Last Friday along with Cr. Tang I had the pleasure of visiting the new premises of the Glen Eira Historical Society in Glenhuntly.
Previously housed in a single room in buildings in East Boundary rd ,where the new sports and aquatic centre (gesac) is being built ,the society now has a far more suitable location . John and Felicity from the society gave us a tour of the premises as well as explaining the valuable work being conducted there - all by volunteers at present.
There is a wealth of information and artifacts stored there relating to the early history of our municipality that can be accessed by the public. One of the challenges has been to catalogue and digitise all that has been collected over the years.
At the next council meeting this Tuesday 2nd Feb in Item 9.7 council will consider funding options that will enable the society to further improve and assist in the work it performs.This is in response to a recent review initiated by council that recommended important priorities to be acted on.
Explanations and details can be viewed at
http://www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/Files/Feb02-AGENDA.pdf
The society is located at 965 Glenhuntly rd Glenhuntly- visitors and volunteers most welcome!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Welcoming our newest Glen Eira citizens
Belated New Year greetings to all! Hope everyone had an enjoyable break.
The first council meeting will be on Tuesday Feb 2nd with activities and events getting into full swing next week.
One of the most enjoyable events as a councillor to attend is the regular Citizenship Ceromonies that take place every 6-8 weeks throughout the year. These nights are certainly an important event to celebrate, acknowledge and welcome our newest citizens. This Australia Day approximately two hundred residents at the town hall will become Australian citizens.
For many this is the culmination of a long journey and it is always a pleasure to be be a part of this ceromony and chat with participants over refreshments after.
- The diversity and cultural heritage of all in our community in Glen Eira is certainly something to be celebrated and valued!
The first council meeting will be on Tuesday Feb 2nd with activities and events getting into full swing next week.
One of the most enjoyable events as a councillor to attend is the regular Citizenship Ceromonies that take place every 6-8 weeks throughout the year. These nights are certainly an important event to celebrate, acknowledge and welcome our newest citizens. This Australia Day approximately two hundred residents at the town hall will become Australian citizens.
For many this is the culmination of a long journey and it is always a pleasure to be be a part of this ceromony and chat with participants over refreshments after.
- The diversity and cultural heritage of all in our community in Glen Eira is certainly something to be celebrated and valued!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Merry Xmas !
Best wishes to everyone for a safe and merry Christmas.
Thanks to all who have made comment and shown interest in the issues raised here.
I will be back online early in the new year with a ny resolution to provide for a better and
improved blog!
Cheers Neil
Thanks to all who have made comment and shown interest in the issues raised here.
I will be back online early in the new year with a ny resolution to provide for a better and
improved blog!
Cheers Neil
Monday, December 14, 2009
Carnegie Pool - example of how other councils are upgrading
the below article is an recent item in the Flinders News South Australia
FACILTY IMPROVEMENT WAS VITAL
03 Dec, 2009 01:49 PM
"The Port Pirie City Pool was originally opened on November 18, 1964 .
The facility had reached the end of its useful life and had started to show signs of its age.
More specifically, the pool had dropped at one end, it looked tired, pipe work under the pool used for filtration purposes had corroded and was blocked, tiles on the floor of the pool had constantly lifted, and the pool was leaking a significant amount of water.
Port Pirie Regional Council formed a working party comprising a representative from the Port Pirie Swimming Club, the contract manager of the pool, elected members and council staff to investigate the options for the pool and to report back to council on their recommendations.
The working party’s report said council was not in a financial position to replace the pool completely and therefore recommended a call for expression of interests to undertake a major refurbishment of the existing pool.
Council subsequently called for expression of interests for this project in December, 2008. At the same time, the Australian Government announced its Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program which would see Port Pirie Regional Council receive $635,000 for eligible projects. Council resolved to use these funds exclusive for the refurbishment of the City pool.
