October 27, 2015

Will They, Won’t They, Maybe?

Posted by gleneira under Councillor Performance, GE Governance, GE Planning, GE Service Performance
[14] Comments 

PS: We’ve been alerted to several new Change.org petitions now online seeking a review of zoning in Carnegie as well as Mimosa Road. The petitions are also to go to the Minister as well as Council. We urge all readers to sign –

https://www.change.org/p/state-planning-minister-glen-eira-council-petition-to-review-the-current-residential-zoning-of-carnegie

https://www.change.org/p/glen-eira-council-state-planning-minister-petition-to-review-the-current-residential-development-zoning-of-mimosa-road-carnegie?recruiter=376782380&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink

Whatever ‘action’ this wonderful council decides upon it can never make up for the loss of 90+ trees on the Frogmore site. Whatever action this council pursues can never make up for the fact that a building worthy of local heritage listing was demolished and residents were never given the opportunity to present their views at a so called ‘independent’ planning panel. Whatever action this council now takes can never make up for decades of neglect in regards to trees on private property that are razed with or without permission. Frogmore just happens to be the biggest individual act of vandalism in recent times – aided and abetted by councillors and not just the 3 councillors who made this happen. Esakoff’s and Delahunty’s spurious conflict of interest claims will be long remembered. Magee? Well we have some doubts as to his non-appearance for the vote!

It would be fascinating to know:

  • Of the near 2000 planning applications that come in each year, how many officer reports determine that at least one tree should be retained on the property?
  • How many fines for removal of trees has council imposed in the past 10 years?
  • How many prosecutions have taken place?
  • How many permits have been amended so that trees can be removed?

frogmore

 

October 25, 2015

Another Fabulous Work Of Fiction!

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

The very expensive exercise in publishing the Annual Report is now over. Councillors ‘accepted’ the report in a record 7 minutes at Tuesday night’s Special Council Meeting! How many even read it? As with previous reports, Council is wonderful at providing mind boggling statistics so that no-one has any idea as to what they actually represent or mean. There’s one example we simply cannot pass over since it is so ludicrous. We invite comments as to what the following may mean –

“Playground inspections – 18,377” (page 101)

Council claims there are 47 playgrounds. That would mean that EVERY SINGLE playground is ‘inspected’ 1.07 times each day! But what does ‘inspection’ actually mean’? Occupational Health & Safety testing? A drive past by cleaners? An ‘inspection’ via aerial photographs? A casual walk through? Such, dear readers is the value of this figure.

Next there is the question regarding restaurants and ‘food registered businesses’. For years now Glen Eira has claimed that there are 840 registered food businesses in the municipality. We certainly doubt this given the explosion of cafes everywhere. It also doesn’t explain why council should have reaped an extra $107,000 in fees as stated in the accounts, if the number remains at 840 and registration fees have remained relatively stable.

Then there’s the promise that service levels will be maintained. Another unsubstantiated claim when the figures are looked at. Some examples: –

  • Less drains have been cleared – 32 km in 2010 and now 14.8km
  • Less footpaths fixed – 28.9 km in 2010 and now 19.61 km (and the reason given? ‘The decrease in the amount of footpaths replaced is due to a cost increase per square metre laid due to a new tender’. What does this say about the tendering process and how does it explain that for every single year since 2010 the km have dropped? Wasn’t part of this with the ‘old tender’?
  • Less roads reconstructed – 4.77 in 2010 and now 4.06
  • Mains water use in parks has doubled since 2010/11
  • Gesac has gobbled up double of water use not in parks since 2010/11

The best however, requires no commentary from us. Here are some extracts that we are confident will deliver howls of laughter!

Glen Eira City Council is committed to governing the City of Glen Eira in a democratic, open and responsible manner in the best interests of the community.

Council consults, listens and takes note of community views to determine its priorities and needs, and then acts through open, transparent processes that are financially and environmentally responsible and sustainable.

Glen Eira City Council is charging developers more than any other municipality in order to help pay for new and better parks for Glen Eira. (page 50) (Stonnington $9.634m; page 123 of their annual report and their open space reserve now stands at $36.932m).

