We’ve received the following email that was sent to all councillors. It is also worth pointing out that less than half of these ‘representatives’ responded to the email. To emphasise what is happening and the shambles that is the current planning scheme, VCAT has just granted a permit for 4 storeys and 39 units at the corner of Jersey Parade/Elliott Avenue, Carnegie.
Here is the email –
“It seems that the final death blow to Claire St is about to be dealt, with the application for a permit for a huge development covering 5 of the 6 blocks on the western side of Claire St. The scale of this proposed development is totally out of all proportion to the street, and is a perfect reflection of the total failure of Glen Eira’s Planning Scheme. We are sure that even the most diehard supporters of this scheme are now realising what a disaster it has become; a free-for-all where the developers are falling over themselves to get in and create the most cost effective yet least attractive, environmentally insensitive and unsustainable housing possible, with the inherent destruction of all existing vegetation. We would like to think that none of the councillors in their wildest dreams ever envisaged that this is what would become of the planning scheme – development so rapacious and insatiable that it is ripping the heart out of what was once an attractive, charming and very liveable suburb. It seems to us that in recent months the councillors have finally seen this for the total disaster that it is and are starting to reject some of the most inappropriate development proposals such as 6-10 Claire St. However, this gives us very little comfort, as we know that the developer will proceed straight to VCAT, which, operating within the parameters of Glen Eira’s own planning scheme, must still approve these developments as they comply with the requirements for this zone.
Our only hope now is that the upcoming review of the planning scheme will recognise how wrong Glen Eira got it and will make some serious changes to what can be allowed in a GRZ. This is the only way to allow both Council and VCAT to have some control over what is built in these areas. Can you please give us a commitment that you will agree to making major changes to the planning scheme to help protect our residential areas from this tsunami of inappropriate development. It is OK for councillors to admit they got it wrong and try to do something about it; we sense a huge groundswell of anger from local residents who are now seeing what is happening all around them, and know that any councillor still trying to cling to this disastrous policy will face electoral oblivion at the upcoming council elections.
Yours sincerely,
XXXXXXX”
Glen Eira Debates 
May 17, 2016 at 10:03 AM
An excellent letter. I’m curious to know which councillors didn’t bother to reply. The letter makes some very good points that cannot be solved by simply putting height limits on zones. If council is only going to try and introduce height limits for commercial sites then this doesn’t come close to stopping over development and the continued loss of neighbourhoods.
May 17, 2016 at 1:11 PM
The Planning Scheme is over 900 pages long. It contains hundreds of requirements for various uses and developments. They’re mostly ignored by both Council and VCAT. It is not true that a permit must be granted simply because something fits within a height limit. In practice though, most of the Scheme is ignored, and yes, VCAT does order permits to be issued for development that is unsustainable. It can afford to do so because can’t be held accountable for the consequences of its decisions.
Council has both the responsibility and duty to maintain the Scheme to meet the objectives of planning Victoria but hasn’t done so. Nor has it taken practical steps to respond to each adverse decision at VCAT. Has anybody heard Council explain its failures at any public meeting held ostensibly to review the Planning Scheme? Why are we on track to have 23000 more people than predicted and no money to provide the infrastructure to support them?
May 17, 2016 at 1:16 PM
I draw your attention to item 7 of the Agenda page 6, which refers to the Metropolitan Transport Forum Report. The Report makes note of the Andrea Macdonald investigation and impact of various Level Crossing Removal inMelbourne and what the role of Councils should be in that regard. You can read the Summary Report at http://www.mtf.org.au/site/files/ul/data_text12/5121458.pdf .
The important message that comes through is that Urban Design together with the Level Crossing Removal of whichever type is the critical element to improve the vitality and sustainability of those areas around level crossings and stations, particularly Activity Centers.
Glen Eira has not had and still has not got any focus on Urban Design as part of its GEPS. In fact in its one paragraph on Structure Planning, which is a precursor of Urban Design work it simply saya tht it’s too expensive and it would take-up too much of its resources. I imagine that by nows, after 15 year of not doing it, Glen Eira does not have any skilled personal to able to do Urban Design or even supervise Urban Design peoposals. It has to rely on private companies moral and ethical good will to ensure a Good Urban Design.
The email from Claire St resident is only one of many that have had to confront the situation where GEPS is silent about Town Planning issues and in particular Urban Design elements of it.
May 17, 2016 at 2:58 PM
I think most of the Councilors know exactly what they doing, they are (MODERATORS: rest of sentence deleted)… they quickly learn to do nothing.
Since when have residents been environmentally aware enough for it to translate into concern or even action, for almost everyone, only when it happening in their street, up till then they have likely voted Liberal or Labor the most destructive parties for our environment.
The time to act, has passed in most cases, so who can you blame now?
May 17, 2016 at 3:07 PM
Received a letter today from LXRA informing me they plan to continue construction and obstructing roads without the required permits. They haven’t been able to explain so far why they believe Planning And Environment Act doesn’t apply to them. Steve Dimopoulos has vanished. A list of questions I submitted remain unanswered after 10 weeks. The depredations of Elliot Av are another manifestation of just how badly we are governed and the contempt decision-makers hold us in.
May 17, 2016 at 9:20 PM
We all want the Council to do Urban Planning and Design. But they just did not, do not and will not do that. So, who is doing that in Glen Eira? East Village and Virginia Park is one more example (after Caulfield Village etc) of who is doing it “Fundamentally if you implemented the State Governments “20 minute neighbourhood policy” – mixed use communities would be the outcome.” at http://www.eastvillagemasterplan.com.au/future-needs/ , and you can have your say at http://www.eastvillagemasterplan.com.au/have-your-say/. But, hey I will not hold my breath as to residents winning.
May 17, 2016 at 10:24 PM
The majority of the East Village precinct area land is owned by The Gillion Group, MAKE Property Group and Abacus Property Group who have joined to re-new this employment and residential precinct in Bentleigh East.
More information on these groups can be found can be found at their corporate websites :
The Gillon Group: A leader in property development in VictoriaMAKE Property Group: A private Melbourne property development companyAbacus Property Group: an ASX listed diversified real estate group
For more information please email the East Village project team at information@eastvillagemasterplan.com.au
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