A quietly arranged Notice by Glen Eira Council and MRC circulated only to adjacent properties of the Racecourse, invites people to a Planning Conference to discuss the plan to open up the middle of the Racecourse to the public.
When: Monday 15 November
Where: Glen Eira Town Hall cnr Glen Eira & Hawthorn Roads
Time: 6.30 pm
Questions to ask are:
- How big is the proposed Public Access area in comparison to the Racecourse grounds?
- What facilities are being proposed for this area?
- What access facilities are being proposed?
- What access facilities are arranged for the disabled?
- What times the Public Access area will be available for public access?
- What does the MRC propose to do about horse training facilities at the Racecourse?
- How does horse training affect public access to the Public Area?
- How does horse stables and its environmental problems affect contact with general public as proposed?
- What precautions have been made in regards to health and safety issues if training is to be retained?
- How long is the training of horses to be retained at the Caulfield Racecourse?
- Are there plans to increase the Public Access area on the Crown Land after horse training is removed?
Readers, these questions are also relevant to be asked of ALL candidates at the current State election.
The Caulfield Racecourse is a asset worth over $2 billion dollars that is of State wide and National significance, and of international fame. It was earmarked by the Crown Grant of 1858 by Queen Victoria, and confirmed by King George VI in 1949. The Grant is very specific as to its three uses “for a Race Course Public Recreation Ground and Public Park at Caulfield in the Parish of Prahran”.
Glen Eira Debates 
November 14, 2010 at 9:50 AM
Metropolitan Melbourne Investigation
Submissions Invited
A Discussion Paper was released on 15 October 2010 for public comment. The submission period closes Monday 20 December 2010.
The Minister for Environment and Climate Change has requested the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) to carry out an investigation of Crown land and public authority land in 29 municipalities** in metropolitan Melbourne.
Its aim is to identify and assess the uses, resources and conditions, values and management of Crown land, and public authority land. The investigation will also report on the contribution of both Crown land and public authority land to Melbourne’s liveability.
The purposes of the investigation are to:
(a) systematically identify and assess the uses, resources, condition, values and management of Crown land, and public authority land in metropolitan Melbourne;
(b) assess values of Crown land, and public authority land for areas not committed to a specific use, and report on appropriate future uses relevant to Melbourne’s liveability and natural values; and
(c) report on the contribution of Crown land, and public authority land to Melbourne’s liveability and opportunities for enhancement of this contribution.
The council is required to prepare a discussion paper and final report by May 2011.
The full terms of reference and the map of the investigation area are available from this site.
*In June 2009, the Minister extended the completion date for the investigation to May 2011.
** Municipalities of Banyule, Bayside, Boroondara, Brimbank, Cardinia, Casey, Darebin, Frankston, Glen Eira, Greater Dandenong, Hobsons Bay, Hume, Kingston, Knox, Manningham, Maribyrnong, Maroondah, Melbourne, Melton, Monash, Moonee Valley, Moreland, Nillumbik, Port Phillip, Stonnington, Whitehorse, Whittlesea, Wyndham, Yarra.
Notice of Preparation of a Discussion Paper
A discussion paper is now available for public comment. Under section 21 (1) of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council Act 2001, Council is required to publish a notice of preparation of a discussion paper.
Submissions close on Monday 20 December 2010.
November 14, 2010 at 10:19 AM
Thank you for keeping people in Glen Eira informed. Why can’t Council consult with the community and at least give notice to residents or even place it on their website? Do they not want anyone to attend? And don’t get me started on Lipshutz and Pilling websites that haven’t been updated for years. I cannot attend so can someone please ask the following:
Are the MRC still going to profit from the Guineas carpark and are they planning on building their 5 storey carpark on public reserve?
Are they going keep their billboards surrounding the racecourse?
Are they going to keep the tin fence and thereby keep it uninviting for people?
Apart from using a tunnel, what is the plan for access to the centre. Can they at least remove some rails from a number of entrances. Otherwise this whole proposal is a joke and the MRC do not deserve to remain at Caulfield and at least use the area as a public recreation reserve and public park.
November 14, 2010 at 5:23 PM
Where are you councillors? Where are you council reps on the trustee committee? When did council know about this ‘meeting’? How many notices actually went out? Why isn’t it up on the website? Why isn’t it advertised in the Leader? – surely the MRC and council can afford it? Why the secrecy? What’s the agenda? Who worked this one out? Will it only be ‘show and tell’? How much notice will be taken of community input? Who will decide? What secret deals are and have been going on?
November 14, 2010 at 5:30 PM
Shhhhhhh!
Don’t tell everyone. Its a secret!
November 14, 2010 at 6:11 PM
The following article appeared on a website – Is this what the meeting is about?
CauVegas project threatens to change Caulfield
Posted on September 22, 2010 by chanelbearder
Caulfield Racecourse is at risk of transforming into a mini Vegas after winning approval by Glen Eira Council today.
The project, entitled ‘CauVegas,’ will commence construction next month to be completed in time for the start of Spring Racing Carnival in 2012.
The $120 million development will expand the current Tabaret to operate 600 gaming machines and host four new restaurants, five new bars and a 24-hour nightclub.
Ron Albert, 60, a retired resident is ‘appalled’ at the council’s approval of ‘CauVegas,’ which could destroy Caulfield.
“We will become a hub of trash,” said Mr Albert.
According to Mr Albert, residents were not given an opportunity to protest or question at an information night hosted by Melbourne Racing Club. The session consisted of spokespeople dictating to residents what will happen.
Cr Mayor Steven Tang of Glen Eira Council believes this project will have significant benefits to the community and create hundreds of job opportunities in the process.
“ We believe this will bring a new entertainment hub to an otherwise dark corner of Caulfield,” said Mayor Tang.
Despite concerns for the already high addiction of gambling and alcoholism in Melbourne, Mayor Tang does not believe the development will contribute to these issues.
“We think this is a good idea,’ said Mayor Tang, “We’re excited.”
MODERATORS’ COMMENT: Dear ‘View from a Hill’ – we believe that the above blog – and there are several other ones similar – are a result of a journalism project run by Monah Uni! Therefore please do not take the above as gospel. It would have been nice if somewhere on these sites, Monash placed a caveat – or at least the students should.
November 14, 2010 at 10:59 PM
Is this the public park that you have when you’re not having a public park?
Is it a public recreational park or is it an MRC car park?
Can you name any other park in the world which is hidden from the street by a green corrugated iron fence, and entered only via a 250 metre long underground tunnel?
Why is the MRC doing this? Is it because Minister Gavin Jennings insisted, saying that the public was not aware of this $2 billion assett because it was hidden behind it’s gulag-style fencing?
How will the public know when it’s open?
How many days a year will it be open?
During what hours will it be open, and what activities are permitted during those hours?
Complicated isn’t it? Easier to go to Caulfield Park. It may be crowded, but at least it’s open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
November 15, 2010 at 3:14 PM
Still nothing up on council’s website announcing the meeting for tonight.Great communicators, and great consultation methods. All done on the quiet. Secrecy and more secrecy.
November 15, 2010 at 8:28 PM
Did this meeting really go ahead? I live in one of the adjacent properties and did not receive anything nor did my neighbours and it is not on the website and not advertised in the Leader. Apologies but you must have been misinformed.