Tonight’s Special Committee Meeting witnessed the following sequence of events:
- Front clock tower door locked. Residents had to find their way into chamber via carpark and alert councillors
- Agenda papers stated –“Agenda for Meeting to be held in the Caulfield Park Pavilion Caulfield Park, Balaclava Road, Caulfield. At 7pm”.
- A procedural motion was moved to delay the meeting until 7.10 so that if any poor people were sitting waiting at Caulfield Pavilion they would have time to get to Council Chambers. We presume that someone was down there directing people to the right place – or that at least some notice had been posted!
- Hyams moved the motion to accept officer’s report with 2 changes . Seconded by Pilling
2.1 metre black mesh fence be ‘replaced with 1.5 metre high post and rail barrier’ and ‘areas to be delineated for future playground equipment’. Pilling seconded.
HYAMS: ‘we are limited to what we can look at. we can only look at planning aspects…..(this) allows the MRC to build the park that they agreed to…if we knock it back other than on proper planning grounds (won’t get a park)….as simple as that….(fence replacement due to objectors and comments at planning conference)….(playground) would allow further equipment to be installed without a further permit….(further equipment thus becomes) consequential….(so could be assessed) by Planning Department and wouldn’t need any further planning applications….we can’t acutally put….that the MRC has to provide …..that’s not how planning permits work….(but we understand that this means more than) one board game….so by doing this there will be ongoing discussions between ourselves and the MRC……
PILLING: Thanked Hyams for the amendment ‘which does improve application….what’s proposed is within our guidelines….(hope that this leads to) greater use in the future….it’s not (to) everyone’s wishes but we are here tonight to judge the application on its merits…and I’m happy to….accept the motion.
ESAKOFF: Concurred with both Hyams and Pilling. The post and rail fence becomes ‘something more acceptable….we will be pursuing further (playground) equipment….other than that I’m happy with this approval….
LIPSHUTZ: ‘Much of what was said (at planning conference) was totally irrelevant to this particular issue…..(but important because people didn’t have an opportunity to have a say previously, so) in that regard it was helpful that the community….did express their views….even though it was extraneous (to the issue)….this is unfortunately just a planning issue and we have to deal with the planning issue alone….The planning officer….was attacked…I think that’s deplorable….(she’s an employee, doesn’t decide) we as council make a decision….don’t shoot the messenger….criticise councillors don’t criticise officer….I thank the public for putting their views….broad ranging and were helpful….I certainly support the motion as put.
UNANIMOUSLY PASSED.
Meeting closed at 7.16pm
Glen Eira Debates 
August 29, 2011 at 9:00 PM
The amendment could be seen as a marginal improvement. The ugly 2.1 fence will be replaced and more playground equipment installed. That’s terrific. But, and a big but, is that I always thought that the argument put up as to why a fence is necessary in the first place was to prevent the horses being spooked. Changing the fence in this way just shows what a red herring the argument was in the first place. Besides, horses should be in their stables by 9.30 so there’s no need for a fence at all. The end result is still miles and miles of fences that segregate what should be open space into little pockets here and there. It’s a compromise that is meaningless and makes me believe even more strongly how little credence can be given to any of the arguments that this council puts out to the public.
August 29, 2011 at 9:07 PM
If such a fence was needed wouldn’t the MRC have built it in front of the grandstand where 50,000 spectators shouting would have more chance spooking a horse that the lone person who managed to get through a maze of fences and rails to find their way into the centre.
August 30, 2011 at 7:54 AM
You ever seen a stallion that goes off. I wouldn’t want my children anywhere exposed to such a danger. A fence is OK. as long as it is not a chain wire cheapy as the MRC proposed. Also reducing the height to 1.5 metres makes it more acceptable.
August 30, 2011 at 8:47 AM
Whoaaaa boy! Kinda weird your comment. If a “stallion goes off” then a 1.5m fence aint’ gunna help. We need a 6m fence. Better still, keep all kids outa the park – that way nobody will ever be “exposed to such a danger”.
August 30, 2011 at 9:12 AM
Smart Alec, you clearly have never been around horses. You should try going to the races. Do ya good.
