This coming weekend is the most important weekend of the year for Glen Eira residents. This is when our councillors and senior executives spend a few days away (at ratepayers’ expense) working on their vision for the coming year. The results of this weekend away should set the direction for the coming year.
As a pseudo ‘think tank’, ideas should be exchanged, brain stormed, argued – in short, priorities not decisions should be made. And they should be about the big items such as: where are we going with planning; what do we want; how do we prioritise; what should we be doing now and in a year’s time; are we meeting our community’s expectations. Ideally, it should be a time of critical self-reflection as well as a time for setting the agenda for real strategic planning. But will this happen?
We suspect that in reality this annual junket has always been something different. Not a ‘think tank’ but a series of indoctrination sessions where agendas, information, and discussion is determined by bureaucrats. We think it’s about time this all changed. We also think that it’s time residents were given the chance to specify their priorities. So we are now asking the real questions:
WHAT DO YOU WANT COUNCIL TO CONCENTRATE ON IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR?
Please post your views. Councillors need to know what residents think is important for their community.
PS: This traditional sojourn in the country has always been ‘top secret’. No agendas have been published and god forbid, no feedback has EVER been provided. Since we, as ratepayers are footing the bills, and our municipality’s future is on the line, we believe that it is incumbent on councillors to provide their consitutents with FEEDBACK ON WHAT WAS DISCUSSED AND THE KIND OF VISION WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN SET OUT. In other words, inform, engage, and consult with the community. Residents should be insistent in their demands that this occurs.
Glen Eira Debates 
February 24, 2011 at 9:56 AM
This is a huge question. I can think of at least ten areas that I believe this council needs to focus on and improve. At bottom they are all tied up with notions of accountability and what constitutes open government. You can’t have either of these things unless you are really serious about inviting the community to work together with councillors. This certainly has not happened. Residents are not the cornerstone of anything this council decides – our visions are often diametrically opposed to what is brought down in decisions. This is not open government. It is bordering on dictatorship. So the first thing I would suggest is that every committee meeting be open to residents and that people be allowed to address council directly on all issues. I would also expect that the manner in which so called communication and consultation is carried out be totally revamped and that something like the Bayside model be instituted.
Next I think that most people are becoming increasingly upset with what they perceive to be inappropriate development. Councillors must be blind if they haven’t noticed the sudden upsurge in vocal and local community groups opposing various applications. We simply don’t like the way this council is handling planning. It is not for Lipshutz and Hyams to continually lecture the community about ‘planning law’ and it is totally dishonest for Lipshutz to claim that council has to adhere to planning law. It is council which sets its own planning laws. This is what must be looked at. The current state of affairs that is so pro development must be jettisoned and the planning scheme must undergo and proper overhaul – but this time with real community input. Our suburbs should not be turned into battlefields. If it continues this way then councillors are signing their own election death warrants.
There are many other things I would like these councillors to prioritise and think about. But I guess those I’ve listed above are the main ones – everything positive could flow if these were really addressed.
February 24, 2011 at 4:52 PM
The past few months have seen both Lobo and Penhalluriack attempt to get data on cost effectiveness for various proposals. It would be a great idea if every single project and work process have this as a mandatory and public document. How much does it cost for x, y,z? How much benefit will be derived from x, y, or z. In particular how much of our rates are wasted – that’s the bottom line. This should be public.
February 25, 2011 at 1:35 PM
If cost effectiveness is on the agenda then the exeloo toilets need to be considered. The ones near me are continually covered in graffiti on a weekly basis. They are often putrid and don’t look like they’ve been properly cleaned for months. I would like a breakdown on these cost benefit analyses figures:
How much does council spend on graffiti removal and general maintenance of these toilets? How much did they spend previously on the normal run of the mill toilets and how do these toilets compare with the amount of graffiti and maintenance that is required? Also, how much does each toilet cost to operate in terms of water usage and installation? Then I want to see the bottom line so I can decide whether we’ve invested in another white elephant and more of our money is being wasted. I don’t want to keep paying higher rates for something that hasn’t been really assessed to begin with – or if it has been assessed then how thorough was this. I can’t really find any information when this came up that told us exactly how much maintenance and things like that were really costing. This should be the fist step in deciding on any policy and spending money. Lobo and Penhalluriack should be pushing this as hard as they can. If other councillors don’t support it then we’ll know where to lay the blame. It’s not their money it’s ours.
