Matthew Guy has this afternoon announced the formal rubberstamping of the C60 Amendment. Interviewed by Steve Vizard these were some of this comments –
The C60 is a “billion dollar development, planned for 5 years, right next door to a railway station….one tower (only) which will …only shadow the racecourse itself…large development in an area where it should be….
Guy also spoke about the centre of the racecourse claiming that this decision will “ensure that open space and centre of racecourse can be used, (the) centre will now be opened up,… we are now going to open up centre of land for parkland and open space which can only be good for the people of Caulfield…..”
As to the land swap with the MRC, Guy stated that the MRC were “taking a large amount of risk” in their investment. That they would “be opening up the centre of that track….a very important win for the community….we are addng a very large area in the centre of the track….a good outcome for the community”.
Also interviewed was Mr. Don Dunstan, President of the Glen Eira Residents’ Association. Mr Dunstan highlighted:
- the granting of Crown Land for private interests
- the undemocratic processes involved where only 4 individuals decided the fate of the C60
- the implications for other areas and for the people of Victoria
Glen Eira Debates 
June 28, 2011 at 4:16 PM
Press Release –
$1 billion development approved for Caulfield
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
From the Minister for Planning
Planning Minister Matthew Guy today joined Member for Caulfield David Southwick, Racing Minister Denis Napthine and Chairman of the Melbourne Racing Club Mike Symons to announce the approval of a planning scheme amendment to allow for a $1 billion development north of the Caulfield Racecourse.
The mixed-use ‘Caulfield Village’ development is close to the Caulfield Railway Station and has been in the pipeline since 2007. The development will include 1,200 apartments, 10,000m2 of office space and 15,000m2 of retail space including a supermarket. Approximately 2,000 car parking spaces will be provided within the development.
The development ranges from two storeys close to the existing residential precinct to a height limit of 20 storeys in the far eastern precinct.
Mr Guy said the development will be built on five hectares of land that is currently being used as a car park.
“This $1 billion development at Caulfield is an excellent example of the positive outcomes that can be achieved when state and local government work together,” Mr Guy said.
“The City of Glen Eira is to be commended for working constructively with my office, the Department, the local member David Southwick and the Melbourne Racing Club, to reach a proposal all parties agree on.
“The development will provide homes close to transport, education, employment and retail areas for thousands of Melburnians.
“This is a prime example of the urban renewal in key inner-city areas that the Victorian Coalition Government has been promoting,” Mr Guy said.
More than 5,000 jobs will be created throughout the seven to ten year construction period, including employment generated in the wider community. More than 1,100 ongoing jobs will be created upon completion.
Mr Southwick said he was pleased that the Minister had approved the planning scheme amendment for the development, as it demonstrated the Victorian Coalition Government’s strong commitment to increasing housing stock, improving affordability and optimising open space.
“Caulfield residents will also have improved access to open space and park facilities as a result of this development, and a lack of those spaces has been a real community concern that I have been campaigning on since taking office.
“This development will be an excellent destination for a variety of recreational activities, and Caulfield families and communities will enjoy facilities including a picnic area by the lake, a large off-leash dog area, walking and jogging paths and a junior soccer pitch making better use of unused land in the center of the racecourse,” Mr Southwick said.
The infield public park on the racecourse will also include a children’s play area, shade and toilet facilities, and a boardwalk around the lake including areas for fishing.
June 28, 2011 at 4:35 PM
We’ve received this email from Mr. Dunstan –
TODAY MATTHEW GUY ANNOUNCED $1Billion Racecourse Project.
Around 12 noon today Matthew Guy announced the $1billion racecourse project (also known as C60). He was accompanied by Dennis Napthine Minister for Racing, David Southwick, the MRC CEO etc.
The event was held inside the Members enclosure at the racecourse, with guards on the gates. No members of the general public were present, nor was the Mayor of Glen Eira, nor any of the nine Glen Eira Councillors.
The media asked many questions, such as, why wasn’t any Glen Eira councillor present? What was the council voting on the issue? It had been claimed that the Glen Eira council was in complete agreement. Fortunately, in the interest of accuracy, I was also there. As President of the Glen Eira Residents Association, I could represent the Public Interest.
I briefed some journo’s on the remarkable fact that council had never held a public meeting on the matter, and that only FOUR councillors had voted in favour, the other five being supposedly ‘in conflict of interest’. Whence: the approval of just FOUR councillors (the council special committee) not ‘the Council’ voted to approve the MRC project..
