A previous post reported that in the space of 4 years, Glen Eira Council had spent AT LEAST $16,781,000 on sporting grounds, and facilities. Over the top, we asked? Especially when other services appear not to be getting their slice of the pie!
Just to confirm our suspicions that such a high level of spending for one (minority) sector of the population is not all that common, we cite what the Kingston Council has put out as a media release. The release was in response to criticism made by cricket clubs as to the poor upkeep of grounds and poor planning. In addressing these allegation, Kingston CEO Nevins wrote:
“…Council spends in excess of $1 million a year on sportsground maintenance which includes ground renovations and upkeep; mowing; irrigation system maintenance; water for irrigating sporting fields; cricket wicket renewals; and oval top dressing.
Over the last four years Council has also undertaken capital works on pavilions, cricket nets and wickets totalling $2.56 million as well as spent $120,000 on warm season grass conversions. Over the last three years we have invested more than $170,000 in pavilion maintenance, $120,000 on water management at Doug Denyer Reserve and provided more than $30,000 in community grants to cricket clubs.”
Such figures pall into insignificance when compared with Glen Eira. Yet, Kingston has a greater population, greater ‘open space’, more teams, and more sports grounds. Are they that negligent, indifferent, poor managers, or is it simply that they have decided that budgets need to be equally shared between all sectors of their community?
Glen Eira Debates 
November 12, 2010 at 5:24 PM
Spending like its going out of fashion on sport requires investigation. It’s clear that Magee, Hyams and Lipshutz have close sporting affiliations. There are probably heaps in admin who also act in official capacities for various sporting clubs – Russo I believe is one. Then the focus should also fall on which clubs have the clout and why. Being so hell bent on sport is not good for the community when it means that other services must suffer. But we just keep getting the same old stuff about making decisions for the good of the entire community. What garbage. Decisions are always based on who has the pull, who has the contacts, and who wants what. Thats politics and council is no exception.
November 14, 2010 at 10:33 AM
Even with the self interest you would think that somewhere along the line they would take in consideration some critical issues like the one at Victory Park.
You can only put it down to arrogance, distortion of fairness that is being shown by these representatives of our society (Councilors).
I have been following the issue on this site re the “Council Meeting: 12th October”, the “Tucker Ward Forum” and now “Where the Money Goes” and I cannot believe this is not being addressed.
The distribution of proceeds between Wards that is Camden Ward spends $7.85 for every $1.00 spent in Tucker Ward.
Open public admissions of prior knowledge from Councilors to substandard conditions such as the one at Victory Park.
Councilors (who have historically been or are affiliated with other Sporting Groups) showing a lack of interest or understanding, about issues in their Ward and again ignoring the obvious problems at Victory Park.
Yet the cry of public support for the children of Victory Park is ignored.
Councilors when you wake up in the morning and look at yourselves in the mirror can you honestly say that you have represented the people (‘ALL’ people of various background, faith and beliefs) in the Municipality fairly and without prejudice, because from where I stand you are all the most prejudice group in our community and what is worse you are openly flaunting it.
May God help you!
November 16, 2010 at 11:50 AM
I’m flabbergasted by this situation.
Looking through the points made and in particular the Tucker Ward Forum, I cannot believe that Magee openly admitted that council and councilors alike had prior knowledge of the “Embarrassing” state of affairs at Victory Park.
Not only did they admit it in public but in the presence of Rob Hudson.
Looking back I cannot believe that with all the money that has been invested by this council in Pavilions over the last 5 years that they haven’t addressed the more urgent or needier ones such as Victory Park.
The vision of these unfortunate people having to “walk young girls past changing boys and men, only to then be faced with a urinal prior to getting to the cubical” is mortifying, disgusting and shameful.
This has been thrust upon them by people who can make a difference, who have the ability to address these matters and yet their attention is directed elsewhere. You call yourselves Councilors, Representatives of the community?
I think not. You do not represent me when you know about a situation like Victory Park and you do nothing about it.
November 14, 2010 at 12:04 PM
Don’t Forget to add Steven Tang to the list of Councilors who have close sporting affiliations.
November 14, 2010 at 4:26 PM
Interesting you should mention the Mayor’s name Steve Tang.
Not long after your posting, Helen Whiteside mentioned him again.
