160 community & environment groups across Melbourne have formed a coalition to protect Melbourne's green wedges. We regard maintaining the green wedges for future generations as a yardstick for our generation's commitment to developing a sustainable city in a sustainable world.

So the opposition is "poised to agree (with state government) on the $2 billion infrastructure tax" that would allow the government to rezone 43,600 ha of Melbourne’s green wedges for suburban development (The Age, 16/4). On the same day, the "Access to senior Libs for sale" report appeared.

 

Ten months ago, similar reports of ALP fundraising lunches with the Planning Minister and Premier followed the government’s land deal announcement which, if it goes ahead, will destroy the certainty needed for green wedge protection.

 

Media Release

NEW GOVERNMENT LAND GRAB TO BENEFIT DEVELOPERS, UNFETTERED URBAN SPRAWL DESTROYING MELBOURNE'S GREEN WEDGES

In the latest assault on Melbourne’s green wedges, Planning Minister Matthew Guy plans to take another 6000 ha from the green wedges to give Melbourne more urban sprawl and to concrete over more fertile farmland and environmentally significant wetlands, grasslands and woodlands.

Even as Justin Madden was making his hypocritical announcement last month about no more urban growth (Minister alters view on sprawl, The Age 3/12), his Development Facilitation Taskforce was recommending that if Cardinia Shire Council wants to assist a private club with its viability problems by facilitating a currently prohibited residential subdivision, it should amend its planning scheme to fit and investigate "developing land surrounding the Club for residential purposes".

Media Release

HOW TO VOTE TO SAVE GREEN WEDGES IN THE STATE OF UNCERTAINTY

At our recent electoral forum on planning policies for Green Wedges, the ALP and Greens Planning Spokespersons Brian Tee and Greg Barber both provided strong commitments to protect Melbourne’s Green Wedges by opposing any further expansion of the Urban Growth Boundary(UGB).  The Planning Minister Matthew Guy has matched that commitment, though he declined our invitation to address our forum (which we combined with the AGM), after initially agreeing to attend. 

PROTEST RALLY - Parliament House - 24th Nov, 12:30pm

If we wish to retain the environmental assets of the Green Wedges it is now time to make a stand.

This is our last chance to stop the Green Wedge destruction and landholder rip-off legislation now before Parliament. 

Please join 

Green Wedges Coalition, Taxed Out, Protectors of Public Lands and Planning Backlash

 

in a demonstration on the steps of Parliament House

At 12.30 for 1 pm next Tuesday 24 November.   
 

Speakers will include: 

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