We beg readers indulgence since we’re about to repeat ourselves. We have continually stated that residents have made it absolutely clear that their prime concern is inappropriate and/or over development. We have also stated that part of the problem is that far too much power is granted to officers via the delegations process and councillors rarely get a look in.
We’ve also remarked on how Tuesday night’s council meeting had a warm and fluffy feeling where everybody was congratulating everybody else for GESAC, for parks and gardens, and so forth. Yet, hidden away in the agenda there was another draft of delegations.
Residents should expect that what happens in chamber is more than back slapping and mutual admiration societies. That when important agenda items crop up (ie delegations, environmental sustainability) that there at least be ‘robust’ discussion and that these recommendations are not simply rubber stamped by a bunch of either disinterested or compliant councillors.
What we’ve done below is feature the time taken to decide on some of these agenda items as well as the discussion on the GESAC report. Readers should note that delegations warranted a bare 90 seconds of council time. Compare this to the amount of time expended on the back slapping!
9.1 GESAC
Moved Lipshutz; seconded Lobo
LIPSHUTZ: started off with explaining that GESAC opened on 7th May with a ‘soft opening’ and the official opening will be on 22nd June. The facility is an ‘unmitigated success…..beyond our wildest dreams….quickly taken up by members…..almost 5000 members….because 95%…is indoors (it can be used all year round)….(so the delay) ‘whilst unfortunate is not significant’…clubs haven’t used it fully (as yet because of) ‘mid season’….we expect that the next round of seasons’ (facilities will be taken up fully)….83 schools within (area)….’of course teething problems’…(such a success that contacted by Australian Properties & other councils and invited to) ‘nominate for an award for innovation’…’at the present moment this is the benchmark’…’feather in the cap’ (for this and previous councils and public for their vision)…’wonderful facility’
LOBO: GESAC is ‘a jewel in the crown of Glen Eira’….’privileged to be one of the foundation members’…’great place offering all year round health’…..’I visit GESAC twice a day’….4914 (members)….numbers skyrocketing….’was budgeted to cost $41.2 million and to the great financial management of this Council ….has paid $37 million’….(staff members live locally and work part time. Rest of speech was basically a regurgitation of the Newton provided Officers Report apart from the aside – ‘Glen Eira Debates and Glen Eira Residents’ Association need to take a positive look of this worthwhile project……(instead of negative)….’it takes courage to say a spade is a spade’….(Thanked the Steering committee – ie Lipshutz, Esakoff & Magee for their ‘fantastic’ job and Newton and his directors).
ESAKOFF: began by saying how as a child learning to swim at the Bentleigh pool the transition is ‘quite amazing’….seed that was planted back in 2005….consultation period….to watch it grow …through that process of design…..watching it grow and now seeing it in its full glory (an amazing experience)….(thanked government for subsidies).
MAGEE: GESAC ‘has no equal’…’gratifying to be a councillor at this time’….’this council is the major stakeholder’….’we are the ones that built it…..we couldn’t have done it without our community…..community through their rates will fund this…(community has endorsed GESAC and) ‘waited patiently’….(5000 members shows that community) ‘weren’t put off by GESAC opening that few months late’…..(took so long because of quality work) ‘the fittings, workmanship’….GESAC will be there for the next 50, 60 hopefully the next 100 years’….(thanked Waite and his department, but ultimately has to thank) ‘our CEO…without….(him the project wouldn’t be anywhere near the quality it is)….’nowhere near as successful …..’thank…from the bottom of my heart’….