Referring to her posting,”•Communicate your opinions to your Councillors and be aware of the importance of the position of Mayor who must lead the Council and be unbiased and sensitive to the interests of the whole community.”
It is so obvious that bias exists and nothing is being done about it that even an ex-Mayor is stating it. Just read between the lines.
Dear Steven Tang, How about a fair go for the whole community of Glen Eira not just the “Chosen Few”?
Starting with the poor kids at Victory Park.
November 13, 2010 at 2:59 PM
yep. that is what happens when things are done behind closed doors. ‘you scratch my back and i’ll scratch yours’! and we the bunnies have no say in what priorities the council should have in expenditure. and we the bunnies pay the rates, we pay their wages, we pay councilors remuneration, and the council decide how good they are. just look at their wonderful reports. look at their numerous awards for those wonderful reports. and what do we get back. peanuts for monkeys, unless you are a sportsman. if you are a sportsman you are a hero deserving the millions, the grounds, the water, the pavilions, the kudos and the council attention. but if you are like me not keen, too old, interested in other things, forget it. well i don’t like it and i am fed up by now. i will campaign and vote against existing councillors. change the lot.
November 13, 2010 at 8:24 PM
Could you please remind me of Kingston’s debt compared to Glen Eira?
November 13, 2010 at 9:17 PM
Yes, I am curious too. How do you compare debt between Council’s. Or for that matter how do you compare one Council figures with another Council figures so that it is apples to apples and not oranges? Let’s settle on the methodology first Concerned Resident. And may be we should both research it and compare the results? Do you agree to do that?
November 13, 2010 at 11:17 PM
The 2010/11 Kingston budget states: “Borrowings are forecast to increase from $2.5 million at 30 June 2010 to $25 million at 30 June 2011 reflecting the purchase of 1230 Nepean Highway. A further new borrowing of $5.5 million to fund Community Hubs is anticipated for 2012/13.” (page 18)
Debt outstanding as at 30th June $204,000 – then revised to $25,047 in order to account for above purchase. (page 19)
Glen Eira budget states: currently debt free but “Council has forecast that it will commence borrowings in 2010-2011 to fund the Aquatic Centre Redevelopment. Borrowings are forecast over 2 years – 2010-2011 ($15m) and 2011-2012 ($10m). Total borrowings of $25m.”
So, on these figures we are really talking about a mere pittance ($204,000) and Kingston’s intention to borrow an extra $5m for their ‘community hubs’. It would all even out then if glen Eira borrowed another $5m for their ‘community hubs’!!! Oops – forgot – don’t think we have one, or any plans for one!!!!!
PS: By pure coincidence this was in today’s Age newspaper –
Saturday November 13, 2010, The Age
Glen Eira City Council invites tenders for:
Contract No.: 2011.024
Provision of Loan Facilities
Requirement: Loan borrowings to fund the Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre project.
Tenders Closing date:
10 December 2010 by 4.00 pm.
Tender documents will be available from 9.30am, Tuesday 16 November 2010, from Council’s Service Centre, Glen Eira Town Hall, 246-258 Hawthorn Rd, Caulfield, by contacting (03) 9524 3203 or by email to tenders@gleneira.vic.gov.au
Paper copies of documents will be available to tenderers upon the payment of a non-refundable fee of $50 for each tender document.
Tenders will only be accepted in the form and manner and at the time specified in the tender documents.
__
In order to ensure fairness in the availability of information, requests for further information can only be accepted by accepted by email to tenders@gleneira.vic.gov.au or facsimile on (03) 9523 0339. All requests for information must be received five working days prior to close of tenders
November 14, 2010 at 11:55 AM
Not everyone is enamoured with concrete, concrete, concrete. The latest Kingston newsletter announces:- “Kingston residents can now enjoy a fantastic new 650
metre cycling and walking path that links Karkarook Park to the residential areas of Heatherton including the Heath Estate and Cheltenham.
Council spent $153,000 developing the long strip of overgrown land between Barkers Street and Henry Street into a three metre wide granitic sand shared path complete with
drainage to ensure it can be used all year round.This path has been recognised as a key link and was a priority project of the Kingston Cycling and Walking Plan
2009-2013.”
Whilst Glen Eira concretes everything in sight, and without proper drainage to boot, Kingston doesn’t seem to find anything wrong with granitic pathways. How come they can get this done for $153,000 and shred pathways in ge are three times as expensive?