Page 1 Monash Bulletin July 2022 Events to brighten up your winter There’s something for everyone this winter, as Monash comes to life with colour, music and lights. Imaginations will run wild at the inaugural EMERGE festival, which will take over the Mount Waverley Community Centre gardens for five nights in June. Running from 24-28 June (5pm-9.30pm), EMERGE will lift community spirits with evocative lighting and projects, impressive soundscapes and installations, as well as entertaining roving performers. As darkness falls, a range of impressive large-scale lanterns created by The Lanternist will illuminate the beautiful gardens and welcome visitors for a nocturnal experience throughout the grounds. The gardens will be transformed with more than 45 glowing art installations highlighting a range of Australian animals, including a frog, possum, goanna, platypus, echidna and butterflies. Throughout the night engaging performers will delight crowds with fire, bubbles, UV lighting, glowing body paint, spinning LED Hula Hoops and outrageous roving Mirror-Ball suits. On opening night, the eight-piece band JAZZ PARTY will warm up the crowds with RnB inspired tunes and the powerhouse circus and dance showcase Fresh! by Fresh Creative Entertainment will blow people’s socks off during the closing night festivities. Bookings are also open for the Winter Concert Series, which will see Ngiyampaa man and First Nations singer-songwriter Pirritu perform gentle, honest and from the heart music on Thursday 7 July (6pm-8pm) as part of NAIDOC Week 2022. The concert will take place at Mount Waverley Community Centre and will also include access to the TREATY Exhibition, a Welcome to Country and dance performance. On Sunday 10 July, join us at Clayton Community Centre for Cosmic Cats – a cover band for kids and adults alike, who will have you up and dancing with a variety of rock and pop songs from the 80s, 90s and today! This fun concert is aimed at all ages, but especially fun for kids. More info call 9518 3636 or visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/festivals Information in the July Bulletin is current at the time of going to print on 3 June. Keep up-to-date about changes to our services through by visiting www.monash.vic.gov.au or www.facebook.com/cityofmonash/ or https://twitter.com/MonashCouncil or https://www.instagram.com/monashcouncil/ Page 2 New Waste Calendar We are moving forward with our plans to collect food and garden waste (green lid) bins weekly and landfill (red lid) bins every two weeks from August. Recycling bins will continue to be collected fortnightly. We heard your feedback and will be mailing each household a support pack, including a 2022/23 Waste Collection Calendar, to help with the change. The calendar starts with the current collection (weekly landfill and fortnightly food and garden collection) for July 2022, and changes to fortnightly landfill (red bin) and weekly food and garden (green bin) collection from August 2022. While your support pack is on its way, please refer to the July calendar below, or check your bin collection online and download the calendar. More info visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/bin-collection Have your say on planning scheme amendment We are proposing a planning scheme amendment (C169) to increase the contribution rate for developers undertaking new subdivisions. We have reviewed public open space needs of new more dense development now common in Monash and identified that the current rate is insufficient to meet the open space needs of new residents in this more intensive development. The new rate will lead to an increase in the contributions collected from developers and allow us to purchase new land as well as improve existing public open space for all of the community to use, particularly in areas earmarked for population growth. To find out more about the proposed amendment, or to make a submission visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au/amendment-c169 Submissions close on 12 July. Monash Contact details: Monash Civic Centre, 293 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley 8.30am-5pm (Check the Monash Council website for the latest update.) Oakleigh Service Centre, 3 Atherton Road, Oakleigh 8.30am-5pm (Check the Monash Council website for the latest update.) 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 at media@monash.vic.gov.au Australia Post delays have affected the delivery of some copies the Monash Bulletin. As a result, some households may receive the Bulletin later than Council intends. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. 