Page 1 Monash Bulletin November 2025 Safer cycling in Oakleigh INSIDE THIS ISSUE * Community planting day * New tree protections * Lighting up Eaton Mall * Brandon Park Reserve Page 2 A new future for Jack Edwards Reserve Message from Mayor, Cr Paul Klisaris It was my honour to be at the opening of Council new grandstand and facilities at Jack Edwards Reserve in Oakleigh, a project that is close to my heart and home. Home to the Oakleigh Cannons, the new facilities include a grandstand with 500 undercover seats, lighting upgrades, and modern facilities that will allow the Cannons to grow their programs – including creating more opportunities for women and girls teams. This $14.7m investment represents a dream and plan that began more than 25 years ago for football in Oakleigh. It has been a long journey, with setbacks and challenges, but Council and the football community have remained committed that young people and families deserved a home that matched their passion, love and commitment for their game. The grandstand was in use for the first time in August and looked fantastic full of people in Oakleighs iconic blue and white. The first of many games for the Cannons at their upgraded home ground. The project has been made possible by $8.2m from Council, $4m from the Victorian Government, $2m from the Australian Government and a commitment of $530,000 from the Oakleigh Cannons – three different levels of government coming together to create community sporting facilities here in Monash. Check out the new facilities at: monash.vic.gov.au/jack-edwards-opening Please get in touch if you would like to discuss any local matters: paul.klisaris@monash.vic.gov.au or 9518 3524. Community driven planting partnership When we renewed the Kelly Street landscape in Chadstone, we heard from locals keen to put on their gardening gloves and lend us a hand. In a wonderful partnership between community and Council, locals joined our team to plant new trees and more than 2,300 native shrubs, grasses and flowers. “We provided an opportunity for the community to play an active part in improving their local environment, creating a beautiful urban green space to enjoy,” Naomi, our Biodiversity Project Officer, said. “It was a wonderful day, and we had 24 volunteers help us plant an area more than 2,000 square metres.” The planting will help create a more appealing view by screening a soundwall that buffers sound from the Monash Freeway, with vegetation helping to further absorb and redirect traffic noise. We are planning more vegetation and greening projects, and community involvement or site suggestions are welcome. Let us know by emailing sustainability@monash.vic.gov.au Page 3 New tree protection controls now in place Newly introduced Victorian Government tree protection controls mean a permit is required to remove a tree. What does this mean? This change applies to all residential properties in Monash and across Melbourne. It means that a planning permit is now required to remove, destroy, or lop a canopy tree, if the tree: * is over 5m in height * has a canopy diameter of at least 4m, and * has trunk circumference greater than 0.5m. If you have a house on the land, a permit is only required for trees within 6m of your property front boundary and 4.5m of its rear boundary. Our diagram explains this. These new controls will assist in growing Monash tree canopy, helping cool our neighbourhoods and preserving our highly valued garden city character. How to apply for a permit? You can apply through our fast-track planning process, with decisions generally made within 10 business days. Applications need to include a site plan and reasons for removal. Council will consider issues including the tree health, size, contribution to neighbourhood tree canopy, and whether replacement trees are needed. Some parts of Monash are also covered by a Vegetation Protection Overlay (VPO). The VPO remains in place and you may still require a permit to remove, destroy, or lop a tree over 10 metres tall regardless of its location on your property. Visit monash.vic.gov.au/planning to apply for a permit or check if your property is covered by a Vegetation Protection Overlay. You can also call us on 9518 3555 to ask questions. Make the connection – cycleway open soon In time for the longer and warmer days, riders will soon be able to pull on their helmets to enjoy our new cycleway in Oakleigh. We are putting the final touches on works so cyclists of all ages and abilities can use a separated cycleway to ride safely through Oakleigh. Cyclists can now ride from Dandenong Road, down Atkinson Street and Hanover Street, to Burlington Street before heading down Oxford Street to join the Djerring Trail. Plans are underway to link the Scotchmans Creek Trail and Djerring Trail, which will then connect with Melbourne south-eastern suburbs. New line markings will let cyclists know when to keep an eye out for pedestrians or vehicles. Green markings indicate an exclusive bike lane, and yellow markings let drivers know they need to give way to pedestrians and cyclists at the shared crossing. When driving in the area, look out for changed parking conditions that prevent vehicles blocking the cycleway and help cyclists, drivers and pedestrians to see each other. More info: shape.monash.vic.gov.au/trail-connection Page 4 MONASH at a glance Glendi time Oakleigh Warrawee Park will come alive for two days of food, music and culture as Oakleigh Glendi 2025 marks 10 years as one of Monash most popular community events and celebrates our connections to our Greek community. Saturday 1 November (12-10pm) and Sunday 2 November (12pm -7pm). Visit monash.vic.gov.au/whats-on Author talk Hear from Porscia Lam, lawyer-turned autism advocate and author of The