The refurbishment includes:
– Relining the 50m pool in a water-tight manner
– Provide a level deck edge
– Instal new inlet and return lines
– Renew or replace existing balance tank
– Maintain an accredited 50m pool
– Provide seven lanes in about a 15m width
– Provide better access to the pool, via steps, to those with limited mobility
The successful contractor has placed a new aluminium “Murtha” pool into the existing concrete shell of the old pool.
While council is using the existing pool structure, the end result will be a new modern pool. In fact, the “Murtha” pool being installed at Port Pirie is no different from a large number that have been installed in greenfield sites around the world, including at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
The total cost of this project is about $986,000 with council receiving a $635,000 grant from the Australian Government as part of its Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program. The project commenced at the end of the 2008-09 swimming season and will be completed ready for the start of the 2009-10 season.
In addition to the refurbishment, council will also take the opportunity to complete a number of other minor improvements around the city pool including:
– Provision of additional shaded areas
– Paint the existing change room
– Replace and tidy up the concrete surrounds
– Replace the pump shed. "
further details of this project from the Federal Govt are at http://www.projectlink.com.au/IndustryNews/16872.html
I believe that Glen Eira council can find a 'middle way' to upgrade our community pool at Carnegie that is financially responsible whilst providing for a modern facility for the future.
FACILTY IMPROVEMENT WAS VITAL
03 Dec, 2009 01:49 PM
"The Port Pirie City Pool was originally opened on November 18, 1964 .
The facility had reached the end of its useful life and had started to show signs of its age.
More specifically, the pool had dropped at one end, it looked tired, pipe work under the pool used for filtration purposes had corroded and was blocked, tiles on the floor of the pool had constantly lifted, and the pool was leaking a significant amount of water.
Port Pirie Regional Council formed a working party comprising a representative from the Port Pirie Swimming Club, the contract manager of the pool, elected members and council staff to investigate the options for the pool and to report back to council on their recommendations.
The working party’s report said council was not in a financial position to replace the pool completely and therefore recommended a call for expression of interests to undertake a major refurbishment of the existing pool.
Council subsequently called for expression of interests for this project in December, 2008. At the same time, the Australian Government announced its Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program which would see Port Pirie Regional Council receive $635,000 for eligible projects. Council resolved to use these funds exclusive for the refurbishment of the City pool.
The refurbishment includes:
– Relining the 50m pool in a water-tight manner
– Provide a level deck edge
– Instal new inlet and return lines
– Renew or replace existing balance tank
– Maintain an accredited 50m pool
– Provide seven lanes in about a 15m width
– Provide better access to the pool, via steps, to those with limited mobility
The successful contractor has placed a new aluminium “Murtha” pool into the existing concrete shell of the old pool.
While council is using the existing pool structure, the end result will be a new modern pool. In fact, the “Murtha” pool being installed at Port Pirie is no different from a large number that have been installed in greenfield sites around the world, including at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
The total cost of this project is about $986,000 with council receiving a $635,000 grant from the Australian Government as part of its Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program. The project commenced at the end of the 2008-09 swimming season and will be completed ready for the start of the 2009-10 season.
In addition to the refurbishment, council will also take the opportunity to complete a number of other minor improvements around the city pool including:
– Provision of additional shaded areas
– Paint the existing change room
– Replace and tidy up the concrete surrounds
– Replace the pump shed. "
further details of this project from the Federal Govt are at http://www.projectlink.com.au/IndustryNews/16872.html
I believe that Glen Eira council can find a 'middle way' to upgrade our community pool at Carnegie that is financially responsible whilst providing for a modern facility for the future.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Carnegie Pool - the future is unwritten?
from the front page of the Glen Eira News August 2006
"During the community consultation it was clear that the community favoured the retention of both the Carnegie and East Bentleigh swim centres and although Council has not formed any pre-determined view, its preference is to retain aquatic facilities at both Carnegie and East Bentleigh"
One of the issues I feel needs to be resolved in Glen Eira is the uncertain future of the Carnegie Pool.