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 had the great pleasure recently of hosting volunteers from all over Monash for an afternoon tea to thank them for their dedication to our community. Our volunteers have always been critical to providing support to people young and old right across the municipality, but never has that support and commitment been more important than during the COVID pandemic. They were crucial in delivering meals, assisting with social isolation and even supplying toilet paper rolls when we had those unexplainable shortages due to demand. One volunteer, Kaye Van Eerden, has clocked up 45 years of volunteering in Monash and it was a privilege to recognise her incredible contribution. To put that in perspective, I wasn’t even born when she began volunteering!! Thank-you again to all our many volunteers, we are grateful for everything you have done and continue to do. This month, you will receive an information pack from Council regarding the changes to the bin service that will begin in August. The information pack includes an A-Z guide on recycling, your new waste calendar, and other handy tips on recycling and waste. Look out, as well, for your sample compostable liners that will arrive separately for you to trial. A key decision for Council at this month’s Council meeting was the draft off-leash dog policy that is now out for public consultation. The policy suggests several additional sites as off-leash areas for dogs and restricts some other areas. To my personal disappointment, Council has resolved not to introduce fenced off-leash areas at this time. An explanation as to the reasoning is included in the policy, and I’m interested in receiving your consideration and feedback on this. The consultation is open until 30 September, and residents who live near the sites that could potentially change will receive a letter from Council outlining what is proposed. Refer to Page 5 for information on how you can provide feedback. We are also holding an information session on the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) and Council’s concerns about some of the changes proposed in Glen Waverley to accommodate the project. This is no doubt a game changer for our state and Council supports the concept of the SRL but has reservations about some of the proposed outcomes. If you want to know more, join us online on 13 July or in person. Details are in the story on page 4. https://www.facebook.com/CrStuartJames/ or follow me on https://twitter.com/crstuartjames or https://www.instagram.com/crstuartjames/ and join me on the journey. Charge up Monash Monash is soon set to become home to public electric vehicle (EV) charging points. The EV points will be placed in key activity centres, at the Mount Waverley Library, Mount Waverley Community Centre, Monash Youth Services at Euneva Car Park and Glen Waverley Library. The charging points will provide the community access to 45 minutes of free charging per day and will be added as additional spaces, rather than transforming existing car parking spots. The Charge Up Monash project aims to make it easier for people to top up their ride while visiting Council service centres and local businesses, while also encouraging the transition to zero emissions vehicles. Works will begin in mid-July to install the stations, with the sites due to be open for public use from late-August 2022. The EV stations will be powered from 100% renewable energy thanks to Council’s participation in the Victorian Energy Collaboration. The $60,000 project received a $25,000 Destination Charging Victoria Grant from the Department of Land, Water and Planning. More info call 9518 3716 or visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/charge-up-monash Page 4 Update on Suburban Rail Loop Council will hold an information session on the status of the State Government’s Suburban Rail Loop project and outline and seek views on several issues Council has identified for Glen Waverley arising from the project. The information session on Wednesday 13 July will include an update on the 10-week hearing of the Environment Effects Statement (the impacts of the project on the local environment). A report will be prepared for the Minister for Planning on the outcomes of the hearing by Thursday 23 June 2022. The Minister’s assessment report is expected in August 2022. All documents tabled at the hearing, including Council’s contribution on behalf of the community, can be found on the Suburban Rail Loop East Inquiry and Advisory Committee Engage Victoria web page. Several key issues identified in Glen Waverley as part of this project include: * Proposed road closures (partial closure of Coleman Parade between Kingsway and the ramp entry to Ikon) leading to increased traffic congestion on Kingsway. We want to see second traffic crossing between Myrtle St and Railway Pde North to limit traffic through Kingsway and better connect existing and proposed carparks * Replacement and additional provision of parking. Council had previously committed to build a new 1,000 space multi-level car park on the current Montclair car park. This site will now be used for the SRL station build and these carparks need to be provided/replaced in convenient and accessible locations in the Activity Centre * Opportunities for significant improvements in the Activity Centre that are not supported or being considered as part of the