Council slams bungling Dogs

[LostDoggy]

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,24076009-19742,00.html

MARIBYRNONG council has hit out at allegations that it had threatened the Western Bulldogs' future, saying the club was at fault. The Bulldogs last night revealed they had asked the state government to intervene in a planning dispute with the council that threatened the club's financial future.

Dogs CEO Campbell Rose said that if the government had not stepped in yesterday to over-rule the City of Maribyrong regarding planning permits for the proposed Elite Learning Centre, the club faced the prospect of a half-finished administration building and a $6 million bill.

The council has reacted angrily today, saying it had not refused a planning permit for the development and that poor management of the project was the cause of the club's woes.

"The Bulldogs call themselves ‘the community club’ – but due to their own mismanagement, our community will not receive what they desperately need," Maribyrnong mayor Cr Michelle MacDonald said today.

The council said the Bulldogs had only filed the planning application in April and knew permission could not be given until September as the proposal had to be taken to the community.

“We are a project partner of the Whitten Oval re-development and for the sake of our community, we want this project to occur. However the Bulldogs organisation has bungled the management of the redevelopment," Cr MacDonald said.

"It’s been reported our council has refused to provide a planning permit for the proposal. This is not true."

The council also said it had not reneged on a commitment to provide $1 million to the project.

"The Bulldogs commenced the redevelopment over two years ago, knowing that they did not have the money to complete the project. We’ve made repeated efforts over the last two years to help the Bulldogs pull the Whitten Oval redevelopment back on track, and they’ve turned down every offer," Cr MacDonald said.

"They’ve made the claim that our council has refused to deliver our $1 million contribution to the project. Again this is untrue. The money has been allocated in council’s budget over three years and the Bulldogs have always known this."

Rose said the Dogs had only until the end of the month to sort out the dispute before the builders could not continue because of lack of approvals.

[LostDoggy]

I know who I believe in this

And it ain't the Council

[bornadog]

Always two sides to every story, so don't know who do believe. Definitely a communication break down.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Always two sides to every story, so don't know who do believe. Definitely a communication break down.

Hmmm. A politician stating the **** up was someone else's fault. I didn't see that one coming.

Who to believe? Who to believe...?

[bornadog]

Hmmm. A politician stating the **** up was someone else's fault. I didn't see that one coming.

Who to believe? Who to believe...?

Lets hope its sorted.

[LostDoggy]

"The Bulldogs call themselves ‘the community club’ – but due to their own mismanagement, our community will not receive what they desperately need," Maribyrnong mayor Cr Michelle MacDonald said today.


What the **** is with the inverted commas? Is she trying to say we aren't a community club. Piss off.

[Pembleton]

The council's version is based heavily on verfiable facts. When the club applied for the permit, what the normal process for such a permit is, whether the 1 million is still due to be paid to the club...These are all easily verfiable facts, and if it is lies, it will be exposed.

The quotes from Rose i have seen don't even say the council had done anything wrong, just that the permit had not yet been granted. Well, not getting it in early enough would be one reason for something like that, wouldn't it? It also happens to be the only reason supplied by either party.

How long since the redevelopment plan was announced now? It must be something like 3 years? Maybe its possible that the club is at least a little to blame for not having gained the required planning approvals before things got to a state of emergency and they had to call in a favour from the state government?

Looks to me like the club stuffed up and then got on the front foot in the media to get their spin on the story. Good PR work.

[GVGjr]

The council's version is based heavily on verfiable facts. When the club applied for the permit, what the normal process for such a permit is, whether the 1 million is still due to be paid to the club...These are all easily verfiable facts, and if it is lies, it will be exposed.

The quotes from Rose i have seen don't even say the council had done anything wrong, just that the permit had not yet been granted. Well, not getting it in early enough would be one reason for something like that, wouldn't it? It also happens to be the only reason supplied by either party.

How long since the redevelopment plan was announced now? It must be something like 3 years? Maybe its possible that the club is at least a little to blame for not having gained the required planning approvals before things got to a state of emergency and they had to call in a favour from the state government?

