We’ve featured the above 2 videos because we simply cannot understand why 2 playground ‘upgrades’ should cost $650,000 (video no.1) and $350,000 (video no.2) according to the budget!!!!! Nor can we understand how council is willing to spend $285,000 on installing more concrete plinths into our parks – plus another $90,000 to pour more concrete into the Heritage area of Caulfield Park! Surely this million and a half can be put to far better use such as – drains, traffic management, bicycle strategy, etc. etc. etc?
In an era of cost cutting and councils crying poor, it is unacceptable that so much money be poured into what we believe many residents would regard as ‘non-essentials’!
Glen Eira Debates 
May 7, 2017 at 12:56 PM
whooppeeeee. Glen Eira – concrete capital of the world. Let’s get rid of all the grass. No maintenance then and stuff the environment
May 7, 2017 at 2:27 PM
Concrete and plastic capital of the world by the looks of it, so much for our sustainable living strategy it means nothing other than having some modern sounding jargon on paper so it looks like the bureaucrats care.
Residents point out alternative to their anti environment malpractices at every environment forum. however as usual they get ignored.
May 7, 2017 at 2:43 PM
That was Council’s decision in Kokaribb Rd Carnegie: rip up the nature strip and replace it with concrete.
May 7, 2017 at 8:20 PM
Spending millions on concrete blocks is insane. Ugly gray slabs that do nothing for the environment and cost a bomb. Councillors how about using this million so that planning gets a look in by hiring more staff and fixing up the mess you let happen.
May 7, 2017 at 8:26 PM
What genuis decided that spending a million bucks on 2 already existing playgrounds is a good idea?
May 8, 2017 at 11:57 AM
That shows the capability of the CEO letting money go down the drain.
May 8, 2017 at 12:50 PM
Spending a million on two playgrounds is not on. A spruce up for a fraction of this cost might be warranted but definitely not a million dollars. How councillors could have allowed this to even get into the draft budget is amazing. We’ve already got one Disneyland concrete playground that cost the earth. We don’t need any more.
May 8, 2017 at 5:12 PM
Are there any CA or CPA degree holders as Councillors?
May 9, 2017 at 4:33 PM
The mayor notes that she has a Master of Finance. She does not appear to have an under graduate degree. I am not sure how that works. Normally a masters degree is preceded by a normal degree. Anyway she claims great knowledge in the financial area. In fact her Masters of Finance would probably trump most of the staff qualifications. Still not sure about the under graduate part. Quite strange.
May 8, 2017 at 5:20 PM
Dreadful waste of taxpayers money, how about some consultation with residents for a change.
May 8, 2017 at 6:16 PM
I agree wholeheartedly with you. This is a ridiculous waste of our money. I’m even doubtful that these councillors read what in the draft budget and if some did read it and agreed to it, then they need to apologise very quickly and change the allocation. This amount of money should be spent on necessities and not extravagances. I would put flooding top of my list and the need for proper drainage so that scores of ratepayers don’t face their homes being inundated every few years because council spends the funds on useless ego driven monuments.
May 8, 2017 at 10:28 PM
Consultation as you say should have come first. Melbourne City Council set up a reference group of people asking them for their priorities in spending. Playgrounds would come close to the bottom of priorities for people in Glen Eira I believe. Top would be what others have already mentioned – planning, traffic, and floods. Think I”m on pretty safe ground in stating that once the draft budget is set nothing but nothing will change it – unless councillors are embarrassed enough to reject some of the recommendations.
May 8, 2017 at 8:19 PM
Nothing wrong with these playgrounds. Keep them as they are and use the money to reduce rates. Ours went up $400 last year due to valuation. Council is raking it in and spending like there’s no tomorrow. If they are getting more money in then give it back to ratepayers in useful ways. 285000 on bloody concrete plinths is outrageous
May 8, 2017 at 10:59 PM
The new 5 Councillors are a VERY BIG disappointment. They bluffed all residents that they would straighten up the Council and even specified a few names. The new ones appear to be nothing but empty vessels.
May 9, 2017 at 9:22 AM
I built a whole new running track , fitness centres.and a climbing frame referred to as the space ship for35,000. Cannot possibly need to spend that much money to make a difference. Planning? ?? The gutters in my street are archaic. Have requested Council need to replace these crumbling excuses for a gutter. Not a priority they say!
May 9, 2017 at 10:07 AM
Ya get a contract with council and ya laughing. Jobs for the boys and chuck in a few brown paper bags.
May 9, 2017 at 3:29 PM
A few brown paper bags? how about a few jumbo plastic garden bags- full
May 9, 2017 at 4:59 PM
They have to justify their revenue.
I know at least one division that spends up big on the lead-up to budgetary decisions in order to ensure their budget allocation is not depleted in any way.
As for councils being taken to the cleaners, contractors believe councils are the gifts that just keep on giving. Either lack of interest in accountability and/or incompetence within councils ensures we the ratepayers are being ripped off.
May 10, 2017 at 8:36 AM
Before talking about Transparency and due diligence you make sure you have the correct playground and photo. The park is actually McKinnon reserve not Duncan !!!!!!!
May 10, 2017 at 9:07 AM
The video features Duncan MacKinnon Reserve. One and the same thing.