Page 1 Monash Bulletin November 2022 Review of failing school crossings program Councils across Victoria are calling for an urgent review of the school crossings system after a survey found 97 per cent of councils have unsupervised crossings, potentially putting school children at risk. The survey of 40 councils revealed a school crossing system in crisis with: * 82 per cent of councils regularly facing crossing supervisor staff shortages * 87 per cent considering the system no longer fit for purpose. Monash Mayor Stuart James (pictured with crossing supervisor Fiona Woolger) is leading the campaign to fix the broken school crossing supervisor program on behalf of 24 Councils and the Municipal Association of Victoria. School crossing supervisors are highly valued members of our communities who provide road safety support for students walking or riding to school and help with traffic congestion issues around schools. But the system is failing. In 2016 the State Government acknowledged that the system needed a new model and committed to a broad strategic review of the school crossing system, a review Councils welcomed. However, the review has not progressed. We are calling on the State Government to now undertake a comprehensive review as a matter of urgency, given the concerning results of the Council survey. When the program began in the 1970s, it was a 50/50 shared model of funding between Councils and the State Government. It is now closer to 70/30 for many Councils with the burden of the program resting with Councils, even though education is a state responsibility. Councils believe the program needs a complete overhaul. It is more than 50 years since the program was introduced and it is time to look at how we can do it better and fairer. The pandemic has further undermined council ability to recruit school crossing supervisors. Councils have identified many hidden costs for the program at a time when they are already being squeezed by rate capping (where rates are set by the government) and soaring inflation costs. Support the campaign: Contact your local MP visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/advocacy-in-lead-up-to-state-election Carols by Candlelight is back - page 5 Page 2 Monash Contact details: Monash Civic Centre, 293 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley 8.30am-5pm, Monday to Friday Oakleigh Service Centre, 3 Atherton Road, Oakleigh 8.30am-5pm, 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 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. Monash Council acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we meet, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong People, and recognises their continuing connection to the land and waterways. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging and extend this to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. SUBURBAN RAIL LOOP Community supports Council stand Council continues to work with the Suburban Rail Loop Authority to achieve the best outcomes for the City of Monash from this generational transport project. Thank you to everyone who took part in our community consultation, where we received 723 submissions, and to the 150 people who also attended our information session. Overwhelmingly our community told us that you agree with Council position that the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) is a game changer for transport in Victoria and for shaping Glen Waverley future. However, you also told us that you share our key concerns of the project design: * That the existing Glen Waverley station should be undergrounded with a direct pedestrian connection to the new SRL station. * That Myrtle Street should be extended to create a ring road to support Council long-term vision for a more pedestrian-friendly environment on Kingsway. * That off-street parking options need to be considered close to businesses in Kingsway. * Council has advocated on this for a long time, and now we need your help. Before November Victorian election you may be visited or contacted by candidates. Tell them you support SRL in the City of Monash, but if we are going to build it, build it right. Ask them: * How will they ensure the SRL project creates a thriving Glen Waverley for the future? * What will they do to ensure the SRL station connects underground with the existing Glen Waverley station without street closures? * How can we save Kingsway from more traffic so it can be made more pedestrian friendly? * How the SRL Authority will ensure there is car parking available close to our businesses? More info visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au/srl Page 3 MESSAGE FROM Mayor Stuart James This month I had the great pleasure, alongside Member for Mt Waverley Matt Fregon, of officially turning the first sod on our world-class tennis centre project in the Glen Waverley Sports Hub next to the Glen Waverley Golf Course. This $26.7 million joint partnership between Council and the State Government will be an outstanding facility when completed in early 2024. It was fantastic to see so many club representatives and stakeholders in attendance at the event, and we are all excited to see this next step in the project now underway. Ahead of the State Election on 26 November, we continue to advocate on several key issues for our local area. Monash is leading a state-wide advocacy program, involving more than 20 Councils, asking the State Government to review the current school crossing supervisor program. Councils across the state have had many instances of school crossings going