Stephen Mayne: seeks to gag public debate by voting against holding a review

In a rather irrational tirade "I support of open public debate", Stephen Mayne, votes to gag debate and deny a review on a very important topical issue.

This was the first time Stephen Maybe had opportunity in a Council public forum to talk on bikes and bike lanes specifically, yet he would not allow discussion on the merits of the design or its implementation, preferring instead to vote against a rational motion put forward my Councillors Richard Foster seeking to hold a reviw of Melbourne's Bike Lanes following the end of the Princes Bridge Trial in September.

What does Coucnillr Mayne and the Lord Mayor Robert Doyle fear? Are they afraid  to air Council's dirty linen and allow public discussion on the merit of the designs and decisions made?

This is not about bikes per-say it is about the design and implementation of the segmented bike lanes and the prudent use of Council's financial resources.   

Why did Stephen Mayne vote against a review that included a review of the Latrobe Street Bike Lane? That was the main focus and reason for a review

Latrobe Street Cost $2.6 Million. It does not work..Wrong design wrong location bad implementation.

It should be reviewed before we go and repeat the same mistakes on St Kilda Road. 330m lane costing $330,000

The alternative "Claredon Street" Bike Lane design should have been considered. It is cheaper and better.  Council must explain its position and failure to adopt this design.

If you have nothing to hide publish in full all submissions in relation to Melbourne's Transport Plan


Stephen Mayne speaking to deny public debate 6-Aug-2013




Councillor Richard Foster seeking to provide the review that Doyle rejected.

St Kilda Road Bike Plan Risk to Commuter and Predestrian Safety

City of Melbourne's ill-considered $330k St Kilda Lane Bicycle Lane will trade off pedestrian and motorist safety for a marginal gain in cyclist safety. 

Melbourne City Council plans to install a 300 metre section of St Kilda Road Separated bike path against the advice of its own engineers. The bike separation design is similar to the design of the LaTrobe Street bike lane that was installed last month.


The proposed lane design will force motorists to park on the outside of the bike lane 3 meters from the footpath creating a major risk to pedestrian and motorist safety.

Passengers alighting from parked vehicles will have to negotiate a balancing act on the one meter concrete strip and check for bicycles racing down the bike lane whilst running to reach the footpath on the other side.  The design will place families with children and the elderly safety at serious risk.  Mums with prams or those with wheel chairs will not be able to safely park their cars in the 3 hour parking zones.  Bus drivers and taxi operators will have similar safety concerns when dropping off passengers.


The proposed "island of danger" separation barrier will be installed in the south bound location between Princes Bridge and Linlithgow  Avenue south of the Floral Clock. Beyond Linlithgow Avenue the bike lane will revert back into the standard bike lane design adding to confusion and road safety concerns.

This part of St Kilda Road is a favorite drop-off point and parking location for those visiting the gardens and the Arts Centre/Concert Halls

Melbourne City Council Traffic Engineers prefer to install a line-marked lane only without the inside dangerous separation barrier but have been overridden by Engineering Services Manager Geoff Robertson.   City Council Traffic Engineers sight the successful design of the Claredon Street East Melbourne bike lane where the width of the bike lane is such that bikes travel outside of the car door opening zone.  A line painted only bike lane is significantly cheaper than teh ocst of a physical lane separation and would allow the Council to extend the lane beyond Linlithgow Avenue, It also allows emergency vehicles unimpeded access.

Melbourne City Council is under fire over it implementation of its Bicycle Network. The $2.6 Million Latrobe Street experiment is considered to be a complete disaster with the Council now having to remove on-street car parking which has since been found to be unsafe.

The current City Council has never considered or approved the proposed design in open committee. Stakeholders have been denied the opportunity to have their concerns heard.

Crs Stephen Mayne and Rohan Leppert

The Chairman of the City Council's Governance and Finance Portfolio and Deputy Chair of Planning, Stephen Mayne (who campaigned on open transparency governance platform) has refused to subject the proposed development of a review process. Councillor Mayne is oblivious to the extravagant waste preferring to ignore the professional advise of the City Engineers and instead action the advise of a rouge manager in order to please the Green Councillors who have placed Cyclists interests ahead of public safety concerns of commuters and pedestrians


Councillor Richard Foster has expressed concern and opposition to the St Kilda Rd development by has been railroad by the Greens and  the Lord Mayor Robert Doyle into remaining silent. Councillor Foster wants the development referred to open Council Committee to allow Council to consider the opinions of all stakeholders and the pros and cons of the various designs.

