New Planning Zones announced for Glen Eira

Last week I attended a press conference where State Planning Minister Matthew Guy announced in Bentleigh that Glen Eira will become the first municipality in Melbourne to convert
to the new town planning zones.

This was achieved with virtually a complete translation of our existing zones into the new ones ie no boundary changes with the added benefit of mandatory height restrictions for the first time ever over approx 97% of the municipality.

This breaks down as such in area and height to the new zones:
Neighborhood Residential -approx 80%- max of 2 dwellings per lot, max 8m= 2storeys
Both areas below centred on public transport proximity add up to approx 17%
General Residential- along tramlines and smaller strips/shopping centres 10.5m efectively 3 storeys
Resdential Growth- around larger shopping stips/centres 13.5m effectively 4 storeys

The remaining approx 3% comes(also near PT) under the new Commercial zoning introduced on July 15th by the State govt with no height limits which was already the current case.

It is a very good outcome which I feel curtails the power and influence of VCAT and provides better surerity by focusing future development around our public transport nodes.

Extensive public consultation was undertaken in 2010 on the local planning scheme with the key improvements desired by the community being;
- height limits in residential areas
- the introduction of transition zones to better 'step down' the effects of development
- increasing % of pervious surface per site
- restricting development in the minimum change residential zone (now neighborhood residential)

It is very pleasing that these have all now been accomplished.

Full details on Council website home page including maps of zoning - see under links.

New funding for Sustainable Education activities

At the last Council meeting the following motion was passed which will result in an extra $145k pa of funding including for the first time in Glen Eira provision for a Sustainable Education Officer to be appointed.

That Council
a. Boost recycling education activities ($60,000 pa)
b. Support for Schools Environment Network and other community environment groups (up to $70,000 pa)
c. Investigate implementing additional community based sustainability programs($15,000)
d. Allow for the above activities in the 2013-2014 Budget
e. Increase advocacy activities to encourage the State government to undertake further school sustainability initiatives.

Crs Pilling/Delahunty
That the recommendation in the report be adopted with the following
addition:
“Part b to read, ‘Provide support for the Schools Environment Network and other community environment groups (up to $70,000pa) – this may include provision for a designated Sustainability Education Officer.”
and add:“(f) After the expiration of two years undertake a review of the results and benefits from the above funding arrangements.”

The MOTION was put and CARRIED unanimously.

Murrumbeena Park- new play and community area opens

Last week the fantastic new play and community area at Murrumbeena Park in Kangaroo Rd opened. Its a really great facility for young and old to enjoy. Over the long weekend I visited the site and was delighted to see many hundreds of children and their families visting the area. The flying fox was certainly a hit along with the many other challenges there.

This project was costed at almost $1 million with $250k being a State Govt grant. I was always supportive of this project believing it is money very well spent in providing quality community facilities for all ages.

There will be official opening in July but most importantly it is now open for all to enjoy!

Improving waste and recycling services

At tomorrow night's Council meeting agenda item 9.3 relates to a review of Council's free hard rubbish kerbside collection service. It also identifies future improvements/terms as recommended in the upcoming tender process.
The changes suggested especially in relation to ewaste are very welcome and I will be encouraging my collegues to support all the considerations and recommendations-Full details in item 9.3 on Council website - see under links.

From the agenda papers the review has found-
"There is high level of community satisfaction with Council’s Waste Management Services generally.Some people, however, would like Council to better address the issue of hard and illegal dumped rubbish on naturestrips.
The waste industry generally considers Council’s current method of hard rubbish collection best practice.
No other method of hard rubbish collection appears to provide a better deterrent to illegal rubbish dumping.

In retendering Council’s hard rubbish service, Council should consider:
o Options to increase recycling of hard and dumped rubbish
o Including ewaste recycling in the hard rubbish collection service
Recent changes to Federal Government legislation requires suppliers of electronic equipment to now fund the recycling of televisions and computers. These changes have reduced the cost of Council providing Ewaste collection days from about $120,000 to $55,000.
o Ways to increase proactive reporting of illegal dumped rubbish to reduce time
between dumping and removal
o Extending the hard rubbish collection service to working days over the
Christmas / New Year period.

