Valley View February/March 2016Moonee 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. Council also extends this respect to the elders and descendants of other Aboriginal peoples.

Message from the Mayor My first few months as Mayor have been busy but have also given me the opportunity to meet many residents. I have officiated a number of events including Remembrance Day in Queens Park, the launch of the Afton Street stormwater harvesting project and our Australia Day Citizenship

Ceremony. I attended events for International Day of People with Disability, joined with other residents to bring in the festive season at Carols in Queens Park and I have enjoyed attending numerous community events.

I have been asked on a number of occasions how people can get involved in Council’s work. We often have opportunities for residents to become volunteers and assist with many of our services and programs. I encourage you to visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/volunteers for a list of current volunteer openings.

Residents can also get involved by attending a Council meeting. We hold Public Forums on the second Tuesday of the month where residents can play an active role in local matters by asking Councillors questions or presenting to Council. If you would like to see how Council makes decisions for the community then I encourage you to come along to an Ordinary Meeting on the fourth Tuesday of each month. As always, you are welcome to contact myself or my fellow Councillors directly to discuss any ideas you have for our community.

Despite not being the responsible authority, we remain committed to helping the community stay informed about the proposed Flemington Racecourse development. We held two information sessions in December to help the community stay updated, understand the advisory committee process and how to make a submission during the State Government’s forthcoming public consultation. Council will be making a submission which will focus on issues such as the scale of the proposal, traffic and parking impacts and community facilities. I strongly encourage you to get involved by voicing any concerns you have about this large proposal to the VRC, your local member and by making a submission once the consultation starts.

I am proud to lead a Council that is committed to improving the environment and making small changes which can have big impacts. We will soon start a trial that will allow food waste to go into green-lid bins and then be turned into compost. This will help to divert food waste from landfill, which will help to reduce landfill. The trial is just for Area 2 Thursday collections at this stage as we ensure that our processes work, but we aim to roll this out in a staged approach to all residents towards the end of the year. If you do not have a green-lid bin or you’re not in Area 2 Thursday, then your food waste does not have to go to landfill. If you have the space I

encourage you to create your own compost in your garden. Every little bit helps our environment.

There are lots of events happening over the next few months with our Women in Business lunch, the Mediterranean Fiesta, the Paddock to Plate event at Flemington Farmers’ Market and we’re running an Active kids Easter hunt for the first time. I encourage you to head along to an event and take the time to try something new in our great city. If you see me out and about, please feel free to come up and have a chat.

I look forward to seeing you at the Moonee Valley Festival and encourage you to visit my fellow Councillors and myself at the Champagne Breakfast which starts at 10am.

Cr Andrea Surace

Moonee Valley Mayor

Council meeting dates

Public ForumTuesday, 9 February

Ordinary Council MeetingTuesday, 23 February

Public ForumTuesday, 8 March

Ordinary Council MeetingTuesday, 22 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.

Flemington Racecourse updateAt the time of going to print, the advisory committee appointed by the State Government to consider the Victoria Racing Club’s proposal to develop two parcels of land at Flemington

Racecourse, was due to submit its Stage one report to the Minister for Planning on Friday, 18 December.

The Stage one report will outline whether there is sufficient information to proceed to Stage 2; formal exhibition of the material and consultation with the community. If consultation does go ahead, it is expected to take place in early 2016.

The State Government is the decision making authority for this proposal, not Council. Just like the community, we will be looking at the final development proposal in detail, making a submission to the advisory committee and participating in the public hearing when the time comes.

Some of the areas we will be considering are:

Strategic justification - there should be a robust strategic justification for the proposed height and scale of a development in this location, which addresses both the Moonee Valley Planning Scheme and Plan Melbourne.

Traffic and transport impacts - the surrounding road and intersection network will experience increased car traffic, the impacts of which must be modelled and adequately addressed, as should the increase in demand for good access to public transport.

Parking impacts - the proposed development could add to on-street parking pressure on Moonee Valley roads and must be addressed in the proposal, as should how the impact of any loss of off-street parking for event patrons would be managed.

Social impacts - the proposal must consider the social impacts of the development on both the future residents of the proposed development and the wider existing community. This includes issues such as connectivity with the surrounding area, community facilities, liveability, housing affordability and diversity, public transport and community safety.

Event impacts - the proposal should consider the impact of events at the racecourse and adjacent Flemington Showgrounds on the future residents of the proposed development.

Open space and streetscapes - the proposal must consider how the proposed development will fit into and impact on the surrounding landscape, including existing residential areas and the Maribyrnong River, as well as the open space and amenity required by the additional residents.

Planning controls - the planning controls proposed must include a development plan to clearly inform future planning permit applications and provide a level of certainty to both Council and the community.

Developer contributions - the proposal must consider financial contributions to both Moonee Valley and Melbourne City Councils to assist with the provision of facilities and infrastructure to meeting the additional residents’ needs.

We remain committed to keeping residents informed and have every opportunity to participate. To that end we held two information sessions in December, with a further information session

to take place once the final proposal is released to help the community with the submission process in more detail.

This is an evolving project and the best way to stay informed is at mvcc.vic.gov.au/flemracecourse or by signing up for our Planning and Development e-newsletter at mvcc.vic.gov.au/newsletters

Essendon Junction Structure Plan In November Council adopted the Essendon Junction Structure Plan, a long-term document to guide future growth and development within the Essendon Junction Activity Centre.

The structure plan provides a vision to guide changes to land use, how people access and move around the area, the design of buildings, open spaces and improvements to infrastructure, while complementing existing heritage and preserving valued characteristics.

Council will now start to implement the structure plan’s actions. This includes undertaking a State Government process called a planning scheme amendment to get some of the structure plan initiatives included in the Moonee Valley Planning Scheme.

The planning scheme has more weight as a decision making tool and will help Council to control the future growth and development of Essendon Junction in line with the adopted plan. This planning scheme amendment process, likely to take place in 2016, will involve a third round of consultation with the community.