Other City Councillors are also concerned  about the development and the extent of intimidation and railroading of the process by Senior Council Management

Proposed St Kilda Rd Bike Plan Threat to Public Safety

Melbourne Bus and taxi operators have expressed concern about the safety of its passengers if the Melbourne City Council's proposed St Kilda Road Bike Lane development is allowed to proceed.

The proposed design is a serious threat to the safety of passengers exiting the bus with passengers having step onto the 1 metre stone separation barrier, then wait to ensure there are no bicycles bearing down on them before crossing the 3 metre bike path on to the adjacent footpath. The situation is worst when there are 40 other passengers all wanting to exit the bus at the same time and would even worst again in an emergency situation. 

Bus and taxi drivers are joining the chorus of other community groups  opposed to the proposed $330,000 bike plan design which is scheduled to be installed next month.

Residents, business and community groups are calling on the City Council to scrap the plan and hold am open public review of the proposal.

Community advocate and former City Councillor David Nolte has said that Cr Richard Foster has expressed concern at the proposal and t bis understood he has asked that the matter be brought before Council.

Other Councillors have also expressed concern but said that the issue was in the hands of the Lord Mayor Robert Doyle who was opposed to any review in spite growing concern over its impact on public safety.

Cr Stephen Mayne, who claims to be an advocate for open and transparent government, was not prepared to discuss this issue.

UPDATE: Cr Foster as indicated that he will be calling for a halt to the project and that a report be presented in detail at the next Future Melbourne Committee

Bad Engineering: St. Kilda Rd Bike path fails to consider disabled

Cracks have began to appear in the City of Melbourne's St Kilda Rd  Bike Lane separation proposal.

The proposed development has not been subject to a public review by the City of Melbourne's Future Melbourne Committee and the needs and concerns of community groups ignored with the City Engineers failing to take into consideration the impact on disabled stakeholders needs.

The design  of the St Kilda Rd  bike lane is similar to that recently installed in Latrobe Street which has been met with wide condemnation, Recent  comments in public radio by Lord Mayor Robert Doyle indicate the LaTrobe Street bike path was not working and that Council is now forced into considering withdrawing on-street car parking in the area. A move that has angered retailers and owners alike.

The Copenhagen style bike lane separation structures constitute a serious risk to public safety and  motorist parking with disabled and elderly passengers effected the most. The proposed development does not comply with public policy in relation to disabled access.  The Office of Disability in the Department of Human Services had not been consulted.

Calls have been made for the Lord Mayor and City Councillors to put an urgent halt to the proposed development in St Kilda Rd to allow for a public review of the City's Engineering Bike plan amidst concerns that there are better alternative design options.

The proposed development which is budgeted to cost $330,000 is scheudled to commence on August the 5th

Efforts to contact Richard Foster (Spokesperson for the Council's People City Portfolio), Cr Ken Ong and Stephen Mayne (Planning) to try and put a hold on the proposed development so as to allow for review and stakeholder consultation was unsuccessful.

Council Officers mislead public

Serious concern that that the City of Melbourne Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle and  City of Melbourne Director of Planning Geoff Lawler has mislead the public in response to proposed changes to Melbourne Planning Scheme to be introduced on July 1.

Mr Lawler who failed to present a written report outlining the effect of proposed changes to the planning scheme has compromised the City of Melbourne in the process.

Clause 22.12 of the Melbourne Planning scheme  preamble states

22.12 GAMING PREMISES

This policy applies to applications for gaming premises in the Mixed Use Zone, Public Use Zone, Public Park and Recreational Zone, Business Zones and Industrial Zones and Docklands Zone. It is noted that gaming premises are prohibited in the Residential 1 Zone

On July 1, Business Zones 1, 2 and 5 will be transferred to new Commercial 1 zone

Under the revised planing  scheme to be introduced on July 1as amended by the Minister for Planning, Matthew Guy, Gaming venues will not longer require a planning permit  in the new Commercial 1 zone and will becomes an "as of right use" opening up the possible proliferation of gaming venues adjacent to residential precincts. Gaming venues come under the definition of Retail premises as defined under the the Victorian Planning Scheme.

