We have UPLOADED HERE the Planning Panel Report on the URBIS/Monash University application for rezoning of the Western part of the Phoenix Precinct. We encourage all readers to peruse this document and especially the highlighted sections since they reveal how ‘reactive’ and lacking in vision, this council’s planning department is. We highlight two examples:
- Council noted that this Policy is based on an urban design framework approved in 1998. Council is looking to review this policy in 2014……(page 10). So what we have here is once again a case of putting the cart before the horse. First, pass the Amendment, and then worry about ‘policy’!
- Below is a screen dump that outlines the Phoenix Precinct Policy from the Planning Scheme. Please note the insistence that what is required is ‘co-ordination’ and ‘balanced planning’. Hardly, we say, when the racecourse, c60 and now Monash are each treated as INDIVIDUAL AND SEPARATE planning issues without any developer considering the overall flow on impacts to surrounding areas – be it traffic, population, high rise, commercial activity, and infrastructure requirements.
And last, but certainly not least, residents can glean some insight into Monash’s plans – not directly from Council of course – but via the submissions put forward at the Planning Panel. Here’s what Monash intends (at this stage!) –
The objective of the University is to eventually have a student population of 15,000 effective student load (ESL) in excess of the existing 10,000 (ESL) on the Caulfield Campus, and that much of the new development is to occur within the western precinct. The Masterplan provides for an increase in total floor area from 90,000 sqm to 168,000 sqm and allows for 800 student beds on, and adjacent to, the campus. The proponent plans uses for Derby Road frontage buildings that are complementary to the Derby Road commercial area including retail, food and beverage and other compatible uses. The planned increases in intensity of use of the campus site and the intended complementary uses of Derby Road frontages strongly indicates opportunities for improved economic activity in the area. The extent that realisation of the Masterplan would offset or even surpass the economic activity generated from Caulfield Plaza, is not quantified but, at a minimum, indications are that a redevelopment of the area would provide a significant economic stimulus for the area. However, this issue relating to the closure of Caulfield Plaza is largely a moot point as the existing Priority Development Zone already provides for the redevelopment of Caulfield (page 20).
Readers should note that the above figures do NOT mean that the student population is targeted to reach 25,000. To the best of our knowledge ESL means full time students. Hence the actual numbers of students accessing Caulfield campus may be closer to 40,000 given the large proportion of post graduates and part-timers.
We have yet to see anything produced by this Council which analyses and dissects the ENTIRE AREA and focuses exclusively on what this will mean for residents – and they’ve only had about 15 years to do so!
Glen Eira Debates 
April 11, 2014 at 4:44 PM
Another 800 dwellings on top of 2046. Great stuff. All crammed into one spot with lousy tranport and no infrastructure that can cope. Heaven for developers who will now turn everything into student accommodation and Akehurst will say yes, yes, more please.
April 11, 2014 at 6:59 PM
I would agree that there has been an overall failure of vision and planning in regard to the Phoenix Precinct. Instead of the required “co-ordinated” approach each development is seen in isolation. What is even worse is that by viewing each development alone there is no consideration given to the entire area and the likely impacts. Right from the start a holistic and integrated approach was required. This has not happened and it is residents who will bear the financial, social, and environmental impacts – not just for the duration of the building, but forever.
April 11, 2014 at 9:46 PM
Does anyone know what Monash is building on top of their main new building? It looks like they have added a few floors without any consultation.
April 12, 2014 at 4:38 PM
When they build that building about 6 years ago, there was no consultation with the community whatsoever so it would not surprise me if they decided to add a few floors without even troubling Council for a planning permit. The whole area is a developers free for all, ably supported by a dithering CEO and his band of idiots.
April 12, 2014 at 7:14 AM
The Monash Campus is to expand from 10,000 students to 25,000 students and yet Council, well aware of this, still views both the Caulfieild Village Development and the Monash University as being totally separate.
Like there isn’t going to be any flow on impact?
April 12, 2014 at 8:31 AM
See Southwick has been on our side all along!