Unlocking: An Austism Story, as she shares the journey of navigating her son Harry autism diagnosis during the pandemic. Wednesday 29 October (6.30pm-7.30pm) at Mount Waverley Community Centre. Visit monlib.events.mylibrary.digital Speech therapy Do not know where to start with speech therapy? Join a speech pathologist to learn about their role in language and literacy development for 0-5 year olds, and what you can do at home to support your child development, on Tuesday 18 November (7pm) via Zoom. Visit monlib.events.mylibrary.digital Discover, Move, Connect This November, get active and make connections with our Active Monash Month. The program includes free and low-cost activities for all ages, including outdoor fitness circuits, yoga, and guided nature walks through parks and reserves. For an even bigger workout, sign up to our Summer Strong 4-week challenge. Living up to its name, our Active Communities team offers activities for people to keep fit in ways that suit them and the chance to build connections. “Active Monash Month is the perfect time to give something a go,” Adam Merrifield, Active Communities and Fitness Coordinator (pictured) said. “You might find a new routine, meet someone new, or build confidence.” Adam loves what he does, and making a difference, it is a passion of his. “It is not about doing things perfectly it is about finding what works for you, feeling supported, and having a bit of fun along the way,” he said. To see the full program visit monash.vic.gov.au/active-monash-month End gender-based violence Everyone deserves to be safe, equal and respected. In Australia, more than one in three women have experienced men violence. We all have the power to change this by building communities that start with respect, and Council is proud to once again champion 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with a series of events and activities. Our campaign starts on 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) until 10 December (Human Rights Day). Learn more and get involved at monash.vic.gov.au/16-days For support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. Page 5 How do you want your hard waste collected? We know how important our waste services are to residents and we are inviting you to shape how we deliver two key services in the future. Hard waste: How do you want your hard waste collected? During a week set by Council as it is now, or booked for a week that suits you? Let us know. Glass waste: The Victorian Government has instructed all councils to introduce a separate bin for glass collection by 2027 and we are asking people what size bin they would prefer. Visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au to provide feedback. Projection art lights the way in Oakleigh We are lighting up Eaton Mall in Oakleigh with a series of footpath projections by local artist Elle Abdo. Commissioned by Council and installed in September, the projections feature olive leaves in a rich Hellenic blue, as a tribute to the Greek community connection to the area. “I have watched Eaton Mall grow and transform over the years,” Elle said. “I feel so proud to have made this contribution to the vibrancy and colour of the precinct.” As soon it gets dark every night, the projections are activated by a photoelectric cell sensor. Visit monash.vic.gov.au/oakleigh-footpath-designs Separate waste charge to be introduced A full cost recovery waste charge will be introduced in Monash from July 2026. The separate waste charge will help us to manage the cost of waste, which is rising much faster than Council rates. In response to community feedback, we will: * provide financial support for concession card holders, people experiencing hardship and households with lower property values * investigate the option of a smaller bin at a cheaper price * provide transparent information about our waste costs and how the charge is calculated continue to advocate to the Victorian Government to delay the introduction of an additional bin for glass recycling. Visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au to learn what this will mean for your property. Page 6 Have your say on our Road Management Plan We are reviewing our Road Management Plan, which sets out how often we inspect and maintain our public roads and footpaths and how quickly we repair them. Monash has more than 750kms of local roads and 1,500kms of footpaths. We inspect the condition of our busiest roads once a year, and our busiest footpaths once every three months. Community satisfaction with our local roads, as measured by our annual community satisfaction survey, has been consistently good. In 2023/24, we received 320 requests for road repairs and met our targets 99% of the time, despite wetter conditions that can cause more potholes. Last updated in 2021, we have amended our Road Management Plan to respond to changes in Victorian Government timeframes for necessary approvals and to make it easier for our community to understand. Visit shape.monash.vic.gov.au before 28 October to review our amended plan and provide feedback. Pieces are in place at Brandon Park Reserve In just 48 hours, Brandon Park Reserve in Glen Waverley was transformed, as a fleet of trucks and a giant crane meticulously coordinated the delivery of 11 large pavilion sections. Mazenod Football Club and Mulgrave Wheelers Hill Cricket Club, which have a combined 33 teams and more than 400 players, will be based at the expanded facility that features four modern, female-friendly change rooms, a fully equipped kitchen, umpires and first aid rooms and external storage. Supported by the Victorian Government, the $4.6m project is set to move to Stage 2 in 2026, with plans to demolish the existing pavilion and build a new car