Council will use current and emerging technology each year to provide broader opportunities for the community members to have their say about Council services and future plans. The use of sound evidence, community input and representation, and transparent decision-making processes; including follow-up and reporting will ensure Glen Eira continues to offer services that meet community needs. (page 53)

And then there’s always the ‘gunna do’ promises that never eventuate –

Due to Melbourne’s building boom, Council is managing a large number of planning applications.With more development happening throughout the municipality and grade separation works commencing, Glen Eira will continue to be an attractive place to live. Council will implement further measures to reduce the amenity impact on residents as a result of this construction activity

Population and development pressures will impact particularly on parking in local streets. Council will continue to review and develop plans while working with the community, to strategically manage and accommodate for the future impact of this.

Glen Eira is experiencing extraordinary levels of building activity with many multi-unit developments being constructed. As a result, residents are experiencing substantial inconvenience such as road closures, limited parking, building noise and dust. Council’s challenge is to try to balance the needs of residents and their comfort with allowing the construction process to be completed quickly and safely.

And the best for last! –

Good governance is accountable, transparent,responsive, inclusive and efficient. Council is committed to providing good governance through its decision-making process by engaging the community, providing leadership, investing in the future and acting responsibly.

Council governs for and on behalf of the Glen Eira community. Good governance is accountable, lawful, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive.

 

October 23, 2015

Magee, Claire Street & VCAT!

Posted by gleneira under Councillor Performance, GE Consultation/Communication, GE Governance, GE Planning, GE Service Performance
[37] Comments 

Please click on the link to view last night’s Channel 7 story. The image is an artist’s impression of Claire St when 12 houses are replaced with 100 dog boxes!

https://au.news.yahoo.com/video/watch/29882452/two-houses-holding-out-against-mckinnon-complex-plan/

Untitled

PS – following up from our previous post on responses to Minister Wynne’s request for council feedback, Kingston Council has also published its views in the current agenda. Again, the submission and its detailed analysis puts Glen Eira to shame – as does the simple fact that both Bayside and Kingston published their submission BEFORE sending off to the Minister and thereby having their work ratified by council decision. None of this happens in Glen Eira – it is all done behind closed doors and in secret.

Here is the Kingston officer’s report and the submission

 

October 22, 2015

Why Glen Eira Council Is A Joke!

Posted by gleneira under Councillor Performance, GE Governance, GE Planning, GE Service Performance
[8] Comments 

In August of this year, Minister Wynne wrote to councils asking for their ‘feedback’ on the new zones. Thus far, both Glen Eira and Bayside have published his letter as well as their individual responses. The differences between the two are literally staggering. Whilst Glen Eira’s is more of the same bunkum, stating how wonderful they are, Bayside at least seeks to address some of the issues. There are specific recommendations and noticeably, no real self-promotion. Glen Eira’s effort represents another instance of sheer arrogance. That council can even contemplate writing such drivel to a minister says a lot about the planning department, Magee who signed the letter (presumably on behalf of other councillors), and of course, how little concerned council is with the impact of their handiwork on residents.

We have uploaded both submissions (see below) and urge readers to compare. In summary –

