Knowledge is power. That’s why we need the Ministry of Truth – (ie Paul Burke and the Gobbledygook Department) to ensure that only the ‘right’ information is disseminated, and only that information which fulfills all legal obligations but does not necessarily inform, educate, or (god forbid) empower residents. After all, a savvy, questioning and demanding community signals disaster to the powers that be. The other advantage of minimal/selective disclosure is that the more information that is let out, the greater the chance to uncover a major stuff up, thereby quashing the illusion of the perfect council. When people don’t know what the rules are, or what to expect, or what is right or wrong, they can be fobbed off much more easily. Information thus provides the tools to question and object and thus forces greater accountability and transparency.
Our last few posts have concentrated on planning and the almighty spin that is associated with every single aspect of this area in Glen Eira. Akehurst’s recent report purports to portray this council as very ‘community minded’. In our view nothing could be further from the truth. Every obstacle is put in the way of residents when it comes to planning applications – from the timing of meetings, to advertising, to ‘advice’, right through to formal decision making by bureaucrats.
Council clings to the letter of the law repeatedly. They fulfill the legal requirements. But, they also have discretionary powers to go well beyond the letter of the law if they so wish. This is perfectly exemplified via the Online Planning Register. Here is a tool that residents can use to look up applications across the municipality. It has the ability to save time and footwork. Information can be retrieved at no cost in a timely and accessible fashion.
Below is an image taken from the Glen Eira Planning Register following a search on numerous street names. Readers should note the claim that ‘privacy’ prevents the listing of applicants’ names. Funny, how other councils do not have this same problem! Further, the amount of information provided is minimal. We do not know how the permit was issued – ie. via council decision, manager, DPC, etc. Nor are we told if the application went to VCAT; nor if there were any objectors. As for the actual plans – well they just aren’t there!
By way of comparison, here’s a screen shot of one application from Bayside’s Planning Register. Please note – names of applicants, dates of all letters/submissions; those responsible for decision making, and the addresses of objectors. All the information is listed in one single, easily accessible place – totally unlike what happens in Glen Eira.
Then there’s the Stonnington version. Their register is also chock full of information. In addition they also have an entire webpage devoted to all the applications which have started the advertising periods. Users can click on the links and actually get to see the full application – including architect drawings and plans.
Our conclusion is simple. We live in a technological age. 87% of residents in Glen Eira now have access to computers according to the 2006 census figures. Yet the systems in place in this municipality are archaic, outdated, and definitely not ‘user-friendly’. In our view, this is deliberate since a little information can be a dangerous thing. Residents must be kept ignorant at all costs!
Glen Eira Debates 
December 4, 2012 at 10:05 PM
This is depressing stuff again. I’d say that about 50 posts over the last year have shown up what other councils can do and what Glen Eira doesn’t do. This mob including councillors are pathetic. Naturally they keep stuff from people. No objections means that they can ram project after project through and no one will say boo. Just watch out people for when they rubber stamp the zone reforms. That will be the beginning of real disaster for everyone not just those folks living in housing diversity. We’ll have 8 stories along every tram line and major road and then the little side streets can have all the traffic parked there. Forget sunshine and open space. That will all be flogged off too.
December 4, 2012 at 10:39 PM
The constant refrain from this council is how open and transparent they are. What is really happening is how all their processes (planning, consultation, committees) is anything except open and transparent. The authors are absolutely correct in their assertions that the objective is to divulge as little information as legally possible. Ignorance is the safeguard against exposure.
One other anecdotal bit of evidence that could be added to this discussion on planning is what happened to me in 2010. I noticed a yellow sign two houses down announcing a double storey development on a tiny piece of land. No letter from council had come my way. I rang and was put through to an officer in planning. No name was given. I asked about the application and was told in a variety of ways that any objection would not stand a chance since this was housing diversity and precedents had already been set in the street. I was then told that it was most likely that the developer would bring along his expert consultants and that my only hope was to hire my own experts at great cost. In the end it was made clear that the whole exercise would be very costly to me and that I didn’t stand a chance. Perhaps this is a fair estimate, but I certainly got the impression that I was being put off at the gate.To object was not in my best interests was the take home message. I suspect that this is the way that most potential objectors are put off.
December 5, 2012 at 12:51 PM
I like the idea that you can get the plans online without bothering to go down and spend maybe hours waiting around. It also saves money that you don’t have to ask for copies.
December 5, 2012 at 2:55 PM
Ignorance is bliss, they say. So may be they just want us to be ‘blissful’? On a more serious note. My understanding of building regulations is that 4 stories building or more require lifts to be installed and buildings with lifts can be inspected by the Unions. Hence, many builders avoid building 4 or more stories that add to costs and delays. This is irrespective of whether it is in minimal change or high density areas. I just wonder if that will not be changed with the New Zoning arrangements?
December 5, 2012 at 10:39 PM
The height of the building has nothing to do with unions. The minute a crane is needed on a site unions will have a go at controlling the site. The extra cost with unions involved is huge. A semi skilled worker makes more that a school principal.
December 6, 2012 at 11:31 AM
this is a regulated area and your claims can be verified. i think you are exaggerating a bit.
December 5, 2012 at 4:24 PM
Now in Glen Eira windows and fresh air and light are a thing of the past!