Recommendation
That Council:
i. Continue with the current hard rubbish collection service method: on call,
presented on the naturestrip.
ii. Retender its Hard Rubbish Collection Service to
a. Include options for greater recycling of the rubbish as outlined in this paper
b. Include options for proactive reporting of dumped rubbish
c. Extend collection days to include all working days over the Christmas/New Year Period.
iii. Move to a kerbside collection of ewaste in 2013-14 ($120,000 already allowed in draft 2013-14 Budget for ewaste collection."

Draft budget and SRP 2013/14 - funds for increased public open space and Carnegie Pool

Last night Council's draft budget for 13/14 and the Strategic Resource Plan SRP (which allocated funds over a decade)were released.

There were many important highlights including from the draft budget

GESAC's popularity means that the sports and aquatic centre is budgeted to cover all its costs this financial year.This includes all the loan repayments and interest which is approx $3m per annum.

Duncan Mckinnon pavillion - $2.5m to complete
Centenary Park pavillion - $1.3m to begin with and $2m the following year to complete

Environmental Sustainability - $1.415m
- completion of energy saving streetlight changeover reducing Council's greenhouse emmissions
by upto 14%- $300k
- community energy audits for residents - $250k
- bicycle strategy- $100k less than other years mainly because most actions now complete
- solar panel trial on council properties incl pavillions - $115k
- drought tolerant grasses on sports grounds that greatly reduce water consumption - $600k

-from the draft SRP
- Booran Rd Reservoir converting to open space -$9.5m over two years from 2015-17
- Carnegie Pool -$5m for upgrading the facility over two years from 2017-19
- Public Open Space strategy -rolling funding increasing from $4m per year in 2017 upto $10.5m in 2023 to fund this strategy

From 1st July 2013 all Public Open Space contributions from new developments will be allocated to the aquisition or improvement of new not pre-existing open space.

Many of these items especially around Public Open Space herald very significant changes for the municipality.

Full details on Council website - view under links - Public submissions very welcome.

Federal Election 2013 - Rose Read Greens Candidate for Goldstein

Recently Rose Read was preselected as the the Greens Candidate for Goldstein in the upcoming Federal Election on September 14th.

Rose was a great candidate for Tucker ward in the recent Council elections and came close to being elected, coming a close fourth. She has extensive experience and understanding of our local communities and will be an excellent candidate as outlined in the details below.

Her expertise and input on Council's environment committee has been invaluable and I wish her all the best for the campaign-

Rose Read – Candidate for Goldstein
Mobile: 0409 132 338
Email: rose.read@vic.greens.org.au

Rose Read is an active community member and resident of Bentleigh. She is a representative on Council’s Environment Committee and works with local government and businesses across Melbourne to improve energy efficiency. She is also an experienced manager of services for children and families. Ms Read said ‘I love living in Bentleigh, where I raised my family and know the community well’. ‘We need a lively, engaged and healthy community for everyone,’ she said. She is standing as a Greens candidate for Council because she wants ‘to see a council that listens and works with community members to improve planning for people and the environment’. She is committed to ‘expanding childcare and kindergartens in the area; actively involving residents in neighbourhood planning and services; providing more open space, adventurous playgrounds and events for all ages; and ensuring better access to activities and services for older residents’.

Pavillion progress at Duncan Mckinnon Reserve

Recently along with other Councillors I was provided with an on-site tour of the construction site of our current major capital project - the new pavillion at Duncan Mckinnon. This is a $9.5 million project that will deliver wonderful new modern facilities to the literally thousands of local children and families who play sport at our busiest recreational facility. There will also be a reconfiguration of the carpark to allow for safer traffic movements.

As one who competed on the track from the mid-seventies to now seeing family members participating in the netball competitions there, it is especially pleasing to see this progress.

The photos above show the construction is well advanced-with completion on track for the end of March next year and I will post regular updates-

Protecting the remaining remant redgums of Glen Eira

At the last Council meeting Cr Sounness called for a report which I was very pleased to support.

11.1 Requests for reports from Officers
(a) Crs Sounness/Lobo

Given the recent loss of two significant mature river red gum trees(Eucalyptus camaldulensis) on Duncan Mackinnon Reserve, I request a report on how Council protects the remnant indigenous tree population on Council managed land.

The report should provide a general overview of how Council manages significant trees in its parks and provide specific detail on the health,form and expected safe useful life of the following mature river red gums trees:

1) 2x at Elster Creek Trail – Bentleigh
2) 1x Booran Road reservoir –Glen Huntly
3) 2x Wattle Grove Reserve – Ormond
4) 1x Greenmeadows Garden – North Caulfield
5) 1x Rosstown Woodland - Carnegie

The report should also detail strategies Council uses to prolong the life of its significant trees and how Council preserves local provenance of its indigenous trees stock when replacing old trees.
The MOTION was put and CARRIED unanimously.

