We’ve received an email from a resident regarding a complaint sent into the Minister. Here is the response. Please note that the final sentence of this letter should read: “It is hoped that the Trust and the MRC will continue to work with Glen Eira City Council to monitor the use, and if required, improve the community facilities provided in the centre of the track.”
Glen Eira Debates 
June 20, 2013 at 11:59 AM
Councils answer to a public question was pathetic. This is pathetic too. No point in having councillor trustees and for sure not Esakoff Lipshutz and Hyams.
June 20, 2013 at 11:59 AM
Where is this Royal commission?
When IBAC or the Ombudsman gets around to having a close look at what has been going on here heads will roll.
June 20, 2013 at 12:16 PM
The language of this reply deserves commenting upon I think. Improving facilities is contingent upon “if required”. Who decides what is required is unstated. Nor are we told how such as decision will be made nor on what basis. Is anyone taking note of how many people are using the centre on a regular basis? Has there been a survey to determine the public’s response to the “improvements”? I worry about the safety aspects when horse manure sits there for days without being cleaned up and mothers with prams have no way of turning around, much less wheelchairs. Getting into the place is another problem. Council isn’t doing anything and the “communique” is akin to Chamberlain’s waiving of his scrap of paper – useless.
I can’t say I’m surprised at any of this. Governance is a major issue, both within the Trustees and definitely within Council. If the Ombudsman does finally take a look at what is going on, I’d advise him to start with this Council and then move onto the likes of Southwick and his colleagues in government.
June 20, 2013 at 12:34 PM
At the first sign of an investigation Southwick will get very nervous. The trustees will lawyer up.
June 20, 2013 at 1:27 PM
There is a significant statement in this disingenuous letter which does not reflect well on the letter’s author, the minister or the current government.
The Caulfield Racecourse Reserve Trust Deed clearly states that the three purposes (racecourse, public park and public recreation) are equal. While other reserves creation documents may not have the “equal” phrase this one clearly does and expert legal opinion (as quoted in Victorian Hansard) confirms this. The trust deed has never been revoked or re-written, hence, ignoring the phraseology of the trust deed has no impact on legality – it’s lack of due diligence on the part of those supposedly appointed to protect public assets.
June 20, 2013 at 3:38 PM
what a load of crap
June 20, 2013 at 8:28 PM
Ryan smith and his party is doomed and no chance to be re-elected. Perhaps the liberals in Federal government has better chance.