Looks to me like the club stuffed up and then got on the front foot in the media to get their spin on the story. Good PR work.

It sounds a lot like it. The fact that it hit us supporters from out of nowhere indicates that there might have been a bit of brinkmanship in this and we then decided to put the council in the position of the bad guy.

[Dry Rot]

This story suggests that there are 2 issues of greater concern than the planning stuff-up by the club:

Issue No 1: Is the club delivering whjat it promised to the area?



"The Bulldogs call themselves ‘the community club’ – but due to their own mismanagement, our community will not receive what they desperately need," Maribyrnong mayor Cr Michelle MacDonald said today.



Issue No 2: Is the redevelopment under funded/going to run out of money?



"The Bulldogs commenced the redevelopment over two years ago, knowing that they did not have the money to complete the project. We’ve made repeated efforts over the last two years to help the Bulldogs pull the Whitten Oval redevelopment back on track, and they’ve turned down every offer," Cr MacDonald said.

[LostDoggy]

What the hell do they want. We do a hell of alot more for the local community than the other AFL clubs, yet these a*s h***s are still complaining that we are doing something wrong. If they want the redevelopment to go ahead then why are they trying to stop us from finishing it?

There is no way that I am going to beleive a single word that comes out of the mouths of the idiots who run the Maribynong council.

[Dry Rot]

I don't know anything about that Council, and you probably don't know anything about planning and council approvals.

[Sockeye Salmon]

This story suggests that there are 2 issues of greater concern than the planning stuff-up by the club:

Issue No 1: Is the club delivering whjat it promised to the area?



Issue No 2: Is the redevelopment under funded/going to run out of money?

"The Bulldogs call themselves ‘the community club’ – but due to their own mismanagement, our community will not receive what they desperately need," Maribyrnong mayor Cr Michelle MacDonald said today.

What won't the community be receiving? Sorry Ms. MacDonald, you tool, the Club is providing the community services that your council is supposed to be responsible for but couldn't pull together in your lifetime, let alone the limited time you have before 30,000 Dogs members vote you out.


"The Bulldogs commenced the redevelopment over two years ago, knowing that they did not have the money to complete the project. We’ve made repeated efforts over the last two years to help the Bulldogs pull the Whitten Oval redevelopment back on track, and they’ve turned down every offer," Cr MacDonald said.

Surely it was reasonable to expect that the commitments made by State, federal and local governments would be honoured? The AFL committed money as well. The only shortfall at the time was the Forever Foundation who not only come through with their original estimate of $2m but have so far come good with $5m, allowing us to increase the scope of the project.

The only group who has not come good with their promise is the local council - you, Ms. MacDonald.

Why would the development need your help to be put back on track? It was never off track until you stuffed us around with your petty bureaucracy.

[Mofra]

I have never understood why we need 3 levels of bureaucracy in this country that are so comprehensive. Some areas of Tasmania have a representitive at 1 form of government or another for every 6000 people. Ridiculous.

He who governs least, governs best.

[LostDoggy]

Living in Maribyrnong I can vouch for the council's poor record.

Can't wait for the next council elections so we can toss out these morons (only to be replaced by other morons of course).

As for 'due process' - funny that the council finally decide this is important when for years they've let 'sponsors' rush through the planning stage!!!

[Stefcep]

I have never understood why we need 3 levels of bureaucracy in this country that are so comprehensive. Some areas of Tasmania have a representitive at 1 form of government or another for every 6000 people. Ridiculous.

He who governs least, governs best.

1. The size of and population of the Melbourne Metro area makes it difficult for a State government department to handle local issues effectively. How big would such State departments need to be handle all the issues that a given property or street might have from all of the regions in Melbouren. it would be unworkable.

2. So that they can justify charging you and me another tax (after you have already paid income tax on it, mind you) which they call "Council Rates"

[Stefcep]

"The Bulldogs call themselves ‘the community club’ – but due to their own mismanagement, our community will not receive what they desperately need," Maribyrnong mayor Cr Michelle MacDonald said today.

