Valley View December 2014/January 2015
Message from the Mayor
I am honoured to once again represent Moonee Valley as Mayor for 2014/2015. I am passionate about our community and love where I live.
I grew up here, was schooled locally and worked in the municipality for fifteen years prior to being elected on Council. It’s a fantastic place to live, work and play and I’m looking forward to a rewarding 12 months as Mayor. As a Council we are currently dealing with a number of major challenges, particularly in relation to planning issues. As Mayor, I am committed to working closely with the community to address these challenges, and will always strive to achieve the best possible outcomes for our residents. I will run the Conversations with the Mayor sessions again as I believe residents appreciate the opportunity to chat about their issues directly and informally. Check the dates at mvcc.vic.gov.au/conversations and join me at some stage of the year to discuss any issue you might have.
In September, Council received a letter from the Minister for Planning about Council’s proposed residential zones. It recommended that Council undertake further strategic work, including a more detailed Housing Strategy, to inform how the zones are applied. Council is revising its Housing Strategy with the aim of having the new residential zones in place as soon as possible.
Council continues to advocate for better public transport for Moonee Valley and we remain opposed to the eastern section of the East West Link project. If this project does proceed the impacts on Moonee Valley need to be reduced and our community should receive proper compensation. Council recently resolved to take legal action against the State Government in relation to this project. The next page has more details about the additional impacts that the latest design will deliver.
The Minister for Planning has introduced new planning controls for the Moonee Valley Racing Club which mean that the racing club can submit planning applications to Council to develop their site. Council still believes that further work needs to be undertaken by the racing club before any planning applications can proceed and we are speaking with the racing club to develop a Memorandum of Understanding so all parties are aware of their obligations.
In October, Council celebrated our community heroes at the Spirit of Moonee Valley Community Awards. I congratulate all those who were nominated. It was a special evening where our well-deserving winners were recognised across eight categories, and we named our 2014 Citizen of the Year, Jane Canaway.
It has been a big year for Council’s disability services. We recently endorsed our Disability Action Plan, which sets out the actions Council will take over the next ten years to support an inclusive community for people with a disability and their carers. This was a huge achievement. We also hosted a disability housing forum where over 100 people from the disability and housing sectors came to discuss the future of housing for people with disability in Moonee Valley. Council also celebrated International Day of People with Disability with community events in early December. This day promotes disability awareness, as well as the achievements of people with a disability.
There are lots of fun events and activities happening over the warmer months through our Summer in the Valley program. You can watch a film in the park or enjoy jazz in the park. You can celebrate the Year of the Sheep at Flemington Library or come along to the Moonee Valley Festival on Sunday, 22 February. Planning for the festival is well underway and we would like to hear from community groups, organisations and businesses who would like to host a stall.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I look forward to meeting many of you throughout the coming months.
Cr Narelle Sharpe
Moonee Valley Mayor
Council meeting dates
Public Forum
Tuesday, 9 December
Ordinary Council Meeting
Tuesday, 16 December
Ordinary Council Meeting
Tuesday, 27 January
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.
Moonee Valley City Council respectfully acknowledges the traditional custodians of this land – the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, their spirits, ancestors, elders and community members past and present.
East West Link
Council remains opposed to the eastern section of the East West Link project. If this project does proceed the impacts on Moonee Valley need to be reduced and our community should receive proper compensation.
Council resolved in a Special Council Meeting to take legal action against East West Link, separate to the Moreland and Yarra legal action.
Additional impacts on Moonee Valley
The latest design, current at the time of printing, included additional impacts on Moonee Valley beyond those outlined in the Comprehensive Impact Statement. These include:
· The introduction of a new arterial road linking Mt Alexander and Racecourse Roads through Debneys Park.
· Additional permanent land acquisition of 1.703 hectares of Council land.
· Increased traffic on local roads with the additional on and off ramps.
· Likely further increased to travel times on tram routes 57 and 59.
· Additional noise and air quality impacts – especially with the introduction of a new arterial road linking Mt Alexander and Racecourse Roads.
· Loss of Moonee Ponds Creek interface with Debneys Park.
· Visual impacts as the elevated roadways will dominate the skyline in Moonee Valley.
For the latest information on this project’s impact on Moonee Valley visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/eastwestlink
Residential zones update
In September Council received a letter from the Minister for Planning confirming that he has accepted the recommendations of the Residential Zones Standing Advisory Committee’s (RZSAC) report regarding our proposed application of the new residential zones in Moonee Valley.
The RZSAC report recommended Council undertakes further strategic work, including a more detailed Housing Strategy, to inform how the zones are applied.
This means the General Residential Zone will continue to apply to all properties that were previously zoned Residential 1 until this work is undertaken. The planning requirements within the new zone are very similar to the previous Residential 1 Zone.
Council is looking closely at the RZSAC’s feedback and has started to review its Housing Strategy. The Housing Strategy will then help to provide the strategic basis for any future application of the zones.
We will keep the community informed throughout the process of reviewing our Housing Strategy and propose to consult extensively on both this strategy and any future planning scheme amendment to apply the residential zones.
For more information, including a copy of the RZSAC report, visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/newzones or contact the Strategic Planning department on 9243 8888 or
Development of former market site
Council has been working to ensure any future development of the former market site in Moonee Ponds is well planned and managed.
In September Council asked the Minister for Planning to approve a Development Plan Overlay for the site. This process is called Amendment C147. The Development Plan Overlay is about taking an integrated approach and making sure the 1.34 hectare site is looked at holistically. The Development Plan, created by the site’s owners and endorsed by Council in October, aligns with the objectives and requirements of the overlay and provides more detail about the development that is appropriate for this site.
