May 20, 2014

Conservatory

Posted by gleneira under Councillor Performance, GE Consultation/Communication, GE Governance, GE Open Space, GE Service Performance
[5] Comments 

Residents to rally to save Caulfield Park conservatory

  • Andrea Kellett
  • May 20, 2014 12:00PM

A PROTEST is planned at Glen Eira Council tonight by people angry about the council’s decision to demolish the Caulfield Park conservatory.

The Friends of Caulfield Park say the council have thumbed their collective noses at the community by dumping plans last month to restore and repair the ageing glasshouse because it would cost too much.

Protesters are being urged to gather 15 minutes before tonight’s meeting at the town hall.

Organisers say they want the community to “demonstrate through your presence your disgust at the hypocrisy of a council who pretend to consult us, the community, and then decide it is a bit expensive, even though they are willing to pay hundreds of thousands, or even millions of dollars on open space elsewhere’’.

Last month’s council backflip came seven months after councillors voted unanimously to restore and repair the ageing public building and replant its gardens after a survey found that was what the community preferred.

Friends president David Wilde said councillors had let the community down and labelled the decision an “act of destruction’’.

“The community’s least preferred option was demolition but, for comparatively modest cost reasons, this is what the council has opted to do,’’ Mr Wilde said.

“The conservatory is an historic artefact, purchased from Rippon Lea in 1949, but allowed to fall into disrepair over many years.’’

The council received eight tenders to restore the conservatory; their average was almost double the budget to do the work; and Mayor Neil Pilling said those costs had to be weighed up.

The nearby amphitheatre will also be demolished.

Tonight’s meeting starts at 7.30pm, at the town hall on Hawthorn Rd

 

May 19, 2014

Development Plan

Posted by gleneira under Caulfield Racecourse/C60, Councillor Performance, GE Council Meeting(s), GE Planning, GE Service Performance
[9] Comments 

The recommendation from Akehurst for the “Approval of Development Plan and Whole of Land Plans subject to Conditions’ highlights the insanity of the current planning system and in particular, this council’s approach to planning. First off, there is the recommendation that Council approve the development plans and then down the track approve further crucial amendments related to traffic management, drainage, Environmental Sustainability, construction, Section 173 agreements, etc. etc. In other words, give the green light to the developer and we will worry down the track as to the fine detail.

Residents are of course expected to swallow the guff that this development and council’s entire approach has been in accordance with the stated Community Plan objection of – manag(ing) the rate and extent of change to the built environment consistent with state and local planning policies to achieve a diversity of housing as sympathetic as possible to neighbourhood character.

Akehurst’s analysis (explanation/justification?) of the development plan runs to precisely 11 pages of mostly generalities.  And of these 11 pages many simply repeat themselves. The absence of detail is staggering. Not once is any mention made of:

  • Flow on traffic effects
  • Non peak periods are now regarded as being from 8.30am onwards.
  • No reporting on council’s own traffic analysis – in fact we doubt that they even bothered to undertake any such thing!
  • Real detail of amended Section 173 agreement, and so much more…….

Below we feature extracts taken directly from this report. The only concessions to residents are the imposition of increased balcony sizes (which are allowed to encroach on setbacks thanks to an earlier Amendment), and the requirement for screening. Readers should also note that when it suits, ResCode is called in as the ‘standard’, but when it doesn’t suit, ResCode is conveniently forgotten!

The development’s side setback to 3 Bond Street (to the north) and side and rear setbacks to 70 Kambrook Road (to the south) are required by virtue of the Incorporated Plan, to comply with ResCode. The development has provided the required setbacks and transitioning of building heights to these adjoining residential properties in accordance with ResCode requirements.

Amenity Impacts

Submitters have raised concerns with respect to potential overlooking from balconies and windows of the proposed dwellings. A review of the development plans indicates that a number of the proposed dwellings will have overlooking opportunities into the adjoining residential properties north at 3 Bond Street, to the west at 40, 42, 44, 46 and 54 Kambrook Road and to the south at 70 Kambrook Road. A condition forms part of the recommendation requiring windows and balconies to be screened in accordance with ResCode requirements. ResCode does not apply in the Priority Development Zone but has been used as a guide.

However, over half (250) of the proposed apartment dwellings are considered to have inadequate outdoor open space areas in the form of balconies. These balconies range from 3.5m2 to 7m2. It is noted that a majority of the apartments are comparatively spacious and range from 50m2 up to 108m2 in size. Given the size of the proposed apartments all future residents should be provided with a minimum balcony area of 8m2 in compliance with Rescode. Again, it is acknowledged that Rescode does not apply but is used as a guide. This can be readily achieved as balconies are an allowable encroachment for the specified setbacks.

