If anyone had any doubts about the rate of development in Glen Eira, then the above graph should provide plenty of food for thought. This municipality is grouped together with Bayside, Boroondara and Stonnington in the State Government’s planning agenda. The figures clearly show that we are far outstripping even Stonnington which is really an ‘inner’ municipality rather than a ‘middle’ council such as Glen Eira.
The numbers in the graph represent approved subdivisions from January to December 2021 and hence are a far more reliable figure than simply building permits. Each subdivision means that a new ‘lot’ has been created – whether this be for single blocks being subdivided to accommodate 2 dwellings, or apartment blocks being subdivided for each new unit. Reliability is also greater than for the building permits, since the subdivision process in the vast majority of case comes after the planning permit has been granted, and after the building permit has also been granted. Subdivision is usually near the completion of the building – either to sell off the plan, or to sell upon the completion of construction.
The subdivision figures from 2016 onwards are also frightening in that Glen Eira has consistently recorded well over 1200 net new dwellings per year. Council’s annual report in fact recorded 6343 additional ‘rateable properties’ for these 5 years – an average of 1269 completed homes per annum. So again, we have to question the strategic planning of this council when we have consistently exceeded the Victoria in Future ‘required’ net new dwellings of 900 per annum. But this seems to have fallen on deaf ears in this council with structure planning that continues to encourage and facilitate more and more development.
Even more concerning is that all of the above figures do NOT include what is to eventuate at East Village (at least another 3000 apartments) and at Caulfield Village (precinct 3) another 1000-1500 with a height of 22 storeys being mooted. We are also still awaiting the release of the Caulfield Station structure plan. We have no doubt that this will feature a total indifference to heritage and will provide the green light for heights approaching 15 to 20 storeys.
Thus council keeps forging ahead with amendment after amendment PRIOR to the completion of a housing strategy. The fundamental question remains ignored: do we need the heights proposed in these various structure plans when our projected housing needs will have been well and truly exceeded? How does this benefit the community? Or, does it only benefit developers?
Glen Eira Debates 
January 20, 2022 at 1:13 PM
Glen Eira the developer capital of the south east. Brilliant job council!
January 20, 2022 at 2:03 PM
Time for the councillors to get rid of McKenzie.
January 20, 2022 at 2:11 PM
Good point about the height limits, clearly it only benefits the developers profits, and exhausts residents amenity in all areas of living standards and practically in open space provision.
January 21, 2022 at 8:09 AM
Revealing numbers indeed. Our cohorts have less than half of the Glen Eira rate. I accept that part of the reason for this could be that land is more expensive in Bayside, but that isn’t enough to explain the difference. My thinking is that these other councils make it that much harder for developers to get their beaks into the area. Why fight councils that have structure plans in place, or tree controls, or housing strategies when we have none of this. Better go for the sitting duck of Glen Eira and be welcomed in with open arms.
January 21, 2022 at 10:41 AM
No surprises here. A direct outcome of the significant gaps that exist in the Planning Scheme. No structure plans, no permanent height controls in shopping (activity) centres and no housing strategy just for starters. Also a lack of desire and/or capability to deliver meaningful strategic planning outcomes. The appalling mess and wastage associated with the Bentleigh Structure is just one example and no consequences. Even with significant encouragement, this has been the cultural landscape in Glen Eira for a long time and this has contributed to the ongoing destruction. Something is seriously wrong in Glen Eira. Await with interest for the Draft Housing Strategy to see if this is guided by evidence and considerate of community feedback.
January 21, 2022 at 11:23 AM
A sound summary Warren. You neglect to mention measures to ensure sound tree protection and management, increased open space, and many other environmental issues that need immediate attention.
After at least 15 years of achieving zero, this tradition in Glen Eira continues.
January 21, 2022 at 1:10 PM
A new year – established trees and heritage stables being cut down a pace at Caulfield racecourse. Horrible outcome for the local community with multiple function areas for activities that will be noisy into the night. 😦
January 26, 2022 at 11:05 PM
The function areas will all be exclusive and too expensive for families to attend. The residents of the MRC units(slums) would well have liked the idea of being able to cross the road and picnic or simply read undr the trees… oh I forgot there is no money in providing the open s[ace the MRC undertook to provide for those poor cramped up residences when they applied for C60.. OH yes Mr Wynne forgot abut that condition of the planning application too just like the MRC. <Maybe we should work towards saving the trees in Smith Street.
it could make a good park if it is ever free from being a builder's asset and not as a road as the original planners provided.