what I would have said at the no maccas rally if I was invited

I was disappointed to learn that a deliberate decision was made by organisers of the No Maccas Rally to not invite me to speak at the rally coming up this Saturday. Originally organisers said it was for community only, I completely understand, however I am perplexed that local MPs can speak but I don’t fit the bill of local community. So below is what I would have said if I was invited.

Firstly I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land, the Wurundjeri people, and pay my deep respects to elders past and present.

It is terrific to see you all here today and it comes as no surprise to me that the community continues to come out in droves to fight this development in Tecoma.

For those who don’t know me, I’m councillor Samantha Dunn, local councillor for the area and I have been living and breathing this issue since McDonalds first met with the shire in February 2011. After following the application through to the council meeting, where I put up a refusal motion, which received unanimous support from councillors, I became part of the community campaign to prepare for the VCAT appeal. Myself, TVAG and community members spent countless hours, meeting week after week to coordinate the efforts at VCAT, an enormous effort it was.

It was a dark day for all of us when we got the news on the VCAT decision, to approve this development in Tecoma.

What this has highlighted to me more than anything is the flaws in the appeals system. A system where community aspiration doesn’t come first, not even second, a system where the community’s voice continues to be disregarded.

It is wrong that this application with its 1,090 objections, 670 community members attending the council meeting, 330 objectors through VCAT fails to even be a consideration of the tribunal when they have the power to make the decision, a decision that will change the township of Tecoma forever.  That is the system, but that is not democracy.

We’ve heard from the Minister for Planning that numbers at VCAT should matter, that the Minister would support any discussion with VCAT to reform its policy on objector numbers, well I ask what work has been done, when will we see a change, how many other communities need to fight only to have their voices ignored too? Will we see a time when communities are empowered to be an equal part of the appeals process rather than being confronted with the unlevel playing field as it currently is.

We all know that this development will add to the traffic chaos on Burwood Highway, we all know that there will be ongoing amenity impacts to those residents in the surrounding area, we all know we are all going to contend with far more rubbish in our local area.

When I put up a refusal motion to council back in 2011 there were 15 different grounds of refusal, the community spent 3 days telling the tribunal hundreds of reasons why this development was not appropriate for this site in Tecoma. There are plenty of reasons why this is a bad outcome for Tecoma and you think so too, that’s why you’re here today.

I have asked the Minister for Planning for a meeting, I don’t want him to forget that he committed to meeting with myself, the shire’s strategic planning officers and community members late last year and I’ll be making sure that this meeting doesn’t fall off the radar.  

I’ll also be encouraging all of you to be part of any council consultations that assist in shaping our towns in the hills, there’s a few coming up, more than ever it is important that your voice be heard and my blog is the best way to keep up to date with upcoming consultations.

I congratulate you all on your resolve to protect what’s special to the people in the Dandenong Ranges. Not once have I ever doubted your passion and commitment to our community and our region. It is that resolve that makes our community strong, it’s that resolve that says in no uncertain terms you are part of a close knit community. Not once have you let McDonalds forget you exist and I’m sure you never will.  

 

Well done for coming out today, I have no doubt you will continue to make your presence felt and keep fighting the good fight for Tecoma.