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Monash Bulletin | October 2014
New street lights coming your way
Monash Council’s largest-ever environmental initiative is about to get underway, with energy efficient light
globes to be put in 8,200 street lights from November.
The $3.3 million project has three benefits:
ͫͫ it will cut Council’s greenhouse gas emissions by 18%
ͫͫ it will end up saving Council millions through lower
electricity bills and maintenance costs, and
ͫͫ it will provide stronger lighting of local streets.
Several residents have told Council they would like
improved lighting in local streets. The new lights will
direct as much light as possible onto the footpath and
road, creating a safer environment for pedestrians, cyclists
and drivers.
It is expected to take about five months to install the new
globes in street lights across Monash, with the works to
begin in Ashwood. Workers will use an elevated platform
to remove the mercury vapour globes and replace them
with energy efficient lights. It will take about five minutes
to replace each street light so there should only be minor
disruptions to traffic. There will be no disruption to the
supply of electricity to homes, and cars can remain parked
on the street during the works.
The cost of this lighting project will be paid off within about
six years, from the savings made through lower electricity
bills and maintenance costs.
For more info, visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/street-lighting
or contact Kim Hanisch, from Council’s Infrastructure
Division, on 9518 3709 or at kim@monash.vic.gov.au
Parking permit review
Family day care update
Bike path upgrades
» page 4
» page 5
» page 7
Community grants on offer
Monash Civic Centre
293 Springvale Road
Glen Waverley, 3150
Hours: 8.30am to 5pm
Monday to Friday
Oakleigh Service Centre
3 Atherton Road
Oakleigh, 3166
Hours: 8.45am to 5pm
Monday to Friday
Telephone Facsimile
9518 3555 9518 3444
National Relay Service
1800 555 660
mail@monash.vic.gov.au
www.monash.vic.gov.au
Language Assist
Directory
Local community groups are
encouraged to apply for a Monash
community grant, with applications
open until Monday 1 December.
The grants are mainly for community
projects that will run in the July 2015 –
June 2016 financial year. In some cases
applications will be accepted for funding
that begins in July 2015 and continues over
three years. Nearly $2.6 million in cash and
in-kind support (e.g. free use of local halls)
is expected to be distributed to not-forprofit community groups and organisations.
Council staff can assist community
members in applying through the online
grant application system. Free 90-minute
training sessions in how to use the online
system are being held in community venues
throughout
November.
For more info,
visit www.
monash.
vic.gov.au/
community/
grants or call
9518 3526.
Down Syndrome
Victoria is a
current recipient
of a Monash
Community Grant.
Next Council Meeting
Other
languages
We welcome feedback
about the Monash Bulletin.
Please give us your
comments on 9518 3678 or at
ainslieg@monash.vic.gov.au
Council will hold its next meeting on
Tuesday 28 October, from 7.30pm. The
meeting will be held in the Council
Chamber of the Monash Civic Centre (293
Springvale Rd, Glen Waverley).
Community members are welcome to attend
and can submit questions in advance for
consideration at the meeting. The meeting’s
agenda will be published on Council’s
website on the Friday prior to the meeting.
For more info, visit www.monash.vic.
gov.au/meetings or call 9518 3555.
Gwen’s a gem
There is no better time than now
- during the Victorian Seniors
Festival - to celebrate Gwen
Clark, the winner of this year’s
Sir John Monash Positive Ageing
Leadership Award.
At 82, Gwen shows no sign of slowing
down, continuing to devote her time
to the well being of others. She still
provides pastoral care at the Monash
Medical Centre, as she has for the
past 21 years. “To share with people,
especially when they are not well, and
to give them someone to communicate
with is very special,” she said.
Gwen (pictured with her nominator
Milroy) knits clothing for premature
babies who are being cared for at the
medical centre. A Clayton resident, she
has also volunteered for many years at
Dixon House Neighbourhood Centre,
teaching crafts and helping people
develop cooking skills.