What won't the community be receiving? Sorry Ms. MacDonald, you tool, the Club is providing the community services that your council is supposed to be responsible for but couldn't pull together in your lifetime, let alone the limited time you have before 30,000 Dogs members vote you out.


"The Bulldogs commenced the redevelopment over two years ago, knowing that they did not have the money to complete the project. We’ve made repeated efforts over the last two years to help the Bulldogs pull the Whitten Oval redevelopment back on track, and they’ve turned down every offer," Cr MacDonald said.

Surely it was reasonable to expect that the commitments made by State, federal and local governments would be honoured? The AFL committed money as well. The only shortfall at the time was the Forever Foundation who not only come through with their original estimate of $2m but have so far come good with $5m, allowing us to increase the scope of the project.

The only group who has not come good with their promise is the local council - you, Ms. MacDonald.

Why would the development need your help to be put back on track? It was never off track until you stuffed us around with your petty bureaucracy.

Love the dogs as much as anyone but to suggest that I would vote against the Council just because they didn't give the Club what they wanted- even if it was detrimental to the local Community- is just being one-eyed to the point of being stupid. Remember football is now a business, and like all business profit is king, not public well-being. If the dogs management is not following local planning guidelines and procedures then why should they be exempted. How stupid is it that the club didn't put in plans that meet planning guidelines in time to get a permit so that the builders could carry out the works? Bad football administrators have screwed clubs up before, maybe the club members/board need to ask the club administrators a few questions?

[LostDoggy]

Love the dogs as much as anyone but to suggest that I would vote against the Council just because they didn't give the Club what they wanted- even if it was detrimental to the local Community- is just being one-eyed to the point of being stupid. Remember football is now a business, and like all business profit is king, not public well-being. If the dogs management is not following local planning guidelines and procedures then why should they be exempted. How stupid is it that the club didn't put in plans that meet planning guidelines in time to get a permit so that the builders could carry out the works? Bad football administrators have screwed clubs up before, maybe the club members/board need to ask the club administrators a few questions?

Is that you Mayor?;)

[Sockeye Salmon]

Love the dogs as much as anyone but to suggest that I would vote against the Council just because they didn't give the Club what they wanted- even if it was detrimental to the local Community- is just being one-eyed to the point of being stupid. Remember football is now a business, and like all business profit is king, not public well-being. If the dogs management is not following local planning guidelines and procedures then why should they be exempted. How stupid is it that the club didn't put in plans that meet planning guidelines in time to get a permit so that the builders could carry out the works? Bad football administrators have screwed clubs up before, maybe the club members/board need to ask the club administrators a few questions?

So why would you vote for a councillor?

All I see is a list of names on a piece of paper. I've never heard of any of them before and I know damn well after I've voted I'll never hear from them again.

[westdog54]

1. The size of and population of the Melbourne Metro area makes it difficult for a State government department to handle local issues effectively. How big would such State departments need to be handle all the issues that a given property or street might have from all of the regions in Melbouren. it would be unworkable.

2. So that they can justify charging you and me another tax (after you have already paid income tax on it, mind you) which they call "Council Rates"

There's your problem right there, its State Governments that are redundant. The pity of it is that no Prime Minister, no matter how powerful or influential, will be able to convince the Governments of 6 states to simply surrender their power to the Commonwealth, irrespective of the benefits.

[Stefcep]

There's your problem right there, its State Governments that are redundant. The pity of it is that no Prime Minister, no matter how powerful or influential, will be able to convince the Governments of 6 states to simply surrender their power to the Commonwealth, irrespective of the benefits.

very good post. i only considered the option of abolishing local councils.

other than taking Land Tax, Speed camera fines and property stamp duty, i always wondered what else the state govt did. They've sold our water, our gas, our electricity, our hospitals and public transport are in a mess so what good is the state govt for?

