Statistics are forever being used to justify certain decisions. In relation to the C60 ‘justification’ we have this sentence from the agenda item: “The resultant differential strategy has led to outcomes under which Glen Eira has had one of the lowest increases in aggregate dwellings of any Melbourne municipality”.
Once again an analysis of ABS statistics reveals a totally different story. The table below derives from each municipality’s ‘Community Profile’ and the data is directly from the ABS website. We’ve taken the housing approval data for the past decade – that is from 2000 until June 30th 2010. A fascinating picture emerges. Please note that the data represents housing and unit ‘approvals’ by councils. If we concentrate on Glen Eira, then from the time that Newton’s reign began in 2000, development in the municipality has risen by 41.53%. This is in stark contrast to the figures for Port Phillip, Bayside, and Kingston – all of which have effectively REDUCED ( by up to 64% in the case of Port Phillip) their developments over the past decade. Even on raw stats alone, Port Phillip and Bayside have had far fewer developments in 2009/10 than Glen Eira. Check out the table!
| Municipality | Approvals in 2000 | Approvals in 2010 | % Increase/decrease |
| Glen Eira | 532 | 765 | + 41.53% |
| Port Phillip | 1990 | 705 | -64.57% |
| Bayside | 688 | 522 | -24.12% |
| Kingston | 887 | 779 | -12.17% |
Glen Eira Debates 
December 11, 2010 at 8:07 PM
You need to be congratulated in finally proving what most of us know and that is that since the Councillors of the day appointed Mr Newton as CEO the Municipality has become so desireable to live in that people are flocking into our City. We really are fortunate to have such a demonstrably successfull CEO. Congratulations former Councillors Grossbard, Erlich, Kennedy, Martens, Neve and Longmuir.
December 11, 2010 at 9:06 PM
Anon, you really need some remediation. The point of the post is that the argument for C60 being okay is that there has been a low increase in building. If you bothered to read the agenda you’d also find that these figures are from 2004-2008. According to your theory people ‘flock’ to glen Eira rather than Bayside or the others because of the wonderful work of Newton, Grossbard, erlich, etc. My god! What have you been drinking? When every other council is trying to put a stop to helter skelter development, these figures show that Glen Eira has done nothing about it. They welcome more and more units. And since you’re so enamoured with Newton, pray do tell, what is the real reason that this is the only council around that doesn’t have structure plans to try and at least control some of this stuff? I’d love to read your answers to this one. Can’t be that newton is cleverer than every other CEO, or every other bunch of councillors. Oh, and before I forget, didn’t many of this lot of councillors get the sack – especially when erlich decided to become a pugilist in council chambers?
December 11, 2010 at 9:18 PM
Thanks for pointing that out Anonymous, although you did leave out the infamous Peter Gouge from your list for some reason. All it does is make me think that Glen Eira has had its fair share of dud Councillors lately – true leaders such as Crs Walter Riddell, Charles DuPlan Lloyd, Thomas King, John Packer, Duncan Mackinnon, Harry Lord, Harold Pennington and John Lempriere must be rolling in their graves at how Newton and the gang of four are destroying in a few years what these Councillors built over decades.
December 12, 2010 at 8:12 AM
Smart Aleck you need a reality check. The statistics provided includes Housing and gives no breakdown of Unit approvals. For instance the average Unit number per application would be of interest.The statistics show nothing.I think Glen Eira Council would have approved nearly 10,000 Planning applications in that 10 year period and your figures show 500 approvals for Units and Houses. Rubbish statistics. Goudge (Mr Guilty,Fined and left Aus)was not on Council in 2000 and only Grossbard and Erlich were on the sacked Council.Your not a clever Smart Aleck.
December 12, 2010 at 8:36 AM
Smart Aleck you need to withdraw the last sentence of your comment.Otherwise provide your name and address and I will pass it on to my Solicitor.
Moderators: Dear ex-councillor Erlich, the comments of Smart Aleck were published, including the final sentence you object to, since we found no error or misrepresentation contained therein. Media coverage of the time clearly revealed a physical confrontation within council chambers. You may also wish to ask your solicitor to closely examine this report – http://www.crikey.com.au/2004/03/23/brawling-in-the-glen-eira-council/ and countless others available on the internet.
Please note that we will not be publishing any further material from you pertaining to this matter and/or material which contains legal threats.
December 12, 2010 at 11:29 AM
Thank you for providing an impecable form of information.Who are you moderator?
December 12, 2010 at 2:53 PM
It matters not who it is.
It only matters that they are there and ensuring that everything that is fair and just is portrayed and delivered for us to see and discuss.
Moderator, keep up the great work.