Page 1 Monash Bulletin November-December 2021 Welcome back,Monash! Our doors are open and we are delighted to be able to see you all in person at our libraries, gallery, civic centre, pools, gyms, youth services, playgroups and our Waste Transfer Station. It’s so good to be able to welcome you back in person. As we know, things have changed significantly since we had to close our doors in July. When you visit us you will need to check in and in some of our facilities, the Chief Health Officer orders require us to check your vaccination status. We will have concierges on hand to help you check-in at all our facilities, including aquatic centres and libraries, and signage is in place to help you understand the process. Our concierges are your first point of contact when you visit. Our teams are here to help but as everyone adjusts to the new way of doing things, it is important we all show patience and tolerance and work together to ensure a safe and smooth experience for everyone. As part of Monash re-opening and our businesses welcoming you back to our fantastic dining and foodie precincts, we have a planned program of daily activations across Monash during the festive season. There will be roving Christmas characters, lighting activations and Santa will be visiting to meet children as the spirit of Christmas comes to life in Monash. Our Summer Series continues the fun with cultural performances for small groups held across our local parks during January, bringing music and laughter to the streets. Australia Day activities are planned for 26 January and we’re so looking forward to the multi-day Clayton Festival, always popular, in late February. For more info visit www.monash.vic.gov.au or call 9518 3555 Information in the November/December Bulletin is current at the time of going to print on 11 November. The best way to keep up to date about changes to our services is throug our website www.monash.vic.gov.au or www.facebook.com/cityofmonash/ or twitter.com/MonashCouncil Page 2 MESSAGE FROM former Mayor Brian little This marks my final column as your Mayor, with a new Mayor elected on 9 November to take Monash forward in 2021/22. When I was elected Mayor a year ago, we were emerging from lockdown, with the promise of a recovery that seemed assured. Little did we know that in 2021 we would again endure rising case numbers, difficult lockdowns and the uncertainty of a relentless COVID variant. This year of being Mayor was not the one I anticipated. Nevertheless it has been a privilege to serve as your Mayor, particularly at this time in our shared history. I could not be more proud of the response of our CEO and staff to the pandemic and lockdowns. Everyone rose to the challenge. From the COVID Incident Control Group that took a strong lead, the Community Response Group who led the community support, to the Monash Active team members who swapped manning the gyms and pools for delivering meals to older community members. Staff found new and innovative ways of service, including the library staff who not only kept the library operating on-line but found COVIDSafe ways of delivering books to homes and working with the Meals on Wheels crew to deliver library packs to isolated clients. The Maternal and Child Services team went online with education sessions, playgroups, story time and videos. The Sustainability team deserves a special mention for hand delivering, contact free, seeds and bee hotel kits to 620 households and 120 kits to build nest boxes for small parrots and microbats in our bushland reserves. And a special thanks to our Communications team who never faltered despite the constantly changing messages and government directives. There have been some amazing achievements. The long-awaited opening of the redeveloped Oakleigh Recreation Centre; the announcement of a $26.7 million tennis complex alongside the Glen Waverley Golf Course; signing the pledge for the EveryAge counts campaign to advocate against ageing and discrimination and attending the Sir John Monash Awards – in person – recognising our selfless volunteers. I acknowledge Deputy Mayor Shane McCluskey and my fellow Councillors for their support. Thank you to Council’s Executive Team led admirably by our excellent CEO Dr Andi Diamond and all Council staff who have assisted me at all times. A huge thank you to my family for their support and to the people of Monash for their resilience and strength over the past year. Call it out’ this 16 Days of Activism The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women until 10 December, Human Rights Day. Gender-based violence causes severe harm to families and communities, and this campaign highlights the need for us all to take steps to prevent it. The Victorian Government’s Respect Women: ‘Call It Out’ campaign during the 16 Days encourages individuals, communities and organisations to ‘call it out’ and intervene when they witness disrespect, harassment and sexism. By calling it out, we can stop violence before it starts. Members of our Gender Equity Advisory Committee have provided examples of how they call it out on our website. Find out more about activities, including a free training session for sports club members and an event with author Jess Hill. For more info visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/16-days-of-activism Monash Contact details: Monash Civic Centre, 293 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley Open (Check the Monash website for our full opening hours during the holiday period) Oakleigh Service Centre, 3 Atherton Road, Oakleigh Open (Check the Monash website for our full opening hours during the holiday period) The following Council services will CLOSE at 12pm on Friday 24 December: Monash Civic Centre, Oakleigh Service Centre, Monash Waste Transfer and Recycling Station, Monash Gallery of Art, all 6 branches of Monash Libraries, and all 3 Aquatic Centres.