Self appointed anti gambling advocate and Deputy Chairman of the Melbourne City Councils planning portfolio were oblivious to the impact of the proposed changes.  Councillor Mayne had previously given an undertaking to review the matter and present a report in June but to date has failed to fulfill this undertaking.

When asked where and when a report on impact of the the proposed changes will be presented to Council Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle rejected to notion or suggestion that the Council had given an undertaking to table a written report. Director of Planning Geoff Lawler, sought to deflected criticism of the Council not being informed or advising the public of the impact of the proposed changes.

It is understood that this issue was discussed in an unreported closed session Councillor forum.

Recordings of the City of Melbourne Future Melbourne Committee held on May 14 and June 4

Extract of Minutes FMC held on May 14

 

Anthony van der Craats, resident, asked the Committee a question in relation to the Minister for Planning’s recently announced changes to the Victorian Planning Scheme, which resulted in the abolition of Business 1 Zones and when will the City of Melbourne be undertaking a review of the schemes? (00:01:30 to 00:02:55 Recording of meeting)

In response to the question raised by Mr van der Craats, the Director City Planning and Infrastructure, Geoff Lawler advised that it is very early days as the rezoning has just been announced. He is currently beginning to understand the process and will bring the information to Councillors once it is fully known.  (00:02:56 to 00:03:40 Recording of meeting)

In response to a question raised by Anthony van der Craats, the Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle advised that as per the previous discussion regarding the zoning changes at the beginning of the meeting the matter will be brought before Council, but cannot guarantee it will be at the June Council meeting.

Given the 1 July 2013 deadline the Council will be pressing to make sure this is as expeditious as possible  (01:06:30 to 01:08:04 Recording of meeting)

Blind Faith: Council accepts verbal assurance that new planning regime will not adversely effect residential amenity

Chair of Governance and Deputy Chair of Planning, Stephen Mayne reneges on previous undertaking for the City of Melbourne to provide a comprehensive report on the impact of the State Government's proposed new planning zones which comes into affect on July 1.

Under the proposed new planning regime all 'Business zones" will be transferred into a new comprehensive 'anything goes" "Commercial 1" zone which includes an "as of right use" (No planning permit required) for a tavern and gaming venue.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, Stephen Mayne and other Councillors accepted in blind faith a verbal undertaking given by the Director of Planning, Geoff Lawler, in closed session of council that existing "overlays" in Melbourne's planning scheme would protect and prevent the establishment of taverns and gaming venues that adversely affect adjoining residential precincts. 

(Clause 22.12 of the City of Melbourne Planning Scheme outlines "Policy" in relation to Gaming venues  and Clause 22.22 which outlines "Policy" in relation to Licensed premises which both reference Business Zones which are being phased out on July 1)

Geoff Lawler in response to requests for a written report reassured the council and public gallery that "developments such as the one proposed for 157 Domain Rd South Yarra and the establishment of a restaurant/tavern last month would not proceed under the new Planning zone provisions"

Mr Lawler failed to outline exactly which overlays and in what way they would protect the residential amenity of South Yarra.

Clause 22.12 and 22.2 are policy guidelines that apply to the consideration of any new Planing permit application. Under the new Commercial 1 zone a planning permit is no longer required for a licensed Food and Beverage premises such as a Tavern, Gaming venue or Nightclub

If, as is feared, a new application is made after July 1 for a change of use and the developer seeks to exercise his new "As right of use" and reinstates a request for a tavern and it later shown that the advice given by Mr Lawler was false then we can expect calls for both Robert Doyle and Councillor Mayne, along with Geoff Lawler, having mislead the public to resign.

Prudence is the best policy not complacency

A verbal nod and a wink is not satisfactory and fails to instill confidence in the City Council administration of planning.

The onus still lies with the City Council and it's administration to provide a written assessment outlining in detail which provisions of the Melbourne planning scheme Mr Lawler is relying on when giving his advice.

Any Councillor that is prepared to accept verbal advice should also put their job on line.




New Commercial 1 zone to replace Business 1, 2 zones

34.01 COMMERCIAL 1 ZONE

Shown on the planning scheme map as B1Z, B2Z, B5Z or C1Z.

Purpose

To implement the State Planning Policy Framework and the Local Planning Policy

Framework, including the Municipal Strategic Statement and local planning policies.

