Page 1 Monash Bulletin August 2022 Building for the future $90.6M program Council is focused on building for the future with its 2022/23 budget, detailing $90.6M in upgrades under our largest ever Capital Works program. In the year ahead, Council will continue to provide essential services to the Monash community and undertake a number of key initiatives including: * Council’s participation in a disposable nappy recycling pilot program, which creates materials such as cat litter from used nappies instead of sending them to landfill * Artwork supporting Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan to develop innovative strategies to explore, develop and embed strategies to advance reconciliation across Council’s workplace and the Monash municipality * Pilot program from Mulgrave Library supporting children with autism enjoy and interact with our library service * Feasibility study into a Seniors’ Exercise Park * Two additional festivals – a Moon Festival and a Seniors’ Expo. Council will also explore a proposal for an early years’ hub in Dorrington Drive (Mount Waverley). Funding has been allocated towards the Carbon Zero project which will see the implementation of the actions endorsed under the Zero Net Carbon Action Plan and progress Council to be carbon neutral by 2025. Turn to page 3 for more. More info visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au/budget, email mail@monash.vic.gov.au or call 9518 3555 Information in the August Bulletin is current at the time of going to print on 1 July. 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 Civic Precinct Project takes the next step Planning for the transformative Glen Waverley Civic Precinct project is progressing with ARM Architecture appointed to prepare schematic designs. In 2020 we carried out a feasibility study for the project. The study addressed issues including the dated condition of the Glen Waverley Library (the building was constructed in 1973) and what a modern library should look like and provide; the lack of dedicated space for civic ceremonies and large gatherings within the existing Council offices; and office accommodation. The feasibility study proposed some exciting design options, including a new three-storey building with two levels of library, a third level of office space and a new civic hall that would give us event space suitable for larger ceremonies, like our citizenship events and Sir John Monash Awards. Given the significance of this site, community consultation will form a major part of the design process and we will be keen to hear from local traders, users of the precinct and the wider Monash community. Once the design work and community consultation are completed, we will determine whether to proceed with a detailed design and, ultimately, whether to construct the new building. The Glen Waverley Civic Precinct is located off Kingsway, adjacent to the Monash Civic Centre and includes the current Glen Waverley Library. More info visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au Bin changes starting soon Next month the changes to our bin collection service will start with food and garden waste (green lid bin) collected weekly and landfill waste (red lid bin) collected fortnightly. There is no change to the recycling (yellow lid) bin dates. An information pack outlining the changes and including a new waste collection calendar has been sent to all Monash households. You can also find out information on when your waste will be collected on our website homepage at www.monash.vic.gov.au Scroll down to the What’s around me? All households will also be receiving a free sample pack of compostable liners for the small food waste caddy. We know this is a big change for the community but it is one we must make. Monash residents consistently tell us addressing climate change and our impact on the environment is a top issue for them. The Victorian Auditor-General’s Office estimates that Victoria will run out of landfill space by 2026. We simply can’t keep digging new holes in the ground and burying waste. We can all play a part in reducing the amount of waste we send to be buried in the ground. This one change will help address climate change and leave a healthier planet for future generations. Council is offering changes to households who need extra support because they have two or more children in nappies, have medical waste, or have large households and are in financial hardship. Come to one of our education sessions to learn what can go in your bins and how to reduce the amount of landfill waste in your red bin. You can book a one-on-one or family recycling education session. The session will run for 30 minutes on Zoom, at a time convenient for you. More info email mail@monash.vic.gov.au , call 9518 3555 or visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/bin-changes 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 Council recently passed it’s 2022/23 annual budget. Our focus is on driving local growth and investment by delivering critical programs and projects, whilst undertaking our largest ever infrastructure commitment of $90.6M. Many don’t realise that while Council rates are often front of mind as a bill is sent directly to ratepayers, rates make up only 3.6% of all taxation levied in Australia. Roughly 16% are state taxes, while the Federal Government collects the remainder. Council is concerned that this year the State Government has capped rate increases at 1.75%. Costs of construction, waste management and other services have escalated well in excess of 1.75%. Where expenses growth outstrips revenue growth, simply maintaining the status quo will see services and resources eventually reach breaking point. Monash has been, and continues to be, the lowest rating Council per capita in Victoria, with some neighbouring Councils having average rates more than 150% of what we charge. A annual percentage cap rise on rates means that the rich get richer, while the poor get poorer, and as the lowest rating Council, Monash falls further behind financially compared to other Councils. We continue to