Comment - Along with those listed above and in Boyd Park Murrumbeena,there are very few of these significant species left in our parklands -the loss of the two trees at Duncan Mckinnon in January was unfortunate. Extensive rot in several main branches had raised safety concerns given the close proximty to the jogging track and car park. Will look forward to the outcome of this report especially any means where Council can better protect these trees through preventative measures.

New school pedestrian crossing for Murrumbeena

Over the past few weeks it has been very pleasing to witness many parents and school children using the new crossing on Murrumbeena rd at the Dandenong rd intersection to access several local primary schools.

In reponse to concerns raised late last year about the lack of a safe crossing I met with a group of parents before Xmas on this issue- At the February council meeting Crs unamiously endorsed a proposal to fund this new crossing and provide a safer pathway for those families living on the western side of M/beena rd and thus encourage more to walk.

Whilst full credit goes to the parent group for raising this issue, I would like to see our Council play a more pro-active role in eliminating any pedestrian 'black holes' like this one. The walking strategy being developed this year will provide a good opportunity for improvements to be made.

Carnegie Pool - securing the pool's future

One of the issues that was highlighted amongst many candidates including myself during the recent Council elections was the urgent need to upgrade the aging Carnegie pool.

In 2010 I initiated a motion in the chamber to address this. The amended motion passed at that time noted the significance of this issue but adopted a wait and see approach till after GESAC had opened and attendance figures could be viewed.

The attendance figures at Carnegie so far this summer have been quite high showing no decrease even though GESAC has been open for almost one year.

There have been some intial discussions on this issue; it has been very encouraging that overwhelmingly this new Councillor group is keen to upgrade and improve this important community facility,with timing and funding yet to be determined>.

Campaigning in Glen Eira

The next six or so weeks will be very busy as the time draws closer to the October 27th election date.

I will primarily be using facebook to communicate campaign activities,issues,views over this time.

Follow me by searching facebook on Neil Pilling Glen Eira 2012

Must say great to see some warmer spring weather after many chilly morns doing leafleting and stalls throughout August. So far with Wilmars Mickelson,fellow Greens Candidate for Rosstown, we have done six stalls and delivered in the order of 13k leaflets.

We will continue to be very active- full details will be provided of upcoming campaign events- drop by and say hello!

This Saturday 22nd September

930-12noon Koornang rd Carnegie

(near main pedestrian crossing)

Greening Local Government in Glen Eira- press release

Am certainly proud to be part of such a talented group!
More information can be found at the Glen Eira Greens site in links opposite.

Greening Local Government in Glen Eira
The Greens are excited to be fielding a record number of candidates for the City of Glen Eira Council elections to be held in October this year. Neil Pilling, current Rosstown ward Councillor and City of Glen Eira Deputy Mayor, is standing again and is joined by Wilmars Mikelsons also for Rosstown ward, Thomas Sounness for Camden ward, and Rose Read and Brett Hedger for Tucker ward. With such a strong line-up of endorsed Greens candidates, The Greens are optimistic of gaining extra positions on Council and working to build a better Council for the City of Glen Eira.

Bayside-Glen Eira branch co-convenor, Jeannie Marsh, said ‘the Greens have endorsed a solid team of candidates representing a wealth of talent and a strong commitment to the people of Glen Eira’. Candidates come from a varied range of backgrounds and together have experience in areas including education, business, community services, urban planning and more. Most have lived in the City of Glen Eira for many years and some have raised families in the area. All are well connected to their local community and regularly interact with other residents through volunteer work with community service, educational and sporting organisations, and by participating in local activities such as dog walking groups.

‘The Bayside-Glen Eira branch of the Greens is thrilled to be putting forward such a strong team for the upcoming Council election’ Ms Marsh said, adding that she is ‘confident that residents will welcome the opportunity to make a difference in Glen Eira by electing Greens Councillors who are committed to the community and to delivering healthy, safe and liveable neighbourhoods’.