To create vibrant mixed use commercial centres for retail, office, business, entertainment and community uses.

To provide for residential uses at densities complementary

to the role and scale of the commercial centre.

34.01-1 Table of uses

Section 1 - Permit not required

...

• Retail premises (other than Shop)
• Shop (other than Adult sex bookshop)

The defination of retail premises includes:

• Food and drink premises
• Gambling premises
• Landscape gardening supplies
• Manufacturing sales
• Market
• Motor vehicle, boat, or caravan sales
• Postal agency
• Primary produce
• sales
• Shop
• Trade supplies

The defination of Food and drink premises includes:

Convenience restaurant

Hotel

Restaurant

Take away food premises

Tavern


Previously Business 1 zone (To be phased out on July 1) listed under

34.01  BUSINESS 1 ZONE

34.01-1 Section 1 - Permit not required

...

Food and drink premises (other than Hotel, Restaurant and Tavern)

34.01-2 Section 2 - Permit required

Retail premises (other than Betting agency, Food and drink premises, Postal agency, Shop, and Trade supplies)

Tavern

Robert Doyle and Council vote on proposed budget increase in fees and rates

Robert Doyle in summing up the presentation of the City of Melbourne 2013-14 budget had a dig at Collins Street Traders by saying...

"Council is actually here [Council Meeting held on Thursday May 9] on both items [4 yr Plan and Council Budget] giving approval for public notice rather than giving approval or substantive debate of content because this is a work in progress we now send this process out for further comment from the public"
...
"We are starting to get comment already... I remind Councillors that those very people who criticise elements of the budget, like a small rise in parking fees of a dollar fifty, are the very people who at other times of the year are exhorting us to spend more on Christmas decorations, more on cleaning the City and beatifying streets, such as in Collins Street and that is one of the things for me [Robert Doyle] difficult to understand."
...
"The amount we are raising, and I will ask the public to think about that, through the increases in parking and increases in rates equates to about 14 Million dollars. I often say to people in the consultation period what would you cut out."
..
"That adds up to our entire Arts and Cultural budget. We could do none of that, if you like, but I do not think that will be the right answer. "
.. 
"It is a work in progress but I like to think pretty much of our work is done. I can not see us after consultation going back to first principles"


Councillor Stephen Mayne (In closing)

"It is open to councillors and everyone else to suggest changes or updates to the budget, for instance the 149 births at docklands where we mention zero rent ... where many were packaged up with apartments by VicUrban"... "from 2025 we will be able to extract rent for those births".. :"It is all about providing information in its correct context."
..
"It is up to everyone to make submissions and suggestions."

 
SUBMISSIONS CLOSE JUNE 7



The Melbourne City Council audio recording of the meeting has been edited and a section deleted removing comments made by Lord Mayor Robert Doyle just prior to the taking of the vote and the closing of the meeting. (Listen from the end of Stephen Mayne's Speech 1 min before recording end)

Have your say

Submissions are welcome on the draft Annual Plan and Budget 2013-14. 

The detail of what we will do and how we will fund our activities is agreed each year in the Annual Plan and Budget.

The draft Annual Plan and Budget 2013-14 is now out for statutory consultation.

Council’s Future Melbourne Committee will consider any written submission received on or before Friday 7 June 2013, at a meeting to be held on Tuesday 18 June 2013 at 5.30pm in the Council Meeting Room, level two, Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston Street, Melbourne.

If a person wishes to be heard in support of their submission they must include the request to be heard in the submission and this will entitle them to appear in person or by a person acting on their behalf before the meeting of the Committee.

The postal address for written submissions is:

Manager Governance Services
City of Melbourne
GPO Box 1603
Melbourne VIC 3001

CFMEU: Tuesday March for Safety

The CFMEU (Construction Forestry Mining Employees Union) and Victoria's Trade Unions will be marching next Tuesday April 30 in support of Safety on Melbourne's Building sites.  The  march begins at Trades Hall in Victoria Street,  and will proceed to the Swanston Street site of last month's tragedy for a minute's silence as a sign of respect.outside the GroCon CUB building site on Swanston Street.

The City of Melbourne still has not provided information why it had not issued a permit or inspected  the building site hoarding which collapsed on March 28.killing three innocent pedestrians.

