We’ve just learnt that the scheduled Planning Conference for next Monday evening HAS BEEN CANCELLED!
This is an extraordinary turn of events for several reasons:
- In the first place, Council initially decided that a one week time lag between the closing date for objections and the holding of the planning conference was sufficient ‘notice’. Given that objections might arrive at council late Friday afternoon, and that notification would then possibly not go out until the following Monday or Tuesday, this would mean that people would only receive notice of the meeting around Wednesday or Thursday – that is, 4 days notice only!
- Now at the last minute, the meeting is cancelled. One can only speculate as to the reasons why and what is going on behind the scenes
- The history of this application is definitely tainted – first the MRC withdraws just before the April 4th meeting; next there is the sudden ‘revitalisation’ of the application, and now, it’s pulled again.
Surely residents have every right to ask what is going on and who is responsible for all of the above?
Glen Eira Debates 
August 12, 2011 at 1:23 PM
Just got a letter from council that the meeting is now on for the 22nd August in the theatrette. Signed by Effie Tangalakis
August 12, 2011 at 1:48 PM
Don’t you just love to inflame a situation. It has not been cancelled, just postponed for one week. If you cared you would not speculate, but get on the phone and ask Council WHY?
August 12, 2011 at 2:19 PM
Dear Anonymous,
you are correct. The meeting is ‘postponed’. But wouldn’t it be wonderful if residents were at least given some reason as to why? Is it for the convenience of the MRC, council, councillors, or last but not least, residents? Or are there other reasons apart from ‘convenience’?
August 12, 2011 at 9:18 PM
It’s quite amusing to read your suggestion that residents should ask council for explanations. Experience would suggest that even when one asks no information is imparted. I cite as an example the latest set of public questions where one residents asked whether the guidelines for advertising planning conferences would be published. The answer (and I use this term loosely) claimed that no one had asked for this. Surely the question implied that the guidelines needed to be made public. With these kind of responses it’s no wonder that residents don’t ask because they know that this will get them nowhere.
August 12, 2011 at 2:51 PM
and in agreeing, are you also agreeing to the assertion that you love to inflame a situation for no reason other than ratings? Strikingly similar to those Leader Journalists you always lvoe to bash.
August 12, 2011 at 3:43 PM
Hey anon – don’t shoot the messenger. If there ain’t any situation to inflame in the first place then nothing would be said, would there?
August 12, 2011 at 11:19 PM
It might be a minor point but there is no such thing as a closing date for objections. All objections received up until a decision is made must be considered. In one sense the decision may well have already been made, but secret agreements made behind closed doors don’t count. I’m curious to know what the trigger is for a Planning Permit–why is one even required?
I don’t agree with Strident Anonymous that people should have to ring Council to find out what is going on. I expect Council would be keen for its residents and ratepayers to be well-informed on all matters that affect them. It will take breaking some bad habits though.
August 16, 2011 at 10:56 PM
Even attending the City Hall to examine the Racecourse Planning Application and type of map which is supposed to portray the planned further division of our racecourse reserve no indication of a cancelled planning conference was given or suggested as being likely!!!!! How close does one need to be for obtaining news?????.