It is noted that there is no requirement for visitor car parking consistent with Amendment C60.

Street Tree Planting

Council’s Parks Services Department has raised no concern with respect to the removal of existing street trees along Kambrook Road and Bond Street and the replacement trees proposed. Conditions form part of Appendix 1 requiring protection measures around the street trees to be retained.

Council’s Sustainability Department is satisfied with the Environmental Sustainable Design (ESD) features proposed within the development. There are two items which need to be addressed before the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) can beapproved. A condition has been included in Appendix 1 outlining these requirements.

A number of submitters have raised concerns that these development details are not in accordance with the Caulfield Mixed Use Area Incorporated Plan. Council has obtained independent legal advice which concluded that the dwelling numbers and retail and office floor areas set out in the Caulfield Mixed Use Area Incorporated Plan relate to a ‘tested development scenario’ and, unlike the height and setback provisions (which are fixed), do not restrict the development to a particular mix of residential or office development. The developer has indicated that there is currently no demand for office floor space within the area. However, should this change in the future then they would seek to incorporate office floor space into the development.

Both concept plan options show some significant increases in the road widths for both Normanby Road and the new Boulevard. These changes are required in order to accommodate greater number of road lanes for traffic as well as bicycle and pedestrian paths. As a consequence the developer will lose approximately 600m2 of otherwise developable land comprising up to 6 storey development. The developer is aware of this loss of development opportunity and is strongly opposed. It should be noted that this loss of land is substantially driven by VicRoads, Public Transport Victoria and Yarra Trams. The proposed double tram length ‘super stop’ is considered by the developer to be unreasonably opportunistic.

In order to ensure that the new Boulevard meets the objectives of the Incorporated Plan (which is to create a street that supports retail shop fronts) conditions are recommended within Appendix 1 which will allow for car parking to occur on the eastern and western lanes of Boulevard during non-peak periods. The additional road lanes will be made available to address the peak traffic periods. 

The principle used is that these additional lanes of traffic and intersection changes are needed as a result of the traffic likely to be generated by the Caulfield Village development alone.

Council’s Engineering Assets Department has viewed the Drainage Management Plan and has advised that additional information is required. A condition forms part of Appendix 1 which requires the submission of an amended Drainage Management Plan incorporating this additional information. In addition, a condition will require the submission of a Site Management Plan to ensure that stormwater runoff is appropriately managed (Appendix 1).

Section 173 Agreement

The existing Section 173 Agreement will need to be amended to incorporate the works required to Normanby Road (as outlined in the concept plan options) and possibly the Station Street new Boulevard intersection and Smith Street’s intersection with the Boulevard on Normanby Road. This forms a condition within Appendix 1.

A minimum of 73 off-street car spaces are to be provided across the entire Caulfield Village development site in order to accommodate existing visitors to the area.

Event Parking

The submitted Car Park Management Plan indicates that the existing demands associated with events at Caulfield Racecourse can be accommodated within the Racecourse. The on-site areas include the centre of the track, Guineas car park and Kambrook Road car park.

On this basis, the centre of the track, Guineas car park and Kambrook Road car park must all be available for public parking at “major events” (i.e. no marquees, no caravan displays etc. can be provided within the car parking areas).

Additionally, the on-site parking shall be cost free to encourage on-site parking (rather than in local streets further afield).

Loss of on-street and off-street spaces

Noting that as many as 192 on-street spaces would be lost in the streets abutting the development, some off-setting allocation must be provided within the proposed developments (across the entire site) to accommodate visitors to the area. The parking losses associated with the new pedestrian refuge in Kambrook Road (5 spaces), access points and road closure in Bond Street (20 spaces), access points in Smith Street (5 spaces) and intersection upgrade associated with Normanby Road (22 spaces) can be accepted.

It is acknowledged that Station Street experiences low – medium parking demands on non-event days. There are 190 on-street spaces in Station Street. Removing 130 of these spaces as proposed would result in 60 onstreet spaces remaining. Adopting the ‘medium’ parking demand (which is up to 70% occupancy), there may be a demand of up to 133 parking spaces in Station Street on a non-event day. It is therefore considered appropriate that 133 (demand) – 60 (proposed supply) = 73 spaces (shortfall) be provided within the development. Therefore, it is recommended that a further 73 offstreet spaces be provided across the proposed development sites to accommodate existing visitors to the area.

The on-street spaces in Station Street are managed via parking machines. The estimated loss of 130 on-street spaces in Station Street will correspond to a reduction in parking revenue (approx. $50,000 p.a). Any relocation /reprogramming of parking machines will need to be funded by the applicant.