August 30, 2011 at 10:38 PM
Hello Councillor
August 31, 2011 at 9:03 AM
Wrong. Mate
August 29, 2011 at 9:01 PM
…and there ends the Caulfield Racecourse Special Committee and one of the most deplorable instances of facisism in Australia’s history. Roll on elections so we can throw out these 4 dictators and get in some REAL representatives.
August 30, 2011 at 8:03 AM
If you think that the Glen Eira Council is facist I suggest you do some reading and understand what you are saying. For people that have suffered under a facist regime your comments would be offensive and hurtful. For democracy to work “respect” must prevail. We are seeing the end of a dictatorship in Libya and in the coming days will all be confronted with atrocities that are unthinkable in our society. By comparing the council with that says more about you than anything else.
August 29, 2011 at 9:25 PM
6 minutes to decide something that is worth millions of dollars is a disgrace. Not even a hint of any debate. All signed sealed and delivered. Even more disgraceful is the sheer incompetence of this administration. It’s not the first time that doors are locked keeping people out and it’s not the first time that signage isn’t in existence. It is though the first time that people are sent to the wrong place. I don’t believe this is coincidence. it’s happened far too too many times. Someone also wrote that the agenda for tomorrow doesn’t have the audit committee minutes in them. Pathetic performance from a bunch of overpaid wankers.
August 29, 2011 at 9:46 PM
Democracyisdead Says: “and one of the most deplorable instances of facisism in Australia’s history
Gees mate its a little early in the night to be this under the weather isn’t it.
August 29, 2011 at 10:26 PM
Yes I see the changed venues are a tactic which was recently used in China regarding the trial of a prisoner and of course the British moved the locations of IRA prisoners when relos were battling to visit them in Britain having battled to save the fare and travel from Ireland to a location all in vain.
Now in Caulfield there was an earlier conference on this very topic and the venue as suddenly changed and the back door locked and no information posted on the glass door. Somehow those interested had to find the new location from the Theatrette to the upstairs yARRA yARRA room by pure guesswork. Then the meeting was called by a letter which was unsigned and it’s source undisclosed and the Town Planner there stated that there was not to be any discussion about fences and yet it had been on the letter sent out. At both meetings she failed to bring an electronic or physical pointer, just another way of this incompetent administration attempted to blind the ratepayers. And oh I find the attendance of the chairperson at the planning conference until 7.02pm absolutely poor and of course another of the special four failed to show up at all to hear ratepayers concerns!!!!
August 29, 2011 at 11:14 PM
I’m still waiting for any plausible reason to be put forward that supports anything about this so called agreement. There’s nothing here that relates to any specific guidelines. Safety doesn’t get a mention again and neither does the rubbish about fences and their necessity. It’s also worth noting that Tang and Lobo didn’t show up tonight. He’s sure missing a hell of a lot of meetings is Cr. Tang! At least Penhalluriack, Forge and Magee sat in the gallery with the rest of the plebs.
August 30, 2011 at 8:08 AM
If it is a toss up between a cock up and a conspiracy, back the cock up everytime.
August 29, 2011 at 11:33 PM
Hypocrisy is the name of the game for these 4. Pilling is on about guidelines that have never been produced, debated, explained or anything. Hyams hands total control to the MRC and we’re supposed to sit back and welcome the prospect of more ongoing discussions between council and the mrc. For that read secrecy. Then there’s Esakoff with her view that all is now more acceptable. How do you figure that madam mayor? Not even the decency to explain why. Last but certainly not least is Lipshutz defending the virtue and competence of Tangalakis as well as thanking residents for input when that input is ignored and wasn’t asked for right from the beginning and he pissed off early from the meeting anyhow. This wasn’t a meeting. It was an absolute disgrace and an insult to all the people who bothered to show up.
August 31, 2011 at 12:08 PM
the council have closed down the free mulch collection at GlenHuntly Park because of some bizarre health risk yet they are happy enough for kids to be walking through Horse Faeces to get to this so called park. Has anyone heard of Hendra virus?
August 31, 2011 at 6:47 PM
I agree with you, training has got to end at Caulfield and move to a more suitable location such as Sandown, Mornington or Pakenham. To see stallions walking along the roads around the track is dangerous for all. The MRC had better get a move on in building this “park” as it all has to be in place by May 2012 or some pollies are going to have a lot of egg on their faces. Oh and the Council should just forget about this free mulch joke – another $160,000 wasted on storage and loss of another public park is just unforgivable to benefit a minority probably not even from Glen Eira.
