By Matt Robinson, a resident of Techno Park
On Tuesday April 9 we will march to Hobsons Bay Council to demand they stop their mass eviction of families, pensioners and other vulnerable people from our homes at Techno Park in Williamstown.
In May last year, Hobsons Bay City Council sent notices directing residents to leave our homes immediately or face legal action. They said that the zone is Industrial, and that people cannot live here. But Council’s internal documents released under FOI show that Council knew people had been living at Techno Park for more than 15 years and were entitled to existing use rights to remain, regardless of zoning. They also show that instead of seeking applications to formalise these rights, Council deliberately attempted to “extinguish” them and force a mass eviction.
In February, the Planning Minister made a change to the Victorian Planning Scheme that means after 15 years of continuous residential use has passed, a council cannot extinguish existing use rights accrued during this time. But Hobsons Bay City Council will only say that “Council’s position on the matter remains unchanged at this time,” maintaining their order that everyone must leave their home by May—the new date that our very own councillors voted to evict us on, after we organised and refused to leave our homes last year.
Now is Council’s opportunity to change for the better. Please join us and show our Council that this community cares about decency, transparency, and keeping people in their homes! Common sense must prevail.
RALLY AND MARCH to SAVE TECHNO PARK
5.30pm Tuesday April 9
Meet at Logan Reserve, Altona
March to the Hobsons Bay Council Meeting
For updates, see www.facebook.com/savetechnopark