unsupervised due to a lack of staff, which puts our children at risk. The Government committed to a review of the program in 2016, however this has not yet occurred, and we believe this needs to happen immediately. Council fully supports the SRL project. During consultation of our Council plan, our residents identified transport and moveability around our city as a key priority. As the biggest employer outside of the CBD, and with big employment centres such as the Heart Hospital due to be completed shortly, the SRL will create critical north-south transport connections across the municipality. We want it built, but we want it built right. The existing Glen Waverley station should be underground, with direct pedestrian access to the new SRL station. Myrtle Street must be extended to create a ring road to divert traffic and allow for Kingsway to be the pedestrian friendly, enticing café and dining precinct Council has planned for many years. Our message to both parties seeking to lead our great state is to build this critical project, but to build it properly. This is a once in a generation opportunity to reshape our major activity centres, so it is important that we get it right. Your voice is absolutely critical for our advocacy asks. Check out the full list of our asks at www.monash.vic.gov.au/advocacy-in-lead-up-to-state-election and if you support all or any of them, write to your local candidates, raise it if they knock on your door, or approach them if you see them on the street. People power at election time is an amazing motivator. 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. Reimagining how you can shape Council budget We have made it easier for the community to share their ideas as we start work on developing the Council budget for 2023/24. We are offering you the chance to hold the imaginary Council purse strings and help us decide where funding is allocated across a range of areas. Your input will be used to help guide Councillors about what our community would like to prioritise, outside of essential services like rubbish, recycling, and family services. You can also submit a specific budget idea or proposal for consideration on behalf of yourself or a community group or organisation. Take part by Friday 25 November to have your feedback included, you can also see where other people have allocated their funding. More info visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au/budget23-24 Page 4 Construction starts in Glen Waverley Sports Hub  With shovels striking soil for the first time, construction of the $26.7million Monash Tennis Centre in the Glen Waverley Sports Hub is underway. After 20 months of planning, consulting and designing, our vision is ready to take on a more physical form with Monash Mayor Cr Stuart James and State Member for Mount Waverley Matt Fregon officially launching the construction phase of the project at a sod turning event at the Glen Waverley Golf Course. A large gathering of stakeholders, including from Monash Council, the Victorian Government North East Link Program, Tennis Victoria, Glenvale Tennis Club, Glen Waverley Golf Club, Waverley Softball Association, Waverley Night Netball Association and the local community, was on hand to celebrate the project milestone. Cr James and Mr Fregon spoke to the gathering and, as well as marking the significant milestone, thanked the many contributors to the project successful progress including project managers Touch Projects and lead design consultants Mantric Architecture. CICG (Commercial Industrial Construction Group) was also welcomed aboard after being awarded the construction tender. The project is an outstanding example of successful partnerships between Council and the Victorian Government; with Tennis Victoria and other sporting groups and stakeholders; and, most importantly, with the local community. Construction is expected to be in full swing shortly, with the centre ready for play in early-2024. When completed, the facility will feature a regional level tennis facility, golf practice facilities, public open space improvements, car parking, a pavilion and cafe and supporting infrastructure. More info visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au/tennis LISTEN TO NANNA start your Zero Waste Journey  Just about everything we purchase or use today involves plastic or waste in one way or another - it's hard to get away from it. Even trickier is wrapping our heads around the ways we can reduce the amount of waste we are generating at home. Join The Urban Nanna as she teaches us some simple and small, but very effective, steps we can take to reduce waste in our own homes, for the benefit of our environment and our own wellbeing. The Urban Nanna, a former-primary school teacher with a horticultural background, specialises in teaching people about traditional skills, crafts and methods of living but set in the framework of a modern-day world. As well as learning about our current waste challenges, our session will focus on simple but effective zero waste lifestyle alternatives for reducing your waste at home. Starting your Zero Waste Journey: Small Changes, Big Impact: Wednesday 23 November, 6pm-7.30pm In person or via Zoom location Function Room, Monash Civic Centre, 293 Springvale Rd, Glen Waverley or visit www.trybooking.com/CBYHC Recycling safety tip no batteries or electronic items Batteries and electronic items can not go into your kerbside bins. An electronic item includes any item with a plug, battery or cord. If placed in kerbside bins, these items can cause fires inside collection trucks or