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8/9/05

Land Sale - Clayton Pool

Editor Monash Journal

142 Dandenong Road

 Dandenong

Re: Monash Journal 5th September 2005 “Land sale ire”

 It was disappointing to read that Monash Councillors have decided to sell surplus land surrounding the Clayton Pool redevelopment.

As one of the ex Councillors who started this project, and a member of the consultative committee, and as Past President of Monash Ratepayers Association, I find it difficult to accept Cr. Dimopoulos’ statement, in defending the decision, that this was the result of 3 years of public consultation.(Monash Journal 5th September 2005 ‘Land sale ire’). 

I have attended all of those information meetings and have never seen any plans that showed the surplus land.  At each meeting I asked the same question :”What are the boundaries of the redevelopment and what land was considered surplus?” 

As Council was not able to (or did not want to) provide an answer to my question I made it quite clear that I would not support the sale of any land until after the redevelopment was completed and only then after proper community consultation, according to law, was conducted.

I resent the comment by Cr Dimopoulos that it would be “remiss of us as a council if we did not make every effort to … minimize the financial burden to all ratepayers”.  IF ONLY THAT WAS TRUE. 

We have been subjected to unbelievable rate increases, excessive phone expenditure by Councillors, in excess of $1000's.   $30,000 legal expenses to defend writs issued against Councillors by Councillors, dismissal of voluntary community committees with again large amounts paid to legal firms to seek advice on how they could get their hands on the funds they were not entitled to from those committees, to name a few.   

So do not make stupid statements Cr. Dimopoulos, Ratepayers are not as gullible as you think they are.

Jack Davis J.P.

Past President

Monash Ratepayers Inc.

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