This posting serves as a reminder to those who were notified of the below Information Session and to extend the invitation to attend to others interested redressing Glen Eira and Stonnington’s chronic shortage of parkland and sporting facilities.
BACKGROUND
As per the 2014 Auditor General’s Report, due to poor management of Reserve (the former Trust) and lack of oversight (by successive State Governments) has enabled its racing purpose to dominate the Reserve’s 54 hectares to the detriment of its public park and recreation purposes.
Current usage arrangements, have not changed from those outlined in the 2014 Report* and while the wheels of Government have moved slowly they have moved. In September 2017, on the recommendation of a bipartisan working group legislation was introduced to
- abolish the previous trust ( a Restrictive Trust) and establish a new trust framework, and
- establish a transparent and modern governance model for the Reserve management.
While it’s still “early days”, the Information Session is the first step in a long process that gives the community an unprecedented opportunity for input into ensuring future Reserve usage recognizes and serves the needs of the community.
INVITATION
The newly appointed (1st August, 2018) Trustees of the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve have committed to holding three to four community information sessions a year plus an annual public meeting to engage and be transparent with the community about the management of the reserve.
Below is an invitation to the first community information session to be held on 4 October 2018 at the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve.
The meeting will discuss the priorities the Trust has set for the next twelve months; including appointing a Chief Executive Officer and developing a land management plan, so come along meet the new trustees and ask questions.
Register your attendance via the link at the bottom of the above invitation and please circulate amongst your community.
Please note: An alternate registration link is Community Information Session: Caulfield Racecourse Reserve.
*****************************
Footnote:
As per the 2014 AG’s report (which remains unchanged) usage of the Reserve’s 54 ha (valued in 2014 as $2bn) is
- 11 hectares (20%) is under lease for racing purposes. The Annual rental of $170K is generally returned to the MRC for racing related projects.
- 37 hectares (69%) is used for racing purposes without any clear legal entitlement or payment arrangement, and
- only 6 hectares (11%) is available as open space for the potential use of the community. That 6 ha comprises facilities that do not meet the needs of community, are not easy to physically access and are subject to restricted usage times. No similar accessibility issues and time restrictions are applicable to racing usage.
Glen Eira Residents' Association Inc 