advocate strongly for the State Government to reform the rating system and make it fairer for all. We’re also celebrating the return of festivals and the joy experienced at being together. Our Emerge Festival last month attracted huge crowds and my kids loved it so much we had to go back again on the second night! I know from the feedback I’ve received, that many of you loved it too. More festivals are planned for the rest of the year including the return of our Carols event in December. Google “Monash Council Events” and sign up for our email newsletter to keep up to date. Improving cycling and pedestrian connections is important to our community. People are seeking different ways to move around and access where they need to go. We’re excited about the new dedicated pedestrian paths and cycleways between Scotchmans Creek, Monash University and Clayton Station, a joint project between Council and the Department of Transport. We’re also investigating linking the Scotchmans Creek Trail and Djerring Trail in Oakleigh, to create the missing 1.4km link that connects this pathway to others to link across various municipalities. Next month we begin the bin changeover with food and green waste bins collected weekly and landfill bins fortnightly. The information pack sent to you provides lots of information but if you have any questions or need further support, call us on 9518 3555 we are here to help you. 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. Have Your Say on dog off-leash policy We’ve undertaken an extensive review of dog off-leash areas in Monash and developed a draft off-leash policy for public exhibition and community consultation. Our review also 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. Monash residents and dog owners can have their say on the Draft Policy, as well as the proposed changes to off-leash areas and recommendations regarding fenced off-leash areas. Consultation will remain open until 30 September. More info call 9518 3555, visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au/dogs, email recreation@monash.vic.gov.au Building for the future (from page 1) Budget projects include: * Public toilets at Holmesglen and Galbally Reserves, and designing a public toilet for Napier Reserve * Construction of the Glen Waverley Sports Hub Tennis Facility * Pavilion upgrade to Mulgrave Reserve and design work for Mt Waverley Reserve pavilion * Playspace upgrades * Extension of the Bogong Car Park for replacement and additional car parking in Glen Waverley. The budget has been developed in line with the rate increase cap of 1.75%, as determined by the Minister for Local Government. Monash continues to have the lowest average rates on a per capita basis of all 79 Victorian Councils. This year the recycling and waste levy, a service charge introduced to meet rising costs in recycling and in the State Government’s landfill levy, will increase slightly from $42 to $46. Eligible pensioners continue to receive a $50 rebate on their rates and will be provided with a full waiver on the recycling and waste levy. Page 4 Bogong Car Park project moving forward Our planning for more car parking spaces required in the Glen Waverley Activity Centre has taken another step forward with a decision on a preferred schematic design option to upgrade and extend the existing multi-level car park in Bogong Avenue, Glen Waverley. We’ve also agreed that Katz Architecture, the lead design consultants, are to lodge a planning permit application for the preferred option. The preferred design is for an extension of four additional floors, providing 518 new car parking spaces for a total of 1032 spaces at the Bogong Avenue site. We’ve been steadfast in our commitment to providing additional, accessible and safe car parking spaces to residents and local businesses and we’d previously identified a suitable parcel of our land, at 31–39 Montclair Avenue, for redevelopment as a mixed-use multi-level car park. But in June 2021, we resolved that it was no longer feasible to progress with the detailed design of the Montclair Avenue car park following notification by the Suburban Rail Loop Authority (SRLA) that the land is likely to be required for stage one of the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) project. The Glen Waverley Activity Centre (GWAC) is the location earmarked for the SRL’s Glen Waverley station. The SRLA acquisition means that approximately 200 additional car spaces, currently on the site where the Montclair car park was to be built, need to be provided elsewhere in the activity centre. We undertook site investigations and identified an existing Council-owned multi-level car park, at 1–5 Bogong Avenue, as a site that could accommodate some of the additional and replacement car parking. A feasibility study earlier this year analysed the ability of the existing building to be extended by strengthening the existing infrastructure. While we expect the Bogong Avenue design to accommodate approximately 518 additional car spaces, we also expect a further 188 car spaces to be provided elsewhere in the GWAC, and it is imperative that an acceptable and appropriate solution for providing these car spaces is found. In particular, the car spaces need to be close to and easily accessible to the Kingsway spine - the heart of the activity centre. We’ve also been clear that we consider that the SRLA has a shared responsibility to provide for the additional and replacement car spaces and we’ll continue to work with them towards achieving this outcome. We will be undertaking an information session to engage with local traders and residents on the Bogong car park proposal and other activities and issues associated with the Suburban Rail Loop project. Consultation will also take place as part of the planning application process. More info visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au Preventing Gambling Harm Gambling continues to be a significant health concern in Monash with the municipality ranking the 7th highest Local Government Area in Victoria, and highest in the Eastern Metro Region, for gambling harm. More