It is no secret that ratepayers who largely fund the City of Port Philip (CoPP) have been concerned for some time about the lack of focus and discipline displayed by the Council. Recent data compiled by Council Watch, once again, tells a concerning story on Council largess that affects not only ratepayers but also the non-rate paying public.

Data released this week on the Melbourne metro councils show that the City of Port Phillip came in an alarmingly second place in terms of average salary costs at $129,174 with a staff complement of 847. This translates to a staff ratio of 8.6 staff to 1000 of population in the City of Port Phillip (third highest in Metro Melbourne) compared to the average of 6.0 staff per 1000.

Let’s consider the following: The City of Port Philip continually argues for higher rate increases, not for potential looming risks but for a continuation of a tax and spend mentality, including funding Councillor “pet initiatives”. 

Last year through the efforts of the Residents of Port Phillip (community association), rate increases were reduced from the Victorian government designated maximum. Even with a hard-won rate increase reduction, the CoPP still sits in the bottom third of councils in terms of profitability. The CoPP is budgeting a $10 million surplus (profit) for 2023-24.

With the CoPP having excessive rate structures compared to our neighbouring Councils of Glen Eira, Stonnington and Bayside, the evidence suggests that this high-rate regime is being eaten up internally through higher salary structures and overstaffing. If you think 847 staff is too high for only 103,000 residents, then also consider the fact that many of the council services are outsourced! Rubbish removal is a core responsibility and is outsourced. Ask yourselves how that exercise has been going lately!

Ask yourself, have services improved with this high staff ratio to population? Where is the productivity dividend through greater use of technology? Is the council demonstrating a lean approach to its finances? Are core council responsibilities being met? Are our retail strips in good order? Is the City of Port Phillip growing or contracting as an economy? Clearly on nearly every metric, none of the above is being demonstrated. It could be argued that the CoPP is nothing more than mediocrity at its finest.

The concerning read of the Council Watch data adds weight to only one rational conclusion - that the CoPP is running an organisation that has excess staff, that is on average overpaid or structurally top heavy and anecdotally with ongoing poor productivity.

While this rarefied world of jobs for life on higher-than-average salaries (relative to the private sector) can continue at city hall because ratepayers are the mugs that are ultimately footing the bill, we forget a key word - RISK. 

The CoPP is not currently fit for purpose, not pencil sharp on its core mandate and not ready for potentially major looming risks. In particular, the "almost certain" financial risks that CoPP will face due to Fishermen’s bend infrastructure funding shortfalls and potential development risks, and if the St Kilda Triangle moves into the construction phase, irrespective of a touted low cost private/public partnership.

If the City of Port Phillip was serious about financial responsibility, it should conduct a top-down review of all expenditures, staffing structures including staffing levels, and the elimination of all non-core, non-essential responsibilities. To continue business as usual is but a slap in the face to ratepayers and the broader community who are hit with heavy handed rates, poor service delivery and wasteful expenditure.

Andy Jacobs

In Melbourne’s evolving landscape, the Council of Port Phillip’s recently proposed Inkerman Safety Improvement Project offers a significant, albeit contentious, addition to the city’s infrastructure. Although there are safety concerns that need to be addressed, there is little or no consideration of the impact of reduced carparking on residents and businesses on Inkerman Road and side streets. While the initiative aims to enhance road safety and pedestrian well-being, it also joins a lineage of road and bike lane projects that have sparked heated debates and policy reversals.

The immediate concern tied to the Inkerman Project is the apparent oversight concerning its impact on residential and business car parking. While there are valid safety concerns that demand redressal, the project seems to give little to no consideration to the reduction in parking availability on Inkerman Road and adjacent streets. Such an omission reflects a pattern seen in previous council projects, where practicalities affecting daily life are often sidelined.

Moreover, the council is currently soliciting feedback on two design options for bicycle lanes on Inkerman Road between St Kilda Road and Hotham Street. Option A is a physically protected bike lane which results in the removal of 116 carparks between St Kilda Road and Hotham Street and Option B is a painted bike lane with the loss of 20 carparks.

However, given its track record of nebulous consultation processes, one can’t help but question the efficacy of this outreach. Is this a genuine attempt to integrate community input, or another box-ticking exercise in public engagement?

A glaring example of such oversight is the Council’s recent misadventure with the Kerferd Road plan, a project that faced vehement community opposition and was eventually rescinded. As a resident astutely noted, the council seemed to be “wilfully ignoring” the populace who had earlier advocated against poorly designed bike lanes. The council’s decision to reintroduce the Kerferd Road proposal, despite known public opposition, raises unsettling questions about the Inkerman Project’s community engagement process.

