A small victory for democracy
Peter Hodge, The Age, 13 August 2010
From http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/a-small-victory-for-democracy-20100813-122rt.html
The history made in North Coburg recently may not loom large nationally, but for the suburb’s many residents it will be a day to remember for many years to come. It was the day that the Edgars Creek parkland was saved.
It will also be remembered as a triumph for a small militia of volunteers who put flesh on the impoverished skeleton of democracy, long blighted by uninspiring elections and diminishing involvement in politics by ordinary citizens.
After a four-year struggle, Victorian Planning Minister Justin Madden finally announced that the precious 10.7 hectare tract of VicRoads-owned land, rich in flora and fauna, would become Crown land, to be preserved as permanent parkland under the management of Moreland City Council.
The fight began when VicRoads said the land would be sold to developers unless Moreland City Council could find $10 million to buy it.
Concerned citizens formed the Merri and Edgars Creek Parkland Group and later the Friends of Edgars Creek. Member for Pascoe Vale, Labor’s Christine Campbell, gave her support on the issue, but urged supporters to strap themselves in for a long fight.
With two major residential developments (the Kodak and Pentridge sites) rising on either side of the parkland, and the dearth of public open space in the northern suburbs, the solution was a no-brainer – the land should be gifted to the Moreland City Council, just as the Point Nepean land was gifted to the State of Victoria. The war would be done and dusted by Christmas, I thought.
For some of us, what followed was an eye-opening lesson as to how the at-times dysfunctional wheels of government and state bureaucracies turn or, rather, creak. The council was in favour of retaining the land as public open space, but not so keen on raising rates to pay for it. Simply getting the Minister for Planning to acknowledge this was a planning issue proved to be a major challenge.
Monthly meetings were held and a website constructed. There were letter-box drops, regular stalls on retail streets, petitions, form letters to the relevant ministers, letters in the local paper, meetings with councillors and state and federal MPs, a protest on the steps of Parliament House, two “Walk through the park” events attracting hundreds of residents and a raft of pollies, tree plantings and so much more.
It’s difficult to assess the impact these and other activities, individually and collectively, consuming thousands of volunteer hours, had on the final outcome. It was essential, however, to keep hammering away and not simply leave it up to VicRoads and the council to thrash out a solution. If the community didn’t show they cared, how could we expect the politicians to?
It is difficult to maintain media interest when issues are played out over years, not days. Yet, a tipping point was reached when it became more a question of “how” than “if”. Had we waited until the bulldozers were at the parkland gates, the cause would already have been lost regardless of how many media crews turned up to capture the moment.
Even as progress of the Edgars Creek Taskforce, which reported to the Minister for Planning and included representatives from both parklands groups, boded well for a successful outcome, there were still fears of negotiations taking place in the background; a compromise that would see a choice cut of land sliced off for private sale. Such concerns proved unfounded thanks to supporters within Moreland Council and state parliament and everyone else who held the line.
A less tangible benefit flowing from campaigns such as this is the strengthening of communities that work together for a common cause. It is now rare that I walk through my neighbourhood without greeting someone by name. Our group will die, having served its purpose; the “social capital” it generated will endure for years.
Many other campaigns of a similar nature have or will be lost. Slightly giddy still from this recent victory for common sense, I prefer to adopt a “glass half-full” attitude. As a teacher and father I hear a lot of cynicism regarding the democratic process, much of it justified. However, participation leading to the saving of the Edgars Creek parkland, has shown what democracy, at its very best, is capable of.
Peter Hodge is a writer and teacher and a member of Merri and Edgars Creek Parkland Group.
