Strategic Briefing Sessions

On Tuesday, all councillors and several council officers had a "Strategic Briefing Session" (SBS), which ran from 5pm to 12am - that's seven hours of discussions and presentations on 27 agenda items. These SBSs are closed sessions where briefings are provided on a variety of issues, and healthy debate between councillors is encouraged. These sessions are for discussion only, and official policy decisions can only be made at the monthly ordinary (public) council meetings, which I encourage all residents to attend at least once.

I found our session to be very informative (thank you to the council officers for their excellent presentations) and the discussions highly valuable. Topics we discussed ranged from planning issues to financial performance and almost everything in-between, including details of the impending official launch of council's revamped website and a great new exhibition at the Manningham Art Gallery - see council's website for more details!

Together with recent briefings on Doncaster Hill and a tour of relevant facilities, I believe we are rapidly getting "up-to-speed" on a variety of important issues.

Town Planning

Recently, I've been getting numerous calls from residents concerned about proposed building developments. Unlike some other councils, Manningham had the foresight to intorduce (about 2 years ago), explicit planning overlays for all areas of Manningham, which makes it easier to enforce sensible controls on proposed developments outside designated high activity centres. Unfortunately, there will always still be developments which just don't seem to fit into the neighbourhood. Rescode explicitly refers to "existing neighbourhood character" as one of the parameters that need to be satisfied by a planning application. There may also be instances where overshadowing of north-facing windows/living areas is excessive. When this happens, residents can lodge objections, which are considered by council officers when planning applications are assessed. Objections should be lodged within 14 days of the development notice being errected. Petitions are less effective than individual objections. An excellent overview of the planning/objection process is provided by the national group "Save our Suburbs" (www.sos.org.au). Here is the link to the guide, which is a few years old, so do your own research as well.

What can councillors do? Well, individually, councillors have little power, but where there is enough concern from residents, a planning application can be referred to a full council meeting for a decision. Regardless of the outcome at council, an application can still be appealed at VCAT, so it can be a long process. My advice is:
1. do your own research into Rescode and SOS
2. speak with all councillors in your Ward
3. speak with the council planning officer responsible for reviewing the planning application, and ensure you familiarise yourself with the details of the plans
4. work with your neighbours
5. seek discussions with the developer
6. lodge any objections factually and promptly

At the end of the day, Manningham needs continuous development to meet the demands of a growing population. The vast majority of developments are worthy additions to our evolving cityscape. Where a development appears to be unsuitable, there are clear processes which seek to ensure a win-win outcome for all. Take the time to do your research and we can all work together for a better Manningham!

Congratulations Mr. President!

Although I am politically neutral, I can't help but feel excited and happy that the United States have elected Barack Obama as their 44th President. Let's hope and pray that he has the wisdom and gets the support needed to turn around the economic and foreign policy challenges that lie ahead.



One video clip that I found amusing plays on Barack's ethnic heritage, in particular the notion that African-Americans are particularly "groovy" - some US musicians have "pimped" his new ride, Air Force One. Check out the reactions of the "redneck Texans" !


By the way, did you know, President Obama is only 8 years older than me? bwahaha!

Community Organisation Umbrella Group

Individuals and pockets of residents can be very passionate about their topical issues. In the course of campaigning for what they believe and seeking productive outcomes, these individuals learn valuable lessons. Lessons in how to lobby effectively, whom to approach for fastest results, good communication strategies etc.. Unfortunately, once the issue(s) is addressed, these noble citizens often revert to their daily lives, taking all that useful experience with them. The next group or individual that comes along with an important issue, has to go through the whole process again.

Recognising the huge amount of experience, wisdom and passion that is spread across our community, I would like to help harness this potential for the collective good!

I've today asked council to help me gather details of all known resident action groups, and I will seek to solicit input from others, so that we can together form an "umbrella organisation" to bring these diverse groups of residents together. The goals of this umbrella group would include:
1. sharing knowledge, tips etc... useful to all lobby groups
2. provide a focal point for potentially supporting one another in different campaigns (e.g. some groups are very small and could benefit from advice or practical assistance such as volunteer petitioners, letter drops etc..)
3. community networking - one group might find another group, previously unknown to them, exists with very similar goals. Why not collaborate?

I recognise that this will be quite a challenge, given the diversity of issues, personalities etc... However I firmly believe that there is great skill, wisdom and support within the community that can be harnessed to make things happen more efficiently and effectively through community cooperation. This cannot be done by one individual, so your help is needed!