Elizabeth Adnams and Philip Terry
were highly commended in the same
category of the Council-organised
awards. Elizabeth has been a girl
guides leader for 30 years and is also
the president of the Scotsglen Singers,
a community choir. Phil has helped
support his community through many
volunteer roles including delivering
library books to housebound residents
and serving as a member of the
Monash Men’s Shed Welfare Team.
For more info, visit www.monash.vic.
gov.au/awards or call 9518 3619.
Message from Mayor Geoff Lake
Family Day Care decision
Last month I wrote in this column
about the challenges for the future of
Council’s Family Day Care service.
Family Day Care is an alternative form
of childcare to centre-based care and
approximately 300 Monash families
currently access our service. Due to
Federal Government budget cuts, the
cost to Monash ratepayers is forecast
to rise to around $450,000 next
financial year.
Following strong feedback from
parents and carers (called educators),
Council decided against the
recommendation of our officers to
cease the service. Instead, we resolved
to do all that we can to continue to
provide the service on the condition
that it is delivered on a cost-neutral
basis and without subsidy from
Monash ratepayers.
We have been consulting further with
parents and educators on appropriate
fee increases and cuts to Council’s
overhead costs to achieve cost neutrality
for the service without compromising
the high quality of the service.
I am very happy with this outcome
and think it is the right one. Council’s
Family Day Care service is highly
regarded and one of the best
Family Day Care services available
anywhere. We are proud of it and
want it to continue. However, we
equally recognise it is not fair to other
families or ratepayers generally to be
subsidising the care costs for this one
particular group of families.
Visit to Monash Uni Mosque
Earlier this month I visited the Monash
Uni Mosque along with Council’s Chief
Executive Officer. We wanted to visit
after hearing reports of some Muslims
in Australia being attacked or harassed
in public places in response to some of
the recent events occurring overseas.
We had a valuable discussion with
members of the Mosque about some
of their recent experiences and we
stressed Council’s appreciation of the
significant contribution they make to
our local community.
I am disappointed by the dog-whistling
of the Prime Minister and some other
national leaders who have recently
raised concerns about traditional
Islamic dress. I congratulate other
conservative leaders like Denis
Napthine, Julie Bishop, George Brandis
and Tim Wilson who have distanced
themselves from such rhetoric.
Australia is a great place because of
our rich multiculturalism and nowhere
is that on better display than here in
Monash. Australia deserves leaders
who bring people together in a spirit
of multiculturalism, not who seek to
erode it through peddling division.
www.geofflake.com.au
geoff.lake@monash.vic.gov.au
0411 645 281
@geofflake
Support for nature strip and cat desexing plans
Council is progressing with plans to introduce a fine system for property
owners who refuse to maintain nature strips.
The aim is to help ensure Monash’s
neighbourhoods are attractive and
well kept. About 67% of the approx
300 people who participated in a
recent survey (or gave feedback via
letters, email or phone calls) support
the introduction of a $200 fine. Fines
would only be used as a last resort,
after property owners had ignored
two previous Council requests to
mow the nature strip. People who are
not physically and financially able to
maintain the nature strip would not
be fined and would instead receive
assistance to maintain the nature strip.
As the next step, Council has included
the proposed fine system in a new local
law which it has put out for community
comment. Feedback on the proposed
local law – which covers many other
community amenity matters as well as
the nature strip issue – is sought until
Friday 7 November.
Council has also recently sought
community views on making it
compulsory for any newly registered
cats to be desexed. Compulsory cat
desexing helps decrease the number
of unwanted cats being born. About
79% of the approx 300 residents
who provided feedback said they
supported compulsory cat desexing.
In line with this feedback, Council has
decided that from 1 January 2015 it
will be compulsory that cats being
registered for the first time in Monash
be desexed. Exemptions will apply if a
cat is kept for breeding purposes or if
a vet has advised against desexing for
health reasons.
For more info on the proposed
new local law, visit www.
monash.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay
Submissions (marked ‘local law
review’) can be sent via email to
mail@monash.vic.gov.au or via
mail to PO Box 1, Glen Waverley
3150. Enquiries: 9518 3696.
monash bulletin
page 3
Have Your Say
We’re listening
Council wants to make sure we are
providing our residents with the
services and support you need.
