Page 1 Monash Bulletin April 2021 BE PART OF Imagine Monash 2040 If you could look to the future, what would Monash in 2040 be like? What do you want to keep the same, and what would you like to change? Council is embarking on Imagine Monash 2040 - a huge project that imagines the possibilities for Monash 20 years into the future and sets our vision and priorities. Over the next few months, we will be asking you for your ideas, thoughts and aspirations to shape the future of Monash. We would love to hear from anyone who lives, works, studies, runs a business in or visits the City of Monash. Tell us what you want for your community, your city, your home. Your feedback will guide us as we plan the Community Vision, our next Council plan, and long-term plans for managing our assets and finances through a Financial Plan and Asset Management Plan. Our Community Vision looks 20 year in the future to outline the social, economic, cultural, and environmental aspirations for Monash. Council must develop, maintain, and review a Community Vision using deliberative engagement practices. The Council Plan is developed from the Community Vision, and outlines the strategic agenda for Council during its term, including the steps it will take to implement the Community Vision. The priorities for the Annual Budget come from the Council Plan. We will track our progress in implementing the Council Plan through our Annual Report. The Council Plan must include: * Strategic direction * Strategic objectives for achieving the direction * Strategies for achieving the objectives (for at least four years) * Strategic indicators for monitoring achievement * Description of initiatives and priorities for services, infrastructure and amenity. Your voice is important to this vision of a future Monash. Be part of the future, and share your views with us by:Taking an online survey: visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au/imagine Hard copies of the survey will be available at: * Civic Centre, 293 Springvale Rd, Glen Waverley * Oakleigh Service Centre (1A Atherton Rd) * Monash Libraries. Feedback closes on 29 April. Page 2 PHIL’S AN ALL-STAR for inclusion Congratulations to our 2020 Sir John Monash Award winner for Outstanding Leadership, Philip Ryan, for his exceptional commitment to inclusion, advocacy and opening up pathways for young people with an intellectual disability to participate in Australian Rules football. Phil received the Outstanding Leadership award, presented by Mayor Brian Little (pictured with Phil), at a ceremony on 25 March at the Mount Waverley Community Centre. Phil was also the recipient of the Outstanding Advocate of People with Disabilities award. Phil is President of the Mazenod Panthers Football Club, which has two teams playing in the AFLVIC/Football Integration Development Association (AFLVIC/FIDA). This competition is for players with an intellectual disability and has 16 clubs participating throughout Victoria. Phil was instrumental in developing a Junior Football Integration Development Association pathway, allowing young people with an intellectual disability to begin their football journey from a young age. As well as the usual duties of a club president role, Phil’s devotion to the success and wellbeing of the club and creating an inclusive environment for people with an intellectual disability made him a standout nominee. The person who nominated Phil for an award in the Advocate of People with Disabilities category said: “He (Phil) is a passionate mentor, who treats everyone equally, and this is evidenced by the respect and relationships he has built up with the players, their families and their carers…”. The Panthers are based at Central Reserve, Glen Waverley and are part of the Mazenod Old Collegians Football Club. A huge thank you to Phil and all the award winners and nominees for their wonderful work in the community and especially for their continued efforts, leadership and resilience amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Read about the other award winners on page 8. Know someone who is making a difference in the local community? We’re taking nominations for our 2021 Sir John Monash Awards until Friday 2 July. Tell us about that special person who is helping improve the lives of others. We think they deserve recognition – and we need your help to make it happen. You can nominate at: Visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/awards Email Elysia.Singam@monash.vic.gov.au Call 9518 3619 Monash Contact details: Monash Civic Centre, 293 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley Open from 8.30am to 5.15pm, Monday to Friday Oakleigh Service Centre, 3 Atherton Road, Oakleigh Open from 8.30am to 5.15pm, 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) 1800 555 660 We welcome your feedback about the Monash Bulletin: Call 9518 3678, Email joanne.robertson@monash.vic.gov.au Page 3 MESSAGE FROM Mayor Brian Little There is a great deal happening in Monash at the moment and the sense of accomplishment and purpose is palpable in our shopping precincts, offices and community as we move forward as part of