At present councils only committment is it provide funding ( at least 210k this year ) to keep it open while GESAC is being built down at Bentleigh .
What happens after that? It will either be closed or updated.
In last years election I campaigned strongly for a new modern seasonal facility that would compliment Bentleigh.
In the new year I will be pressing for council to plan for this future.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Caulfield Racecourse and public access- important progress
As many readers would be aware the issue of the racecourse and the lack of public access and usage has long been a difficult problem to resolve- the inequitable landswap proposed by the MRC had been the latest in this sorry saga.
The breakthrough as outlined by Sue Pennicuik from state parliament below is great news!-
Greens MP Sue Pennicuik moved an amendment in state parliament today to try to prevent the government from handing over valuable Crown land just north of the Caulfield Racecourse to the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC).
"The MRC has been making huge profits for decades from using the public land at Caulfield Racecourse solely as a racecourse despite it being set aside under the Crown as a public park, public recreation ground and racecourse. The community and Glen Eira Council have struggled for years to get the trustees to manage the land for all three purposes equally, but to no avail. Instead the trustees have delegated the management of the land to the MRC, whose only interest has been in promoting horse racing and making money from the onsite tabaret and other commercial ventures, Ms Pennicuik said."
"Very little of these huge profits have made their way back to the community, which has been locked out of the public land for decades. Despite an agreement with the Glen Eira Council to facilitate greater access by the public to its public land on non- race days and to improve and install public amenities in the centre of the racecourse, virtually nothing has happened. "The state government was preparing to reward this non-action by exchanging a very, valuable parcel of Crown land, for commercial development by the MRC, for a much smaller, less valuable parcel of land on the edge of the racecourse for community use. The Glen Eira Council has opposed this land swap."
"I was concerned that if the state government went ahead with this unfair land swap without conditions, then the commitments that the MRC had given regarding more public access and improved public amenities would never eventuate," she said.
"I am pleased that at the eleventh hour, Minister Jennings has listened to the concerns I have raised on behalf of the community and has given an undertaking that conditions will be imposed on the MRC regarding public access and improvements and that there will be no financial loss to the Crown from the land exchange. "This is a breakthrough in the long-running saga around the use of the public land at Caulfield Racecourse. I will be closely watching what happens because despite the assurances of the Minister, the MRC has a poor a poor track record with regard to fulfilling its responsibilities to the public park and recreational aspects of the Crown deed, Ms Pennicuik concluded."
Cr Jamie Hyams has summarized yesterday's excellent news from the Victorian Parliament as follows:
-I understand that among the concessions given by Gavin Jennings are that the land is to be valued and any difference between the value of the two pieces of land is to go to the Crown, and that the land swap will not occur until the MRC has fulfilled its commitments in relation to the centre of the racecourse and signposting to better inform the public of the land’s availability. Further, according to Sue Pennicuik’s interpretation of Jenning’s remarks, the MRC will have to pay commercial rent for the areas it uses for training, and that rent is, according to Jennings, to “be available for the ongoing maintenance and development of the park or other Crown public land within the Glen Eira area.” He also flagged that he could see Council being the manager of the land in the middle of the racecourse that is to be a public park.
The tide has turned remarkably- special thanks to Sue Pennicuik for her efforts , Gavin Jennings for acknowledging and acting on the inequities and those in the community and council who have campaigned long and hard on this issue
The breakthrough as outlined by Sue Pennicuik from state parliament below is great news!-
Greens MP Sue Pennicuik moved an amendment in state parliament today to try to prevent the government from handing over valuable Crown land just north of the Caulfield Racecourse to the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC).
"The MRC has been making huge profits for decades from using the public land at Caulfield Racecourse solely as a racecourse despite it being set aside under the Crown as a public park, public recreation ground and racecourse. The community and Glen Eira Council have struggled for years to get the trustees to manage the land for all three purposes equally, but to no avail. Instead the trustees have delegated the management of the land to the MRC, whose only interest has been in promoting horse racing and making money from the onsite tabaret and other commercial ventures, Ms Pennicuik said."