Brickmakers Park, Oakleigh*
Saturday 25 October,
10.30am-12.30pm
We are visiting local neighbourhoods
on weekends, and during the week,
to make it easier for you to raise
any local issues with us. Please
come along to any of these Council
“listening posts” and tell us how we
can serve you better.
Positive Ageing Expo, Mount
Waverley Community Centre
Tuesday 28 October,
10.30am-12.30pm
For more info, visit www.monash.
vic.gov.au/haveyoursay or call
9518 3678.
*FREE community BBQs will be
provided at these events.
Glen Waverley North Reserve*
Saturday 15 November,
10.30am-12.30pm
Parking permit re-think
We are seeking community
views on the residential parking
permit system in Monash and
how it can be improved.
Under the current system, residents
who live in streets where there are
parking restrictions can receive free
parking permits from Council. These
permits enable residents to park
in ‘permit only’ spots or in ‘time
restricted’ spots near their homes
without any time restrictions. Up to
two parking permits can be issued
for a stand-alone home, while one
permit per unit can be issued for
a site with 2-4 units. Residents of
blocks with five or more dwellings
are not eligible for any parking
permits. Instead, developers of
new multi-unit developments are
encouraged to provide enough offstreet parking to meet the needs of
their future residents.
In recent months, several residents
across Monash have told Council
that they need more permits than
they are eligible for under the
current system. In response to these
concerns, Council has decided to
Forums on planning
and building
ͫͫ Are you interested in finding out more
about the Monash Housing Strategy
and the new residential zones?
ͫͫ Want to know how residents like you
can become more involved in local
planning decisions?
ͫͫ Did you want info on what works
require a building permit?
review its policy. As the first step in
this review, we are asking people to
give us their views on the current
system and their suggestions for
improvement. We are seeking
this initial feedback by Friday 28
November. We will use this feedback
to develop a revised policy which we
will put out for community comment
in February/March next year.
To give us your views, fill in an
online survey at www.monash.
vic.gov.au/haveyoursay or send
your thoughts (marked ‘parking
permit feedback’) to mail@
monash.vic.gov.au or PO. Box 1,
Glen Waverley 3150. You can also
provide feedback over the phone
by calling 9518 3555.
Come along to our community
forums where we will provide current
information about planning and building
regulations, and answer people’s
questions. Council staff will make short
presentations, and then throw open the
discussion for questions and comments.
The FREE forums will be held:
ͫͫ Wednesday 12 November, 7pm-9pm
Clayton Theatrette, Clayton
Community Centre, Cooke Street
ͫͫ Monday 17 November, 7pm-9pm
Mount Waverley Community Centre,
47 Miller Crescent.
There is no need to RSVP; just turn up on
the night. For any enquiries, please call
9518 3463.
Family day care survey
Parents who use Monash’s Family Day Care service
have recently been surveyed to see whether they are
willing to pay higher fees so the service can continue.
The survey of about 300 families was due to finish in
mid-October. The 54 contracted educators who care for
Monash children were also surveyed about future options
for the service.
At its 28 October meeting, Council will be considering the
survey results and a report from Council staff on what
cost savings could also be introduced across the program.
Council will consider this report and decide whether to
continue the service.
For several months, Council has been discussing future
options for the service with parents, educators and its Family
Day Care staff. Council was forced to begin reviewing the
service after the Australian Government announced in May
that it would be withdrawing funding for Family Day Care
services. Monash has previously received about $255,000
per year from the government to help run our service.
Separate to the government funding, Council spends about
$180,000 per year delivering the service. Council has
decided that if it continues to provide a Family Day Care
service, the service must be delivered on a cost neutral
basis. This is because it is not fair to other Monash families
if revenue from Council’s rates is used to subsidise the
childcare costs of
the small group of
families using the
Family Day Care
service.
If Council was to
decide to discontinue
the service, there
are other providers
of Family Day Care
who could provide
a similar service in
Monash. However,
families and
educators involved in
Council’s service have
said our service is of a very high quality. This is why we are
exploring all options to see if the service can be continued.
