local shopping strip - Murrumbeena

The current somewhat perilous state of the Neerim rd Murrumbeena shopping strip continues. As local shoppers understand full well over the past six months there has been a rolling saga of leasing problems with the IGA supermarket (next to Bendigo Bank) closing and re-opening on reduced hours with vitually no stock on the shelves - can imagine what it was like in the post-war rations times! The IGA supermarket like the bank or postoffice is an integral part of the shopping strip which attracts custom for all the other shops. Near the station it is perfectly positioned to capture the growing needs of the local community. The net result of this situation is that the shopping strip has become very quiet with many locals opting to go to Carnegie and business down everywhere- The local traders association is certainly anxious that this situation be resolved as soon as possible. As I understand there is likely to be a new lease agreement finalised soon - which will enable the shop to reopen at full capacity and hopefully over time help restore the strip to its former busy self-the sooner the better i would think!

Bicycle Infrastructure spending in Glen Eira

A recent Bicycle Victoria report analysing local govt expenditure across all the 79 municipalities in the state gave Glen Eira a poor ranking in terms of current and past investment over a four year time frame.

the full report is at
http://www.bv.com.au/file/file/BiXE%202010_02_12.pdf

One of the most interesting aspects is the graph on page 11 that gives a listing of the per capita spending across 31 Metro councils over the past four years- Glen Eira comes in at fourth from the bottom.

Glen Eira does have a very good Bicycling Strategy released in 2010 that needs increased funding - last year council allocated $100k in the 2010/11 budget - there is certainly a lot of scope for a very significant increase this year.

Open Day - Murrumbeena Playgroup this Sat 19th March

The Murrumbeena playgroup is one of the largest in our muncipality- it has been providing a great fun and safe environment for pre-school children to meet and play most days of the week for over thirty years, an achievement in itself!

My daughters and myself certainly enjoyed regularly attending the group a decade ago.

This Saturday the 19th from 10am to 2pm there will be an open day at the Community of Christ hall site-cnr Dalny and Poath rds Hughesdale which I will be very pleased to attend.

There will be refreshments ,stalls and plenty of enjoyable activities . Be great to see many past and present children and parents there.

Rosstown Street Stall - Carnegie - Sat 26th March

Come along have your say and meet your local Rosstown ward councillors.

When - Saturday 26th March 10 - 12pm

Where- Koornang Rd Carnegie (outside library)

Along with Crs Margaret Esakoff and Steven Tang , I will be very keen to listen and hear about any issues and concerns.

update- Elsternwick Childcare Centre

from a press release dated Thursday 4th March

***-Glen Eira City Council has written to Alfred Health regarding its preferred options for the ongoing provision of child care in the Elsternwick area.

In May last year, Alfred Health informed Council that it would not extend the lease on the Kooyong Road building, which has been home to Elsternwick Children’s Centre for more than 20 years.

Glen Eira Mayor Cr Margaret Esakoff said Council’s preference is for the Centre to remain open under the current lease arrangements.

"This arrangement has been working well for the last 20 years and Council would like to see it continue — as would the families who have and do currently utilise the centre," Cr Esakoff said.
"However, if Alfred Health is unable to commit to an ongoing lease then Council will seek to build a new childcare centre on available Crown land currently part of the Caulfield Campus of Alfred Health.

"Council believes a new purpose-built centre will not only provide a greater security of tenure, but an improved child care offering for the area."

Cr Esakoff said Council intends to discuss the availability of Crown land with Local Members of Parliament and Ministers.

"Assuming Crown land is made available, Council also intends to seek a commitment from Alfred Health that the current lease arrangement continues until such time as the new centre is built,"
Cr Esakoff said- ***

comment:
This is positive progress in resolving the present uncertain future of the centre. There are still significant hurdles to overcome though, chiefly securing available crown land for a new centre possibly in the north-east area of the Kooyong rd (Caulfield Hospital)site.

Also obtaining a 'bridging lease' that allows the present ECC to continue operating after Xmas Eve this year when the current lease is due to expire.

Local parents have advocated and campaigned strongly on how important this childcare service is to their community and I will continue to work hard to support an ongoing council-run childcare service in the Elsternwick area