living with COVID. This month we returned to more events and gatherings in person. Our first big event, Live at Warrawee in Oakleigh, was a resounding success with more than 1100 people there to enjoy great live music and food. The vibe was amazing after so many months without events like these. I was delighted to officiate at our in-person citizenship at our second live citizenship ceremony for 2021 but this time with greatly relaxed restrictions. It was fantastic to be able to actually meet and greet our newest Australian citizens who reside in Monash. Again, another milestone in our recovery. Another highlight was the 2020 Sir John Monash Awards, held over from last year, recognising those selfless members of our community who contribute tirelessly to support others. Wonderful nominees and winners with Philip Ryan from the Mazenod Panthers Football Club named overall winner, a very deserving and humble recipient. Congratulations to Phil and all our worthy winners and nominees, we greatly appreciate your work for the Monash community. This month we have embarked on one of our most significant engagement projects, Imagine Monash 2040. We are asking you to look into the future and imagine Monash in 2040 and tell us what that Monash looks like, what you want to keep and what you want to change. Over the next few months, we will be asking you for your ideas, thoughts and aspirations to shape the future of Monash. We want to hear from anyone who lives, works, studies, runs a business in or visits the City of Monash. Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to the future Monash. Visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au/imagine and be part of the future. I’m pleased to add that, with the easing of restrictions, we can now welcome you back to attend our monthly Council meetings in the public gallery, starting from the 27 April meeting. Look forward to seeing you there! You can contact me on: Call 9518 3524 or 0407 878 033 Email Brian.Little@monash.vic.gov.au NEXT COUNCIL Meeting The next Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday 27 April from 7pm. The meeting’s agenda will be published on Council’s website from 5.30pm on Thursday 22 April. Monash residents and ratepayers can ask questions at the meeting, with questions to be submitted to Council by 2pm on Tuesday 27 April. Under the easing of restrictions, the public gallery will be open for the April Council meeting. Visitors to the Civic Centre will need to check in when entering the building, under our COVIDSafe plan. You can also watch via our livestreaming service at visit webcast.monash.vic.gov.au Visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/meetings or call 9518 3555 ANZAC Day 25 April Lest we forget Commemorations for ANZAC Day will look different this year due to COVID-19, however some services will be held in Monash on Sunday 25 April. A Dawn Service has been organised by the Waverley Returned Service League (RSL) and will be held at The Cenotaph, Springvale Rd (Central Reserve Glen Waverley, Southern entrance) at 6am. All members of the community are invited to attend, however attendees are reminded to practise social distancing from other groups at all times and to not attend if unwell or isolating. The Oakleigh Carnegie RSL will also host a ticketed Commemorative Service at 10.30am at Memorial Hall (Drummond St, Oakleigh), with bookings essential. Requests for a ticket must be emailed to secretary@ocrsl.com.au Monash residents can also share their remembrance from home by taking part in #lightupthedawn on social media, while observing the traditional minute’s silence from their driveways, front yards or balconies. For more info: visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/anzac-day Page 4 HAVE YOUR SAY: Monash’s Public Toilet Strategy Monash Council wants to hear your views on its draft Public Toilet Strategy that plans for the future provision and maintenance of these essential community assets. The draft strategy proposes that Monash communities will have access to a network of safe, accessible and well maintained public toilet facilities which support community health and activity. You can have your say via an online survey or if you need, hard copy surveys will be available from the Civic Centre (293 Springvale Road Glen Waverley), Monash Libraries and the Oakleigh Service Centre (3 Atherton Road). You can also request the survey be mailed to you. The survey and draft Strategy will be available from 3 May. Have your Say at www.monash.vic.gov.au/draft-public-toilet For more info: call 9518 3555 or Email mail@monash.vic.gov.au SHARING YOUR garden with wildlife Indigenous animals are struggling with the effects of urbanisation and the removal of habitat but with a few simple changes, a garden can become an inviting space for local fauna to visit and live in. Become a ‘Champion for Wildlife’ by incorporating food sources, water, shelter and nesting places in your garden for indigenous animals. Join the Monash Gardens for Wildlife program and receive: * Free indigenous plant vouchers * Visit to your garden by volunteer Garden Guides to give