St Kilda Fights Back

They may have lost in the battle against the council vote to save their beloved waterfront from the chains of an unecessary commercial development but the people of St Kilda are fighting back! The unstoppable unChain St Kilda group supported by their community and a growing circle of friends have big plans to protect the precious Crown Land in their backyard.

Fundraising Ideas Wanted
In order to legally appeal the council decision unChain St Kilda will need to raise a substantial amount of money to contest the resources of their opponants, so are undertaking fundraising initiatives and seeking ideas for generating the necessary finances. If you think you can help in this area please contact unChain St Kilda here: volunteer@unchainstkilda.org

Other ways to support the cause include:

Parliamentary Petition
A petition will be presented before parliament by MPs Sue Pennicuik and Andrea Coote next week. UnChain St Kilda ask supporters to sign and return petitions (paper only, no email or online allowed) before Tuesday 26Feb.
"Mail them to us at PO Box 6547, Melbourne, Vic, 8008 or drop them in to the Village Belle Newsagency at 161 Acland St. There are two versions of the petition to choose from - download them here [PDF] and here [PDF], and pass around to your friends, family and neighbours for signing."

Buy A Piece of Inconic Art
Purchase a copy of Mirka Mora's painting which was used on the march promotion postcard [PDF]. A limited edition of 100 reproductions of Mirka's 1970 painting - St Kilda Pier - will be produced as a fundraiser.
"Each reproduction will be A2 size, numbered and signed by Mirka. Perfect to hang on the wall or as a present. Only $500 each - simply email unchainstkilda@gmail.com with "Mirka Mora Order" in the subject line. Cheques to be made payable to unChain St Kilda Inc and mailed to PO Box 6547, Melbourne, Vic, 8008."

Ask for Circus Oz in St Kilda
"Circus Oz, located in Port Melbourne, celebrated 30 years last week - and is looking for a new, bigger home. To keep the internationally renowned troupe in Port Phillip, BBC was asked to consider Circus Oz as a tenant. But they decided that the 15m high space needed by Circus Oz would be better allocated to retail, offices and nightclubs... on Crown land.Write a note or SMS to your councillor or MP to reignite this opportunity!"

Ask the Right Questions
"We’ve challenged the Q&A on the Council’s website as PR spin and have forwarded forty genuine questions [PDF] that need an answer. If you too are interested in getting some real answers, write to your councillor and/or the Mayor. Ask for a response."

Pledge for Palais Revival
"So far we’ve attracted $1.5 million to decouple the Theatre from the development. All it takes is a few savvy investors to see what a good deal this is - $20 million for a 99-year lease to run a commercial theatre and venue. It's not even $20 million, as people have already pledged their own funds towards it. Not such a crazy idea either, as this Age article shows."

Read more here