Community Will Fight for Sunvale

from “The Star”

http://starnewsgroup.com.au/story/93906

Angry residents have threat¬ned to rebel if the Education Department surrenders the site for residential use.

Residents are concerned by rumours the department is in discussions with VicUrban, which is believed to be eyeing the derelict site for a social housing development.

They have warned the State Government and council to keep their hands off the land, which they believe should be transformed into a park for the community’s children.

Sunshine Residents and Ratepayers Association (SunRRA) member Sean Spencer said the community would fight hard to retain Sunvale, which is one of the last remaining parcels of open space in the suburb.

“If the last opportunity to gain a decent open space for children is lost to VicUrban…there will be community action on a grand scale,” Mr Spencer warned.

Sunshine resident John Hedditch said he feared the rumours were true and that Sunvale was earmarked for cheap housing.

“If it is true then there will be a huge battle for it,” Mr Hedditch said.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Tags: save sunvale, sunshine, brimbank, vicurban, news, politics, government, nick foa, open space

Friend or Foa?

When it comes to securing the former Sunvale P.S site for Open Space that future generations of kids can use, Brimbank CEO Nick Foa is shaping up as the biggest obstacle.

Take a look at Nick Foa’s track record in sabotaging the community’s vision for a decent open space for the underserviced Harvester Ward:

• Went behind the community’s back and lobbied MPs and the State Government for the site to be used for residential development.
• Allowed ratepayers’ money to be used run a deceptive postcard and petition campaign that claimed to be in support of open space but was in fact pro-development. You may remember the classic line “This is a great opportunity for the community to make its voice heard, and show how important it is for our City that the site be given back for community use.” All the while working for the opposite to happen.
• Ran a Communty CONsultation which resulted in a clear message that the residents and ratepayers did not want the site used for housing, but failed to advocate for the community’s position knowing the direct opposite would be the delivered.
• Sat silently while it became clear that the site was being handed to VicUrban for so-called “urban renewal” which is actually code for building cheap housing on all available open space.

Who needs enemies with friends like Nick Foa around?

Tags: save sunvale, brimbank, news, politics, government, nick foa, open space, harvester ward, community CONsultation

VicUrban Set to Develop Sunvale Site

News just in that VicUrban, a State Government Agency is set to purchase the former Sunvale site for a residential development.

Brimbank Council are not advocating for the community who clearly want the site retained as open space for future generations in an area that is short of open space.

Sunshine Community Leaders are currently discussing our next steps, in the meantime, you can:

Go to http://www.BillShorten.com and use his email form to demand he advocate for his electorate.

Email Marsha Thomson at marsha.thomson@parliament.vic.gov.au and urge her support for a community park. Make it a State Election issue.

Write to the local newspapers, http://brimbankleader.com http://starnewsgroup.com.au and http://theadvocate.yourguide.com.au

Email Brimbank CEO Mr Nick Foa  nickf@brimbank.vic.gov.au and demand he advocate for the community based on the feedback we gave during community consultations on the use of the former Sunvale site.

More news to come soon.

Tags: save sunvale, marsha thomson, bill shorten, sunshine, brimbank, vicurban, brumby government, news, politics, government, nick foa, open space, respect the west