PS: here’s one of the traffic proposals

Pages from May20-2014-AGENDA

 

May 16, 2014

News Flash: Trustees

Posted by gleneira under Caulfield Racecourse/C60
[26] Comments 

An alert reader has notified us of a Statement from the CCR Trustees. Please note several things that we regard as essential:

  • missing totally is any discussion on governance/conflicts of interest issues
  • ironic that only now is an ‘independent’ review of the valuation taking place, plus much much more that we invite residents to comment upon.
  • whatever the reason (ie Jon Faine, Magee, 7.30 Report) there is finally some ‘movement at the station’. That we applaud but still a long, long, long way to go.

Notices

The purpose of this Statement is to set out the current position in relation to negotiations between the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve Trustee (CRRT) and the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC).

Background

The MRC held a lease over parts of the course including the Grandstand complex, including the Administration office site, Tabaret building site, Eastern car park site for a period of 21years concluding on 22 October 2012.

In addition, the MRC have a lease for the Neerim Road & Western stables for a 21 year period concluding on 15 March 2019 & 27 April 2029 respectively.

The rental received by the Trust under these previously agreed leases (Grandstand and Stables) amounts to $83,946[1] per annum. Additionally, there is a ‘Deed of Maintenance and Development’ between the Trust and the MRC which commits the MRC to do maintenance work on behalf of the Trust to the value of $280,000[2] in the 2012/13 year. The Deed of Maintenance and Development was agreed to in February 1997 and concludes on 16 February 2018.

In late 2011, the Trustee established a ‘Working Group’ to put together a proposal for the Trust in relation to the renegotiation of leases at Caulfield. The ‘Working Group’ comprised three members, one from each of the Trusts constituent parts: MRC, Glen Eira Council and Government appointments.

The starting point for the working group was to establish an understanding of the requirements of Government Policy, and the view of the Department of Environment and Primary Industries. We also sought guidance from the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office [VGSO] and the Valuer General – Victoria [VG-V].

Advice received from the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office, recommended the Trustee seek a restructure of the existing arrangements. The Trustee came to the view that all leases should be brought into line and that there needed to be a Licence agreed between the Trustee and the MRC in respect of the use of Crown Land, by MRC, not covered under the Lease.

In February 2012 the Trustee also commissioned Charter Keck Cramer [CKC] to prepare a preliminary valuation that was consistent with current government policy. That is, where crown land was being used for commercial activity, a retail rental was to be applied and where there was non-exclusive use, a community rate should apply. This estimated ground rental valuation put the rental (Grandstand and Stables) at $822,000 per annum.

In late 2012, the Trustee and the MRC came to the view that negotiations could not be concluded in time to arrange a new lease prior to the expiration of the existing lease. Agreement was reached, with the Minister’s approval, to put in place a 12 month interim lease on existing conditions to give additional time for negotiations.

Accordingly, an interim lease of 12 months was granted on 23 January 2013 concluding on 22 January 2014

On 4 April 2013 a comprehensive proposal setting out the terms the Trustee sought from the MRC for a new lease was put to a meeting of the Trustee for approval. The meeting voted by majority to endorse the proposal.

On 7 May 2013 a letter from the Chairman was sent to the MRC setting out the Trust’s proposal for the renewal of the lease.
The club did not respond formally, but in meetings between the Chairman of the Trust and the MRC Chairman, the Club advised that it would not agree to the proposal; that this would be a significant and deleterious precedent for all racecourses in Victoria and that this was a matter the Government needed to resolve.

On 19 June 2013 the Trust by majority resolution commissioned CKC to complete a full valuation on the same basis, that is, to be consistent with Government policy on the lease of Crown Land and to include these terms in the valuation.

The final valuation put the rental at $1,054,000 per annum. In September 2013 the Trustee wrote to the MRC advising the valuation and providing the MRC with a copy of the CKC final valuation.

The MRC responded to Trustees on 23 December 2013. At the same time they commissioned their own document prepared by m3property strategists that put the market ground rental at $100 per annum.

Current position

On 17 December 2013 the Trustee proposed to the MRC the matter be settled by arbitration through the Valuer General – Victoria.

As the current lease was about to expire (22 April 2014) and the Trustee was concerned at the possible impacts, the trustee wrote to the Minister & the MRC on 25 March 2014 proposing the following course:

That the Minister approve the Trust entering into a short term lease (6 months) on condition that if agreement is not reached, the matter be determined by the VG -V and both parties will be bound by the VG- V determination.

The MRC responded on 28 March 2014 declining to go to arbitration, but indicated it would be prepared to have the matter determined by the Minister for Environment & Climate Change on advice from the Valuer General – Victoria.