For further information and comment, please contact the candidates directly.
See additional candidate comments and contact details below.
Additional Candidate Comments and Contacts

Neil Pilling - Candidate for Rosstown ward
Mobile: 0418 310 631
Email: neil.pilling@vic.greens.org.au

Neil Pilling, who has been a member of Council since 2008, says that ‘being the first Greens Councillor elected in Glen Eira has been both rewarding and challenging’. His strong advocacy on a range of environmental, social and economic issues has seen Glen Eira take important steps forward in delivering improved and progressive community focused policies. He is proud to have also contributed to delivering great new community and sporting facilities like GESAC and the new Duncan McKinnon Pavilion. A special emphasis for Cr Pilling is ‘ensuring facilities, services and parklands are improved through sound planning for people and our environment’. He is committed to listening to residents and acting on community concerns and is ‘looking forward to the next term and the exciting potential that the election of more Greens Councillors will bring!’

Wilmars Mikensons - Candidate for Rosstown ward
Mobile: 0425 772 228
Email: wilmars.mikelsons@vic.greens.org.au

Wilmars Mikelsons has lived in Glen Eira for more than 20 years, is a teacher at a local secondary school and has raised his family here. His three children have attended local schools and participated in local sporting clubs. He is a keen gardener, loves cycling and watching his son play junior footy and basketball. He says Glen Eira is a great place to live, and is running for council because he believes that ‘a strong community voice is needed to ensure Council retains and improves facilities, services and parks’. He is committed to ‘listening and acting on community concerns; supporting families, young and old, with well planned and needed services; enhancing the health of our community and environment; and retaining and improving the Carnegie Pool’.

Thomas Sounness – Candidate for Camden ward
Mobile: 0438 499 680
Email: thomas.sounness@vic.greens.org.au

Greens candidate for Camden ward, Thomas Sounness, believes Green representation on Council will contribute to healthy, safe and liveable suburbs. He has wide experience in urban planning, small business development, international trade, farming and IT. He lives in South Caulfield, where he can be seen taking his dog on daily walks. Mr Sounness also enjoys gardening and volunteers his time to assist frail and disabled residents with their gardens. Mr Sounness said he is ‘committed to building social and environmental resilience’ and believes that ‘to achieve this, and to maintain the City’s liveability, foresight and good planning is needed’. He is committed to work hard to ‘support access to valuable social services; rejuvenate and revitalise our characteristic retail centres; prevent waste and improve Council transparency and effectiveness’. ‘I’m also committed to supporting better, more efficient and effective transport options in the City’ he said.

Rose Read – Candidate for Tucker ward
Mobile: 0409 132 338
Email: rose.read@vic.greens.org.au

Rose Read is an active community member and resident of Bentleigh. She is a representative on Council’s Environment Committee and works with local government and businesses across Melbourne to improve energy efficiency. She is also an experienced manager of services for children and families. Ms Read said ‘I love living in Bentleigh, where I raised my family and know the community well’. ‘We need a lively, engaged and healthy community for everyone,’ she said. She is standing as a Greens candidate for Council because she wants ‘to see a council that listens and works with community members to improve planning for people and the environment’. She is committed to ‘expanding childcare and kindergartens in the area; actively involving residents in neighbourhood planning and services; providing more open space, adventurous playgrounds and events for all ages; and ensuring better access to activities and services for older residents’.

Brett Hedger – Candidate for Tucker ward
Mobile: 0448 560595
Email: Brett.Hedger@vic.greens.org.au

Brett Hedger is a qualified accountant, teacher, IT specialist and sustainability professional who lives in McKinnon with his sons. ‘Community service is a high priority for me and I am ready for the challenge of representing our community’, he said. He believes ‘our city needs a clear vision that guides and shapes all our futures’ and that ‘our city needs to be safe, clean and healthy’. He has pledged to work hard to ‘create a Council that works in harmony with the community; to improve public transport; preserve and expand our open spaces; and balance the needs of development with preserving neighbourhood character’.

Campaigning in Glen Eira -election day Oct 27th 2012

To assist in providing information and comment throughout the coming months till election day on Saturday October 27th,I have recently launched a campaign facebook page.

This page will be updated regularly and contain plenty of details on issues, events and commentry. Equally it will be an important avenue for residents to have their say about concerns they have and to engage in the campaign.

Please check out the page at the top of the LINKS section opposite.

Storytelling Festival - Boyd guided walk

Last Saturday week as part of the Glen Eira Storytelling Festival program local historian and resident Colin Smith provided a facinating insight into the Boyd family history and their connections over a fifty year period in Murrumbeena.

