Following this weekend’s ‘bonding’ session between councillors. and between councillors and administrators, it is only right and proper that residents be provided with an indepth report on the outcomes of this weekend. After all, we footed the bill. (And by the way, how much was it?)
Here’s our educated guess as to what really went on:
- Major issues such as the Racecourse and the MSS/Planning Scheme did not rate a mention
- No questions were asked as to why councillors aren’t informed about certain events such as the MRC 7 lot subdivision
- What did get on the agenda were probably inconsequentials, or items that could be discussed without any real change in the overall plans of Newton.
- Councillors would have been told time and time again that ‘we can’t afford’ stuff; that the budget is set in concrete and if you really want to change things that this would mean other more ‘deserving’ objectives could not be met
- No real discussion on establishing a genuine cost-benefit approach to all services throughout council
- No mention of opening up council committees to community representation
- No analyses of what constitutes effective consultation
- No analyses of quality control over contractors and staff
All would have left befuddled by the countless weasel words – accepting and believing what a wonderful job everyone was doing.
If we have erred in our above scenario, then we would be delighted! So please feel free to correct us councillors!
Glen Eira Debates 
February 27, 2011 at 11:02 PM
Been brushing up on my Machiavelli –
Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver will never lack victims for his deceptions.
No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution.
One who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived.
The fact is that a man who wants to act virtuously in every way necessarily comes to grief among so many who are not virtuous.
February 28, 2011 at 7:08 AM
If they discussed Booran Rd Reserve, then I would expect a full Report on how they want to proceed with this large Public Space property. I want to know what effective Community Consultation they are proposing to proceed with. I’ll be really ‘pissed off’ if they do not do that properly. It is our land and I do not want to see Private interests having a greater say than the Public. I consider Officers personal/professional views as biased and not representing Public views.
Here is a list of possible options, which I like or do not like:
* soccer field – NO
* kids play hround – YES
* exercise park – YES
* skateboard – YES
* residential development – NO
* water storage – NO
* rubbish dump – NO
* native garden – YES
* community vegie lots – YES
* car park – NO
Whwn will this bloody Council WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY rather than ignore its views.
February 28, 2011 at 2:18 PM
If kindergartens were on the agenda at all then I hope that it was not about short term things. It won’t be enough to just keep a couple of kindergartens open. They should be looking at what happens ten years from now and how to better plan for this. They have to know the figures and whats forecast so it shouldn’t be all that hard to work out how many kindas a needed and have a ball park figure of how much this will all cost. Everything is so short sighted otherwise. The flooding is the most recent example – things are done after the horse has bolted.
February 28, 2011 at 4:48 PM
At a rough guess this weekend would have cost at least $10,000 and that’s a conservative estimate. On top of this we have paid out for councillor “re-education” following the Municipal Inspector’s report (again I’d estimate at least 4 to 5 thousand for a consultant to come in a couple of times). Then there’s been the hire of an “independent note taker” and a contract written for this. Let’s add another 2 to 3 thousand for a short stint. That brings us close to $20,000 just for councillors “education”. On top of this there are undoubtedly further lawyer’s fees and perhaps consultants again over the CEO performance review. I think it’s safe to estimate well over $100,000 has been spent for which I as a ratepayer get absolutely no benefit. These are the very reasons for precluding a report from councillors because there would not be any visionary statements (since nothing of the sort would have occurred or been discussed) and they couldn’t come back and report that nothing of real substance has been achieved when all this money has already been wasted.
February 28, 2011 at 5:31 PM
Having these mutual love-ins is fine if they achieve what they’re meant to achieve and that’s a long term strategic plan for the municipality. Ask any of these councillors what they envision Glen Eira to be in ten years time and you’ll get the usual waffle. As far as getting there, they wouldn’t have the foggiest and leave it all up to Newton and his henchmen. So they’ve been wined and dined at our expense and had their little meaningfuls over a nightcap or two. But bet you stacks that they can’t tell us anyting about the racecourse and planning in general. That would take the asking of some really hard questions of Newton, Akehurst and co. First you have to be interested to ask; secondly you have to know what to ask and thirdly you have to be able to distinguish between the bullshit and the truth. For the majority of them, none of the above applies. They accept the garbage that is presented to them as gospel anyway, so this weekend wouldn’t have been any different. If we think we’re going to get any feedback, then you can also bet your bottom dollar that it will be written by bureaucrats and not councillors. Wouldn’t want anyone to speak out of line and possibly let slip some important point. Jesus we can’t let the public know what’s going on.
February 28, 2011 at 8:25 PM
This is why Councillor Penhalluriack is so refreshing. He can see right through the crap and has worked Newton out quick smart. We need more Councillors like him.
March 2, 2011 at 1:54 AM
Council meeting 23 February 2011 was the first time we actually saw a proper debate regarding the racecourse. Cr Pilling and Magee are to be congratulated on their active participation and interest of all Glen Eira residents in assisting to ensure that the racecourse becomes available to all Victorians for all hours of the day rather than a few hundred professionals who earn a living therein at the cost of all residents and the wider range of citizens.
Keep up your good work!