September 1, 2011 at 7:29 AM
Big difference is who is libel. The mulch rested with the GEC, the race track would land on the MRC. If Hendra virus was spoted in Caulfield the whole track would be closed. That is the Vic. Health Dept. Not GEC. Take the emotion out of the argument and it is alot cloearer.
September 1, 2011 at 7:27 PM
No wonder you always sign off as anonymous – you really are a wanker mate
September 1, 2011 at 6:57 PM
how will Hendra virus be spotted? the first person who contracts it will be the ‘spotter’. Even without this disease people will be walking through Horse Faeces in this tunnel to get to the park. There are also many other diseases that we could be exposed to eg tetanus. How about the MRC provide a safe entrance to this park for the public. The railings are only a deterrance from using the park. If one enters from Queens Avenue or Neerim Road there are about 20 fences you have to navigate to get to the middle. I think you should check the Glen Eira Council web site you will see public health is a responsibility of the council. Check http://www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.asp?Page_Id=389&h=0.
September 5, 2011 at 10:52 AM
Isn’t it amazing to compare the two matters of this public share of the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve. The advertisement was miniscule and hidden away in the public notices. the discussion time was a planning conference which some of the councillors attended and it lasted for about an hour in total and a six minute meeting of decision and yet the discussion of the Mayor’s failure in the property buying spree to be able to pull down a heritage listed property.
The advertisements were large and in prominent positions of the news pages.. they could not be missed. Council then discussed the matter after tking advice for the GE Town Planner who wanted the heritage upheld.
Four opinions of heritage experts were obtained all confirming the original heritage overlay and then a panel hearing was called for.
Council then briefed solicitors to represent it and our town planner attended including Ms Jacqueline Brasher instructing (more time and money). She had also appeared recently ( more than once) in an advertisement regarding another heritage property in the area offering advice about how the prospective purchaser could have the heritage protection removed. She is said to be a strategic planner not our heritage planner.
What a fiassco……. no wonder the rates are becoming prohibitive for us all and we nooed to sell to developers.
September 5, 2011 at 10:58 AM
Dear ‘Friend of Racing’,
please note the following: The Mayor did declare a ‘conflict of interest’ (3 in fact) each time this property came up for discussion at council meetings. Further, we are not aware of any Leader advertisements for this property.
September 23, 2011 at 1:36 AM
Dear Glen Eira
DID NOT THE CITY OF GLEN EIRA PLACXE THE TINY ADVERTISEMENT NOTIFYING RESIDENTS OF RACECOURSE PLAND AND A LARGE AD. CONCERNING THE PLANNING AMMENDMENT APPLICATION CONCERNING 460 HAWTHORN ROAD???????
September 28, 2011 at 12:22 AM
Melbourne Racing Club is a joke…. they are now very happy that they attracted about two and a half thousand extra persons on Underwood Stakes Day (11,300).
They advertised “Free entry” on television, newspapers, radio and internet and GUESS WHAT THEY SOLD 25% MORE FOOD. Are their aspirations now to run a good cafetaria or a race couse???
Then on Saturday 24 , the track was declared to be a “Hard2” so hard that trainers could, without penalty, withdraw entries or risk of injury to those delicate horse legs on the bone dry track and cause them to be jarred and out for a few weeks or just withdraw them and if they needed wins to qualify for other major races then this opportunity was denied. POOR OWNERS WHO SPEND UP TO A THOUSAND DOLLARS A WEEK FOR HORSE TRAINING AND THEN TO FIND THAT THEIR HORSE COULD NOT START BECAUSE THE TRACT HAD NOT BEEN WATERED.
BUT OH! GETTING BACK TO THE WHOLE SHOW AS REPORTED IN THE HERALD SUN LAST SUNDAY THE MRC IS DELIGHTED WITH THE SALES OF FOOD AT THE RACES!!!!!!
ONE WOULD HOPE THERE ARE SOME FIT HORSES LEFT TO ENTER AT VICTORIAN RACING CLUB AT FLEMINGTON … THEY MAY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING APART FROM SELLING FOOD!!!!