than $110M was lost each year from 2009-2019 to Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) in Monash. Council has a strong history of advocating on preventing gambling harm and supporting initiatives for change. Gambling is a public health issue which impacts not just individuals but also their families and communities. We have undertaken a review and update of our Public Health Approach to Gambling Harm Policy (2016-2020) and are seeking the community’s feedback on the updated policy. The updated policy reflects changes in the gambling landscape since the last policy was written. Gambling is now more accessible through online betting and gambling advertising is more prevalent. Council is involved in the planning and regulation of new EGMs through its role in the planning process. The first stage of consultation including a community survey and stakeholder engagement has been held. The second stage asks the wider community for their views. After considering feedback, a final version of the policy will go back to Council for endorsement. More info visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au/gambling Page 5 Consulting on outdoor dining in Monash Consultation on creating seasonal/ semi-permanent/permanent outdoor dining areas in activity centres across Monash will be undertaken with traders and the community to gauge their support for this initiative. The consultation will ask how traders and the community feel about the potential loss of car parking spaces to accommodate the outdoor dining areas and impact on car park spaces, what the look and standard of the enhanced outdoor dining areas should be and whether they are in favour of them being permanent or semi-permanent (only during warmer months). Temporary outdoor dining areas were put in place in Monash activity centres during COVID restrictions when indoor dining was not permitted. Rather than the temporary outdoor dining structures that were put in place quickly in response to the pandemic, Council will be looking at any new structures meeting urban design principles, and quality infrastructure and safety standards to create superior and attractive outdoor dining areas. Have your say from 18 July-22 August visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au, call 9518 3555 Update on the LGBTIQA+ Action Plan Everyone deserves to feel safe, welcome and celebrated in Monash, but we know our LGBTIQA+ community don’t always. Council has an important role to play to celebrate diversity, promote inclusion and to help address equity, safety and access for all people, which is why we are currently in the process of developing our first ever LGBTIQA+ Action Plan. The Action Plan will set clear priorities and goals for our work in this space for the next four years, to ensure that our LGBTIQA+ community are fully connected, supported and feel safe in the community. Earlier this year, we invited LGBTIQA+ people as well as their friends, families and allies to share their experiences, concerns and priorities. Around 150 participants took part in the engagement opportunities and have provided some initial thinking that will help inform the creation of a draft working document. Some of the things we heard included: * Information, networks, groups, and inclusive services are hard to find or don’t exist locally * Council needs to recognise and support LGBTIQA+ people from all intersections * People would like more opportunities to celebrate, meet and connect with other LGBTIQA+ people * Visibility and increased representation through signs, symbols and celebrations and events is vital * Accessible and inclusive council facilities, spaces, infrastructure and services was a high priority. Keep an eye out for our draft LGBTIQA+ Action Plan, which will be available for further feedback later this year. More info call 9518 3555 or visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au/LGBTIQA Page 6 COUNCILLOR NEWS Cr Brian Little As Council’s representative on the Metro Waste, Resource and Recycling Group (MWRRG) forum I have previously written about the waste and recycling space and the MWRRG. This is the last time I will. In 2016/17 Australia sent 1.25M tonnes of recycled materials to China which had the processing capacity. And China paid us for it. But in January 2018 China enforced its ‘National Sword’ policy not to accept such materials from overseas and shipments stopped. Even though the policy had been forecast for months beforehand it caught the Australian recycling industry by surprise. In 2019 it was revealed that SKM had been stockpiling recyclable materials in six massive warehouses in the north-western suburbs. They had signed 30 councils (thankfully not Monash) for recycling services. When the warehouses were full they stopped receiving materials and went into liquidation, leaving 30 councils without a recycling service and completely stuck. Victoria’s response was to take a ‘stick and carrot’ approach to the industry – though currently it looks more like a big stick and carrots thin on the ground. The ‘Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021’ resulted. It abolishes the MWRRG (thus my comment above) and creates Recycling Victoria (RV) which came into being on 1 July. RV has a strong mandate to set and enforce standards from councils and industry (including substantial fines), demand that all players in the recycling space report frequently and extensively, assist councils in procurement and contracting services, and drive the State towards a circular economy. It will also implement the Container Deposit Scheme. Councils have some challenging goals to meet: 80% of waste diverted from landfill by 2030, 72% by 2025, halve the volume of organic material in the red bin by 2030, to phase out problematic and unnecessary plastics by 2025. An empty pizza box is fine in the yellow bin, just remove any pizza bits first and place in the green waste bin. Just one plastic bag or a half full pizza box in the yellow bin can void an entire load of recyclables and send it to landfill - and that is likely to become increasingly expensive