February 24, 2011 at 6:12 PM
Kindergartens. I want a guarantee that this council will plan adequately and spend the amount necessary to make sure that parents needs are met
February 24, 2011 at 8:46 PM
The three Ps – Planning, Planning and Planning. Involve the community and you may be surprised what can be achieved.
Also the role of Council is not job creation – don’t be afraid to outsource if it is deemed better to do so.
February 24, 2011 at 9:03 PM
hear, hear, but i can’t see this lot to change much. after all we have a ‘gang of four’ supporting andrew newton as ceo. it takes only one of the others to convince or bribe and you’ll get the numbers needed to pass whatever the ceo and the ‘gang of four’ put on the agenda. in fact, the fact that the agenda for the week-end away is all shrouded in secrecy and probably prepared by andrew newton ably assisted by margaret esakoff and jamie hyams speaks volumes of how this council works. community and councillors not in the ‘club’ are simply shut out from putting things on the agenda. so the most important priority for the week-end away is clearly how to improve the democratic processes in glen eira! is there a chance to do that? bucley’s or rather buckley’s and nunns.
February 24, 2011 at 9:33 PM
The only and best decision that could be made this weekend is to sack Newton and Burke. Change that bit and everything else will improve.
February 24, 2011 at 9:53 PM
How’s this for Councillors getting their hands dirty? – Port Phillip on their community Plan –
Meet your local Councillors and have your say
Have Your Say Coordinator 4:54pm, 7 Feb 2011
Councillors from the City of Port Phillip are hosting five ‘conversation tents’ where the community can drop by have their say on the progress of the Council Plan 2009-2013, and about what Council’s priorities should be for the future.
The tents will be run from a variety of popular locations around the City of Port Phillip:
Saturday 19 February – Bay Street Port Melbourne (outside Coles), 9.00 am – 12.00 pm
Saturday 26 February – South Melbourne Market, 8.30 am – 11.30 am
Saturday 05 March – Veg Out Farmers Market, 8.30 am – 11.30 am
Sunday 06 March – Carlisle Street, Balaclava (corner Nelson Street), 11.00 am – 2.00 pm
Saturday 19 March – Gasworks Farmers Market, 8.30 am –11.30 am
Can’t make it but have something to say? For more information contact Teresa Parsons, Planning and Performance Advisor, on 9209 6503 or email: councilplanfeedback@portphillip.vic.gov.au
February 25, 2011 at 8:59 AM
Been reading the Age online this morning and come across one commentary that I think is very relevant to us. Not on the same scale for sure, but the truth applies here as well. Power, whether that be of totalitarian regimes or simply meglomaniac local councils, depends on controlling information and access to that information. When you keep people isolated from each other, ill informed, and use your power to squash opposition then control is maintained. As the article points out the internet has changed all this.
As far as I can see that’s what’s happening even with something so basic as this blog. Government documents, all council policies, everything is available. It is far harder now for Glen Eira Council to hoodwink its residents when the whole world is sitting at our fingertips and we can see how other councils work and how poorly this one does. I also enjoy reading what others think. I don’t always agree, that doesn’t matter. It’s a gauge and the temperature is definitely rising. I guess what I’m trying to express is that on this weekend away councillors must reflect on the growing awareness of the community and that we cannot be sold lemons that easily anymore. Things have to change or they will be forced to change. That should be the agenda for the weekend.
February 25, 2011 at 12:54 AM
Our park trees are probably worth billions of dollars. They are neglected and poorly maintained. Environmentally this council is a disaster. There needs to be a full audit of park trees and strict guidelines produced for watering, mulching,pruning and disease inspections. It’s not enough to only have a street tree policy that looks good. In ten years if the current practices continue we won’t have any trees in any parks.
