The Leader story below is the result we presume from another public question that was asked at last council meeting and as per norm, was woefully responded to. Also included is an online comment from a resident.

Bentleigh open space concern

13 Aug 12 @  02:16pm by Jessica Bennett

The Clover Estate at East Bentleigh

The Clover Estate at East Bentleigh

A BENTLEIGH EAST man is concerned that despite Glen Eira having the lowest amount of open space in Victoria, it is taking cash contributions instead of building new parks.

Newton Gatoff said a subdivision on the corner of Ellen and Malane streets, to be the Clover Estate, included 50 blocks that in 2010 sold to a developer for $52 million.

Mr Gatoff, who intends to run for Glen Eira Council in the November elections, said when a new subdivision was over a certain size, land was required to be set aside for its residents for open space.

But under the Subdivision Act, a council can accept payment in the form of a public open space levy from the developer instead, as was the case with Clover Estate.

“Glen Eira Council is not using the open space money for what it was intended,” Mr Gatoff said.

“Glen Eira has the lowest amount of open space for a council in Victoria.

“Where did the money go and where is our park?

“They are legitimate questions that never received an answer.”

Glen Eira Council spokesman Paul Burke said the public open space contribution required by the original permit was 4.5 per cent of the land value ($450,000) paid to the council in May.

He said money collected via an open pace contribution must be spent on land acquisition for open space purposes or improvements to existing open space and council had significantly spent on both, including re-seeding sporting ovals and parks and installing water efficient drip irrigation systems.

Bert Haskins writes: Posted on 14 Aug 12 at  08:29am

This Council loudly proclaims it actively looks for opportunities to increase Glen Eira’s public open space yet their record is abysmal.  As developers continue to ravage Glen Eira which results in even less open space per capita, this Council focusses on building supersized pavillions and carparks that are underutilised and consume more open space, planting warm season grasses and concrete plinthing.  At the same time Council either dismisses out of hand the opportunity to expand open space by purchasing the heavily discounted Alma Club or let’s the windfall land of the Booran Road Reservoir remain derelict for over 10 years .