Please contact me through any of the channels below if you would like to help or have suggestions:
Councillor Ivan Reid
e-mail: ivan.reid AT manningham.vic.gov.au (note replace 'AT' with '@' This is to foil spammers)
phone: 0408 one four seven 628
fax: 9840 two zero four seven

My initial goal is to facilitate and help kickoff a meeting of like-minded Manningham residents to discuss and agree terms of reference for this umbrella group.

Photo credit: thanks to justfor_donATyahoo.com.hk!

New year, parking and savings

Happy New Year! I hope that everyone had a peaceful and joyous start to the new year. My family and I welcomed in the new year at a friend's house and we're all filled with optimism for a great year ahead (well, we have to start somewhere to defeat all the gloom and doom being reported in the news!).

It's early days yet, but as councillors, we've already started sinking our teeth into complex and unusual matters, with a regular council meeting and two special (closed) meetings since our inauguration already...


PARKING
In the week before Christmas, I responded to frustrated traders opposite Shoppingtown, whose business and very livelihood was being adversely affected by a lack of parking spots for their own legitimate customers. I understand that some people are parking outside Autobarn, Officeworks and Clarke Rubber without the intention of shopping there, but to avoid parking at Shoppingtown instead. This practice prevents legitimate shoppers from accessing these shops. I also received calls from residents in residential streets adjoining Shoppingtown on the same issue of overflow parking.

Working with the traders, I escalated the issue to our CEO Lydia Wilson and Director of Planning, Paul Molan, who were able to improve the situation somewhat, with new signs enforcing 1 hour parking limits and increased enforcement patrols. However these measures are only a partial solution and clearly this will be an ongoing challenge that the community, Westfield, traders and council will have to explore in earnest.

NOT IN AUSTRALIA I'M AFRAID!
On a lighter note, I had an amusing call from a resident recently. It started with congratulations at my election to Councillor, but then just hung there ... I could tell there was more to the call, and when asked what was on his mind, the caller suddenly wailed, "I got a parking ticket today! Can you do anything about it?" After clarifying the circumstances were legitimate, I had to break the news that there are strict laws against inappropriate influence by councillors that might benefit an individual or organisation more than the wider community. In other words, whilst such "favours" might be suspected in other countries, generally this doesn't happen here, and certainly not on my watch! Sigh. "If only" eh?


SAVINGS
As part of my election platform, I undertook to try and get more tangible benefits for residents out of future budgets. As a group, this term's councillors are definitely a financially responsible bunch. We've already "saved" money by having a much more modest Inauguration reception this year, and our new Mayor has been very sensible and modest in his choice of car. I've suggested that we start tracking such "relative savings" and ensure that the money that would previously have been budgeted for these items, be visibly re-allocated to tangible benefits for the community e.g. if we spent $5000 less this year than budgeted for civic receptions, there should be $5000 directly attributable to something else of tangible benefit to the community, e.g. increased budget for community grants. By tracking and linking savings in this way, we will all become more aware of unnecessary excesses and most importantly, demonstrate improved outcomes to the community in a tangible way.
I've already discussed this with our Mayor, who is very receptive to the suggestion, so watch this space.

Happy New Year!

Wishing all the residents of Manningham and beyond, a Happy and successful New Year 2009!
Enjoy this video of the fireworks from Hong Kong, my favorite from this year's crop. For science-fiction fans like myself, this clip has an "insider" reference to the TV series Stargate Atlantis (smile)

Inauguration

Tonight, the new councillors and Mayor for 2009 were formally sworn into office in an official ceremony at Town Hall.
Friends and family witnessed the ceremony, which was followed by a modest reception. As a group, we decided to send a strong message of positive change and cultural diversity by electing Manningham's youngest mayor, Cr. Charles Pick and formally recognising the role of Deputy Mayor and electing Manningham's first Chinese councillor and Justice of the Peace, Fred Chua to that (honorary) role. Fred is seated to my right in the picture above. Congratulations Charles and Fred!

How is the Mayor elected?

This evening the new "Councillors elect" met to discuss who should be
Lord Mayor of Manningham. We had a very good session, and I am very
heartened that we were unanimous in wanting to know as much as
possible about each other and the skills we would bring to the role,
before making an informed decision on who should be the "face of the
city". This term, with an odd number of councillors, the Mayor no
longer has a casting vote. In my opinion, this together with the
collaborative & democratic nature of decision making at council
meetings, puts the focus of the Mayor's role squarely on facilitation,
communication and team-/community-building. Just being the Mayor does
not mean that he or she "calls the shots". Being Mayor is an extension
of the tremendous privilege and responsibility to our community that
already comes from being an elected councillor. In the coming days,
our team of councillors elect (for we are not officially councillors
until the "swearing-in ceremony") will meet again to vote on who
should be Mayor for 2008-2009. Stay tuned and you'll read it first
here when the decision is made!