park. Meanwhile, we are upgrading six synthetic grass tennis courts at Glenburn Tennis Club in Glen Waverley, as well as installing new LED lighting, replacing court fencing and installing tree root barriers to prevent future damage. At Glen Waverley Central Reserve, we are reconstructing the south oval, including the installation of 10 turf cricket wicket strips. We have recently completed a female-friendly change room upgrade at Tally Ho Reserve in Mount Waverley, delivering modern facilities to support women and girls in sport. And, as part of our Mount Waverley Reserve Masterplan, we are reconstructing the car park at Mount Waverley Reserve to improve accessibility for all visitors. Page 7 Councillor Column Cr Josh Fergeus (University Ward) This month I am pictured at Carlson Reserve in Clayton, where Council has recently completed a three-stage revitalisation. The playground, forecourt area and multi-sport courts area round out the new modern pavilion and mural. There is also a mini outdoor exercise station, water fountain and bench seating to complement the existing barbecue and picnic table, new bike racks and tree planting. If you have not had a chance to check out the space, I encourage you to visit. As I write this, Council is awaiting approval for our final design for the missing section of the Waverley Rail Trail between Jordanville and Mount Waverley train stations, a project I have proudly supported. Approval is due this month, so watch this space for further updates. Streetscape upgrades are underway in the Bellerive Avenue shopping strip in Mount Waverley. I have championed this much-needed project to support an accessible and relevant retail offering for the neighbourhood. The works include widening the footpath to improve access and increase the potential for outdoor dining, new street furniture and street trees, a raised pedestrian crossing to improve safety particularly for school children, and a new accessible parking space. Finally, I note the long-overdue introduction of tree protections across all planning schemes by the Victorian Government. You can read more about these new protections on page three of this Monash Bulletin. I hope these protections will have a significant impact on the retention of canopy trees on private land in our community. As ever I would love to hear from you about what needs attention in our neighbourhood. Please get in touch at any time. https://www.facebook.com/DrJoshFergeus https://www.instagram.com/JoshFergeus/# www.joshfergeus.com.au Next Council Meetings Tuesday 28 October, 7pm and Tuesday 25 November, 7pm Monash Civic Centre, 293 Springvale Rd, Glen Waverley Access meeting agendas and watch in-person or online monash.vic.gov.au/meetings Your Councillors Banksia Ward, Cr Cameron Little, 0472 523 241, Cameron.Little@monash.vic.gov.au Blackburn Ward, Cr Rebecca Paterson, 0437 959 163, Rebecca.Paterson@monash.vic.gov.au Gallaghers Ward, Cr Geoff Lake, 0411 645 281, Geoff.Lake@monash.vic.gov.au Gardiners Creek Ward, Cr Anjalee de Silva, 0424 679 096, Anjalee.deSilva@monash.vic.gov.au Jells Ward, Cr Elisha Lee, 0461 305 956, Elisha.Lee@monash.vic.gov.au Mayfield Ward, Cr Brian Little | Deputy Mayor, 0407 878 033, Brian.Little@monash.vic.gov.au Scotchmans Creek Ward, Cr Nicky Luo, 0451 560 398, Nicky.Luo@monash.vic.gov.au University Ward, Cr Josh Fergeus, 0466 465 421, Josh.Fergeus@monash.vic.gov.au Warrigal Ward, Cr Stuart James, 0413 184 250, Stuart.James@monash.vic.gov.au Waverley Park Ward, Cr Shane McCluskey, 0466 345 406, Shane.McCluskey@monash.vic.gov.au Wellington Ward, Cr Paul Klisaris | Mayor, 9518 3524 | 0412 516 026, Paul.Klisaris@monash.vic.gov.au You can contact Councillors via phone or email. Letters can be mailed to: PO Box 1, Glen Waverley, VIC 3150 monash.vic.gov.au/Councillors Page 8 Whats on in Monash Make a splash with $2 swims The Oakleigh Recreation Centre is your go-to destination this summer, with the pool season running from 1 November 2025 – 30 March 2026. To get you in the swim, we have an Opening Weekend Special, where you can celebrate the season launch with $2 aquatic entry on Saturday 1 November and Sunday 2 November, plus $2 swims every Tuesday and Thursday to the end of March. Visit activemonash.vic.gov.au Remembrance Day Sunday 9 November:Oakleigh Tuesday 11 November: Glen Waverley and Clayton. Monash residents are encouraged to attend local services to honour, thank and remember those who served. Services to commemorate Remembrance Day will be held in Oakleigh, Glen Waverley and Clayton and are organised by local Returned Services League (RSL) branches. Visit monash.vic.gov.au/remembrance-day-2025 Sport warming up Spring is here and, as the sun starts to shine, we have excellent sporting facilities catering for many spring and summer pursuits. If you are keen to dust off your bat or racquet, pull on the running shoes, and join a sporting club this summer, our online community directory is the perfect place to start. Clubs can update their details or add new ones to the directory. Visit monash.vic.gov.au/community-directory Open for inspiration Saturday 8 November, 10am-4pm Be inspired by five wonderful and diverse gardens as the Waverley Garden Club presents its annual Open Gardens Day at: * 75 Moriah Street, Clayton * 17 Heath Avenue, Oakleigh * 4 Wooral Court, Notting Hill * 31 Torroodun Street, Mount Waverley * 64 Timbertop Drive, Rowville Entry to gardens is free of charge. Find out more at waverleygardenclub.com Contact us 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) phone 1800 555 660 We welcome your feedback at media@monash.vic.gov.au Monash Council acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land that makes up Monash, 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.