Conroy delays internet filter because of election back lash

Controversial policy to filter the internet have been shelved by the Gillard government for at least two years.
As the government clears the decks for the coming federal election and dealing with a fierce backlash against the policy, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy yesterday planned a year-long review into subject matter that has been refused classification. He said laws for the filter would not be released until the review was completed.

And a spokesman for Senator Conroy said the filter -- that  was a 2007 Labor election promise -- would not be carried out until 12 months following the legislation was approved. While Senator Conroy insisted the government's resolve toward introduce a compulsory internet filter had not changed, the opposition said the postponement was a "humiliating backdown". The deferral comes after a fierce anti-filter campaign from activist organisation Get-Up! and condemnation from internet companies such as Google, and the US government. They have warned that the filter will not be of use, would slow the internet and would set a precarious precedent for web censorship.

Greens senator Scott Ludlam said it was clear the government did not have the stomach to discuss the filter in the course of the election campaign. "I think what it is doing is giving the government time plus a bit of a get-out clause to have an evidence-based policy," he said. Senator Ludlam said the filter, which has been strongly supported by church groups, would not eliminate child pornography from the internet, most of which was traded on peer-to-peer networks rather than on live websites. "It will not take a solitary picture off the web, won't point to a single prosecution and it will not lead to any of this information being taken down," he said.

Google Australia and New Zealand managing director Karim Temsamani said he was happy the government had taken account of "genuine concerns" regarding refused-classification content.
"While our standing on the government's future filter has not changed, we approve of the recommendation to conduct a review of the RC classification," Mr Temsamani said. "Our main concern has always been that the scope of the planned filter is far too broad. It goes way further than child sexual abuse information and would block access to important online information for all Australians."

The review was introduced as three of Australia's largest internet service providers -- Telstra, Optus and Primus -- agreed to block a list of child abuse websites compiled by the Australian Communications and Media Authority. Senator Conroy said the government's promise to force ISPs to filter content from the internet had not wavered.

Paradise Plant Centre

You will remember the GCCC Council approved 21 units on this site but that the developer has asked for the approval to be renegotiated up to 25. Today David , John and Judith met with the two GCCC town planners in charge of the redevelopment application. David and John had done enormous research into the Town Plan and into the development application and found dozens of apparent anomalies. They presented the community's case very well.

We had a good look at the block today and this is such a small area to have possibly over 100 people. It is most likely to be rental student housing but the proposal has been very carefully presented.

The bottom line seems to be that the developer has threatened to take the matter to the Planning and Environment Court if they don't get 25 units and it could cost the GCCC $100,000. We think this is a test case and that the cost to the community should be taken into consideration. When you look at the floor plans of these supposed one- and two-bedroom apartments, these are definitely two- and three-bedroom units - one room in each unit is just called a study. The town planners said this has to be taken on face value. If it is the same size and is the same design as a bedroom, it sounds like a bedroom to us. The town planners took detailed note of all the objections and said they would take them into consideration when reassessing the proposal.

(Interestingly, Storey & Castle, the designers of this project also were the designers of the initial QAC proposal for Ridgeway TAFE. They seem to have a gift for junk developments and also seem to be good at "bullying" to get their way as they have continually threatened the past year to take the Paradise Plant Centre redevelopment to Court.)

This will go again to the Town Planning Committee for consideration sometime around the middle of July. We will continue to work with the Councillors to minimise the effect of this proposal on our community. Our big concern is that this development will establish a precedent and then become "case law".

Paradise Plant Centre

Paradise Plant Centre

The Gold Coast City Council voted to approvte 21 units in 2 buildings with 45 parking spaces. They will generally be 2 storeys high with the rear building 3 storeys in the middle. The developer has twenty business days from today to lodge an appeal to the decision to the State Planning and Environment Court which takes us to the 22nd June.

Because of the change in State legislation which attempts to greatly increase population in urban areas, the Council felt that, if they stuck with the community-desired 11 units, the Court would overturn this and there was the strong possibility that the developer might get the 28 units they want.

While the 21 units is disappointing, it is much better than the original proposal which was for 30 units and four-and-a-half storeys. We still think this is not the site for such a development and that there will be access problems but we do know that the Council is well aware of all these concerns and will watch it carefully. The new roundabout at the Robyn Street/Golden Crescent/Benowa Road slated for 2011 should help with this.

for those concerned about forced population growth

IF Queensland charged the real cost of growth it would quickly slow from present levels that were threatening south-east Queensland's lifestyle.

