Last night’s symposium on the upcoming Housing Strategy went as expected – lots on the ‘big picture’ but very little that pertained to the current housing situation in Glen Eira. What data was presented fell far short of providing residents with the full picture.
If last night was meant to be the first stage of community consultation, then it even failed to achieve the ‘inform’ basis that the IAPP (International Association of Public Participation) sets out in its ladder of guidelines – ie inform, consult, collaborate, empower. We also remind readers that council’s recently adopted Engagement Strategy places important strategic planning issues at the ‘consult to collaborate’ level. So much for council policies and acting in accordance with these policies!
What irked us most were several claims made by Bernard Salt. He claimed that Glen Eira is a ‘microcosm’ of what is happening across municipalities and the state. To convince us of this he cited state wide population figures and compared this with population growth to 2016 in Glen Eira and the fact that projections out to 2036 were on par with previous growth. He also pointed out that in Glen Eira (according to the 2016 census) we had a total of 50.6% of detached housing. What he did not reveal was that this figure represents a decline of 6% from the 2011 census. In other words, thousands of detached houses in Glen Eira have gone the way of apartments or townhouses. If he is correct and more residents will wish to work from home, then the issue of space becomes even more important. No details of course as to how many apartments were single or double bedrooms, or their cost. No commentary of density, especially for a municipality that is only 38.9 square km. Nor did he bother to mention the following facts and why these are important for any housing strategy that is meant to plan for the unique circumstances of individual municipalities. It is surely not enough to simply say that having 50.6% of detached housing is enough, or too much, when the municipality has:
- The least amount of public open space per capita in the state
- A development rate that is well and truly exceeding prognostications
- A declining tree canopy coverage with no real controls to stop moonscaping
- No structure plans
- No constraints on development for our neighbourhood centres
- No parking precinct plans
- No WSUD or ESD policies in our planning scheme
- No developer contributions in our planning scheme
- No review of the zones and its schedules since 2013
Which brings us to question why our neighbouring councils can maintain a much healthier proportion of detached dwellings for their residents. The following figures all come from the 2016 census.
| COUNCIL | 2016 census |
| Glen Eira | 50.6% |
| Bayside | 63% |
| Boroondara | 56.1% |
| Kingston | 59.9% |
| Monash | 71.7% |
In the current climate of COVID and the increased pressures on our open space, backyards become even more essential. Salt also pointed out that our population age group of 35-43 was significant. These are the ‘family with kids’ cohort where the Australian tradition of having back yards is still high on the wish list – if it can be afforded! If we keep losing such properties then the only alternative is an apartment or a townhouse with a modicum of private open space. And council’s willingness to permit balconies that are that in name only – ie 8 square metres or as with the recently abandoned Amendment C184, council’s creation of the new GRZ5 which saw fit to remove the mandatory requirement for a certain percentage of open space depending on the size of the block.
One question directed to Salt was on this very issue. His response was incredible. We provide the question and the answer below:
All in all, last night’s symposium was another example of how little this administration desires full and informed feedback from its residents. If it were otherwise we would have a decent discussion paper, a decent set of survey questions and speakers who were not selected to forward council’s secret agendas!
Glen Eira Debates 
July 15, 2021 at 1:06 PM
More of the same shame.
July 15, 2021 at 1:26 PM
Amen. A waste of time. Reckon only about 10 questions got asked. Not good enough.
July 15, 2021 at 2:36 PM
What crap flowing from the developers mouth-piece masquerading as a council officer. He dared to say “clever and imitative” in building design to allow residents to have a environmental experience. This guy is in La, La, Land. This is like waiting for the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ himself.
Couple this with council never considering providing public open space to be used a community gardens, apart from Moorleigh complex set in the far, far end of GE, the answer is never, its taboo even to mention the term “community garden” at the town hall.
The sporting Mafia in GE has our council officers so intimidated they dare not think outside of providing bigger and better sporting pavilions, extending carparks, and giving the chop-chop to more and more trees to make way for the ever growing list sporting fantasies the clubs dream up on cash rich budgets.
Lets face the facts sporting clubs have eaten Glen Eira’s public open space to the point that GE is totally dysfunctional and hit the wall in sustainability in open space provisions.
Until our public open space can be shared fairly with all users/residents and all recreational pursuits are considered equally valid, who can give council and or council officers one iota of credence as a honest broker on these matters.
Not me.
July 15, 2021 at 4:10 PM
Play it again Sam….what the …. are are elected councilors doing; answer, Nothing!!! Our councilors are meant to provide the council with direction as they were elected to do but they go missing in action by not providing the council with direction; they just pick up their pay packet and stay quiet on issues…not doing the job they were elected for?
July 16, 2021 at 9:16 PM
There is a need for a deeper understanding of developing the appropriate open space and tree canopy in parallel with development – and to creatively work on solutions to provide open space within 400m of as many homes as possible. Passive open space is essential for the very young, their carers, and the mature. Given that the demographic for Glen Eira has a peak of 30-50 year old’s, many with children, there is a need for suitable homes and open space for them. The recent development growth model in Glen Eira has very few 3-bedroom homes near to adequate open space. More thought by the planning department with a holistic view please!