Caulfield state Liberal MP David Southwick will ask Mr Smith to meet with the Melbourne Racing Club, the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve Trust and community and sporting groups to discuss uses on public land “including developing sports grounds in the racecourse centre’’.
“I see the current lease negotiations as a great opportunity to deliver an outcome which further provides community access to the centre of the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve,’’ Mr Southwick said on April 10.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/central/environment-minister-ryan-smith-to-join-lease-negotiations-over-crown-land-at-caulfield-racecourse/story-fngnvlpt-1226880958489
April 12, 2014 at 10:59 AM
Now that the proverbial has hit the fan and there’s an election around the corner Southwick reckons he had better get in on the act and shore up some local support from Maccabi and Ajax.
April 12, 2014 at 2:35 PM
See this Submission to VEAC by MRC CEO on 16 Feb 2009 about the racecourse and the agreement between MRC and GECC http://www.veac.vic.gov.au/submissions/published/Melbourne_Racing_Club.pdf . Outlined below is an extract from the agreement;
“3.3 Future
3.3.1 Joint Communiqué between the Club and Council
In 2008 the Melbourne Racing Club and Glen Eira City Council (Council) reached a milestone agreement on the use of public open space in the Centre of the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve. The parties agreed to recommend to the Trustees as follows:
a. “The prospect for horse training at Caulfield is that it will continue for the medium term and thereafter with full consultation with the whole of the Racing Industry and the Caulfield Trainers, a decision is expected to be made to relocate training to a more suitable locality away from the metropolitan area.
b. The MRC and Council support any Industry initiative to relocate training from the Caulfield Racecourse and desire this to happen as expediently as can be facilitated by the Industry. The MRC will provide Council with an annual update on progress.
c. After training at Caulfield Racecourse has been relocated, the MRC and Council agree that the land now occupied by the stables in the south-east corner of the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve will, subject to approval by the Trustees, be hatched from the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve and be incorporated into Glen Huntly Park under the responsibility of the Council. (This would be the second major contribution by the Trustees – the first being
the current Glen Huntly Park itself, which was hatched from the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve and made available as public open space many years ago.)
d. Subject to approval by the Trustees of (a) (b) and (c), the MRC and Council agree that ball sports should be located outside of the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve in Glen Huntly Park and that the Centre of the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve (also known as the Flat) should be maintained and improved as passive public open space. The improvements are expected
to be undertaken in 2009 – 2010 and will include enhanced pedestrian access through the vehicle tunnel located at the Glen Eira roundabout, extended disabled access in the Centre from the northern access through the Guineas tunnel, a walking track, jogging track, opportunities for fishing, seating, a BBQ area, landscaping and access to toilets.
The Community will be encouraged and welcome to use this area as passive public open space, subject to the Regulations of the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve and restrictions for the purpose of running race meetings, training and major events”.
In 2008 a Select Committee of the Legislative Council on Public Land recommended that the Government support the joint communiqué between the Melbourne Racing Club and the Glen Eira City Council to the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve Trustees, bearing in mind that further public consultation is needed with respect to the future use of public open space within the centre of the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve.
In September 2008, the Trustees endorsed the joint communiqué with the exception of paragraph (c) relating to the word ‘hatched’, to describe the revocation of Crown Land. The Club sought advice from the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and the wording has been adjusted to ‘excised/revoked’ which used in DSE context mean that a portion of land is removed (excised) from a Crown reserve and simultaneously, the actual Crown reservation purpose that applied to the particular excised portion is also removed (revoked).”
Just as there was a delay in Caulfield Village plans because of the lack of the Integrated Transport Plan so there should be a delay in extending the lease to MRC until they have an Implementation Plan to fulfill the agreement. I think it’s a job for the Council and the State Government, in particular Mr Lipshutz and Mr Southwick.
April 12, 2014 at 3:14 PM
I suggest if you want to see what this site will look like in 10 years, head up to Coburg and see the Pentridge Estate. It looks like a slum. Thanks Hyams, Esakoff, Pilling and Lipshutz!
April 13, 2014 at 12:01 PM
look the trainers can fit here
http://www.pakenhamracing.com.au/trainer-allotments
need a carrot and stick here I think. How much has the government spent on this new track for the Caulfield trainers not to move?
