It seems that at last night’s Council meeting, Jim Magee may have inadvertently let the cat out of the bag, and thereby provided the community with solid evidence that decisions are not made in open council, but behind the closed doors of Assembly of councillors, briefing meetings, or perhaps even little tete a tetes between certain councillors and administrators. We have also learnt that Jim Magee almost religiously spends two hours each morning sitting in directors’ offices and having what we presume is a ‘pow-wow’. Nothing wrong with this, of course, but it all depends on what is being discussed.
Last night when moving the motion on the Coatesville tennis club ‘renovations’ Magee informed council that the tennis club was merely making some additions such as ‘renovation to their toilets’ since they had been trying to get a program for disabled players up and running and that this was the first stage to accommodate that. Magee then went on to state that the club also intends
“to put in some new courts which council has already agreed to help them…and also by giving over the land adjacent to the tennis courts, council land,…increase the footprint of the tennis courts ..and in return council will pick up the two tennis courts now in Mackie reserve. …. the club has been informed this week that the state government will be looking very favourably on matching council’s contribution …so I recommend this as a first step to our colleagues…..”
Readers should note the following:
- Officers’ reports on this Agenda Item contain no mention of this ‘land swap’; nor do they contain information about the ‘enlarged footprint’.
- In camera items for the past year contain no reference to this ‘land swap; – hence if it was discussed as an in camera item, then Magee is breaking this confidentiality it seems. If discussed as part of an Assembly of Councillors, then why is Magee speaking as if a DECISION has already been made? Assembly of councillors are expressly forbidden to make decisions that should come before Council.
- The Local Govt Act requires that all sale OR EXCHANGE OF LAND be announced via public notice and that Section 223 apply.
- The 2010/11 budget contain no mention of any ‘council contribution’ or notation that ‘council has already agreed to help them’ financially.
- So, where, when and by whom was this decision to EXCHANGE LAND made? Where, when and by whom was the decision made TO HELP the club?
Please note we are not arguing the validity or otherwise of this tennis club’s case. What we are questioning again and again are the fundamental issues of GOVERNANCE, CORRECT PROCESS AND TRANSPARENCY. We welcome Jim Magee’s response to these questions!
Glen Eira Debates 
November 24, 2010 at 7:21 PM
This isn’t the first time that public open space has been ceded to clubs and private interests. The most recent example is the Maccabbi Tennis courts and the erection of a fence that encroaches on public land. Once ‘gifted’ in this way it becomes private property – like the racecourse – and the general public are basically excluded. Worse, the leases are handed out like endless boxes of chocolates – almost in perpetuity. This is all a side issue though. If Magee is quoted correctly, then he has some major explaining to do, as does the administration and any other councillor who was aware of these goings on. For god’s sake, we’ve just been through a third investigation and these buggers don’t seem to have learnt a damn thing. Governance means governance – not backroom deals that favour some and exclude others. And then there’s the inevitable cover ups via what others have called weasel words. This whole council, together with the racecourse, really and truly stinks.
November 24, 2010 at 10:04 PM
Magee’s advocacy for Tucker Ward may be admirable but not if it’s at the expense of residents elsewhere and if it hasn’t gone through proper channels. I remember reading an account here of a previous council meeting where Magee basically attacked Lobo for suggesting that money should be put aside for childcare instead of spending millions on the Duncan Pavilion. His argument then was that council shouldn’t take from one group to give to another. It strikes me that Magee with his dealings is in fact taking from the rest of the municipality to give to those in Tucker Ward. It’s as if Camden and Rosstown simply don’t exist. The problem with all of this is that Magee’s advocacy seems largely devoted to sporting groups and facilities. There is not anything I can point to apart from Packer Park that doesn’t involve sport. My simple and humble advice to Magee would be to remind him that Glen Eira is much, much more than sporting ovals, pavilions, swimming pools, etc. It’s about a whole range of services to the entire community. Over and above all this is the question of ethics and governance and how Magee gets the money he wants. If it’s all above board, then terrific, but if certain deals are being done then there is a serious case to answer.
November 24, 2010 at 10:51 PM
Well, well, well. After being on hols for a week or so, we get back to this. What a surprise! Ducks and drakes all over again and looks like Jimbo has really shot himself in the foot this time. Jimmy, I totally agree that a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, but he’s gotta know when enough’s enough. Hes gotta make sure that ego doesn’t interfere with good, sound ethical judgement. Reckon that this might just have blown your chances for mayor and to cut the GESAC ribbon.