The Chairman responded on 31 March 2014 indicating that there may be some governance issues with this approach, but if the VG-V determination was made available to both the Trust and the MRC prior to the Minister making a final determination, the Trust would take advice from the Minister and the Department of Primary Industries [DEPI] on this matter.

The Trustee separately wrote to the VG- V requesting an independent review of the CKC valuation.

Representatives had a meeting with the Minister for Environment & Climate Change senior adviser Mr Matthew Berry on 8 April 2014. At that meeting the Trust was advised the Minister’s view was to approve a 3 month lease on existing conditions in order to provide a further opportunity for the Trust and MRC to continue discussions, but that both parties were to make a submission to the VG-V to enable the VG -V to make a determination.

The Trust subsequently received a letter from the Minister for Environment & Climate Change on 14 April 2014 setting out the Minister’s position.

The Chairman responded to the Minister by letter on 29 April 2014.

Currently, the Trust is now working with the Valuer- General Victoria towards a Determination and there are meetings arranged with the MRC to discuss the overall governance arrangements and the conditions under which the MRC will have access to Crown Land that is not covered under the proposed leased areas.


Greg Sword
Chairman
Caulfield Racecourse Reserve Trust

[1] Annual rental in 2013
[2] Amount of $183,000 in 1996 indexed annually by CPI

 

Meetings

The last meeting of the Trustees of the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve [CRR] was held on Tuesday, 18 February 2014.

Download the agenda.

Trustee meetings are not open to the General Public; however the Trustees have resolved that any Glen Eira resident wishing to address a specific Agenda Item as listed by the Trustees, must first submit their request in writing to the Chairman in advance of the CRR Trustees meeting.  The Trustees will then consider the request and, if appropriate, invite the resident to attend for that specific agenda item only.

Correspondence should be addressed to:

The Chairman
Caulfield Racecourse Reserve
Level 1
25 Flinders Lane
Melbourne
VIC 3000

Or emailed to: CRRTrustees@bigpond.com

The date of the second meeting of 2014 of Trustees of the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve [CRR] is yet to be finalised, however it is anticipated this will be held in August 2014.


PS – WE’VE DONE A LITTLE MORE HOMEWORK AND DIRECT READERS’ ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING:

At the VEAC Select committee investigation of 2008, the MRC submission included these statements:

The leasing process is managed by the Department of Sustainability and Environment and leases are subject to Governor in Council approval and involve rental payments to the Trustees on commercial terms.

 Porkie No 1. it would seem! Next there was the MRC’s attempt to portray itself as the local community’s saviour in its benevolence in excising some of its land to the general public. Here’s what was stated –

In 1922 however, the Minister for Lands made fourteen acres of the Reserve available for nonracing use. It is this area – Glenhuntly Park – which remains a public park to this day. In the 1960s, for operational reasons Glenhuntly Park was excised from the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve. It remains Crown Land and is maintained by the City of Glen Eira. The allocation of this specific section of the Reserve for parkland in 1922 was commended by the Caulfield Citizens’ Defence League and was said to satisfy their concerns that until then the Reserve was only used for Racing.

Porkie No.2 perhaps since this is only half the truth! The land was NOT given up freely as the above would suggest and only came about after months and months of community protest. The following extracts are taken directly from The Argus of the time (1922) and paint an entirely different version of events. It also shows how very little has changed in the decades since!

The Argus – Page 16:Wednesday 1st March, 1922

CAULFIELD RACECOURSE.

Members of the CaulfieldCitizens’ Defence League protested to the Minister for Lands (Mr.Oman) yesterday that the Caulfield racecourse was not being used for the purpose for which it reserved. Although   it was intended that the area should be used for recreation, horse racing had now practically a monopoly. They asked that the iron fence enclosing the reserve be re moved, and the area improved in the same   way as the Fitzroy gardens. Mr. Oman promised to meet the league on the ground, and discuss the matter with them. He wanted to see the interests of the general public safeguarded.      

The Argue – Page 14 – Saturday 28th October 1922

CAULFIELD RACECOURSE.

In a decision of the Minister for Lands (Air. Oman) on the demand , for greater public use of the Caulfield racecourse reserve an area of 14 acres will be made available to the gcneral public.

“Mr. Omans decision provides for-an area of 10 acres to be permanently reserved on the Neerim road side for use -as a public park and gardens.  The high fence at present enclosing-this area will be removed and re-erected on a line to be defined by the Minister, adjoining the racecourse. The new outer- fence adjoining the public road will be sufficient only to protect the hedges and ornamental shrubs. The-cost of this work will be borne by the race course trustees from the grant given by the Victoria Amateur Turf Club for the maintenance of the ground. An area of approximately four acres on the south of the new park area will be made available for recreation purposes.