For more info, visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/familyday-care-survey or contact Lucas Gosling, Acting
Manager - Children's and Family Services, on
9518 3562 or at lucasg@monash.vic.gov.au
Proposed land sale
Council has moved to the next stage of considering
a land sale in Oakleigh.
The proposal is that Hanover Street Project Pty Ltd
purchase the site, on the corner of Hanover Street and
Atherton Road, for $5.05 million. The developer has
proposed a seven storey apartment building with retail
premises on the ground floor.
At its September meeting, Council decided to negotiate
a proposed contract of sale with the developer and to
consult with the community about the proposed sale.
Council believes the development could benefit the area
by providing more housing and a new supermarket, and
contributing to the ongoing vibrancy of Oakleigh.
Community consultation on the proposed land sale is
expected to begin in coming weeks or from February next
year. Consultation will not occur over the busy Christmas
holiday period. If Council ends up deciding to sell the
land, the developer would then lodge a detailed planning
application and there would be further consultation with
surrounding residents about any planning matters.
The Hanover St site currently provides car parking for local
businesses and customers, and is the home of the Oakleigh
Rotary Sunday Market. During initial community consultation
in August, residents raised several concerns about the
proposed development. These concerns included the loss of
car parking and the need to ensure the market continues.
Council agrees with residents that the market needs to be
retained in Oakleigh and will work with the Rotary Club to
find an alternative site before a final decision is made on
the sale of the land. If the development was to go ahead,
it would add 77 visitor car spaces to Oakleigh. Existing
trader parking, and some short-term public parking, at the
Hanover St site would need to be relocated to other areas
including local streets and Warrawee Park Oval. This would
involve changing the time limits in these areas so all day rail
commuter parking is no longer available.
For more info, visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/
proposed-land-sale or contact Frank Bua Giancarro,
Coordinator - Property, on 9518 3419 or at
frankb@monash.vic.gov.au
monash bulletin
page 5
Councillor News – Cr Micaela Drieberg
We’re lucky in Monash because we’ve got some wonderful
parks where our dogs, including my Zoe (pictured), can
exercise and socialise. I’ve had many of you approach me with
some great suggestions for how we can improve our parks by
installing drinking fountains and dog waste bag dispensers.
I’m pleased to report that fountains, which include separate
drinking areas for people and for dogs, will be installed at
nine parks before Christmas with many more installed over
the following 18 months. Meanwhile, we’re also going to trial
dog waste bag dispensers at five parks, including Southern
Reserve (Mulgrave). There are
so many responsible dog owners
who pick up after their dogs but
a small minority does not. So we
are providing these waste bag
dispensers so that the responsible
option becomes easier.
I’d like to take this opportunity
to congratulate our winter
sports clubs on the season just
past and wish our summer
sports clubs all the best for the
season ahead. A big thank you
to all the volunteers who keep
our sports clubs going. Without you many families would
not be able to enjoy all that community sport has to offer.
If you’re looking to try out a new physical activity, Active
Monash Month this November might have something for
you (see leaflet enclosed).
On a different note, we are still awaiting news from the
Planning Minister on how he will decide on Mirvac’s
application to change its planning permit for the Waverley
Park estate. Mirvac wants to keep the estate’s high
voltage powerlines overhead. I’m so impressed by the
perseverance of the Waverley Park Residents Action Group
in standing up for residents’ rights. It’s been an honour to
work with such a dedicated group of people.
Speaking of lobbying, I am now Monash’s representative on
the Metropolitan Transport Forum, an advocacy group which
includes 24 Melbourne councils and other transport bodies.
Monash is advocating for more investment in public transport,
especially the creation of the Rowville train line which would
deliver a much-needed train station to Mulgrave.
As always, if I can assist you in any way please contact me
on 9570 4602 or at micaela.drieberg@monash.vic.gov.
au or join us at one of our community listening posts in a
neighbourhood near you.