For more information visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/essendonjunction

Moonee Valley FestivalWhen: Sunday, 28 February, 10am-5pm

Where: Queens Park, Moonee Ponds

The annual Moonee Valley Festival will be popping up again for a free day of summer fun.

Delicious food

Food stalls and festive treats galore! Join the Mayor and Councillors at the Champagne Breakfast from 10am to 12 noon. Foodies will love the cooking demonstrations featured in the OneWorld Area.

Live entertainment

Music and dance performances all day with the CityLink Main Stage a highlight. Be surprised by the colourful performers roving the festival.

For kids

They’ll have a blast with live shows at the Rendina Kids Kingdom featuring the colourful Magical Mountains plus free kids’ rides and free interactive activities including art and craft, giant sand pits, face painting and yoga workshops.

Live action

Kick up your heart rate watching the physical feats showcased at the Hall’s Taekwondo Health and Wellbeing Area or get in on the action by joining the interactive workshops for all ages.

Community

Find a new hobby, join a workshop, test your green thumb, get crafty or just be amazed by the talent of your neighbours with performances and demonstrations from local community groups in the Cultural Area, City West Water Sustainability Area and at the Bendigo Bank Community Expo.

Play

Free barefoot bowls for the whole family, with a barbecue and refreshments on sale at Moonee Ponds Bowling Club from 10am to 4pm. There’s free entry to Queens Park Swimming Pool and the famous giant inflatable plus heaps of extra activities to keep everyone entertained.

Win!

Upload a quick clip of your favourite Moonee Valley Festival 2016 moment to Instagram with #MyMVFestival to win an iPhone 6 thanks to Telstra Shop Moonee Ponds.

General informationParking is limited. We encourage patrons to travel by public transport or take advantage of the free bicycle valet service to park your bike.

We endeavour to make the festival accessible for all members of our community. Accessible facilities will be available.

For the full program and further information visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/mvfestival or ‘join’ the event on Council’s Facebook page at fb.com/mooneevalleycc/events

Thanks to our sponsors:

Principal Partner:CityLink

Major partners:

Bendigo Bank, Hall’s Taekwondo, Rendina Real Estate

Sponsors: City West Water

Media Partner:Leader Community News

Translated text – only appears in English below2016 Moonee Valley Festival When: Sunday, 28 February, 10am-5pm

Where: Queens Park, Moonee Ponds

The annual Moonee Valley Festival will be popping up in Queen’s Park again for a free day of summer fun.

The festival brings the Moonee Valley community together to celebrate our diversity with a program for people of all ages and interests.

Come and be part of the excitement with market stalls, roving performers, live music, dance and entertainment, workshops and activities, the business expo, delectable food, and carnival rides.

Visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/mvfestival for more information or ‘join’ the event on Council’s Facebook page at fb.com/mooneevalleycc/events

Have fun in our parksBring your family and friends to an event in one of our beautiful parks. Visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/summer for more information.

Get sporty with Active UtilityIf you have ever wanted to master the hula hoop, fly a kite or challenge your family to a sack race, watch out for our Active Utility.

Our Sport and Recreation team are out and about running fun pop-up events at parks across Moonee Valley.

Join our Facebook event at fb.com/mooneevalleycc to find out where we’ll be.

No need to rsvp, just drop by and grab a bat, ball or racquet and get active.

Twilight Music in the ParkWhen: Friday, 12 February, from 5.30pm

Where: Woodlands Park, corner Woodlands Street and Carnarvon Road, Essendon

Chill out to Cookin’ on 3 Burners featuring The Wolfgramm Sisters at our twilight concert under the stars.

Bring your own chairs or rug and pack your own picnic, or purchase food from vendors on the evening.

Moonee Valley and Maribyrnong Community Cricket World CupWhen: Sunday, 21 February

Where: Fairbairn Park, Woods Street, Ascot Vale

Enter a team to play in this free seven-a-side competition with juniors, open male and open female categories. Enjoy a family friendly atmosphere with entertainment for the kids.

Active kids Easter huntWhen: Thursday, 17 March, 10am-12.30pm

Where: Afton Street Conservation Park, Aberfeldie

Enjoy an Easter hunt with a twist – there will be activities to get the kids moving, face painting, craft and prizes for all the kids to enjoy. Pack lunch and a picnic rug for this free community event.

News in brief

Get on your bikeCycleWise is a free workshop for adults who can cycle but are not confident cycling around the city.

You will gain skills riding off-road and go on an escorted ride through streets. The course covers Victorian road rules, bike safety checks, safe riding in traffic, route planning and more. A light lunch is included.

When: Saturday, 20 February, 10am-3pm

Where: Kellaway Avenue Neighbourhood Centre, 5 Kellaway Avenue, Moonee Ponds

Cost: $10 per person or $5 concession

Places are limited. To reserve a place visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/cyclewise

For more information call 9243 8888.

Missing, broken or outdated signageCouncil is committed to providing signage that is up to date, in good condition and easy to understand.

Residents are encouraged to report any signs that are missing, broken or outdated in your local street, Council building or park.

You can report them by calling 9243 8888 or visiting mvcc.vic.gov.au/reportasign and completing a short form.

Recent achievements Close to 600 people flocked to Flemington Community Centre in November for our first

Valley Design Market, featuring a diverse range of artisan stalls, delicious food options and interactive workshops.

We put forward a submission to the State Government’s discussion paper, Plan Melbourne Refresh. Plan Melbourne is the long-term vision for the city to 2050, and is being refreshed to ensure it accurately reflects community and expert priorities and advice.

More than 200 people helped us celebrate International Day of People with Disability at three events in December.

Thousands of people joined us to sing our way into the festive season at Carols in Queens Park.

