Tonight’s community forum on the ‘Community Plan’ was in many respects a pleasant surprise. It was certainly much improved on what occurred several years ago. However, we will withhold judgement until the draft plan is published to see exactly the extent to which council has taken residents’ views to heart. The turnout of residents was excellent with approximately 60 attending.

The chronology of the evening was as follows:

  • Hyams gave a little speech emphasising how much Council had listened to the community on the last consultation. Examples of such ‘listening’ and action included – planting 600 trees every year; buying land at Packer Park; sporting fields re-turfing; graffiti removal. This lasted for approximately 10 minutes.
  • Mark Saunders introduced what the evening was about – ie ‘themes’ both in depth and that people can also listen to others and ‘valuing’ others’ views. Reminded audience that consultation doesn’t mean that people necessarily get what they want. (5 minutes)
  • Peter Jones went over the OCR consultant’s report and highlighted the methodology – ie. 500 telephone ’interviews’; focus groups, etc. Outlined when the draft plan would be released (April) and then sent out again for public consultation.

People were invited to sit around 6 tables and were provided with 3 different coloured note pads. They were asked to write down what they considered to be the three main issues or challenges facing the municipality or their neighbourhood. Each priority was to be written down on a separate sheet. These were then pinned up on a wall and collated. Each table assigned one speaker to report back on the priorities. (30 minutes).

The major issues identified were not surprising – Planning, overdevelopment, traffic management, parking, open space, trees, transparency/consultation in council; rubbish collection and street littering; racecourse; high rates.

The rest of the evening involved a ‘visionary’ exercise where people were asked to list things that they would like to see in Glen Eira in 20 years time and what they wanted to see go. Again, the lists were predictable: amenity protection; better uban design and development; open space; crime and safety issues; parking sorted out; better aged care and child care; more open space purchases.

As we’ve previously said, there can be no doubt as to the issues which are causing the greatest angst for residents – the lack of appropriate planning that covers traffic management and open space, as well as good governance. The ball is now firmly in Council’s court. They may have listened, but the question remains – will they act?