Valley View February/March 2014
Message from the Mayor
Council has an important role to play in advocating for and on behalf of the community. Over the past few months Councillors and staff have been extremely busy responding to the East West Link Comprehensive Impact Statement and advocating for more to be spent on public transport improvements in the north-west. Please make sure you have a look at our website which includes our submission as well as a document outlining the community assets which could be impacted by this large project. Going forward, we will continue to advocate strongly to all levels of government to oppose this development and help them understand the negative impacts this project would have on our local area.
Council officers have also been assessing the report from the advisory committee on the revised Moonee Valley Racing Club Master Plan and are now developing a formal response. Council is likely to present its views on the report during the first quarter of the year. I will keep you informed of progress.
Three new planning zones are being introduced in residential areas across Victoria. These controls were introduced by the State Government to give greater clarity about the type of development that can be expected in different residential areas across Victoria. Council is working hard to develop what we think is the most beneficial way to apply these new zones within Moonee Valley. We must find a balance between managing our city’s growth, while protecting our residential lifestyle in order to provide a sustainable and safe community. Make sure you have your say when the proposed application of the zones is available for community consultation.
Council is inviting you to submit your ideas on projects or new initiatives that you think should be considered for the 2014/15 draft Council budget. This is the first stage of community consultation for the budget and submissions must be received by Sunday, 16 February. I encourage you all to make a submission and you can find more information in this issue of Valley View.
I was honoured to host this year’s Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony. It was a delightful event with 130 residents becoming Australian citizens and honouring our Australia Day Citizen Yvonne Kernan. Our Australia Day Ambassador was John Cain, who was Victoria’s 41st Premier. It was a wonderful day.
There are some exciting events being held in the coming months. Everyone should come along to the Moonee Valley Festival on Sunday, 23 February. It’s always a great day for the whole family with something for all ages, so mark it on your calendar and enjoy a lovely day in Queens Park. I look forward to seeing you there.
The Moonee Valley Leisure Challenge is on again with a month of activities for everyone. I encourage you all to get active and take the challenge to achieve a healthy and balanced lifestyle. To find out what’s on visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/leisurechallenge.
The Women in Business lunch is on Friday, 21 March. This event has become the highlight of Moonee Valley’s business event calendar, featuring some of the best inspiring and educational speakers. Be sure to book your tickets early!
We celebrate influences that communities from the Mediterranean have made in Moonee Valley with the Mediterranean Fiesta. I encourage you all to go along and enjoy the traditional music, arts, dance and culture on Sunday, 23 March.
Council is your voice in the community, so if you have a local issue that you want to tell us about, you can reach us on Council’s social media sites, come along to a Public Forum or talk to your Ward Councillor.
Cr Jan Chantry
Moonee Valley Mayor
Council meeting dates
Public Forum
Tuesday, 11 February
Ordinary Council Meeting
Tuesday, 25 February
Public Forum
Tuesday, 11 March
Ordinary Council Meeting
Tuesday, 25 March
Public Forums start at 6pm. Ordinary Council Meetings start at 7pm.
Public Forums and Council Meetings take place at the Civic Centre, 9 Kellaway Avenue, Moonee Ponds. Access is through the Pascoe Vale Road entrance.
East West Link – update
Council opposes the East West Link project. Since the project was announced, Council has committed to:
- strongly advocating to all levels of government for more to be spent on vital public transport improvements
- holding the Victorian Government accountable for the impacts this will have on our community, should this project go ahead
Summary of impacts on Moonee Valley
There’s no doubt the construction of the East West Link project will have a devastating impact on many areas within Moonee Valley.
This project will result in more traffic, less recreational and sporting opportunities due to the reduction in open space, reduced health and wellbeing outcomes for those living near the new toll road and significant loss of vegetation and wildlife habitat along the project corridor.
For futher details on the likely impacts of this project on Moonee Valley, and to view a copy of our submission visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/eastwestlink
Next steps
In early March the East West Link Assessment Committee will begin the formal hearings on the Comprehensive Impact Statement. Council will be appearing at the Assessment Committee Hearings and will be making a detailed submission on the issues we see as important. We will continue to remain active in this campaign. If you would like to be kept informed on Council’s position on this please email or for further information visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/eastwestlink
MVRC Update
During October, Council and the community participated in the advisory committee’s public hearing process to further progress the assessment of the Moonee Valley Racing Club Master Plan, and associated planning scheme amendments.
The advisory committee then took on board the feedback presented at the hearing and throughout the process and drafted a report with recommendations.
In late December, Council received that report on the racing club’s master plan. Council officers have been thoroughly assessing the report and developing a formal response. A copy of the advisory committee report is available on Council’s website at mvcc.vic.gov.au/mvrc. Council is now looking to officially present it views on the report through a formal Council meeting process which is likely to occur during the first quarter of the year.
For more information visit our website at mvcc.vic.gov.au/mvrc or the Department of Transport Planning and Local Infrastructure website at dtpli.vic.gov.au. To subscribe to regular Council email updates and stay informed about this project please send your email address to
Advocating for our community
An important role of Local Government is to advocate for and on behalf of the community. Many residents would have noticed Council being very active in this space recently by supporting the community and representing their views in relation to large project like those mentioned on this page - Moonee Valley Racing Club Master Plan and East West Link.
