Page 1 Monash Bulletin August 2021 Creative projects win State awards Monash Councils impressive and inclusive recreation facilities have won two State awards. The Oakleigh Recreation Centre (ORC) Redevelopment won Community Facility of the Year and Wellesley Sensory Playspace was awarded Best Playspace under $500,000 at the Parks and Leisure Australia 2021 Awards of Excellence (VIC/TAS). The $25.35M ORC Redevelopment transformed the existing centre into a state-of-the-art sports hub. It was recognised for demonstrating innovative design, development and operation. A first for Monash, Wellesley Sensory Playspace in Glen Waverley engages children with additional needs. Inspired by the sites mature eucalypt trees and resident birds, the child-safe space encourages play via sound, sight, touch and smell. It was recognised for uniting multiple stakeholders, contributing to a - sense of place - and using landscape and/or structural design innovation that delights and aids childhood development. The awards underline Monash Councils commitment to ensure that our sport and recreation facilities are of high quality, inclusive and contribute to community health and wellbeing. ORC is an exceptional facility for those who enjoy a range of sports and fitness opportunities, while Wellesley Sensory Playspace offers exciting and educational play for children of all abilities. The ORC redevelopment was funded by Monash Council, State and Federal Governments, and the Waverley Gymnastics Centre. It significantly expanded the centres capabilities to host gymnastics, basketball, netball, volleyball and badminton, and ensured accessibility through all-abilities facilities and changerooms. The centre has five new indoor basketball courts, including a show court with a 3m x 5m video screen and retractable seating for 550 spectators, an upgraded gym and group fitness rooms. Wellesley Playspace was developed under the Monash Playground and Playspace Strategy 2020. It is part of Councils vision for quality, fun, accessible, well designed and maintained playgrounds. The project extended the existing playspace and is fully fenced with a child safe gate. It features innovative play equipment and ornamental and sensory plants and trees whose colours and textures stimulate touch, smell and sight. These projects will now compete in the national awards. For more info o visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/monash-wins-awards Information in the August Bulletin is current at the time of going to print on 2 August, however may be subject to change due to COVID-19 restrictions. The best way to keep up-to-date about changes to our services is through visiting www.monash.vic.gov.au or Facebook @cityofmonash or Twitter @MonashCouncil Page 2 Community satisfaction high amid pandemic Monash residents have rated their satisfaction with Council as very good in the 2021 Community Satisfaction Survey. Council scored 7.34/10 for overall satisfaction, slightly down on the 2020 record of 7.51/10. It was also close to the five-year average of 7.37. The 2021 metropolitan Melbourne average was 6.92. The Metropolis Research phone survey of 801 residents showed a continued high level of satisfaction with Council performance across all services and facilities. It also underlined how hard Council and Council staff have worked to deliver services and maintain facilities during the pandemic. Average satisfaction across 28 Council services and facilities was 7.82, slightly down on 7.86 in 2020, and remained on average at an excellent level. The metropolitan Melbourne average was 7.53. Customer service satisfaction increased by 4.3% to 7.87, taking it to excellent and more than reversing a small decline in 2020. The top five aspects respondents valued most about Monash were parks, gardens, open and green spaces, community atmosphere/feel, cleanliness and maintenance, cultural diversity, and safety. Key local issues included building, housing, planning and development, parks, gardens, and open spaces, traffic management, and parking. The only areas to record a substantive satisfaction decline were governance and leadership aspects, which fell by an average 4.5% to 7.05 – still a good level of satisfaction. Asked how Monash could be a better place in 20 years, the top five responses were: * More trees, greenery, green spaces * Less overdevelopment/density/high-rises * Better traffic management * More parks, gardens, open spaces, and equipment * Better planning and development. For more info visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/community-satisfaction-survey-2021 Soccer Plan adopted Soccer facilities, clubs and players will benefit following Councils adoption of the Monash Football (Soccer) Plan, which aims to expand the sport and make it more inclusive. The plan will improve facilities and grow non-traditional participation modes such as walking football, small-sided games and all-abilities programs. It follows extensive community consultation. Among other things, the plan supports working with clubs to deliver affordable memberships for casual and informal play, more opportunities