The Centre Road Bentleigh Group have forwarded us the following letter urging residents to attend this Thursday’s Concept Plan Forum for the Bentleigh Activity Centre. Significant changes are being proposed. Forum details and links to Council documentation are provided in the letter.
GERA supports the group and strongly urges residents to attend the Forum to express their views on the proposed changes.
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AN IMPORTANT LETTER TO RESIDENTS FROM RESIDENTS
The City of Glen Eira is currently planning for Bentleigh’s future and has developed a draft plan that is now out for community consultation. This plan proposes excessive development for Bentleigh and if implemented will have a huge impact on our area and the way that we live. Now’s your last chance to influence this direction.
What’s Proposed for Bentleigh
The draft Council plan for Bentleigh includes:
- Developments of up to eight storeys on both the east and west sides of the train line.
- The sale and development of Council owned land (current car parks) for up to eight storeys.
- An increase in the footprint that can be developed to three storeys (from two storeys).
- Three storey developments on Centre Road, west of Rose Street and east of Jasper Road, along much of Centre Road that is currently two storeys.
To view the Council’s proposal for Bentleigh go to Council’s website
In summary, this is a proposal for the further significant over-development of Bentleigh, it is not consistent with ongoing resident feedback and it has not been justified by Council. As this plan will shape the future of Bentleigh, Council needs to hear loud and clear that it is not acceptable.
Background for Residents
Glen Eira currently has the lowest provision of open space in Melbourne, one of the highest population densities, one of the highest rates of new dwelling developments and more than enough housing supply opportunities for future population needs. Glen Eira is already well and truly pulling its weight in terms of Victorian population growth and will continue to do so into the future with large development areas such as East Village on East Boundary Road in East Bentleigh and the completion of Caulfield Village. Based on the current rate of new developments, Glen Eira is well ahead of the state government new dwelling and population projections for 2031. Of concern, none of these facts have been included into the establishment of the Council’s plan for Bentleigh and there is no justification for the excessive over-development proposed.
What You Can Do
Enough is enough, we need resident involvement now or the damage of what’s being proposed will be irreparable. This is what you can do to help shape the right future plan for Bentleigh.
- Attend the Bentleigh community forum on Thursday 10th August from 6.30pm – 8.30pm at Duncan Mackinnon Reserve Pavilion, corner Murrumbeena and North Roads Murrumbeena. (Please attend, your attendance is very important).
- Respond to the Online Survey and highlight: four storey developments (maximum), no growth of the zone for new developments, no sale of Council owned land for new developments and the increased provision of open space.
- Contact Ward Councillors
Cr Jamie Hyams M: 0427 319 018 E: JHyams@gleneira.vic.gov.au
Cr Jim Magee M: 0427 338 327 E: JMagee@gleneira.vic.gov.au
Cr Nina Taylor M: 0466 372 809 E: NTaylor@gleneira.vic.gov.au
Remind them that they have previously stated a position of opposing large-scale and excessive development in Bentleigh and that now’s the opportunity to demonstrate it.
Further Queries
If you have any queries, want to be kept informed or would like an electronic copy of this letter you can email centreroadbentleigh@gmail.com
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In addition to the issues raised in the above letter, GERA believes that when reviewing the proposed changes for Bentleigh, residents should also consider the nearby Major and Neighbourhood Activity Centres. Within the context of a relatively small area, there is significant provision for future development – a significant provision that Council has not considered in the proposed Bentleigh Concept Plan.
Glen Eira Residents' Association Inc 