Tonight’s GERA Overdevelopment Forum was a major success with well over 80 people cramming into the Bentleigh Club and, we’re told, many new memberships to GERA resulting.
Unfortunately Cr. Thomann was a no show, but Cr. West from Kingston was most informative and engaging. Residents received the clear message on how different Kingston Council was in its planning processes compared to Glen Eira. For example: the manner in which planning conferences are held, restricting planning officers’ delegatory powers, Kingston’s hiring of ‘experts’ to support resident objectors, and in the mere fact that Kingston has all those things which Glen Eira doesn’t – structure plans, height limits, developer contributions etc. Cr. West also emphasised the importance of lobbying individual councillors, especially with elections around the corner, and standing candidates who are truly representative of community wishes.
Speaking with people afterwards, their comments revealed how much they had learnt about good planning processes and how much needs to change in Glen Eira.
It was also obvious that upon listening to the audience’s questions and comments Cr. West was astounded at some of the stories and how planning matters are handled in our fair city.
We congratulate GERA for their efforts in this inaugural event and look forward to many more forums that focus on residents and their concerns.
Glen Eira Debates 
March 16, 2012 at 7:46 AM
I was shocked and surprised at the number of residents with planning nightmares and to hear their stories brought some home truths. It is clear that we must all do what we can to remove the serving Councillors who do not appear (from their lack of interest in attending or taking part in last nights meeting) to care about residents concerns. The sole voice of a lady who referred to herself as ‘just’ a resident who was left to fight her battle alone and without Councillor support is a simple but damning example of the contempt these Councillors feel for their residents.
Fundamentally we need Councillors who understand the complex planning system as well as ALL of the due processes to take Glen Eira out of this negative tailspin and onto a positive road which is equal to the beautiful city we live in. I want better community consultation, access to planning support for everyone and above all a better working relationship with Councillors and Officers.
March 16, 2012 at 12:25 PM
There’s no reason to be shocked and surprised about the planning nightmares. With what’s been happening in Glen Eira for the last ten years I’d be shocked and surprised if people were saying they’re happy with an incompetent planning department hell bent of giving way to everything that developers want. The post shows that at least Kingston for all its failings is a hell of a lot better in dealing with planning and residents than is Glen Eira.
March 16, 2012 at 12:38 PM
Firstly Rosemary West was an exceptional woman and councillor, we in GE have never seen or had a councillor of her calibre in my 20 plus years living here. She continently sent the message for good people to get off their back-sides and run for council.
She also said a things that went 2 kilometre over the mostly NIMBY ordinances head. Things like involvement, writing submission and even getting involved in community pursuits like getting involved in friends groups helping manage bushland reserve in Kingston if there were no such reserves in GE.
The trouble with this GERA night was that it was very unfocused and turned into a W&A, “Whine and answer” night with person after person standing up and giving there personal not in my backyard nightmare monologues. This went on and on, and poor Cr West had to become a apologist for Glen Eira short-comings, she did keep repeating the same message “run for council” and change things. Sterling advise from Rosemary. A message I fear lost on most of the crowd.
Cr West did touch on running as independents, differing from being Liberal and Labor candidates. Has GERA got a view on this issue?,
The use of the pseudo independent cloak has been used to hoodwink voters in GE for decades, and as Cr West accurately conveyed would-be candidates say all the right things to residents to get elected, and turn traitor by tow the party line when elected. Whiteside and Forge are prime examples candidates waving the the Save or Suburbs flag, and once elected do the 180 degree turn, seeing their jobs as supporting the CEO and become apologists for council once elected.
I think GERA should take on Cr Rosemary West thoughts and make sure that any candidates GERA endorse or support through preferences etc, declare there political backgrounds, this means declaring political party membership going back 4 years. Even if that party doesn’t endorse that candidate. Membership of clubs or organisations should also be upfront and be declared.
If GERA is going to “talk the talk and walk the walk” with residents they should adopt modern practises of disclosure, which is something their candidates did not do in the last election.
March 17, 2012 at 9:49 PM
From the sounds of it and through grapevines we understand that the Forum was successful. Did any Councillor attend this forum?
March 17, 2012 at 11:18 PM
Cr Lobo and his wife attended
March 18, 2012 at 5:45 PM
How come no other Councillors attended the forum? Was an invitation sent to them? Who all were invited?
For Cr. Lobo to turn up says a lot that he genuinely cares for the people that have placed him in a position of trust. Well done Cr. Lobo.
March 18, 2012 at 6:00 PM
We believe an email went out to all councillors and local MPs informing them of the event.
March 18, 2012 at 8:22 PM
I did think the nights successfully was limited to Cr West from Kingston, the rest was a whine session, we don’t want to hear long long complaints in fine detail, everyone there new the system is doing them over.
Cr West to her credit had the answer, “Stop complaining get off your back-sides, choose good running mates, and run for council, get elected and make things better.
Success will be seen, or not seen in the next election, just make sure you don’t put all your dough on another Whiteside or Forge.
For GERA hero’s it may mean voting other than your traditional Liberal party, if you want change. Or maybe you don’t want change, you just like the whining.
March 19, 2012 at 9:35 PM
Individual Councillor cannot make a change! Change can only take place when there is a majority. 5 out of 9 must be on the same track as each other. Getting a new group of Councillors will bear no fruits because:
1. The new Councillors have to learn the ropes. It takes at least a term to
know the ins and outs.
2. If there are new Councillors, they need to suss out each Councillor and that
could take more than 2 years.
3. The new Councillors will need to give up their full time job as Council job
takes minimum of 10-25 hours per week. Reading, Chairing Planning
conferences, being on various committees, attending to phone calls,
letters and e-mails. This also involves visiting residents when they are
called to their streets.
It appears Cr. West has lots of time on hand if she is not doing a full time
job. People will be reluctant to heed to her advise particularly those that
are in full time employment.
Frankly – Better the Councillor you know than the Councillorl you do not
know – Sit with them and bring out your issues to either agree to agree or
agree to disagree. It is a waste of time and rate payers money to bring
new Councillors unless of course 5 councillors are friends or relatives.
Revenge will not take the community anywhere. Think about it.