No surprises that other councils such as Yarra and Kingston are on the front foot when it comes to speaking their mind, and encouraging residents to participate in feedback to Matthew Guy’s recently announced shakeup of the planning system. Glen Eira on the other hand is once again SILENT. Nothing on the website, nothing in chamber except for a few mumbled sentences, but certainly no indication that Council is inviting public comments and urging residents to have a say. We remind readers that not for the first time has this council put in submissions that were drafted behind closed doors (in secret) and submitted without a formal council resolution – ie VEAC submission, Parking Review & Speed Limit Review. We anticipate that exactly the same thing will happen here – that is, if council even bothers to put in a submission. Our major concern of course is governance and how submissions made in council’s name, and of such importance, do not warrant an agenda item and thus formal and legal endorsement via council resolution. It’s staggering that other councils continually publish their draft submissions. In Glen Eira, everything is secret and a travesty of good governance.
Below we present Yarra Council’s Media Release, then Kingston’s appeal from the Moorabbin Leader.
CITY OF YARRA
Concerns about State Government’s zoning proposals
24 July 2012
In mid-July 2012, the Minister for Planning announced that some changes were to be made to Victoria’s planning zones.
The Government is seeking feedback on the proposed changes by 21 September.
Council encourages community members to look into what is proposed as the changes are likely to have a significant impact in Yarra.
Council staff have undertaken a preliminary assessment of the changes and understand that the changes could result in the following:
- In business and some industrial zoned areas, a supermarket of up to 2000 square metres with an additional 500 square metres of shops could proceed without the need for a planning permit
- In some of the residential zones, small shops, offices and cafes could proceed without the need for a planning permit if they are within 100 metres of a business/commercial zone and if they share the same street frontage.
- Medical centres of up to 250 square metres could proceed without the need for a planning permit in all of the proposed residential zones.
The changes could therefore mean that some developments and changes in land uses could go ahead without public input and Council assessment under the proposed zone provisions. Significant changes could occur in local neighbourhoods without an opportunity for community members to lodge formal objections and without an opportunity for Council to weigh up the issues and decide whether or not to issue a permit.
For more information on the proposed zoning reforms and how you can have a say, visit the Department of Planning and Community Development website.
You may also be interested in the State Government’s intention to prepare a new metropolitan planning strategy. More information on that project is also available on the Department of Planning and Community Development website.
Kingston Council wants comments on planning proposal
KINGSTON Council is urging residents to have their say on the biggest change to planning rules in decades.
The State Government’s proposed new planning zones will have the potential to make a big impact on many Kingston neighbourhoods, as well as green wedge areas.
The neighbourhood residential zone will be the toughest of the new zones.
It will allow councils to restrict the number, height and block size of new homes.
The reforms will also make agricultural operations in green wedge areas easier by getting rid of the need for planning permits.
Public feedback on the proposed changes is open until September 21.
Kingston Mayor John Ronke said the council hoped to include residents’ views in its submission.
Residents must contact the council by August 6.
Planning Minister Matthew Guy said the neighbourhood residential zone gave planning power back to councils.
But Opposition spokesman Brian Tee said the new rules would protect only Melbourne’s wealthier suburbs from developers.
Jessica Wray
Glen Eira Debates 
August 7, 2012 at 11:04 PM
You’ve forgotten the annual MAV conference where councils from all over the state vote on motions put up. Residents never get a look in on how Glen Eira will vote on any of the motions. They’re never discussed at council meetings only in assemblies. Get this – we’re supposed to buy the rubbish that decisions aren’t made in assemblies. If they aren’t made in assemblies then how the hell does Esakoff know how to vote on some motions. Decisions are made all the time in these meetings and no-one says a word. We really need to clean up the mess that is this council.
August 8, 2012 at 1:55 PM
I think you are either a former or current Councillor. And furthermore I think that you hale from the Tucker Ward. You will need to gather a wider audience to have success at the forthcoming election. Not many votes on blogs. Your writings smack of inside knowledge.
August 8, 2012 at 2:47 PM
Wish I was a councillor because that would mean there is at least someone who gives a hoot about transparency and accountability in all those secret meetings. About insider knowledge, how about you just take the time and make the effort to read all the crap that comes out and you’ll know as much as I do.
August 9, 2012 at 7:52 AM
Confirmation. Thanks Nic.