The above image details recent government sales. In this instance, we highlight crown land that has been zoned under ‘education’. The site at 100 Queens Avenue is a single storey building (primarily computer labs) plus an adjacent car park that has been there for eons. Questions abound:
- Why was the land sold?
- Who bought the land? and
- If it is Monash, then why on earth spend $8m for a quarter of a hectare?
- Or is the buyer a private developer?
- And if a private developer, does this mean high, high rise residential?
- How much does council know?
- Why the total lack of transparency, discussion?
- What will this now be rezoned to?
- What role has the vpa played in all of this?
- Exactly how much do our elected representatives know?
- What are the implications for the adjoining open space? Will this be flogged off too?
- How many storeys are required to recoup a reasonable profit on $8m?
- Finally, as a worst case scenario, is the MRC involved in any way?
Until facts are forthcoming then residents have every right to be concerned about the lack of transparency at all levels of government!
October 7, 2017 at 3:23 PM
As per the Glen Eira way, this sale is before a structure plan has been developed. Limited controls for the broader precinct are in place and so again Council has done nothing to protect the interests of its ratepayers.
October 7, 2017 at 4:00 PM
A title search has revealed that the ‘educational’ zoning of the land has now been removed. Strangely enough, this change has not been gazetted!
October 7, 2017 at 4:38 PM
All good questions, I suspect councillors and council know absolutely zilch. This whole East Caulfield Park has large questions marks around its use for years; as to who paying for what, the glossy brochures and PR shots that Monash produce alway include this large open space area as to allude that it may be part of the campus, and for most it is all too easy to assume that it is just that. OK the campus may be in Glen Eira but Monash students use it like it’s theirs. Is there any cross over payment from Monash for the reserves upkeep etc.100 Queens Ave would have made a welcome addition to open space in this area as it adjoined the existing reserve. I think just another wasted opportunity to gain more badly needed open space and another bad one for the sake of greed and unsustainable development.
October 8, 2017 at 12:13 AM
Probably purchased by Abu Dahbi sheikh to build high, high rise AL BURJ Tower..
October 8, 2017 at 7:45 PM
$8 mil for council is too rich. Monash is spending like there’s no tomorrow so could be them. My guess is foreign developer for student housing.
October 8, 2017 at 9:35 PM
It was crown land and council should have gone in hammer & tongs and made a case for it to become open space and become not private profit. After all the new resident will be clambering sooner or later for facilities in the adjoining reserve, and guess who will be paying once again, ratepayers, only to lose open space under the footprint of super expensive pavilions, synthetic soccer pitches and goodness knows what else that will be the flavour of the day.
October 9, 2017 at 3:39 PM
Our councillor’s are asleep at the wheel again….how convenient, we need better educated representatives who can spend the time on important local issues not merely talk the talk but walk the walk