Council has developed a program to ensure this type of advocacy work continues throughout the current Council term and is focused on important local issues and themes and aligns closely with our Council Plan. The advocacy project continues to include large projects such as East West Link as well advocating on issues like:
· improved public transport in the area
· business investment and increased employment opportunities
· attracting funding for arts and cultural activities as well as leisure facilities
· improved health, wellbeing and learning outcomes for our community
· challenges for Moonee Valley due to population growth and development pressures
For more information about the advocacy project visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/advocacy
2014 Moonee Valley Festival
Sunday, 23 February, 10am-5pm
Queens Park, Moonee Ponds
Queens Park will once again come to life for our largest annual community celebration, the Moonee Valley Festival. Now in its 37th year, the festival is an exciting opportunity to bring the Moonee Valley community together to celebrate our diversity with a program for people of all ages and interests.
Come and join us for a fun summer day full of excitement with market stalls, roving performers, entertainment stages, business expo sites, delectable food stalls, amusement rides and community activities and displays.
· The Mayor and her fellow Councillors will host our traditional Champagne Breakfast, from 10am to 12 noon.
· Enjoy a variety of live entertainment on offer throughout the day. The CityLink Main Stage will feature Latin American band Orquesta Son De La Calle performing Latin rhythms including salsa, mambo and cha cha.
· The Bendigo Bank Community Expo will showcase local community group exhibits and the Community Stage will feature a diverse range of entertainment by local community performers.
· Join Peppa Pig in her Taking Turns Stage Show as she jumps in muddy puddles, drives in the car and flips pancakes. See Peppa Pig live on the Main Stage and Kids Stage.
· The Rendina Real Estate Kids Kingdom will feature free kids rides brought to you by by Moonee Ponds Central and fee interactive activities including art, craft and circus skills workshops, giant sand pits, as well as free face painting and stage performances featuring Kids Karaoke.
· Come along to the Local Arts Expo, brought to you by Essendon Mazda’s new Mazda 3, to find out how you can get involved in local art activities and get your hands dirty with some free art and craft activities throughout the day. This area will feature performances by Moonee Valley Brass and members of the community will come together to perform as the Moonee Valley Festival Community Choir.
· The Hall’s Taekwondo Health and Wellbeing Area will showcase local community groups and businesses with a range of interactive activities and workshops for all ages. Council will also launch the Moonee Valley Leisure Challenge on the day so be sure to sign up.
· Drop by the Sustainability Area and visit the local Community Gardens exhibits and see the Australian Wildlife Lectures display with live and preserved reptiles, spiders, birds and mammals.
· Calling all budding singers and performers! This year the festival is introducing Moonee Valleys Got Talent! Local artists will have an opportunity to perform on stage live!
· The Youth Area will feature airbrush art workshops where you can create your own masterpiece on a cap or bag! Or have your photo taken at the free photo booth!
· Join in the fun at Queens Park Swimming Pool. Play on the giant inflatable and enjoy other fun family activities. Entry is free!
· Free barefoot bowling at Moonee Ponds Bowling Club between 12 noon and 4pm, children welcome, with Devonshire Tea and refreshments for sale.
Enter our social media competition to win!
Tell us what the Moonee Valley Festival means to you in one word for your chance to win a 16GB Apple iPad Air valued at $600!
For competition details and how to enter visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/mvfestival
Apple iPad generously donated by Telstra Shop Moonee Ponds.
General information
Parking is limited. We encourage patrons to travel by public transport. Plenty of free bike parking will be available at the bike valet for the duration of the festival. Accessible facilities will be available.
There will be something for everyone, so gather your family and friends and join in the fun of one of the largest free community events in Melbourne.
A full program listing will be available on Council’s website from Monday, 3 February. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for festival news and live updates on the day (@mooneevalleycc).
Thank you to our sponsors:
Principal Partner:
CityLink
Major Partners:
Hall’s Taekwondo, Bendigo Bank, Rendina,
Sponsors:
Essendon Mazda, Moonee Ponds Central
Media Partner:
Moonee Valley Weekly Review
Translated text:
2014 Moonee Valley Festival
Date: Sunday, 23 February, 10am-5pm
Location: Queens Park, Moonee Ponds
Queens Park will once again come to life for our largest free community celebration, the Moonee Valley Festival. Back for its 37th year, come and join us for a fun summer day full of excitement with market stalls, roving performers, entertainment stages, business expo sites, delectable food stalls, amusement rides and community activities and displays.
Come along to the Local Arts Expo at the Festival to find out how you can get involved in local art activities and get your hands dirty with some free art and craft activities throughout the day.
Visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/mvfestival for more information or ‘join’ the event on Council’s Facebook page at facebook.com/mooneevalleycc/events.
Sports and leisure in Moonee Valley
Your ideas and suggestions are wanted!
How do you get your heart pumping? Would you like improved gym facilities, waterslides or water play spaces? Council wants to hear from you!
We are currently gathering information for our draft Sports Development Plan and our draft Aquatics and Leisure Centre Plan. These two plans will help capture our future vision for sports and leisure in Moonee Valley, and guide our investment in sports and leisure facilities in coming years.
Some consultation has already taken place with key stakeholders directly, however there are many more in the community that we would like to hear from.
Have your say and you could win!
Complete our survey for a chance to win a free six month membership at Ascot Vale Leisure Centre, East Keilor Leisure Centre or Windy Hill Leisure Centre.