"Very little of these huge profits have made their way back to the community, which has been locked out of the public land for decades. Despite an agreement with the Glen Eira Council to facilitate greater access by the public to its public land on non- race days and to improve and install public amenities in the centre of the racecourse, virtually nothing has happened. "The state government was preparing to reward this non-action by exchanging a very, valuable parcel of Crown land, for commercial development by the MRC, for a much smaller, less valuable parcel of land on the edge of the racecourse for community use. The Glen Eira Council has opposed this land swap."
"I was concerned that if the state government went ahead with this unfair land swap without conditions, then the commitments that the MRC had given regarding more public access and improved public amenities would never eventuate," she said.
"I am pleased that at the eleventh hour, Minister Jennings has listened to the concerns I have raised on behalf of the community and has given an undertaking that conditions will be imposed on the MRC regarding public access and improvements and that there will be no financial loss to the Crown from the land exchange. "This is a breakthrough in the long-running saga around the use of the public land at Caulfield Racecourse. I will be closely watching what happens because despite the assurances of the Minister, the MRC has a poor a poor track record with regard to fulfilling its responsibilities to the public park and recreational aspects of the Crown deed, Ms Pennicuik concluded."
Cr Jamie Hyams has summarized yesterday's excellent news from the Victorian Parliament as follows:
-I understand that among the concessions given by Gavin Jennings are that the land is to be valued and any difference between the value of the two pieces of land is to go to the Crown, and that the land swap will not occur until the MRC has fulfilled its commitments in relation to the centre of the racecourse and signposting to better inform the public of the land’s availability. Further, according to Sue Pennicuik’s interpretation of Jenning’s remarks, the MRC will have to pay commercial rent for the areas it uses for training, and that rent is, according to Jennings, to “be available for the ongoing maintenance and development of the park or other Crown public land within the Glen Eira area.” He also flagged that he could see Council being the manager of the land in the middle of the racecourse that is to be a public park.
The tide has turned remarkably- special thanks to Sue Pennicuik for her efforts , Gavin Jennings for acknowledging and acting on the inequities and those in the community and council who have campaigned long and hard on this issue
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Bicycle Strategy Consultation meeting this WED 25/11
Council has arranged two public meetings for community input into a new GE Bicycle Strategy. Come along to these meetings to make a difference, and if you cannot make it, contact the consultant ,council , or our local GE bicycle group to ensure your ideas and proposals are included.
Whether you want bike markings down your street, bike parking outside your shop, programs for schools, facilities for commuters, training programs for cyclists, or something else, this is your chance to have your proposals heard and included.
Pass the word around as well and bring your friends and families.
Public meeting details:
· 7pm Thurs 19 Nov, Packer Park Hall, Leila Road, Carnegie
· 7pm Wed 25 Nov, DC Bricker Pavilion, Princes Park, Beech St, Caulfield
Contact:
Glen Eira Bicycle Advisory Group: (gebag@melbournite.com) Paul Henry (0417 324 831) and Helen Millicer (0413 875 872)
Consultant: SKM, contact Jo Neale on 9248 3208 or jneal@skm.com.au
Whether you want bike markings down your street, bike parking outside your shop, programs for schools, facilities for commuters, training programs for cyclists, or something else, this is your chance to have your proposals heard and included.
Pass the word around as well and bring your friends and families.
Public meeting details:
· 7pm Thurs 19 Nov, Packer Park Hall, Leila Road, Carnegie
· 7pm Wed 25 Nov, DC Bricker Pavilion, Princes Park, Beech St, Caulfield
Contact:
Glen Eira Bicycle Advisory Group: (gebag@melbournite.com) Paul Henry (0417 324 831) and Helen Millicer (0413 875 872)
Consultant: SKM, contact Jo Neale on 9248 3208 or jneal@skm.com.au
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