November 24, 2010 at 8:30 PM
the crown land issue around caulfield racecourse is crital. If you dont want it just used for a racecourse, events center and helicopter pad as present and for a public park as originally intended by Queen Victoria, there is an opportunity to send a submission to the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council by 20 december at veac.vic.gov.au/investigation/metropolitan-melbourne-investigation
PO Box 500
East Melbourne
VICTORIA 3002
a fellow concerned resident just sent there submission to me – those who want to keep caulfield racecourse public need to send in a submission rather than just talk about it on the website – this is our one chance as it appears the Council have given up on us:
Dear Sir,
Re: Investigation into Public Land – Specifically Caulfield Racecourse Reserve
INTRODUCTION:
In response to the Metropolitan Melbourne Investigation Discussion Paper I submit the following comments.
The purpose of this submission is to draw to the Council’s attention to the present and future problems associated with the liveability, use, management and public accessibility associated with Caulfield Racecourse Reserve.
Caulfield Racecourse Reserve is Crown Land which is currently used for several purposes.
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) operates horse races throughout the year and, in addition, there are extensive horse training activities carried out daily on the racecourse training tracks.
Throughout the year the MRC uses the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve for major trade shows and exhibitions as well as a major venue for Monash University examinations.
During weekdays the MRC appropriates a significant area of Crown Land to use as a revenue earning car park for commuters using Caulfield Railway Station and the students and staff at Monash University.
It is a recreation resource for the public. It is used by residents of Glen Eira and Stonnington as well as members of the staff and student population of the Caulfield Campus of Monash University. While there are no organized sporting activities (apart from horse racing) members of the general public use the facility for running, jogging, walking and general fitness activities.
It is unfortunate that, as far as the general public and particularly the residents of Glen Eira and Stonnington are concerned, the above ranking reflects the priorities of use, access and control of the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve. The concerns and interests of the residents of Glen Eira and Stonnington are largely ignored to the point of being irrelevant.
Consequently, if this parcel of Crown Land is to be assessed on the basis of its current contribution to enhance the liveability of the residents of the area, it would certainly score a very low mark, no matter what criteria of “liveability” is used to quantify such an assessment.
SUMMARY OF SUBMISSION
1. The availability of public open space is a serious problem in the Glen Eira and Stonnington municipalities where such public open space is at a minimum. The Caulfield Racecourse Reserve is a scarce area of Crown Land in the vicinity and, unfortunately, it is being used for the primary purpose of financial gain by the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC). Many of the MRC’s activities on this land fall well outside the specification of the Crown Grant and seriously detract from the liveability and sustainability of this portion of public open space available to residents of these municipalities.
The Crown Grant for the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve was to provide a site for a racecourse as well as a public recreation area and a public park at Caulfield. The MRC’s activities on this land go far beyond racing activities at this site. Commercial activities not associated with horse racing and training should be prohibited so that a greater area may be set aside for public recreation use. Proposed developments by the MRC on properties adjacent to the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve pose immediate and serious problems for the liveability and sustainability of the Racecourse Reserve. Any future multi-storey car park connected with Racecourse activities should not be permitted to be built on Crown Land at the Racecourse Reserve.
The large advertising billboards scattered around the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve should be removed. They are unnecessary and detract from the visual amenity of that area of the Racecourse which is currently available for the recreational activities of the general public. This would be a simple, fast and effective first step to improve the liveability of this portion of Crown Land. It would also send a message to commercial interests that Crown Land is primarily for public enjoyment and improvement in liveability and not to be exploited for private commercial gain.
My reasons for making the above statements are outlined in the following pages.
“The availability of public open space is a serious problem in the Glen Eira and Stonnington municipalities where such public open space is at a minimum. The Caulfield Racecourse Reserve is a scarce area of Crown Land in the vicinity and, unfortunately, it is being used for the primary purpose of financial gain by the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC). Many of the MRC’s activities on this land fall well outside the specification of the Crown Grant and seriously detract from the liveability and sustainability of this portion of public open space available to residents of these municipalities.”
The paucity of public open space in the Glen Eira municipality can be gauged by reference to the tables shown on pages 186 and 187 of the Metropolitan Melbourne Investigation Discussion Paper.
Glen Eira has the second lowest area of public open space of all the municipalities listed in the document. Glen Eira has 180.5ha and is beaten by its neighbour Stonnington which has only 172.3ha.
However, this actually overstates the case for Glen Eira. When an adjustment is made to reflect the substance of available open space for public use in Glen Eira, it becomes obvious that Glen Eira should comfortably take its place at the bottom of this table and claim the unfortunate distinction of having the least available area of public open space.
There are 180.5ha of open space in the municipality Glen Eira of which Crown Land comprises 63.7ha. Of this the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve occupies the largest proportion, covering an area of approximately 54ha. However, it would be a mistake to assume that this total 54ha. area is available to the public for recreational use.