  • The first 4 pages of the Glen Eira version of reality are nothing more than regurgitating what a success they are, and how everything is the result of the building boom. Once on a good wicket, then stick to it, it seems. There is perhaps 1% of self promotion in Bayside’s version, but it is in context.
  • Once again, the truth is distorted and inaccurate. On page 5 of the Glen Eira submission there is this comment – In the Neighbourhood Residential Zone, there is limited ability to customise the zone through a Schedule to allow for more than 2 dwellings on large lots such as those greater than 2,OOOm2 in area. Subdivision of the large lot is possible but subdivision does not enable the community to comment on a detailed development. As if council really cares what the community thinks, especially when their secret ‘negotiations’ with Guy, stated that the problem could be overcome by subdividing first! More relevant is the fact that the schedules provided the opportunity for councils to designate minimum lot sizes. Many have. Bayside is even now, with its Amendment C140 attempting to introduce a minimum lot size subdivision of 800 square metres. Furthermore, this entire sentence begs the question of what happens when one developer decides to go to VCAT and because his land may be 1200 square metres use the planning scheme clause that larger lot sizes in the Neighbourhood Residential Zones are to be evaluated against the General Residential Zone schedules!
  • On ‘community response’ there is this wonderful statement – ‘Many have appreciated the certainty’. Evidence? Well a ‘group of residents’ in Elsternwick and the fact that land owners are ‘consolidating’ and selling their land together is supposed to be due to their desire to ‘increase property value’ and ‘development potential’. Not a word that people are getting out BECAUSE OF THE ZONES and what it is doing to their suburbs and local streets.
  • We also get the ‘sting in the tail’ statement on the following page – just to remind the minister that possibly the community wants more than the untrue figure of 78% zoned as neighbourhood residential zone! Which would represent a real headache for any government! Pity that the statistic is so untrue!– ie They would like to see the proportion of land zoned Neighbourhood Residential increased from the present 78%.
  • And just in case the minister wants to appease developers we also find – Developers continue to claim that the municipality has been ‘locked down’. They would like to see more areas zoned General Residential and Residential Growth

What is particularly galling for residents about this entire submission comes towards the end (page 7) where in the totally irrelevant points on Level Crossing Removals, we get a further inkling into Glen Eira’s pro-development, and more and more high rise philosophy –

This will make these centres more attractive as places to live and easier to move around.

They will be more attractive centres to develop.

The present residential zones framework (together with the Commercial Zone) is equipped to respond to this.

In summary, the submission is disgraceful, inadequate, self-promoting, irrelevant to what was asked, and totally dismissive of the problems which have already surfaced. We sincerely hope that Minister Wynne and his minders have a good laugh!

Here is the Bayside effort and HERE the Glen Eira one.

We urge readers to compare and contrast and remember!

 

October 21, 2015

News Flash: Newton Resigns!!!!!!!

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

211015_CEO_declares_the_innings_closed-1_Page_1211015_CEO_declares_the_innings_closed-1_Page_2

 

October 20, 2015

Elliott Avenue & How To Destroy A Neighbourhood

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

Elliott Avenue, Carnegie has featured prominently in the news and on this site. (See what it looked like a little while back – https://gleneira.wordpress.com/2015/02/09/one-little-local-street/). It is now utterly destroyed because of the new zones. Not only Elliott Avenue, but all surrounding areas. People are leaving in droves – not because they are after a profit in selling to developers, but because their dream home, their lifestyle, and everything they valued about this area has disappeared. Yet council has not had the guts to do a single thing about its slipshod and woeful planning. No amendments of any note have occurred in the past two years for housing diversity. No promises made ten years ago have been implemented. No concern whatsoever for the chaos caused by these developments that can take a year, so that residents can’t even get out of their driveways because of trucks in the street – many no doubt without work permits! All councillors can do is complain about not having the ‘tools’ in the planning scheme, or that they really need to look carefully at Neerim Road (Okotel). But they have not lifted a finger to get the ball rolling on anything. And what of the urban heat effect that all these dwellings will create? What of infrastructure? What of subterranean car parks that impact on the water table? What of parking? What of open space? Not a thing done!

In order to give residents an idea of what is happening we’ve colour coded the following street map which shows development since the zones were introduced. Council can blame everyone else until the cows come home – but there is no denying that the zones are without doubt the impetus for all this overdevelopment. With good strategic planning and community consultation some of the damage could have been avoided – but that of course means less rates and treating residents with respect!

carnegie

3-9 Elliott Avenue CARNEGIE VIC 3163 – 4 storey, 51 dwellings

6 Elliott Avenue CARNEGIE VIC 3163 – 2 double storeys (permit)

8-12 Elliott Avenue CARNEGIE VIC 3163 – 4 storey – no number of dwellings stated

14-16 Elliott Avenue CARNEGIE VIC 3163 – 4 storeys, 21 dwellings (permit granted by council and vcat)

