Page 1 Monash Bulletin July 2023 Playspaces in Monash Every year we upgrade playspaces in Monash, so our youngest residents have engaging outdoor places that support their development and capacity for play. We want to hear your ideas on what we can include in several playspace upgrades to make them exciting and fun for the local community. We are opening consultation for district playspaces at Mulgrave Reserve (Wheelers Hill) and Princes Highway Reserve (Oakleigh East), local playspaces at Orchard Street Reserve (Glen Waverley) and Argyle Reserve (Hughesdale), as well as a new planned pocket playspace at a reserve on Westbrook Street (Chadstone). To contribute your thoughts on these playspace upgrades, visit our Shape Monash playspace web page. We are also seeking your ideas for a refresh of our Playground and Playspace Strategy, which will guide the ongoing provision and management of playgrounds and playspaces in Monash. Your feedback will help us shape a 10-year playspace upgrade program, commencing in 2025/26. Consultation on the Playground Strategy refresh closes 27 August 2023. More info at https://shape.monash.vic.gov.au/playground-strategy-refresh Waste calendar 2023/24 is inside Page 2 Monash Contact details Monash Civic Centre, 293 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley 8.30am-5pm, Monday to Friday Oakleigh Service Centre, 3 Atherton Road, Oakleigh 8.30am-5pm, Monday to Friday Call 9518 3555, email mail@monash.vic.gov.au, visit www.monash.vic.gov.au National Relay Service (for the hearing and speech impaired) phone 1800 555 660 We welcome your feedback at media@monash.vic.gov.au Snap Send Solve is a great app to report through to us what needs fixing visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/snap-send-solve Copyright © 2023 Monash City Council. All Rights Reserved; reproduction in any form will require Council written approval. Monash Council acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land that makes up Monash, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong People, and recognises their continuing connection to the land and waterways. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging and extend this to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Information in the July Bulletin is current at the time of going to print on 1 June 2023. WE’RE Ready To Build Four new floors, 500+ new spaces at Bogong Car Park   Construction of the extension to the existing multi-level car park in Bogong Avenue, Glen Waverley is set to begin, with Council awarding the successful construction tender to Building Engineering Pty Ltd. The extension of four additional floors will provide more than 500 new car parking spaces, with construction to get underway in July and expected to be finished and ready to use in early-2025. During construction the existing car park will close and there will be disruption to parking in and around the Glen Waverley Activity Centre.  We are urging shoppers, diners and visitors to Glen Waverley to make use of the Euneva Car Park, where there is more than 300 free car parking spaces, open 24 hours a day, located just moments from The Glen Shopping Centre and four minutes walk from the heart of the activity centre in Kingsway.  We will also be making changes to on-street parking restrictions in the surrounding streets to accommodate people who live in, visit or work in Glen Waverley.  Find out more at www.monash.vic.gov.au/bogong When do I need a building and/or planning permit? If you are building, renovating or altering a property, you may need a Building and/or Planning Permit. Some things you may need a permit for include: - Building or alterations/additions to a dwelling(s) - Demolishing a building - Heritage building works or demolition - Tree removal - Constructing a deck, verandah, front fence, swimming pool, spa and associated safety barriers - Asset protection. You do not always need a planning permit, even when you need a building permit. Therefore, before starting works we recommend you contact Council for advice, go to www.monash.vic.gov.au/building-process or call 9518 3555 to determine if you need a building permit, planning permit or in some instances both. Page 3 MESSAGE FROM Mayor Cr Tina Samardzija It is always great to meet our passionate volunteers and thank them for the outstanding work they do to help others in the community. During the recent National Volunteer Week, Council celebrated our volunteers and showed our appreciation for their efforts. Whether it is delivering a meal to someone recovering from surgery, having a coffee and a chat with someone experiencing social isolation or sharing knowledge and giving garden advice – our volunteers all create positive change in our community. This years theme was Change Makers, a great way to describe the role of our volunteers in Monash. Thank you to each and every one of you! I am proud to say that we are bringing more playspaces to Monash and seeking your input to the