Councillor Stephen Mayne, Chairman of the Council's Finance and Governance portfolio, was unable to answer questions from the public last week if the City of Melbourne had issued a permit for the new hoarding or if it had inspected the site and if not why not?

The City of Melbourne continues to shift blame and avoid accountability for for its own failings. Public Safety is the prime directive and obligation of the City Council. Stephen Mayne describing public concerns about safety on the GroCon site as "Grandstanding"

Negligence or Corruption a question on Twitters mind

Questions remain unanswered following last months fatal wall collapse with the City of Melbourne ducking for cover and in lock down mode avoiding responsibility.

According to a City of Melbourne spokesperson a permit is required for the construction of a hoarding on a building site. The City of Melbourne in its statement published on April 9 stated that a permit was not issued for a hoarding on the GroCon Swanston Street building site that collapsed on March 28 killing three pedestrians.

When asked on April 16 if the Council had issued a permit for the NEW hoarding on thee GroCon Swanston Street site and if the Council Officers had inspected the site and if not why not? Councillor Stephen Mayne, Chairman of the Council's Governance portfolio was unable to answer and took the question on notice.

A week has passed and still the City of Melbourne has not been able to respond to this important and yet simple question.

Questions are being asked if the Council is guilty of contributory negligence for the death of three innocent people by failing to fulfill its statutory obligations and/or if Council staff had received inducements to turn a blind eye to the requirement to issue a permit for the construction of a hoarding?  Both the new and old hoardings were taller then the maximum height of 2.4m listed in the Council's Construction Management Plan guidelines.

It is a simple question and deserves an answer. 

Council itself, and Councillor Mayne in particular, are now being compromised by the Council's failing to reply.  Avoiding the question will not make it go away and only serves to undermine public confidence in the City Council's Administration.

The Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle, may also be tainted by the Council's lack of response with allegations being made that Councillor Doyle is actively seeking to block twitter discussion and review of his administration.

When is a hoarding not a hoarding

The Melbourne's City Council's denial and side shifting gets shiftier every day.

Not only did the City Council declare the minutes of its meetings to be a true and accurate record of its meeting, when they were not, the City Council today issued a statement that the "Structure" attached to the brick wall that collapsed killing three innocent victims  was neither an advertising sign or a hoarding and that no permit had been issued  for the structure attached to the collapsed wall or the site inspected.

Not only did the City Council fail to ensure that the required permits were issued and that the building and building works on on the site complied with the public safety standards, it also failed to inspect the site for compliance with Melbourne's local laws.

The question must be asked was the Council negligent in fulling its statutory duty and prime responsibility to ensure and protect public safety?

The Council, as claimed in its statement, has tried to shift the blame and responsibility for the building site management off to the State Minister for Planning, Matthew Guy, who issued a planning permit for the site and as such the City Council was not responsible for the construction site approvals. The planning permit is different to the building and construction permit.

"There are intricacies in the way in which these (laws) interconnect and overlap," the council said in a statement on Tuesday.

The City Council still has a statutory obligation to ensure that building sites are constructed according to standards and that public safety is maintained. The responsibility for compliance and enforcement still remains with the City of Melbourne.

A team of engineers and inspectors and not one inspection had been made since the 3m high Grocon hoarding was constructed over a year ago.

Had the City Council inspected the site it could have identified the breaches in the building code and should have picked up the fact that the hoarding/fence/structure was taller than the permitted hoarding height of between 1.8 to 2.5 metres. Three innocent members of the public may still be alive today.

Of course anyone who dares question the Council's involvement or responsibility for oversight of the building site, which is subject to investigation by the Coroner, Work Safe and the Building Commission, is grandstanding as claimed by Melbourne City Councillor, Stephen Mayne, Chairman of the Council's Governance portfolio and Deputy Chairman of Planning.

The City of Melbourne Local Laws state

PART 7 - BUILDING STANDARDS

Compliance with Code

7.1 A person must comply with any obligation imposed by the Code. Compliance with the Standards

7.2 A person to whom the Standards apply must comply with any obligation imposed by the Standards

Construction Management Plan guidelines

The City of Melbourne requires developers and builders to carefully manage excavation, demolition and building works within its municipal boundaries.
To achieve this, builders and developers are required to submit a construction management plan that takes into account all relevant aspects of demolition or building work.
The guidelines address a range of issues to be managed onsite, including:

• public safety, amenity and site security 

All public domain protection permits such as hoardings, gantries, cranes, etc are issued by the City of Melbourne’s Construction Management Group (Site Services)
A permit is required to be issued prior to the construction of a hoarding or fence within the municipality under the Municipal Local Law.  A permit for a hoarding last for one year and is subject for inspection by the City Council.  