for women and girls, and the development of multi-use facilities for junior programs, futsal and small-sided games. Subject to funding availability, Council will also work towards new synthetic pitches, minimum floodlighting standards, and surface and amenity upgrades for a range of clubs and facilities. At its July meeting, Council approved the plan, added Freeway Reserve to the surface upgrade list, and committed to review the dog off leash status of senior NPL venues as part of the 2021-25 Domestic Animal Management Plan. For more info visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au/monash-football-plan Monash Contact details: Monash Civic Centre, 293 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley Open from 10am-2pm (Subject to change), Monday to Friday Oakleigh Service Centre, 3 Atherton Road, Oakleigh Open from 10am-2pm (Subject to change), 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 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 Brian Little Although we couldnt celebrate in person due to the COVID lockdown, the news that Council had won two State awards for the Oakleigh Recreation Centre refurbishment and the Wellesley Sensory Playspace were greeted with great excitement. Many people across the organisation collaborated on these outstanding projects including our Active Monash team, Capital Works, Horticulture, City Design, Engineering and many more. Truly cross-organisational projects and ones we are very proud of. Keeping in touch with the community and ensuring we hear your concerns is critical to making sure we provide the services and facilities you need but also that we respond promptly when there is an issue. We use a number of means including webchat, social media, emails, phone calls, online or in-person meetings when allowed and also the Snap Send Solve app which allows you to take a picture of an issue, send it through the app where it logs the location and we can attend to it quickly. You are the eyes and ears of your local areas, so if you see something that has been damaged or is a safety concern, please let us know and we can work to fix it. Its this partnership with our community that I believe is at the heart of our high results for community satisfaction. We have again scored highly in this years results with a score of 7.3/10, a little lower than last years stellar 7.5/10. We are not the Council with the largest spend but we are a Council that focuses on customer service and delivery, and on listening and responding to our community. Its at the core of everything we do in our partnership with the community. To achieve these results during the challenges of COVID-19 has been extraordinary. Thank you to the team at Monash for their work during the past year and thank you to our community, for your input, expectations and working with us to improve your city. Thank you also to everyone who participated in the survey. Your feedback has been invaluable and will help us focus on what we need to do in the year ahead. 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 31 August from 7pm. The meetings agenda will be published on Councils website from 5.30pm on Thursday 26 August. Monash residents and ratepayers can ask questions at the meeting; all queries must be submitted to Council by 2pm on Tuesday 31 August. At the time of going to print, the public could not attend Council meetings in person, which is subject to change depending on the COVID-19 situation. The meeting remains a public meeting that the community can watch via our livestreaming service at webcast.monash.vic.gov.au Visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/meetings or call 9518 3555 OAKLEIGH POOL refurbishment Oakleigh Recreation Centre popular outdoor swimming pool is set for a facelift in time for summer. It will include replacement of caulking, glue and tiles that are old and lifting where required. The pool upgrade follows the $25M redevelopment of the Oakleigh Recreation Centre, which includes a larger gym, multiple fitness rooms, five new indoor multi-purpose sport courts and a state level gymnastics facility for Waverley Gymnastics Centre. Work on the pool refurbishment started on 1 July and is expected to finish in time for the summer swimming season. It cements the centre status as a state-of-the art facility and community asset that encourages residents to keep active. The works include: *Re-tiling the 50m pool walls, finger grips, end walls and hobs *Replacement of the dive pool perimeter wall tiles and painting the pool floor *Re-tiling the toddler pool floor *Re-tiling the learners pool floor *Refurbishment of stainless steel fittings and pool jet fittings in all pools. The centre 50m lap pool, dive pool, multi-purpose pool and toddler splash and play areas are open from November until March each year. For more info visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/Oakleigh-pool-upgrade Page 4 Share the Dignity This August, Council is joining the fight to end period poverty and we need your help. We are calling for residents to donate sanitary and period products including pads, tampons, maternity