Recent announcements by both Glen Eira Council and the State Government need exploring and the asking of many important questions. We are referring to the Grade Separation in North Rd., Ormond. This month’s Glen Eira News, carries this small announcement on page 3 –
“VicRoads has advised Council that the Dandenong Rail Corridor Project is investigating short-term and long-term measures to improve the operation of the roads intersecting the Dandenong railway line. Community engagement is likely to occur in the first half of 2011.
VicRoads has also advised Council that the new Government’s policy includes planning for grade separation projects including North Road, Ormond (project cost $150 million, $12 million allocated in the first term) and Murrumbeena Road, Murrumbeena (project cost $150 million, $2.5 million allocated in the first term)”. (Notice the order? – a case of let’s bury this as much as we can?)
Last year, the Leader’s ‘Red Spot Survey’ on level crossings had the Murrumbeena crossing as the worst in Metropolitan Melbourne. Glen Eira Council has for the past few years also joined in the chorus for upgrading of the Murrumbeena crossing (See Glen Eira News, front page, September, 2008). In a Media Release dated 22nd November, 2010 we find this: “Coalition Leader Ted Baillieu has announced if elected Premier this Saturday, he will commit an initial $379 million to fix the problems at eight metropolitan level crossings, including North Road, Ormond and Murrumbeena Road, Murrumbeena. Glen Eira Mayor Cr Steven Tang said the separation of local level crossings is a perennial issue that has been most recently highlighted by Murrumbeena Road’s number one position in the RACV and Leader Community Newspaper’s Redspot Survey. “
All well and good! But this doesn’t explain why, when Murrumbeena has always been in the spotlight, we suddenly have the Ormond project receiving $12 million dollars in the first term, compared with only $2.5 million dollars for the Murrumbeena site!!!!! What is going on? Why have the priorities suddenly been switched around? Are there any backroom deals going on that the community knows nothing about?
After being alerted by a comment from Streuth we’ve done a little digging regarding IKEA’s plans for expansion and development in Melbourne. Streuth cited a job ad by IKEA, where the location was listed as ‘Ormond’. We have also found other IKEA plans on the drawing boards. If IKEA is moving into Ormond then residents need answers to the following questions:
- What does this mean for the Caulfield Village development?
- What does this mean for local streets and neighbourhoods when Council doesn’t even possess a Integrated Transport Plan as part of its Planning Scheme?
- Who knows anything about this, and when did they know?
- Does anyone stand to make a profit here?
- Has there been collusion between the bureaucrats/councillors and the State Government – all done behind closed doors?
In the end, any such development will only provide further conclusive proof of what a total shambles the Glen Eira Planning Scheme really is. No structure plans; no transport plan; no public realm policy. A case of the ‘secret society’ at work?
Glen Eira Debates 
February 6, 2011 at 6:56 AM
You are idiots, ‘gleneira’ and in particular ‘Streuth’, whoever you are! How can you bloody criticise the Council to want IKEA in Ormond? That is excellent for everybody in Glen Eira. Just consider IKEA’s ethos and you should be applauding and helping Council to bring about an IKEA store. IKEA’s ethos of course is the ethos of its founder Ingvar Kamprad. Just read the quotes below about the man and his philosophy:
“He’s on the second floor of IKEA Sweden’s building in Älmhult, Sweden, where it all began. His desk is a round Frisco, a model no longer available. It’s a modest table—seats four, maybe five, looks a lot like any other table in the cafeteria at any small company. There’s no phone or computer in this temporary work area where Ingvar Kamprad, the founder of IKEA, spends two months a year. Yet he’s very close to the core of the business here. Just as he lives very close to the philosophy of business in the rest of his life.
IKEA is known for its egalitarian vision and constant search for better ways to do things: a more economical way to serve a customer, to go on a trip or to get the job done; in design, manufacturing or logistics. Kamprad himself is well known for his frugality. So when corporate management felt that Kamprad, upon turning 75, should be exempt from the IKEA rule of always traveling “behind the curtain” in airplanes, always going the least expensive route, he said, thanks, but no thanks.
So, was this frugality a prerequisite for the success of the business? “Yes, without a doubt,” the patriarch states. “It directly supports IKEA’s business philosophy of creating well-designed furniture at acceptable prices for the majority of people. How are you going to be able to keep a profile of acceptably low costs unless you keep your own costs down?”
“Speculations about IKEA’s wealth and me or my family are moot. IKEA was transferred to the foundation in Holland 30 years ago. Today, although I work a lot for the foundation, the accountants in there are reluctant to pay even small travel costs, so as to avoid talk about the Kamprad family withdrawing money from the foundation.”
“Appearances and presentation must change, but ours is a very conservative business. Some of our products, such as the Ögla chair or Ivar storage system, have been part of our catalog since the 1960s. If you look at our list of 200 biggest-selling items today and compare it to ten years ago, you will find that very little changed in terms of names on the list.”
