Watch out for those old Libs

 The reason's for the irratic planning decisions by state planning minister Mr Guy is starting to unravel. The Age has discovered a couple of phone calls by former state liberal member Mr Maclellan to presumably pressure him into allowing the change in zoning and allow building. He did so on behalf of 'family friends'....

Mr Maclellan's approaches to Mr Guy's office on behalf of developer and Liberal Party member Jim Hopkins - a family friend of Mr Maclellan's - raise fresh questions for Mr Guy about possible political influence on his decision-making

The article also for the first time reveals the position on the issue of current state members for Bass Mr Ken Smith. He was supportive of the development! I find this strange for a number of reasons

1. There is ample amount of land already for sale on Phillip Island
2.  The cost of land has not really gone up for the last 2-3 years.
   
3. The majority of residents on the island were against developing that corridor
4. The decision overturned Bass councils development planning, which seems reasonable. 

The only person who made sence in the liberal party was Mr Greg Hunt member for Flinders who actually advoctated on behalf of his constituntes to stop the development.

Even though Mr Hunt is across Western Port Bay, he makes good decisions. It makes me wonder; maybe the other liberals Mr Smith and Mr Maclellan are a little to close.

Ventnor re-zoning...

Great Article just put up by 'The Age' on the Ventnor re-zone decision by the Balieu government.
It reveals more questions about Mr Mathew Guys initial decision....

On a positive side great that our liberal federal member Greg Hunt lobbied against the decision. Representing people in his electorate.

But what is more of a concern is how quite Ken Smith liberal state member and Speaker of the house has been. I haven't heard him speak at all on the topic.....

Re-zoning, Mily Cyrus and infrastructure....

Phillip island was surprisingly in the international news with Milly Cyrus tweeting her sadness at the liberal planning minister Mathew Guy pushing through re-zoning without community or council consultation. Some of the concerns that I noted from the community and council were that services were already stretched and that there are already multiple new housing estates in production.

It interests me that commercially business know that Phillip Island is a growing area. Dimmy's has opened a shop, Safeway is opening, Target is opening. Yet local, state and federal governments don't seem to see this.

Public infustruture is a real problem. Phillip island is growing faster than the rest of the region yet looses out consistantly to other towns get the projects.

Phillip Island has no public swiming pool: Wonthaggi has a pool and looks like getting a new heated one!
Phillip Island: medical services are horrid; no bulk billing clinics, no 24 hour medical service, no hospital: Wonthaggi has all of these.

Population

Wonthaggi 6529 people in 2006
Phillip Island 7071 people in 2001
 

Yep something is wrong, and I think that it will bite the Liberal party on the bum. So watch out Ken Smith or who ever replaces you when you retire!