review of our playspace strategy. I vividly recall how important my local parks and playgrounds were to me as a young child and to my parents as they adjusted to living in a new community as immigrants. These are places for families to gather, spend time together and get to know their neighbours. We are also asking children for their views, and I am looking forward to hearing what they have to say. I am also pleased that our Reconciliation Action Plan, the first for Monash, has been endorsed by Reconciliation Australia. It will be formally launched during NAIDOC Week, which is traditionally held in the first week of July, alongside a range of events to recognise our First Nations People. And finally, Council has endorsed its budget for 2023/24, which maintains our position as the council with the lowest rates in Victoria on a per capita basis. More information on page five. Please contact me anytime if you have any queries or feedback on Tina.Samardzija@monash.vic.gov.au or call 0435 011 927. Photo caption: Mayor Cr Tina Samardzija acknowledges the efforts of volunteers in Monash at a special thank you event during National Volunteer Week. NAIDOC Week 2023 2 July – 9 July NAIDOC Week is celebrated not only in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. The week is a great opportunity to participate in a range of NAIDOC activities within the City of Monash and to support local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. For more information go to www.monash.vic.gov.au/festivals Artwork credit: Marcus Lee Design, Community support and partnerships 2022, commissioned for the City of Monash Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2022-2024, digital art. Page 4 REFURBISHMENT WORKS for Mount Waverley Library   Works are underway to replace the library roof and upgrade existing toilet facilities. The main library building was constructed in the late 1960s and, in recent times, has been prone to roof leaks and flooding with existing toilet facilities no longer compliant. Alternative toilet facilities will be made available to library staff and visitors, next door at Mount Waverley Youth Centre, for the duration of the upgrade. There are changed conditions to parking nearby and some noise disruptions are expected; however, care we will be taken to ensure it does not impact on regular programs held in the library. It is expected that the library will remain open during the upgrade and that works will be completed by the end of September. For more information email Denzil.Ponsonby@monash.vic.gov.au PLENTY OF PALS to warm the winter Monash Positive Ageing Lifestyles program (PALS) has launched its 2023 Winter edition. PALS is aimed at promoting healthy, active ageing and social inclusion. The program provides older members of our community with information on social activities and healthy living. Any older adult who lives, works or visits Monash can participate. This Winter edition celebrates and recognises days of significance for health and wellbeing, diversity and the environment. We have activities for Pride Month, NAIDOC Week and Wear It Purple Day. There is also a two-page Tech Savvy section with events to keep older residents digitally connected. Mens Health Week is featured with a range of activities hosted by the Monash Mens Shed focused on how to live a healthy and active life, while the Friends of Scotchmans Creek and Valley Reserve are hosting a talk about #BeatPlasticPollution, followed by a walk for World Environment Day. Residents can subscribe to PALS at www.monash.vic.gov.au/pals or by calling our Customer Experience team on 9518 3555. Hard Waste Season Our free annual hard waste collection runs from 17 July to 8 September. During this period, collections will take place in a different part of Monash each week. You will receive a brochure about two weeks before the start of your collection with information about what items can be put out, how to put your items out, and when collection starts in your area. Find your area collection dates using the 2023/24 Waste Calendar, inserted in this issue of the Bulletin, or visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/hard-waste Page 5 Budget establishes exciting capital works program Monash Council 2023/24 budget was endorsed at the Council meeting on 30 May. This Budget maintains our position as the Council with the lowest rates in Victoria, on a per capita basis, with your money directed towards crucial community services like rubbish, green waste and recycling collection, maternal and child health programs, a range of inspiring community events, and much more. This years budget also has a $132 million capital works program, our largest ever, to deliver new community assets and stimulate our local Monash economy, including: - $4.8 million to construct a family and early years hub in Oakleigh South - $10.5 million on upkeep of roads across Monash, and $4.6 million for our footpaths and cycleways - $9.5 million on drainage improvements