“So this is indeed a conservative industry. People’s basic needs and wants don’t change that much over time. The base remains constant; colors change from year to year. All the more important to constantly rethink and improve what you already have.”
Isn’t that admirable? Isn’t that fantastic to have a company like IKEA in Glen Eira? How dare you, ’gleneira’ and ‘Streuth’ even to contemplate a criticism of something worthwhile as IKEA? Bugger you ‘gleneira’ and ‘Streuth”.
TELL THE PUBLIC WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS IDEA?
February 6, 2011 at 8:34 AM
Before I call you stupid where in the small mainly residential suburb of Ormond could you possibly fit a huge Ikea store?
February 6, 2011 at 1:42 PM
Stop being so naive. All it takes is a little rezoning, a few compulsory acquisitions perhaps, a few sell offs, and bingo. Home and hosed. No worries. Then you flog the advantages to the community per the usual public relations exercise such as increased employment opportunities, increased business for the area and so it goes on and on.
February 6, 2011 at 2:19 PM
You obviously do not know Ormond. There is plenty of large railway unused and/or underutised land on either side of the rail tracks. If the track and station would be raised to the level of Oakleigh Rd underpass, then you could easily build IKEA store plus many other stores and plenty of car parking. In fact the only other problem is North Rd itself, which is a bit too narrow between East Boundary Rd and Warrigal Rd. On some old street directories North Rd is called Monash Highway, which tells me that North Rd was considered for commercial expansion decades ago. I stand by my statement that IKEA Ormond would be terrific and any criticisms must be substantiated.
February 6, 2011 at 1:59 PM
I may be naive but maybe the area actually being considered for this store is East Bentleigh up East Boundary Road way as I can’t imagine anywhere suitable, with a true Ormond address, for this store. The mind boggles at the thought of such a place given the traffic it would generate – anyone who has visited IKEA in Richmond would know what to expect!!
February 6, 2011 at 3:17 PM
Doesn’t matter where it goes! It’ll be payola for developers and those who own the land. Residents will be stuffed with traffic jams, deliveries at all hours night and day. Maybe a few more pubs in the area, more pokies too.
February 6, 2011 at 3:27 PM
Apparently IKEA are planning to build 3 stores in Melbourne – Springvale and Campbellfield have already been announced and approved.
http://www.realestatesource.com.au/ikea-to-open-at-pipeworks-market-site-campbellfield-melbourne.html
These are going to be huge – 37,000 and 41,000 sq metres.
Hard to see anything that size going into Ormond. Why not ask one of the councillors – if there are any plans, there would have already been discussions with council.
February 6, 2011 at 3:46 PM
Glen Huntly, what makes you think that councillors – ar at least all of them – know anything about this? Penhalluriack had to request a report for discussions between Newton and the MRC. Obviously he knew nothing about what was going on. Only the inner circle would be party to something this big and that sure doesn’t include all councillors.
February 6, 2011 at 5:22 PM
I was being tongue-in-cheek Aleck.
Actually, IKEA said they would announce the 3 stores by end of 2010. So if it is in Glen Eira, they must have had plenty of discussions by now. With something as big as this, all councillors would know.
But I very much doubt that there is an IKEA store going in to Ormond. The job ad in Seek that Streuth refers to is for the Springvale store. Nowhere does it refer to Ormond in any of the IKEA jobs ads. I think Streuth is having a lend of us. It doesn’t make any sense that IKEA would be advertising for a Customer Services Manager when they haven’t even started building the store.
And BTW, Penhalluriack is just grandstanding.
February 6, 2011 at 6:30 PM
Sorry to disagree with you Glen Huntly. I’ve hunted up the job ad and it stated ‘location Ormond’. Why would they do that?
FYI check out the final couple of paragraphs from this –
IKEA expands with new Melbourne and Sydney stores
Monday, 06 September 2010 11:41
IKEA
Brian Walker
David Hood
Retail
Sales
Swedish DIY furniture chain IKEA will expand with two new stores in Sydney and Melbourne, with one retail expert calling the move a definite reaction to a worldwide shift in consumer spending to frugality and value-based offers.
The company, which tends to shy away from having multiple stores in the same location, will join with retail giant Harvey Norman to open two new homemaker centres in the Melbourne suburb of Springvale, and south-west of Sydney in Tempe.
The company said both stores have been approved by the respective state governments and councils, with the Sydney store to become the largest IKEA store in Australia at 37,000 square metres. The new Springvale store will be 25% larger than the current Richmond store, with the combined floor space in conjunction with Harvey Norman to take up 72,000 square metres.
Retail Doctor chief executive Brian Walker says IKEA is well-suited to expand given the shift towards frugality and value-based offers.
“There is a worldwide trend towards value, which already underpins a lot of what IKEA stands for. This the clear factor for growth. The other is that they represent a great retail experience, and are able to draw in people from broader catchment areas.”
