The latest aerial shots are now available of the labyrinth which now constitutes a public ‘park’ in the centre of the Racecourse. (See slideshow below). There was also a public question asked at Tuesday night’s council meeting as to what Council is doing re Traffic Management Plans for Major Events. The answer suggests that the MRC can do whatever they like, whenever they like!
“Since Council permitted the Melbourne Racing Club to undertake traffic management responsibility for major racecourse events there have been three events held. On all three occasions the information provided to nearby residents was substandard due to either late notification or incorrect information re the timing and closure of roads. Could Council please advise what steps and procedures have been implemented to ensure that the MRC correctly advises residents of the road closures for the Caulfield Cup (20/10/2012) and all future major events. In March, 2012, I asked a public question on traffic management for the caravan and camping show and Council that “ different events have different traffic management requirements” could Council please clarify this statement. Different events have different set-up and dismantling requirements, however, road closures do not occur at these times. Road closures occur when the event is being held. Typically event patrons access all events via vehicles, public transport or walking. I would, therefore, appreciate Council’s clarification.”
The Mayor read Council’s response. He said:
“It is the responsibility of all major event organisers to undertake appropriate traffic management measures. When traffic management plans are produced by an event organiser, they are referred to Council for review. The consent provided by Council is for the occupation of the roads required to implement a traffic management plan.
Events differ in their intensity, purpose, likely patron profile, and how patrons are likely to travel to the event. It follows that different events will have different traffic management plan requirements.
On 26 September 2012, Council consent was provided for the Spring Racing Carnival Traffic Management Plan. This was on the condition that residents are notified at least two weeks before the events, and the details of the proposed traffic changes are provided in the notification. The Melbourne Racing Club has advised that notification to residents occurred by letter dated 2 October 2012 therefore the MRC did not met the two week notification requirement. Council will be drawing this to the attention of the MRC.”
Glen Eira Debates 
October 19, 2012 at 10:44 AM
Whatever happened to the Caulfield Racecourse Agreement signed by Esakoff, Hyams, Lipshutz and Pilling? Works to be completed by 27 April 2012? Blaming an elderly resident does not cut it. The MRC have no plans to remove the fencing opening up vistas to the “new” park which was a key cornerstone of the agreement. Time for some Councillors who believe in action rather than blah blah blah.
October 20, 2012 at 7:19 AM
I am surprised that Council haven’t been tougher on the MRC and enforced the agreement and made them abide by traffic regulations. With Hanson Yencken building of GESAC, Council are pursuing Liquidated Damages. With Penhallurick, council are pursuing him over bullying and renting his house out to multiple tenants. But the MRC can do whatever they like and Council don’t seem to care. (MODERATORS: sentence deleted)
October 19, 2012 at 10:51 AM
What an almighty bloody mess. This isn’t a park. It’s a parking area for the mrc. No trees that I can see and damn fences and stupid paths everywhere. When the plaque is put down then the names of Hyams Esakoff Pilling and Lipshutz deserve to be memorialised for the abomination that this has turned into.
October 19, 2012 at 10:56 AM
i guess we will get a comment from the MRC (through an anonymous poster) saying how great the park is. Knowing very well that very few people will be able to get there to find out as it is impossible to get to. how is the other park going?
October 19, 2012 at 12:16 PM
I note your scepticism but the area around the lake is a fantastic new asset for the community. Also don’t blame the MRC for the delay in replacing external fencing with palisade. Design has been sitting with Council for six months. Suggest you call Town Hall rather than bothering the MRC.
October 19, 2012 at 6:46 PM
Given the track record of the MRC, I doubt any resident would call them. Their record is so bad it is they that need to reach out to the community not the other way around. By the way, the agreement included the MRC hosting some community days …. why are we waiting
October 19, 2012 at 7:49 PM
Caulfield Cup is a community day- the community just has to pay $100 to attend it. Certain Councillors will be in attendance, courtesy of the MRC. I think we can guess who.
October 20, 2012 at 10:05 AM
It’s probably sitting on the desk of one of the 1200 Council beauracrats desks. Frank will find the savings for his pledge of a zero rate rise pretty easily.
October 19, 2012 at 1:25 PM
This looks terrible and nothing like the application. It could and should have been a real community asset. It’s nothing but a token accepted by the gang.
October 19, 2012 at 2:32 PM
Something sounds odd here. Council provided conditional consent. The MRC didn’t abide by the conditions. Therefore they didn’t have Council consent. Did the Traffic Management Plan detail the times and locations of proposed road closures, as it should? Is there any legislative requirement for the MRC to do anything eg under Local Law, Road Safety Act, or Road Management Act? Did Council formally delegate a power, duty, or function? So many questions, so few answers.
While on the general topic, it amazes me that Council tolerates developers unilaterally closing roads and pathways without consent and without a Traffic Management Plan, condones them storing their building debris on footpaths and naturestrips without Permit, allows them to dig up footpaths and leave the resulting holes indefinitely, tolerates the forcing of pedestrians onto busy roadways without protection, and ignores the stone chips and other crap that developers leave on the roadway daily. If there was a prize for the least ethical industry in Australia, I’d nominate the development industry–which includes Council and VCAT.
October 19, 2012 at 6:58 PM
Nothing odd about the race course traffic management Reprobate. Although a 14 day notice of closures was required and the notice was to include the details of the proposed traffic changes all Council did was call the MRC after the event. The MRC Mea Culpa’d the missing two days but not the content of the notice .. Council investigation didn’t go further. At the Council Meeting, Cr. Penhalluriack said he called Council and requested confirmation that the closures were in accordance with the notification. Council didn’t inspect – would rather believe the MRC than the residents and the photographic evidence presented on this blog.
Agreed re developers are being allowed to do whatever they want during the construction phase – road blockages, illegal parked vehicles and footpaths impeded by building supplies. Even though residents complain nothing happens except the residents get put on the nuisance list.
October 19, 2012 at 4:38 PM
Park for 2 seconds in the wrong place and ya get a ticket. The mrc stuffs up time and time again and they get council’s blessing.
October 19, 2012 at 7:02 PM
Not to mention racegoers get carte blanche to park in residential streets with parking restrictions on race days. Time and time I’ve called these neanderthals, they mark the cars around 11 and come back at 1 to book the ones that remain. It’s news to them that the races don’t start until after later than they check – hard to believe ain’t it.
October 19, 2012 at 8:11 PM
From where I sit the gang has much to be ashamed of starting with the disaster that is about to descend on Nth Caulfield with the C60. I’ve read their election blurbs and feel sick to my stomach that this have the affront to claim to be working in the community’s interests. Not once did they answer my sister’s emails and not once have they listened to what people had to say on the few occasions that there was the chance to say anything. Their shame doesn’t in any way measure up to my contempt for them.
October 19, 2012 at 11:00 PM
Save the contempt for the ballot box. That’s where it’ll hurt.
October 20, 2012 at 6:07 AM
This could have been the good news story for the current Council and the MRC. I am amazed that both groups have stuffed up bigtime. Mind you, this is also a great opportunity for the new Council to right the wrongs of the old Council and get a quick win for the whole Glen Eira Community.