We recently chatted to our Citizen of the Year, Tabotu Teklemariam, about her incredible volunteer work and being awarded this prestigious title. You can watch it at bit.ly/mv2015coy

Safety around pools and spas The weather is still very warm in February and March and there is lots of activity around our backyard pools and spas.

Council is encouraging and reminding everyone to be safe around pools and spas.

You can make your pool or spa safe by:

having a barrier around your pool or spa that is checked regularly and meets building regulations

always having adults supervising children when they are near or in the water

educating children about how to be safe around water

having family members trained in CPR to enable quick responses in your backyard

Under building regulations, suitable safety barriers must be installed to all existing and new swimming pools and spas capable of containing a depth of water exceeding 300mm.

For more information visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/poolsandspas or call 9243 8888, or ask a question on Council’s Facebook page.

Mediterranean FiestaCelebrate Moonee Valley’s long history of migration from Mediterranean countries.

Catch up with neighbours, friends and family and celebrate our rich cultural heritage with cooking demonstrations, dancing, performances, Paella, Sangria and activities for both children and adults.

This free event will take place in a piazza-style setting at Centreway, East Keilor on Sunday, 20 March from 12 noon to 4pm.

Mediterranean Fiesta Pesto CompetitionWho’s got the best pesto?

Register your details in advance and then bring along your favourite homemade pesto on the day for your chance to win a great prize!

Visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/medfest to register and for more details.

Major events in FlemingtonThis February and March a number of large events including music festivals, races and expos will be held at Flemington Racecourse and Melbourne Showgrounds.

Having these iconic venues right next door is great for Moonee Valley. Throughout the year they attract countless visitors to the area, providing a valuable boost for the local economy.

While the majority of events held at these venues have minimal impact on the surrounding area, nearby residents can be impacted by some larger events, particularly in relation to traffic, parking and noise.

Council works closely with the venues and event promoters in an effort to reduce the impact of these events on our community.

Key details about large events are made available on our website to advise what traffic management, parking control, noise monitoring, waste collection and other measures will be in place, and who residents can contact if they experience any issues.

Visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/majorvenues to access these details as well as a calendar of upcoming events.

Information is also posted on our social media channels and residents can sign up to receive email notifications about upcoming large events – simply visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/majorvenues and fill in a short form.

Sending food waste back to earthResidents who have a green-lid bin in our Thursday Area 2 collection area are being encouraged to include food waste in their green-lid bin from March.

This will help to divert food waste from landfill as it will be processed along with garden waste before being treated and made into compost, mulch and soil additives that can be used in agriculture, horticulture, community parks and gardens.

You can play a part in getting your garden and food waste back to earth, just use your green-lid bin, put it out for collection each fortnight and we’ll do the rest.

Who is participating in the trial?

Residents who have a green-lid bin in our Thursday Area 2 collection area can participate in the trial. These residents will receive a letter that explains the program in more detail.

When is the trial?

The trail will commence on Thursday, 10 March for Thursday, Area 2.

We will evaluate the trial in mid-2016 and aim to roll out the program to all areas through a staged approach in late 2016.

Why are we doing a trial?

The trial will test the new system and help identify and solve any problems before the service is introduced to the wider community.

What can go into your green-lid bin? Bread, rice, pasta and cereal

Fruit and vegetable scraps

Garden prunings (including flowers and thorny plants)

Grass clippings and leaves

Noxious weeds, ivy, bamboo and creepers

Paper and cardboard

Sawdust

Small logs, branches and twigs (no larger than 100mm x 300mm)

Tea leaves, tea bags and coffee grounds

Remember: Don’t put plastic bags (including biodegradable bags), plastic wrapping or household garbage in your green-lid bin.

Don’t have a green-lid bin?

Apply for a 240L green-lid bin at mvcc.vic.gov.au/waste or call 9243 8888. Fees apply.

News in brief

Re-newRe-new is a quarterly collection of reusable items using the yellow-lid bin. Council is again calling on residents to round up their unwanted and reusable household goods to give them a new lease on life.

Area 1 collection dates: 9 February - 13 February

Area 2 collection dates: 16 February - 20 February

Re-new offers households the chance to recycle textiles, household items, printer cartridges and mobile phones from their doorstep. It is an extension of the existing kerbside collection service, helping to further reduce the amount of household waste going to landfill and encourage recycling.

Residents can also bring their Re-new goods to the Transfer Station year round.

Visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/renew or call 9243 8888 for more information.

Don’t dump on Moonee ValleyDumped rubbish is unsightly, and a costly and persistent issue that Council faces.

Dumped rubbish includes litter, garden clippings, furniture and bulky items left on nature strips, in laneways and our parks and open spaces.

Council offers residents annual hard waste, twice yearly branch and pruning collections, and recycling services at the Moonee Valley Transfer Station.

Visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/waste for more information.

Forgot to put your bin out?Council understands how frustrating it can be to come home and realise that you forgot to put your bin out for collection.

When you realise, you can call Council on 9243 8888 to let us know you forgot and we will arrange for someone to come and collect it.

If you’re unsure when your collection day is, or what should go in which bin, check your Community Waste and Recycling Calendar, visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/waste or call 9243 8888 to find out.

Upsize your recycling binIf you find that your recycling bin is filling up too fast, you can upsize it to a 360L for a one-off fee of $78. Simply call 9243 8888 to place a request.

The future of our creekFor over a 150 years, Moonee Ponds Creek has been heavily modified mainly to move stormwater out of the city and into Port Phillip Bay.

In recent decades, however, a significant change in attitude towards the creek has taken place. There has been a growing awareness of the importance of a healthy creek environment and connected parklands. While the creek and surrounds cannot be returned to their former natural state, there is recognition that a new identity for the creek based upon enhanced liveability, biodiversity and function must be created.

Council is developing a master plan with the local community, interest groups, Melbourne Water and other stakeholders to create a shared vision for this important space.

Project aimsThe aim of the master plan is to generate exciting ideas and visions that will guide the future planning of the creek and the open space around it.

