Council Turnaround. Cr Ken Ong and Stephen Mayne threaten to remove residential parkling entitlements

The City of Melbourne in a surprised turnaround has ignored residents concerns and opposition to the establishment of an Early Childhood Learning Centre located in o0ne o0f South Yarras most historic iconic buildings, and in the process Crs Ken Ong and Stephen Mayne threatened to withdraw residential parking permits.  

Opposed to Residents Concerns

Robert Doyle	Ken Ken Ong	Stephen Mayne
Susan Riley		[ Kevin Louey
[ Cathy Oake	Rohan Leppert

   
Support for Residents

Richard Foster

Beverley Pinder-Mortimer

Jackie Watts

​​
 For the last two years the City Council engineers and planners have opposed the establishment of an early-learning centre, on the Corner of Toorak Road West and Leopold Street South Yarra, supporting residents concerns in relation to traffic management, parking, Safety and heritage.

Last weeks decision to support the development has come as a surprise given that very little has changed to address the problems foreseen with the proposed development with no net gain to the amenity of the area.

Goodrest is one of South Yarra's most prized heritage assets, located within a residential neighbourhood zone the proposed construction of a 28 underground car-park with the car park entrance off Toorak road, demolition of residential apartments at the rear and the construction of a new Commercial building in its place.

Only Two Councillors (Cr Beverly Pinder-Mortimer and Cr Kevin Louey) met with residents on site. Both indicated at the time they would be opposed to the granting of a planning permit.

Cr Louey later voted with the Lord Mayor to approve the development whilst Cr Pinder-Mortimer, who lives in the area, maintained her position and concerns over safety and planning. Cr Richard Foster spoke passionately in opposition to the granting of a permit and Cr Jackie Watts (who did not attend the meeting on September 1) has also privately indicated that she was opposed to the development.

The level of dissatisfaction with the City Council is growing, with some residents calling for a review of the City of Melbourne;s external boundaries.  The City Council is focused on the CDB, Kensington and North Melbourne,  Melbourne two Green Councillors sided with the Lord Mayor in supporting the non-conforming development

Listen to / download audio of the September 1 meeting:

Future Melbourne Committee meeting 1 September 2015 (MP3 50MB)  

Residents call for review of City Council Representative model

Residents of South Yarra have called for a review of following threats by Councillor Ken Ong' threats to restrict City Council parking permits.


Residents were critical of Councillor Ong's chairmanship of last night’s City of Melbourne' 'Future Melbourne Committee'

Councillor Ong failed to invite Councillors to ask questions of presenters. when it came to Councillor debate he showed a distinct bias in the order of discussion favouring those councillors opposed to residents objections to the proposed development of an Early Childhood Centre which residents say the construction of an underground car-park compromises the heritage value of one of South Yarra's  most significant heritage sites off Toorak Rd 'Goodrest'
 
Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle, ignored planning and traffic concerns displaying a bias towards the applicant by stating that the project should be approved to secure the secure the interests of the applicant Christ Church.

The City Council has allocated no capital works budget to South Yarra with all money being spent on Kensington. North Melbourne and the CBD

 Only Two Councillors were prepared to meet with Residents on site Cr Pinder and Cr Louey

Councillors Stephen Mayne, Ken Ong, Robert Doyle Susan Riley Greens Cr Rohan Leppart and Cathy Oak would not meet with residents to see first hand the problems with the proposed development.

Two Councillors opposed the development Cr Beverley Pinder and Cr Richard Foster

The Council administration was previously opposed to the development on traffic grounds and overnight had changed their minds. Concerns over heritage impact act on the Grade A listed Goodrest site were ignored.

Cr Ong going as far as chastising residents for applauding speakers opposed to the granting of a planning permit.

Some residents, dismayed at the lack of representation and capital works expenditure, have called for South Yarra to be transferred from the City of Melbourne to the City of Stonnington.

Cr Ong, whose support base was in South Yarra is expected to lose his seat at the next City of Melbourne election scheduled to be held in November 2016

Listen to the recording of the City Council Future Melbourne Committee meeting available here
 

South Yarra residential parking permits under threat

Aisha Dow: Source http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/south-yarra-residential-parking-permits-under-fire-20150902-gjdhvz.html#ixzz3kZhuCUmC 

The site of the planned Christ Church Grammar campus at 120 Toorak Road West in South Yarra. Photo: Pat Scala

South Yarra residents have defended their on-street parking rights during a heated debate over a new private school.
Melbourne City Council has approved a plan by Christ Church Grammar to create a kindergarten and primary school for 171 students at a heritage mansion on Toorak Road.
The decision was made in the face of angry opposition from residents who argued parents dropping off their children would cause major traffic problems in the area, particularly on narrow Leopold Street.
But the residents dismissed the suggestion that their own heavy reliance an on-street parking was contributing to congestion, during a meeting held on Tuesday evening.