Mount Waverley Ward
Warrigal Road
Glen Waverley Ward
Blackburn Road
Your Councillors
Mount Waverley
Ward
Highbury Road
Glen Waverley
Ward
Oakleigh
Ward
North Road
Centre Road
Cr Geoff Lake
Mayor
9518 3509 or
0411 645 281
Geoff.Lake@
monash.vic.gov.au
Cr Katrina Nolan
0406 274 126
Katrina.Nolan@
monash.vic.gov.au
Cr Brian Little
0407 878 033
Brian.Little@
monash.vic.gov.au
Mulgrave Ward
Cr Robert Davies
0416 000 777
Robert.Davies@
monash.vic.gov.au
Cr Micaela Drieberg
9570 4602
Micaela.Drieberg@
monash.vic.gov.au
Cr Jieh-Yung Lo
0400 235 363
Jieh-Yung.Lo@
monash.vic.gov.au
Cr Rebecca Paterson
0437 959 163
Rebecca.Paterson@
monash.vic.gov.au
Springvale Road
Poa th Road
Wa verley Road
Prin
ces
Hw
y
PLEASE ADDRESS ALL
CORRESPONDENCE TO
PO Box 1,
Glen Waverley 3150
Councillors’ faxes:
9518 3444
Oakleigh Ward
Cr Paul Klisaris
9518 3555
Paul.Klisaris@
monash.vic.gov.au
Cr Stephen
Dimopoulos
Deputy Mayor
9579 3118
Stephen.Dimopoulos@
monash.vic.gov.au
Cr Bill Pontikis
0418 355 166
Bill.Pontikis@
monash.vic.gov.au
Mulgrave
Ward
M Wellington Road
on
as
hF
re
ew
ay
Police Rd
Cr Theo Zographos
9530 9793 or
0430 316 911
Theo.Zographos@
monash.vic.gov.au
Preventing disease
Children can receive FREE vaccinations
at immunisation sessions run by
Council’s nurses.
FREE vaccinations are available for children
who have an Australian Medicare card (or
are eligible for one). The aim is to prevent
diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella and
whooping cough. Eligible adults are also able
to access some FREE vaccines. Bookings are required for evening
sessions but not for morning sessions.
To book or for more info, visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/
immunisation Enquiries: 9518 3534.
November Session Times
Wed 5, 10am-11.30am
Thurs 6, 10am-11.30am
Tue 18, 10am-11.30am
Mon 10, 10am-11.30am
Mon 17, 6pm-7.30pm
(Bookings required)
Tue 11, 6pm-7.30pm
(Bookings required)
Fri 28, 10am-11.30am
Wed 12, 10am-11.30am
Fri 21, 10am-11.30am
Tue 25, 10am-11.30am
Mount Waverley
Community Centre
Clayton Community Centre
Ashwood Hall
Oakleigh Seminar and
Training Centre
Brandon Park Community Centre
Mulgrave Community Centre
Civic Centre, Glen Waverley
Advocacy on Mount Waverley police station
More than 1,000 Mount Waverley residents have signed a petition
calling on the Victorian Government to honour its 2010 election
promise to deliver a 24 hour police station for Mount Waverley.
Council took up this issue after it
was revealed that the station will
only open for 16 hours per day.
In a recent letter to Mount
Waverley residents, local MP
Michael Gidley has accused
Council of misusing public funds
by raising this issue. Mr Gidley’s
comments are unfair and wrong.
Council’s decision to advocate
on this matter is in response
to residents unhappy with this
broken promise and was made
at a public Council meeting. It
is disappointing that Mr Gidley
seeks to criticise Council for
standing up for local residents
who are entitled to expect what
they were promised during an
election campaign. Monash
Council has a proud record of
sticking up for local residents
regardless of which political
party is in power.
Council has a duty to advocate
on behalf of our community
to other levels of government.
Council still hopes that Mr
Gidley and the Victorian
Government will respond to the
community’s request that the
government honour its promise.
Bike path upgrades
Several bike path projects will begin soon, in
line with Council’s decision to boost funding
for cycling infrastructure.
In this year’s budget, Council has allocated
$517,000 for improvements to the local cycling
network, a 40% increase on the previous year. This
is in response to feedback from local residents who
have said Monash needs better bike paths.
Upcoming projects include:
ͫͫcreating a three metre wide concrete path
along a 690-metre stretch of Blackburn Rd in
Clayton, from Wellington Rd to Duerdin St. This
shared path will replace an existing ‘goat track’.
