Today’s Moorabbin Leader features an article by Jenny Ling on the Regent St. development and the ‘demonstration’ that occurred in Council chambers at last Tuesday night’s meeting. No mention in the Caulfield Leader!
Big cheer as council says no to school
But accusations fly at heated protest
VOCAL protesters were jubilant after Glen Eira councillors rejected ‘‘ludicrous’’ plans for a boys’ school in Elsternwick. Up to 100 residents marched into the council chambers last Tuesday holding placards and chanting in opposition to revised plans for a two-storey Jewish school for 275 students at 46 Regent St.
But some comments prompted threats of eviction from the public gallery, including one protester who accused Cr Jamie Hyams of ‘‘corruption’’ then added: ‘‘I know where you live’’. Councillors were also unimpressed with emails from some objectors, including one to Frank Penhalluriak saying: ‘‘I recall your idiotic decision 12 months ago . . . let’s hope this time you get off your self-righteous stance and vote for common sense.’’
All councillors voted against the plans, which drew 88 objections because of traffic, parking, noise, security and vandalism concerns. VCAT will have the final say at a March 21 hearing.
Applicant Network Planning Consultants, working on behalf of Yesodei Hatorah College which wants to move from the Elwood Shul Talmud Torah synagogue in Dickens St, originally submitted plans for a three-storey building for 325 students. It was rejected in February. Save Regent St Action Group spokesman Michael Leone said 100 residents of Regent, Sandham, Sinclair and Elizabeth streets and St Georges and Glen Eira roads had raised more than $50,000 to fight the development.
Yesodei Hatorah College did not respond to the Leader before deadline.
Glen Eira Debates 
February 9, 2011 at 12:10 PM
Confirms what many have always suspected – the far too cosy arrangement between council and the Caulfield Leader.
February 9, 2011 at 1:02 PM
I was there and more than 100 people. Reisdents also objected to other developments that Ling doesn’t mention. Hyams better get used to it. People won’t sit back and take things meekly anymore. He and the others should also remember that we vote.
February 9, 2011 at 4:35 PM
We’re now paying for the folly of the past decade and a series of councillors who have betrayed their constituents with a failure to fully appreciate the implications of poor planning policy. Once more and more people realise that their neighbourhoods are being destroyed councillors can expect more opposition and not only in planning but in their determination to ignore what the community has to say. Hyams and Lipshutz must bear the lion’s share of blame for what’s happened in the past two years. They have been the primary agitators in blocking anything that would allow greater transparency and involvement by residents.
February 10, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Pathetic Councillors who havn’t the guts to provide a much needed Facility for kids in our city.There are heeps of local schools in our municipality (eg Wesley) and they co-exist brilliantly.VCAT will fix up these traitors to our Community