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South Yarra resident Paul McSweeney said that people in the area used trams and taxis as much as they could.
"You cannot take away people's right to have a car," he said. "We do our best as good citizens not to drive but there's a limit."
Planning chair Ken Ong said South Yarra residents had an average of 2.2 parking permits per available property, while North Melbourne, Carlton and West Melbourne residents were automatically eligible to only one parking permit.
The meeting was also told that in South Yarra (north of Toorak Road) there were 2000 residential parking permits, compared to just six car share spaces.
Councillor Stephen Mayne suggested part of the solution to parking congestion could be more people signing up to car-share schemes.
The comment prompted laughs from the crowd.
Another resident, Elizabeth Fox, said that many people's second permit was used for visitors and tradespeople, rather than for permanent parking.
People in the crowd later accused Cr Ong of threatening them when he said "I think South Yarra is somewhat in a very good position [in relation to the parking permits] at the moment. Don't push us down the path — we'll do the same."
In response, someone in the audience called out "that was a threat by any measure. It won't be forgotten".
Cr Ong said "all I am saying … is council had a policy over the years to reduce the number of permits in certain areas."
Lord mayor Robert Doyle voted to approve the school's planning application but predicated that the stoush would land in Victoria's planning tribunal.
Two councillors voted against the permit for 120 Toorak Road West. "I have great concerns for the safety of kids and the elderly" said Beverley Pinder-Mortimer, who lives in the area.
Resident Pauline Hirsh​ told the meeting Leopold Street had recently featured in Channel 7 reality police show "The Force", when a woman sideswiped​ six cars.
The school plan was originally opposed by council's engineering services department, whofound there was not adequate parking planned to cater for dropping off and picking up students.
A report submitted by the school's traffic engineers had suggested a number of measures — such as a staggered starting time for different groups of students — to deal with the parking issues.
But the council officers concluded there was "little reassurance that any measures will be implemented".
Engineering services eventually withdrew their objection after VicRoads approved a plan to provide five additional parking spaces on the south side of Toorak Road. Another 28 parking spaces will be built as part of an underground car park in front of the mansion.
Council officers said the development would provide a net benefit to the community, in a municipality that has been crying out for more schools.
The council received more than 100 objections to the project, which will see the demolition of a "non-original" rear part of the Victorian "Italianate-style" building.

No love loss in Councillor fall out, but who is getting rid of the rubbish

Jack, The Governance Elf, reports that Cr Wood and Cr Foster have been having loud disruptive shouting matches in the behind the scenes Councillor rooms. 

It appears that they do not see eye to eye on a number of issues.  This is not surprising as both have had falls outs with the Team Doyle camp even though Cr Wood is supposed to be a member of team Doyle. 

Cr wood who is responsible for Cr waste still has not acted to have removed the unsightly and unsanitary rubbish bin from outside a restaurant/cafe in South Yarra.  Dinners have to sit next to the offensive and disgusting rubbish bin.   This does little for the City's outdoor dinning reputation let alone Cr Woods.

Stonnington seeks to withhold election results data, bringing the Council into disrepute.

Stonnington seeks to withhold election results data.

A similar exercise carried out by FOI Solutions Nick Bastosm cost the City of Melbourne over $60,000 back in 2000. It would have cost them $1.50.

All other jurisdictions provide access to this information., Sate Federal and Local Councils. The requirement relied on by Mr Bastkos and the City of Stonnington to keep the ballot papers sfae and secure referes to the location of storage not the information itself. Mr Baskos is looking at securing a send slice of the FOI pie with ratepayers picking up the bill

VACT ruling 2000

van der craats v Melbourne CC [2000] VCAT 447 (29 January 2000)

Herald Sun Article. 6 May 2015

Stonnington Council heading to VCAT over election countback that saw Tini Athanasopoulos elected

• Dana McCauley
• Stonnington Leader
• May 06, 2015 12:00AM

Tini Athanasopoulos’s election to Stonnington Council on countback is being challenged by a South Yarra man.

THE countback that saw Tini Athanasopoulos elected to Prahran Greens MP Sam Hibbins’ spot on Stonnington Council has sparked a freedom of information war.

