Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Glen Eira votes unaminously to retain aquatic facilities in Carnegie‏

At Tuesday nights council meeting I moved an amendment to item 9.8 - a report on GESAC (glen eira sports and aquatic centre-bentleigh) progress and recent attendance figures at Carnegie Pool-

that council

a- continue to operate Carnegie Pool

b- is committed to retaining aquatic facilities at this site

c-undertake research and community consultation once GESAC is operating

Pleased to report that this was voted for unaminously.

An important step forward!

Full details at http://www.gleneria.vic.gov.au/ clicking onto council and community.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

From the Chamber - COUNCIL MEETING 27TH APRIL

The council meeting was rather short but contain several important items- Full minutes can be seen by clicking on the council link below right and going to meetings.

Leamington Cres development - council voted to approve the amended plans for a 3 storey 34 dwelling apartment complex. This site is at the junction of the Frankston and Dandenong railways lines on the approach to Caulfield stn. Even though technically this site is zoned minimal change - the uniqueness of the site and its closeness to public transport and the pheonix precinct was deemed good justification to approve this development.

VCAT Watch- a particularliy disappointing result was the decision to allow the construction of two double storey attached buildings at 10 Packer st Murrumbeena, a street covered by the Boyd Park Significant Character Area (SCA). In somewhat of a first for this area VCAT overuled a previous refusal notice by council to grant a permit, giving little weight to the SCA policy.

The planning scheme review currently taking place will consider stronger neighbourhood character protection for the SCAs in our municipality- it would seem a very timely move!


Council Plan and Strategic Resource Plan- both plans will be advertised and submissions are welcome until the closing date of 27 May. Full details at http://www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/


Environmental Sustainablity Strategy - this strategy was developed with input from those attending the Glen Eira environmental forum in July 09 and with reccomendations from the Environ. Advisory Committee.-some of the initiatives include


- the funding for ewaste collection days in each ward


- the introduction and implentation of a carbon neutral plan for council.


- an increase on the uptake of Greenpower electricity use to 25% of all council operations


the ESS is currently being highlighted on the home page of GE website - link bottom right


with final date for comments/submission on 15 June 2010.




Sunday, April 25, 2010

Glen Eira planning scheme review - Rosstown Consultation Meeting this thursday

Glen Eira is presently undertaking a review of its planning scheme. Public consulatation meetings are being held in each ward. These meetings are an opportunity for residents to have their say about various planning issues in the community including-

* any zoning or overlay inconsistancies
* the effectiveness of having significant character areas
* the use of structure plans for activity centres
* transitioning from housing diversity to minimal change areas
* emerging issues such as the relevency and need of master plans by institutions
* use of development contributions (eg open space and drainage)

Thursday 29 April (rosstown ward)
7-9pm
Packer Park hall
Leila rd Carnegie

Monday 3 May (camden ward)
7-9pm
Caulfied Park pavilion
off Balaclava rd
Caulfield

full details of the consultation and review process can be viewed at
www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/Files/Planning_Scheme_Review.PDF

Saturday, April 10, 2010

From the Chamber - COUNCIL MEETING 7TH APRIL

The meeting last Tuesday night was relatively short but did cover some important items which are highlighted below- full minutes are available at the GE link and then by clicking on council and community.

Animal Management Committee- an amendment to the minutes was moved and passed to engage a consultant to report back to council on the feasibliity , costs and parameters regarding undertaking a review of Glen Eira's present off-leash regulations and areas. The admendment in full read as follows:

"that the recommendations of the committtee be adopted except that, in relation to 6b of the minutes of the animal management advisory committee , Council resolves to invite experts in animal mangement, including Harlock Jackson Pty Ltd and Jeavons and Jeavons Pty Ltd, to provide a quote to prepare a report setting out recommendations as to the requirements for a comprehensive review of Council's off-leash areas, including the 50 metre rule having regard to to Councils Domestic Animal Management plan. The report should include methodology, a timeline , the issues to be considered and the potential cost of a such a review. The quotes should come to council in order for Council to determine who should provide the report."

The motion was put and carried unanimously.

comment- I fully supported this initiative as I understand there hasn't been a full review on this issue since 1996.