Types of construction permits

The City of Melbourne issues many different permits for building and construction activities including:
..

Permits for safety and amenity

• Hoardings (4.1- General Requirements)

 Hoarding screens must be constructed of closely boarded timber or plywood between 1.8m to 2.4m in height to secure a building site and form a barrier against noise, dust and debris. Chain wire and corrugated iron fences are considered unsuitable for this purpose.

 Hoardings are to be designed to withstand wind loads to AS 1170.2 with counterweights as necessary to prevent overturning. In addition hoardings adjoining excavations are to be designed to withstand a lateral line load of 0.75 kN/m applied at a height of 1 metre from the base and suitably guarded by barriers to prevent vehicular impact.

 Hoardings and barricades must be in good condition, free from graffiti and maintained to the satisfaction of the Council. They should be painted in a uniform colour preferably white

Maverick Melbourne City Councillor, Stephen Mayne's push for power comes to a crashing holt

Melbourne City Councillor and serial candidate Stephen Mayne's bid to win the Municipal Association of Victoria's presidency came a cropper with Stephen Mayne only managing to secure 14 votes. 

Mayne came in third with incumbent president Bill McArthur re-elected with 44 primary votes behind Andrew Munroe who had 16 votes.

Costing the City of Melbourne over 38 Thousand dollars in the first year and a further $55,000 every year following. 

Stephen Mayne tried to dismiss his defeat by claiming that  "his push to the presidency was was never about winning".

"Cr McArthur's win was always widely expected although it is the first time in many years that the non-metropolitan gerrymander (51 out of 79 votes with 20% of the population) has delivered a decisive victory over competing candidates from larger metro councils."


Blaming the MAV rural "Jerry Manader" of non Metropolitan versus Metropolitan votes is misleading as the metropolitan votes did not support Mayne either.  His "old" Municipality of Manningham did not vote for his candidacy

Having been derailed in his obvious push to power and trying desperately to not be seen as irrelevant, Stephen Mayne claim a victory for the gender balance with the MAV electing a majority of women on the MAV board. Previously women represented 5 out of 13 seats on the board and now can boast a majority having secured 7 seats held by women and 5 by men.   The support shown for women delegates was not reflected in Stephen Mayne's push for the presidency. 

Mavrick Stephen Mayne an Embarrassment to City Planning

Maverick City of Melbourne Councillor, Deputy chairman of the Council's Planning committee and MAV presidential candidate, Stephen Mayne was an embarrassment following criticism by State Minister of Planning, Matthew Guy, that Stephen Mayne failed to understand how Melbourne's Planning system works.  Mathew Guy speaking to Radio 774 Jon Faine had to point out to Stephen Mayne that the Minister of Planning is the responsible planning authority for major projects in the city greater than 25,000 sq metres
.
The City Council rightly had lost planning control over major projects some 20 years ago.  The Council retains the right of review and advocacy but is no longer judge, jury and prosecutor of planning.

The proposal before the Minister is the construction of a high density residential commercial complex in South Bank. The proposed development designed by renowned architects Fender Katsalidis, when constructed at 388 metres will be the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere

Stephen Mayne, who was elected to the Council in November, admitted in his interview earlier with Jon Faine that he had no qualifications or expertise in planning and design. Stephen Mayne is the Council's deputy chairman of planning, the chairman is Cr. Ken Ong

In spite the fact that the City Council has known of the project months before Stephen Mayne's election Cr Mayne criticized the Minister for allowing only 14 days for the Council to respond to the application.

It's not as though the City Council lacks staff skills and expertise. The Council's urban planning and design department has a budget of 10's of millions of dollars and a host of highly paid experts at their disposal. They most certainly should be in a position to respond to the proposed planning application in a timely fashion.
  
The Minister has extended the time limit allocated to the City Council.

Mayne caught out holding secret meetings behind closed doors

Do as Stephen says not what he does.