* Call 9518 3555, Email mail@monash.vic.gov.au, visit www.monash.vic.gov.au National Relay Service (for the hearing and speech impaired) 1800 555 660 We welcome your feedback about the Monash Bulletin: Call 9518 3678, Email joanne.robertson@monash.vic.gov.au Australia Post has advised of delays to deliveries during December. To alleviate any issues, we have combined the November/December Bulletin with a bumper 12 page edition. Copyright © 2021 Monash City Council. All Rights Reserved, reproduction in any form will require Council written approval. Page 3 MESSAGE FROM Mayor Stuart James I am incredibly honoured to have been elected Mayor of Monash for the second time and I am grateful to my Councillor colleagues for their vote of confidence in me. My first experience as Mayor, from late 2019 and through most of 2020, was often very challenging. The COVID-19 pandemic hit locally in Glen Waverley before anywhere else, and at the time we knew so little about what was to come or how to deal with it. I learned so much, as did we all, about the resilience and strength of our community and the team at Monash. This year, as we learn to live with COVID, my focus is on rebuilding. Helping our businesses to claw back what they have lost and to encourage more people to visit our fantastic dining and shopping precincts. I know from speaking to many of you that there is unbridled excitement at once again being able to meet with family, friends and the community at large. If my children are anything to go by, I know that this means just as much to them as it does to us. As always, Council has been there to help with service delivery, online programs and services and support for our residents; whether it be meals for vulnerable people in isolation, homeless outreach or checking in on our elderly residents. In the year ahead other critical projects include: * Advocating to the State Government for funding commitments to extend Westall Road to the Monash Freeway * Increasing permanent outdoor dining opportunities in the Oakleigh Activity Centre * Working with the Suburban Rail Loop Authority to ensure the stations at Clayton, Monash and Glen Waverley create the best precincts for our community * Improving services for young families and children. This year, we asked the community to tell us what they envisioned Monash looking like in the year 2040. You told us it was living in a community that gives more than it takes, that shares its surpluses, thrives through its rich diversity and empowers its community to live healthy, connected lives. A city that is innovative and sustainable, but at its heart is one where we all belong. It is a vision I believe in wholeheartedly, and one shared by my fellow Councillors. Since restrictions have eased, many of us have discovered a refreshed enthusiasm and genuine enjoyment for the things that at one time we took for granted. Over the next 12 months, I look forward to meeting as many of you in person as I can. www.facebook.com/crstuartjames or follow me on twitter.com/crstuartjames and join me on the journey. NEXT COUNCIL Meeting The November Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday 30 November from 7pm. The meeting’s agenda will be published on Council’s website from 5.30pm on Thursday 25 November. Monash residents and ratepayers can ask questions at the meeting, with questions to be submitted to Council by 2pm on Tuesday 30 November. The December Council meeting is on Tuesday 14 December from 7pm, with the agenda published on Thursday 9 December from 5.30pm. Questions must be submitted by 2pm on 14 December. Meetings are open to the public in line with COVIDSafe practices and Chief Health Officer orders. You can also watch via our livestreaming service at webcast.monash.vic.gov.au Visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/meetings or call 9518 3555 Have your say on the Bulletin As part of Council’s regular review of its services to make sure they are meeting the community’s needs and expectations, we are undertaking a review of the Monash Bulletin – and we are keen to hear from you. We want to find out what you like reading in the Bulletin, how you would like to receive it (i.e. in print form, as an email with links to printable newsletter or newspaper style viewer) and if you would like to see copies in local locations such as libraries or neighbourhood houses. You can take our survey on the Bulletin at the link below. If you would prefer to receive a hard copy survey, please contact us at the email below and we will send one to you. We will let you know if we are making any changes once we’ve received all the responses. We anticipate that there will be a number of you who are still keen to receive the Monash Bulletin as a hard copy publication, and that will continue. We are not looking to phase out printing the Bulletin entirely, but considering a hybrid model that allows for more digital access for those that prefer it, and a printed version for others. For more info email jenny.luzza@monash.vic.gov.au or call 9518 3619 or visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au/monash-bulletin Page 4 Monash 2040 plans and vision adopted The four plans that will guide Monash Council in the future, starting from 2021, were adopted at the October Council meeting. The Community Vision, Council Plan, Financial Plan and Asset Plan were