October 10, 2012
We’ve received the following information via email from one of our readers. What’s especially fascinating is:
Here’s the list in preference order:
October 10, 2012
The usual sales pitch that constitutes the Annual Report is now available on Council’s website. Once again readers will require a magnifying glass to read the very fine print that is practically on every single page! We’ve only had a very cursory glance at the contents, but these figures leapt out at us:
We must also wonder why on earth Council has Advisory Committees. The following lists the number of times these committees met throughout the year –
Roads Special Committee – No meetings
Caulfield Racecourse Precinct Special Committee – 1 meeting
Animal Management Advisory Committee – No meetings
Caulfield Racecourse Reserve Advisory Committee – No meetings
Local Laws Advisory Committee – 1 meeting
Sport and Recreation Advisory Committee – No meetings
Pools Steering Committee – 8 meetings
The only committees that seemed to get a regular guernsey were the Audit Committee (4 – legislative requirement); Arts and Culture Advisory Committee (7 meetings); Environment 4 meetings and Community Grants – 4 meetings. Hence we have a situation where the most important committees exist in name only – or that this council sees no need to report on any such meetings (ie Local Law Committee meetings which in the past have been called ‘workshops’ rather than formal meetings. This of course provides the excuse of not having to table minutes of any such ‘workshops’).
Then there’s this on the GESAC saga: “Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre (GESAC) construction contract was awarded for the sum of $41.2m. As at end June 2012, Council had paid $36.99m. Council officers are still assessing contractor’s claims for variations and the contractor is still attending to minor defects and omissions. The defects liability period is due to end in May 2013.
Council has deducted $2,355,000 in liquidated damage against the contract. Recently, Hansen Yuncken applied for an adjudication pursuant to the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 (Vic) for $4,207,478.21.
It has also reserved its right to seek a further $950,950.06 (plus GST). Council has engaged legal advisors to prepare a response to Hansen Yuncken’s application. Regardless of the outcome of the adjudication, either party is still entitled to pursue damages and cost recovery through civil proceedings.”
We urge readers to cut through the cant and really analyse the figures. Then they should ask themselves:
October 9, 2012
October 9, 2012
Caulfield Racecourse chairman told to resign
Racecourse board votes to maintain secrecy
Oct 12 @ 05:00am by Andrea Kellett
A DECISION that could end more than a century of perceived secrecy surrounding management of Crown land at Caulfield Racecourse has been voted down.
The Caulfield Racecourse Reserve board of trustees has met for the first time under new chairman and Glen Eira councillor Jim Magee.
He put forward a motion to change the board’s governance arrangements, but the majority of trustees voted against it.
Those arrangements would have thrown board meetings open to the public for the first time in 150 years and required minutes to be made publicly available.
The trustees called for Cr Magee’s resignation as chairman, but he declined.
He will instead be replaced at 6am on October 27, council election day.
He is standing for re-election in Tucker Ward.
After the meeting Cr Magee said it was “inappropriate” to comment while he waited for the Premier to reply to concerns he had raised about the board.
Fellow trustee, Cr Cheryl Forge, said Cr Magee had come under “enormous pressure” at the meeting to resign.
Council candidate Mary Delahunty called for a review into the operations and structure of the board.
Other items on the board’s agenda included the grandstand lease with the MRC and a “land swap” between the MRC and the Minister for Innovation.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
THE development of the Caulfield racecourse area will be one of the biggest challenges to face new and re-elected councillors.
There is much a strong council can achieve to protect the amenity for all Glen Eira residents, to ensure infrastructure is minimally impacted and to provide an accessible open space for our enjoyment.
Governance must be resolved for the project to be successful. The current trust structure which delegates the day-to-day management of crown land is not the appropriate vehicle. A properly authorised committee of management will provide a stronger voice for the residents and clearer accountability. Glen Eira Council has an important role in the future of the racecourse. Strong, consultative representation will deliver the right outcomes for the City of Glen Eira.