It is also stipulated that additional openings be made in the fence, enclosing the racecourse to give access to the ground. These gates are to be made available to the public in accordance with the terms of the Crown grant. _ – The gates on the inner side of the stands are to be open daily from 10 o’clock in the morning until 6 o’clock at night, with the exception of 15 days of the year on which racing is held and charges made for admittance. The Victoria Amateur Turf Club will increase its contribution for the maintenance of the Reserve from 600 (pound) to 1000 (pound).

Mr. Oman is confident that the new arrangement will give satisfaction to the Caulfield Citizens’ Defence -League, which asked for greater public facilities in the reserve and to the Victoria Amateur Turf Club, owners, trainers, and others who desired the retention of the reserve for horse racing.

 

May 16, 2014

The ‘Sell-Out’ Is Complete!

Posted by gleneira under Caulfield Racecourse/C60, Councillor Performance, GE Council Meeting(s), GE Governance, GE Planning, GE Service Performance
Comments Off on The ‘Sell-Out’ Is Complete! 

The Agenda for next Tuesday night’s Council Meeting is out and, as predicted, the Caulfield Village Development Plans, plus the screen, plus the sale of land to the MRC have all been given the green light with some incomprehensible, vague conditions which are practically all ‘cosmetic’. One thing that residents should note is that after all the promises of ‘certainty’ the plans have now changed again. Instead of 20,000 sq metres of office space, there will not be one square inch of office space. Our forecast: another 20,000 square metres of residential cubby holes down the track!  And of course the argument remains that all of this is still in accordance with an Incorporated Plan which residents never got to comment on at the Panel Hearing for the C60! We will be reporting on Ron Torres’ recommendations in detail once we’ve had the chance to absorb the document fully. (PS: Correction – this should read Jeff Akehurst)

Several other items are worthy of comment:

LOCAL LAWS COMMITTEE

Meeting was held on the 9th April 2014, where the minutes of the last meeting was accepted. This previous meeting was held on the 6th May 2013. So this committee which is so concerned about Tree Registers, Meeting Procedures, Organised Sport, hasn’t met for nearly a fully year. What an absolute joke! And what has this current meeting achieved? We quote:

Classified Tree Register

The latest draft of the Tree Protection Local Law and associated documents were discussed. A number of minor amendments were suggested. It was agreed that the amended draft be provided to Council for further consideration.

Action – Corporate Counsel to amend.

Meeting Procedure amendments

The latest draft of clauses 225, 232, 238 of the Local Law were considered and a number of amendments were suggested. It was agreed that the amended draft be provided to Council for further consideration.

Action – Corporate Counsel to amend.

There’s also another item raised by Lipshutz which we assume could relate to the Friends of Caulfield Park and their attempts to advertise their Bandstand Concerts which Council in part paid for via a community grant. Here’s this item – make of this what you will!

Cr Lipshutz raised the issue of the placement of “A” frame advertising boards in Caulfield Park. There was a discussion on the current permit requirements and rationale for such permits.

 

May 15, 2014

Another Month Of ‘Major Events’?

Posted by gleneira under Caulfield Racecourse/C60, Councillor Performance, GE Governance, GE Service Performance
[7] Comments 

DINOSAUR ADVENTURES is Coming to Melbourne, 6/21-7/20

May 10
9:05 AM 2014

DINOSAUR ADVENTURES is Coming to Melbourne, 6/21-7/20

Did you hear a roar? A stomp? The Dinosaurs are coming!

We are pleased to announce that Dinosaur Adventures, the Number 1 Attraction at this year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show is set to open in Melbourne.

These life-size creatures will be taking over Caulfield Racecourse this June and July.

Dinosaur Adventures is an exhibition that is captivating young and old alike. Explore a prehistoric world full of life-size moving dinosaurs and be amazed and thrilled as the greatest creatures ever to walk the earth return and come alive right before your eyes.

Marvel at the story of their 200 million year domination of life on earth. Watch them move. Hear the roar. From the ripple of their skin to the glint in their eye, you will think that the dinosaurs really are back!

Apart from this amazing animatronics show, you will be able to become a Paleontologist for the day. Children will be provided their ‘experts digger outfit’ and chip away at their very own fossil. Plus there will be many more dinosaur activities to take part in including dinosaur sand art, dinosaur library, fossil displays, dinosaur inflatable activity land, dinosaur sand pit, photographic souvenirs inside a life sized dinosaur egg and so much more.