South Yarra resident and electoral reform activist Anthony van der Craats is fighting the council’s refusal to release the preference data used to elect Cr Athanasopoulos to South Ward.
Accusing the council of “an abuse of process”, Mr van der Craats argued the information should be made public “in the interests of openness and transparency of local government”.
The alternative, he said, was “like going to the supermarket and buying a trolley of goods and not knowing if the bill at the end is correct”.
Mr van der Craats won a similar FOI case against Melbourne City Council in 2000, when the tribunal’s then deputy president Michael Macnamara ordered the council to release a data file of all ballots recorded in its 1999 election.
Mr Macnamara rejected the council’s argument that the information sought was exempt under the FOI Act.
Stonnington councillors are elected via proportional representation. When one resigns — such as Mr Hibbins following November’s state election — residents don’t vote again, with the departing councillor’s preferences instead distributed among the other candidates from the previous election, which was in 2012.
Stonnington Council announced Cr Athanasopoulos’s election on February 2, after the countback was held on January 30.
Mr van der Craats called for a review of the counting system used in local council elections, which he dubbed “flawed and outdated”.
“It (the countback system) isn’t proportional and it excludes a large number of voters, so the results don’t reflect voter sentiment,” Mr van der Craats said.
He argued that “anomalies particularly show up under the recount system”, saying every vote cast should be looked at instead of just redistributing preferences attached to votes for Mr Hibbins.
Stonnington Council chief executive Warren Roberts said the council was legislatively required to keep electoral records, including preference data, in “safe and secret storage” for four years.
“Accordingly, the City of Stonnington is following those regulations,” Mr Roberts said.
Mr van der Craats will dispute this reading of the local government regulations at VCAT.
The matter is listed for a directions hearing at the tribunal on May 18.

Clown Hall HYPNOSIS 1.5 Million Dollars RIP-OFF

Chairman of Finance, Cr Stephen Mayne, when asked "who was responsible for approving the expenditure of $1.5 Milllion and what steps had been taken to prevent such abuse in the future" remained stunned and silent at last nights Council's Future Melbourne Committee meeting held on Tuesday, leaving Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle, to speak on his behalf.

The name Clown Hall being aptly used to describe the City Council.  The Council lives in fairy land. We would be  better off with Commissioners than this circus  of clowns whose only role is self adulation for stupidity, complacency, dinner parties and junkets. How many homeless could have been given shelter for this sum of money?

Hipsters hypnotised for $1.5m Melbourne Council advertising videos

• CHRISTOPHER GILLETT
• Herald Sun
• May 03, 2015 9:32PM

HYPNOTISING hipsters has cost the City of Melbourne $1.5 million.

The Town Hall has again come under fire over its spending, this time on a video marketing campaign called the Land of Inbetween.

Costing $3500 every second, the videos show young urban professionals being hypnotised so they can rediscover Melbourne.

Hypnotist Andrew Newton was flown in from ­Europe to guest star at a ­believed cost of $20,000. The rest of the money was spent on production and advertising.
It comes just weeks after the council was slammed for granting $20,000 on a choreographer to teach parking ­inspectors to dance.

The issue is likely to prompt further debate over excessive council spending, which Premier Daniel Andrews and Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins warned against.

Melbourne City Council defended the project, saying it was within its $2.3 million ­marketing budget.
But the Herald Sun understands Lord Mayor Robert Doyle hated the initial pitch — along with many others — and the campaign had to be sent back to advertising agency DDB.

The million-dollar project was then almost canned before being re-edited and ­released online.
City of Melbourne spokesman James Talia said it was not unusual for a marketing campaign of this nature to be “tested and tweaked”.

Last night, the main video had just two likes and 837 views on the council’s official YouTube page.
The City of Melbourne said it had reached 54,000 people since launching.
Within council, the finished campaign is still divisive.

Councillor Richard Foster said it was hard to see where the value was for Melbourne, attracting one type of visitor who already lived here.

“Hypnotising hipsters may seem like an amusing thing to do, but it’s not when ratepayers’ money is used to pay for the experience. I really don’t think we need hypnosis, acupuncture or ozone therapy to attract people to Melbourne,” Cr Foster said.

In the council’s 900-word response, Mr Talia said: “Our marketing campaigns work.
“... We have a responsibility to our traders to do what we can to bring people into the city, especially in the colder months when there is usually a drop in traffic,” Mr Talia said.
Victorian branch chair of the Australian Society of Hypnosis, Dr Di McGreal, described the video as nonsensical, bizarre and wasteful.

“A city that can win the most livable city in the world shouldn’t have to hypnotise people to like it,” she said.

christopher.gillett@news.com.au

What has Stonnington got to hide? Over 2000 unused votes excluded from Municipal Count back

Preliminary analysis of the City of Stonnington has indicated that the count-back system deployed is seriously flawed with over 2000 unused votes excluded from the count.