at sorting facilities, putting staff and the community at risk. You can take batteries and electronic items to the Monash Recycling and Waste Centre in Notting Hill, or to other drop-off locations around Monash. More info visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/e-waste Page 5 OUTDOOR DINING back for warmer months Council has endorsed an extended outdoor dining program for the coming warmer months following consultation with both residents and businesses. Outdoor dining was embraced by our community as Victoria emerged from COVID lockdowns. Building on this support, a new trial Parklets on Roads Policy enables eligible hospitality businesses to activate car parking spaces in the City of Monash, where road conditions allow, partnering with Council existing footpath trading program to create more options for hospitality venues. Eligible businesses can apply for a six-month permit, with fees in line with what businesses pay for footpath trading permits. A range of safety, design and permit conditions apply. To shape this new trial policy, we heard from close to 1000 people - including 400 targeted phone calls with Monash residents and 100 with Monash-based businesses. Thank you to everyone who took the time to provide feedback and help shape the future of outdoor dining in the City of Monash. To make sure this trial policy is right for Monash, further consultation will take place with hospitality traders in the program before the end of the year, after this Council will decide whether the policy (including any possible changes) will become permanent. More info visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au/outdoor-dining Seniors are - Coming together, stronger than ever We are proud to present the 40th Annual Victorian Seniors Festival. The festival is in full swing but will continue until Monday 31 October, so there is plenty of time to get involved with the wide range of free and low-cost events and activities for older residents. Our theme for this year event is - Coming together, stronger than ever. The program is packed with more than 120 Council and community group events to keep you entertained. Full program call 9518 3555 or visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/seniors-festival Once again tis the season to be jolly Sunday 4 December After a three-year hiatus, the joyous strains of Jingle Bells, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Rockin Around the Christmas Tree and Silent Night will rise skyward above Glen Waverley Jells Park as a much-loved Monash institution makes its return this December. Sidelined by the COVID pandemic in 2020 and 2021, Carols by Candlelight 2022 is set to make its eagerly awaited return on Sunday 4 December. Celebrations will get underway at 5.30pm and will usher in the festive season with a spectacular fireworks display at 9.15pm. Since starting in 1988, the Monash Carols has grown to become the largest event of its type in Melbourne, attracting around 20,000 people every year. This year, as we steadily work our way back from the challenges of the past three years, the event will provide an ideal opportunity for Monash to come together, throw a blanket on the ground and, on a warm summer evening, join each other not only in song but in community spirit. With restrictions governing large-scale live events during the COVID-19 pandemic, last year event was cancelled and the 2020 event was held online. We have been working hard to bring this beloved live Carols event back this year and were determined that it would be bigger and better than ever - so we are excitedly looking forward to joining you all at Jells Park in December! More info visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/festivals Page 6 COUNCILLOR NEWS Cr Anjalee de Silva In 2020, I made a commitment to work on your behalf to ensure the Waverley Rail Trail is extended to close the gap between Jordanville and Mount Waverley. I am pleased to say that this financial year Council is conducting detailed design work on a new section of shared-used path that would finally see the Trail completed. The next step is seeking support for construction from the State Government. Recently, Council also passed a motion calling on the relevant State Government departments to deliver a range of safety improvements to one of our popular local walking tracks, Scotchmans Creek Tunnel. I am passionate about active, environmentally friendly transport, so if you have a walking or cycling project in your neighbourhood that needs attention, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Recently, the Local Government Inspectorate advised Councils that they should keep a register of Councillor interactions with property developers, a key part of my election platform. As a result, Council will now invite the Inspectorate to brief us on this advice and consider further steps. As we continue to experience high volumes of development around Mount Waverley, Ashwood, and Chadstone, it is critical that residents and ratepayers have confidence in our planning decisions. I continue to be supportive of a publicly accessible register and, in the interests of transparency and good governance, I hope it can be implemented soon.  