The City of Melbourne appears to be making some major strides in achieving greater transparency and accountability – at long last! Not only do they have a Notice of Motion, webcasts of council meetings, but this latest vote on reporting on open space contributions definitely caught our eye. Needless to say, Glen Eira Council has nothing remotely similar!
Glen Eira Debates 
August 7, 2014 at 12:08 PM
talking of money trail – Isnt tonight the racecourse trustees meeting? Will the MRC be told to pay a million a year in rent or continue with the current token amount. I spose we can read all about it in the minutes!
August 7, 2014 at 12:15 PM
We remind readers that many moons ago Cr Magee asked Akehurst WHO paid the rates on the Caulfield Village land. Akehurst admitted he did not know and said he would take this question ‘on notice’. Thus far no response and no further questioning from Magee.
August 8, 2014 at 10:55 AM
Assuming Reference Documents actually mean something to decision-makers, C120 proposes to include “City of Glen Eira Open Space Strategy: Public Open Space Contributions Program March 2014” as a reference document. In Section 5.5 of this document, it lists information that can be collected and recorded, and ideally retrievable via a GIS. In 5.5.1 it goes further and lists information “to be recorded when a contribution is charged and collected from a development/subdivision”. This information includes:
#8226; Suburb and post code of the development site
#8226; Project address
#8226; Applicant name and address
#8226; Planning permit reference number and financial year issued
#8226; Number of dwelling units, building floor area, etc.
#8226; Contribution type (land and/or cash)
#8226; Contribution purpose (land purchase, improvements)
#8226; Land value at time of contribution assessment
#8226; Contribution rate (percentage of land value)
#8226; Dollar contribution charged
#8226; Date requested
#8226; Date paid or land transfer to Council
I doubt Council will do it, or make the information available to the public, but that is the political promise they have made.