WHAT HAS THE CITY OF STONNINGTON GOT TO HIDE

Mr Anthony van der Craats, Senior Systems Analyst and Life member and former National Secretary of the Proportional Representation Society of Australia  has called on the Stonnington City Council to publish the details of the preference data files for independent analysis and review.  The Stonnington City Council has refused to date to publish copies of the preference data files.  This information should be readily available but the City of Stonnington is refusing to release it.

The Proportional Representation Society is aware of the deficiency in the legislation yet has failed to have this matter addressed.

The rules as they currently stand are applicable to a different system and should not be applied to the current system in use.  If the system was a pure proportional system (IE no Droop Quota) the existing rules would work fine.  But under the Droop Quota system they distort the proportionally of the count and do not reflect the voters intention. 

Without access to copies of the preference data files it is impossible to independently verify the integrity and accuracy of the count.

The Stonnington City Council in refusing to make copies of the preference data files readily available is trying to hide and prevent review and analysis of the system which needs to be change if public confidence in the system if to be maintained.

Other Municipalities, State and Federal Government have published copies of the preference data files used to determine the results of the 2012 and 2014 elections.  Why not Stonnington?

Further Information

Anthony van der Craats

Senior Systems Analyst (ICT)

Life Member of the Proportional Representation Society of Australia 

0403378111

Warning: Domain Name Invoice Registation Scam

BUYER BEWARE
 
Received correspondence from a group calling themselves "Domain Name Group" in what looks like an invoice when in fact it is not.

The Domain Name Group has harvested domain name contacts from people that have a (dot).com.au   and are selling out a (dot).net.au domain names that are similar to the (dot).com.au domain name. They are charging $245.00 for this domain name registration.  Normal domain name registrations are in fact around $20.00 for two years not $245.00

The Fact that their unsolicited advertising looks like an invoice is designed to mislead customers into thinking that their domain name is up for renewal when t is not.

This is highly unethical and we have reported this to Consumer Affairs


Google their ACN Registration Number   ACN 135462 305

Company Name is registered in South Perth 

Name: DOMAIN NAME GROUP PTY LTD ACN: 135 462 305 ABN: 45 135 462 305 Registration date: 18/02/2009 Next review date: 18/02/2015 Status: Registered Type: Australian Proprietary Company, Limited By Shares Locality of registered office: SOUTH PERTH WA 6151 Regulator: Australian Securities & Investments Commission

The Bank of Cyprus Australia

BSB Number	941-300 Bank Code: 94 | State code: 1 | Branch code: 300
Institution	Bank of Cyprus Australia (Limited)
Branch Name	Melbourne CBC
Street Address	Level 41, 525 Collins Street
Suburb	Melbourne
State	VIC
Postcode	3000

Doyle Off-the-Hook

Robert Doyle 'pleased' after donations investigation called off

Aisha Dow
City Reporter for The Age

Source: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/robert-doyle-pleased-after-donations-investigation-called-off-20140725-zx0lt.html

Victoria’s local government watchdog has closed an investigation into whether Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle and his team breached electoral donation laws despite uncovering potential breaches of the Local Government Act.

The 17-month investigation followed Fairfax Media revelations last year that the election campaign donation declaration made by the Doyle team contained apparently incorrect information.

The newspaper investigation found two hidden links to Chinese-born developer Jeff Xu, prompting concerns about transparency and possible conflicts of interest.

But this week acting chief municipal inspector Ross Millard said the inspectorate had been given advice that a successful prosecution of the Doyle team was “unlikely”.

That is in spite of a prima facie case and “evidence of poor practice” being established by the Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate.

“Members of Team Doyle have been reminded of their responsibilities and obligations under the Local Government Act in relation to campaign donation returns,” Mr Millard said.

The Age asked to see the legal advice provided to the inspectorate. A spokesman said the government watchdog adhered to the Office of Public Prosecutions guidelines and provided a link to 42 different policies.

Macquarie local government lawyer Terry Bramham said the reasons for not pursuing the case should be open to public scrutiny.

“The advice may be quite sound, but right now we don’t know what was discovered in the investigation and we don’t know the basis on what the advice was provided,” the said.

In July last year, the Doyle team self-reported three discrepancies in their election donation return – amounting to a previously undisclosed $19,500.

On Friday Cr Doyle said he regretted the omissions, but they were honest mistakes.

“After more than a year of investigation, I am personally pleased that this matter is now closed,” he said. “I have always been confident on the basis of legal advice to me, that there was no breach of the Local Government Act.”

