The following Media Release was issued today. As per usual, it is extremely vague and provides very little information for residents. Instead, there is a bevy of questions that need answering:
- Will the new centre be paid for entirely by Council?
- Will this proposed new centre mean the closing down of others and the ‘amalgamation’ of several?
- If ‘amalgamation’ occurs, will council guarantee that no child will be disadvantaged or unable to find a place?
- Will such an amalgamation mean staff cuts?
- What plans are being pursued if the Alfred Health public land is not made available?
- Is there no other land or building suitable in Glen Eira?
- The continual policy line by council has been that it is unfair to take from one sector of the community in order to support another – ie. that priorities will have to change if childcare and kindergarten facilities are to come out of the budget. Why is it now possible to envision such a change? What current ‘priorities’ will have to go?
- If there is amalgamation and the closure of certain centres, will council guarantee that these properties will not be sold off?
Thursday 3 March 2011
Child care in Elsternwick
Glen Eira City Council has written to Alfred Health regarding its preferred options for the ongoing provision of child care in the Elsternwick area.
In May last year, Alfred Health informed Council that it would not extend the lease on the Kooyong Road building, which has been home to Elsternwick Children’s Centre for more than 20 years.
Glen Eira Mayor Cr Margaret Esakoff said Council’s preference is for the Centre to remain open under the current lease arrangements.
“This arrangement has been working well for the last 20 years and Council would like to see it continue — as would the families who have and do currently utilise the centre,” Cr Esakoff said.
“However, if Alfred Health is unable to commit to an ongoing lease then Council will seek to build a new childcare centre on available Crown land currently part of the Caulfield Campus of Alfred Health.
“Council believes a new purpose-built centre will not only provide a greater security of tenure, but an improved child care offering for the area.”
Cr Esakoff said Council intends to discuss the availability of Crown land with Local Members of Parliament and Ministers.
“Assuming Crown land is made available, Council also intends to seek a commitment from Alfred Health that the current lease arrangement continues until such time as the new centre is built,” Cr Esakoff said.
Glen Eira Debates 
March 3, 2011 at 11:16 PM
Paul Burke is to be congratulated for his mastery of gobbledygook and dissembling. I don’t for one moment believe that Esakoff is the author of anything, but it should give her some food for thought that she puts her name to such rubbish that does more to hide what is going on, than to actually reveal it. People should be extremely wary of such ‘media releases’ and concentrate on what isn’t said. They don’t tell us how many 3 year olds had to make way so that council could claim that all four year olds got places and neither are we told that this new centre, if and when it ever eventuates, will be the death knell of others.
March 4, 2011 at 9:15 AM
by jove! i think she’s got it.just read this bit “then Council will seek to build a new childcare centre on available Crown land currently part of the Caulfield Campus of Alfred Health.” the only people that could possibly arrange for this land to be build on is the state government. so who could suggest something like that? only david southwick or georgie crozier the new mps for the area. they are implementing their campaign program ‘working with communities’. and of course mayor and the ceo would know about that. did they prepare the work for that? in my view they did absolutely nothing to resolve this issue. however, once they got wind of the possibility they grabbed that opportunity to show themselves how good they are. they did not even acknowledge the work done by mps. they grabbed the limelight before anyone else could claim credit for it.
March 4, 2011 at 10:42 PM
What can be achieved when the buck passing stops and proper planning takes place – Stonnington Media Release
Phoenix Park Children’s Hub to be officially opened
8 Feb 2011
The City of Stonnington’s much anticipated $3.9 million Phoenix Park Children’s Hub in Malvern East will be officially opened by Mayor Cr Melina Sehr and The Hon Wendy Lovell, MLC, Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development, on Saturday 19 February 2011 at 10.30am.
The facility will provide approximately 120 of Stonnington’s children with modern, state-of-the-art kindergarten and child care facilities as well as Maternal and Child Health services and playgroup opportunities.
“Approximately 50 per cent of Stonnington’s households are families so Council’s investment in facilities such as the Phoenix Park Children’s Hub is important for the local community,” said City of Stonnington Mayor Cr Melina Sehr.
“The innovative facility has been designed to capture lots of natural light creating an open space for children to communicate, learn and play. It also provides a connection with the existing community centre, library, children’s adventure playground and the local primary school, further strengthening the local community,” added Cr Sehr.
A highlight of the hub is the landscaped play area that features a range of natural materials and plants to provide an adventurous and safe environment for children of all ages to enjoy.
“Council has carefully planned the design of the hub to ensure that it can be well utilised by all of the user groups.
“Phoenix Park Children’s Hub is a one-stop-shop for families in Malvern East and is set to improve facilities for children and families in the local community now and well into the future,” added Cr Sehr.
At the opening of Phoenix Park Children’s Hub, the Mayor will also officially launch the public artwork component at the precinct.
Melbourne artist Emily Floyd’s engaging sculpture of two peacocks, titled An Unfolding Space, creates a colourful encounter and a lively presence at Phoenix Park precinct.
“Floyd’s artwork immediately captures your attention and helps to create a warm and welcome environment for visitors. It engages optimistically with concepts of neighbourhood and childhood space,” said Cr Sehr.
The State Government contributed $500,000 towards the construction of the centre.
March 7, 2011 at 10:46 PM
Another beautiful park for toddlers in E Malvern is Ardrie Park. It actually has safe enclosed area where everyone is very safe, iunlike, Glenhuntly Park where the fences have openings to Neerim Road on a blind corner and onto the mulch heap truck route. THERE ARE ALSO SEVERAL LOW PLANT STAKES FOR TODDLERS TO FALL ONTO “PROTECTING PLANTS WHICH DON’T NEED PROTECTION” WHAT A SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS… WE3 GO TO OTHER AREAS AND BUY THE FISH AND CHIPS TO EAT IN ARDRIE PARK RATHER THAN A APARK IN GLEN EIRA!!! OUR BUSUNESSES MISS OUT TOO?