The site is located in the heart of the Moonee Ponds Activity Centre, making it vital to have an overall vision for how the land will be used and how future development will integrate into the busy surrounding shopping area.
The Overlay and Development Plan provide greater certainty regarding the nature and extent of any future development, ensuring that important planning considerations such as height and location of buildings, provision of open space and pedestrian links are thought through for the whole site in advance. Future planning applications will be assessed against the Development Plan to ensure that they are generally in accordance with it.
Leighton Properties entered into an agreement with Readings to purchase the site, comprising 40 Hall Street and 34-36 Margaret Street in Moonee Ponds, in 2013.
To stay up to date visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/majordevelopments or sign up to our Planning e-newsletter at mvcc.vic.gov.au/newsletters
Community spirit celebrated
Council held the 15th annual Spirit of Moonee Valley Community Awards on Friday, 10 October at the Clocktower Centre, to reward and recognise some of the city’s most active and generous citizens.
Each of the category winners received $250 to donate to their chosen charity or community group. The Citizen of the Year was awarded $3,000 for the charity of their choice.
Thank you to our generous sponsors: Foxtel, Moonee Valley Leader, Nelson Alexander, and Dwyer’s Painting and Maintenance Service.
Citizen of the Year
Congratulations to Jane Canaway who is Moonee Valley’s 2014 Citizen of the Year.
Jane also won the Contribution to Environment Award.
Jane has served the Australian Plants Society, Keilor Plants Group as a past President, is a long-term member of the committee and is the editor of the group's quarterly newsletter.
Jane's major contribution to the environment in Moonee Valley is her role as a steering committee member, contributing author and editor ofPlants of Melbourne's Western Plains: A gardener's guide to the local flora (2nd edition), published in 2012. Jane had a large role to play in the production of the book throughout the research and writing phase but also gave up an entire year of employment to devote to the editorial phase through to publication.
Jane's commitment to the environment in Moonee Valley can also be seen in her contribution to sustainable food production. Jane co-founded the Avondale Heights Community Garden and served as President from 2010 to 2014.
Contribution to Arts and Culture
Congratulations to our Contribution to Arts and Culture Award winner Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group (STAG).
2014 marks the 60th anniversary of STAG providing entertaining amateur theatre performances for locals and beyond. STAG has provided opportunities for budding actors, directors and technicians and has presented a wide range oftheatre for locals to enjoy over the years.
Contribution by Business to the Community
Congratulation to our Contribution by Business to the Community Award winner Bendigo Bank, Keilor East Community Bank Branch.
Since establishment 12 years ago, the Keilor East Community Branch of Bendigo Bank has provided financial support for a variety of projects and has been an important champion of the community.
Contribution to Family
Congratulations to our Contribution to Family Award winner The Helping Hand Project.
The Helping Hand Project is a mentoring program that supports young refugees to succeed in life and follow their dreams. The program provides refugees with one-to-one support to assist with homework, job seeking and settlement issues.
Contribution to Neighbourhood
Congratulations to our Contribution to Neighbourhood Award winner Allan Bruno.
Allan volunteers his time to the Rotary OpShop, RoadSTART, Moonee Valley Men’s Shed and manages the Rotary Club’s barbecue trailer, leading teams of Rotarians to support events across Moonee Valley.
Contribution to Older Persons
Congratulations to our Contribution to Older Persons Award winner Jessie Crerar.
Jessie has held the position of Coordinator of the St Johns Uniting Church Friendship Club for 23 years. The purpose of the club is to overcome social isolation and strengthen community connections for the frail and elderly in our community. Jessie’s role includes visiting potential members and their families, arranging monthly outings and liaising with Council for possible grants.
Contribution to Sport
Congratulations to our Contribution to Sport Award winner Elaine McLeod.
Through her voluntary work with Athletics Essendon, Elaine has held the positions of President, Committee Member, Social Committee Member, North West Region Delegate to Athletics Victoria, Athletics Victoria Official and she is a life member. For the last three years Elaine has taken on the role of coaching special needs athletes, she attends training sessions and assists in organising competition days and social events.
Contribution by Youth
Congratulations to our Contribution by Youth Award winner Jett Fogarty.
Jett devotes his spare time to volunteer with the Moonee Valley Youth Services team, the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance and Edmund Rice Community Centre. Jett is also serving a term as a Young Ambassador for the Shrine of Remembrance and at St Bernard’s College he works extensively with the Social Justice Group and the anti-bullying team.
News in brief
An accredited safe community
In October, Moonee Valley was formally certified a ‘safe community’ by the Pacific/Australian Safe Communities Network. This is a major achievement for Council, as we are the first Australian accreditation to be designated by the Australian Safe Communities Foundation.
The accreditation is the result of a four-year Community Safety Program, a collaborative program initiated by Council involving Victoria Police, State Government agencies, health services, local businesses and community members. The program offers a centralised coordination and direction for community safety activities, and has achieved some terrific results.
To find out more about Council’s Community Safety Program visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/safety or call our Community Safety Officer on 9243 1000.
Rivers to Recognition
We are partnering with five councils in Melbourne’s west on a project called Rivers to Recognition.
The project aims to raise awareness and promote discussion about recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and more specifically for the forthcoming referendum, to recognise First Australians in the Australian Constitution.
A concert Rock for Recognition featuring many high profile Aboriginal musicians and artists will take place on Sunday, 7 December in Williamstown and a free regional forum about constitutional recognition will take place in early 2015.
To keep updated visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/reconciliation
Call for stallholders for Moonee Valley Festival
Community groups, organisations and businesses are invited to participate in Moonee Valley’s largest community celebration on Sunday, 22 February from 10am to 5pm.
Reach an audience of over 30,000 people with a display, activity or site. Call 8325 1862 for an application form. Applications close on Friday, 9 January.