The findings come as Melbourne City Council launched a conflict of interest register, for the first time providing a permanent log of councillors who are forced to dismiss themselves from voting on council matters over gifts and cash received.

In the first 20 months of their term, individual members of the five-person Doyle team have been forced 18 times to declare of conflicts of interest over money received through election donations. Cr Ken Ong has faced a conflict of interest five times over election donations and the two Greens councillors have made one declaration each.

Local Heritage Planning Policy Review

City of Melbourne is undertaking a review of their Local heritage Planning Policies Residents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the terms of reference and recommendations of the review
http://melbourne.vic.gov.au/BuildingandPlanning/Planning/Pages/Localheritagepolicies.aspx  

 

Click here to lodge a submission online

City of Melbourne CEO Dr Kathy Alexander resigns

Tuesday, 22 July 2014 

After more than six years as CEO of the City of Melbourne, Dr Kathy Alexander has resigned from the role to pursue new opportunities and spend more time with her family.

Dr Alexander yesterday informed Lord Mayor Robert Doyle of her decision and said the time felt right to move on.

In announcing her decision, she recognised the important role that local government plays in shaping and responding to the economic, social and environmental challenges facing cities globally.

“Without a doubt Melbourne is one of the best places in the world to live, work and visit,” she said. “And a good part of that is a result of City Of Melbourne’s focus on the public realm and the environmental solutions we have put in place.  We are sending a strong message to federal and state governments that Australia’s capital cities can help solve some of our biggest national problems.

“I have always felt privileged to work at the City Of Melbourne with such an innovative group of staff and three very committed elected councils.

“After more than six years on the job, and with the organisation’s financial position strong, I believe now is the time to pass the baton. It is also a good time for me to take a new direction in my life and career, pursue opportunities as a non-executive director and, importantly, spend more time with my family,” Dr Alexander said. 

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle expressed regret at Dr Alexander’s announcement but said he completely understood and fully supported the reasons for her decision.

“Kathy Alexander has been an outstanding leader at the City of Melbourne and should feel proud of the contribution she has made to the world’s most liveable city.

“On a personal note, I will miss Kathy’s passion, good humour and even the occasional argument!

“She’s an exemplary leader and a strong role model for young women aspiring to CEO positions,” he said.
Melbourne is Australia’s fastest growing city and the City of Melbourne employs more than 1,300 staff, 25 businesses and has an annual budget of $374 million in services and $100 million in capital works. 

Since joining the City of Melbourne in 2008, Dr Alexander has led several major capital works projects, including the Swanston Street redevelopment and the construction of major community infrastructure, including Boyd in Southbank, Carlton Community Centre and the new Docklands Library.  She has been instrumental in driving what will be Council’s largest investment in its history, the renewal of the Queen Victoria Market.

She has led the introduction of a major productivity program based on Toyota’s Lean Thinking management system – a first for local government in Australia – as well as embedding a culture of community engagement across the organisation.

Dr Alexander will remain in the role of CEO until 3 December 2014 while the organisation undertakes a recruitment program. The date marks Dr Alexander’s 60th birthday, a milestone which she believes is a fitting time to move on from managing the world’s most liveable city. 

Unbelievable: Melbourne City Council wants a 150k focus group to allow more time for junkets

The City of Melbourne is proposing to establish a Focus group to do what they themselves should be doing.

Our Melbourne City Councillors are looking to appoint a select sub council of 43 people to advice it where the city should be heading.  Is this not what our staff are meant to do?  

Instead of spending time and money on Overseas Junkets, free booze and Mayoral Limousines (One for the Lord Mayor and one for the deputy Lord Mayor) the Council should listen to ratepayers and do their job which is to oversee the administration and develop policy.

The councillors make decisions based on the knowledge of their local communities. It’s a part of a councillor’s job to stay abreast of their constituents’ views. And, yes, that involves work. - Herald Sun Editorial

The City Council has become a joke. It should abandon its all in "Talent quest" side show "Future Melbourne Committee" structure and revert back to having expert committees and appoint professionals to participate in the committees and put an end to the talent quest side show that currently exists

The City Council is referred to as "Design a job city" and "Clown Hall" already spends 10's of millions of dollars in staffing and still they can not manage Melbourne

Traffic engineering has lost all sense of reality and are embarking on an expensive exercise of engineering congestion as opposed to managing City Traffic.  Spending 10 times the costs in creating "Copenhagen bicycle lanes that do not improve pubic safety,

The State Government should dismiss the Council and restructure it with the view of establishing a Greater Melbourne City Council, One  that incorporates the City of Port Philip, Stonnington, Yarra and Melbourne that is represented by 21 Councillors in a 3 x 7 ward system.