and programs - $26.6 million on projects and works to our recreational, leisure and community facilities to help keep people in Monash active and connected - $26.7 million towards an extension to our Bogong Car Park in Glen Waverley - $6.7 million for the upgrade of the Jack Edwards Reserve pavilion in Oakleigh. For more information visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/budget Update from Inspector Matt Volk, Monash Police Monash Police have seen encouraging results since our previous Monash Bulletin article, and we are pleased to report a significant drop in the number of house break-ins while people are home. In April, we had a perfect example of how the community and local Police can work together in Glen Waverley when offenders were observed on CCTV jumping a residents fence in the early hours of the morning. They first attempted to open a side sliding door and then the front door of the residence, with no success as both were locked. The quick-thinking resident called Triple Zero to report the incident, Police immediately responded and both offenders were arrested and charged. This shows why it is so important to call Triple Zero immediately if you observe suspicious behaviour - it gives Police the best opportunity to respond in real time. In terms of overall recent results, Police have been busy day and night. We have arrested and charged 14 people with 22 serious offences - these have included charges of aggravated burglary and theft of motor vehicles. We encourage all residents to continue with the simple steps listed below, and to remain vigilant and aware of what is happening in their street: - Installing good quality locks on doors and windows - Lock all doors and windows – including rear sliding doors, garage roller doors and internal garage doors - Ensure you remove all valuables from your car including keys, garage remotes, and wallets. Page 6 COUNCILLOR NEWS Cr Brian Little I have previously talked about waste and recycling and am again. I was Councils representative on the Metro Waste and Resource Recovery Group forum, which was wound up a year ago when Recycling Victoria was created. I am currently chair of the Environmental Advisory committee and waste and recycling is a passion of mine. Landfill is not a glamorous topic, but it is a significant one and becoming increasingly problematic. Methane and other noxious gasses are generated by the decomposition of waste, particularly from organics like food, in landfill. That process goes on for decades after landfill sites are closed and capped, which is expensive. On top of the cost of collection and the gate fees demanded by landfill operators, Council has to pay the State Government a landfill levy of $129.27 per tonne, going up to $138.20 in the next financial year. In 2021/22 that amounted to $5 million. That would be enough to build a superb sports pavilion or a Child & Family hub. The good news, though, is that Monash residents have really got on board with putting their food waste into the green bin (FOGO) every week and the amount going to landfill is down by almost 30% - well done Monash! The Victorian Government supports, at least in principle, waste-to-energy, or advanced waste processing (AWP) projects, though not providing any funding, despite extracting over $300 million pa ($326.9 million in 2021/22) from the landfill levy. The preferred methodology (gasification) uses high temperatures and reduced oxygen to melt the waste, forming a gas (syngas) which is used to spin a turbine to make electricity, or used as a feedstock for higher value commercial products. The input waste stream, though, needs to be shredded and pre-sorted to remove glass and metals. Monash has selected Solo Energy (Victoria) as its preferred Waste-to-Energy provider which is hoping to have a plant operational by April 2025. You can contact me on Brian.Little@monash.vic.gov.au or call 0407 878 033. YOUR Councillors You can contact Councillors via phone or email. Letters can be mailed to: PO Box 1, Glen Waverley 3150 Glen Waverley Ward Cr Geoff Lake, call 0411 645 281, email Geoff.Lake@monash.vic.gov.au Cr Nicky Luo, call 0451 560 398, email Nicky.Luo@monash.vic.gov.au Mount Waverley Ward Cr Anjalee de Silva, call 0424 679 096, email Anjalee.deSilva@monash.vic.gov.au Cr Brian Little, Mayor, call 9518 3524 or 0407 878 033, email Brian.Little@monash.vic.gov.au Cr Rebecca Paterson, call 0437 959 163, email Rebecca.Paterson@monash.vic.gov.au Mulgrave Ward Cr Paul Klisaris, call 0412 516 026, email Paul.Klisaris@monash.vic.gov.au Cr Shane McCluskey, Deputy Mayor, call 0466 345 406, email Shane.McCluskey@monash.vic.gov.au Cr Tina Samardzija, call 0435 011 927, email Tina.Samardzija@monash.vic.gov.au Oakleigh Ward Cr Josh Fergeus, call 0466 465 421, email Josh.Fergeus@monash.vic.gov.au Cr Stuart James, call 0413 184 250, email Stuart.James@monash.vic.gov.au Cr Theo Zographos, call 0430 316 911, email Theo.Zographos@monash.vic.gov.au NEXT COUNCIL Meeting Tuesday 25 