developed through a process of deliberative community engagement, where we listened to the community about what they imagined for Monash in 2040, and how to make it happen. Adopting a Community Vision and integrated plans are key requirements under the Local Government Act, and in meeting these requirements Council’s focus is on enhancing transparency, accountability, and service delivery. Monash’s Community Vision reflects the goals and aspirations our community members hold for our municipality, today and towards 2040. It was created over a six-month period and through a range of consultation activities, with more than 1,300 people contributing along the way. Six themes for our community vision emerged through the process: * A Sustainable Future * A Green and Leafy City * Easy to Get Around * Services in My Neighbourhood * A Strong Sense of Community * An Engaged Community. The longer-term Vision informs our four-year Council Plan and our 10-year Asset and Financial Plans. The Council Plan is our medium-term strategic document that guides our activities and planning over the current four-year Council term (2021-2025). The Council Plan includes four strategic objectives we will strive to meet: Sustainable City; Inclusive Services; Enhanced Places; and Good Governance. Each strategic objective has strategies, priority projects and strategic indicators. The indicators are important because they help us to track and report back to our community on our progress towards achieving the strategic objectives and delivery of the strategies. For more info call 9518 3555 or visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au/imagine Bogong Avenue car park extension moves ahead Monash Council is delivering on its commitment to provide additional car parking spaces in the Glen Waverley Activity Centre by upgrading and extending the existing multi-level car park at 1-5 Bogong Avenue. In June, Council resolved that it would not be progressing with the detailed design of a multi-level car park at 31-39 Montclair Avenue, following notification by the Suburban Rail Loop Authority (SRLA) that the land is likely to be required for stage one of the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) project. The Glen Waverley Activity Centre (GWAC) is the location earmarked for the SRL’s Glen Waverley station. Council completed a feasibility study for the Bogong Avenue site, which analysed the ability of the building to be extended by strengthening the existing infrastructure, and the analysis confirmed that the building can be extended. Because of its location, availability and ability to extend, this car park is the preferred site to progress to the design stage. Council has released a tender for a lead consultant to assemble a design team that will prepare the design. The tender process is currently underway with a successful applicant to be announced by the end of January. In March, conceptual plans will be presented to Council for a decision on the preferred concept to take through to detailed design. For more info visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/suburban-rail-loop-update-bogong-ave-car-park or call 9518 3555 Page 5 Outdoor precincts get COVID funding The State Government has announced funding to support an extension of outdoor dining and retail precincts in local areas to assist businesses operate in a COVIDSafe way as the state reopens. Under the State Government’s COVIDSafe Outdoor Activation Fund (CSOAF), Council has been allocated $300,000 to support existing outdoor eating and entertainment areas and provide new opportunities for other businesses to also operate outdoors. This package applies not only to hospitality businesses but is also available to support creative industries, fitness (gyms), and non-essential retail and services to trade in outdoor spaces, primarily in car spaces. As an extension of the funding and to support traders who have been severely impacted by COVID, Council had resolved to waive all outdoor trading fees until June 2022, and this now includes waiving those that were to be charged on a cost recovery basis for the ongoing hire of barriers in existing enhanced outdoor trading areas that were set up last year mostly in car parking spaces in our busy precincts. The second funding amount of $275,000 provided to Monash Council is to establish semi-permanent and permanent outdoor precincts to support industries impacted by COVID restrictions. Council must submit a detailed Outdoor Precinct Establishment Plan to the State Government, outlining how it will spend the funding and meet the guidelines, by 20 December. Work has begun on the Plan and it will come to the 30 November Council meeting for consideration. For more info call 9518 3555 or visit www.monash.vic.gov.au Health and Wellbeing Plan adopted Council is committed to supporting our community to lead healthy, happy and thriving lives. Every four years, in accordance with the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008, Council develops a municipal public health and wellbeing plan to guide the health and wellbeing priorities of the community. The Monash Plan 2021-2025 brings together all the areas within Council that help us define what creates a healthy city. It sets out the strategic health and wellbeing priorities to maximise the health, happiness and wellbeing of the Monash community. Following community consultation, Council formally adopted the Plan at its October 2021 meeting. The Plan identifies different sectors of our community and their specific priorities including people living with a disability and their carers, our diverse multicultural