Most of the Crown Land on this site is taken up by the MRC administrative offices, storage depots and sheds, horse stables, a horse swimming pool, a large daily occupied commercial car park, grandstands, an entertainment centre, a large Tabaret and restaurant complex, two water storage lakes for racecourse irrigation and the large areas of horse training tracks unavailable for public access.
In fact the majority of the Crown Land that comprises the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve is appropriated by the MRC and devoted to their revenue earning activities associated with:
(a) conducting approximately 20 race meetings a year,
(b) profits on the staging of trade fairs and exhibitions,
(c) gambling proceeds from their Tabaret which is responsible for one of the largest gambling turnovers in Victoria,
(d) profits from private function and restaurant operations,
(e) week-day car parking receipts from commuters and students parking on Crown Land,
(f) revenue generated from large advertising billboards on Crown Land which are situated around the perimeter of the track and
(g) profits derived from stable rental and horse training activities carried out on Crown Land.
Once allowance is made for the area of the Racecourse Reserve appropriated to the above business operations of the MRC, the remaining area available for the general public for recreational activities can best be described as minimal.
Of the total area shown on this map, it is only the portion in the centre of the track that is available for public access and then only at specific times on non-race days and non-major event days. This is because on those days the MRC appropriates even this centre area for use as a car park for the vehicles of the attendees at such events.
Consequently, when the actual area available to the public is factored into the area of public open space in each municipality, the “real” area of open space available diminishes to something less than one-fifth of the total area of the Racecourse Reserve.
Therefore, if the table on page 186 of the Discussion Paper document is adjusted to show the substance of the situation, the Municipality of Glen Eira can claim the dubious distinction of having the least area of public open space in any of the municipalities listed and certainly the smallest proportion of municipal area devoted to public space.
The situation that such a small proportion of the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve is available for daily use by the general public is not only deplorable for the citizens of the municipality of Glen Eira but also has an impact on residents of the City of Stonnington. This is because the Racecourse Reserve is on the border of the two municipalities and provides a public recreation area for the residents of both municipalities. The tragedy of the situation is compounded when it is realised that the municipalities of Glen Eira and Stonnington have the least available public land of all the municipalities in the investigation area.
For many residents of the area, it seems to be a scandalous situation where the primary use of a significant piece of scarce public land is being used for the profit of a private organization that seemingly has scant regard towards the recreational needs of the local community.
“The Crown Grant for the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve was to provide a site for a racecourse as well as a public recreation area and a public park at Caulfield. The MRC’s activities on this land go far beyond racing activities at this site. Commercial activities not associated with horse racing and training should be prohibited so that a greater area may be set aside for public recreation use. Proposed developments by the MRC on properties adjacent to the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve pose immediate and serious problems for the liveability and sustainability of the Racecourse Reserve. Any future multi-storey car park connected with Racecourse activities should not be permitted to be built on Crown Land at the Racecourse Reserve”
Car Parking – The Current Situation.
There is no doubt that the MRC has the right to conduct race meetings and training activities on the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve.
However, the activities carried out for financial gain by the MRC on this Crown Land fall far outside activities necessarily connected with horse racing and training.
For example, it is difficult to justify how the operation of a week-day commercial car park on Crown Land at the racecourse can be reconciled with primarily racing activities. It is sad to see scarce Crown Land paved over and used as a car park.
One can only lament the loss of such a vast tract of scarce Crown Land in a municipality which by any measure is deprived of public open space. It would be interesting to know how this portion of Crown Land rates on VEAC’s index of “liveability”.
As a suggestion, could not this area be put to better use by prohibiting such commercial car parking activities and instead designate the area as public open space for use as tennis or basketball courts or in fact any other recreational activity which would be available to the public every day of the year excluding race days?
Car Parking – The Future Threat.
As well as the above daily car parking areas, the Centre of Course unpaved common recreational areas are used by the MRC on race days and major exhibition and trade fair days (such as the Camping and Caravanning Show) for car parking.
As an aside, whatever trade exhibitions and major events such as the Camping and Caravanning Show have to do with horse racing and training activities remains a mystery to all with, of course, the obvious exception of the MRC. Otherwise, how could they justify the use of Racecourse facilities for such events?
But even allowing for such feats of the imagination, the real imminent and future threat to this area of public land at the Racecourse derives from the apparently successful application by the MRC to develop their private land holdings adjacent to the Racecourse. This will involve undertake a large housing, retail and office development resulting in an additional 1,200 dwellings and multi-storey office and retail shop developments employing over 1,000 employees. Such a development will only increase the local demand for open space and recreational activities coming from an additional several thousand residents and retail and office employees.
