RECLAIM CHAPEL STREET
RECLAIM CHAPEL STREET
Latest Updates News and developments from the community
OUR FIRST WIN!!
- After being searched for weapons...yes really! .............Many of our members attended the council meeting on August 31 to witness the reversal of the digital visitor parking permit system, with residents given the option to use a paper hanging permit. The man in the photo is Dale Dickson - the unelected CEO
- Cr Hely backtracked on her position on digital visitor parking permits. Her speech was couched in excuses dressed up as an apology. She also intimated the the digital system is here to stay and the way of the future with no evidence to back it up .Cr Hopper, the local Labor candidate has suddenly seen the light too. Cr Klisaris wanted the paper system to be reviewed in 6 months rather than the suggested 12 months. We fear she too has ulterior motives.
- Councillors Bell and Humphries were clear that there are further discussions to be had on the digital system. I.E. It has to go.
- It was difficult to hear all the councilors go back on their original claims of how wonderful the system would prove to be in the long run.
This is what happens when they sneak in new major policies
without genuine consultation
- Council is disingenuous in its proposal because they are still going be charging $10 for the paper permit, and at the time of writing the new paper permits will not be available until NEXT year's renewals.
- This would not have been possible without community pressure. THANK YOU!!
- The digital parking permit system is still the No.1 concern for residents. Channel 9 aired a terrific story about this on 29 August.
- It can be seen here on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/cuGzby18ogg
- Cr Kate Hely has finally seen the light and decided to propose a debate to restore paper permits for vistor parking. We believe Crs Humphries, Bell, Hopper will join the cause. Note that Cr Hopper is also the ALP candidate for Prahran in November. Call us cynical?
- In recent times Council has appointed a 3 person team to revitalise Chapel Street. The initial effort was underwhelming with traders being asked to offer $10 discounts for a service or product for the month of July. Many asked why they should be asked to pay again. Some traders have asked for more 2 hour parking as away to tempt people back to the area. The installation of parking sensors has increased the workload of parking officers significantly. We think that these sensors are as profitable as poker machines. Perhaps that increased profit could offset our residential parking charges?
- The market debate seems to have gone away now that the questions we asked at council clarified the fact that council handed over the management to an "arms length" operation known as Prahran Market Pty Ltd. Council remains the landlord.
- The Council met on June 15 and despite knowing there would be a large presence from the community ,made no effort to accommodate the extra numbers and in fact reduced the number of people that could access the chamber. 30-40 people were refused entry.
- There were chaotic scenes in the meeting as our founding member Sandy attempted to read her submission to the Councillors. Her submission was rejected because it was Sent to Council at midday......not prior to midday. The Mayor, under instruction from the unelected CEO called an adjournment and the CEO physically moved towards Sandy to stop her speaking. The people around her chanted "Let her speak !!" as she moved to the back of the room to finish her statement. By calling an adjournment the cameras were automatically paused so there is no footage available.
- The market was raised in one of our submissions , in particular the details of management and financial oversight. Here is the response from the council CFO:
- " In response to your queries and providing further details to my response on 15 June: Prahran Market is a community asset owned by Council and managed by Prahran Market Pty Ltd under a Management Agreement and an appointed Board of Directors. These arrangements were entered into so that the day-to-day operations of the Market are independent from Council and to ensure, as far as possible, that the decisions regarding the Market are made for the ongoing vitality of the Market. Prahran Market Management are responsible for making decisions around tenancies, as with any other commercial arrangement of a similar nature. The Market has operated under this subsidiary entity structure since 1996. As with any Market operation, when a lease comes up for renewal, each specific stall is reassessed in terms of product mix, the way the offer is being presented, health and safety and importantly its relevance to a constantly changing demographic for retail market shopping. All tenancies where non-renewals have been issued more recently are at the end of the lease, with advance notice. The entire Prahran retail precinct, including the Prahran Market is under pressure to remain attractive to consumers, contemporary and competitive, and Council expects the Market’s Management to focus on evaluating and refining the Prahran Market offering to ensure it remains a valuable community-owned asset which is commercially viable over time. Prahran Market Pty Ltd is audited externally via appointed Auditors through the Victorian Auditor-General's Office (VAGO), the Audit is undertaken annually very similar to the way Council is audited which predominately reviews financial statements, internal controls, compliance and governance. The audited results of the Market entity are consolidated into Council’s final results and can be found at Note 6.2 of the Annual Financial Report. "
- From the above it can be reasonably argued that ther is zero transparency in how the market is operated and oin that basis It is hard to see how any of the arguments put forward by politicians can be treated seriously.
- We note the ironical outrage by Cr Kate Hely (South Yarra Ward) regarding the State Government overturning the voice of the people and allowing an over scale development to proceed. She seems to have forgotten the voice of the people when the new parking permit scheme came to a vote. It has a disapproval rate close to 99%.
- The best way to achieve change is to email Councillors AND the CEO Dale Dickson. They will usually respond quickly. Their details are on the "Your Councillors" tab on this website. Commenting on their individual social media posts is helpful but can be blocked.