The next 6 months or so will see the final structure plans for both Bentleigh and Elsternwick – two of our major activity centres as well as the Caulfield Station precinct. Most of the published documentation thus far, and this includes the Housing Capacity analysis which accompanied the woeful Housing Strategy, is anything but convincing given that the draft proposals are mostly based on data from the 2016 census and not the latest 2021 figures. The 2021 census figures barely rate a mention. So we have the ludicrous situation where the future of the municipality is being determined on pre 2016 trends rather than what has been happening since 2016 and the import of this latest trend.
Yes, trends are important, but the overall council analyses thus far seems to have largely ignored what the 2021 census results reveal about the present and the recent past. In order to see exactly what has been happening in Glen Eira over the past 5 years, we have compiled the following tables, from the 2016 and 2021 census data. They provide a good insight into:
- The continued and accelerating loss of detached housing
- The continued increase in the number of single and two bedroom dog boxes which in most instances would not cater adequately for a family with kids. Families with children constitute the largest percentage of our population (48.2%) whilst couples without children represent 37.2%.
- The failure to reduce car ownership so that council’s integrated transport strategy and the aspiration of a 50:50 mode share is literally a pipe dream. Yet, we still find that strategic planning and the stated intention to reduce car parking provisions is based on this unachievable target.
- The number of properties has increased, but the number of dwellings WITHOUT CARS keeps going down.
- A pie in the sky assertion that housing affordability can be improved by increasing site coverage, reducing permeability requirements, etc.
- Travel to work data via public transport or cars cannot be taken seriously in the 2021 census given that this was at the height of COVID and just under 40% of residents in Glen Eira were working from home. We have however included the data.
- The housing capacity analysis stated that many homes have ‘excess’ bedrooms. The data for both Elsternwick and Bentleigh shows that the number of persons per bedroom is on the rise. What this means is that in these activity centres amenity is sacrificed for density and very little is being built that will accommodate family living.
Please look through the following tables carefully and keep asking this council why they have steadfastly refused to include the most relevant data in their costly consultant reports!!!!
BENTLEIGH CENSUS RESULTS
ELSTERNWICK CENSUS RESULTS
GLEN EIRA AS A WHOLE
Glen Eira Debates 
January 26, 2023 at 11:04 AM
Very interesting numbers. 1 and 2 bedrooms are going through the roof but 3 bedrooms, which families need, have dropped. Making things worse is the housing strategy which will allow more of the same but throughout the municipality instead of being concentrated in our major activity centres. I give council full credit for this disaster.
January 26, 2023 at 12:06 PM
Looking at these numbers 2 bedroom places have increased the most everywhere. That says everything.
January 26, 2023 at 1:10 PM
The census is really confirming what we already know. There is massive overdevelopment in Glen Eira and what is being built doesn’t cater to families all that well. The four bedroom places are pricey and probably all in the luxury class – high rise with panoramic views. Hardly suitable or affordable for most.
Increasing density in the activity centres isn’t going to stop more of this kind of stuff. All it will do is provide developers with increased opportunity to build what they’ve already been building for years – literally more of the same.
I can’t for the life of me see how getting rid of the garden areas in all grz is going to improve our environment or the urban forest. Not when council doesn’t intend to put proper clauses into its planning scheme. At best we might get about 250 trees somewhat protected on private property but that’s it. All in all, a shambles of lousy planning from a council that doesn’t give a stuff about people and how they can live comfortably.
January 26, 2023 at 7:44 PM
So the plan is to cramp as many people as possible into our urban areas. What did we learn from the COVID breakout. Or should I say what did our urban planners learn. Apparently nothing much at all. Where are our sustainability officers. Are they bought and sold like the rest of the planning department.
January 29, 2023 at 9:16 PM
My feelings are bureaucrats have become mouthpieces for the developers. They, the bureaucrats are safe in their knowledge that most resident and most councillors will never question what’s happening around them. So the data or stats rarely get questioned.
The quality of build design and especially the quality of construction is in a sad and sorry state. Some newly built apartments are looking really sub-standard after a few years. But I guess that part of the plan as well. In fifteen years time rip it all down and build twice the height. Its a golden boomerang for the cashed up developers and their mates.