$280k spent on Overseas Travel report

The Herald Sun has reported that the Melbourne City Council has spent in-excess of $280,000 on overseas junkets.


Melbourne City Council Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle, "No more Junkets, has been on more junkets in his current term of office then previous years.

The council going so far as to restructure the payment of reimbursement to avoid listing overseas expenses on the Councillors expense register. Staff overseas and interstate travel no longer lists the department and inbound travel is now anonymous with allegation that  the Council has picked up the tab of others visiting the city in a reciprocal exchange for sponsorship of councillors trips, You scratch my6 back and I will scratch your" thus avoiding disclosure. In some cases the reciprocal trips are sponsored by subsidiary third party organisations that are closely associated or funded by the Council shifting the costs of travel from one account to another.  All councillor expenses are supposed to be reported in the Councillor expense registry but this no longer lists overseas travel which is only reported in the Council's travel register. Creative accounting at best.

Whats worst is the Council is using the tax expense deductions as a means of setting and determining a "per deim allowance".  Many Councillors trips costing rate payers in excess of  $2,000 to $7,000 a day with the Lord Mayor and councillors travelling business class at a premium rate no expenses spared.

Changing Plans: The slight of hand amendments to planning documents adopted by the City of Melbourne

The City of Melbourne stands accused of altering the draft Residential planning zones outside of meeting with one version presented and adopted by council and another published as the final report by Council

The report has altered with at least one additional schedule slipped in to the mix. . 

It is unclear what else if anything has been altered from the report presented and adopted by Council

This raises serious concerns as to the process and administration of planning.  How many other reports have been doctored and changed from that adopted by the Council that we have not been told about. Can we rely on the reports tabled and presented to Council?

Confidence in Council Planning in serious decline

Following on from the City of Melbourne's disastrous haphazard careless approach to the implementation of the State Government new Commercial 1 planning zones in which the City Council failed to fully assess or consider the impact of the new planning zones, the Council has once again ignored ratepayers concerns and opinion in the adoption of new Residential Planning zones.

In the Commercial One Zones (CZ1the City Council failed to address residents' concerns related to protecting residential amenity and the need to stem the tide of loss of residential retail shopping and the proliferation of licensed premises and cafe's in local residential shopping strips. An issue that took the City Council months to acknowledge and even then they still have not adequately addressed.  Incompetence or deliberate deceit on behalf of the city planning department is any ones guess..


The process of implementing the new residential planning zones has been not much better. Unlike the the implementation of the Commercial/Business zones the City Council did embark on a pretense of consultation, but the process has left a sour and bitter taste in minds of the local community groups.

The extent of dismay and frustration can be seen in the response provided by the Melbourne South Yarra residents Group president, Michael Butcher  to Melbourne CEO Dr Kathy Alexander

Micheal Butcher in his letter stated a number of concerns that are shared by numerous resident and community groups throughout Melbourne

The handling of this process has in our view been disgraceful and it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that from the outset  council decided they did not want any change or restrictions upon development and that this process would ensure that outcome. Ratepayers were given only eight days to consider the final and only substantive report with no opportunity to discuss it or to have any input.

The motion to adopt the unfettered recommendation was passed by a resolution of six councillors for: (Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, Deputy Lord Mayor Susan Riley, Crs Arron Wood, Kevin Louey. Beverly Pinder-Mortimer and Steven Mayne)  and five against: (Crs Richard Foster, Jackie Watts, Rohan Leppert, Cathy Oake and Ken Ong)

Copies of the audio and minutes of the June 3 meeting can be accessed on the City of Melbourne's web site.

SMIDNSY. The need for a more comprehensive City road strategy plan.

Melbourne's motorcycle safety advocates has been slow in seeking reform and a better safer road environment. One of the best advocates for motorcyclist and Scooter riders is Steve Bardsley. Whilst the City of Melbourne had promised to develop a rad safety strategy plan and consider motorcyclist/scooter riders when considering traffic management it has failed to date to deliver on its undertaking  The City must stop wasting money and resources on Copenhagen style bike lanes and develop a more cost and safety effective alternative design such as the Clarendon Street, East Melbourne solution and utilizing smaller alternative bike paths.  Bicycle lanes in the inner city along major routes should be shared with motorcyclists and scooter riders.

 

C1Zone: CoM confirms our concerns about forced Planning Changes

The Melbourne City Council has responded in part of our concerns in relation to the forced changed to Melbourne's Planning Zones.  The Council no longer has the means and tools to regulate and protect residential amenity in local shopping strips. Effectively making Melbourne's Planning scheme defunct.