for us all. Feel free to contact me at 0407 878 033 or email Brian.Little@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 30 August, 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 Have your say We’re seeking community feedback on a draft urban design framework for the Monash Boulevards of Dandenong Road (Princes Highway) and Springvale Road. The draft Monash Boulevards Urban Design Framework (UDF) seeks to provide guidelines for future residential development and improvements to the public realm, as well as furnishing a bold and compelling vision to enhance the Boulevards as great places to live. The framework builds on the Monash Housing Strategy 2014, which identified the residential areas along the Boulevards as areas for future housing change and diversification. It also provides guidelines and controls that aim to produce high quality buildings, improve pedestrian and cyclist connectivity along the corridor, enhance landscape amenity and encourage sustainable design outcomes. We’re keen to hear from residents, tenants, landowners, workers, visitors to the area and local businesses about their views on the draft framework. Brochures and hardcopy information is available at the Clayton, Glen Waverley, Oakleigh and Mulgrave libraries and the Civic Centre in Glen Waverley. More info and to have your say call 9518 3555 visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au/boulevards or email strategicplanning@monash.vic.gov.au Cycle link design refined We’re progressing the proposal for a 1.4km cycling connection linking the Scotchmans Creek Trail and Djerring Trail in Oakleigh, but we’ll be undertaking further investigation into issues you’ve raised during community engagement held earlier this year. Our proposal to build a protected connection between the two trails will encourage cycling for people of all ages and abilities and will improve cyclist safety around the Oakleigh Activity Centre as well as setting-up an important north-south cycling link within the City. A concept proposal was presented for community feedback between March and May this year and more than 110 contributions were received. Thank you to everyone who made a submission. Responses were generally supportive of a cycling link between these two major trails but raised some issues, including safety concerns for local residents, drivers and cyclists. A preference for a more direct route along Council and VicTrack land was also raised. We’ll be investigating the concerns you’ve raised and will further refine our proposal, including alternative design options and route alignment, to ensure any changes provide the safest and most functional outcome. More info visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au/trail-connection Leading the way in paint recycling Monash has again led the state as number one paint recycler on the national paint recovery scheme Paintback, diverting unwanted waste from landfills and waterways. The scheme takes unwanted paint and paint packaging, from 150 collection locations across the country, and it is disposed of safely or repurposed for other industrial uses. Since the scheme began, Australians have disposed of around 30 million kg. Paint packaging and waste liquid are separated, the containers and the waste paint treated. Unwanted paint is also converted into an alternative fuel source replacing coal, or water is extracted and used by other industries. Monash was the first Victorian Council to sign up for Paintback when it launched in 2016 and has consistently topped the state list for paint collection at our Monash Recycling and Waste Centre in Notting Hill. The centre collected 145,629 kg of unwanted paint and paint packaging to February this year. Overall it has collected in excess of 1.2 million kg. More info call 9518 3767 or visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/monash-recycling-waste-centre Page 8 Bringing up great kids Tuesdays (9 Aug - 6 Sep), 10am – 12pm Bringing Up Great Kids is a free, 5-week program for parents/carers of children aged 2-10, and open to families in or connected with the City of Monash. Learn about children’s brain development, respond to children’s needs, understand the meaning of children’s behaviours, reflect on your parenting approach, and explore ways to be a more effective parent. location at Cabena Child and Family Centre, 22 Cabena Cres, Chadstone More info email familyservices@monash.vic.gov.au Dementia Friendly Group Class Wednesdays, 11.30am-12.30pm A friendly class specifically designed to help people with early-stage dementia move and exercise in a safe environment. This fun and engaging class is led by experienced and qualified instructors. The class helps to improve functional strength, flexibility and cognitive stimulation. Exercising helps to prevent falls and maintains healthy mind, body and spirit. Other positive effects include improved mood, sleep and quality of life. Location at Oakleigh Recreation Centre, 2A Park Road. More info call 8567 0333 or email carol.syer@monash.vic.gov.au Return to nature Held until 18 September Seen through the lenses of over 40 photographers, including colonialists of the 1870s and contemporary artists, Return to nature considers the Australian landscape in its many forms. From nature as something to conquer, to something to protect, this exhibition encompasses a range of approaches to landscape, including an enduring sentiment held by First Nations people that there is no separation between humans and the natural world, rather there is interconnection and interdependence. Location at MGA, 860 Ferntree Gully Rd, Wheelers Hill. More info visit www.mga.org.au Monash Youth Film Festival We’re calling on all young film makers with a connection to City of Monash to share their latest and greatest film creations. All submissions will have a chance to be shown on the big screen at Village Cinemas Century City Walk and win some amazing prizes. All genres are welcome. Submit your film by Sunday 14 August. Proudly hosted by Monash Youth Services and Quiksound Productions. More info visit www.monashyouth.org.au