PS: a new Facebook page has just started up opposing the Virginia Estate development. We have provided a link to this site via our Blogroll. The URL is – https://www.facebook.com/groups/453771051463638/ /
Last night’s planning conference for the Virginia Estate development was jam packed with outraged residents and traders. Pilling chaired the meeting. What came through loudly and clearly was:
- Residents’ total dissatisfaction with council’s ‘communication’. Many stated that they did not receive notification, had no idea this was happening, and definitely had no idea that ‘permission’ had been granted for 10 storey developments in 2011.
- Those who did receive formal letters also complained bitterly that the jargon was incomprehensible – ie one resident who had lived nearby for 30 plus years simply said – ‘oh well, it’s already commercial from the time of W.D & H.O Wills, so this is just more commercial.’ The idea of ‘residential’ did not enter his mind. Other residents were not so forgiving and labelled the notices as ‘misleading’ and ‘non-transparent’.
- The developer’s retail impact statement was declared suspect by both the Carnegie Traders and the Bentleigh Traders Association.
- Residents cited numerous objections – ie. Virginia Estate is ‘landlocked’ with no transport to speak of, alongside residential dwellings, with already choked major arterial roads. Other comments focused on what impact another 5000 residents would have on local schools that are already bursting at the seams. Infrastructure, open space and lack of sporting grounds were also noted.
- Once again the chair (Pilling) resorted to the common Glen Eira tactic of trying to shut down one very informed speaker to the loud chorus from the audience of ‘let her speak’. It should also be noted that when the developer then rose and spoke there was no opportunity for residents to ask him questions since Pilling then closed the meeting!
SOME GENERAL COMMENTS
Throughout the ‘introduction’ to the amendment by both Pilling and council planner (Rocky Camera) there was no mention of:
- Removal of third party objection rights
- The overall number of proposed dwellings – ie Camera insisted that the amendment covered only 1200 dwellings without revealing the significant fact that 1200 was only for PRECINCT 1. Precinct 2, 3 and 4 were still to come. This is deliberately misleading and devious.
- Pilling stated that ‘no decision’ had as yet been made. No ‘formal’ decision may have as yet occurred , but the developer revealed that it was council which asked for the 20m link of open space and the 5.7% cash open space levy instead of a land contribution of any significance. Meetings between the developer and council had been ongoing for a long period of time as well.
Finally, we wish to inform residents of how this council operates. When it wants, it can initiate ‘extensive community consultation’ at ratepayers’ cost. The best example of this, is the travesty that occurred with the removal of the Caulfield Park conservatory. There were 2 public consultations. When council did not get the results it was seeking there was a last ditch effort that involved:
- The printing of glossy brochures and a ‘survey’ which was distributed to 3,247 properties around Caulfield Park. (Minutes of 24th September 2013) at a cost of over $14,000 and consultant fees which would clearly make this amount much greater.
In contrast Amendment C75 which set up the platform for the current rezoning only had 500 properties notified. The current proposal has had 638 according to the figures cited last night. When there are literally thousands of thousands of homes impacted by this amendment, 638 notifications written in planning jargon, is a drop in the ocean. Residents should be querying not so much the strategies adopted by council, but asking what are the vested interests behind such a strategy. It is obvious that the intent was to keep residents as ignorant and as quiet as possible! This is ‘consultation’, Glen Eira style!
June 23, 2015 at 1:08 PM
Yep, the 2011 passing of the 10 stories was done with the non-transparency as well. In this 2015 Amendment the lack of transparency came with not explaining that the rezoning opens up the development for full scale residential development – 4,600 dwellings
I wish the folks good luck in their quest to get this travesty, absolutely makes not sense, massive landlocked development the future it deserves.
BUT since 6 of the Councillors now voting on this Amendment are the same ones that voted in 10 stories back in 2011 they are going to need all the luck they can get.
June 23, 2015 at 1:11 PM
I went last night to try and get some information. None was given that made any sense. Council version was as the post says which was pretty poor when plans were put in that showed over 4 thousand on the drawing board. I very much resented Pilling’s repeated use of language like the development will allow “greater mixed uses” but he didn’t have the guts to spell out that “greater uses” means 4000 apartments. Some people wanted the decision put off until proper notice and information was given out. That is reasonable and should happen. Better still, council had better listen to their residents for once and tell this developer to go away and that there won’t be any amendmnet.
