GERA Inc. has a new post up on the outcome of the sale of 487 Neerim Rd. The auction was held early this evening. We remind readers that GERA had written to council requesting that serious consideration be given to the purchase of this land as it would extend the Riley Reserve and be in keeping with the priorities outlined in the Community Plan.
For a full report see: http://geresidents.wordpress.com
Glen Eira Debates 
December 21, 2012 at 7:21 AM
Part of me admires the GERA folks for their persistence and part of me wonders why they persist when everyone knows this Council doesn’t give a hoot about residents. You’d have thought Council’s persistent ignoring and refusal after refusal would have worn them down by now.
This open space issue is a just another in a long list of classic examples – residents make a good argument for, Council trots out all the usual “no” crap (which is all absent when Council needs $’s for something as ridiculous as concrete plinths or bitumen for new car parks in parkland), then having deemed itself as “responsive” Council just ignores.
December 21, 2012 at 10:40 AM
So who at Council actually made the decision not to acquire 487 Neerim Road? It doesn’t appear to be a Council resolution. Its an area targeted for higher-density development, and is in close proximity to two different neighbourhood centres. Is Council being honest when it says it is actively seeking new open space opportunities? Reading through Mayor Hyams’ letter, he makes references to Packer Park and properties that “jutted in” to the park. At least that establishes the principle that we acquire properties when parks aren’t convex in shape. What really got me was the emphasis on the importance of establishing *additional* parks rather than expanding existing parks, contemporaneously with Council revealing how little of the money collected through Open Space contributions had been spent on either.
December 21, 2012 at 11:31 AM
What is wrong with you fools.Yes Glen Eira lacks open space but many parts of the municipality have a huge amount of open space compared to the west of the City.GESAC. Duncan Mc Kinnon etc are all being financed by the huge ratepayers in the west. The western residents get nothing from this Council and Lipshutz should be ashamed. If you want a scandal look at the 3 Exaloo toilets opposite Franks and the fact that the Elsternwick Shopping Centre, our buisiest centre has a 1,20 year old toilet block.Lipshutz you were elected by the residents of Camden. What about doing something for us.As for GERA, go away and have a long hard look at yourselves. If you doubt what I have said ask Jack Cambell. Also answer this GERA. How many oval’s and pavillions are there west of Hawthorn Rd.
MODERATORS: We have corrected the spelling of a name.
December 21, 2012 at 5:00 PM
When I read the GERA articles on open space I was pretty aghast at just how little this Council had done and how little it obviously intends to keep doing – regardless of where it is in the municipality. The arguments presented to Council could apply to anywhere in Glen Eira – the fact that the most recent, and very graphic, example was east of Hawthorn Road is happenstance. Anonymous, I doubt you can blame GERA for it even though you obviously do.
As an Elsternwick resident I was astounded to read that Council has been advocating for Elsternwick Plaza since 1998 and gotten absolutely nowhere – rather than presenting advocating for the Plaza as a new initiative Council should be re-assessing it’s options and changing tack – whatever it is they are doing it’s not working and it’s time Council admitted it.
December 21, 2012 at 5:31 PM
Residents are still awaiting the Hyams, Lipshutz, Pilling and Esakoff Caulfield Racecourse agreement that was to be completed by April 2012. This was a signed contract and still nothing. It also was promoted by Southwick, just like Elsternwick Plaza. Ten years from now, nothing will have happened at the Elsternwick eyesore (and Gibbs and McLean will still be on the dodgy audit committee)