July, 7pm Monash Civic Centre 293 Springvale Rd, Glen Waverley Attend the meeting in-person or watch it live on webcast.monash.vic.gov.au Meeting agenda and most up-to-date info visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/meetings Page 7 THERE ARE NEW off-leash areas coming to Monash Dogs will soon have more places to sniff out some fun, with these 14 new off-leash areas in Monash from 1 July. With some other areas being either expanded or reduced, there will be 45 off-leash sites in total across the City. It is important to remember that dogs must still be under effective control when off-leash, and all dogs aged over three months must be microchipped and registered. For more off-leash area details, and the full list of changes and maps visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/dogs-off-leash-areas Chadstone: 1. Jordan Reserve Clayton: 2. Fregon Reserve Glen Waverley: 3. Brandon Park Reserve 4. Highview Park 5. Larpent Reserve Mount Waverley: 6. Bowman Street Reserve 7. Mayfield Park 8. Powerlines area, Legana Street to Toombah Street Mulgrave: 9. Wellington Reserve 10. Whitehaven Crescent Reserve Notting Hill : 11. Finch Street Reserve Oakleigh East: 12. F E Hunt Reserve Oakleigh South: 13. Davies Reserve Wheelers Hill: 14. Jells Road Reserve HAVE YOUR SAY on Mount Waverley Structure Plan Amendment C167 The Mount Waverley Structure Plan seeks to guide future development in and around Mount Waverley Village. Council adopted the Mount Waverley Structure Plan in March 2021. Now we are proposing to change the Monash Planning Scheme through Amendment C167. This includes introducing height controls in the commercial area, and modifying the siting requirements for new dwellings in residential areas around the centre. Submissions are due by Friday 4 August. For more information visit https://shape.monash.vic.gov.au WE ARE AT WORK for a safer intersection We are undertaking construction works at the intersection of O-Sullivan Road and Kingsway in Glen Waverley. Since the introduction of the one-way system (Westbound only) on O-Sullivan Road, we have received several safety concerns about illegal movements at the intersection, and these works will improve safety for both pedestrians and vehicle users. The works include extending the Kingsway traffic island at O-Sullivan Road and removing the right turn lane in Kingsway, which has been temporarily blocked. A traffic management plan will be in place throughout construction. Through-traffic is permitted at all times, however, part closure of the road is required to undertake construction works safely. Every effort is being made to minimise disruption while construction is being carried out and we appreciate your patience during these improvement works. Page 8 WordFest Author Talks Rob Mills Tuesday 4 July | 7pm Clayton Community Theatre There is not much Rob Mills cannot do - singing, dancing and acting! In more recent times Rob has become an accomplished presenter and subsequently an author, of which he will discuss his new book Putting on a Show. Rachael Johns Thursday 6 July | 7pm Museum of Australian Photography, Wheelers Hill Rachael is currently Australias leading writer of contemporary relationship stories around womens issues, a genre she has coined life-lit. She is also the bestselling, ABIA-winning author of The Patterson Girls and several other romance and womens fiction books including her recent bestseller, Something to Talk About. Toni Jordan Tuesday 11 July | 7pm Oakleigh Main Hall Toni has been widely published in newspapers and magazines and teaches creative writing at Faber Academy. Toni is the author of seven successful novels, with international best-seller, Addition, longlisted for the Miles Franklin Award, being one of many achievements her work has been recognised for. For the WordFest program and booking visit www.monlib.vic.gov.au/wordfest or visit your local Monash Public Library branch. Winter Series 2023 - Community Choir Sunday 25 June, 1.30pm - 3pm 1.30pm-2pm Afternoon tea 2pm-3pm Choir session Mount Waverley Community Centre 47 Miller Crescent Whether you are a diva or a warbler - you are welcome. Music and singing is for everybody! By the end of the session, you will be an integral part of a choir banging out a song in three-part harmony. You are in the best of hands with Jen and Tez, world-travelled troubadours, singing enablers and music maestros. No prior experience necessary! Bookings are essential with a limit of six people per booking. For more information and to book visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/festivals Educating girls in colonial Melbourne Monday 3 July, 10.15am – 11.30am Step back in time with Dr Elizabeth Rushen AM, as she presents on the topic of education for girls in the time of colonial Melbourne. Held online and at: Wheelers Hill Library, 860 Ferntree Gully Rd. To book: In-person session visit www.trybooking.com/CHQRN Zoom session visit www.trybooking.com/CHQRP Or call 9265 4877.