Earlier Melbourne's Chair of Planning, Cr Ken Ong, denied that there was an impact.

The decison of VCAT hearing on an application for a Licensed premises/Night Club at 157-159   highlighted the impact of the  recent changes. Under the new C1Z zones Licensed premises no longer require a planning permit for use.


The proliferation of restaurants and licensed premises only serves to undermine the stated aim and objective of the Municipal Strategic Statement (MSS), Clause 21.08, Economic Development states:

There is a need to support the provision of local shops to serve the residential and working communities in local centres. A proliferation of eating and entertainment uses should not undermine the character and range of services offered in these local centres.

An objective is to support the Central City and local retail uses. A related strategy is:

Ensure that a proliferation of eating and entertainment establishments in local centres does not undermine the viability of their convenience retailing.

We would like to draw your attention to item 27 of the VACT determination which states: (Emphasis added)

A significant difficulty in implementing this strategy is the fact that the use of the land for a restaurant is not subject to a planning permit, given the Commercial 1 zoning of the land.
Under the provisions of the previously existing Business 1 zoning, there existed the ability to specify in the Schedule land upon which a restaurant use could not be established without a permit.
The Council had not nominated any land within the municipality in the Schedule.
With the change of zone, the ability to include this requirement has disappeared.  As no permit is required for the use, it is difficult to understand how the strategy relating to the ‘proliferation’ of eating establishments can be implemented in a land use sense. 
The regulatory tools necessary to give effect to the Council’s aspirations for this centre, as expressed in this specific strategy, do not form part of the suite of controls which apply in this case.

Q-Vic Market land grab on the rise

The proposal for the redevelopment of the Queen Victoria Market site released today is more or less the same as before. No alteration.

Whilst the Council claims it is undertaking community consultation the fact is they are pushing ahead with their preferred option, funded by a developer land grab

The proposed hiving off of land and the extension of Franklin Street is huge mistake and short term thinking. They just wasted 3 million dollars destroying La Trobe street now they want to redirect that traffic past the market's southern edge, along Franklin Street and past the City Baths causing a major traffic problem at the intersection of Franklin and Victoria Streets. (The area of Franklin Street, between Swanston Street and Victoria Street, should be closed off and handed over to RMIT to develop as outdoor urban community space.)

The reduction in available land on the southern side of the market is also a lost opportunity.  This site could accommodate low-rise lane shopping development and a stepped roof-top outdoor plaza with coffee shops and community entertainment spaces and an underground car park that would enhance the market precinct and allow for staged development.
 
The development of a high rise tower block on the southern end will loom over the market and limit its potential as a real vibrant community space,

If they need Money for the project than ask the State Government to payback the $50 Million that Jeff Kennett acquired from the Council  for the Federation Square project,  the value of which no longer appears on the council assets register.

Engineering Congestion: La Trobe Street Bike Path Risk to Public Safety

The City of Melbourne has published a post Implementation report on the La Trobe Street "Copenhagen" style bike lane.

The report shows a 25% reduction on vehicular traffic throughput since La Trobe Street has been reduced to a single lane road. Congestion in the city has increased and public safety has declined with the number of bicycle accidents on the rise.   

The independent report on road safety, which normally is undertaken prior to implementation, has highlighted a number of deficiencies in the City Engineering Services and Traffic Management departments

Engineering services failed to undertake a survey of business and residents effected by  La Trobe Street proposal.  This has further undermined confidence in the Councils consultation review process, which Councillors Leppert and Oak claim to have been extensive.  Well it would be of you consider holding a serious of discussion of forums in coffee shops with bicycle users to constitute consultation.  

The planning., design and implementation of Melbourne's Bike paths has been subject to ongoing criticism that the City of Melbourne is Engineering Congestion and had failed to give due and proper consideration to alternatives designs.  Instead of constructing over priced Copenhagen style separated bike lanes the Council should have developed bike lanes that utilized less congested streets that provide a higher degree of cyclist safety

The La Tobe Street bike lane has proved to be complete disaster in planning, design and implementation and is a serious public safety risk for motorists and cyclist alike. Commuters parked along  La Trobe Street are at risk with little room for passengers to alight from vehicles run the risk of collision with cyclists, The disabled, elderly and families the most disadvantaged.

With the reduction of traffic lanes and poorly designed interfaces at intersections cyclist safety is at greater risk. The number of serious accidents involving cyclists has increased since the new bike lane has been installed. up from 36 accidents over a five-year period with 9 recorded in the sevcn months since the bike lane was installed. An increase of 200% up from a ratio of 0.6 to 1.2 accidents a month.
 