project. This includes Council’s long-standing plans for a ring road around Glen Waverley and relocating or grade separating of the existing rail line * Support for traders. Our traders have already suffered the damaging effects of the pandemic over the last few years. Construction of the SRL will impact on this area. The Suburban Rail Loop project will be transformational for the Activity Centre. As a catalyst project Council believes that the project can deliver on many long-term visions such as those in the Glen Waverley Activity Centre Structure Plan, but overall we are seeking better outcomes for Glen Waverley once the construction is completed. There is a real opportunity for these to be delivered as part of or as a consequence of the project, and we fear that not doing so is a missed opportunity to deliver improvement across the whole Activity Centre so that it continues to be a connected, vibrant, thriving precinct. The focus of the SRLA to date in our view has been too narrow. Whilst we have been working with the SRLA for some time, and support the project, unfortunately, the SRLA does not as yet share Council’s aspirations and vision for the future of the Activity Centre and support works that will bring unquestionable improvements such as moving or grade separating the existing Glen Waverley Station, constructing the ring road and providing for convenient and accessible carparking in the right location. Info Session on Wednesday 13 July, 6pm-8pm Monash Civic Centre, Springvale Rd, Glen Waverley Register call 9518 3555 or visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au/srl Glenvale to call new centre home We’re delighted to announce that Glenvale Tennis Club will be serving up the action when the $26.7million Monash Tennis Centre, in the Glen Waverley Sports Hub, opens for play in 2024. Glenvale has signed on as a tenant club at the new centre and will have the use of eight courts, as well as access to player amenities and an upstairs social space in the newly-developed, state-of-the-art multisport pavilion. For several years, the club has been eager to expand beyond its current six-court facility, however site constraints, court base structural issues and an ageing pavilion have prevented this from occurring. A move to the new multisport venue gives the club great potential to grow its membership and grow the sport of tennis in the area. Glen Waverley Golf Club will join Glenvale as co-users of the pavilion and upgraded facilities in the Glen Waverley Sports Hub, making it another important partner in our vision for a thriving multi-sport precinct. More info visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au/tennis Page 5 Have Your Say on dog off-leash policy Monash loves its four-legged friends. Whether Cavoodle, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Border Collie or German Shepherd, just shy of 12,000 dogs are registered with us every year. To make sure that spending time outdoors with your dog is safe and enjoyable for you and other users of our open spaces, some areas within Monash are designated as places where your dog can be off-leash while still under your control. In November 2021, we resolved to undertake an extensive review of off-leash areas in Monash and develop a draft off-leash policy for public exhibition and community consultation. Traditionally, planning for dog off-leash areas has not been subject to the same planning attention as for other community facilities like sportsgrounds, play spaces, conservation reserves and parks. As a result, off-leash areas have often been placed in and around existing parkland infrastructure and in smaller or less popular parks. This has often resulted in conflict due to incompatible uses, inadequate buffers between off-leash areas and other parkland activities and the non-compliance of some dog owners (dog litter and damage to sportsgrounds). Our review identified opportunities for the creation of 14 new potential off-leash areas; the expansion of four existing off-leash areas; the reduction in size of four existing off-leash areas and the removal of one existing off-leash area. Now Monash residents and dog owners can have their say on our off-leash areas review and draft off-leash policy, as well as the proposed changes to existing off-leash area sites. Community feedback will be used to help inform and finalise the off-leash policy and any changes to existing off-leash areas. We have erected signage at the reserves where changes to off-leash areas are proposed and invite community feedback regarding the proposed changes. Council considered whether to create fenced off-leash dog parks, however, after consulting with experts, we determined that providing dog parks that are for the exclusive use of dogs is not the preferred model. Most activities undertaken in these spaces can also be undertaken in an off-leash area, without the issues associated with the management and maintenance of exclusive dog parks. We’ll be seeking your views on this as part of our consultation. More