April 15, 2014 at 10:54 AM
Wednesday 17 October 2012
Major redevelopment for Moe racecourse
Moe Racecourse will benefit from a $4.5 million track redevelopment announced today by Premier of Victoria Ted Baillieu and Minister for Racing Denis Napthine.
Mr Baillieu said the racetrack at Moe had been badly affected by the invasion of poa grass, which had made the surface unsafe and unstable, a problem exacerbated by heavy rain and poor drainage.
As a result of this the Moe Cup, normally run in October, has not been held at the track since 2010 and all meetings scheduled for the 2012-13 season have been transferred to other racecourses.
“The $4.5 million redevelopment will include a new StrathAyr all-weather racetrack, a new automatic irrigation system and improved drainage,” Mr Baillieu said.
“Racing in the Gippsland region is worth more than $110 million to the economy and 1,700 jobs so this investment at Moe Racecourse to get racing back on track is crucial.
“It is expected that following the track redevelopment, racing will return in time for next October’s Moe Cup meeting allowing the local community to enjoy high class racing and all of the exciting festivities on that day,” Mr Baillieu said.
Dr Napthine said the return of racing and full training to Moe was crucial for the region and had been strongly advocated for by Narracan MP Gary Blackwood, who was instrumental in securing support.
“Last season 24 trainers operated out of Moe, all of whom contribute directly or indirectly to the creation of local jobs,” Dr Napthine said.
“The redevelopment of this track into one of the State’s best provides great potential for training numbers to increase and therefore to provide more local jobs.
“In addition, Moe’s retailers have developed a great tradition of holding a Three Hour Sale on the morning of Moe Cup Day, followed by the afternoon public holiday. This sale is a massive day for local shops,” Dr Napthine said.
Chairman of the Moe Racing Club Paul Davis said the club was extremely grateful for the support of the Coalition Government, including local member Gary Blackwood, in rebuilding the Moe racetrack.
“The Moe Racing Club has undergone some tough times in recent years, with extreme weather conditions badly affecting our racing program.
“The investment in a StrathAyr all-weather surface will ensure that Moe can have a racetrack that will serve the local community and the racing industry well into the future,” Mr Davis said.
“The racecourse will have a complete overhaul to install new drainage and replace the current racing surface with kikuyu turf track developed by StrathAyr.
“The project also includes the installation of automatic irrigation and the club is looking to install a new starting chute to allow for races over the classic 2400 metre distance,” Mr Davis said.
Gary Blackwood said he looked forward to racing’s return at Moe.
“The return of Moe Cup Day in 2013 will be a major boost for local retailers and the local racing industry, and a great day for Victorians to come and experience what our region has to offer,” Mr Blackwood said.
Costs for this project have been shared between the Victorian Government, providing $1.2 million, Moe Racing Club, providing $3.04 million and Racing Victoria, providing $260,000.
The Victorian Government’s share comes from the $79.5 million Victorian Racing Industry Fund which is dedicated to improving racing infrastructure and racecourse patron facilities across Victoria.
April 14, 2014 at 11:13 AM
Always nice when your prediction comes true.
Anonymous Says:
April 11, 2014 at 9:40 AM
Now that Cr Magee has got the media to focus on the Racecourse, watch for Mr Southwick to get the Minister to come out to the Racecourse and tell the world that the member for Caulfield has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to secure the centre of the racecourse for the people of Glen Eira. You have wasted all your time Cr Magee, Mr Southwick has been working on this for years, or days!!!. Is there an election coming up?. Where is the ALP candidate, or is there one?
Reply
April 14, 2014 at 12:27 PM
This is the perfect opportunity for the ALP to take the high ground and lead from front. Yet all I hear from the ALP on the racecourse is silence. May be they are not standing a candidate in Caulfield.
April 15, 2014 at 2:36 PM
I found the ALP candidate for the seat of Caulfield. Josh Burns.
http://joshburns.com.au/about-josh/
April 15, 2014 at 3:40 PM
interesting he worked for Danby but doesn’t have any policy on the racecourse