As many of you are aware, last year the City of Yarra approved a massive

development next door to Atlas Vinifera on Church Street. Despite the project not

conforming with the Design Development Overlay guidelines of 15m (its height is over 20m, plus a further rooftop terrace and services level), nor was adequate regard given to the impact upon the neighbourhood's amenity, safety and traffic - particularly, in regard to Ben Alexander Reserve - this sailed through council despite many residents' objections.

As a result, the residents' formed Friends of Ben Alexander Reserve (FOBAR), to try to reduce the scale of the development to fit in with the DDO guidelines. The residents have engaged a town planner and have applied to VCAT to have the planning permit altered to reduce the height, the bulk and the impact on the neighbourhood. Initial negotiations with the developer were unsuccessful, and we now have to go to a VCAT hearing to fight for our neighbourhood, at a huge cost. The hearing is currently scheduled for early May.

There is so much soul in this little pocket of Richmond, and we want that preserved, rather than having a massive development overshadowing our beautiful little park, the historic workers cottages that surround it, and the great businesses in this strip. It will impact everything that makes our neighbourhood special, and will risk the safety of the park with increased traffic in streets that are entirely inappropriate for such the planned size of the project. If this proceeds as currently approved, it will set a precedent for further developments along Church Street that exceed the council's own guidelines.

We are asking if you can to chip in a little bit to help us get this development

amended so that it won't have such a negative impact on our vibrant part of 3121. All money will go to the Friends of Ben Alexander Reserve's VCAT costs. Any additional funds recieved that aren't utilised in this challenge will be donated to a local community organisation.