Some of the specific objectives identified include:

improving public space along the creek

promoting pedestrian and bicycle connectivity along the creek and adjacent suburbs

improving biodiversity and habitat in the area

reducing stormwater loads into the creek

improving the water quality and ecological health of the creek

improving how the creek looks

Visit us at the festivalCome visit us at our stall at the Moonee Valley Festival where you can learn more about the creek and talk to members of the project group.

Join in by sharing your expression of Moonee Ponds Creek’s past or future through photography, writing or painting to be in the running to win an Apple iPad Mini!

For further details on the project, how to enter our competition and how to contribute to our interactive map visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/mpcreek

Need some overnight assistance?Are you the parent, guardian or carer of someone with a disability? Our pilot Facility Based Respite Subsidy program is available to assist families by subsidising stays at Victorian facility-based respite services.

This year-long pilot program, available until June, provides a subsidy (up to 50 per cent off) for stays at Victorian facilities which are run by registered disability services providers.

The program is available to people who have a diagnosed disability, are aged 0 to 65 years, reside in Moonee Valley and require the support of a primary carer with multiple activities of daily living. If you think this would be helpful in relieving some of the financial barriers associated with overnight respite, please call our Intake Officer on 9243 8806. We will organise an assessment officer to work with individuals and their carers to determine how the subsidy program may assist them.

The Facility Based Respite Subsidy pilot is an initiative of the Disability Action Plan 2014-23. For more information visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/respitesubsidy

News in brief

Step Off! call for crewsHave you got what it takes to enter the Step Off! dance competition?

Register your dance crew in the junior, young guns, varsity or open divisions for the competition on Saturday, 9 April. Over 550 dancers competed in 2015!

Visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/stepoff to register by 12 noon on Monday, 29 February. Note: Places may fill earlier.

For more information call our Youth Services team on 9243 8888 or email youth@mvcc.vic.gov.au

Tackling harm from pokiesAustralians lose $11 billion on poker machines per year and in 2014/15, $74 million of that figure came from Moonee Valley.

Council has joined more than 40 other local councils and organisations in forming the Alliance for Gambling Reform. The alliance seeks to drive additional legislative changes to minimise the harm caused by poker machine operators that target vulnerable communities. Visit pokiesplayyou.org.au for more information about the alliance.

If you or someone you know is affected by gambling, you can seek support by calling Gambler’s Help on 1800 858 858 or visiting gamblinghelponline.org.au

Free child car seat restraint fittingChildren need different car seat restraints as they grow. The restraint must be the right size for the child, properly adjusted and fastened, and correctly fitted to the vehicle.

Come along and have your restraint checked.

When: Saturday, 2 April, 8.30am-12 noon

Where: In the car park opposite Moonee Ponds Bowling Club, Mt Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds

For more information contact our Transport Project Officer on 9243 8888.

2015/16 Moonee Valley GrantsApply for the second round of Council’s 2015/16 Moonee Valley Grants, for activities and projects that will enhance wellbeing in Moonee Valley. Funding of up to $20,000 is available.

Applications are open from Tuesday, 2 February to Tuesday, 8 March. Visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/grants to apply or contact Council’s Grants Officer on 9243 8888 for more information.

All you need is love at Midsumma We’re gearing up for 2016 Midsumma Festival, Melbourne’s annual celebration of queer arts and culture.

Photographic exhibition ‘All you need is love’ is showing at the Incinerator Gallery until Sunday, 14 February, celebrating the love and diversity of families in our community who may not meet the heteronormative idea of what a family looks like.

One of the families featured belongs to Laura-Jade and Liz. “We are your average family, three kids, a dog, a house in the trees, we dance in the kitchen and make pancakes on Sunday mornings, we are at the Auskick oval supporting our son on a Friday, netball on a Saturday and then circus training after that… Our children deserve to grow up in a family, home and world where love is cherished, respected and free for all. They deserve to see their parents get married and experience the stability it offers and joy it brings to the family.”

Read these incredible stories and see the accompanying beautiful photos from photographer Lisa White.

Be dazzled at the Clocktower Centre as drag superstar Dolly Diamond presents two intimate evenings on Saturday, 6 and Sunday, 7 February. In an all-new show, Dolly shares tawdry

tales of her life in a cabaret that will turn your usual theatre experience on its head. A hilarious night not to be missed, visit clocktowercentre.com.au for tickets.

Council will again fly rainbow flags during Midsumma, a symbolic gesture of our support for our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) community. Make sure to look out for the rainbow tent at Moonee Valley Festival and leave a message of support on our giant rainbow flag!

We are also launching a new social group for young people (12 to 25 years) who are LGBTIQ or questioning. Visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/queeryouth if you’d like to express interest.

Visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/lgbtiq to find out what else is planned for Midsumma.

Café at the stables, a winner!Council’s café at the iconic Crown Street Stables has flourished since its opening in March 2015, becoming a popular social gathering spot for the community with its vibrant atmosphere, great coffee and delicious, affordable meals.

We recently launched an exciting all-new menu including Beef and Baby Corn Stir Fry, Pork with Asian Vegetables and a classic Beef Lasagne! The menu includes vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. See what might tickle your tastebuds at mvcc.vic.gov.au/crownstreetcafe

Opening hours are 10am to 4pm, seven days a week. We offer subsidies to customers with a Seniors Card, Disability Support Pension Card and Disability Companion Card holders, and the café is a recharge point for mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs.

You can also hire out the spacious loft upstairs for children’s birthdays, community meetings or private functions with catering available through the café, or take part in the available social and recreational programs.

Visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/crownstreet or drop into 40 Crown Street, Flemington to find out more – we’d love to see you there!

Kindergarten programs in 2017Participation in a high quality kindergarten program supports children’s learning and development and leads to improved longer-term educational and social outcomes and life experiences.