Mary Delahunty, Candidate for Camden Ward
October 6, 2012
Dear Glen Eira Debates
My name is Ryan Hsu and I am a Candidate for Rosstown. I am hoping that I can introduce myself and am happy to answer any questions which you may have in relation me standing for this coming election. After reading your “Will The Real Candidates Please Stand Up?”, I would like to make known that I am standing as a truly independent candidate without any political party affiliation, membership or support. Prior to the commencement and nomination of this election, I have never met or spoken to any of my fellow candidates.
I will also like to inform you of my preferences that is now registered with VEC.
5 ESAKOFF, Margaret
4 OKOTEL, Karina
3 MIKELSONS, Wilmars
6 HO, Kelvin
1 HSU, Ryan
7 CASPI, Michael
8 DUNSTAN, Don
2 PILLING, Neil
My preferences were decided after speaking to nearly all the candidates and asking them many questions in relation to local community issues and understanding what they were hoping to deliver if they were elected.
I have attached my campaign flyer which will provide you with further information about me. I am also happy to meet up for a chat over coffee and to listen to any issues which you believe are important for our community.
Kind regards
Ryan Hsu
0498 530 599
COMMENT: Once we receive this candidate’s flyer it will be posted.
October 5, 2012
Each candidate has received a personal letter from Andrew Newton informing them of the legal requirements if they are successful in becoming a councillor – ie. return of register of interests, etc. More importantly it contains a proposed schedule and the outline of an ‘induction’ program. We are of the opinion that this document also lays out the blueprint for stamping the administration’s authority and control on councillors.
Below is the proposed timeline. Important sections are highlighted. We draw readers’ attention to the following:
For comparison we’ve also uploaded the full Bayside Program. Whilst we remain dubious as to the purpose of the little ‘one on one chats’ with individual councillors, we also note the specific reference to COUNCILLOR ONLY MEETINGS THAT ARE SCHEDULED in their program. The other point of course is the fact that Bayside sees no problems in publishing such material unlike Glen Eira.
Here is the Glen Eira ‘program’ –
October 3, 2012
The following is a ‘work in progress’, based on intuition, supposition, and guesswork. The release of preferences should tell us a lot more –
|
CANDIDATES |
‘STOOGES’ |
| Lipshutz | Kraina, Catherine
Kuran, Bernie Steedman, James Weil, Martin Daniel |
| Penhalluriack | ? |
| Forge | ? |
| Dempsey | ? |
| Delahunty | Spiegel, Joshua |
| Souness | ? |
| Esakoff | Okotel, Karina |
| Pilling | Mickelsons, Wilmars |
| Dunstan | ? |
| Hyams | Dudeja, Raj
Buch, Henry De’Ath, Phil Kay, David Cade, Anne Marie |
| Gatoff | Pilcher, Trudy |
| Magee | Andonopoulos, Rodney |
| Hedger | Read, Rose |
October 2, 2012
COUNCILLORS MUST HEED COMMUNITY NEEDS, NOT POLITICAL MASTERS
AS the council elections loom, concerns are mounting that Boroondara is becoming a battle ground for party politics.
But former councillor Mary Drost says political parties have no place in council elections. ‘‘You look at the City of Yarra and it’s half Labor and half Green,’’ Ms Drost said. ‘‘And now in Boroondara you’ve got six endorsed Green candidates.’’
Ms Drost said it was a trend that could have implications for council decisions, especially where planning and development were concerned. ‘‘We don’t want Spring St and Canberra interfering with our local government,’’ Ms Drost said.
Independent Bellevue Ward candidate Simon Phipps said it was important council retained its identity. ‘‘When you take an oath of office, you represent the entire municipality,’’ Mr Phipps said. ‘‘To say you represent certain values, be it Green or Labor is fine, but the problem is orchestrated representation. A sworn members’ obligation is to the community, not the party.’’
Municipal Association of Victoria chief executive Rob Spence said councillors should declare political interests.
‘‘It’s not against the law, but any councillor should have all their political affiliations declared . . . so the voter can make an informed decision,’’ Mr Spence said.
‘‘There are 34 former local councillors in state parliament, it would be interesting to know how many declared their political interests in their council campaigns.’’
Greg Gliddon