pads, incontinence pads, brand new reusable pads, period underwear, and menstrual cups. Join the fight and donate in August at 24 Monash Share the Dignity collection bins across all six library branches, our aquatic centres, maternal and child health centres, customer service centres and more. Share the Dignity works to make a real difference for those experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or doing it tough. Each year it collects period products for charities helping those who menstruate and need support. Full list visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/share-the-dignity Rail project Montclair car park update Council decided that it could not proceed with the detailed design of the Montclair Avenue car park project in Glen Waverley after the Suburban Rail Loop Authority (SRLA) notified Council that the land is likely to be required for stage one of the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL). The Glen Waverley Activity Centre is earmarked for a Suburban Rail Loop station. In March 2021, the SRLA notified Council of its intention to acquire six Council-owned pieces of land at: * 264-268 Clayton Road, Clayton (part) * 31-39 Montclair Avenue, Glen Waverley (planned car park) * 41-47 Montclair Avenue, Glen Waverley * 155 Coleman Parade, Glen Waverley * 5 Myrtle Street, Glen Waverley * 1/29 and 2/29 Montclair Avenue, Glen Waverley. As a result, Council has resolved that it is not feasible to continue the proposed car park detailed design. Council had undertaken substantial work on the Montclair car park project. It was expected to provide at least 874 car park spaces, including 369 new activity centre spaces, helping to alleviate parking pressure in Glen Waverley. Officers will continue to investigate alternative sites for car parking spaces, including the existing multi-level car park at 1-56 Bogong Avenue Glen Waverley as well as continuing to work with the SRLA on all options as Council considers that there is a joint responsibility to find alternative locations for the replacement car parking. For more info call 9518 3555 or visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/montclair-SRL 3x3 Ready basketball for kids Active Monash invites Expressions of Interest from eligible parents of children aged 10-12 in Clayton 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. It will run for eight weeks from Saturday 18 September 2021 with 60 places available. Express your interest by Tuesday 31 August 2021. Find out your eligibility and download the form at www.monash.vic.gov.au/3x3-ready Page 5 Tennis centre project moves into the design phase Anticipation is building as the $26.7million Monash Tennis Centre in Glen Waverley has moved into the design phase with the announcement that Touch Projects has been appointed to provide project management services. Council has also decided to retain the Halcyon Positive Ageing Activity Centre at its current location adjoining the tennis centre site. Users of the centre and their families have been informed and are pleased with the decision. Council has also advised nearby residents that the centre will remain. Touch Projects has overseen a number of major projects in Victoria, including the Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure Centre (Aquanation) in Ringwood for the Maroondah City Council and the Thomastown Recreation and Aquatic Centre for the City of Whittlesea. It has also collaborated extensively with Parks Victoria on projects, including the Wilsons Promontory Lightstation, Twelve Apostles lookout, Grampians Peak Trails project and the Port Campbell Creek pedestrian bridge. The next stage of the project is appointment of an architect. Council is currently assessing candidates with an announcement soon. It is expected that the design phase will continue until early-2022 with construction to start in mid-2022 and that the centre will be ready for play in early-2024. Council will continue to inform and consult with local residents as the design phase of the project progresses, including opportunities to ask questions, have your say and be involved. For more info call 9518 3555 or visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au/tennis UNITING to address homelessness The number of homeless men, women and children is growing in suburban areas and COVID-19 has further impacted the vulnerability of those without a safe place to call home. Monash is among 13 eastern and south eastern municipalities uniting to address homelessness with a best practice guide launched during Homelessness Week earlier this month, the Housing First for People Sleeping Rough Practice Guide for Local Government. Almost 25,000 Victorians were homeless on any given night pre-COVID-19 (ABS 2016 Census), including 755 in Monash. Council staff have since noticed more people experiencing homelessness. The 13 eastern and south eastern Council CEOs formed the Regional Local Government Homelessness and Social Housing Charter Group in late 2019 to end homelessness and advocate for more social housing. Led by Monash CEO Dr Andi Diamond, the Charter Group Councils recognise