In Moonee Valley, three and four year old kindergarten places at Council and most community managed centres are allocated through the Central Registration Service. The service allows families to register for a number of programs in the one place, rather than apply to each individual kindergarten.

Registrations for 2017 programs will be open from Tuesday, 29 March until Friday, 24 June 2016. Placement offers will be made to families by the end of August 2016.

Registrations received after Friday, 24 June will still be accepted, however, they will be considered in the round of offers later in the year.

For further information visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/kinder or call Council’s Central Registration Service team on 9243 8888.

Staying active Staying active has never been easier for senior residents with Council’s Healthy Ageing Exercise Program. The popular program is back for 2016 providing a fun way to exercise, stay active and meet new friends.

There are enjoyable and supportive classes to choose from. If you have limited mobility then try the chair exercise class. To improve flexibility and strength as well as mental health, there’s Yoga, Pilates and Body Balance, while Tai Chi can help with relaxation and balance. For those wanting to dance their way to health and happiness, give Zumba Gold a go!

Weekly sessions are held at neighbourhood and community centres across Moonee Valley and are led by qualified and experienced instructors. Classes are suitable for all experience levels as exercises can be adjusted to accommodate your individual ability.

Visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/haep or call 9243 8748 to find out more or to register to attend a class.

Supporting our local communityPaddock to Plate When: Sunday, 6 March, 9am-1pm

Where: Flemington Farmers’ Market, 175 Mt Alexander Road, Flemington

We welcome back Masterchef winner, author and urban forager Emma Dean, and permaculture expert Scott Hitchins, for our second Paddock to Plate event.

Market-goers will experience a fusion of seasonal food know-how and behind the scenes insights into local food production. Join Emma and Scott for our ‘meet the farmer’ tours, livewire cooking classes and down to earth gardening workshops. Paddock to Plate is a partnership between Council’s My Smart Garden program and Flemington Farmers’ Market.

Visit mysmartgarden.org.au for details.

Free Sustainable Home WorkshopsVisit mvcc.vic.gov.au/myhome to register for these free events.

Choosing a House: Sustainable Design

When: Saturday, 13 February, 10am-12.30pm

Where: Montgomery Park Children’s Centre, 47 Lawson Street, Essendon

Planning on buying or renting a new house soon but keen to look below the surface at the design features that ensure comfort and energy efficiency? Ever heard the terms draught-proofing, solar access or thermal mass but want to know what these are?

We’ll go through a checklist and questions you should ask before you commit to moving in, in a setting where you can see the sustainable design and planning elements that really make a difference.

All About Solar: Buyers’ ChecklistWhen: Saturday, 23 April, 10am-12.30pm

Where: Civic Centre, 9 Kellaway Avenue, Moonee Ponds (entry via Pascoe Vale Road)

How do you know which solar PV option is the right one for you? Are tiles okay to put panels on? Is your roof orientation okay? How many kilowatts will you need? What sort of inverter is reliable? What about warranties?

Get impartial expert advice on what system best suits you. Chat to residents about their experience with products, installation and energy production. If the weather is fine, we’ll head up to the roof to see what a 100 kilowatt array looks like.

My Smart GardenMy Smart Garden is a free sustainable gardening program run between Moonee Valley, Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay City Councils. Our website, mysmartgarden.org.au, has been incredibly popular with tens of thousands of new and experienced gardeners logging on since launch day. It features our exciting workshops and a knowledge centre full of expert tips, from building wicking beds to the theory of permaculture, and recently won Silver at the Melbourne Design Awards. Take a look today!

Clean Up Australia Day Want to improve your local area but not sure where to start? Get involved in Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday, 6 March!

By registering your own site or volunteering at an existing site you can take action to clean up, fix up and conserve our local environment.

Visit cleanupaustraliaday.org.au for details or email environment@mvcc.vic.gov.au for assistance selecting a Clean Up site.

Register a new site

Find a site in your neighbourhood you think is in need of a clean up

Register your Clean Up site as an individual or on behalf of your community group, school or business

Receive your Clean Up kit

Promote your site among family, friends and neighbours

Have fun on the day!

Join an existing site Be a volunteer at a registered Clean Up site. Register to attend an existing site online or just turn up on the day.

Making a change at home

Battery storage for solar systemsWith more than 1.4 million solar systems installed across Australia, there is increasing interest in the use of household batteries to store rooftop generated power.

A recent report by the Alternative Technology Association (ATA) however, found that purchasing household batteries makes little financial sense for most family homes.

At today’s prices, households are not able to achieve a 10-year (typical system lifetime) return on their investment in a battery system.

The report suggests waiting another five years to consider purchasing batteries as prices are projected to fall, meaning less upfront costs to be recovered through power bill savings.

Before considering purchasing batteries you should understand their patterns of energy use, how much energy can be generated and how much you’re paying for energy.

In the meantime, you can improve your home’s energy efficiency by:

installing LED energy efficient lighting

improving insulation and shading

purchasing energy efficient appliances

installing a solar system (without battery storage)

For further information visit the Alternative Technology Association at ata.org.au

If you want to make your home and lifestyle more energy efficient, check out the Green It Yourself website (greenityourself.com.au) for some simple step-by-step videos on how to

make your home more energy efficient, your energy bills lower and your lifestyle a bit green around the edges.

Environment news in brief

Sustainable Living Festival When: Saturday, 6 February to Sunday, 28 February

Celebrate the best examples of ecological and social sustainability at the Sustainable Living Festival.

The event offers interactive workshops, talks, demonstrations, artworks, exhibits, films and live performances.

Visit slf.org.au for a full program of activities at Federation Square and across Melbourne.

Visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/newsletters to join our environment mailing list.

Clocktower Centre750 Mt Alexander Road (corner Pascoe Vale Road), Moonee Ponds

Visit clocktowercentre.com.au or call 9243 9191 to book your tickets.