Pegged as a must-see these School Holidays, Dinosaur Adventures is set to bring all the wonder and excitement of the prehistoric world of dinosaurs back. Get ready to be thrilled as you see Triassic period comes to life!

Open from 21 June to 21 July, Dinosaur Adventures will deliver a realistic animatronics show like no other that will capture the imagination of children & parents everywhere.

“We are extremely excited about bringing Dinosaur Adventures to Caulfield Racecourse. The Exhibition was seen by over 250,000 people in just 16 days in Sydney, and we can’t wait to bring it to Melbourne. This is an inspiring show for the young and those just wanting to learn more about dinosaurs. We are very happy that we can deliver such a realistic animatronics show, that can represent what the dinosaurs where all about, ” commented Keith Brown, Dinosaur Adventures Director.

The event includes:

· Explore a prehistoric world full of life-size moving dinosaurs.

· Be amazed and thrilled as the greatest creatures ever to walk the earth come alive before your eyes.

· Meet Fred and Barney from The Flintstones

· Fossil displays

· Become a Paleontologist

· Dinosaur sand pit

· Dinosaur egg photos

· Camp fire story telling

· In a heated Big Top

Melbourne get ready to feel the Dino-Roar Saturday 21 June – Sunday 20 July 2014!

General Admission $27. Under 3’s free

www.dinosauradventures.com.au

 

May 13, 2014

Spin Versus Reality!

Posted by gleneira under Councillor Performance, GE Service Performance
[4] Comments 

Today’s Caulfield Leader features the public advertising of the Glen Eira budget and Strategic Resource Plan. Once again the public is assailed with the following claims in its budget papers – Glen Eira Council is characterised by low taxing (rates and charges)….low spending……

How true these claims are, readers can judge for themselves with the following facts on past and projected rate increases in Glen Eira from 2007 until 2017 –

2007/8 – 6.5%

2008/9 – 6.5%

2009/10 – 6.5%

2010/11 – 6.5%

2011/12 – 6.0%

2012/13 – 6.5%

2013/14 – 6.5%

2014/15 – 6.5%

2015/16 – 6.5%

2016/17 – 5.0%

By way of comparison here’s what some of our neighbouring councils forecast for their residents –

BAYSIDE – Rating levels – Modest rate increases are forecast over the four years. Council proposes a rate increase of 3.9% in 2014/15 and 4.3% for the following thee years to 2017/18.

STONNINGTON  – General rates are projected to increase by 4.3 percent in 2014/15 and 4.3 percent over the remaining years to 2017/18

On top of this, staff numbers continue to climb dramatically – again in stark contrast to other councils which often have a much larger area to service and a far greater population. Here are the Equivalent Full Time figures and these do not include the number of ‘contractors’ –

Bayside – 396

Port Phillip – 795

Yarra – 706

Stonnington – 575

Manningham – 493

Moonee Valley 728

Whitehorse – 654

Glen Eira  – 775

PS: We neglected to point out the following –

  • Council no longer claims that it provides the largest pensioner rebate on earth. Instead, the language now states that the rebate of $270 is higher than in most Victorian municipalities. The government subsidy was $253 and for 2014/15 is said to rise to $258. That means that Council’s ‘largesse’ has been decreasing each single year and that this year will signal the magnificent sum of approximately $12 per pensioner!

PPS: After a decade of promises, delays, and inaction, the Tree Register issue remains in the land of the never-never. Action Items for the 2013/14 budget stated in its goals and measures the following:

Introduce Local Law which creates the framework for a Classified Tree Register- Local Law adopted by Council.

The 2014/15 Action Plan has ‘re-engineered’ this outcome by stating –

Introduce Local Law which creates the framework for a Classified Tree Register – Local Law exhibited by Council.

So here’s another example of a council resolution that hasn’t been fulfilled. Further ‘adopting’ and ‘exhibiting’ a Local Law are vastly different things. There is no guarantee that by June 30th 2015 we will be any closer to having a Tree Register in Glen Eira – nor for that matter even clapping eyes on what promises to be a highly controversial set of Local Law amendments.

 

May 8, 2014

Hansard – Southwick

Posted by gleneira under Councillor Performance, GE Open Space, GE Service Performance
[33] Comments 

City of Glen Eira Crown land

Mr SOUTHWICK (Caulfield)—I rise to raise a matter for the attention of the Minister for Environment and Climate Change regarding the Caulfield Park council depot and some Crown land located near the intersection of Glen Eira, Booran and Kambrook Roads, Caulfield, known as the Booran Road reserve. The action I seek is for the minister to explore with Glen Eira City Council the opportunity to relocate the Caulfield depot to the currently unused Crown land site of Booran reserve adjacent to the racecourse to free up parkland in Caulfield Park. The Caulfield depot is a large allotment within Caulfield Park on Inkerman Road and is used to store heavy maintenance vehicles and other equipment. Glen Eira has the lowest amount of open space of any Victorian municipality, and therefore the opportunity to create more recreational space must be explored.

