Friends of the Healesville Freeway Reserve

HELP WITH SAVING THE HEALESVILLE FREEWAY RESERVE

As you know, the VicRoads’ community consultation period in relation to the recently released three “concept” plans for the Healesville Freeway Reserve (HFR) expires today.

It is very disappointing but quite expected to receive this reply from VicRoads to our letter asking for the community consultation to be extended to one month after the council response is made public.

They have waffled on about the wonderful consultation process, not responded to any of the issues we have raised and said the community consultation will close on Monday 23rd Dec at 5pm, refusing to extend the period.

Here are both communications for your information.

Letter to VicRoads Reply from VicRoads

So this is the last chance to have your say about the three concepts that have been put forward. See the information below on how you can assist by emailing VicRoads and politicians regarding the request before 5pm today.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Sample email

As you know, the VicRoads’ community consultation period in relation to the recently released three “concept” plans for the Healesville Freeway Reserve (HFR) expires Monday next week (23 December 2013).

On the basis that it is clearly unreasonable for VicRoads to expect any meaningful community consideration of the plans during this busy time of Xmas, we are trying to get VicRoads/the Vic Government to extend the consultation period. The full rationale for the request is set out below.

Please help us in our efforts!

All you need to do is email the sample text attached (or amend it to reflect your concerns) to the relevant decision-makers.

Please do so as soon as you can given the timing involved! Please include your name and mobile number at the bottom of the email. To avoid the recipient claiming your email is “spam”.

If you are happy to send the email, please send it to Vic Roads and Minister Mulder with a copy to the people listed below and then forward a copy of your email “as sent” to the “Friends of the Healesville Freeway Reserve” for our records. If you receive any response, please let us know.

Please do not worry if you have already responded to VicRoads regarding the Concepts, you can still email if the issues highlighted below concern you.

Thanks for your support!

HAVE YOUR SAY BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!!!!

Community Consultation Process
3 Options for the future use of the Healesville Freeway Reserve between Springvale Road and Boronia Road were released on the 25th November 2013.

There have been an number of problems with the process:

• Workshops were rushed through one day after the release on the VicRoads website.
• Council were not briefed on options before release, despite council being expected to maintain the infrastructure.
• Infrastructure put onto Strathdon Orchard (council land) without informing Council or getting their consent.
• Public consultation will close Dec 23rd 2013, before the council response will be available (expected after a Council Meeting in Jan 2014), so the community will not know the council position when they give their opinion.
• Deliberative Forum Report – Not released despite repeated reference at the workshops to how important that consultation was.

The three concepts can be viewed at http://consult.vicroads.vic.gov.au/hfrconsult and are: Shared Path option, Davy Lane Concept and Community Use Concept.

VicRoads online forum closes 23rd Dec
http://consult.vicroads.vic.gov.au/hfrconsult

AND

Email VicRoads: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

With a copy to

• Neil Angus - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Terry Mulder(Roads Minister) - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Councilor Bill Bennett - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Councilor Raylene Carr - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Council needs to know what the community is saying so please copy them in.

Download Assessment card

Below is an assessment card that has been designed to assist participants ascertain which of the key issues each Option provides for at the workshops.

Please note that you do not have to choose one option just as it is presented. Feel free to evaluate each option and make suggestions that you think will make it more in line with community expectations.

A printable version is attached for you to take along to the meeting.

Thank you for all the good work and amazing support each and every one of you and so many others have shown to this issue, together we can get a good long lasting outcome for the community.

Community Assessment Card for the Development of the Healesville Freeway Reserve

VicRoads will be releasing three options for the development of the Healesville Freeway Reserve.

The community has insisted on the need to maximize open space in any future development of the reserve.

Nadrasca Farm, Davy Lane Reserve and the existing Bellbird Dell Bushland Park have been secured - largely by community action.

Which of the VicRoads options include the following reserve components as demanded by the community and not yet secured?

 (Please tick the boxes):

                                                                               Option 1   Option 2    Option 3

East-West Extension of Bellbird Dell              ☐           ☐           ☐

(More park land to provide for increased population density in the future.

Extending from the Nadrasca farm to Terrara Road.)

Cycling, Pedestrian & Biolink                        ☐           ☐           ☐

(From Springvale Road to Boronia Road)

Preserving Remnant Vegetation                      ☐           ☐           ☐

(On Stanley Road reserve & behind the Horticultural Centre)

Vermont Secondary College                         ☐           ☐           ☐

(The college requires the reserve land abutting their boundary to enable expansion of their capacity to serve the educational needs of the community.)

The Nethercote Property                           ☐           ☐           ☐

(This Heritage listed property was formerly hired out for community events but is badly in need of repair.

The site is currently used for equestrian training in conjunction with Box Hill Institute that is keen to continue vocational programs on the land.)

18^th Hole of the Morack Golf Course              ☐           ☐           ☐

THE HEALESVILLE FREEWAY RESERVE (Springvale to Boronia Road section)

Petition – The community has tabled a petition in Parliament with 5000 signatures asking the Government to retain the land as Open Space.

Community consultation -3 Options were to be released in March’13. This has been delayed by 8 months and will be released on the 25^th Nov’13. The community is being given just 1 day to view these Options before consultation start on the 26^th Nov and their opinion is sought.

Online Forum:  The online forum will be available from the project website from

25 November to 25 December 2013. Please visit: http://consult.vicroads.vic.gov.au/hfrconsult

Workshops: To attend a workshop, please register using any of the following options:

Phone: (03) 9881 8019, E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Online: VicRoads website above.

Workshop dates: Registration closes on Monday 25th November 2013 at 5pm.

    Workshop 1:     | Tuesday 26 November 2013      | 6.30pm – 8.30pm             

    Workshop 2:     | Wednesday 27 November 2013 | 10.30am – 12.30pm           

    Workshop 3:     | Thursday 28 November 2013     | 6.30pm – 8.30pm             

Venue for all Community Workshops:

The Whitehorse Club, 298–336 Burwood Highway, Burwood East (Melways Ref: 62 B7)

Some of the key Planning issues we are concerned about –

EAST WEST EXTENSION OF THE DELL –

The Dell in its current size has served the community well for the past fifty years, however with increasing population and with the additional housing that will possibly go onto the Healesville Freeway reserve; we are concerned that the Dell habitat will be degraded with over use. We feel that the Dell needs to be extended in an East – West direction from the rear of NADRASCA farm to Terrara Road. This is the only opportunity to achieve that and secure the open space for the community for the next fifty years.          

CYCLING, PEDESTRIAN & BIOLINK

This is important infrastructure that is needed for people to have a healthy and active lifestyle and for animals to travel between islands of remnant vegetation.

PRESERVING REMNANT VEGETATION

A remnant stand of trees on Stanley road reserve and an island of remnant vegetation behind the Horticulture Centre need to be protected and preserved.

VERMONT SECONDARY COLLEGE

This local High school is at capacity with more and more families moving into the area because if it’s reputation for excellence and high quality of education. They need the Reserve land that abuts their boundary to be able to expand their capacity and be in a position to serve the growing demand for Higher education in the area.

NETHERCOTE

We are fortunate to have this Heritage listed property in our local area, it used to be available for weddings and other events, however due to neglect by VicRoads over time it is in a very bad condition and urgently needs repairs. The site is currently used for equestrian training in conjunction with Box Hill TAFE, who are keen to assist in the restoration of the building. Their students of carpentry, woodwork, horticulture, cabinetmaking and other relevant areas could get hands on training restoring the building, while the community benefits from again have access and use of this heritage property. A win win for all!

MORACK GOLF COURSE – The 18^th Hole of the course is on the Freeway land.