Furthermore, much like the contentious Kerferd Road proposal, the Inkerman Project aims to introduce new bike lanes and reconfigure existing ones. While promoting cycling is commendable, the Council’s previous floundering with similar initiatives calls for a more considered approach. Past projects like “Shrine to Sea” and pop-up bike lanes have been discontinued, creating a state of “bike lane fatigue” among residents. This turbulent history makes it difficult for any new proposals, such as the Inkerman Project, to be met with enthusiasm.

The Inkerman Safety Improvement Project presents a complex challenge. Its laudable goals are overshadowed by a history of failed community engagements and inadequate planning. From overlooking basic necessities like parking to erratic stances on bike lanes, the Council of Port Phillip must rethink its strategy if the Inkerman Project is to avoid becoming yet another footnote in a string of well-intentioned but poorly executed initiatives.

As the adage goes, those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. The Council finds itself at a crossroads: learn from past failures or proceed on a course that may lead to another planning debacle.

Council is currently asking residents for feedback on two design options for bicycle lanes in Inkerman Road between  St Kilda Road and Hotham Street, St Kilda East”. Provide your feedback https://haveyoursay.portphillip.vic.gov.au/help-improve-road-safety-inkerman-street

We all know that change is difficult for any organisation. It’s even harder when it’s a monopoly that evolved after the municipal restructure of 1994 and now employs up to 850 people.

Let’s start with the question ‘Why?’

The saying “If it aint broke don’t fix it”, is very relevant. The initial batch of responses to the RoPP Council Customer Service Survey suggest that there are some parts of Council customer service that people are quite satisfied with, however there are also several areas that need urgent and profound change.

The other reason for change is ‘perception’. If residents don’t experience acceptable satisfaction in a timely manner when they interact with Council, they begin to build a negative perception about all aspects of Council services. They begin to question the ‘value for money’ that Council provides.

‘How?’ can we influence Council to change

The RoPP survey is focused on ‘customer service’, the ‘front of house’ of our Council where residents form their perceptions. To help Council understand the perceptions held by residents we are measuring two important components – performance and relationship. That is: how well does Council deliver customer service and how closely do Councillors and staff relate to the needs and expectations of residents.

Our intention is to provide both the Councillors and the Council management team with insights into the perceptions of residents with an expectation that they will work together in a constructive manner to address the areas that deserve attention.

‘What?’ needs to be done

The survey will reveal what residents think about Council. It will then be up to Council to embark upon the necessary changes. Below I have paraphrased some guidance from the book ‘Switch – How to Change Things when Change is Hard’ by Chip and Dan Heath.

• Small changes can have a big impact on a big problem.
• People tend to look for the bad, not the good. That leads to ‘problem focus’. We need to be ‘solution focused’.
• The most familiar path is always the status quo. Inertia and decision paralysis will conspire to keep people doing things the old way.
• Change begins at the level of individual decisions and behaviours. To change you have to change habits.
• You must marry your long-term goal with the short-term critical moves.
• Behavioural change happens mostly by speaking to people’s feelings.
• Don’t instinctively look for carrots and sticks.
• If you want to change the culture of an organisation you’ve got to get the reformers together.
• When you set small visible goals, and people achieve them, they start to get it into their heads that they can succeed.
• When change works, people have a clear direction, ample motivation and a supportive environment.

WE NEED YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ROPP COUNCIL CUSTOMER SERVICE SURVEY

Go to https://ropp.org.au/

In an interview on Channel 9 this week, Port Phillip Mayor Heather Consolo was hard-pressed to defend the council bureaucrats regarding the complete failure of their rubbish collection services. Some residents are even having to store their own rubbish inside their homes. Whether it's due to a new contractor or not, the question remains: What are the Council bureaucrats doing, besides mismanaging a system that wasn’t broken? In the eyes of most residents and ratepayers, there's one primary responsibility the Council needs to get right, and that's rubbish collection. 

But now, they can't even manage that. 

It seems like all 900 council workers are having an easy time while everyone else is struggling. Moreover, they've messed up the one thing we have supported: our overpaid, underworked bureaucrats. It seems they simply can't be trusted. What exactly are they doing, "working" from home or in their St Kilda Taj Mahal, while ignoring residents and ratepayers' needs?

There are too many people doing too little to support our community, other than creating "fun new projects" to maintain their overpaid positions and those of their unionized colleagues. Remember the bin tax and the FOGO fiasco they keep pushing onto ratepayers, while they can't even get the basics right?

I believe it's time to return to Council basics and eliminate the real rubbish in our community — the inept bureaucrats who supposedly work at the council.

