In August 2010, we had the mock Planning Scheme Review – allegedly based on “extensive consultation” . Funny how resident views via submissions were not published, but such views barely made it into the final “Action Plan”. We thought it would be interesting to go back and review the review. Specifically, we were looking at:
- What was promised but has not been done in two years time – ie many of the following indicated a completion date of 2010/11. We are now just on two years down the track and there’s no movement at the station. What has been “completed” of course, are all those amendments which would allow more and more residential development!
- The other completed amendments involve REMOVAL of such important sections as the Development Contributions Levy, Commercial Centres Policy, and this coming week the revamping of the Non-Residential Uses in Residential Areas.
- We simply have to ask: are these really the most urgent, the most important components of the Planning Scheme? Or are they merely those components which will allow more and more open slather for developers and that’s why they receive priority treatment?
Below we list all the so called Action Items which are still to get a look in. They make for some impressive reading we think!
- Review Housing and Residential Development Strategy
- Review Housing Diversity area policy to assess need to encourage three bedroom dwellings
- Prepare a new streamlined MSS for Council consideration and commence the amendment process
- Investigate need for new local policies (eg advertising signs, car parking)
- Consider parking precinct plans for Activity Centres
- Do not implement structure plans. Instead, complete an Activity Centres Review to update existing policy frameworks to provide greater direction within Activity Centres (short of Structure Plan detail).
- Review the Housing Diversity Area policy to provide prescriptive guidance.
- Pursue approval from State Government to increase the private open space requirement from 60m2 to 80m2 and consider tree protections outlined in the Environmental Sustainability Strategy
- Prepare a Heritage Strategy for Glen Eira in line with Heritage Victoria requirements
Glen Eira Debates 
June 30, 2012 at 8:34 PM
A vey impressive listing – ain’t it funny how most of these which fit well with the residents views expressed (and ignored) at the Community Plan Forums and the individual written comments presented at a recent Council Meeting.
I am particularly impressed with “consider” parking precinct plans – jeez all they had to do was spend a second to be able to flag that as an action item completed yet they can’t even do that!!!!!
July 1, 2012 at 10:52 AM
The bigger worry is that the “reviews” are all done “internally”. There’ll be spin galore.
July 1, 2012 at 11:54 AM
Many of the policies listed go back to the dark ages. The agenda reveals that the non-residential uses goes back to 1999. Master plans for parks have sat around for 10 years before anything has been done. Booran Rd hit the headlines at least 9 years ago and nothing will change for at least another 5 years. There is now some mumbling from Pilling about open space and I think there was some grant recently. On their past record this will take another 5 years to be done. Everthing is delayed, bitsy, ad hoc. When it shouldn’t be. You can’t “review” one important aspect of a planning scheme without looking at parking, open space, housing, and so forth. Everything should fit together like a glove. In Glen Eira nothing fits. This suits the agenda perfectly. First off it creates the illusion that things are being done. Second it allows the erosion of community safeguards without the necessary local research that would justify these changes. Thirdly it covers up the incompetence of so many and last but not least its the perfect way to get things done before people have the overall picture and realise what is happening all around them.
July 1, 2012 at 1:51 PM
Reckon folks need to consider 3 possibilities. (1) Either these councillors are stupid or they haven’t got the foggiest about anything, or (2) we are continually being lied to, or (3) councillors are being lied to and they swallow the bull with relish and repeat the bull. Glen Eira does not have structure plans. Full stop. No ifs and buts. The list even says short of structure plan detail. So how about it councillors? Stop claiming that we do and stop the bullshit and start telling us why we don’t and why you won’t insist that we have them.
July 2, 2012 at 6:34 PM
Smart Aleck, you are first to point your finger at the Councillors – The Councillors are not stupid, it is how you perceive the issues. Your smartness will be very beneficial if you put your mouth where the money is. In short, get on with nominating yourself for the next Council elections. Otherwise, no one will pay heed to your comments.