community, sustainability and climate change, community safety, gender equity, LGBTIQA+, age-friendly, sport and recreation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, libraries, neighbourhood houses, people experiencing homelessness and much more. The Plan has been sent to the State Government for endorsement. For more info visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/health-plan Page 6 COUNCILLOR NEWS Cr Anjalee de Silva It’s hard to believe that it’s already November, and we’re a year into this Council term! It hasn’t been exactly the 2021 we had all hoped for, but how encouraging it is to be going into summer with the prospect of some light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you to all those of you who have already been vaccinated against COVID-19. I truly hope that many more will be having their jabs in the weeks to come. Our new freedoms are dependent on vaccination rates continuing to be strong, and we all have a part to play. Council recently passed two key strategic documents that will guide our work over the next few years until 2025: the Council Plan and the Monash Health and Wellbeing Plan. I’m proud of both these documents, which have been carefully crafted not only to reflect expert input but also, importantly, extensive consultation with the community. To all those of you who provided feedback, thank you for sharing your insights. The commitments and aspirations that Council expresses in both strategies on the fundamental issues of our time – including the climate emergency, family violence, gender equity, diversity and inclusion, and much more – are particularly exemplary. Perhaps most significantly, with the climate emergency firmly in mind, I worked to ensure that the Plan included a commitment to sustained reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in our community and year-on-year increases in funding for active transport. In addition, over the last 12 months, Council has resolved to: * Contribute to Makarrata, truth-telling, justice, and reconciliation, acknowledging the loss of culture, language, and identity felt by many First Nations people on 26 January * Expand our Solar Savers program * Take steps to reduce air pollution due to wood burning through advocacy to the Victorian Government * Establish a brand new Community Hub in Pinewood * Lead on addressing sexual harassment in local government * Increase the quality and accessibility of public toilets, including a new facility at Holmesglen Reserve. On a personal note, I want to say thank you to all of you for making my first year as a Monash Councillor such a memorable, successful, and fulfilling one. An aspect of my role that I’ve especially cherished and will continue to cherish is the opportunity it gives me to listen to and speak to young people in the community about their goals and visions for their communities and the world. Indeed, it’s been extraordinarily rewarding to hear from all of you about the things that matter to you and to be able to advocate for and make decisions supportive of your interests. All the very best wishes to you and your families over the coming holiday period and in 2022. I look forward to continuing to work hard for you over the next year! Please contact me at anytime if you have any questions or issues on call 0424 679 096 or email Anjalee.deSilva@monash.vic.gov.au 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, 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, Call 0466 345 406, Email Shane.McCluskey@monash.vic.gov.au Cr Tina Samardzija, Deputy Mayor, 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, Mayor, 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 Page 7 COUNCILLOR NEWS Cr Nicky Luo It has now been one year since I was elected to serve the community on Monash Council. It has been an extraordinary privilege to meet and speak with many of you, and I look forward to continuing to assist you and ensuring your views are brought to Council. Through my discussions with many of you, I know the extended COVID-19 lockdown in 2021 has impacted many of our residents and businesses across Monash. It has been a challenging year that has not only affected our daily lives, but also our mental health. I would like to thank the community for your amazing hard work, understanding and support as we lived through the unexpected changes throughout this year to comply with COVID-19 restrictions. At the time of writing, I’m proud to note that Victorians passed the important milestone of 80 per cent of the eligible population being fully vaccinated, and our vaccination rates continue to grow. In line with easing restrictions, we have slowly started to get back to doing the things we love and enjoy, with the people we love. If you are yet to have your vaccination, I encourage you to join me and get vaccinated to help protect our community. Monash Council is here to support your business and community group to operate in a COVIDSafe way as restrictions ease. Information can be found at COVID-19 Support Program www.monash.vic.gov.au or please get in touch. Over the past year, many people have contacted me for assistance with managing trees, as well as Council’s hard waste collection. These are important core Council services for the community, and I’m very pleased to help where I can. Regarding trees and necessary permits for removal, it is always important to discuss with Council if you are unsure, as all applications need to be assessed against relevant local planning policies contained in the Monash Planning Scheme. And regarding hard waste, while Council provides a free hard waste