parking are a problem and have seen a few accidents over the past ten years. Am happy for the resurfacing of the velodrome to go ahead however the car parking is so full at times that the impact regarding more people driving in with their bikes makes me wonder how they can stage these training sessions.

Certification of High Rise Buildings in the Territory

What is going on here? Should the NTG be selling our Land Tittles Information system? How much would you like to pay to understand the possibly murky history of your home?

Solid walls face the empty streets, not a car parked.

Anzac Oval Alice Springs, art for arts sake?

In a strong and confident defence of a valued asset in Alice Springs Anzac Oval will not be turned into national art gallery. A long process of offering money, land and compulsion has been turned away by Alice Springs, well done!

Flagstaff Park

This park is public open space managed by NTG. It could certainly use some management!

Extract from a letter from a Territorian to the NT Planning Commission:

Flagstaff Park has been classified as public open space by Clare Martin’s government and should remain so. There is widespread community support for this. It is frequently used as a performance space during the Darwin Festival and other events.

The park has been totally neglected in recent years but should not require many resources to bring it back to life.

Remaining trees offer some shade and the spectacular views of Darwin Harbour as well as beautiful sunset viewing.

Possible improvements?

Care, plants and shade structures.

Signage and of course shaded bike and pedestrian paths would bring people to the area to enjoy the views over the Harbour aw would additional plantings of appropriate trees.

Shaded picnic structures in Flagstaff Park as well would encourage people to spend more time there.

Not In My Back Yard!

From the Convener to NT News Letter to the Editor

Recently Matt Cunningham took Territorians to task for nimbyism. Well a counter to that line of thought is that if we don't protect our back yard who will? An example of this is a large hole in the ground bounded by Packard Street, Smith Street and Montoro Court.

This is the old Asti Motel Site. In 2013 a development approval was granted for 82 units, in 2014 it became 90 units, in 2015 it went to 140 units. Now in 2019 it will become 140 units and a restaurant. Recently (mid April, no response as yet) I wrote to the Director of Building Control and relevant politicians bringing their attention to the poor condition of the site.

For many years we have had a 3 story pit with temporary fencing in our street. While I am not an expert in the field I suspect the pub test would agree that it does not look safe. And contributing to the amenity it does not. No response from the Director or the local member to date.

The new Development Application has the potential to just prolong the no build no make good situation for another 2 years. Given there are no cranes in the Darwin skyline the requirement for 140 units may not be there today.

Since that letter was published in the NT News I was sent this gem, something to look forward to!

Joondanna built the Target extension on their shopping centre in Palmerston about 10? years ago. It sat as a huge hole in the ground for about 20 years before they finally built it...

And this from a nearby unit owner:

… It is not clear if these dwellings are also holiday accommodation or destined for rental on the open market. Darwin is saturated with units - as a unit owner I have had to drop my rent more than $200 a week to keep it occupied and it has dropped by a third in value. Please consider looking after the people who have already invested in the city and are struggling before approving ANY unit development proposals in this area.

Summary

So what do I think?

You should carefully consider placing trust in the concept of public consultation as practiced in the Northern Territory by any level of government or business.

Successful challenges to bad planning outcomes requires resources and time that many of us don’t have easy access to.

Many a politician uses the line:
“I only hear from people who agree with my crazy, disruptive, grandiose give away of your peaceful enjoyment of an asset that was gifted to the public is an obviously wise decision in the past”

Or

Open bracket (of the 3,000) people who live nearby only 8 area against my blatant miss reading of local sentiment and (of the 50,000) people who live not that far away 48 people are for it. Hey we have a mandate!

A Facebook advertisement is not a consultation, and paid reach is not genuine interest.

Write to your Politican, ring your politician, request a meeting with your politician, PLan will attend with you.

If an agency is involved engage with the agency, BUT ask for access to the results of that consultation, was what you said adequately recorded? Be careful of stacked questions, better to write a letter on your terms, send an email, request a response, publicise what you get back.

Think cross community, the problems you are having are the same problems we are all having, if 20 people make a fuss hmmm if 100 people make a fuss ….

Final Words

How can PLan help you? Over 25 years’ experience in the Planning issues in the community.

PLan membership $25 a year,

PLan committee, fresh blood always required. Can you volunteer time for our projects?

A view of Frog Hollow in the city, never to be repeated.