Mr Geoff Robinson, Manager of Engineering Services, was unable to say where the reduction in traffic volumes has been displaced. When questioned by Deputy Lord Mayor, Susan Riley, Mr Robinson confessed that his department had not surveyed or consulted residents and businesses in La Trobe Street as part of the review

Earlier last year the City Council rejected a proposal by Crs Richard Foster and Jackie Watts to undertake a comprehensive review of the design and implementation of the Copenhagen Bike lanes, The Lord Mayor Robert Doyle claiming that La Trobe Street was a success despite evidence to the contrary.

Council may have to face facts and either pull out the bike path or remove car parking in La Trobe Street so as to allow for two lanes of traffic.

Melbourne-Saint Petersburg Sister City Relationship saved

Melbourne City Council tonight voted overwhelming to maintain the Melbourne-Saint Petersburg, Russia Sister City Relationship

Councillor Rohan Leppert, who originally championed the cancellation or suspension of the Sister City relationship,  was forced to back down in the face of opposition from not only the Melbourne and Australian Community but also the Russian LGBTI Community.

Councillor Leppert had jumped on the bandwagon of the gay lobby group who called for the City Council to cancel its relations for what they claimed were human rights abuses in Russia. 

Councillor Leppert failed to recognize that the Russian legislation that was the focus of his attention was aimed at banning promotion of gay sex involving children.  "Pedophilia Tourism" is a major concern in Russia, with cashed up Westerners traveling to Russia looking to pay for child sex. that even those in Western democracies would find abhorrent and offensive. The Russian legislation made it illegal to promote such activities. something the Western media failed to mention or down played when they reported on this issue 

Members of the Russian LGBTI community wrote to the City of Melbourne urging them to not cancel the Sister City Relationship as it would not be in their best interest .  It was reported during the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic in an interview with a gay club in Sochi that the only harassment they had experienced was from the Western Media seeking interviews.


Better to be inside the tent then outside

Thanks to Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle and other City Councillors, common sense prevailed and the Leppert/Greens motion was thwarted.

Melbourne is the only city in the Southern hemisphere that has a Sister City agreement with Saint Petersburg. This relationship is more valuable to us then it is to Russia.  Had Melbourne sought to suspend the relationship Russia would have cancelled it, and rightfully so,

Discussion with the department of Foreign Affairs and Trade highlighted the inappropriateness for Melbourne to suspend the relationship. Melbourne Sister City relationship is a vehicle to promote cultural and economic exchange It is not there to push Geo-political issues or to lecture St Petersburg what they should and should not do or for us to push our values on another State.

Leppert's sincerity brought into question.

If Rohan Leppert and others were sincere about their concern of alleged Human Rights abuse against the LGBTI community, why single out St Petersburg?  Arizona and Kansas in the United States have more direct discriminatory legislation in place and yet we do not hear Rohan Leppert calling for the suspension or cancellation of Melbourne-Boston Sister City Relationship or the relationship with China as a result of Human Rights abuse in Tibet or Japan for hunting Wales in the antarctic region.

Rohan Leppart has an obligation to represent all of Melbourne and not just his own personal sectional interests.

What was also telling was that Green Councillors Rohan Leppert and Cathy Oak failed to consult or consider the impact of their proposal on the Melbourne Russian speaking community who are very proud of the relationship between the two cities and who want to help foster greater understanding and cultural ties.  Nowhere in Rohan Leppert thinking did he consider their needs or aspirations.

The City of Melbourne is celebrating 25 years since the signing of the Melbourne Sister City Relationship. Instead of helping develop and fostering the relationship Rohan Leppert was quick to discard it and embark on another round of cold war, anti-Russian, Geo-political chest beating, so he can grab a few cheap headlines and pander to what he perceives is he is constituency. Cr Leppert forgets that his obligations, as an elected councillor, is to represent the interests for Melbourne as a whole.

Please do not rain on our Parade and City Pride

Thank god common sense prevailed and Rohan Leppert failed to receive the support he once thought he had. Instead of raining on the parade we can now embrace Melbourne St Petersburg 25 year Sister City relationship and learn from each other without sexual politics interfering.



Facts ignored by Rohan Leppert

Is being gay a crime in Russia?
No. Homosexuality was decriminalized in 1993.
But why are homosexuals being punished?
A law was passed earlier this summer that levies a fine of up to 50,000 rubles (about $1,500 dollars) on any individuals, and  up to 1 million rubles (about $30,000) on any organizations engaged in “propaganda of non-traditional relationships to minors”.