Glen Eira Debates

April 13, 2013

One Response to “The ‘Business’ Of Racing”

1. gleneira Says:

   
   April 13, 2013 at 10:57 AM

   Here’s an update with what is happening re the Moonee Valley Racecourse and how that Council has approached the issues. Please note a couple of things:

   1. The continual updating for the community
   2. The stance taken by MVCC
   3. The demand for comprehensive information on the Master Plan submitted by the Racecourse
   4. The continued insistence by Council that community organisations be an integral part of all discussions and decision making

   None of the above can be said of Glen Eira City Council!

   Here’s their latest update:

   Planning & Building
   Draft master plan and rezoning for Moonee Valley Racecourse
   25 March update

   Council received notification from the Minister for Planning on Monday 25 March 2013 that he has approved Terms of Reference for the Advisory Committee in relation to the Moonee Valley Racecourse site (letter dated 19 March 2013).

   The Advisory Committee has not yet been appointed. This means that the timing, as mentioned in the Terms of Reference, has not yet officially commenced.

   Outlined below are the key changes and inclusions in the final Terms of Reference, from Council’s response to the original draft version.

   The Minister also confirmed that the request for interim heritage controls at the Moonee Valley Racecourse site (Planning Scheme Amendment C126) was refused on 6 December 2012. The Minister reiterated that he believed intervention in heritage matters in advance of an Advisory Committee process, would not result in the fair, orderly and sustainable consideration for development of land.

   Key changes to the Draft Terms of Reference are:

   Agreed to changes to skill set of the Advisory Committee to include community facilities and social planning, environmental sustainability, geotechnical and hydrological skills.
   Amended the references to Moonee Valley Racing Club found within the MV Planning Scheme, and its importance.
   Agreed to expand the number stakeholders that the Advisory Committee must meet with and includes key agencies, Save Moonee Ponds group and Moonee Ponds Central School.
   Agreed that the Advisory Committee should review and comment on Council’s request for further information and community submissions to the Moonee Valley Racecourse Master Plan from the consultation in June 2011.
   The final Terms of Reference does not incorporate Council’s previous inclusion that the Advisory Committee hold a community forum, to inform itself of community concerns and feedback.
   Agreed to extension of the exhibition of the draft Amendment and Master Plan, from four (4) to six (6) weeks.
   The final Terms of Reference does not incorporate Council’s requirement that all consultation must be agreed to by the Moonee Valley City Council prior to exhibition.
   Agreed to include a requirement for the Advisory Committee to consider all of the information already prepared by the Council, including the previous request for further information.
   The final Terms of Reference does not require the final written report to the Moonee Valley City Council and the Minister for Planning to include a response in relation to Council’s further information request of 2 February 2012.
   Requires the written report to include a recommendation from Council as to whether the project should proceed or not.
   Agreed to include a recommendation on the appropriate planning controls that would best implement the master plan.
   Includes the ability for the Advisory Committee to seek to vary the Terms of Reference. This was not in the initial drafted Terms of Reference.
   The final ToR does not include Council’s request that if further information is required, the Advisory Committee should require that the information be provided within one month, and then the timing for Stage 1 of the process will recommence from the date of the further information request.

   19 December update

   We have developed our official response to the Minister for Planning in relation to his letter and terms of reference for an Advisory Committee for the Moonee Valley Racecourse Master Plan proposal.

   We have restated in our response that we do not support the Advisory Committee process because we consider that there is still inadequate information provided by the racing club in relation to their proposal. This makes it very difficult for us and the community to make an informed decision about it.

   Below is a brief outline of some of the key points made in our response to the Minister:

   The Minister has stated that Council is to remain the responsible authority for the site. However, the Minister has not explicitly stated that Council is also to remain the planning authority for the site. We seek his assurances and confirmation on this matter.
   We feel it is premature to consider planning scheme amendment documents in conjunction with the proposed master plan process. If resolved, the master plan would inform what should go in an amendment. The master plan is still unresolved.
   We urge the Minister to consider heritage issues independently to the master plan proposal, as the proposed master plan should not influence whether or not there are places on the site that warrant heritage protection.
   We want the Advisory Committee to consider the work that Council has prepared to date on this issue. Our work involves a comprehensive analysis on number of issues, and outlines where further information is required in order to make an informed decision on the proposal.
   We want the Advisory Committee to consult at an early stage with key stakeholders like Vic Roads, Department of Transport, Public Transport Victoria, community groups and residents.
   We feel it is important that the terms of reference provide more details in relation to how the Committee will consult with the community.

   For more information, read our letter (pdf, 161Kb) and response (pdf, 549KB) to the Minister.

   Source: http://www.mvcc.vic.gov.au/planning-and-building/major-developments/proposed-major-developments/draft-master-plan-and-rezoning-proposal-from-moonee-valley-racecourse.aspx

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