I had to leave the conference at that point, to be on the Steve Vizard show (radio 1377) live. When I returned to the media pack in the members Reserve, the pollies had all left but the media pack was waiting for little ol’ me. I was interviewed in front of four TV cameras (I think I counted correctly). I expect further interviews over the next few days.
So. tonight’s TV News (all channels? ) will feature the Planning Ministers announcement and press conference. THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US TO WATCH.
Don Dunstan
June 28, 2011 at 5:12 PM
Armed guards! What are we coming to? Typical of the MRC and its chicanery all through this process. No councillors. Either they knew bugger all about this or they didn’t have the guts to front the press. Reckon Newton knew though.
Say goodbye you rotten gang of five. This is your doing and you will pay the price.
June 29, 2011 at 8:04 AM
They weren’t armed. Re-read Don’s post.
June 28, 2011 at 7:16 PM
The gang of 4 or 5 just sacked themselves based on this disgraceful outcome for residents.
June 28, 2011 at 8:05 PM
I thought it was telling that the Minister for Racing was also at the announcement of the C60 development.
from a Glen Eira Resident
June 29, 2011 at 10:27 AM
Guy is not the racing minister. He is planning. Do you wear your a hoodie?
June 28, 2011 at 8:57 PM
You say gang of five but the simple fact is that only four out of nine Councillors voted for C60. Democracy is dead in Glen Eira until we get a new lot of Councillors and a new administration…which won’t be far.
June 28, 2011 at 10:37 PM
Not a single word about the C60 at tonight’s council meeting. It was (un)democratic business as usual.
June 28, 2011 at 10:56 PM
If anyone missed any of the news stories, I’ve located the link to the Channel 10 one –
http://ten.com.au/ten-news-melbourne.htm?movideo_p=44239&movideo_m=115411
June 28, 2011 at 11:03 PM
It’s not surprising that no Councillor attended today’s announcement – it is in keeping with the level of interest/concern/comprehension that Council has continually displayed over the past 4 years.
What is surprising is the sudden interest shown by the Jewish Community – on TV news tonight and in the recent post re the Australian Jewish News article. Throughout the whole 4 years of C60, they have not uttered a yay or a nay – now suddenly it’s all yay and they even get press coverage!!!. What, behind closed doors, deal has been made – I don’t know but I suspect by the time it is revealed it will be a “done deal” and will be of no benefit to residents impacted by the disgraceful C60.
June 28, 2011 at 11:17 PM
Have to agree with Ben and I definitely smell a rat. Southwick’s election promises have done a complete backflip. He’s Jewish and so is the gang of four – Hyams, Lipshutz, Tang, and Esakoff. Pilling is the odd man out here admittedly, but the sudden appearance of this ethnic element is suspicious. Nothing for 5 years and then suddenly it’s here with appropriate interviews to boot. Stage managed the whole thing.
June 29, 2011 at 10:55 AM
You appear to have some hang up about Jews. The reason that AJN has not commented before is because no one asked them. All they did was to respond to the question. You can buy a unit there and if you have Jewish neighbors I assure you that they will share all your values. There is no conspiricy. The traffic will be an issue. By the time it is finished the carbon tax on petrol will take care of that and we all be walking.
June 28, 2011 at 11:37 PM
And here’s the Channel 7 coverage with particular mention of Jewish interest in the development.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/?refsrc=adwords&_s_ref=wpsT4n5mS&kw=%5Bchannel%207%20news%5D&creative=7479139977
June 29, 2011 at 9:05 AM
After the UK experience of what armed enforcers are prepared to do, let’s be grateful Don doesn’t resemble a Brazillian electrician, or he’d be an even bigger news item.
Its a shame we’ll never know what answers the Minister provided about why 3rd party appeal rights should be removed and why its appropriate to have substituted in their place a standard of amenity protection manifestly poorer than Council expects to be provided elsewhere in the municipality. The Panel dodged it, Council’s “Special Committee” dodged it, so the buck should stop with the Minister.
Anybody else notice David Southwick’s contradiction of Cr Lipschutz? Apparently the improved access to park facilities (that we have been waiting 150 years for and are still waiting) will be “as a result of this development”. Top of the list of the new park facilities happens to be a carpark.
June 29, 2011 at 10:27 AM
The final insult to residents comes this morning via Jon Faine’s 774 program. He said that he attempted to contact Glen Eira Council for an interview but that they refused. So much for accountability and giving a hoot about ratepayers. Yes, you can hide behind silence, but your actions in this conspiracy will never be forgotten.
June 29, 2011 at 11:04 AM
Pretty simple answer to that one. It is over. Nothing to defend. Story over. Faine did’t seem too indignant. On to the next thing. That’s life.