To portray Save Williamstown as an anti-development group is an absolute lie. Save Williamstown represents the community and the community favours development BUT that development must fit with the Heritage of the area, existing businesses. the nationally significant shipbuilding  industry and allow for the impact on the infrastructure of Williamstown.  Development similar to that on Nelson Place between Ann St and Thompson St, respect height limits, heritage buildings and the historic street scape but 46.5 metre towers with up to 17 storeys do not.

Williamstown’s community is adamantly against the Developer’s Proposal for up to 46.5 metre tower apartment buildings overshadowing back-to-back type terraces with no private open space - the “lower echelons ” of multi-million $$$ penthouses... 

Why do Developers like to build high rise apartments? Mainly because they can pre-sell penthouses off the plan before building even begins and receive early buyer-commitment which enables them to raise loan funding for the development.  This type of development is basically lazy planning.  It lacks any research as to what is needed in a community and what fits in a community.  The unoccupied Wool Mills are ugly and derelict and the whole community accepts that development will happen and it could be development which is exciting and makes a contribution to UNIQUE Williamstown.  This is a community which accepts restraint in the name of sustainable appropriate development.  Ask anyone who has sought planning permission and lives in the area of the original 1837 Hoddle Street Layout for Williamstown. 

The eminent historian Geoffrey Blainey has stated:

“I think the strip of land close to Point Gellibrand is probably more central to Victorian history than any other strip of land I can think of.  Its significance is perhaps second only to Sydney’s Circular Quay in terms of Australian history since white settlement”

Circular Quay has been “remodelled” by developers which makes Williamstown’s intact heritage all the more important. 

Destructive developers are not welcome in Williamstown, those with imagination and a contribution to make are.

And so to the article in

The Hobsons Bay Leader

by James Twining 27 JUL 10 @ 06:06AM

which now has a long list of comments from the community

1. “A PUBLIC relations battle over the controversial 400-plus apartment village proposed for Williamstown’s foreshore is being stepped up.
   

2. Proponent Nelson Place Village Pty Ltd has hired a PR firm to arrange meetings with locals apprehensive about the plan.
   

3. This would include building four apartment towers, up to 46.5m, and several townhouses on the former Port Phillip Woollen Mills site at Nelson Place.
   

4. In a letter seen by the Leader, Nelson Place Village managing director Ashley Williams says the developers: “would appreciate the opportunity to arrange a meeting to discuss our vision for the site”.
   

5. “We are most interested in community feedback,” Mr Williams wrote.
   

6. The company also sent out community response forms to gauge public opinion.
   

7. Mr Williams told the Leader there was nothing sinister in the move, rather it would be used to get feedback.
   

8. “I think it is part of the process we have been involved with,” he said.
   

9. “There wasn’t an opportunity up until now to start that dialogue.”.......”
   

NO OPPORTUNITY UNTIL NOW?????????? We thought you had been planning this development for about 5 years and you told the Minister that Council was delaying things and asked him to call it in?  Why didn’t you consult the community before you drew up plans - isn’t that a NORMAL Planning requirement?