For those who are interested in the details of the election process, e-
mail me for an extract from the relevant bylaws (publicly available
information). In a nutshell,
1. Councillors nominate (seconds not required)
2. All Councillors vote by show of hands
3. If one candidate achieves a majority vote (at least 5 of 9 in our
case), they are elected Mayor.
4. Otherwise, candidate with lowest number of votes is eliminated and
we return to step 2, with all councillors voting but one less candidate.
5. If there is more than one candidate with joint lowest number of
votes, the first candidate of these to be "drawn from a hat" is
eliminated (the Hand of God, or luck depending on your view!)

Please note this is just my personal summary of the process and E&OE
applies (errors & omissions excepted)!

On a final note regarding Mayoral election, I would personally favour
a popular vote by the residents at the time councillors are elected,
just like in the City of Melbourne.

Stay tuned and you'll read it first here when the decision is made!

Declaring the Poll / Statements

On Monday 1st December, after a marathon counting session that ended around 4am, the successful candidates were officially announced by Mr. David Cook, the returning officer. The evening was hosted by Lydia Wilson, MCC’s CEO and press was in attendance.

Manningham’s new councillors for the next four years are:

Koonung Ward: Charles Pick(*), Ivan Reid, Fred ChuaHeide Ward: Geoff Gough(*), Grace La Vella(*), Stephen MayneMullum Mullum: Meg Downie, David Ellis, Graeme Macmillan

(*) Charles, Geoff and Grace were re-elected, having served the previous 3-year term.

At the"declaration of the poll" ceremony on Monday evening, it was my impression from the acceptance speeches that we have a great breadth of skills amongst the councillors, a professional working attitude and common goals of seeking transparency and ensuring good financial governance.

Some of the unsuccessful candidates also said a few words, reminding us of our election promises and promising to "keep and eye on us". The more community input we have the better I say! For those of you who have mislaid the voting leaflets with the statements (or never saw those of the other wards), they are freely available on the internet. However, the VEC website no longer displays candidates’ statements, and you would have to use Google’s web-cache to retrieve them. Specially for the less tech-savvy, I have reproduced the statements from the winning candidates verbatim. Please note that I am not endorsing these statements, merely publishing them from the public domain for my readers’ convenience. Copyright remains with the original authors. Order is as presented on the original VEC website.

"MAYNE, StephenAfter 20 years advocating for accountability and good governance in politics and business I am ready to independently serve Manningham and ensure the community gets good services and value from its council. I’m a Walkley Award winning journalist who founded Australia’s best known ezine www.crikey.com and appear regularly on 774 ABC Melbourne. Over the past decade I’ve asked questions at more than 300 AGMs of major public companies and believe Manningham will benefit from my experience standing up to rich and powerful vested interests. I will be a councilor advocating maximum transparency and holding the executive to account on behalf of the community. Manningham needs new energetic and reform-minded councilors. It’s time the old guard moved on after years of excessive rate increases. I’m 39 and married to barrister and RACV director Paula Piccinini. We live very happily in Templestowe with our three young children. Read more on www.maynereport.com ."

"GOUGH, GeoffAs your local Councillor and current Mayor, I seek your support for re- election. I listen, consult and act with integrity and responsibility. I deal with issues in an open and honest way, making myself readily available and never making promises I cannot deliver on. Living here for 51 years, I understand local issues and ensure Council hears and understands your point of view. Manningham must continue to function efficiently and responsibly with sound financial management and accountability. High quality services and facilities are essential and I will continue working hard to ensure these are responsive and accessible to all. Programs supporting the needs of young people, families and our ageing community must continue. I stand for sensible and balanced development. Infrastructure including roads, footpaths, drains, streetscapes, parks and community buildings must be maintained and improved. I will work with you to ensure our City continues to be the best."

"LA VELLA, GraceOver the last 3 years I have actively listened and addressed the concerns raised by our community. Achievements include Public Transport upgrades and significant increases in the number of services with more improvements due with the introduction of Smart Bus and Orbital Bus Services. Development of Wombat All abilities Playspace at Finns Reserve; the increase of public open space; provision of bicycle and walking paths along the linear reserves also upgrades of sporting facilities; improvements to safety at school drop off zones. Over the next term I intend to lobby State Government to complete road upgrades including King St and Templestowe Rd, undertake a feasibility study for train to Manningham, and introduce strategies to encourage and support Tourism and Local Business. Through strong leadership, teamwork, consultation with State & Federal Government I will continue to promote growth for Heide Ward and Manningham as a whole, moving us forward into future decades."