Walker points to recent retail spending figures, which have remained light as consumers are still wary about both domestic and global economic conditions.
He also points to changing demographics, with more Gen Y shoppers now preparing to move out of home and furnish their own properties. And with a shift to inner-city apartments, IKEA’s specialisation in storage management and “modern” design is a big plus.
“IKEA is appealing and contemporary to many of these buyers, who are moving into their first apartments and homes. The shift to smaller living spaces, like in Europe, is a trend as well.”
In the end, Walker says, it comes down to value. IKEA represents a cheaper alternative to many other furniture stores, and shoppers will gladly choose to build products themselves for a lower price.
“The locations they pick are chosen very carefully, and the structure of the stores is great as well. Any retailer wants you to stay in their store longer, and IKEA does that. They get you to think about home layouts you never would have thought about.”
IKEA structures its stores to take shoppers through the entire floor space, demonstrating different living room and bedroom furniture layouts on the way. Customers can then pick up whatever they like at the attached warehouse.
“They keep you in the store longer by doing so. They are a destination brand, and expanding gives them opportunity to promote that to frugal shoppers.”
IKEA said in a statement the new Tempe store, which will be 40% larger than the current Homebush store, will be opened in 2011 and add between 400-500 new jobs. The Springvale store should open in early 2012.
Australian IKEA manager David Hood said the company is also looking to expand further, with eight stores to be opened between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. The projects have actually been planned for years, but only recently has the company been able to develop comprehensive expansion plans.
“Our project team now has more time for planning the store construction and design to maximise new technology and environmental features; as well as extra time for recruitment, training and preparations for a successful opening,” Hood says.
Harvey Norman also said the new developments could help other retail projects that have been delayed due to planning issues.
Victorian construction firm Probuild will lead the construction of the new centre in Springvale, with combined works expected to be worth about $300 million.
Nothing wrong with getting a head start and drumming up staff early. Look at the facts. Nothing in the south eastern suburbs. This is where the money and market is with the increasing high rise chicken coops being built all over glen eira and suburbs. Ikea used to be here. Maybe it’s time for a return? Yuppiville would suit their brand better than most.
February 6, 2011 at 6:31 PM
Glen Huntly you are right in so far as the Ad is concerned. But if you check with traders in Ormond as I did (and it seems Streuth did) you may find that this ‘rumour’ if it is one is doing its rounds. Where there is smoke there is a likelihood of fire.
February 6, 2011 at 7:09 PM
Well I couldn’t find the job ad Aleck. Can you provide a link?
Renegade, where do the traders think it is going to be? The centres they are building in Springvale and Campbellfield are huge and they will also include other stores in the developments. Ormond just doesn’t seem to fit the pattern.
February 7, 2011 at 7:05 AM
Glen Huntly, you must surely be close to Ormond if you call yourself Glen Huntly. Last year 1st July the Ormond Traders Association officially opened Bendigo Community Bank Ormond. Guess, who was there: Linda Bredin,the Council Busines Development Mgr representing Paul Burke and Andrew Newton, and the Mayor Steven Tang, who represents Ormond and is a Liberal. Ted Baillieu, our State leader now offered money to remove Ormond level crossing, because he knew about IKEA deal. Rob Hudson from Bentleigh knew about it too. His preference though would be Bentleigh, because of the teenage girl that died on Bentleigh level crossing. But Labor did not campaign on level crossings for some reason. As you can see it is all about ‘grubby, grubby’ politics. Money buys votes and Baillieu knows all about that. Glen Huntly, you obviously do not belong to a party that understands ‘money and politics’ Labor or Liberal. Just follow the money trail and you will understand how it works. That is what ‘gleneira’ pointed out when comparing costs to remove level crossing in Murrumbeena vs Ormond. There should not be such a huge difference if it is only level crossings. I applaud Baillieu Liberals to understand the importance of money and support this wonderful, wonderful IKEA proposal.
February 7, 2011 at 2:03 PM
I have no idea whether Ikea is planning to move into Ormond. That’s my point. If there have been discussions going on, then residents should not be the last to know. This isn’t the first time that developments have been kept ‘secret’. Someone was telling me recently that the Recreation Needs Study, which ultimately became the major rationale for GESAC, was kept under wraps for a year before it was finally released to the public.
More recently I notice that in the minutes of the last council meeting there is a report on the status of amendment C75 for the Virginia industrial estate. The panel has reported back (probably in September). Council will consider in March. But why hasn’t this panel report been made public?
The more that is kept under wraps the more suspicions are aroused. Council is doing itself and the community a great disservice with this sort of behaviour. It doesn’t engender trust and it certainly doesn’t instill confidence that the public voice is being taken into account. Sure, some things might be commercial in confidence. But when this secrecy happens all the time people start to worry and question the intentions of council and their governance. If there’s nothing to hide then there’s no reason for secrecy.