Monash University is contributing $70,000
towards this $180,000 project, as the path will
also benefit their students. Works are expected
to begin before the end of 2014 and take about
six weeks to complete
ͫͫ replacing a narrow shared path along
Scotchmans Creek Trail in Oakleigh, between
Stamford and Huntingdale Roads. The new three
metre concrete path will meet today’s safety
and usability standards. Work on this path is
expected to be completed by June 2015
ͫͫ filling in a missing link in the Glen Waverley
Rail Trail, along Railway Parade South (between
Binalong and Beatrice Avenues, Chadstone).
Council is seeking approval from VicTrack, which
owns the land, and hopes to begin this next
stage of the path in early 2015.
As well as these physical works, Council is planning
to establish a Monash Bicycle Users Group. This
will provide local cyclists with an avenue to share
information and to advocate for further bike path
improvements. Early next year, we will call for
interested residents to join this group.
For more info, visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/
cycling or contact James Paterson, Manager
– Engineering, on 9518 3414 or at james@
monash.vic.gov.au
monash bulletin
page 7
WHAT’S ON
Young people speak up
Are you aged 14-25 years and interested in having a say in
your local community? Why not consider joining the Monash
Young Person’s Reference Group? This group of young
people meets monthly to take action on issues that are
important to young people; to have fun; and to share ideas
and enthusiasm.
For more info, visit
www.myfs.org.au/
programs or contact
Bill Kendall, from
Youth Services, on
9518 3900 or at
billk@monash.vic.
gov.au
Garage sale bonanza
Saturday 25 October
If you’d like to make someone else’s trash your
treasure, visit a garage sale or two on national Garage
Sale Trail day. About 90 garage sales were held in Monash
during this event last year and we’re hoping for just as many
this year. Council supports this event because it helps ensure
goods are recycled rather than sent to landfill.
For more info, visit www.garagesaletrail.com.au or
call 9518 3049.
...at Monash Gallery of Art
Photography Meets
Feminism exhibition
For more info, visit www.mga.
org.au or call 8544 0500.
From Saturday 1 November
Come enjoy our 50-metre lap pool, dive pool, multi-purpose
pool, and toddler splash and play areas. The outdoor
aquatics area at the Oakleigh Recreation Centre (Park Rd) will
be open throughout summer until 31 March 2015.
For more info, visit www.oakleighrecreationcentre.
com.au or call 8567 0333.
Follow Your Recyclables tours
13 and 14 November
Ever wondered what happens to the rubbish and recycling
you put in your bins? Take a Follow Your Recyclables tour
to the Clayton Landfill and the ReThink Centre where you’ll
learn about the sorting process of recycling and see the
material recovery facility in action. FREE tours will depart
from Central Reserve, Glen Waverley, at 10.30am on both
days, returning at about 2.45pm.
Bookings are essential and can be made on 8326 9227
or at natasha.primo@visy.com.au
Greek festivals galore!
Oakleigh Greek Glendi
Warrawee Park (Oakleigh)
Saturday 1 November
and Sunday 2 November,
Midday-10pm
Dimitria Festival
Atherton Rd (Oakleigh)
Sunday 16 November,
Midday-8pm
Runs until 7 December
This exhibition features the
work of Australian women
photographers from the 1970s
and 1980s. During this period,
feminists used the medium of
photography to raise awareness of
critical social issues. Don’t forget
it is FREE to visit the MGA (860
Ferntree Gully Rd, Wheelers Hill).
Oakleigh outdoor pool re-opens
Ruth Maddison
1979 from the series
Let’s dance
courtesy of the artist
Witness some amazing
dance and musical
performances - and enjoy some delicious food - at two
separate Greek festivals being held in Oakleigh during
November. The first of these FREE festivals is organised
by the Greek Orthodox Community of Oakleigh and
District while the second festival is organised by the PanMacedonian Association.
For more info, visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/events or
call the event organisers on 0423 486 137 (Oakleigh
Greek Glendi) or 0418 530 937 (Dimitria Festival).