collection annually between July to September, you can always book an additional collection for an additional fee at any time that suits. Lastly, be COVIDSafe as you enjoy getting out and about! Please contact me at anytime if you have any questions or issues on call 0451 560 398 or email Nicky.Luo@monash.vic.gov.au Swimming Pool And Spa Certification Extension Swimming pool and spa owners will now have more time to get their pool and spa safety barriers inspected and certified as compliant, with the State Government extending the registration deadline due to COVID-19 complications. The relevant date by which owners must lodge their first certificate of barrier compliance depends on the date of construction for the pool or spa that was determined as part of the registration process. The new deadlines are: * For pools and spas built on or before 30 June 1994, the new deadline is 1 June 2022 * For pools and spas built between 1 July 1994 to 30 April 2010, the new deadline is 1 June 2023 * For pools and spas built between 1 May 2010 to 31 October 2020, the new deadline is 1 June 2024. In December 2019 the Government amended the Building Regulations to introduce new requirements to improve the safety of private swimming pools and spas including owners registering them with their council. The registration deadline was 1 November 2020. Any owners who have not yet registered their pool or spa are encouraged to make an application to Council as soon as possible. Failure to register may attract a Council infringement notice of up to $363. Owners must also have a registered building surveyor or inspector certify the continuing compliance of their safety barrier every four years. Drowning is the most common cause of preventable death for young children and in Victoria most fatal drownings of young children occur in backyard swimming pools. For more info call 9518 3555 Page 8 Council adopts public toilet strategy Council has adopted the draft Public Toilet Strategy to improve access to public toilets in Monash. The strategy proposes a network of safe, accessible and well-maintained public toilet facilities that support community health and activity. The strategy also outlines the issues and challenges in public toilet service provision, identifies a strategic vision and proposes a number of actions to address the gaps in public toilets. The strategy includes a multi-year capital works plan that can be considered year-on-year as part of the annual budget process and includes new standalone public toilets and the opening-up of existing facilities to the public. From May-June 2021, the draft strategy underwent community consultation with more than 700 responses received. Key issues identified by the community included cleanliness, access and safety, with the community requesting environmentally-sustainable facilities with natural lighting and ventilation. There was a preference for touchless operations with some comments requesting culturally-inclusive toilets. For more info call 9518 3555 or visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au/public-toilet-strategy Looking out for Monash animals Council has adopted the Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) 2021-2025, which provides the strategic framework to deliver policy direction for animal management in Monash. All councils are required to prepare a DAMP every four years. The finalised plan had input from the community over two consultation periods. In May 2021 a community survey sought feedback on a range of issues, including access to open spaces, animal registration and nuisance cats with 177 residents providing feedback and 186 responses submitted. The survey feedback included: * Education to be provided in a number of languages with this to be provided in hard copy and online * Requests for fenced ‘off leash’ areas including those to separate smaller and larger dogs * Education around dog poo (enforcement and more dog poo bags) * Encouraging animal adoption * Nuisance animals – both dogs barking and cats trespassing. Further consultation on the draft plan occurred in August 2021 and Council also wrote to animal stakeholders including environmental ‘friends’ groups, local veterinarians, Domestic Animal Businesses, the RSPCA and sports clubs. A total of 36 submissions were received. The feedback on the draft plan confirmed there is on-going community support for dedicated exercise areas/dog parks but also increasing pressure on preventing dogs access to some open spaces, particularly where organised sport is played and where ground improvements have been made, including the introduction of synthetic playing surfaces. The plan includes a periodic review of off and on-leash areas. These will commence in 2022 and will include further consultation. For more info call 9518 3555 or visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/dam-plan Page 9 Monash Community Grants Program 2022/23 Council will again make more than $2.5M of funding available to support local Monash community groups and organisations through its 2022/23 Monash Community Grants Program. The program assists community groups, organisations and Neighbourhood Houses fund projects, activities and events that strengthen, enhance and benefit the Monash community. Cash and/or in-kind grants provide funding for projects and initiatives that respond to the social, cultural, creative and recreational needs of the Monash community. Funding categories include Active Projects, Arts and Cultural Projects, Community Events, Community Strengthening, and Halls Only. Council is committed to developing and fostering a healthy and resilient