Glen Iris Community Update - 2nd November 2020

Reference Group Workshop # 2 Summary

The second meeting of the Glen Iris Reference Group was held on Wednesday 21st October.

Three new members joined the group, following our call out to residents after the first workshop in September. This brings the total membership to 29 residents.

The second workshop provided the opportunity for community members to have more in depth discussions around the five key topics that were identified during the first workshop in September. Specialist consultants from the Project Team including traffic engineers, an urban designer, a town planner, a landscape architect, an environmental scientist, and civil engineers were in attendance.

The workshop has provided the Project Team with a range of ideas and possible solutions to consider as part of the overall planning of the future Glen Iris Estate. A summary of the workshop outcomes can be found here.

Reference Group Workshop # 3

At Workshop #3 in November, community members will be working with the consultants to develop high level concept planning for the proposed new development, focussing on the ideas and solutions they started to explore in Workshop #2.

The outcome of this session will be three concept plans (because we will be working in three break out groups to make it possible for everyone to have their say), which the consultant team will then further refine in time for Workshop #4 in early 2021.

Clarification of ‘confidentiality’ clause in Reference Group code of conduct

We have had feedback from two community members (one of whom is on the Reference Group) that there is a perception that the confidentiality clause in the Reference Group code of conduct prohibits members from sharing information from the sessions with their friends and neighbours.

While this clause is standard in State Government Reference Groups, it is clear that in this particular situation it has caused confusion.

We have clarified the intent of the clause with those two community members (both via email and verbally at the most recent reference group session), and we are sharing the text of that email below to clarify this situation once and for all:

“The Code of Conduct is more to do with respecting individual’s privacy (eg if a community member shares specific details relating to their property or personal situation); it doesn’t mean that members can’t share information about the discussions relating to the project. We are more than happy – indeed we would encourage - members to share information about the project and topic discussions from the workshops with their friends and neighbours.”

The full Terms of Reference and Code of Conduct can be found here.

Site maintenance

The tree loppers have now finished their latest round of works on site, removing overhanging limbs and generally making safe and/or removing trees that were identified as a risk to adjoining properties.

In line with our seasonal fire management plan which has been arranged with the City of Cockburn, mowing of the entire site is now complete. Under the plan, all grass and weeds will be maintained to 50mm, from the start of November to mid-April. Outside of the designated bushfire season, we will continue to manage grass and weeds within 20m of adjoining residents' property boundaries.

The new fence on Dean Road is now in place, and the old, damaged fencing along Prinsep Road has been repaired.

Site Investigations

In the coming weeks there will be a number of Project Team consultants on site undertaking a range of tasks as we start to build the foundation of work and investigations to prepare the specialist reports and studies to support the future planning applications for the future Glen Iris Estate.

ATCO Gas Works - METRONET Project

Construction work for the installation of a new gas main (part of the Thornlie-Cockburn Link - a METRONET project) is expected to begin this month (November). The new gas main runs from Dean Road across the former golf course to Hartwell Parade. More information about the Thornlie-Cockburn Link can be found at the METRONET project page here.