"CHUAH, FredAfter 40 years of voluntary community work, I believe it’s time for me to serve you and the Manningham community. I will endeavour to make Manningham a socially inclusive community where there is greater support for the aged, disabled, youth and young families, and that all residents have equal rights and access to services. I will turn Manningham into a more progressive council that is more accountable to its residents and responsible in spending; sets appropriate priorities; limits rate increase; obtains an equitable share of Government funding; and builds affordable housing, better roads and a better transport system. Being a strong advocate for the aged and socially disadvantaged, I recently established a not-for-profit nursing home. I am a member on the Ministerial Advisory Council of Senior Victorians; Council On The Ageing; Doncaster Hill Issue Forum and Manningham Community Health Services Management Board. For Forward- thinking and Commitment, Vote 1 Fred Chuah."

"PICK, CharlesIf re-elected I will continue battling to save you money, fighting for fairness, and protecting our community. Saving you money requires lower rates through stricter budgeting. It requires ending wasteful Council spending like luxury Councillor retreats, $7, 000 plus Mayoral dinners, and unwanted statues. I opposed every Council rate rise. Fighting for fairness means defending your right to be heard. This is why I established a panel of up to 1,000 residents to shape Council policies. Fairness requires a Council pensioner rate relief discount. Fairness means preventing inappropriate development through tightening Council planning. And fairness requires hard lobbying for better public transport, such as the Doncaster Tram 48 extension. Protecting our community demands Council preserving the Eastern Golf Club site, facilitating a new Jackson’s Court supermarket, and upgrading more footpaths and roads (including King Street). I have the passion and proven record to continue being your voice on our Council."

"REID, IvanFellow residents of Koonung, we face uncertain times, with financial markets in terrible turmoil. Crime is increasing, our neighbourhood character eroding. Transport and community facilities wanting. Challenging times demand better leadership. I will deliver good governance on rates, services for families and the elderly, crime prevention and appropriate neighbourhood development. Concerned by rising crime, I lobbied neighbours and co-founded a Neighbourhood Watch for the area between Doncaster, Wetherby and Tram roads - the first one there. As a senior technology executive, accountable for $20 million annual budget, I have sound financial experience. My analysis suggests we are not getting services we need when Council materials & services spending is half that of neighbouring Councils’ but employee costs proportionally higher. A father who has worked throughout the world, I understand the challenges facing old and young, newcomer and established resident alike. Discover more at www.bettermanningham.com and vote Reid for a better Manningham!"

"DOWNIE, MegAs a Donvale resident and a relief teacher in local primary schools, I believe Mullum residents get little value for their ratepayer dollar. I am a committee person for Ruffey Lake Park, Manningham Sewerage Stakeholders Panel and FOMDAC. If elected I would insist on: tighter controls on planning; the preservation of the Green Wedge; ceasation of the sale of pocket parks and instead their development for community purposes. The council has yet to mannifest a serious water conservation initiative with their own premises having insufficent water tanks installed, precious water is utilised for annuals and not trees. I would seek more facilities for the aged and children; equitity in resource distribution to Mullum; solutions to road and drainage issues and systemic septic problems; and limiting rate increases to less than CPI. Not all of us are dog lovers. I advocate a Dog Activity Centre to relieve pressure on our parks."

"MACMILLAN, GraemeMarried with four children. I am a chartered accountant conducting an international public sector management training and financial management consultancy specialising in local government. We have lived in Park Orchards for 18 years. I am a member of a local service club. As a regular contributor and commentator on the council’s policies and strategies I want to be directly involved in assisting our community over difficult financial times. I will seek to reduce or eliminate the forecast rate rises, improve the efficiency, effectiveness and appropriateness of all council operations, obtain better accountability and transparency and achieve stronger community involvement in the council’s economic, social and environmental decision-making. I can contribute strategic planning skills to the critical new 4-year Council Plan. I want a fairer deal for Mullum Mullum ward residents in obtaining better roads, drains and footpaths. Vote for good governance. 9879 9100"

"ELLIS, DavidWho cares about Council elections? Well, perhaps you do. Right now our community needs to plan wisely for a future that is economically sound and environmentally sustainable. We need value for money in Council finances. We need decisive action on public transport and water security. We need to value the open spaces that define our part of Manningham. We don’t need a freeway through Manningham’s Green Wedge, and we don’t need to sell off public parks for further development. You have a right to expect your Council to provide strong advocacy and action on all these issues; and you have a right to be heard, not just at election times. You can contact me through my website www.davidellis.net.au or phone 9844 5135. Make your voice heard."