info call 9518 3555 or visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au/dogs Community grants funding Monash Council will again fund almost $2.5 million in community grants to groups and organisations within Monash in 2022/23. Monash has one of the largest community grants programs in Victoria and this year 222 applications were considered. Of these 97 are new applicants and 125 are recurrent groups. Council will provide cash and in-kind funding (including hall hire or printing) to 177 organisations and services who met the funding criteria, including: * $799,126.13 to Positive Ageing * $633,918.03 to Specialist Services * $480,625.90 to Neighbourhood Houses * $257,003.04 to Community Strengthening * $126,407.07 to Hall Only * $71,182.17 to Arts & Cultural Projects * $44,100 to Major Festivals * $29,499.64 to Community Events * $2,000 to Active Projects. The Monash Community Grants Program encourages community connectivity and participation, and Council is proud to be supporting so many wonderful groups in making a difference in our community. Throughout the challenges of the pandemic, we’ve seen our local community groups, programs and events become more important than ever to reconnect and strengthen the communities in which we live. Council is also allocating $100,000 plus any residual community grants budget for the continuation of the successful Quick Response Grant program, and $6,000 to provide funding for Mental Health First Aid training to assist sporting clubs to meet the requirements for the Active Monash Sports Club Framework, on application. More info call 9518 3555 or visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/community-grants Page 6 COUNCILLOR NEWS Cr Shane McCluskey One of the best parts of my role as a Councillor is getting out and about in the community, meeting different people, groups and organisations and discovering how they contribute to the fabric of Monash. We are so fortunate to have the benefit of so many volunteer based organisations positively enhancing the lives of so many people. This was particularly evident during the last few years due to COVID and is equally evident now that we have the various flu variations circulating in the community. On a daily basis our lives are touched and positively affected by people giving of themselves for the benefit of others. Whether that be through helping out at Kinder, a charity, a neighbourhood house or cutting up oranges at a sports club, the ways in which valuable contributions are made are endless and always without any fanfare or fuss. South East Volunteers is one such group. A vast number of Monash residents benefit from the many volunteers who give freely of their time in a bid to help fellow community members stay connected and assisted in their daily lives. I recently had the pleasure of attending a thank you breakfast for these very people as part of Volunteer Week. It was great to be able to pass on the appreciation felt by the Monash community. The impact of COVID has been prolonged and difficult for many and we continue to experience its impact, but it is so heartening to see our city start to come alive again. Community groups are holding meetings again, shoppers are flocking back to the magnificent Mulgrave Farmers Market, Monash Gallery of Art has resumed exhibiting, our libraries are again vibrant with visitors and community sport has resumed and is thriving. The opportunities for Monash residents to get involved in the community are many and varied. I would encourage you to be part of whatever it is that captures your interest and help keep Monash one of the best places to live and recreate. Feel free to contact me at 0466 345 406 or email Shane.McCluskey@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, 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 26 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 New software for Active Monash Active Monash users will notice a new improved software system is in place. The new cloud-based Leisure Management software, Perfect Gym, offers flexible online self-service capability for customers to book group fitness classes, review swim lessons, purchase memberships and visit passes, and make changes to personal and payment details. The new Active Monash app makes it even easier for customers to have access to the go-to functions required of a modern fitness facility at hand. The app also offers integrations with several popular health tracking apps to help keep those tech savvy customers engaged and making every effort to contribute to their goals. With no administration fees, no joining fees or lock-in contracts, Active Monash offers affordable options to reduce price as a barrier for our community. We’re offering a FREE 7 Day trial! Visit our website to register and make a start towards better health and wellness! More info visit www.activemonash.vic.gov.au or call 9265 4888 Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! this NAIDOC Week Join us this NAIDOC Week as we celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from 3-10 July. This year’s theme is Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! NAIDOC Week is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. The week is a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities together in Monash and to support your local First Nations communities. Council will be celebrating this event with an exciting program, including the TREATY Exhibition at The Track Gallery from 3-14 July, a First Nations astronomy presentation, an Artist Talk with Dr Paola Balla, Elders move screening for our older residents, the Pirritu Winter Concert, and a Valley Reserve guided walk with Uncle Ian Hunter. The City of Monash is situated on the traditional lands of Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong people. The diversity of First People’s heritage and contemporary culture throughout Monash is highly respected and valued. More info call 9518 3636 or visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/festivals Special charge for Glen Waverley Council has supported a request by the Glen Waverley Traders Association for consideration of a special charge scheme for the Glen Waverley Activity Centre (GWAC). The scheme would include the commercial and retail areas of Kingsway, Coleman Parade, Railway Parade North, Montclair Ave, O’Sullivan Road and Springvale Road Glen Waverley. The special charge will be used for marketing, promotions, events and branding over five years. Special Rates and Charges are in the Local Government Act 1989 and are levied against individual rateable properties. Council will introduce the charge on behalf of the traders group. If introduced, the traders association will spend the money for marketing, promotions, events and branding and report back to Council on how the funds have been used. Submissions on the proposed special charge can be lodged with Council ahead of a special meeting on 12 July at 7.15pm to consider any submissions received to the proposed Scheme and make a recommendation to Council as to whether it should proceed. Council will consider whether to declare the GWAC Special Charge at its 26 July meeting. More info call 9518 3555 or visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/special-charge Page 8 WordFest 2022 16 June to 14 July Wisdon in words Sir John Monash Lecture Wisdom in Words: Insights at the intersection Thurs 14 July, Monash Gallery of Art Being a Voice Tour: 6pm Webinar: 7pm - 8.30pm Join host Sam Elkin and panellists Roz Bellamy, Gary Lonesborough and Benjamin Law, for an exciting panel discussion on the theme of wisdom from the unique and diverse perspective of the LGBTQIA+ community. This event is both live and virtual and begins with an optional, in-person guided tour of Being a Voice exhibition. Author talks with: Clem Bastow, Tues 5 July An autism diagnosis later in life can come after years, decades, of being misread, misunderstood, and mislabelled. For Clem Bastow, a diagnosis at the age of 36 meant that her life could finally take focus. Clem will discuss her book Late Bloomer: How an Autism Diagnosis Changed My Life, and how she took agency of her life after decades of misconceptions of the realities of living with autism. Lee Kofman, Thurs 7 July Lee Kofman, author and writing coach, has literally laid bare all she has learnt about writing. Her book The Writer Laid Bare is essential reading to any writer, aspiring or established. Join Lee as she shares her insights into how anyone can hone the craft of writing. Randa Abdel-Fatta, Tues 12 July For a generation of people born at the outset of the ‘war on terror’, a climate of Islamaphobia, surveillance and suspicion, is all they have ever known. Randa will discuss her book Coming of Age in the War on Terror, and unpack the impact of normalised fear, heightened security, and the rise of the far-right, on young people. WordFest program and bookings visit www.monlib.vic.gov.au/wordfest Become a foster carer Mount Waverley Library Wed 20 July, 6.30pm - 7.30pm Are you interested in becoming a foster carer? Foster Care means a child can live with a different family who can provide care and support by offering a safe, secure, and nurturing home. It can be a life-changing experience - not just for you and your family, but for the children you help too. Join Key Assets Victoria to learn more about how you could make a difference. Bookings visit www.trybooking.com/BZMRZ Being a voice Monash Gallery of Art, held until 31 July, Tue - Sun, 1pm - 5pm The exhibition showcases nine artists who share their experiences of being part of the rainbow community in Monash. Displayed across MGA’s Atrium Gallery with an extended showing in the Wheelers Hill Library meeting room, this exhibition is accompanied by audio recordings that explore the lived experiences of people in Monash, providing a cultural record of being part of the LGBTQIA+ community. This project is in collaboration with JOY Media, Monash Gallery of Art and Monash Council. More info visit www.mga.org.au