support and advice for your habitat garden. Webinar run by Sustainable Gardening Australia. visit www.eventbrite.com.au/e/148857018349 Date: Wednesday 12 May Time: 7pm HAVE YOUR SAY: Ashwood Reserve second hockey pitch and car park Council is exploring the possibility of constructing a second hockey pitch at Ashwood Reserve. In 2019 a feasibility study was undertaken and found a second synthetic field and larger carpark at the reserve was possible for the site, however this project could not realistically proceed without significant external funding. Currently the Waverley Hockey Club is based at the reserve. The next step in determining whether to pursue the project is to find out the community’s views on a proposed second hockey pitch at the reserve. Find out more and provide your feedback by 21 May. Visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/second-hockey-pitch Kate Dunlop, Recreation Project Officer Call 9518 3555 Page 5 $26.7M TENNIS PROJECT announced Design work is underway on a new $26.7M 18-court public tennis centre in Glen Waverley, with $21 million in funding from the State Government and a $5.77M commitment from Council. Council will deliver this exciting project on an area zoned Public Park and Recreation that is adjacent to the Glen Waverley Golf Course, and includes the 3.4 hectare golf driving range. The tennis centre will add another facility to this well-known sporting precinct, which already offers netball, softball and golf. The tennis centre is anticipated to be ready for play by early 2024. The project will include: * 18 tennis courts. Following discussion with tennis clubs, we are proposing there be at least 14 synthetic courts, with up to four hard acrylic courts to allow for a mix of court surfaces * A shared-use pavilion with change rooms, public amenities, a kiosk/café, social space and club storage rooms. The pavilion will be for the use of golf and tennis club members and spectators * Drainage improvements to the site and local area. The tennis centre is expected to be the new home for local tennis clubs who will have the opportunity to play on state-of-the-art synthetic courts while still retaining the camaraderie and family feel of community tennis. A range of options for golf practice are also being considered. Council has also committed to holding some tournaments at the facility. A key part of the project will be traffic improvements. Council is currently undertaking an audit of traffic in this area. An intersection at the corner of Waverley Road and Jells Road is one improvement being looked at to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion on these roads. This will bring significant improvements to local traffic conditions and address concerns expressed by local residents as recently as a survey conducted in early 2020. Council will begin working on an initial design for the site that will be guided by community consultation. Council has had several meetings with nearby residents to discuss any concerns and to look at solutions. After consultation with nearby residents, Council has a preferred option that provides a minimum 50m buffer between the courts and the back of adjoining properties. The new tennis centre will support the loss of the existing tennis centre in Boroondara, which is located on land needed for two crucial interchanges for the North East Link that will connect the M80 to an upgraded Eastern Freeway. Have your say to help shape the complementary recreation facilities on the public open space at the site at: Visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au/tennis or Call 9518 3555 TALK TO US @ our drop-in session! Council, in partnership with Sport and Recreation Victoria, is developing an Active Recreation Opportunities Strategy for Monash. The strategy will focus on non-organised recreation (casual and informal activity) to encourage healthy physical activity and guide the future enhancement of parks and reserves. We want to encourage residents to get active in their local communities and are considering facilities such as outdoor fitness equipment, walking circuits, bocce courts, basketball courts, skate parks, climbing walls and other infrastructure. We’re keen to hear your thoughts. Where: Monash Aquatic & Recreation Centre (entry forecourt) Date and Time: Tuesday 27 April 2021 drop-in from 9am-11am More information Subscribe to page updates: shape.monash.vic.gov.au/active Next Steps: Ideas and suggestions from this session will be considered in the development of a draft strategy by mid-2021. I’m Paking up and Moving away It's been fun seeing our Spoonville communities pop up across Monash but now spoonies at some of our reserves and nature strips are looking a little worse for wear and will be removed. If you would like to collect your spoon, please do so BEFORE THE END OF MAY 2021. For more information contact 9518 3555. Thank you to everyone who contributed to creativity and community spirit when we all needed it most. Page 6 COUNCILLOR NEWS Cr Theo Zographos I want to begin by saying thank you for your support in the Council elections last year. In what was a difficult