The next 3 to 4 months will reveal much about the mindset of councillors. Residents will be able to judge whether the few sparks of resistance and independence by a minority of councillors will go down in history as a mere flash in the pan, or become the catalyst for real change in Glen Eira. Crucial issues loom – the C60; the racecourse centre development; planning delegations to council officers; a ‘review’ of the consultation policy (commented on previously) as well as potential changes to the Local Law in terms of alcohol free zones and the introduction of a vexatious questions clause. Each of these issues, how they are handled and how much the community is involved, will tell residents all they need to know about these nine men and women. We will know exactly:
- Whether councillors are fulfilling their legal obligations to shape and direct strategic planning
- Whether councillors are finally exerting their mandate to rule (in line with community values) leaving administrators to simply administrate
- Whether councillors are finally paying more than lip service to principles of community engagement and consultation
There can be no ‘new beginning’ for Glen Eira until councillors fully embrace the following principles as set out by the International Association of Public Participation (and endorsed by the VLGA). Nothing will change unless councillors insist that these principles become the bases of decision making within Glen Eira.
Core Values for the Practice of Public Participation
- Public participation is based on the belief that those who are affected by a decision have a right to be involved in the decision-making process.
- Public participation includes the promise that the public’s contribution will influence the decision.
- Public participation promotes sustainable decisions by recognizing and communicating the needs and interests of all participants, including decision makers.
- Public participation seeks out and facilitates the involvement of those potentially affected by or interested in a decision.
- Public participation seeks input from participants in designing how they participate.
- Public participation provides participants with the information they need to participate in a meaningful way.
- Public participation communicates to participants how their input affected the decision.
We sincerely hope that 2011 will bring a revolution to the way this council operates and to the current perceived mentality of ‘we know best’! Such practices have been disasters. To continue along these same lines will only further alienate many in the community and signal the continued erosion of democratic process, accountability and good governance.
Glen Eira Debates 
January 8, 2011 at 12:55 PM
You guys sure are optimists. Get rid of Lipshits, Tang, Newton and Burke and there’s hope. Lipshits and Tang thought up the vexatious stuff. Hyams argued strongly for the no suprises policy whilst Newton has them all under his thumb. He must thank god for the winky pop and all the other potential nooses that he sets above councillors’ heads.
In 2011 we will get the same rubbish. The C60 will go through with a couple of minute cosmetic changes; officers will rule the roost on planning applications with no reporting back to council or the community; the consultation review will simply result in more waffle but no substance and the vexatious questions bit will get in. Why? simply because all of these councillors are bluffed into being good little boys and girls. They had their chance to get rid of Newton but they stuffed it good and proper. My hope is that in November 2012 we will have got rid of the whole crummy lot. That’s what I’m working towards. Who wants to join me?
January 8, 2011 at 1:05 PM
Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water. Frank Penhalluriack has shown a lot, and there is potential with Cheryl Forge. As for the rest, yes I think Glen Eira would be much better without them.
January 8, 2011 at 3:07 PM
The principles enunciated above are admirable. In most cases they may be taken literally where there is a real commitment to the underlying values. History has shown that this is not the case in Glen Eira. Acting upon the community’s wishes is the last thing that this council does on planning, open space, child care, environment and much, much more.
January 9, 2011 at 3:40 PM
me thinks you are asking too much ‘gleneira’. still, i like you trying to reveal the mindset of councillors. i think you will not succeed in doing this as most decisions have been made way back by either other councillors or by the real holders of power in glen eira i.e. mandarins. the delegation of powers, which is done by the ceo with very little input from councillors determine the conditions & limitations. as they say the devil is in the detail. ‘gleneira’ are you prepared to do the homework on that issue and share with us your findings?