I have spoken with local ward councillor, Michael Lipshutz, who regards this proposition very favourably. I am aware that council has in the past been agreeable to exploring options to move the depot on the premise it will not take away from recreational parkland at another site. I am also aware that Glen Eira City Council has rejected our offer for it to use the land for parkland. In addition, I have had discussions with Friends of Caulfield Park representatives who agree that shifting the Caulfield depot to the unused Booran reserve would free up further premium open space in Caulfield Park; which would be a big win for the Caulfield community. Glen Eira Debates, a community blog site, has had many locals voice their strong opinions on the matter. There has been overwhelming support from locals for the Caulfield Park depot to be relocated to free up additional open space. Caulfield Park is used and loved by all locals, and to open up additional recreational space in this suburban oasis would be fantastic.

I would greatly appreciate the minister exploring the opportunity with Glen Eira council to provide Caulfield residents with additional recreational open space by examining this opportunity, which would also allow the Caulfield Park depot to be located at the unutilised Booran reserve Crown land and free up much-needed space in the beautiful Caulfield Park, the jewel of open space in Caulfield.

 

May 6, 2014

Media Release

Posted by gleneira under Caulfield Racecourse/C60, GE Planning
[3] Comments 

Government kick-starts independent and fully funded planning authority

Tuesday, 06 May 2014

The Victorian Coalition Government today committed $62.8 million to drive a greater range of jobs and investment opportunities supporting the city’s continued livability and prosperity, Minister for Planning Matthew Guy said today.

“The Coalition Government has provided $51.6 million to the Metropolitan Planning Authority (MPA) over four years to implement Plan Melbourne,” Mr Guy said.

“Plan Melbourne supports the Coalition Government’s commitment to building a stronger Victorian economy by working with development industry to create more jobs right across the State.

“This funding is an important boost for jobs and productivity, by helping the growth and development of significant employment hubs across the metropolitan area and driving the expansion of the central city.

“It will kick start the major employment clusters at Monash, Latrobe, Sunshine and Fishermans Bend, urban renewal a framework for expanding the central city and a metropolitan-wide open space strategy, to promote growth and investment, further increasing their attraction as great mixed use places for businesses, workers and new residents.

“These job centres are a fundamental principle of Plan Melbourne, our new plan for the city, and they mean more jobs and services in Melbourne’s middle and outer suburbs,” Mr Guy said.

Planning will also commence for urban renewal areas at Cremorne and Collingwood and along railway corridors from Huntingdale to Dandenong, Brunswick to Batman, and North Richmond to Victoria Park.

A further $11.2 million will be provided over four years to deliver key short term actions from Plan Melbourne including:

  • supporting Local Government delivery of major urban renewal sites;
  • a local pocket park fund; and
  • a 20-minute neighbourhood fund.

This funding will be available to the MPA and other government delivery bodies.

“Unlocking land opportunities across Victoria and expanding our central city and urban renewal areas will not only deliver more jobs, more housing and transport options, it will be a major boost for the State’s productivity and economic growth over the next 50 years,” Mr Guy said.

The funding to deliver Plan Melbourne initiatives and a more streamlined planning system will be provided through a new levy on planning permit application fees for projects worth more than $1 million.

The levy will be at a rate of $1.30 for each $1,000 of the estimated development cost. It will apply in addition to the permit application fee, which will still be paid to the local council as currently occurs.

The levy will raise an estimated $17.1 million per year and will take effect from 1 July 2015. It is estimated that approximately 6 per cent of all planning permits will be charged the levy.

Projects below $1 million in value will not be subject to the levy and designed to ensure that permit application costs remain competitive against other States, while delivering increased certainty for Victoria’s development and construction industry.

Mr Guy said that the increased costs of the levy would be more than offset by a more efficient planning system.

“Developers face millions in land holding costs every week across Victoria. A fully funded MPA will reduce overall development costs over time by bringing land to market earlier,” Mr Guy said.

“Properly funding the implementation of Plan Melbourne will ensure we maintain our globally recognised livability, while becoming Australia’s most efficient and attractive location for financial and business services, the knowledge economy, tourism attraction, freight, logistics and manufacturing.”