Monash. COVID-19 has impacted on these communities so the support from Council is critical to re-establish projects and programs. The next round of the Monash Community Grants Program will fund activities occurring between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023. This round will open for applications at 9am on Thursday 27 January 2022 and will close at 2pm on Thursday 3 March 2022. For more info call 9518 3568 or visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/community-grants Councils join together to divert household rubbish from landfill Monash has joined 14 other councils in Melbourne’s south east to form a company to deliver an advanced waste processing alternative to landfill. This type of company is called a special purpose vehicle (SPV) and is common in projects where there are many organisations working together. The SPV - called South East Metropolitan Advanced Waste Processing Pty Ltd - will help councils deliver an advanced waste processing facility that will process household rubbish instead of burying it in landfill. Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Group is facilitating the procurement of advanced waste processing for councils. Advanced waste processing facilities are regulated by the Environment Protection Authority Victoria. Any facility will need to be appropriately located, constructed and operated according to strict regulations that minimise risks to the environment and people. The new facilities are expected to attract multi-million-dollar investment and create up to 400 temporary jobs during construction and up to 100 permanent operating jobs. Advanced waste processing solutions will play a significant role in achieving the new target to divert 80% of household rubbish from landfill by 2030. For more info visit www.mwrrg.vic.gov.au Mulgrave Reserve pavilion upgrade kicks off Premier Daniel Andrews joined Federal Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence and former Monash Mayor Brian Little to officially break ground on a new multi-sport pavilion at Mulgrave Reserve. New Mayor Cr Stuart James, Deputy Mayor Cr Tina Samardzija and Councillors Shane McCluskey, Nicky Luo and representatives from a number of sporting clubs also attended. The new pavilion will deliver on improving female-friendly facilities and support increased use of the reserve, in particular for tenant clubs Mulgrave Football Club, Mulgrave Cricket Club, Eastern Devils Football Club and Glen Waverley Rovers Junior Football Club. Council received $2M towards the project from the State Government through the Local Sports Grants Fund, with Council matching the contribution with $2M. The redevelopment project involves an upgrade and extension of the existing ageing pavilion, along with several other reserve improvements including the formalisation of reserve pathways to allow more accessibility, 20 additional car parking bays and a shared vehicle and pedestrian drop-off zone. The new pavilion will see a refreshment of existing amenities and construction of two new unisex player and umpire change rooms, a refurbished kitchen and canteen area, additional storage, a new meeting room and external public toilet facilities. The project is expected to be completed mid 2022. Page 10 12 Days of Christmas in monash 13 - 24 December While Monash Carols by Candlelight at Jells Park can not go ahead as planned, jump-start the Christmas season with our 12 Days of Christmas, featuring a campaign of free Neon Christmas installations, roving performers, Santa library sessions and competitions. Be a part of the entertainment and activations we have planned across the municipality. There is something for everyone! For more info visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/festivals Get Out and Get Active The wait is over! Council’s three Active Monash Centres are now open. Enjoy a swim, join the gym, take part in a Group Fitness class, or learn something new. There’s a variety of group fitness classes for kids, adults, and seniors alike. Or restart your fitness with our qualified Personal Trainers. The newly constructed stadium at Oakleigh Recreation Centre is now available for casual court bookings. Head over to shoot some hoops or play a game of netball at very affordable prices. If taking a swim is your thing, each of our Centres have pools to appeal to different interests. There’s something for everyone! We hope to see you soon. For more info and to plan your visit www.activemonash.com.au Free 7-day membership Active Monash is offering a FREE 7-day pass to the centre of your choice at Monash Aquatic and Recreation Centre, Clayton Aquatics and Health Club and Oakleigh Recreation Centre. Offer can only be redeemed once per person. For more info visit www.activemonash.com.au Family Magic Christmas Show Tue 21 December, 2pm-2.50pm (Online via Zoom) Prepare to be wowed by Tim Credible’s magical Christmas show. Partnered with his cheeky elf, join us for lots of laughs and a fun time. For families with kids aged 2-10 years. To book visit www.trybooking.com/BUKGN Zoom links will be emailed to attendees on 20 Dec. Big Summer Read Join. Borrow. Play. Win! Children of all ages, keep your reading skills up over the summer holidays and register for the Big Summer Read. Register at your local Library branch, collect your reading log and activity booklet and record everything you read between 1 Dec and 31 Jan. While the pleasure of reading makes everyone a winner, there are some exciting prizes to be won! For more info visit www.monlib.vic.gov.au/big-summer-read Page 11 Monash Events Season kicking off with a bang We’ve put together