If I had to sum all this up I’d say a terrible performance by council and arrogance to the hilt by the developer. Anyone who starts off with a statement like “change is inevitable” isn’t prepared to listen to what residents have to say or ask for.
June 23, 2015 at 2:42 PM
I was amazed to see Pilling the man who said he would be a friend of the residents, well, it looks like he has done a reverse face retreat, to become the friend of the developers, bureaucracy and the Liberal Business Party. No wonder we are getting done-over, with people like this running the show. Good God, and heaven help me, to think I actually voted for this pip-squeak failure.
June 24, 2015 at 3:28 PM
I case you didn’t notice there is a Labor Gov. in Victoria. Staikos should be able to stop this quick smart. No worries.
June 23, 2015 at 2:45 PM
Flyers were distributed in our street. That is thanks to residents and not council. If not for the flyer I and my neighbours would never have known that the planning conference was on or nothing about the amendment. Thank you to whoever did this.
June 23, 2015 at 3:05 PM
As an uninvolved observer last night I completely endorse the comments in the post. I can’t remember any question that was answered directly by Pilling or Camera. All was evasive. I also have no doubt that it is this administration’s aim to push this through as quietly as possible. Thankfully more and more residents are learning the ropes and won’t be kept silent. My thanks also to the organisers of the flyers and objector forms. They have done a terrific job.
June 23, 2015 at 7:33 PM
I concur Cr. Pilling was very sour, he could barely disguise his contempt for the residents, that know doubt ruined his TV night, say home, next time, you were no help at all.
June 23, 2015 at 4:21 PM
Yep, it was definitely the residents and not Council that got the community involved. Thanks to those who organised it – I’ve given my contact details to the moderators and am willing to help you out in the next round – and all the subsequent rounds.
And another yep, for Pilling’s appalling performance – I’m beginning to think his self analysis of his stalled political career ended up with blaming the residents (rather than the fact that he was and is way out of his depth).
And a third yep, for the developer – who hadn’t even read his own documentation – 4,600 was the maximum potential if we go for it but we are good responsible community minded developers and recongise the need to create employment opportunities, so it won’t be 4,600 = yeah right
June 23, 2015 at 7:51 PM
Judging on personal experience and what others tell me, planning conferences are a waste of time. Big shot developers are not interested in listening to the local rabble. They’ve already worked everything out with officers thus no need to give an inch and councillors wouldn’t have a clue.
June 23, 2015 at 9:30 PM
any councillors show up?
June 23, 2015 at 9:47 PM
Magee, Lobo, Hyams & Delahunty plus Pilling chairing. Nick Staikos was also present.
June 24, 2015 at 3:37 PM
No wonder Staikos turned up. He was supposed to be in Parliament. He may be a one term wonder. The bulldozers should be well into it when he is trying to hang on to his seat. Where will they put the new primary school?
June 24, 2015 at 8:12 AM
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/rezoning-open-to-routine-corruption-by-both-sides-of-politics-economist-20150623-ghvh3q.html
June 24, 2015 at 8:41 AM
3247 for the removal of a shed and 658 for 4600 boxes. Great. Good to know how my money is spent and what council thinks is more important. Dodgey all right.
June 24, 2015 at 8:06 PM
Hi folks, have a look at this stellar performance of the Steller development company, which concentrates in Glen Eira http://www.thefifthestate.com.au/business/investment-deals/major-milestone-coincides-with-a-green-epiphany-for-steller/65432. It explains why it is successful and who are their customers. One example is for baby boomers of Glen Iris selling their homes, downsizing in Glen Eira with a reminder of $500,000. Not bad.
You will be all familiar with the projects outlined in http://www.steller.com.au/projects/
June 24, 2015 at 8:19 PM
yes experts in the Melbourne market. Anyone know where Bentley and .Hawthorne are mentioned in the article.. Great the one inTruganni Road that overlooks the primary school and kindergarten. Wonder if there will be WWC checks for residents?
June 24, 2015 at 8:28 PM
Stellar is responsible for major developments in Bentleigh & Carnegie – totallying 176 dwellings.
Loranne St.
Mavho St
Bent St
Neerim Rd, etc.