Warnings are written on Glen Waverley streets, take heed!

Posted to Letters to Editor, Monash Weekly on 22/11/2011
Warnings are written on Glen Waverley streets, take heed!
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/content/letterstotheeditor/

One of the determining criteria of an address of residence is NOT to be next to or within walking distance to commercial area, particularly where alcohol is served, sleazy entertainment provided or dim dark lanes only rodents would dare to roam at night.

I had written to local papers when they approved the construction of a new six-storey Karaoke bar with licence to open to 3 am warning that more trouble would be looming and organised gangs would flourish.

Unfortunately, peace has been around since the founding of Glen Waverley, and most people have never experienced what life is like when gangs start to carve up their turfs in an area. Basic instinct of wild animals is after all territorial, or rather the urge to occupy and own territories.

Brawl outside the Glen Waverley Karaoke club

Posted to Letters to Editor, Monash Weekly on 20/11/2011
Brawl outside the Glen Waverley Karaoke club
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/content/letterstotheeditor/

I posted to Letters to Editor on Friday, 7 January 2011 regarding the Proposed Monash 6-storey Development.

I was looking into a crystal ball then. I was not scare mongering about the potential harm that could happen in the region if planning was not well thought out, allowing perceived city prosperity came before social harmony. The brawl outside the Glen Waverley karaoke club at 3 am 20/11/2011 that left six people injured is just the start.

Glen Waverley may be considered fairly affluent, and the good image can be tarnished easily in the future if drug traffickers use these commercial and entertainment venues to prey on the patrons and thugs start to claim their turfs. It is most unfortunate that cities in Melbourne metropolitan suffer from such fate and no solutions in sight!

Traders spruik plan for new group (12/9/2011)

Posted to Letters to Editor, Monash Weekly on 1/9/2011
Traders spruik plan for new group (12/9/2011)
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/content/letterstotheeditor/

It is unfortunate that Mt Waverley Village (MWV) appears to be a poor cousin of City of Monash compared with the more prosperous Glen Waverley and congested Clayton Shopping Centres.

I always believe that MWV has very unique characteristics that the others lack - it's like a sleeping beauty requires a Prince Charming to give her a kiss of revitalisation.
After the above being said, MWV lacks an identity - a theme or image. Glen Waverley has The Glen as an icon, and Clayton has a new pool housed in the modern Community Centre.

Shops and offices at MWV are spread out in ad hoc manner, and the train station is tucked away in a rather not so prominent position. Visitors to Mt Waverley can be excused not knowing the existence of MWV if they just drive along Stephenson Road.

There are so many real estate agents, "gurus" in marketing, along the Stephenson Road; they should be able to provide some positive input in improving MWV and overcoming some of the issues the traders might have.

It is the same in most clubs or associations that only a core group of interested people will attend meetings. The root problem generally stems from whether the management group / office bearers are perceptive and receptive to the voice of the initial attendees. The apathy is also a reflection of the traders' negative mentality and the lack of business knowhow.

If the business owners or operators are actually hands on running the businesses, the situation will be different. Unfortunately, many shops are managed or tended by employees whose attitude is nothing more than just earning a quid or two.
How many people notice the pamphlets, let alone reading the content? Will the business owners get to read the pamphlets before being disposed off by the receiver in the shops?

Survival in difficult time like now must be the paramount consideration. Ian Rusch should be complimented for his desire to form a Village Business Development group. Good luck!

Traders hurt

Posted to Greater Dandenong Weekly (23/8/2010) on 27/8/2010 at 11:23pm

Commenting on “Traders hurt”

http://www.greaterdandenongweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/traders-hurt/1920994.aspx?storypage=2

Dandenong CBD needs more than just revitalisation of the streetscape; it also needs revitalisation of the shops and display windows, and mix of businesses.

Although the ultimate outcome is a plus for the traders concerned, but initial outlay could burn a big hole in their cash registers. There is a distinct disadvantage about the main road, alias National Highway 1 - it is too wide. It does not provide a right ambience for inviting shopping experience. In addition, all the shops in the CBD are spread over a very big area, and on a rainy or windy day, shoppers are likely to stay in the warm and cosy Dandenong Plaza rather than subjecting themselves to the terror of the nature.

Dandenong was once the hub of many big factories, and centre of employment. The wind of fortune has changed. Is the demographics of Dandenong ready for upmarket shopping yet? It is great to be visionary, and hopefully the project pays dividend; otherwise, the ratepayers' and taxpayers' money will be spent on creating a white elephant.

China banning lobster import from Australia

Posted to Letters to the Editor, Monash Weekly on 1/12/2010
Title: China banning lobster import from Australia

Australia's economy is over dependent on China, the largest trading partner of Australia - China relies on our iron ore and coal.

Australia is holding a trump card at present, but probably until China owns enough mines in other offshore countries. The decline in students coming from China is a huge blow to our economy, but has been swept under the carpet.

Now, out of blue, Chinese are banning the lobsters. What's next?