I live in ALBERT St opposite Fleming Park and am appalled at the changes in our community. This is not simply inevitable economic growth but a direct destruction of a unique Brunswick culture built up over the past ninety years.(CERES being just one example).The repercussions of the TONTINE development are already having a flow-on effect for those who use FLEMING Park. Did you know organized sport in FLEMING park is now banned? Senior and junior sporting clubs have been told to move elsewhere. The historical football scoreboard has been demolished, the existing grandstand is to be demolished, the surrounding playing fence removed.and goal posts to disappear.
This land was left to the council by Mr Fleming to be used for sports and recreation and the council has broken its trust to the wishes of the family. There is no doubt in my mind this has happened to fit in with the plans of TONTINE and other would be unit holders who would wish for a recreational park they could almost call their own and be a selling point for their units, offices etc.The council has throughout this whole proposal acted with subterfuge, refusal to provide information (myself and my neighbours have not received one letter about the proposed changes to the park). Furthermore I have just received information that CROSS ST, neighbouring FLEMING Park is to be rezoned residential, not industrial, which will, as light follows day become more units. Behind this street near Lygon a twenty story block of units is well under construction. Add TONTINE and we will be living in our own little NEW YORK with accompanying problems.
TRAFFIC
Albert and Victoria streets are planned to be major roads to handle increased taffic and parking. It is impossible. The proposed supermarket may have parking but what of the users of FLEMING PARK. This park is one of the most popular for running dogs without leads. Dog walkers and people running and exercising have formed a community bond. We know each other and the scale of use is just about right. But where will they park?
Will dogs ultimately have to be put on leads? I have personally have lost two cats and a dog run over because of the narrowness of Albert st. Despite speed humps, cars speed without care for narrowness of road. Is the council going to ban parking on the street to make flow slightly easier - not many homes do have car parks.
ACTION
I will attend your meetings to protest but my experience in the now defunct BRUNSWICK PROGRESS ASSOCIATION, whose history can be found at the public library, has taught me that you can talk reason with reasonable man but often in the end you have to fight fire with fire.
- One could man a table under the FLEMING GRANDSTAND collecting petitions for council. BARKLY SQUARE is another point where petitions could be collected.
-A large sign call be displayed in front grandstand for all to see. Similarly a gathering outside Tontine with press present could be held
- The AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE could be approached, made aware of situation and asked to visit and comment.
-I think TONTINE and FLEMING Park are connected so that is why I make these suggestions.
-Years ago the BRUNSWICK Council attempted to have the Town Hall demolished. VICK and VIDA LITTLE of the Progress association spent two weeks gathering a mass of signatures for a petition that resulted in a referandum over the issue. The Progesss Association won and the council hall still stands. At the time they said it couldn't be done but it was.
I support your movement and will help in any way. I believe despite the odds, a small, passionated group can achieve what initially seems impossible.
YOURS IAN CRONIN