Both events were very well attended -the morning walk with approx 140 whilst the afternoon walk which I attended had at least 100 enthusiastic participants.

Colin gave a wonderful narative of the struggles of this quite humble but gifted family and of their relationship with the emerging surrounding community. Their story is quite complicated and it was very interesting know more about this important talented family. Really living local history!

The walk began at the Springthorpe gates on Neerim rd , proceeded thru the now Boyd Park and then onto Wharoongaa Cres and the site of 'Open Country' the original family home(unfortunately demolished in '64).The only Boyd home still standing is at No.8.

The walk concluded at the site in Neerim rd of the former AMB (Arthur Merric Boyd) pottery. Many thanks Colin.

Community Market this Sat July 14th

Community Market - Saturday 14th July

Every three months there is a great community market held at;

Uniting Church
Murrumbeena rd Murrumbeena
Saturday 14th July
9am to 2pm -
Plenty of local crafts and produce to sample and enjoy!

All details can be found at the link section- market murumbeena - bottom right.

Hope to see you there!

Murrumbeena Park - proposed new youth and playground facilites

This Thursday night at 6.30pm in the Murrumbeena Park pavillion in Kangaroo rd there will be an opportunity for the local community to view the proposals for a range of new facilities at this much-used park. Along with other Crs. I will be attending this informative meeting to hear residents views on the proposals. The state govt has granted $250k to the project and Council has currently allocated $781k in the draft 2012/13 budget. from Glen Eira home page- Murrumbeena Park play space Glen Eira City Council is currently finalising a proposed play space project at Murrumbeena Park on Kangaroo Road. The proposal sees the removal of the existing playground adjacent to the main sports oval and the creation of a new play space in the eastern side of the park. The design incorporates a number of leading edge components and treatments which will make the playspace a model for future developments. The design goes beyond any existing playground and merges traditional play equipment with interactive landscaping, family picnic areas, tree plantings and facilities. It provides areas from toddlers to more active adolescents and can be accessed by wheelchairs and prams. In January, the Victorian Government announced a grant of $258,921 to assist in the construction of the Murrumbeena play space as part of Sport and Recreation Victoria’s Community Facility Funding Program. The project is listed as an item for consideration as part of Council’s 2012–13 Budget. An opportunity to view the plans will be available at Murrumbeena Park Pavilion, Kangaroo Road on Thursday 24 May from 6.30pm to7.30pm. This will include a brief presentation by the play space designer and Council officers will be available to clarify any issues and answer any questions.

new Duncan Mckinnon pavillion update

One of the concerns I've raised several times over the past few months has been the continued delay in commencing the construction of the new pavillion at Duncan Mckinnon Reserve, Murrumbeena and the consequences for other projects on the new pavillion program. Originally planned to start mid 2011 comencement is now most probably in June after tender arrangements are finalised. Whilst some delays are reasonable it has been a disappointing start to what will be fantastic new facilities used be many hundreds of local children and families who participate in the wide range of sports at the centre including netball, athletics, cricket and soccer. It has been designated our pavillion's program highest priority for these reasons and the sheer numbers that participates as anyone who rides or drives past on a Saturday morning will attest to. Temporary facilities will be provided over the approx 90 week construction phase for user groups.

Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre (GESAC) opens

Over the weekend our great new sports and aquatic centre at East Boundary rd Bentleigh opened to foundation members with the centre fully opened to the general public from tommorow Monday 7th May. This centre will be a wonderful addition to our community facilities particularily in the southern end of the muncipality. I'd encourage all residents to pay a visit with their families over the coming weeks, as I will certainly be doing, to check out and enjoy what are probably amongst the best sports and aquatic amenties in Melbourne!

Ombudsman's Report released

There has been widespread coverage over the past week or so in relation to the Ombudsman's report into bullying, governance and conflict of interest issues in Glen Eira Council that was tabled in the Victorian Parliament.

This report is primarily concerned with the inappropriate behaviour of Cr. Frank Penhalluriack.

At last Tuesday's special council meeting Councillors voted that this report be accepted and tabled with the recommendations to be fully implemented. I spoke of the seriousness of both the report and the long list of instances of misbehaviour.

Full report can be seen in links section bottom right.

short break from postings -

Hi GE blog readers - having a short break from blogging - will be back late March with more news and views - cheers Neil