The government has released the figures on the planning activity audit for 2011/12. We’ve commented previously on the highly dubious figures submitted by Glen Eira (see: https://gleneira.wordpress.com/2012/03/20/a-mountain-of-clerical-errors/) so it would not surprise us if this year’s data is equally suspect. However, even given these figures, the trends are alarming and the future is writ large once comparisons are made with surrounding councils. With over 1000 subdivisions and 1000 planning permits granted in 2011/12 Glen Eira is paving the way for more and more (over) development. Further, the much vaunted ‘safeguarding’ of Minimal Change Areas is also becoming exposed for what it is – a myth!
Below are some maps detailing permits for all the areas. Please note the distribution in Glen Eira for both permits and subdivisions. Under Newton and Akehurst, Glen Eira is fast becoming what Lobo would call ‘Calcutta’!
Glen Eira Debates 
April 22, 2013 at 10:55 AM
Scarey stuff. 1000 subdivisions aren’t to change stratum to strata titles. It’s paving the way for more developments which will surely be 95% one and two bedroom places. Add on another 1000 plus permits which are already granted and they’re likely to be about 85% for developments. We’re then looking at maybe anything from 1600 to 3000 apartments in a year.
April 22, 2013 at 3:58 PM
All these places and people added and no development contributions and terrible open space levies. Glen Eira’s planning is a shocker.
April 22, 2013 at 8:00 PM
Poor buggers in Bentleigh and around there. Hyams is sure taking good care of things. Magee and Lobo ain’t too bad either. They haven’t got the foggiest
April 22, 2013 at 8:47 PM
And if an open space levy is charges it only pays to build bigger buildings on open space and then ashphalt roadways and parking on the green grass… it really represents a loss.
April 22, 2013 at 10:10 PM
Yes, we clearly recall Lobo in his previous speeches two years ago, warning the Councillors that if Glen Eira continues to approve developments in the middle of the residential streets (such as Regent Street and others in different wards), it would make Glen Eira look like Calcutta. He even went
further to state that the streets with apartments will turn out to look like the pictures of ‘slum dog millionaire’. Most of the people in the gallery applauded this statement and now we have good reasons to believe that is what Glen Eira will look like by the end of 2013/2014,
April 23, 2013 at 10:53 AM
If a heritage house applies for a planning permit which does not alter the overall footprint of the house, is that counted as a development?
April 23, 2013 at 10:58 AM
Our understanding is that this does count as an “application”. However given the paucity of Heritage listed sites in Glen Eira, and the archaic status of the listings (1996) the overall impact of such “applications” on the overall figures would be miniscule.
April 23, 2013 at 12:41 PM
Very good for Glen Eira Debates to highlight the high development occurring in Glen Eira. However, this is a picture based on the way Australian Bureau of Statistics is collecting its data. This does not tell us how the Glen Eira MSS Housing Diversity Area policy is operating. To do that you would need to superimpose maps of minimal change areas and housing diversity areas onto the pictures. In addition, you’d need to separate the high rise developments from the multi-dwelling developments, which are not higher than 2 storeys. After all, minimal change area policy does allow multi-dwelling developments. However, whichever way you look at it, Glen Eira is way ahead of other neighbouring Councils in residential development, which will affect its requirement for additional build and social infrastructure. I cannot see how this unrestrained development will not affect its liveability in a negative way. I know of many that have decided to move out of Glen Eira, because it is changing in ways they did not expected and like.
April 23, 2013 at 11:38 PM
Hi SCR, Yes that is a great idea, bt quite obviously there is so much development we would not identify those special areas you speak of.Anyway council does not appear to pay any attention to them or any pother regulations attempting to develop areas where human beings should live. Crowded accommodation without any airspace around it, Bedrooms with the single space reduced by study tables over them and nnow the ;latest units with reflected light. young people living in these conditions will soon be suffering from tuberculosis and deficiency in sunlight intake and then osteoporosis. None of these things matter as long as developers make their money and run.
April 24, 2013 at 8:19 AM
The maps confirm what residents have been raising serious questions about and Councillors have been ignoring – most residents are aware that development is required to meet the needs of the growing and changing community, however, Glen Eira’s preference for development over residents is clearly evident by the maps.
Where, for example,
. is the 80% (minimal change area) and 20% (housing diversity) rule being applied?
. what traffic management and parking restrictions accompany this development. No doubt all these developments have limited parking applied – with public transport in serious trouble, both traffic and parking will present enormous problems. Aside from saying “no adverse impact” what steps is Council taking?
. what about open space – Council recognises demand for open space far exceeds supply yet
– it refuses to charge the full open space levy evenly across the municipality and
– refuses to spend the open space levy funds on acquiring parkland. It would rather put it to building more open space pavillions and carparks
April 25, 2013 at 8:27 PM
We need sustainable population planning and sustainable development, that plans for the future needs of our residents. Social spaces were people can meet, Naturalist open space were children can play and understand the wonders of their world. Areas were nature can flourish air can be cleaned and cooled. Enough unconcreted ground where water can sink into the earth and stop flash flooding. Parks where trees can live and grow with their mighty limbs reaching into or beautiful southern skies. Places where canopies of the trees touch like miniature urban forest offering sanctuary piece and solitude to the weary and stressed, and a filtered beauty for everyone.
Settling for anything less is a corporate con.