New Local Laws

Since 2005 the Local Laws Committee originally consisting of Crs Tang, Ashmor, Robilliard and me and since the 2008 election of Crs Tang, Pilling and me have conducted an exhaustive and sometimes an exhausting review of all of Glen Eira's local laws. The job is now almost complete and the revised laws are being placed on public exhibition for review and consultation.

There are some in our community who have queried the need for so many rules and regulations suggesting that they are invasive and that we are over regulated. That view however is not only unrealistic but ultimately narcissistic. In any society we have rules that regulate our behaviour. That is even more so at the local government level as the day to day invariably affect us, fro having overhanging branches, car parking issues, unsightly properties and more. Isn't it always the way that those who criticise are often the first to seek redress from the very same source that they impugn.

Many out dated laws were either removed or altered. Others have been added to recognise current problems eg, Contractors and Sub-contractors parking at or near building sites.

Nature strips were also considered and the law will now allow property owners to plant under certain conditions.

Is the law perfect? - I think not but a very detailed examination was carried out and it is now up to the community to add suggestions.

Princes Park & Dog Poop

For some months now there have been complaints by sporting clubs that children playing sport on the oval have fallen into dog poop. At this time the central oval is an off leash dog area. Many dog owners put their dogs onto the oval and then walk way not supervising their dog. Other owners simply do not collect their animal droppings leaving them on the grass.

The Council has sought to deal with the issue by having increased ranger patrols but to date the problem remains.

Council considered a number of actions but ultimately there was consensus that at the bare minimum signs would need to be erected instructing dog owners that they must clean up after their dog and have the dog under effective control. Further, Council decided that in lieu of immediate fines for infringements a warning would be given and fines only imposed for a second or subsequent offence.

Cr Penhalluriack met with some of the stakeholders and it is hoped that they will be able to find a consensus position that will deal with the problem without impinging on dog owners ability to use the oval.

At the Council meeting held on the 21st July there was a suggestion that the issue be deferred to allow stakeholders to meet. That proposition was not supported as the Council's actions are a bare minimum and do not restrict further and better action being adopted.

I said at the Council meeting that people are more important than dogs. That is not in any way to belittle the benefit of pets but ultimately if it comes down to a child's health or the rights of dogs to run unrestricted then I have to say people win. I also said that unless the stakeholders can agree and unless the problem is solved more stringent measures will need to be adopted. I sincerely hope that this will not be necessary and certainly all Councillors are of one in seeking to support stakeholders in finding a solution.

The reality is that most dog owners are responsible and the problem is caused by only a few. Perhaps those that regularly use the park can remind others of their responsibilities.

Caulfield Park

Work at Caulfield Park is continuing and all is expected to be completed by late August/early September. Once completed the park will be so much better than before. While there are some that have self styled themselves friends or protecters of the park, the truth is that it is a park for all. It is used by passive users, sports clubs, the elderly, children, etc. As such the Council is seeking to ensure that the very best facilties are provided. The new Pavilion will shortly be opened and will be able to cater for a wide variety of interests.

It is truly unfortunate that in improving the park some well established trees were required to be removed however Council will be planting over 100 new trees, far more than those gone.

Certainly at the beginning the grounds may look new but within a few years, once the trees become established Caulfield park will be even better than ever. I only need to look at other parks to know this is true. Invariably Council receives opposition to change - in many cases vociferous opposition but ultimately all but the churlish recognise that the finished product is an improvement.

GESAC

There has been much controversy about the proposed GlenEira Sports & Aquatic Centre ("GESAC"). Some in the community have lately called for Council to re-consider and scrap the project for a less expensive option. Here are the unadulterated facts - not speculation or innuendo:

• There are currently 2 pools in the City of Glen Eira. Both were built in the 1960s. Both are of similar standard and quality.
• The 2 pools have major deficiencies. Both have major cracks in the concrete shell which cannot be adequately repaired but must be replaced.
• The filtration system at both pools is hopelessly inadequate and cannot any longer cope resulting in frequent shutdowns on hot days.
• The pools are not environmentally friendly both leaking chlorinated water into the water table.
• Disabled residents find it difficult to use the pools because of the high "lip".

When first elected in 2005 I and my fellow Councillors explored the possibility of repair but after careful and considered examination it was clear that a "repair" was not practicable and what was required was a totally new facility.

I initially favoured locating GESAC at the Carnegie pool site however after consultation and initial plans being drawn it became obvious that Carnegie was both too small but further traffic would adversely affect residents. This was in contrast to the East Boundary Road site that ticked all the boxes.

The Council engaged in a lengthy and public consultation process with their having been to date 8 public meetings. It is of interest to note that those that are currently opposing GESAC did not either attend or make submissions. Further much of what is being said by them has no basis in truth but then why should facts get in the way. Innuendo is far more frightening!

I am Chairman of the Pools Steering Committee and as such have involved myself in each stage of the process. Australia's leading Pool consultant, Mike King has been engaged to advise Council. Architects have drawn detailed plans all of which were also submitted for public scrutiny at a public meeting.

Cost is certainly a factor and wild estimates of $70million + have been bandied about. The truth is that the budgeted amount is $45million of which the Federal Govt has committed $10million.

Criticism has been made as to location suggesting that the pool ought to be located at the Racecourse - only 1 problem - The Racecourse is not Council property. The truth is that before deciding on location Councillors considered every other possible location within the municipality. The choice of the East Boundary Road site was not made as a whim but rather as a considered decision.

Others say that in these economic times we should hold back and defer. I disagree. It is important that we have a vision for this municipality. That vision must not be shortsighted. We are not just planning for today but hopefully for a facility that will last at least 40 - 50 years. Now is the time to be bold and provide residents with a facility that will not just be a pool but will provide hydrotherapy, a creche, basketball and netball courts and similar. It is easy to be short sighted and resist change however despite the hot air the vast majority of residents who bothered to attend our public meetings enthusiastically endorsed Council's proposals.

What is patently clear is that the 2 existing pools cannot continue . They are well beyond their last legs. We can certainly spend ratepayer money to effect major repairs but all this would do is extend the life of the pools for a few more years before further works were required. It would be throwing good money away for a very short term fix. We do not need to replicate a 40 year old model but rather we must move into the 21st Century with a state of the art facility.

One of the hallmarks of the Council has been sound financial management. Despite the global financial crisis the Council has been performing well and is still a low rating Council compared to neighbouring municipalities. We would not have embarked on GESAC had we not had confidence that we had the financial ability to do so AND that in doing so we would not cripple the Council in its other endeavours or mortgage the future. Critics may scare monger but the truth is that this Council and the Council of 2005-2008 have a record of sound management, decisive decision making and a committment to repairing and maintaining infrastructure, matters long previously neglected.

The current pools are losing money each year whereas the financial model for GESAC is predicated on the complex either being profitable or at the worst breaking even. This is certainly achievable given GESAC will be more than a swimming pool.