Monthly Archives: August 2020

Caulfield South, Bentleigh & Carnegie – need your help

Posted on August 24, 2020 | Comments Off on Caulfield South, Bentleigh & Carnegie – need your help

GERA has received the below, self-explanatory email from the SAVE GLEN EIRA residents group. GERA works closely with SGE and supports their request for residents to show their support for these areas currently experiencing a “development siege”.

What happens in these locations will inevitably flow on to all other suburbs of the municipality if residents don’t act now.

Drafted responses to Council (together with Council contact details) are included in the below – so asking for a show of support is not a big ask.

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Dear All, 

Whilst we’re in a prolonged lock down, much is happening around Glen Eira. There are many decisions that Council will be voting on in the next few weeks. Whilst certain suburbs are impacted greatly, residents from across Glen Eira have the opportunity to give their support. Our councillors’ preparedness  to listen to residents is highly correlated with the number of letters received.

 We would appreciate your input.

 Caulfield South. Action needed this week

 Caulfield South is a Neighbourhood Activity Centre which, in the Glen Eira City Plan (2020) has designated height limits of 5 storeys for buildings in commercial zones. This document is not a planning document, and VCAT will view highly the fact that there are no height limits for proposed buildings in commercial zones of Neighbourhood Centres

 There are 5 hearings scheduled at VCAT:  

Glen Eira Council has not provided external legal representation for any of these hearings. The residents have been left to fight the developers’ proposals on their own.  

If these proposals proceed, the impact on this Neighbour Centre will be dramatic and disastrous. Caulfield South is not a Major Activity Centre. 

 Attached is a proforma letter written by CS-RAID (Caulfield South Residents Against Inappropriate Development), requesting Glen Eira Councillors to review their stance on these hearings and provide legal assistance for the residents.

 Draft Amendment C184: Carnegie & Bentleigh. Action needed this week 

This amendment proposes changes to the Glen Eira Planning Scheme for Carnegie & Bentleigh. 

There is massive change for the residents in these suburbs. And without proper consultation and the difficulty in accessing meaning in the bundle of documents connected with this amendment: the rezoning of areas, the introduction of new zones, the discretionary height limits, the lack of new open space and the loss of public land: it is not surprising that many are left confused and frightened. 

The Amendment C184 brings considerable change for the residents. The residents do not feel as though they have been able to put their views to Council, nor to have an input into how their neighbourhood will develop.

Imagine a resident currently living in NRZ1 (2 storeys) who now finds that they will be living in GRZ5 (3 storeys) when the Amendment C184 is passed.

 Attached is a proforma letter that you may wish to send to Councillors and the CEO in support of the residents of Carnegie and Bentleigh.  

Closing date of submission is this Friday August 27 2020. Submission is online:  www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/AmendmentC184 ; or direct to Glen Eira Council attention City Futures, https://www.gleneira.vic.gov.au

This is the time for Glen Eira residents to help each other. Please find some time to send off a letter or two to Council. 

Regards,

Bernadette

 Footnote:

The Amendment C184 letter included above is a overall letter – a more detailed response specific to Bentleigh and Carnegie is available on the SGE’s website.

 

If you wish to comment on or ask a question on this posting please do so on FaceBook

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Posted in 2020 COUNCIL ELECTIONS, Bentleigh Concept Plan, Carnegie Concept Plan, Caufield South

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GO AHEAD FOR COUNCIL ELECTIONS – 24th October, 2020

Posted on August 19, 2020 | Comments Off on GO AHEAD FOR COUNCIL ELECTIONS – 24th October, 2020

As a result of the currently decreasing COVID-19 infections, the State Government (State Medical Officer and Minister for Local Government) has given the go-ahead for Victoria’s Local Council Elections to proceed as planned – via postal voting with a closing date of 24th October, 2020. 

The official campaign being from 22nd September (candidate nomination date) to 24th October (election day). 

 

 As

  • Planning and Council’s role in Planning will yet again be a highly contentious election issue in October and
  • COVID-19 restrictions* will dramatically change the usual electioneering practices – instead of the candidates coming the electorate, the electorate will need to seek the candidates in the virtual world (social media and on-line community forums) to ensure making an informed vote.

the forum presents a rare opportunity for residents to “ASK THEM ANYTHING” about Planning and Council’s view of it’s role in Victoria’s Planning Processes – a good start when later deciding who to vote for in the Council Elections.

 The on-line forum format includes

  • a short overview of Council’s role in planning
  • a short discussion on key themes from what audience members are interested in hearing more about (presumably based on questions lodged during registration)
  • live questions from the audience

To attend the Zoom Forum you must register – FORUM REGISTRATION

GERA again encourages all residents to register for tomorrow’s (Thursday 20/8/2020) ON-LINE PLANNING FORUM.

 

Footnote:

State Government Council Electioneering Guideline during COVID-19 restrictions

Stage 4 Restrictions (currently to mid-September) – candidates in metropolitan Melbourne would effectively be banned from campaigning outside their homes, including doorknocking, leafleting, attending campaign events and advertising on billboards and posters, for as long as stage four restrictions remain.

Stage 3 Restrictions (if stage four restrictions are lifted mid-September) – prevent candidates convening or attending meetings in open spaces or private residences, door-knocking and attending community events. However, they would be allowed to drop election material into people’s letterboxes, hand out leaflets and advertise on posters and billboards

 

If you wish to comment on or ask a question on this posting please do so on FaceBook

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Posted in 2020 COUNCIL ELECTIONS, Community Consultation

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COUNCIL PLANNING FORUM – 20/8/2020

Posted on August 15, 2020 | Comments Off on COUNCIL PLANNING FORUM – 20/8/2020

Good to know that Council is holding the below planning forum.  It presents an opportunity for 

  • residents to learn, and raise concerns on, State and Council laws, policies, process and programs that shape changes to our local areas and
  • Council to clarify it’s role in developing and implementing those laws, policies, processors and programs.

 To register for the forum – Council’s Have Your Say Page

GERA encourages all residents (including the sceptical who expect more “blame games” and  question the timing of the forum and the October’s Council Elections) to attend the forum to gain an understanding of both planning and Council’s key role of ensuring  residents views are incorporated in achieving best possible planning outcomes. 

Hopefully, more forums will be scheduled prior to October’s Council Elections* and the format of all forums will include not only written questions, submitted during registration,  but also provide a Q&A session to address issues arising during the forum.

Footnote*

Due to COVID-19 restrictions and safety concerns, the 2020 Council Elections scheduled for 24th October,2020 may be postponed to sometime in 2021.  See – Age article 13/08/2020.

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Posted in Community Consultation

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