February 25, 2011 at 7:39 AM
The courageous Cr Penhalliurack and Cr Forge have pushed through a motion to improve Public Access to Public Recreation Ground & Public Park area of the Caulfield Racecourse. Clearly, this topic must be on the agenda at the week-end away.
Two Councillors trying their hardest to hand power to Newton and his lackey Esakoff as shown at the last council meeting were Cr Lipshutz and Cr Hyams. I think the community needs to tell them via emails that they must listen to the community. Their email addresses are: mlipshutz@gleneira.vic.gov.au and jhyams@gleneira.vic.gov.au . Email also others (see Glen Eira City Council – Councillors) to ensure that Crs Forge & Penhalliurack have the numbers to get this issue of Public Access to the middle of the Caulfield Racecourse on the agenda of week-end away.
Let them all know what you think.
HAVE THE COURAGE TO CARE
February 25, 2011 at 12:04 PM
I would like the Council to consider at the week-end away the marvelous opportunity for community use of the Booran Rd Reserve. Here is the reason why (http://members.optusnet.com.au/tohalu.1/)
:
Our neighbourhood has been presented with one the greatest opportunities it could possibly be offered all1.6 hectares of it! The reservoir reserve, corner of Booran and Glen Huntly Roads, is expected to be handed to the City of Glen Eira to develop and manage for use as publicly accessible open space in 2010.
Council with support from MP Rob Hudson initially indicated they intend building a sporting field, Cr. Tang suggested the site could be turned into a synthetic soccer field. Synthetic sporting fields are incompatible with shared public use and will need to fenced, effectively locking residents out.
Friends of the Glen Huntly Reservoir [FOGHR] are advocates for something more relevant – spaces where adults and children alike can sit, eat, exercise and play, in a peaceful parkland setting. Options are only limited to our imagination. So what will it be – a home for soccer or a home for us?
February 25, 2011 at 6:23 PM
Don’t forget the damn concrete that will go in everywhere and that no one wants. Caulfield Park already fought this battle when the original design specified gravel paths and councillors agreed, only to change their minds and vote for concrete in opposition to all local views. Someone’s buddy must have the contract here.
what they can also talk about is proper design. Who the hell chose the ‘yellow brick road’ colours? Why must everything look the same. Areas are totally different and their natural look needs to be preserved. That doesn’t mean miles and miles of yellow concrete that stands out like a sore thumb.
February 25, 2011 at 12:51 PM
Apart from Council transparency, Kindergartens and excessive developments, the ongoing saga at Victory Park needs to be put to rest. From where we stand it needs to placed fairly high on the priority list.
You cannot have the self confessed knowledge of not having facilities to cater for both genders in a public facility and not do anything about it immediately.
February 25, 2011 at 5:21 PM
Junket…….What a joke, how about you put the money back into the community, youth and education…….what are you going to discuss over a Chardy…..How to make the “gang of 4” a “gang of 9”?
February 25, 2011 at 5:44 PM
What do you need a fully paid JUNKET for?
Dont you have to earn that?
How about you fix the lights in my street or repair my footpath. Maybe go to “How to answer questions properly” school.
February 25, 2011 at 6:54 PM
Marko, it always boils down to the same thing. Never but never own up to anything and never but never treat any member of the public with respect. Bullshit, stall, dissemble, and even lie your way out of every single unpleasant situation – especially when you’re caught with your pants down.
February 25, 2011 at 9:11 PM
I cant believe what I am reading here, why are our Councillors on a Rort/Junket? There are so many issues and problems that could be solved with this money. You guys are a disgrace and this really makes me feel like im getting value for my rates.
March 2, 2011 at 2:27 AM
Congratulations to Crs Cheryl Forge and Frank Penhiullerack on all the hard work they carried out for the VEAC submission. Shame on our council staff who ran off only a page and a half which would have take someone about half an hour’s work on behalf of almost one hundred and thirty five thousand Glen Eira residents who have the least open space of anwhere in Victoria! This hard working pair are also attempting to educate the other councillors Pilling, Tang, Lobbo, Esakoff, Hyams and Lipshutz as to the value of the use of the Racecourse Reserve for all residents, shoppers and visitors for their mental and physical well-being.