‘‘Save our Park’’ campaign over Serrata

Mosaic and Montage residents have launched a “Save our Park” campaign in an attempt to stop the Serrata development in Bourke St.

To spearhead the campaign, they have developed a website, http://www.saveourpark.com.au which features an online petition.

Montage Owners Corporation chair Jeff Slabe said residents felt that if they were to be denied a community building for the land then they would prefer it to be a park.

The land, between the Gauge and the Montage/Mosaic apartments, has always been earmarked for development.

However, a dispute between Lend Lease and some residents erupted recently when the developer announced a 15-storey low-density building for the site.  The residents claim they were told when purchasing that the site was reserved for “community use”.  Lend Lease denies this claim.

Serrata will have 144 apartments and 68 car spaces. Most apartments are 50 sq m, single-bedroom units without car parking.

Mr Slabe said he believed it was not too late to prevent Serrata being built, despite it being 50 per cent sold on the first weekend of sales in June.

He said the “Save our Park” campaign was designed to get the attention of politicians, Docklands corporations and residents.  He said corporations particularly made full use of the currently vacant land as their staff played ball games there during lunch time.

“We need this green lung in the area, otherwise the area becomes less conducive and attractive to families with children and others,” he said.

He said Victoria Green, the existing park behind the development site was a “prison exercise yard” which would be “hemmed in by a concrete jungle”.

A Lend Lease spokesperson said: “Lend Lease has acted in accordance with its Development Agreement obligations and has sought all required approvals from VicUrban and consent authorities in relation to development on this particular site.”

“The Victoria Harbour Masterplan identifies this site as a development site. The site was grassed by Lend Lease to provide temporary amenity for its residents and workers and was sign-posted by VicUrban for future development following the removal of the construction hoardings along Bourke St in 2008.”

“The adjoining Victoria Green will remain a public park and has been set aside as a City of Melbourne-owned reserve.”