The MikadoTuesday, 23 February at 11amJoin the Three Little Maids, The Lord High Executioner and the Wandering Minstral for a farewell performance of this Gilbert and Sullivan classic starring Brian Hannan.

Australia Day by Jonathan BigginsFriday, 11 March at 11am and Saturday, 12 March at 8pmThe Australia Day committee is gearing up to put on the country town’s biggest party – but everyone wants a piece of the party pie. Will the day be fair dinkum after all? Or are there too many roos loose in the community hall? A thoroughly modern ripper of a comedy by acclaimed satirist Jonathan Biggins.

Get Back: The Lennon and McCartney SongbookTuesday, 15 March at 11am

Melissa Langton, Libby O’Donovan and Mark Jones, three of Australia’s top cabaret performers, are joining up to go on a Magical Mystery Tour through a collection of the finest pop songs ever written.

The 52-Storey Treehouse

Saturday, 19 March at 10am and 12 noonAndy Grffith’s and Terry Denton’s latest bestseller comes to life on the stage as the team behind the hit adaptations of The 13-Storey Treehouse and The 26-Storey Treehouse return with this imaginative and engaging play.

4000 Miles by Amy Herzog

Winner of the 2012 Obie Award for Best New American PlayThursday, 24 March at 8pm21-year-old Leo rocks up unannounced at the Manhattan apartment of his 91-year-old Jewish grandmother Vera. As an overnight couch-surf turns into an extended stay, 4000 Miles unearths a surprising parallel between these two generations in this emotionally compelling drama.

The Incinerator Gallery180 Holmes Road, Moonee Ponds

Find out more about these events or book your place at incineratorgallery.com or call 8325 1750.

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 4pm

Exhibitions

All you need is love Until Sunday, 14 February

Celebrate love, equality and the diversity that exists in our community. Families from across Melbourne and beyond were photographed in their beds with their personal stories documented for the exhibition.

This exhibition is a powerful statement challenging the perceptions of ‘the nuclear family’, making our differences from one another a symbol of pride in our society.

Part of Midsumma and Go West.

Fireworks: Art and Design by Bright Young ThingsOpens Friday, 19 February, 6pm-8pm

Fireworks features works from VCE art and design students who live, work or go to school in Moonee Valley. It gives many young artists an opportunity to exhibit in a professional gallery.

Workshops and activities Specialist Art Workshop: Environmental walk and botanical illustrationSaturday, 13 February, 11am-5pmA morning environmental tour of Afton Street Reserve wetlands, followed by a botanical drawing workshop teaching observational drawing techniques and skills using native flora and fauna of the area as inspiration.

Speak UpFriday, 18 March, 7pm-9pm, FreeSpeak Up is our popular program of poetry, spoken word and live music nights that run throughout the year, curated by local spoken word artist Jessie Giles.

Library newsThese activities are free, unless otherwise indicated; however, bookings are required. Reserve your space at mooneevalleylibraries.eventbrite.com.au or call the library directly.

Talks

Summer Read author talk: Myfanwy JonesMyfwany Jones’s new novel, Leap, is a sad, funny, quirky and original urban fairytale about human and animal nature, and the transformative power of grief. Hear Myfanwy talk about her new book and her writing.

Wednesday, 10 February, 6.30pm

Flemington Library, 313 Racecourse Road, Flemington

The Feel Good Hit of the YearLiam Pieper talks about his memoir about his career as a teenage drug dealer. This is a funny and often touching look at family and addiction.

Tuesday, 29 February, 7pm

Sam Merrifield Library, 762 Mt Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds

Antarctica to Footscray: Arch Hoadley, A Man of Inspiration and CourageArch Hoadley was an Antarctic explorer and geologist with Douglas Mawson’s 1911-14 expedition, founding Principal of Footscray Technical School and a driving force behind the Victorian Boy Scout movement. Arch’s son, Jack Hoadley, has written a biography about his father and will speak on his father’s remarkable life.

Thursday, 3 March, 6.30pm

Avondale Heights Library and Learning Centre

Celebrating women in our communityBe inspired and celebrate International Women’s Day with Susan Peacock, Chair of the Think Pink Foundation. The foundation supports families and carers dealing with cancer. Enjoy morning tea and wear something pink as a show of support.

Tuesday, 8 March, 11am-1pm

Flemington Library

The Straight Dope: The Inside Story of Sport's Biggest Drug Scandal The drug supplements saga that has engulfed two football codes and continues to dog Essendon Football Club is outlined in Chip Le Grand’s new book. Hear Chip talk about Australian sports biggest drug scandal.

Monday, 21 March, 7pm

Sam Merrifield Library

Classes and events

Lunar New YearJoin in the excitement of the traditional lion dance, drums and fire crackers. Participate in a craft activity and receive a red pocket or fortune cookie to usher in 2016 - Year of the Monkey.

Tuesday, 9 February, 4pm-5pm

Flemington Library

1 Shot Photo Workshop

Young people aged between 13 and 19 years can join members of the Essendon Camera Club and explore your creativity and self-expression. Learn about composition, design, colour, texture, viewpoint and framing. Bring your own smart phone or camera.

Tuesday, 23 February, 6pm-7.30pm

Sam Merrifield Library

Thursday, 25 February, 6pm-7.30pm

Niddrie Library, 483 Keilor Road, Niddrie

1 Shot Photo CompetitionSubmit your best photo for the chance to win a prize and have your entry displayed.

The competition runs from Tuesday, 1 March until Thursday, 31 March and will be judged by members of the Essendon Camera Club. Entry is open to 13 to 19 year olds who live, work or go to school in Moonee Valley. Ask at your library for competition details.

Beginners Spanish or French for adult learnersLearn basic Spanish or French and be introduced to the cultures of these countries with a professional tutor.

Spanish classes commence Monday, 4 April, 6.30pm-8.30pm at Sam Merrifield Library

French classes commence Wednesday, 6 April, 6pm-8pm at Flemington Library

Cost: A non-refundable fee of $80 for eight classes can be paid online through Eventbrite or in cash at a library at the time of booking.