As a result of this development, the current major car parking spaces for racing and major event patrons will disappear.
The MRC’s solution is to permit the remaining public open space in the centre of the Racecourse to be used for every race meeting and major event held there. Of course this will be inadequate.
There is no doubt that when this development proceeds the MRC will have to acknowledge that the parking arrangements for racing carnival and major event occasions are unsatisfactory and additional car parking spaces will need to be provided. To achieve this, the only viable way that additional car parking facilities can be created would be by the construction of a multi-storey car park. The best location for such a multi-storey car park would be on the Crown Land area currently being used as a commercial day car park. (See photos above).
Indeed, past MRC future development plans associated with the Phoenix Project (a major development plan catering for development of the Caulfield Racecourse, Caulfield Railway Station and Monash University precinct) has shown such a future structure.
If the Panel is sincere about meeting its Terms of Reference as stated on Page 5 of the Discussion Paper, it should include in its findings that any future development relating to the provision of additional car parking for all Racecourse activities should not take place on Crown Land.
To permit a future multi-storey car park to be built on Crown Land at the Racecourse would be reprehensible.
“The large advertising billboards scattered around the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve should be removed. They are unnecessary and detract from the visual amenity of that area of the Racecourse which is currently available for the recreational activities of the general public. This would be a simple, fast and effective first step to improve the liveability of this portion of Crown Land. It would also send a message to commercial interests that Crown Land is primarily for public enjoyment and improvement in liveability and not to be exploited for private commercial gain.”
The presence of large advertising billboards scattered around the perimeter of the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve must be a feature that is unique to any piece of Crown Land set aside for public open space and public recreation. The presence of such large advertising billboards must be considered to be an inappropriate use of Crown Land. They are located far from the grandstands and other racing infrastructure essential for the staging of horse races and training.
These large billboards detract from the natural environment of the rest of the Caulfield Reserve. They are an eyesore to those users of the Reserve who seek to use the Racecourse precinct for activities not associated with racing and do nothing to enhance the overall visual amenity of the area.
The permanent detraction in visual amenity caused by these billboards seems to be a high price to pay, considering that there are races held at Caulfield on not more than 20 days a year. However, for the recreational users of the Caulfield Reserve, these visual eyesores are present for 365 days a year.
It would be interesting to discover if there are other areas of Crown Land where large billboards advertising various commercial products such as cars, beer and television stations (to name a few) are permitted. This raises the question that if such advertising is permitted to be scattered around the Caulfield Racecourse Crown Land area, then why not permit similar billboards on other areas of Crown Land such as the Botanic Gardens, Treasury Gardens and all other Crown Land properties?
Another question would be to ask why the MRC is permitted to erect such large advertising billboards on Crown Land and why are they permitted to charge for this advertising space? Surely, if there is to be any advertising at all on Crown Land, it should be the taxpayers of the State of Victoria who should benefit, not a large commercial organization.
It is hoped that his submission is considered seriously by the VEAC Council Members and that they not be intimidated by the significant financial and influential resources associated with the racing industry in general and the MRC in particular.
As a first and easy step in improving the liveability aspect of the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve, the VEAC Members should strongly recommend that these environmentally unfriendly advertising billboards be removed. This would not only improve the whole visual experience gained by people using the Racecourse for recreational purposes, but also send a message to commercial interests that Crown Land is not to be exploited for their own commercial gain.
November 24, 2010 at 10:00 PM
jim magee reminds me of the best politician councillor glen eira had, veronika martens. she would spend every morning at the council for a ‘pow-wow’. she also never lost a vote since she voted with majority if she could not get her way behind closed doors. that is going back a while, 2005 in fact. i just wonder if magee is being mentored by martens. after all they are both in the same ward and hold similar political views. and just have a look how clever magee is. have you seen councillor magee statement of what he stands for and who he is? it’s blank! it’s the best rorschach test (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rorschach_test) available. you just read into this description anything you like! and did you know that he is a mullionaire (he is telling it to everyone!). and he hardly loses a vote since he mostly votes with the majority. what of his achievements? there is plenty. but you would not know, like you do not know much about his mullions. it’s all done behind closed doors that neither you or i have any way of knowing what is going on. it’s all private business like his own company. does anybody know what company it is or was? doesn’t he fit the terrific pattern of glen eira! hey commmunity mushrooms, grow, grow, grow in the dark being fed lots of bullshit.
November 24, 2010 at 11:21 PM
A little bit of crowing never goes astray. So as of 11.19pm we’d like to announce that we’ve broken our daily record of hits (and there’s still approximately 40 mins to go). Checking our stats, today’s record is 640 hits.
Thank you readers! Keep the comments, thoughts, ideas rolling in.