Melbourne City Councillor and self proclaimed advocate for open transparent democracy, Stephen Mayne, has been caught out chairing a secret "behind closed doors" City of Melbourne Finance and Governance Committee Meeting.

Enjoyed 90 minute session this afternoon chairing first Finance and Governance committee meeting at City of Melb. Lots of meaty debate.
— Stephen Mayne (@MayneReport) February 7, 2013

Stephen Mayne tweeted today that he had in fact chaired a City Council Finance and Governance Committee Meeting.

No such meeting has been listed on the City Council's web site. The meeting held was not advertised or open to members of the public as required under section 89 of the Victorian Local Government Act.

There is ongoing concern at the legality of City of Melbourne's Council's Secret Meetings and their non compliance with State laws.

Complaints to the Local Government Inspectorate on this issue is still pending review.,

Doyle's splash of color

Melbourne's Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle, sporting a pair of red socks added a splash of color and sartorial elegance and fashion in what was otherwise a boring Council meeting.  (This addition to Robert's attire is solely due to the influence of his wife and should not be seen as a political statement)

There were only three items for public discussion on the Council's agenda, non of which were controversial or contentious.  Richard Foster's Citywide Smoking ban was not listed for discussion.

Do as I say not what I do.

Maverick City Councillor, Stephen Mayne, still has not raised or addressed issues in relation to open transparency and the need for Council meetings to be open to the public.  The Council continues to hold secret behind closed doors Councillor Forum meetings and decisions made under Council delegation are not reported.  Complaints forwarded to the State Local Government Inspectorate in relation to the City Council's non compliance with section 89 of the Local Government Act are still pending review.

Self Deception: Oh What web they weave

Stephen Mayne's Years Wrap-up is a lot of self indulgent misconception.

Mayne claims to support open and transparency yet he has done noting to hold the Council to account and put an end to the misconception, deceit and avoidance of accountability.  Decisions of Council are being are behind closed doors, with a nod and a wink decisions made under delegation .  No documents, No reports with no open public discussion.

Stephen Mayne himself has been reported as wanting lesser public sessions and there are increasing reports that Councillors are not responding to City residents and traders concerns.  Mayne is too busy shopping in Doncaster Shopping Town.  Transparency and openness is the last item on his agenda.

What is interesting and telling in Mayne's report

Mayne stated "It's all very well having lots of briefing papers available to read, but this is never as good as having a lively verbal debate around the table with ideas flowing back and forth. I always enjoyed challenging Manningham developers in front of the officers during private sessions and then later asking the officers what they thought of the answers. There's limited opportunity to do this at Melbourne."

Yet Kathy Alexander in her recent correspondence state that the session were verbal presentations only.

The Horse and Carriage Street Traders were denied any access or input to proposed policy changes put forward to the Council at its November 27 "Closed Session" Councillor Forum meeting. According to Alexander there are no written reports, documents or minuets of the discussions held.

Decisions made under delegation were implemented without anyone knowing exactly what was being implemented in the name of the Council. Councillor Richard Foster had been made aware of the Street Traders concerns yet he failed to have their concerns heard in public. The Council just gave a nod and a wink and hey presto.  The Horse and Carriages were removed from Swanston Street, and denied parking outside the Town Hall.

We are told that Stephen Mayne was contacted by representatives of the Horse and Carriage Association but he did not respond to their numerous calls and SMS. 

This is a good example of the systematic problems facing the Council. Open transparency and good governance no longer exist in Melbourne.  The system is corrupt and widely open is misuse and abuse.

Then and Now: Doyle backs down from Legal Challenge: Decisions by Proxy

Robert Doyle on the run backs down on legal challenge of integrity Then … and Now

Councillors Richard Forster, Rohan Leppert and Stephen Mayne have already reneged on their commitment to Open and Transparent Government


Richard Foster said "he also wanted to increase the public's perception of the council's integrity by ending the policy of closing council meetings"

 "Doing nothing is not an option".- Richard Foster "Our Melbourne" @Richo_Foster That is until he was elected. Policy and commitment for Open and transparency out the window. 

Within less than 2 months of being elected @Richo_Foster continued practice of secret meetings behind closed doors locking out the public .




