Liberal great Sir Rupert Hamer would be ”horrified” and ”surprised” at what the Baillieu government was doing to Melbourne’s green wedge areas, according to Sir Rupert’s daughter.
In an embarrassment for Premier Ted Baillieu, Lady (April) Hamer and daughter Julia joined former Labor premier Steve Bracks at State Parliament yesterday to attack planning changes allowing housing in almost 6000 hectares of former green wedge land and plans for developments in green wedge zones including shops, sawmills, schools and petrol stations.
Lady Hamer told green wedge supporters she was ”sorry that I am too ancient and feeble to come on a demo with you”.
Daughter Julia said Melbourne’s green wedges needed better protection and that her late father would be ”horrified” and surprised” at what was happening. Former Labor premier Steve Bracks said: ”Sir Rupert Hamer described the green wedges as the lungs of the city and they are.”
A government spokesman said: ”Labor are grossly hypocritical given they expanded the urban growth boundary by almost 13 times the amount the Baillieu government has.”
Feedback to the government on the proposed planning zones close on September 21.