Finally, it is no secret that one of the reasons I love Monash is our beautiful public open spaces. As our population increases, the amount of open space we have per person is decreasing. Amendment C169 to the Monash Planning Scheme seeks to address this by ensuring that large property developers pay their fair share towards maintaining, improving and expanding our public open spaces. This month, an independent panel appointed by the Minister for Planning will review Amendment C169. This amendment has been a long time coming, and is vital for protecting our green open spaces into the future. I look forward to reading the panel report and sincerely hope the Amendment will be supported. Feel free to contact me at call 0424 679 096 or email Anjalee.deSilva@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 29 November, 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 Draft LGBTIQA+ Action Plan “I am starting to feel more valued as a queer resident of Monash after many years of feeling less visible.” Earlier this year, we asked our community to share their voice and help us to better understand and respond to the experiences and needs of the LGBTIQA+ community in Monash. This first stage of consultation included a community survey, focus groups and stakeholder engagement. We have collated all feedback and are now excited to present the draft version of our inaugural LGBTIQA+ Action Plan to our community. The Plan represents a deliberate and significant commitment in our journey towards raising the LGBTIQA+ community profile and identifies clear goals and actions to improve the safety, visibility, social inclusion and health and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ people in Monash. We are now seeking further feedback on whether this Plan adequately captures your vision and ideas for improving the lives of LGBTIQA+ people in Monash. We will then present a final version of the Action Plan to Council for endorsement. For more info and to have your say by Sunday 23 October 2022 visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au/LGBTIQA Volunteer with Monash Meals on Wheels Do you enjoy driving and being part of a team? We are on the hunt for new volunteer drivers to deliver meals to our older and more vulnerable Monash residents. Monash is fortunate to have a large group of volunteers whose hard work and commitment to supporting others is at the heart of our community. There are many opportunities to volunteer throughout Monash, however right now we need new volunteers to deliver meals on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. You do not need to be available all three days, you can let us know your availability! If you have a current Victorian Driver License, your own car and are willing to donate a small portion of your time to deliver nutritious food, we want to hear from you! Register your interest at www.monash.vic.gov.au/volunteer or email volunteer@monash.vic.gov.au Gambling harm and young people Gambling Harm Awareness Week encourages us to talk about harms associated with gambling, and the effects they can have on our communities. Council has a strong history of advocating to reduce the harms caused by gambling and will partner with other councils to deliver an online education session, focused on gambling harm reduction. Smartphones, online games and gambling ads on TV have changed the gambling landscape significantly. This workshop assists parents, carers, young people, and interested community members to learn more about the harms associated with these forms of gambling. It features experts and a panel discussion by lived-experience speaker from ReSpin, Fred Rubinstein; Lead researcher and advocate on gaming and harm prevention at Deakin University, Professor Samantha Thomas; and Gamblers Help Counsellor, EACH, Melanie Marsh. Thursday 20 October, 7.30pm–8.30pm (Via Zoom) www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=947763& More info email alyssa.huxtable@monash.vic.gov.au Page 8 Family Fun Day Sun 13 November, 11am-3pm Batesford Reserve, 94 Batesford Rd, Chadstone   The FREE event, from 11am to 3pm, will feature community activities, stage performances and amusements. The community is encouraged to join in the craft and sporting activities, say hello to the reptiles and celebrate with music and dancing.  Food and drinks will be available to purchase.  More info visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/festivals Tips for growing healthy trees Wed 9 November, 6.30pm–8pm Learn how to keep your trees in tip-top shape with Dr Greg Moore, eminent expert on tree health and ABC Melbourne regular, as he discusses how to keep your trees healthy. Find out how to look after the trees in your garden and how to select tree species to plant that are suited to your home, plus more. Monash Civic Centre, Function Room, 293 Springvale Rd, Glen Waverley Bookings essential call 9518 3555 or visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/healthy-trees Get Moving it is Active Monash Month Join us for a month of free activities and adventures in November. Get moving and participate, your way, while having fun and discovering new places in Monash. Things to look for during Active Monash Month: * Introduction to injury prevention and mobility workshop * Intro to fitness * Skateboarding session * Family Try Bowls Day and BBQ * Zumba in the Park and Masala Bhangra * Boosting bike confidence for women * Nature Explorer Playgroup at Valley Reserve * Family Walking Group at Wellington Reserve * Active Kids @ Monash Aquatic and Recreation Centre * Active Abilities @ Monash Aquatic and Recreation Centre * Teen Fit @ Monash Aquatic and Recreation Centre * Sports Locker * Dementia Friendly Group Class * Family Scavenger Hunt * Active Outdoor Classes * Tai Chi * Meditation * Circuit * Walking Group * PramFIT * Family Walking Group More info visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/active-monash-month