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15 JUNE, 2022
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SIG N U P N O W!
Altona grassland saved By Matthew Sims
12533599-HC07-22
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal [VCAT] has upheld Hobsons Bay council’s decision to refuse a permit for proposed subdivision, building and stormwater management works at 37-45 Ajax Road in Altona. Proponents for the preservation of the grasslands on Ajax Road, including locals and the Grassy Plains Network, have praised VCAT’s decision but say more work is needed to ensure future developers and councils follow biosensitive design approaches. Last year, Axxcel Management Services put forth a planning permit to Hobsons Bay council to subdivide the land into two lots and remove the native vegetation to the north of the Altona Railway Reserve, as well as conduct building and stormwater management works. Council rejected the permit, with VCAT’s decision on the appeal handed down on Friday, June 3. VCAT presiding member Joel Templar and member Nick Wimbush’s decision said the development required a more “holistic and integrated approach“ and was “presumptuous“ about the future of the area. Covering about 70 hectares, the Ajax Road grassland is located on the Werribee and Altona rail lines north of the Truganina Swamp and contains a number of endangered plant species, such as kangaroo grass and spiny rice-flower. GPN facilitator Adrian Marshall said the grassland’s connection to other local sites made it a “really important“ part of the area’s ecosystem and its ability to combat the effects of climate change. “All that amazing vegetation is able to prevent a lot of flooding,“ he said. Mr Marshall said it was heartening to see the outpouring of support for the legal battle, with about 100 donors coming forward. “The strength of the community amazed me,“ he said. Hobsons Bay resident Bonnie Gelman said there needed to be more work to protect the area, including the development of an Environmental Significance Overlay for the land and a review of Hobsons Bay council’s Industrial Land Management Strategy. “It’s the jewel in the crown in our Hobsons Bay,“ she said. “We are trying to save our grasslands on behalf of future generations.“
Building a life full of beauty Williamstown’s Phyllis Murphy [nee Slater] has made a lasting legacy on the look of Melbourne. She was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia [AM] in the Queen’s Birthday honours announced on Monday, June 13. Mrs Murphy and her late husband John designed a number of buildings in Victoria, including the Olympic Swimming Stadium for the 1956 Olympic Games, now known as the AIA Centre, and were involved in the preservation of a number of historic buildings for the National Trust of Australia. Born in 1924, Mrs Murphy studied at the Melbourne University Architectural Atelier and the University of Melbourne. The British journal The Architectural Review featured the couple’s work on residential developments, with the pair completing more than 50 modern houses by 1960. Mrs Murphy was also involved in designs of buildings at a number of schools and a television station in Shepparton. In addition to her architectural work, she has also become nationally renowned for her knowledge on historic wallpaper design and restoration. Matthew Sims
Williamstown resident Phyllis Murphy was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia on Monday, June 13. (Joe Mastroianni) 284655_01
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