the growing need for suburban and local government advocacy for our most vulnerable through improved supports and more permanent and safe housing. The new guide acknowledges that homelessness is a complex issue requiring a triage of support including mental health, but the first step needs to be providing a safe and secure home. It outlines the problem and possible solutions based on current best practice. Participating municipalities include Bayside Council, the City of Casey, City of Cardinia, Frankston City Council, City of Greater Dandenong, Knox City Council, City of Kingston, Manningham City Council, City of Monash, Maroondah City Council, Mornington Peninsula Shire, City of Whitehorse, and Yarra Ranges Council. For more info visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/tackling-homelessnes Page 6 COUNCILLOR NEWS Cr Josh Fergeus It is great to be back for a second term on Council representing Oakleigh Ward! This term, Ive been joined by a second Greens Councillor, Dr Anjalee de Silva, who was elected to represent Mount Waverley Ward. A great deal of positive change was achieved from 2016-2020, and Im excited to see whats possible over the next few years. Earlier this year, Council supported my motion acknowledging the importance of Makarrata, truth-telling, justice, and reconciliation. In 2022, for the first time, Council will hold a dawn service on 26 January, acknowledging the loss of culture, language, and identity experienced by many First Nations people as a result of colonisation. We will also lower the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags to half-mast each year on that date, befitting a day of grief and remembrance. I hope this will be the beginning of a conversation within our community on the history of this land. Unfortunately we continue to hit roadblocks in getting sign-off from the State Government in two key policy areas. The Minister did not give permission to progress the protection of canopy vegetation and changes to the Monash Planning Scheme stating we should wait for the new controls the Government is proposing across the State. We have not seen what these propose yet. With respect to open space contributions, the independent Planning Panel asked that we provide our justifications back to them in a different way. As a result, weve been unable to reform our local planning scheme to meet the objectives of our community. Council is committed to progressing work on both matters and Ill continue to strongly support the efforts of Council officers to achieve a positive outcome for Monash. Our Zero Net Carbon Action Plan is now being rolled out, with Council operating on 100% renewable energy since the start of July. Im also working hard to support our community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. My budget bid to expand our involvement in Solar Savers was recently supported and will increase local access to solar power for low-income households across the municipality with no upfront costs. In other news, I was recently elected to the Board of the Victorian Local Governance Association by Councillors across the state. The VLGA is an independent organisation committed to supporting councils and councillors in good governance. I look forward to working on behalf of the local government sector in my capacity as a Board Director over the next three years. Finally, I want to commend our community members on their response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Its been wonderful to see neighbours supporting one another and to witness the creativity and innovation on display (just have a look at what our Library Service has been up to!). Stay safe. Were all in this together. Facebook @ JoshFergeusGreens, twitter and instagram @ JoshFergeus or visit www.joshfergeus.com.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 PIGEON PROBLEM addressed in Oakleigh Health and safety issues due to rising numbers of pigeons in Oakleigh will be addressed by encouraging them to relocate. Council understands that some residents enjoy feeding the birds on the corner of Portman Street and Station Street, opposite the Oakleigh Railway Station. But they present a health hazard and several residents and traders have complained about the mess. When pigeon poo lands on the ground, particles can become airborne and be ingested into respiratory systems. Direct contact with the poo can also transmit diseases. Signs will be installed around the palm tree on existing poles at Portman Street, and Council will use a range of methods to discourage the pigeons. First, we will enforce the local no feeding bylaw so pigeons will need to find food elsewhere and breed less. We will also use owl and eagle visual decoys, a bird noise device with predator sounds (eagles) and a sub sonic system which emits vibrations that deter pigeons. Combined, they will not hurt the birds but disperse them by making them uncomfortable. Reducing the pigeons long-term use of the site requires a significant effort that Council hopes will return the space as a safe and pleasant place to be. Thank you for working with us to improve this