year for everyone, it remains a huge honour for me to work with you to achieve local outcomes in Monash and to keep this the greatest place to live and raise a family. I also hope you had a good Easter amongst family and friends. I personally will be celebrating Greek Orthodox Easter later this month at my parents house. (How good are family gatherings!) Recently the new Monash Headspace in Syndal began operations after many years of anticipation. We know that the pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues so the timing has been very welcome. Another pleasant surprise in recent months has been spending time over dinner with family in the temporary outdoor dining areas that some now call “parklets”, such as in Kingsway Glen Waverley. If you have a view about these I’d be eager to hear them as we plan for the future. Also in Glen Waverley, I had the privilege of attending a celebration last month to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Rotary in Australia. Many of us will have frequented the Oakleigh Sunday Rotary Market or the Mount Waverley Village Market, or like me, even debated at the model United Nations Assembly (many many years ago now). When I think of Rotary, I’m reminded of the thousands of Monash volunteers that contribute to dozens of permanent projects across the city every single day. A superb effort. You may also recall a key component of my election platform was more public toilets in more places. Next month Council will open submissions for our related strategy. I encourage you to visit the Council website and complete the on-line questionnaire and an interactive pin-point mapping exercise so we develop the best possible approach in coming years. Following on from the very eventful 2020, now that the national vaccination rollout is well underway I strongly urge you to check your eligibility, or find your nearest GP providing vaccinations by 1800 020 080 or www.australia.gov.au It’s imperative so we can keep moving forward. Lastly, late last month I physically attended my first general public Council meeting and the public gallery is now back up and ready for visitors. So I look forward to seeing you at the next meeting. Facebook @ Theo4Oakleigh, Website theozographos.com Call 0430 316 911 or Email Theo.Zographos@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 Page 7 MOUNT WAVERLEY Shopping Centre Plan After two rounds of community consultation over the last 20 months, including establishing what the community values about Mt Waverley, Council adopted the Mount Waverley Activity Centre Structure Plan at its 30 March Council meeting. Under the State Government's Plan Melbourne, Council is required to plan for some growth and redevelopment in the activity centres in Monash. The Structure Plan sets out a long term vision for the centre and how Council will guide and manage growth of the centre. Without a Structure Plan there is no guidance for redevelopment, making it difficult for Council or the community to influence how the centre develops. Consultation on the draft Plan was held from 17 February to 20 March 2020 with public feedback invited. Council contacted 933 owners and 477 occupiers of properties within and near the precinct. The draft Structure Plan was influenced by earlier consultations on the Mount Waverley Discussion Paper in 2019. The Plan outlines a vision, directions, corresponding policies and actions and an integrated ‘Village Centre Plan’ for the Mount Waverley Activity Centre. It considers development opportunities and the protection of surrounding residential areas. The proposed taller building form is in the commercial core area of the precinct. In response to community feedback, the proposed building heights were reduced: The Ritchies site from 5-8 storeys to 4-5 storeys (consistent with the heights along Stephensons Rd) The southern portion of the Virginia Street car park site reduced to 3-4 storeys with specific requirements to limit overshadowing to the southern footpath of Virginia Street The approved Plan will direct growth into the commercial areas of the Activity Centre, whilst retaining the existing residential areas around the centre. Building heights will be limited in the commercial areas to 3-4 or 4-5 storeys with one site having potential for 6 to 8 levels. The Plan aims to create a place for people that encourages development, in line with State Government policy, whilst also respecting and promoting the village feel of the centre. The Plan provides a detailed assessment of the heart of Mount Waverley and how it can be improved and grow, whilst still maintaining its local, people friendly character. It includes concepts for new public spaces, an upgraded and clearer pedestrian link to connect retail, community facilities and car parking to public transport. The Plan also includes a proposal to improve traffic flow in the Hamilton Place car park making it easier and safer to navigate for pedestrians and drivers. Proposed developments in the Activity Centre will be assessed against the requirements of the Structure Plan. There are not currently any applications that propose