a fun series of activations, competitions and events for you to enjoy in the New Year. All activities will be held in a COVIDSafe environment. January Glen Waverley Nights 14, 21 and 28 Jan and 4 Feb, 6pm-9pm Weekly events to celebrate the lighting up of the centre, delivering music and entertainment with roving and fixed performances. Monash Summer Series On weekends throughout January The Monash Summer Series brings quality live entertainment in outdoor settings across the City. Enjoy a program of relaxed acoustic sessions, roving entertainers, and pop-up activations featuring interactive kids activities. Australia Day 26 Jan, 11am-2pm Australia Day will begin with a special Citizenship Ceremony at the Monash Civic Centre, followed by a FREE community event in the Glen Waverley Library forecourt with food, entertainment and activities. February Mount Waverley Mini Makers Sat 5 Feb, 10am-2pm Enjoy trader specials for brunch and lunch and try your hand at something new with Pimp My Bike, crafting and beading workshops and life drawing classes. Pups on Winbourne Sat 19 Feb, 10am-2pm Bring your fur babies to Mount Waverley for doggy treat decorating, take part in puppy obedience classes, have a family portrait taken with pet photographers Pupparazzi, or purchase puppy fashion and accessories. Clayton Festival Fri 25 - Sun 27 Feb A multi-day festival in various locations in Clayton, including workshops and programs, roving and busker pop-up performances, community art projects, installations, and Hawker Night Market. Clayton Hot and Spicy Festival Fri 25 Feb - Sun 6 March Discover what’s on offer in Clayton by enjoying hot and spicy specials throughout the festival from a variety of Clayton’s fabulous restaurants. Eat in or take away. Bowness Photography Prize The $30,000 acquisitive William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize has been awarded to Melbourne artist Lillian O’Neil for her large-scale photographic collage. The exhibition is on display until Sunday 5 December. Visit the MGA at 860 Ferntree Gully Rd, Wheelers Hill See the finalists and take a virtual tour on www.mga.org.au/bowness-prize Page 12 Protecting local wildlife If you use netting to protect household fruit trees, vegetable gardens or other plants, the mesh size must be 5mm x 5mm or less at full stretch. Above is an example of the correct netting. As a guide, you should not be able to poke your finger through it. To further protect wildlife when netting trees, make sure you pull the net tightly over the tree and fix it to the tree trunk. It is also recommended to use white netting. This makes it easier for nocturnal animals to see and avoid at night. If you have old netting that doesn’t comply, please dispose of this safely by putting it in a tied bag in your rubbish bin. For more info visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/tree-netting 3X3 Ready basketball for kids Active Monash invites Expressions of Interest from parents of children aged 10-12 interested in the 3x3 Ready program, as part of our partnership with Champions League Basketball. The program provides fully subsidised opportunities for young players in the 3x3 program, while learning life skills. It teaches players to solve problems in teams and independently through game-based and theoretical learning, developing leaders on and off the court. Council subsidises the program via its Active Communities branch. The program will run for eight weeks, with 30 places available. Express your interest by Friday 17 December 2021. Download the form at www.monash.vic.gov.au/3x3-ready Help keep powerful owls safe Monash is lucky to have Powerful Owls living along the Dandenong Creek corridor and they and younger owls venture into Monash to forage at night. Possums are high on the list of favourite foods. Deakin University researchers have tagged some of these owls to track their movements and learn more about their habits. One way Monash residents can ensure Powerful Owls continue to visit Monash is by retaining larger canopy trees and by planting indigenous and midstory trees. The Deakin University researchers have recently found a number of dead Powerful Owls across the Greater Melbourne area, including in Monash, with very high levels of rodenticide, a bait for rats. If you are looking to buy rat bait, avoid products containing second generation anticoagulants as these stay in an animal’s system for a long time and poison the predator species like Powerful Owls that feed on the possums that eat rodenticides people leave out for rats. Birdlife Australia has a campaign to discourage the use of these products. For more info visit www.birdlife.org.au/rodent-control or call 9518 3555 Successful completion of the two-year Hello Neighbour project The two-year, State Government funded Hello Neighbour project developed an innovative response to promote and build connected communities across Monash. With the recent, rapid changes due to COVID, meaningful community engagement is critical to ensuring our city remains a vibrant, thriving multicultural community that accepts people of diverse cultures. A key feature of the project was the Monash Community Ambassadors, providing a unique opportunity for our culturally, linguistically and religiously diverse ambassadors to advise Council and influence project directions. They helped mobilise their networks to reach the broader community, create stronger cross-cultural connections, and share their culturally diverse perspectives and experiences to support mainstream groups. Find out more about the key initiatives delivered at www.monash.vic.gov.au/hello-neighbour