Exhibitions

Celebrating a centenary of opportunity From February to April this exhibition celebrates the founding of Footscray Technical School in 1916 and Victoria University’s 25th anniversary. The first of this three-phase exhibition, The Door of Opportunity tells of 1916 to 1947 and features memorabilia, artefacts and footage from Victoria University archives. Visit vucentenary.com.au to learn more.

Avondale Heights Library and Learning Centre, 69-79 Military Road, Avondale Heights

Capital WorksSome of the capital works recently completed or underway in Moonee Valley. For further information on any of these capital works, please contact Council on 9243 8888.

FacilitiesAirport West

Airport West Tennis Club court improvements

$418,000

Ascot Vale

Ascot Vale Leisure Centre renovations

$3,330,000

Strathmore

Lebanon Reserve pavilion improvements

$1,200,000

StreetscapesAvondale Heights

Intersection improvements to Wood and Sydney Streets

$100,000

Strathmore

Intersection improvements to Amar and Willonga Streets

$25,000

Road upgradesAirport West

Halsey Road, Louis Street, Marshall Road, Moore Road, Rodd Road and Victory Road

$2,739,000

DrainageAberfeldie

Clifton Street Easement drainage improvements

$430,000

Essendon

Amelia Avenue drainage improvements

$470,000

Niddrie

Hamilton Street drainage improvements

$265,000

Open spaceAscot Vale

Implementation of the Fairbairn Park Master Plan

$108,000

Essendon

Upgrade to the northern playspace at Montgomery Park

$105,000

In focus

Loeman Street Community PrecinctThe Loeman Street Community Precinct in Strathmore provides both formal and informal leisure activities and community support services.

The precinct plan was adopted by Council in October 2013 and includes plans for two additional tennis courts, two reconfigured eight rink bowling greens, additional open space and additional car parking.

The $685,000 project to remove the redundant Maternal and Child Health building and build two additional tennis courts will soon be completed.

The courts are expected to be ready for use at the end of February.

Visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/loeman to view the plan for the precinct.

Ward Duty: Rose Hill Ward

Mayor, Cr Andrea Surace Portfolio: Traffic and Transportation

Phone: 0408 309 435

Council recently submitted suggestions to the Metropolitan Transport Forum for inclusion in their submission for the State Government budget regarding bus services in metropolitan Melbourne. We submitted three issues that were clearly highlighted to us when we undertook a bus survey in late 2014. These are that Moonee Valley residents want more frequent bus services, extended operating hours for bus services and more reliable and better connected bus services. I will continue to advocate for improved public transport in Moonee Valley, particularly for the Rose Hill ward.

I’m proud to support our local businesses and Council has been working to promote the amazing quality and diversity of Moonee Valley’s eateries. A number of popular food bloggers have reviewed our great local restaurants and cafes and I encourage you to try somewhere new in Moonee Valley the next time you’re heading out for dinner. Visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/dyob for links to the blogs.

The annual Mediterranean Fiesta takes place on Sunday, 20 March and is always a great community day out. I look forward to seeing you there.

Cr Shirley Cornish Portfolio: Environmental Sustainability

Phone: 0409 524 662

In late November Council officially opened the new pedestrian bridge at Steele Creek. I’m proud to chair the Moonee Valley Integrated Waterways Advisory Committee and through this committee we advocated for the bridge to be replaced as the old bridge was too narrow and could not accommodate the needs of the community. Council invested funds to upgrade the bridge while Melbourne Water were undertaking water main upgrade works to the pipe that runs under the bridge. This new bridge is a great example what can be achieved through partnerships and is a fantastic outcome for our community.

Our chance to celebrate all things Mediterranean is on again in March. I encourage you to come along to the Mediterranean Fiesta and enjoy a fun day out with your family and friends. See page 14 for event details.

New traffic signals are planned for the intersection of Military Road and Clarendon Street, Avondale Heights. Council is discussing the design with VicRoads and aims to have a design completed this year. I’ll keep you updated on the progress of this project.

Cr John SipekPortfolio: Leisure and Recreation

Phone: 0423 776 740

Council offers residents annual hard waste, twice yearly branch and pruning collections, quarterly Re-new collections and recycling services at the Transfer Station. With year round options, it’s always a good time to have a clean out! If you’re not sure when your next collection will be or what you can include in which collection then check your Council calendar or visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/waste to find out.

We have been working with five other councils on a draft Western Metropolitan Regional Trails Strategic Plan. The plan identifies current gaps and future opportunities in the provision of regional pedestrian and cyclist trails in Melbourne’s west with the goal to establish an interconnected, accessible and well-utilised regional trail network. The trails which run through Moonee Valley are the Maribyrnong River Trail, the Moonee Ponds Creek Trail and the Steele Creek Trail. This plan will help prioritise future capital works and provide a basis for councils to work together to develop recreational trail projects that cross municipal boundaries. I encourage you to provide feedback on the plan at mvcc.vic.gov.au/trails by Friday, 19 February.

Ward Duty: Buckley Ward

Deputy Mayor, Cr Paul Giuliano Portfolio: Urban Design, Open Space and Assets

Phone: 0423 699 646

The new Aberfeldie Park multi-use pavilion will soon be completed. This project provides players with improved facilities that are Disability Discrimination Act compliant and spectators with improved viewing options as the pavilion is closer to the playing field.

We’re halfway through our six-month trial of the fenced off-lead dog area at Alf Pearce Reserve in Strathmore. We’ll soon be calling for community feedback to see if there is support for making this site a permanent fenced off-lead dog area so keep an eye out for details.

Council officers have commenced work on master plans for Cross Keys Reserve and Rosehill Park. These plans will provide a direction for future capital works. The master plan process involves thorough community consultation and helps us ensure that our vision for the parks is in line with community expectations, so let us know your thoughts on the plans.