Greens' Rohan Leppert "there were issues of transparency that needed to be addressed". Leppert, like that of his predecessor Greens Councillor  Fraser Bindley before him, also supported closed meetings subverting s89 LGA










Self proclaimed "Transparency advocate" and new councillor Stephen Mayne @MayneReport has also continued the practice of secret meetings subverting s89 of the LGA

 
On November 27 The City Council held a "Decision by Proxy" Councillor Forum meeting locking out the public and community.  No reports and no minutes, No accountability.  No Transparency. Policy on the run hidden from public view. 

• Open and transparent systems permit everyone to make informed choices, and give everyone access to information in an easily understood format
  
  Accountability is acting responsibly and being answerable for actions taken
  
  A lack of openness, transparency and insufficient accountability creates the conditions in which corruption flourishes
  
  The Internet is the ideal medium for cost effective delivery of information maintaining open and transparent government (eGovernance)
   
   

Section 89 Victorian Local Government Act 1989

Meetings to be open to the public

• 89. Meetings to be open to the public
  
  (1) Unless subsection (2) applies, any meeting of a Council or a special
  committee must be open to members of the public.
  
  (2) A Council or special committee may resolve that the meeting be closed to
  members of the public if the meeting is discussing any of the following-
  
     (a)  personnel matters;
  
     (b)  the personal hardship of any resident or ratepayer;
  
     (c)  industrial matters;
  
     (d)  contractual matters;
  
     (e)  proposed developments;
  
     (f)  legal advice;
  
     (g)  matters affecting the security of Council property;
  
     (h)  any other matter which the Council or special committee considers
          would prejudice the Council or any person;
  
          (i)    a resolution to close the meeting to members of the public.
  
  (3) If a Council or special committee resolves to close a meeting to members
  of the public the reason must be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.
  
  (4) Unless subsection (4A) applies, a Council must at least 7 days before the
  holding of-
  
     (a)  an ordinary council meeting; or
  
     (b)  a special council meeting; or
  
     (c)  a meeting of a special committee comprised solely of Councillors-
  
  give public notice of the meeting.
  
  (4A) If urgent or extraordinary circumstances prevent a Council from complying
  with subsection (4), the Council must-
  
     (a)  give such public notice as is practicable; and
  
     (b)  specify the urgent or extraordinary circumstances which prevented the
          Council from complying with subsection (4) in the minutes.
  
  (5) The Chairperson of a special committee that is not comprised solely of
  Councillors must provide reasonable notice to the public of meetings of the
  special committee.
  
  

   

In the night before Christmas City Council kicks-out Horse and Carriages from City Centre

The Melbourne City Council, just days before Christmas, under the clock of delegation has kicked-out the Horse and Carriages from Swanston Street opposite Town Hall

Signs that allowed Horse and Carriages to trade opposite the Town Hall were removed and  changed overnight.   Melbourne Street Traders who were effected by the decision had not been informed of the change.

No consultation, no documentation, a complete lack of open or transparent decision making.  The decision was made behind closed doors. and not listed for discussion on the Council's Future Melbourne Committee.  The decision made at a time when the Council is not under scrutiny, Media are on holiday, Councillors are absent attending Christmas events and the public's attention is on the festive season.

Outraged Street Traders stood for Council  in the October election and joined forces with Community candidates Kevin Chamberlin and Lord Mayor Candidate Brian Shanahan.  The Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle, and Councillors' Mayne, Watts and Foster were elected on the back of preferences allocated by the Shanahan-Chamberlin Team.

Stakeholders and community representatives met with Councillor Richard Forster soon after the October Council elections to raise concerns.  Councillor Foster gave an undertaking to look into the matter but did not reply. Councillors appear to have been kept in the dark of the decisions with Councillor Ong, Chairman of the Council's Planning Committee and Kevin Louey, unaware of the decisions made.

Efforts to contact  newly elected Councillors failed with Stephen Mayne and Richard Foster not returning Street Traders phone calls.

Melbourne's Street Traders have expressed no confidence in the Council's Engineering Department and  have called for Street Trading to be removed from Engineering and  placed under the auspice of Tourism and Small business were it belongs - a move supported by many of the City Councillors and State Tourism.

The Horse and Carriages provided a much needed attraction to the City with tourists, lovers and visitors keen to photograph the horses ad carriages opposite the Town Hall.  They add vitality and  interest to the city which is fast becoming more and more family unfriendly.