We’ve received several comments, emails and photos from local residents regarding the notice that has gone up on Station St for a 7 lot subdivision submitted by the VATC (MRC). This news is most disturbing for several reasons:
- What has happened to the proposed land swap?
- The sign (see photo) indicates that this application is several months old. There has been no publicity and we even wonder whether councillors are in the know about this. If they don’t, then why has the Planning Dept. of Glen Eira Council decided to keep this under wraps? On whose authority was this decision made and what is their agenda?
- We’re also told that brand spanking new signage has gone up without stating that as well as the racecourse, this area is also a public park. Again, who knew about this and was council permission for the erection of these signs sought by the MRC and granted?
Once again, here is evidence of one of two things – the MRC thumbing its nose at Council and residents, or worse, that they have worked in collusion with Council and possibly without the full knowledge of all councillors. This is not simply a planning issue. Given the ongoing saga of the C60 and the centre of the racecourse issue anything that pertains to these matters deserves full transparency and accountability. This obviously has not occurred here.
Glen Eira Debates 
February 24, 2011 at 5:18 AM
This all makes Gavin Jennings and David Davis look like fools in agreeing to the land swap. All the residents were telling the State Government not to trust the MRC, that they are liars and cheats who do not care for the community and run sham Community Consultation meetings. But they did not listen- the Greens did- and now look where we are. Close the Racecourse down now for this and run the Blue Diamond at Sandown and show the MRC who really owns the racecourse land!
February 24, 2011 at 9:17 AM
I’m guessing that Council Administration, without the knowledge of the all/any Councillors, has done a background landswap deal with the MRC for the stables currently housed on the corner of Nerrim Rd. and Queens Ave. This area will be annexed to Glenhuntly Park. My big questions relate to what are the terms of the deal (land size, $, obligations) and who knew what when and where is the much heralded transparency.
And a bigger question, what delegations of authorities have Councillor’s given to the Administration for the daily activities. This should include spending authorities, decision making and reporting. I know of no public company where a deal of this magnitude would not be well known beforehand to all board members.
February 24, 2011 at 9:29 AM
Prior to the state election David Southwick, supported by Mathew Guy, held a meeting in the Caulfield Park Pavillion. At this meeting Mathew Guy, now the Planning Minister, said he voted for the trianagle landswap because the MRC would have developed both the Members Carparks and the Booran Road neglected land – now development would be confined to one area and the other would be a park. Well look what’s happened – in less that a year, the MRC has got both.
What deal has been worked out – who knew what when