 Follow story here on the ROPP Facebook page

Photo by Gera Kulik on Unsplash

St Kilda, a suburb steeped in history and cultural significance, stands as a testament to Melbourne's ever-evolving landscape. From its early days as a seaside resort town to its current status as a bustling hub of activity, St Kilda has always been a focal point for both locals and tourists alike. The Palais Theatre, Luna Park, and the iconic foreshore are landmarks that tell the story of a community in constant flux.

The City of Port Phillip has recently announced plans to potentially develop a live music venue in the St Kilda Triangle, located adjacent to the Palais Theatre. This initiative also proposes the inclusion of gardens, outdoor event spaces, and car parking. A multi-disciplinary team has been assessing the demand for such a venue, and a Market Sounding Report has been released, outlining the local appetite for a 5,000-person live music venue. Council are seeking private and public funding to pay for the project.

The Design Feasibility Study, another key document, presents preliminary design options. These options aim to integrate the venue into the existing landscape, offering additional amenities like a new park, outdoor event spaces, and car parking. The study also considers how the development would connect to the foreshore and respect key views.

Your Voice Matters: How to Participate

The City of Port Phillip is inviting community members to share their thoughts on this proposal. Feedback can be submitted until midnight on Thursday, 19 October 2023. There are multiple ways to participate:

• Online Survey: Available on the City of Port Phillip's website.
• Drop-in Conversations: Scheduled times at St Kilda Town Hall Foyer and St Kilda Lifesaving Club. See link above for dates and times
• Pop-ups: Keep an eye out for pop-up feedback stations around the city.

Balancing Act: The Question of Car Parking

One of the more contentious aspects of the proposal is the provision for car parking. The current plan includes approximately 200 underground car spaces and 40 ground-level spaces. Given the cost implications and environmental challenges of underground construction, the council is keen to hear your views on whether the balance between car parking and other amenities is appropriate.

While the City of Port Phillip's initiative could bring economic and cultural benefits to St Kilda, it's crucial to consider the broader implications for the community, the environment, and the suburb's historical context. The council's approach to community consultation offers an opportunity for residents to influence the project's direction, but it's up to you, the community, to ensure that your voices are heard.

Next Steps

After the feedback period closes, the council will review the community's input in October 2023. The overall feasibility study will be finalised in November, and the findings will be reported back to the council in December. A public Council Meeting on 6 December 2023 will decide the project's fate.

For more information, contact the St Kilda Triangle Project Team at 9209 6777 or stkildatriangle@portphillip.vic.gov.au.

For more details, visit the City of Port Phillip's official website. 

The City of Port Phillip has recently released the final concept plan for the St Vincent Gardens Playground upgrade, inviting the community to provide feedback. This article aims to present a balanced view of the project, encouraging residents to actively participate in shaping the future of this significant public space.

St Vincent Gardens holds a special place in the heart of Albert Park, a suburb within the City of Port Phillip. The gardens are of national significance and are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. Designed in the 19th century, the gardens have long been a sanctuary for residents and visitors alike, offering a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. Any changes to the gardens, therefore, are not just a matter of local interest but also of historical preservation.

In June 2019, the City of Port Phillip initiated a community consultation to understand how the park is used and what improvements could be made. Based on the feedback, a draft concept plan was developed. Further consultations were held with Heritage Victoria to ensure that the proposed changes align with heritage requirements. The final concept plan incorporates both community and Heritage Victoria feedback.

The playground is expected to be installed by early 2025, assuming it receives community support and Council endorsement.

The City of Port Phillip is seeking public feedback on the concept design from Friday, 22 September until midnight on Sunday, 15 October 2023. There are multiple avenues for participation:

- Online Feedback: Residents can share their thoughts on the City of Port Phillip's website.

- Touch Base: For those who prefer a more direct approach, calls can be made to 03 9209 6777, or emails sent to openspace@portphillip.vic.gov.au.

Timeline

• Feedback on Revised Concept Plan: Until 15 October 2023
• Finalise Concept Plan: All feedback will be analysed and incorporated where possible.
• Reporting Findings: Expected in November/December 2023
• Construction: Due to be installed by early 2025, pending community support and Council endorsement.

The St Vincent Gardens Playground upgrade is a complex initiative that balances community needs with heritage preservation. While the City of Port Phillip has made efforts to consult the public and Heritage Victoria, it's now up to the residents to review the final concept plan and provide their feedback. This is not just an opportunity to influence a local project but also to contribute to the legacy of a nationally significant site.

For those interested in the details, the concept plan and FAQs are available on the City of Port Phillip's website. Feedback closes at midnight on Sunday, 15 October 2023. Don't miss this chance to have your say.