Glen Eira Toilet draft strategy
This comprehensive draft strategy was welcomed by council as a significant step forward.
It indentifies improvements and upgrades for this important public amenity.Included were findings from an extensive consultation process. The strategy will be placed on public exhibition with submissions welcomed.

Some of the key reccomendations were;
- that fully automated toilets continue to be installed in our park and reserve areas.
- a semi-automated 'hybrid' style facility be trialed and if successful used in our high use areas such as shopping strips.
- the adoption of a five year action plan that will see the upgrading/replacement of some of our older facilities and new facilities to ensure there is a max of 1ooo metres between public toilets in commercial areas ie 500m or less distance to travel.

CEO Reappointment
Council has reappointed our current CEO Mr Andrew Newton for a term of two years with an option excercisable only by council to extend the appointment for a further two years after that.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

New premises for GE Historical Society opened

Recently I attended the official opening of the Glen Eira Historical Society's new impressive premises at 965 Glenhuntly Rd South Caulfield. (see related prev posting)


It was great to see such a good attendance at this event that has been a long time coming .

The new premises is open to the public and always welcoming of new volunteers to assist in the large volume of work being done in chronocling this municipality's rich past.


The director Mr John O'Callaghan spoke of the trials and tribulations of getting to this stage- including being flooded out several days after moving in! He also acknowledged the wonderful work and efforts of past and present members.


With the recent council decision to fund a full-time research officer and assistant the future looks assured for the society and its valuable work.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

ROSSTOWN Ward Community Forum March 24 & 25

Last year I ran three community forums which I felt were very informative and beneficial to all who participated. Having made a committment to run quarterly forums throughout the four year council term ( missed dec thru being unwell) am very keen to recommence these meetings in 2010.

The October forum focusing on early childhood services, in particular the lack of kindergarten places in Glen Eira was especially relevant to current council policies. The present increased activity by council in addressing this issue is due in some moderate part to the efforts of those who attended.

The next forum will be organised by all the Rosstown Crs - Steven Tang, Margaret Esakoff and moi on the following dates and times.

Wednesday 24th March
12.30pm
upstairs Boyd Room
Carnegie Library
Shepparson Ave
Carnegie

Thursday 25th March
7 pm
Packer Park Hall
Leila rd
Murrumbeena

Light refreshments provided at both forums

Everyone welcome-Hope to see you there!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Important Community Consultation meetings next week

Next week there will be several community consultation meetings held throughout the municipality regarding the future planning and provision of Kindergartens in Glen Eira and to review the progress of the GE Bicycling strategy -see earlier postings.

I would encourage everyone to come along and provide input into these important issues. The current demand for kindergarten places well exceeds what is presently available. With new Fed and State govt plans to increase the hours provided for 4 year olds from 10 to 15 per week, there is an urgent need to plan and advocate for future facilities. Details as advertised below-

BICYCLING STRATEGY REVIEW

Consultation session to report on the key findings to date will be held

Thursday 25 February at 7pm

Glen Eira Town Hall — Caulfield Cup Room, corner Glen Eira and Hawthorn Roads, Caulfield.


KINDERGARTENS in Glen Eira

The Council of Australian Government's (COAG) National Early Childhood Development Strategy aims to increase universal access to four-year-old kindergarten from 10 hours per week to 15. Council recently received funding from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) to undertake a planning role to assist the State Government in planning its response.Council will hold three community consultations sessions to inform the planning process to implement the new changes.

Wednesday 24 February 1pm–3pm

Carnegie Library and Community Centre — Boyd Room 7 Shepparson Avenue, Carnegie

Wednesday 24 February 7.30pm–9pm

Glen Eira Town Hall — TheatretteCorner Glen Eira and Hawthorn Roads, Caulfield

Thursday 25 February 7.30pm–9pm

McKinnon Public Hall 118 McKinnon Road, McKinnon


Residents are also encouraged to recieve the new Glen Eira community consultation e-newsletter which was a recent initiative initiated by the consultation committee and accepted by council. The link to this is at http://www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.asp?Page_Id=1436