development in line with that identified in the Plan as being appropriate. Any applications for development would be subject to community consultation, with broader consultation for bigger proposals. The next steps are for Council to prepare some changes to the Monash Planning Scheme to introduce the built form provisions, including building heights. The Plan will also guide future capital works projects, particularly upgrades to parking or paths through the centre. For more info: www.monash.vic.gov.au/Structure-Plans CAT CURFEW is here A night-time cat curfew is now in place in Monash, requiring residents to keep their cats contained inside or on their property between sunset or 7pm (whichever is the latter) and sunrise. The curfew has been introduced following consultation with the community, which found the majority of cat and non-cat owners supported a night-time curfew. Cats who are left to roam at night can not only cause harm to local wildlife, but are also at risk of getting into fights, injuring themselves or getting hit by cars. Council is hoping that through a heightened awareness of the cat curfew and the benefits of keeping cats in at night, owners will comply because it’s good for wildlife and the best thing for their pets. Council will be using an education process when responding to complaints, however cat owners who continue to breach the curfew will risk receiving a fine. For more info: Community Laws call 9518 3555 Visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/cat-curfew Page 8 SIR JOHN MONASH AWARD 2020 winners Last month we celebrated our 2020 Sir John Monash Awards. These awards honour outstanding members of our Monash community in the 2020 year. The award ceremony was delayed due to COVID-19. Here’s the winners in each category: POSITIVE AGEING LEADERSHIP Pravin Ghelani Pravin has been active in volunteer work since he migrated to Australia from Uganda in 1972, in particular the Gujarati Association of Victoria Inc. For the past seven years Pravin has been running meetings and functions every second Sunday for senior members of the association. INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP AWARD Mizna Shahbaz Born in Pakistan and settling in Glen Waverley with her family in 2005, Mizna joined the Monash Young Persons Reference Group – now known as Monash Youth Committee – when she was 16 and remained an active member of the group until she turned 25. Mizna’s community commitment now extends to her medical career where she is committed to advocating for patients with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. OUTSTANDING ADVOCATE OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Philip Ryan Phil is Club President of the Mazenod Panthers Football Club where he has fostered an inclusive environment, providing opportunities for young people with intellectual disabilities to play footy. (See page 2 for more about Philip who also received the Sir John Monash Award for Outstanding Leadership). MULTICULTURAL CHAMPION Manal Tahir Manal is the Multicultural Playgroup Team Leader for the Clayton Active Mums Playgroup. The group gives families the opportunity to make meaningful connections. Some mothers, and sometimes fathers and grandparents who attend, are quite isolated and the positive encouragement from Manal helps them feel welcomed and confident to make new friends. ACTIVE MONASH Jeff Hocking Jeff’s been involved in tennis in Monash since he was 12 and is a stalwart of the Essex Heights Tennis Club in Mount Waverley. Among many roles over the years at the club, he’s been club secretary since 2016. Jeff’s efforts and leadership have resulted in more participation at the club, including an emphasis on encouraging more women to join the committee and play competition tennis. YOUTH LEADERSHIP Boris Lai Boris, a student at Mount Waverley Secondary College, is a founding member of the Monash Youth Ambassadors program with Monash Youth Services. Boris has dedicated his time to this program to provide an active voice for other young people in the community. SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP Alice Mahar Alice is the director of Corner Store Kitchen in Oakleigh that works to educate people in the value of food, self-sufficiency and avoiding food waste going to landfill. An example of Alice’s leadership is bringing the Corner Store Kitchen volunteer network together to support the 2019-20 bushfire affected areas by preserving produce and donating it to those communities in need. VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR Anthony Hodges and Kerry Ryan (joint winners) Anthony Hodges has volunteered for the St Vincent de Paul committee for the past 17 years and is committed to helping people in need, in particular those experiencing homelessness. Kerry Ryan has been the coordinator of Oakleigh South Auskick for 30 years. The program has averaged about 100 registrations each season over the course of three decades, with 3000 children and their families benefitting from the fitness, skills and fun. For more info: visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/awards or call 9518 3619