[Stefcep]

So why would you vote for a councillor?

All I see is a list of names on a piece of paper. I've never heard of any of them before and I know damn well after I've voted I'll never hear from them again.

you are right to an extent, i don't believe individual councillors usually make a whole lot of difference, but I think its important to have a local councillor that you can raise issues with. My elderly parents and their neighbours recenty had to fight a developer who wanted to put up 3 double story townhouses along three boundaries, each with 6 metre high brick walls. thank god the elected ward member took the planning department on- which approved it- it then went to VCAT who said the councillors had to vote on it- and the councillors voted on it and rejected it. I like to believe that the elected councillors have some influence over the non-elected beauracrats.

[Stefcep]

Is that you Mayor?;)
Nah i just don't think its as clear and cut as the Bulldogs being 100% innocent and the council 100% guilty.

[westdog54]

very good post. i only considered the option of abolishing local councils.

other than taking Land Tax, Speed camera fines and property stamp duty, i always wondered what else the state govt did. They've sold our water, our gas, our electricity, our hospitals and public transport are in a mess so what good is the state govt for?

Not a heck of a lot.

The Federal Defence Minister came out recently and basically called for the abolition of State Governments. There's so much duplication and waste with a 3 tiered government. Its not viable for 20 million people, and its only state parochialism which stands in the way.

[BulldogBelle]

The latest in the continuing Council saga...

Bulldogs' woes grow (http://www.theage.com.au/national/bulldogs-woes-grow-20080730-3ng1.html?page=-1)
The Age
Cameron Houston
July 31, 2008


A BITTER feud between the Maribyrnong Council and the Western Bulldogs is set to intensify, with the council expected to withdraw $1 million in funding for the Whitten Oval redevelopment and walk away from the project's Committee of Management.

More than $8 million in funding from Victoria University is also under threat after delays by the Bulldogs to relocate 48 poker machines from the site.

The council has called an emergency meeting next week to discuss its involvement in the deal, after the State Government's shock decision to seize planning control of the $26 million redevelopment amid growing concerns about the Bulldogs' financial future.

Mayor Michelle MacDonald said: "They (Western Bulldogs) see council as an impediment to the development and if that's true, then I think it's appropriate for council to withdraw from the Committee of Management and allow the State Government to manage the Whitten Oval project."

Cr MacDonald confirmed the council's $1 million contribution would also be reviewed, after the State Government intervened last Thursday.

Maribyrnong councillor Janet Rice said the council was informed of the Government's decision at 5pm last Thursday, just hours before it was announced on Channel Nine's The Footy Show.

She said the council had not been contacted by the club since.

"The Bulldogs' behaviour has been disgraceful and they seem to think they can ignore the local planning process that applies to every other development in Maribyrnong," Cr Rice said.

A Western Bulldogs spokeswoman refused to answer specific questions about the project last night. "If that is correct … it's disappointing, however we will wait to hear from the council," she said.

The council only became aware of Victoria University's plans to occupy part of the redeveloped John Gent stand in August 2007, but did not receive planning permits from the club until April this year.

A final planning decision could not be made until September to allow for community consultation, which would have derailed the project and left the Bulldogs with a crippling debt of about $6 million.

Relations between the club and the council have deteriorated further, after a planning application for a $25 million hotel-and-gaming development in the nearby Edgewater estate was unanimously rejected by the council two months ago.

The council's decision stalled plans by the Bulldogs to relocate 48 machines from Whitten Oval to the new Edgewater venue, which now jeopardises Victoria University's $8 million sports campus on the site. The university's funding is contingent on the removal of the machines, according to Victoria University academic James Doughney.

"We can't have poker machines on a university campus, that's not a good look for us," he said.

A Bulldogs spokeswoman said the club was committed to the removal of machines from Whitten Oval and an overall reduction of pokies in the City of Maribyrnong.

[ledge]

Seems to me both council and the Bulldogs need to stop sooking to others and ring each other up and sort out the problem.
The AFL will be watching.