Koonung Ward Provisional Results

I have just been informed by the returning officer, Mr. David Cook, that the community has elected me as one of its councillors for Koonung Ward. I am excited and humbled in this vote of confidence, and will do my very best to work diligently, transparently and tirelessly for the community. From other sources, I understand that congratulations are in order for Fred Chua and Charles Pick, whom I believe were also elected. My sincere commiserations to the other candidates, several of whom I know well and believe would also have made good councillors.

Counting for the remaining two wards is ongoing and results may not be available until late this evening.

The official swearing in of all councillors takes place at 6pm Monday 1st December in the Manningham City Council offices on Doncaster Road. Please feel free to attend and meet your new councillors!

Moving forward, I wish to use this website as a medium for regular communication with residents across Manningham. I will post my thoughts on policy, current issues being debated in council and seeking your input.

Thank you and stay tuned!

Let's make good use of the Federal funding!

As you can read in various articles today, the Federal Government is releasing immediate funding for local councils to improve infrastructure and indirectly, stimulate our economy. These funds must be spent by June 2009. See article.

Manningham's allocation of $419,000, will enable us to review the priority of existing capital works as well as considering new initiatives.

I am particularly interested in seeking community views on worthy projects, but as a starting point, if elected, I would focus on new/upgraded sporting and community facilities (e.g. venues for community groups, particularly those providing facilities for youths (sporting) and the aged (care centres), kinder upgrades) and reprioritised infrastructure works (e.g. making the residential eastern end of King St safer, sooner). Whilst there will undoubtedly be restrictions on how these funds can be spent, the funds will free other parts of the budget to fund those items the community wants which are currently languishing low on Council's priority list.

Don't let our Council waste this valuable funding! Recall my observations (and your "gut-feel"), that we do not appear to be getting value for money from our council, particularly when compared with other local councils. You can do something - vote REID 1 to ensure our community benefits!

Meet the candidate: Ivan Reid

Neighbourhood Watch

As you may know, I was instrumental in helping to establish a Neighbourhood Watch scheme for the area between Tram, Doncaster and Wetherby roads. Here is a publicity photo taken for the Leader newspapers at the time. Whilst I contributed at the time by finding committee members and editing the first few NHW newsletters, there is always something every member of the community can do to help. Volunteers are required for a variety of activities, most importantly for distributing newsletters in the area. You can find out more at the neighbourhood watch website www.neighbourhoodwatch.com.au (we are in Region 4 Division 1). Between Nov 3 and 28th, there will be a NHW display at The Pines Library, where you can find out more. And on 26th November, there will be a Car Park audit at the Doncaster Park and Ride. Volunteers are needed to assist with distributing crime prevention leaflets between 7am and 9am. After 9am vehicles in the carpark will be checked for security and to see if items of value have been left on display in cars - remember, you can discourage theft from your vehicle by always taking valuables with you or ensuring they are concealed.

Introduction

Thank you for making the time to discover more about me, Ivan Reid. I am a candidate for the 2008 Council Elections, Manningham, Koonung Ward. During the election campaign I will be adding more information every few days, so please visit regularly or subscribe to the news feed.

As an introduction, below is my Candidate Statement, which tells you a little about myself and the issues I stand for. After the Cup Weekend, I intend to publish some financial analysis I have done which will illustrate the questionable financial management of our Council, so come back again soon.

Fellow residents of Koonung, we face uncertain times, with financial markets in terrible turmoil. Crime is increasing, our neighbourhood character eroding. Transport and community facilities wanting. Challenging times demand better leadership. Someone who will deliver good governance on rates, services for families and the elderly, crime prevention and appropriate neighbourhood development. Concerned by rising crime, I lobbied neighbours and co-founded a Neighbourhood Watch for the area between Doncaster, Wetherby and Tram roads – the first one there. As a senior technology executive, accountable for $20 million annual budget, I have the sound financial experience to ensure our rates are managed for maximum benefit to the community. A father who has worked throughout the world, I understand the challenges facing old and young, newcomer and established resident alike. This opportunity to improve our community comes but once in four years, so don't waste your opportunity to make our beautiful city even better.

Leave me your comments or e-mail me at ivan@bettermanningham.com.
In the next few days, I'll be posting a video interview for you to meet me "in person", so come back soon!