Local Government of Queensland executive director Greg Hallam said it was clear from the level of the state's debt that growth was not paying its way.

"The minute you apply the appropriate pricing, growth would slow," Mr Hallam said.

"There is a big gap between what the government pretends it can provide and what it actually can. It's clear that either new taxes, user charges or demand management, or a combination of these measures is needed if the wonderful south-east Queensland lifestyle isn't to be eroded further.

"Unless more money is channelled into roads and public transport, (then)congestion, pollution and productivity will get progressively worse."

The impact of New Zealand immigration on population growth in Australia was so great that within five years there would be more Kiwis here than on the South Island.

Mr Hallam said the LGAQ had thought there was more the Federal Government could do about slowing immigration, which was dominated by the open door policy with New Zealand and the 457 visa applicants.

Mr Hallam has urged residents to make submissions to the association's interim report on the Need for a State Population Policy.

Debts of gratitude

Debts of gratitude

The Southport Park/Ridgeway Avenue Community wish to thank Councillor Susie Douglas, Councillor Dawn Crichlow, Dr.Alex Douglas MP, J.P. Langbroek MP, for their support.
We also wish to thank the Officers of Gold Coast Planning & Social Health who worked within the constraints of a cumbersome Planning Act. Their diligence and professionalism is to be applauded.

Thanks also the reporters of the Gold Coast Bulletin, The Sun Newspaper. NBN TV and Hot Tomato who made it possible for a small cohesive community to get their voice heard.
Last but not least officers of GCIT and QAC, with whom we had several amicable meetings. We did agree to disagre. Also the QAC executives who visited us in April to discuss their and our views on the outcome of the project.

Alone we can do little, but as a community we have a voice. That voice will have be used more in the future, as we strive to save our communities from developers who will use the new and untested Sustainable Planning Act to stretch the limits of permissible development, supposedly in the name of smaller lot ratios. We think it is not so much about population density increase as about greed. Our values matter.

No Plan B for the Tafe Ridgeway Campus

Tafe Ridgeway Campus News

There is no Plan "B"!!. At the meeting the other night with Aaron Devine, the GCIT CEO, we were told there are no plans for the site and this will be discussed with the Board. At the moment, there is no money for major work but they recognise that, if it is determined that the Campus is still required, a refurbishment is essential. Mr. Devine said they know they should have consulted with the community from the beginning and the angst of the past three years might have been avoided. They will not make this mistake in the future. It is apparent the new CEO of GCIT recognises this community and we are grateful. A point of interest is that GCIT only received the withdrawal confirmation from QAC this week.

The community feeling seemed to be that the site should be for education purposes and/or green space. The blackbutt grove is saved for ever and we will negotiate on a proper public access path as required in the Main Roads submission to the development. We have asked if we can "husband" the blackbutt grove meanwhile and this will be considered.

The State Parliamentary Secretary has advised us that, if GCIT decide the Campus is surplus to their requirements, the State will determine a future use. We will continue our push for the block to the donated to the City of the Gold Coast the way Kangaroo Point TAFE was donated to the City of Brisbane last year.

The GCCC Town Planning will proceed with the assessment of the project which will be voted on in the near future. This should kill off any other similar developer aspirations.

email from TAFE's Ridgeway Campus

I received this email from the Acting CEO Gold Coast Institute of TAFE.

Proposed redevelopment of Gold Coast Institute of TAFE's Ridgeway Campus

Dear Resident,
As promised at the Gold Coast Institute of TAFE (GCIT) Community Forum on
3 February 2010, we would like to keep you updated on the status of the proposed Ridgeway Avenue Campus redevelopment.

I wish to advise, it has now been confirmed by Queensland Accommodation Company (QAC) that the development proposed for the site will not be proceeding.
According to QAC representative Alan Mayer, negotiations with Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) indicated the project would only proceed based on the recommendation that the capacity of the student accommodation facility be reduced from a maximum of 600 rooms with 1200 students to 300 rooms with 300 students.

On this basis, the project was deemed unviable for the developer, and GCIT has since received notice from QAC that they are unable to proceed with the project.
I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate GCIT’s consistent view that that project needed to adhere to GCCC’s planning and development requirements.
Moving forward GCIT plans to continue working pro-actively with the local community in keeping you all informed of our future plans for the site as an educational facility.

We acknowledge the Ridgeway Avenue campus is in need of an upgrade, and hope to engage with our students, residents, industry partners and GCCC in determining the best options for the site.