TANG: ‘thrilled’ it’s open….’great disappointment that construction project that went behind time’….(visited on Sunday and compared to the pools of his youth. Place was packed with all range of ages)….(Numbers are ) ‘far beyond council’s expectations’ (and thus this isn’t just) ‘a white elephant, a monument to how big a building can we build’….’community facility’….(needs people and there are people there)….’budgetary aspect is certainly something that we have to report on’ (42 million and spent 37 million) ‘and hopefully not too much more’….we need to monitor carefully’….(courts were something community crying out for) ‘starting in the middle of the season….hasn’t been great….that’s the area for improvement’…..’have to get the people who are driving to Nunawading, driving to Albert Park (who don’t have these facilities to take up the ones at GESAC)
Asked CEO question about press reports on membership and compensation for members
NEWTON: ‘members have not been charged anything up til now….(that will start this week and first debits in June as recognition that project was delayed and some of these people) ‘would have had to pay memberships at other places’….’that’s been very well received’
PILLING: agreed with other councillors and that he and his friends have been down and it is a ‘great facility’…..(said that) ‘there are some gaps’ (in the courts)…’that’s understandable given’ (missed start to season)….’aquatic features are full’ (whenever he’s visited. Hoped that over the next 6 months all the courts would be) ‘well utilised’…..’down the track we will have to consider Carnegie Pool…..I don’t think the success of GESAC should (influence Carnegie)…I’m looking forward to having an argument down the track….
HYAMS: ‘great work that many people have done’ (steering committee, ceo, staff members)….’there will be gaps in the high ball courts….because they can’t transfer over in time…(but expected to see them all busy in a couple of months)…’little parking left (when he’s gone done which is an indication of) ‘how well it’s going’…..’if anyone wants any indication of (what people think of it just look on Facebook site). …’most significant capital project for years and years to come’….(agreed that Carnegie Pool was a facility that should be retained)
LIPSHUTZ: Esakoff had spoken about ‘seeds’ and coming to fruition. Lipshutz then said that ‘someone has to plant that seed’ (Newton)…..(in 2005 when new council came in Newton told them) ‘what a mess our two pools were’…..’losing money hand over fist and he certainly planted a seed……(went on to say how hard the Pool steering committee had worked and Waite and his team)….’builder certainly tried to cut corners…because of the way our project team worked (corners) were not cut’…’previous pools were losing money….this pool is built to make money…it will also be a financial success….’.
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY – took approximately 18 minutes.
ITEM 9.2 quarterly report – 3 speakers – Pilling, Lipshutz, Tang. Approximately 7 minutes
Item 9.3 VCAT watch – 2 speakers – Lipshutz & Tang – approximately 5 minutes
Item 9.7 Park user surveys – 7 speakers Esakoff, Lipshutz, Tang, Magee, Pilling, Penhalluriack, Hyams – approximately 13 minutes
Item 9.8 – environmental report – 3 speakers – Tang, Pilling, Lipshutz – approximately 8 minutes
ITEM 9.9 DELEGATIONS – 1 speaker – Lipshutz
APPROXIMATELY 90 SECONDS AND THIS INCLUDES THE AMENDMENT/CHANGES PUT BY LIPSHUTZ.
Glen Eira Debates 
May 23, 2012 at 9:51 PM
No one mentioned Feldman. He ran the save the pool campaign in 2003. He was mayor in 2005 and led the way. He pushed the pool harder than anyone.
How quickly people forget.
May 23, 2012 at 10:13 PM
90 seconds really pisses me off. I don’t remember this blog ever reporting councillors giving any good reason why the delegations are the way they are in comparison to the way other councils do theirs. I also remember Cr West at the Glen Eira Residents forum saying how Kingston councillors found out that re-applications for the same site were simply rubber stamped by officers and they put a stop to it. All of these applications then had to go to council. The whole thing stinks.
I also got a phone call from a friend telling me that he’s got notice that a DPC is going to be held in the middle of the day and that means he has to take a day off work if he wants to go. Other objectors can’t afford to take the day off and one lady has got a disabled kid and she’s the only carer so she can’t make it either. This is what councillors should be concerned with. Giving residents a fair go and not sitting there sayong how bloody wonderful they are.
