MAY 14, 2019 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
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Townhouse takedown By Tate Papworth Controversial plans to build 72 townhouses on the former Keilor Park Primary School site have been scrapped. The site will now be sold as 28 individual suburban residential blocks by Development Victoria. The original proposal drew the ire of the local community, which packed out two public information sessions in July last year. The community cited a number of concerns surrounding the proposal including traffic conditions and the proposal’s ability to tie in with the character of the community. Residents lodged a formal petition against the proposal with the Brimbank council during its August meeting, which had 404 signatories.
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Celebrate like a princess St Albans’ Princess Street will be transformed with a spectacular lighting display and colourful designs inspired by the late Leigh Bowery. Brimbank council will launch a bold makeover of the area and is throwing an evening of family fun to celebrate. Mayor Lucinda Congreve encouraged residents, traders and visitors to join in the celebrations. “Come on down to make a lantern, hear some music, try out the neon photo-booth and grab a coffee or ice cream on us – then sit back to enjoy the spectacular new lighting for the first time. “The design was inspired by the late artist Leigh Bowery, who grew up in nearby Sunshine and was known for his bold, provocative art and design. “The new Princess Street features bold colours and a fun, lively atmosphere, and creates a pedestrian-focused link between the St Albans train station, the nearby Errington Precinct, and of course, the Bowery Theatre.” The $1.175 million upgrade was funded by Brimbank City Council ($925,000) in partnership with the Victorian Government’s Community Crime Prevention Program ($250,000). The new design is aimed at enhancing safety with improved lighting and Brimbank’s first shared pedestrian and traffic zone, where pedestrians have right of way. It also includes extra garden beds, trees, feature lighting and new seating, all in a vibrant, theatrical design. The celebratory evening will be held on Wednesday, May 15 from 5-7pm.
This new proposal keeps with the character of the community - Ben Carroll
(Joe Mastroianni)
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Community sentiment against the proposal was so strong that member for Niddrie Ben Carroll was forced to step in. Mr Carroll wrote to the then Minister for Major Projects Jacinta Allen requesting the project be reviewed. Mr Carroll welcomed the new proposal. “I shared many locals’ concerns about the overall size of the original proposal,” Mr Carroll said. “As someone who grew up in the adjacent suburb of Airport West, I appreciate what a close-knit and proud community Keilor Park is. “This new proposal keeps with the character of the community and will provide the opportunity for people to build their dream home and family life in Keilor Park.” However Stop Keilor Park Development chair James Gevergizian said it wasn’t a satisfying outcome. “We needed facilities for the community. At the moment if you look around Keilor Park, we don’t have many. We’d hoped for a small development with a small facility for the community.” Keilor Park Primary School closed in 2008. The site was then zoned from Public Use (Education) to Neighbourhood Residential and purchased by Development Victoria to develop housing.
Lucinda congreve
Tate Papworth