22-28 Jersey Parade CARNEGIE VIC 3163 – 4 storey, 39 dwellings (permit)

33-35 Jersey Parade 4 storey, 28 dwellings (permit issued by council)

1 Tranmere – 4 storey, number of dwellings not named

5 Tranmere Avenue CARNEGIE VIC 3163 – 3 storey, 4 dwellings

10 Tranmere Avenue CARNEGIE VIC 3163 – 2 storey, 4 dwellings

16-18 Tranmere Avenue CARNEGIE VIC 3163 – 4 storey, 26 dwellings (refused by council)

2 Belsize Avenue CARNEGIE VIC 3163 – 3 storey, 13 dwellings

15-17 Belsize Avenue CARNEGIE VIC 3163 & 316-320 Neerim Road CARNEGIE VIC 3163 – 4 storey, 55 dwellings (council and vcat permit)

 

PS: From today’s (21/10) Moorabbin Leader front page –

centre

 

October 20, 2015

Trees & Development & GE Council Doing Nothing!

Posted by gleneira under Councillor Performance, GE Consultation/Communication, GE Governance, GE Planning, GE Service Performance
[11] Comments 

letters

12

trees

 

October 19, 2015

How Can This Happen?

Posted by gleneira under Councillor Performance, GE Governance, GE Planning, GE Service Performance
[5] Comments 

INDICATOR

 

October 18, 2015

Does This Say It All?

Posted by gleneira under GE Planning, GE Service Performance, GE Transport
[7] Comments 

2014-15

PS: Just to clarify the above, here are the definitions of the various departments. All are taken directly from the Annual Report – ie council’s own version!

Untitled

 

October 16, 2015

More Fact Fiddling

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

Here’s an important question. How do you ‘prove’ that as an organisation you’re going from strength to strength? That you are giving value for money to your clientele? That you are efficient, responsible, and client oriented? Well, for local government we have what is known as the Best Value Reports. The aim of these, according to legislation, is to quantify and prove that you’re on the road to ‘continuous improvement’.

Glen Eira City Council has developed its Best Value reporting into a fine art. They manage to show ‘continuous improvement’ by literally changing the goal posts. For example: there are ‘targets’ set and then actual performance for the year is stated against those targets. Thus, if this year the target for home care building help is 4,500 hours and council achieves 4,788 hours, not only is the target exceeded, but council is an unmitigated success here. Wrong! Because back in 2009/10 the target for this identical service just happened to be 4956 hours and the stated performance was 4,852 hours! Thus 5 years ago council was offering more and doing better than it is today! And remember, we’re supposed to be a municipality with an ageing population and thousands of residents who are entitled to pensioner or disability assistance.

When the 2009/10 Best Value Reports are compared to the 2014/15 version, then we really see how many services have gone backwards and how many goal posts have been shifted in order to gild the lily and to make council appear as wonderful performers. Nothing could be further from the truth on many of the areas listed on this comparison. That should make residents ask the obvious –

  • When council promises in its budgets and council plans that it will maintain the level of service, then why have so many services been reduced?
  • Why, when rates keep going up 6.5% for the past 7 or 8 years, have services gone down? Where is this money going?
  • Why change the goal posts unless the attempt is to camouflage what is really happening?
  • Are we, as residents, really and truly getting value for money?

Here is a mere sample of some of comparisons between the 2009 and the 2015 versions of the Best Value Reports. We’ve upload both HERE (2009/10 and 2014/15) and urge readers to check these for themselves. Please also consider the waffle that constitutes the ‘continuous improvement’ sections and the often meaningless criteria attached to evaluating ‘success’ – such as publishing 4 editions of something.

Once again, it would appear that facts are malleable. If they don’t fit the image you are trying to project, then simply change those facts to accord with the success you need to fabricate. And whilst you’re at it – don’t tell your residents that this is what you are doing. We congratulate Council again on its superb sleight of hand!

bv

 

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