The Airport West Green Spine project will be underway this year. Plans are being finalised and we’ll let you know when works are going to begin on this exciting project.

Cr Jan ChantryPortfolio: Arts and Culture

Phone: 0411 704 625

The Men’s Shed Strathmore has commenced classes on Friday and Saturday mornings. This shed has almost 100 members and five volunteers have been trained in occupational health and safety. If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer or being the facilitator for the shed, please get in touch.

The completion of the additional tennis courts at Loeman Street, Strathmore has unfortunately been delayed due to the appointed contractor not being able to complete the project. Council has appointed contractors to complete the project, which includes laying of the synthetic surface, lighting and construction of the car park. The courts are expected to be ready to use by the end of February.

The Nursery Corner Reserve site in Strathmore that is currently leased out is up for renewal shortly. The new lease will be reduced in area and we will return a significant parcel of land to public open space in the future. Thank you to the Friends of Moonee Ponds Creek for their ongoing vigilance in the protection of the Moonee Ponds Creek.

Cr Narelle SharpePortfolio: Family, Aged, Disability and Youth

Phone: 0429 977 171

Facebook: facebook.com/councillornarellesharpe

Twitter: twitter.com/narellesharpe

Website: narellesharpe.com.au

I’m pleased to see the much needed upgrade of the playground equipment at LT Thompson Reserve on Keilor Road, Essendon is completed. The playground now caters for younger and older children and has new slides, rope climbing, a cubby house and a rock circle for toddlers.

The barbecue and new shelter complement the new equipment. Play is at the core of a child’s discovery and learning experience and Council has a key role to support play for different age groups in our open spaces. Open and landscaped parks which allow the freedom to engage in unstructured play provide children with different sensory experiences and unique opportunities to explore and be active. Venture down to the reserve and let me know what you think!

It was great to witness Essendon Baseball Club being crowned ‘The Best Team in Australia’ at the Ultimate Sports Expo. This is an amazing achievement! From a shortlist of 30 entries from

across Australia, Essendon Baseball Club’s community spirit and grassroots engagement was what gave them the edge. Well done to the club and committee.

Ward Duty: Myrnong Ward

Cr Jim Cusack Portfolio: Community Engagement and Learning

Phone: 0407 521 432

Moonee Valley buzzes in summer with sport, festivals, crews rehearsing for Step Off!! and art events but relaxes at Queens Park pool, Crown Street Stables and Twilight Music in the Park so when you deserve a break, explore Council’s website and libraries for more information.

If you want details about planning in Moonee Valley and projects like Flemington Racecourse, the old market site, freeway widening and Moonee Valley Racecourse, especially when public comment is due, then subscribe to Council’s Planning e-newsletter. Residents of Ascot Vale concerned by planning proposals can contact me for information about the residents’ association (AVRAG).

New projects this year include building the new Fairbairn Park pavilion, a process to renovate the sub-standard Ormond Park pavilion, piloting a new way to divert kitchen waste from landfill, more work on Racecourse and Union Road shopping strips and improved access to child care. Finally, the freeway widening may affect your amenity such as the temporary closure of the Moonee Ponds Creek bike path. Let me know if you have any issues with this so Council can follow up.

Cr Nicole Marshall Portfolio: Land Use Planning

Phone: 0408 141 471

Facebook: facebook.com/MarshallforMooneeValley

Twitter: twitter.com/marshall4moonee

In December we held information sessions as part of our commitment to keep the community informed about the VRC’s proposed Flemington Racecourse development. We’ll hold another session if the advisory committee releases the plans for consultation which, if it does occur, will be soon. Please feel free to contact me if you would like assistance with putting in a submission.

Last year I put forward a notice of motion asking Council to better promote ways the community can report confusing, damaged or inappropriate signage. Is there a missing, broken or outdated sign in your local street, Council building or park? Report it to us at mvcc.vic.gov.au/reportasign so we can fix it.

As a result of community concerns about traffic, road safety and speeding along Kent Street between Ascot Vale Road and Mt Alexander Road, Council is currently undertaking a traffic management study. In conjunction with a community working group, we’re working to identify issues and possible solutions, and a draft traffic management plan is likely to be released for community feedback in the coming months.

Cr Cam NationPortfolio: Economic Development

Phone: 0409 247 410

Website: camnation.me

Over the past three years I have strived to make accountability and transparency a hallmark of my time on Council by moving a number of different Notice of Motions. My most recent motion was to develop a Financial Support Framework policy to ensure all Council funds are spent in a fair and equitable manner. The policy will guide the direct and indirect financial support given to community groups by ensuring money flowing out of Council accounts is allocated in a transparent, fair and equitable manner.

This financial year, outside of our grants program, Council will expend over $330,000 on direct financial support to community organisations, and over $430,000 in indirect financial support. At present there is no overarching policy to oversee these payments, and a lack of consistency in their application. The development of this policy will ensure Council continues to invest in community groups, while ensuring better transparency and accountability, and better dividends for the entire Moonee Valley community.

Translated text – only appears in English below.

Missing, broken or outdated signsCouncil is committed to providing signage that is up to date, in good condition and easy to understand. Residents are encouraged to report any signs that are missing, broken or outdated in your street, Council building or park by calling 9243 8888.

Apply for a responsive grantCouncil offers grants of up to $1,000 to assist community groups to respond to unexpected and/or emerging community needs, or promote individual participation and achievement in sport, recreation, cultural or learning pursuits. Find out more at mvcc.vic.gov.au/grants

Be safe around poolsUnder building regulations, suitable safety barriers must be installed to all existing and new swimming pools and spas capable of containing a depth of water exceeding 300mm. Visit mvcc.vic.gov.au/poolsandspas for more information.

Mediterranean Fiesta Celebrate Moonee Valley’s long history of migration from Mediterranean countries. This free event is on Sunday, 20 March from 12 noon to 4pm at Centreway, East Keilor.