May 23, 2012 at 10:55 PM
Sounds like all that was missing Tuesday night was a set of violins and the chunder bags. If gesac is doing so wonderfully well and exceeding all expectations then why is Council still spending money like it’s going out of fashion by advertising gesac not only in the local papers but again in the Bayside Leader? I would think that a little belt tightening would be far more beneficial to residents instead of further extravagance. Shucks, I forget – the answer is just keep raising rates and charges then they can spend unnecessarily to their heart’s content and pretend that it’s all the fault of carbon tax, landfill levies and upkeep of infrastructure.
The best line must go to Magee – gesac will last 100 years!
May 24, 2012 at 7:53 AM
I agree GESAC is a spectacular facility – it’s opening is deserving of the hyp -and hopefully it will be a financial success.
However, what Council (in particular Cr. Lobo) has missed is that the criticism of GESAC has always been the secrecy surrounding the financials and construction progress, the eleventh hour car park extension and playground relocation, the loss of parkland, lack of public transport, traffic congestion, the mishandling of the basketball allocations and the absolutely abysmal communication surrounding the opening delays.
These criticisms are not insignificant and they are well deserved. Sadly, they are not unique to GESAC and once again Council has decided not to listen.
May 24, 2012 at 11:36 AM
Excellent points made. Gesac may indeed be the best thing since sliced bread but the secrecy puts all this to shame. That’s where improvement has to happen in this council.
Another major improvement would be some original thinking and speech making. Getting up and repeating what’s in officer’s reports isn’t my idea of sound analysis or debate. If we’re going down this track then Newton should receive extra pay as the unofficial script writer and councillors take a cut in pay.
May 24, 2012 at 9:09 AM
For the naysayers out there it looks like the MRC/Council have started some planting on Queens Avenue near Moodie St. I spose this is being done for the eventual pulling down of the fence. They have planted some trees/shrubs less than 20 cm tall and put some tiny metal posts into protect them. They should be fully grown in about 20 years.
May 24, 2012 at 10:25 AM
Why would you plant BEFORE you tear down the fence. Doesn’t make sense to me. I suppose its like why would you put up those little fences forcing people walking along the racecourse side of Queens Avenue onto the road. It all just leaves me scratching my head.
May 24, 2012 at 4:28 PM
Actually MRC FC tis worse than you thought – planting was done a while back and the planting is agrapanthas, long since designated a noxious weed. Don’t worry about it though cause the area is already scattered with litter that might kill it off and if that doesn’t work when eventually (i.e. in my grandchildren’s lifetime) the fence is replaced it hopefully will get trampled to death
May 24, 2012 at 12:49 PM
GESAC is an expensive monument to extravagance. No municipal council our size should have to stump up the funds we have to finance it. There are a multitude of facilities which need upgrading that will now go on the long term waiting list. And watch the impact on our rates.
As a so-called Green councillor Pilling has proven to be little more than toady for those following their right wing agendas. 😈
May 24, 2012 at 5:37 PM
If I were a lawyer, I would be walking along Queens Avenue and sign the residents up for a class action against the MRC and Glen Eira Council for breach of agreement…and I would not begrudge the residents for the compensation they would receive one little bit.
May 26, 2012 at 6:18 PM
Well if you do walk along Queens Avenue, careful on the racecourse side. If the fences put up by Council to make you walk on the road dont get you, then the sludge on the ground from an area no longer maintained might or if not that, a fence that is leaning at 45 degrees and about to collapse. But dont try and call Cr Lipshutz about it, he refuses to call residents ‘from his own ward back. Chairman of the racecourse committee responsible for this schmozzle (aided by Crs Pilling, Hyams and Esakoff) and King of Bullshit.
May 24, 2012 at 6:02 PM
Anon 3 – why don’t you give your name instead of hiding it under Annonymous?
May 25, 2012 at 4:46 PM
Larry who? and what is you address? Also where do you stand on whats important to the GE commuity?- Thats the real question….
May 29, 2012 at 10:50 PM
Jan who? Why do you want my address if you are not giving yours? What do you think is important to the GE community?