+++++++++

 

May 5, 2014

The Budget

Posted by gleneira under Councillor Performance, GE Service Performance
[5] Comments 
  • Child care fees up $5 per day
  • Expediture on drains remains at $3.5m which doesn’t even cover inflation and cost increases
  • GESAC fees up 3.5% (until January, then predictably higher) PLUS the following expenses –$261,000 for legal fees; GESAC plant and equipment – $86,000; Gesac defects rectification $617,320;Gesac refit administration area 1st floor stairwell with 3 consulting rooms for new therapy services $200,000
  • Government contribution to the pensioner rebate continues to rise – meaning that Council’s ‘largesse’ diminishes year after year.
  • Staff numbers of course keep rising!
  • The only REDUCTION in fees applies to some of the rubbish bin size collection.
 

May 4, 2014

Coming Soon?

Posted by gleneira under GE Planning, GE Transport
[3] Comments 

High-rise plan for railway hubs

Date:May 4, 2014

Royce Millar and Adam Carey

Residents of Melbourne’s politically sensitive south-east face the possibility of high-rise development at their rail stations including Murrumbeena, under a confidential deal between the Napthine government and a consortium led by the city’s private rail operator.

The deal for the proposed multibillion-dollar upgrade of the Pakenham-Cranbourne rail corridor – contained in documents leaked to The Sunday Age – includes a specific clause about development around sites identified for level crossing removals.

”Key” issues to be negotiated with the Hong Kong-based rail operator Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM) and its partners include ”exploring value capture opportunities associated with land development at grade separation sites”.

The Sunday Age is aware that MTM views the Pakenham-Cranbourne project – including property development – as the first of a series of schemes across the Melbourne network.

The ”commitment deed” spelling out the in-principle understanding between the government and the consortium, is one of a batch of high-level leaks to Fairfax Media about ”Project Flinders”, including cabinet-in-confidence documents.

In March the government made a surprise announcement about the upgrade, which it said would deliver a 30 per cent capacity boost along the congested Dandenong corridor. The revamp includes removing level crossings at Murrumbeena, Koornang, Clayton and Centre roads and rebuilding Murrumbeena, Carnegie and Clayton stations.

At the time no mention was made of the potentially controversial property development component of the project. Detail, such as the precise areas to be developed, and planning issues such as height, are yet to be finalised. So too, it seems, is any agreement about the millions of dollars likely to be generated from the sale of apartments, and commercial space.

In Hong Kong, MTM’s parent, MTR, has overseen skyscraper development around its celebrated rail network. Melbourne’s planning politics is unlikely to allow such building height or density.

More likely is the kind of development already overseen by the government-owned rail property agency VicTrack, such as the $70 million, 10-level apartment and commercial development at Glen Waverley. Other VicTrack projects either under way or in the pipeline include stations at Jewell in Brunswick and Alphington, Hampton and Pascoe Vale.

University of Melbourne transport academic Chris Hale said development around a station like Murrumbeena should be 15 levels at least.

Dr Hale said many people want to work in the CBD, and live near rail stations, but could not afford inner-city houses. He said there was a lack of housing opportunities near stations in the middle suburbs, within a 30-minute train trip to the CBD.

He called for care in planning such high density schemes. ”Rather than concrete canyons they should be lively green zones with plenty of trees and grass and great architectural qualities. State and local government needs to become more effective in their stewardship of transit-oriented design and planning.”

On Saturday, Treasurer Michael O’Brien confirmed the government would ”explore” development opportunities through the Pakenham-Cranbourne upgrade. But he stressed the government would drive a hard bargain in any such deals.

”It is the Victorian government, not third parties, that will determine whether and how any value capture opportunities are pursued.

”Any suggestion that the Coalition government has sold a right to develop land around level crossings as part of the Cranbourne-Pakenham rail project is barking up the wrong tree,” he said.

Project Flinders is Victoria’s first ”unsolicited proposal”, a new and controversial policy that allows the private sector to propose new infrastructure, even if the projects identified are not government priorities. It is Australia’s biggest rail public-private partnership.

While the government spruiked the scheme as a $2 billion to $2.5 billion (in today’s dollars) project, The Saturday Age reported yesterday that Victorians would have to pay up to $5.2 billion, or almost $1 million a day in annual services payments to the consortium until 2034.

The Saturday Age also revealed the project had been expedited to ensure contracts were signed before the November state election and that a key ”milestone” was ”contractual close” by September 29, two months before the election

Project Flinders also includes buying 25 ”next generation” high-capacity trains, high-speed signalling and a new train-maintenance depot on green wedge land at Pakenham East.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/highrise-plan-for-railway-hubs-20140503-37p6f.html#ixzz30hCKbwUu

 

« Previous Page — Next Page »