It’s somewhat of a surprise to read that a former councillor and Mayor, Neil Pilling, is seeking to stand for council again in Rosstown Ward. Residents may remember his far from auspicious departure in 2016 when he failed to gain re-election. Also worth remembering is the fact that when first elected, Pilling stood as a Green candidate. This time around he is standing as an ‘independent’.
Throughout his previous reign as a councillor, Pilling drew plenty of criticism for his stance on development, and repeatedly supporting the likes of Lipshutz, Hyams and Esakoff. In fact, he represented 25% of the four man panel that granted the MRC everything it wanted in regards to the Caulfield Village development. He was also part of the vote that decided to abandon an amendment to place the building at 1 Wahgoo Road, Carnegie under heritage protection thus ignoring over 1000 signatures that had been signed in a formal petition to council. His was the casting vote in this decision!
Here are some facts on how he voted during his previous time as a councillor. The majority of the following were either moved or seconded by Pilling.
1056-1060 DANDENONG ROAD – application was for 12 storeys and 173 dwellings. Esakoff and Pilling moved motion for 8 storeys and 97 dwellings. The motion was carried on the vote of the chairman (Hyams). VCAT then awarded the developer the 12 storeys.
451-453 SOUTH ROAD BENTLEIGH – 5 storeys, 12 units
2 MORTON AVENUE, CARNEGIE – 6 storeys, 40 dwellings
30-32 Ames Avenue, Carnegie – 13 double storeys
115-125 Poath Road Murrumbeena – 4 storeys, 33 dwellings
67-73 Poath Road MURRUMBEENA – 5 and 6 storeys, 30 dwellings
401-407 Neerim Road Carnegie – 5 storeys, 57 units
144 Hawthorn Road CAULFIELD NORTH – 6 storeys 40 dwellings. Pilling voted against refusing this application.
2-4 Penang Street MCKINNON – 3 storey, 24 units. Pilling voted against refusing this application
15-17 Belsize Avenue & 316-320 Neerim Road CARNEGIE – 4 storeys, 52 units.
22-26 Bent Street BENTLEIGH – 4 storeys, 41 units
29-33 Loranne Street BENTLEIGH – 4 storeys, 42 units
168 Hotham Street ELSTERNWICK – application was for 7 storeys, 104 dwellings. Motion became 5 storeys and 78 dwellings
64-66 Bent Street MCKINNON –3 & 4 storey, 31 dwellings. Pilling voted against refusal of permit
1240-1248 Glen Huntly Road CARNEGIE – 6 storeys, 117 dwellings
27 and 29 Jasper Road BENTLEIGH – 3 storeys, 25 units
629-631 Glen Huntly Road CAULFIELD – 4 storeys, 25 units
337-343 Balaclava Road CAULFIELD NORTH- 3 storey 32 units
1 WAHGOO ROAD, CARNEGIE – voted to abandon amendment to go to panel regarding Heritage protection. Pilling used his casting vote here.
5-7 Nepean Hwy ELSTERNWICK – part 4 and 5 storey, 53 units
23 Bent Street BENTLEIGH – 4 storey, 34 units
670-672 CENTRE ROAD & 51 BROWNS ROAD BENTLEIGH EAST – part 3 and 5 storey, 67 dwellings
There are plenty more, but what voters need to ask themselves is pretty clear – is this candidate worthy of your vote?
Glen Eira Debates 
September 21, 2020 at 3:37 PM
He is trapped in the bitterness and outdated practices of local government as conducted at the start of this century and cannot or will not accept that times have changed and his adversarial approach just doesn’t work in this modern age. As his voting record shows, he has had little interest in the history of Glen Eira or the application of amenity criteria and decision guidelines to planning matters. He certainly didn’t respect anybody who had the temerity to criticize his decisions and voting record, preferring to label us as anonymous cowards–a bit rich when we use the one mechanism available to us to hold councillors accountable, public questions. His record as Mayor was underwhelming–repeatedly failing to conduct meetings in accordance with the requirements of our Local Law. I haven’t forgiven or forgotten him over Frogmore.
September 21, 2020 at 4:13 PM
Frogmore was the nadir as was Caulfield Village. He was Lipshutz’s and Hyams’ lapdog. That’s why he got to be mayor in the first place.
September 21, 2020 at 9:28 PM
So right, he sold his soul, and he’s back sniffing around trying to get back on the drip-feed.
September 21, 2020 at 7:19 PM
Some people called him “Chainsaw Pilling” as Mayor he seemed to take great delight in voting to remove trees. Caulfield Park was his swan song. Promises that councils would plant more to replace those felled, still hasn’t eventuated.
September 22, 2020 at 8:27 AM
I recall he chaired the planning meeting regarding East Village then Virginia Park. It was well attended with approximately 100 residents there to show their concern. A resident asked a question to which he replied that it was not yet known. . Another resident when speaking answered the question. He then tried to silence the resident by saying that everybody should get a turn.
We need new not old.
September 22, 2020 at 10:38 AM
He never really put in much of a personal effort, he mostly just repeated what the bureaucrats put forwards. He was also Jamie Hyam’s pet parrot.