area. For more info: Steve McGrath, Place Manager call 0466 856 647 or email steve.mcgrath@monash.vic.gov.au FOOD RELIEF in Monash Monash community groups are providing food relief for families and students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Notting Hill Neighbourhood House street pantry was funded by Monash Councils COVID Quick Response Grant Program following increased levels of food insecurity, including among local tertiary students. The QRG program supports local groups and individual artists to help build community resilience and unity during and after the pandemic. A second street pantry funded by the Monash Community Grants Program will open at Fusion Oakleigh Youth and Community Centre by the end of the year. Both Street Pantries are delivered in partnership with non-profit food relief organisation Mazon Australia. It attracts community donations of non-perishable items such as canned goods, pasta, rice, toiletries, and long-life milk with a ‘give what you can, take what you need approach. Local volunteers and Neighbourhood House members built and painted the pantry using donated materials from Bunnings Notting Hill in a great example of ‘by the community, for the community. For more info on Councils Quick Response Grant Program for 2021/22 visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/awards-grants Playspace UPGRADESacross Monash Council provides a diverse array of play opportunities for children through our 138 playspaces where they can explore, create, imagine, interact and reflect. We will construct five new playspaces across Monash this financial year. Between August 2021 and April 2022, were upgrading Botanic Drive Reserve (Glen Waverley), Garnett Street Reserve (Huntingdale) and Octavia Court (Gardiners Reserve, Burwood). In September we are upgrading Petronella Avenue Reserve (Wheelers Hill) and in October Carlson Reserve (Clayton). The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Plannings Pocket Park program has funded upgrades at Cambridge Street Reserve (Oakleigh), Cameron Avenue Reserve (Oakleigh South) and Westerfield Drive Reserve (Notting Hill). Samada Street Reserve (Notting Hill) will receive interpretative signage, a fence mural, small picnic shelter, low ground level path lighting and two seats. Melissa Street Reserve (Mount Waverley) will have a new shade sail by September. We will be seeking feedback on other projects soon. For more info visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/playspaces Page 8 Bowness Photography Prize 9 September – 7 November The William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize has been providing a snapshot of Australian contemporary photographic excellence now for 16 years. See this years 52 shortlisted finalists online or at MGA and take the opportunity to be part of the Smith and Singer Peoples Choice Award. For more info visit www.mga.org.au/bowness-prize and address MGA, 860 Ferntree Gully Rd Wheelers Hill Detox Your Home Sat 18 September Take the opportunity to dispose of unwanted household chemicals for free. From cosmetics and cleaning products to car wax and weed killers - COVID permitting. For more info and to register your attendance visit www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/detoxyourhome Address Monash Waste Transfer and Recycling Station, 380 Ferntree Gully Rd, Notting Hill Author Talks Sarah Woodhouse Thurs 9 September 10.30am (Online event via Zoom) In Youre Not Broken, Dr Sarah Woodhouse discusses what trauma is and why it can be the root cause of so many problems. The book includes practical tools to help people shift out of their past trauma and into healing. This event is for ‘R U OK Day. Bookings at www.trybooking.com/BSVFV A Zoom link will be emailed within 24 hours of the event. The Ghosts Have Never Left Thurs 26 August, 10.30am-12pm (Online event via Zoom) Join John and Marie Watt as they discuss their book The Ghosts Have Never Left - Victorian Gold Rush Towns and the Stories They Could Tell. Enjoy a compilation of contemporary infrared and archival images of the glory days and haunting reminders of 21 Victorian Gold Rush towns. While researching the towns they realised each was connected in some way, with an important but often obscure or little known slice of Victorian history. Bookings at www.trybooking.com/BSKVI A Zoom link will be emailed within 24 hours of the event. Cosmic Cats Kids Show Sun 5 September, 2pm-4pm Formed from meteorite stardust, this cool crew will have you up and dancing with a variety of rock and pop songs from the 80s, 90s and today - COVID permitting. Aimed at all ages, but especially fun for kids. Address Clayton Community Centre, 9-15 Cooke St Free entry. Bookings open 9am, Mon 23 August Sol Nation Sun 12 September, 2pm-4pm Due to COVID-19 restrictions Sol Nation has been rescheduled to this new date. Sol Nation brings together a melting pot of Reggae, Samba, Funk, Salsa, East Timorese folk and African dance music. Address Oakleigh Carnegie RSL, 95-97 Drummond St Free entry. Bookings open 9am, Mon 30 August To book for both events: www.monash.vic.gov.au/winter-concerts-2021