A compulsory conference has been set down for the Police Association planning application Re: 70-75 Jolimont Street.
The Police Association have applied for a permit to use levels 4 and 5 of the building and the roof top terrace for a place of assembly and as a function centre from 8:00am to 2:00am.
The City of Melbourne have indicated that a permit will be granted for them to have functions on Fridays and Saturdays from 8:00 am to 1:00 am the following day with the outdoor areas vacated at 11:00 pm. The number of persons not to exceed 320 people in total, ,including a maximum of 60 people in the outdoor areas. Council has included conditions to limit noise: a glazing system on the doors, noise limiters and no music or public address system including background music from external speakers after 11:00pm.
We believe the Police Association have appealed the proposed conditions and seek longer hours, including greater use of the outdoor areas and fewer noise restrictions. EMG and others have also appealed to VCAT.
There is a compulsory conference at VCAT listed for 30 April between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm to see if a compromise position can be reached. If this fails, then on 29 and 30 July there will be a two day hearing.
The AGM on Monday is an opportunity for members to guide the EMG Committee about the lengths to which it should go and what is an acceptable compromise. For example engaging an acoustic consultant will be cost at least $10,000.
