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July 2014

Executive Summary

Council’s Snapshot Report on progress towards achieving our long term strategy

MONASH 2021 – A Thriving Community

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Introduction This ‘Snapshot’ is Council’s first report to the Monash community on Council’s progress toward achieving priorities within our Long Term Strategy: Monash 2021 – A Thriving Community. This long term strategy was developed in 2009 following comprehensive community consultations about what our community values and their visions for Monash in twenty years time. Council adopted the Long Term Strategy in 2010. The following pages present a brief outline of key achievements and progress, between 2010 and the end of 2013, in each of the Strategy’s ‘four areas of focus’:

1. A fair & healthy community

2. A planned and connected City.

3. An inclusive & safe community

4. A green & naturally rich City

The ‘Snapshot Report’ is available as both an Executive Summary and a Detailed Report. Both versions may be viewed at Council’s libraries or downloaded from Council’s website.

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Focus Area 1. A fair and healthy community Priority 1.1 Developing our reserves to encourage active living in Monash: both active reserves (for a range of sports) and passive reserves (for walking and recreation).

Council has maintained its commitment to careful maintenance of its 332 hectares of reserves/sports fields (including our two public golf courses) and 244 hectares of passive open space within our City.

Adopted a new Playground and Playspace Strategy and a Physical Activity Plan for Monash. New playground equipment installed at seven playgrounds across the City and other playground improvements completed within twelve parkland reserves.

Priority 1.2 Supporting diversity of the Monash community through cultural development programs and events and by supporting community groups to share their traditions with others.

Continued commitment to an annual events program including: celebration of NAIDOC Week, exhibitions at Monash Gallery of Art, community festivals, forums, neighbourhood events, concerts and community awards and ceremonies.

Invested more than $2.4 million per annum in a Grants Program for our community groups and organisations; clarifying the ‘guidelines’ in 2013 to ensure easier access to these grants.

Priority 1.3 Working in closer partnership with health and community agencies on public health and creating healthy environments.

Successfully delivered the following community health programs in partnership with others:

• Little Steps – a sleep settling program - with Waverley Hospital.

• Breastfeeding Support Program & Drop-in Clinic, at Oakleigh – with Monash Medical Centre.

• Man Matters Program – with youth-focused services providers.

• Heat Wave Plans were implemented during our summer periods.

Responded to growing concerns about harms resulting from problem gambling:

• Research was conducted on the extent and impact of problem gambling in Monash and most

effective responses. This research revealed groups within our community most ‘at risk’ and a

shortfall in support services. Submissions were made to the relevant Victorian authorities to fight a

proposal for increased numbers of gaming machines in Clayton.

• Secured a large grant from Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation in 2014 for targeted

interventions in Clayton.

Priority 1.4 Planning for refurbishment of facilities for the community.

Completed construction of the modern $6.4 million Batesford Community Hub, in Chadstone. This facility provides for a range of community health services.

Constructed major sports Pavillions at: • Princes Highway Reserve Pavillion, Oakleigh

• Jack Edwards Reserve Junior Pavillion, Oakleigh

• Central Reserve Northern Pavillion, Glen Waverley

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Priority 1.5 Providing services and facilities for children and their families, so children get the best start in life.

Continued to provide local Maternal & Child Health services in all suburbs across our City, including introduction of a new program ‘Baby Makes 3’.

Continued story-time sessions at all local libraries, promoting literacy in young children and social networking opportunities.

Administered a central enrolment scheme for 32 kindergartens in Monash and sponsored programs for specialist early childhood field staff supporting local services to provide ‘inclusive programs’ for young children with additional needs.

Priority 1.6 Providing services and advocating for funding to help older people age with dignity at home.

Continued to deliver in-home and community care (HACC) services, for older people and people of all

ages with a disability and their carers, including: o Provision of around 70,000 ‘Delivered Meals’ each year to residents who are disabled or frail-aged. o Devised and trialled the inclusion of Occupational Therapy to support residents maintain

independence. This initiative has subsequently been adopted by the State as part of core funding for the Monash HACC program and extended to other HACC programs in this region.

Coordinated delivery of volunteer support to vulnerable residents - over 2,400 hours each year.

Priority 1.7 Adapting our services to support the needs of people in Monash to take advantage of opportunities

arising from the expanding group of recently retired, experienced, energetic residents.

Held the successful Monash Seniors Festival each year and popular Senior Citizens Forums every quarter.

Provided, within our Libraries, classes and workshops for seniors on using computers, new technologies.

Priority 1.8 Providing support and services for young people.

Organised festivals and events for young people, including:

o The MYFS’ Glen Waverley Skate and Music Festival, each March

o Monash Youth Film Festival, in 2010, 2011 & 2013. o The Welcome Event for International Students commenced 2013

Council continued to provide youth programs, youth counselling & family support services , through Monash Youth & Family Support Services (MYFS) located in Glen Waverley, Clayton and Chadstone, including outreach supports to young residents in the new Youth Foyer Project at Holmesglen TAFE.

Focus Area 2. A planned and connected City

Priority 2.1 Investing in strategic development of our city to promote its character and amenity.

Commenced a major review of Council’s key town planning framework: Monash Planning Scheme. Preliminary work was undertaken to progress this review and inform Council’s response to State Government proposals for new residential zones. Important new strategies/policies were also drafted and community input was invited in 2014. These included: o a revised Housing Strategy (to better manage housing pressures); o a revised Industrial Land Use Strategy (rezoning to maximize local job opportunities); o a draft policy to encourage developers to have their proposals demonstrate Environmentally

Efficient Design.

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Continued strong advocacy on behalf of Waverley Park residents, Mulgrave to ensure high voltage powerlines within the estate are put underground, consistent with Mirvac’s original 2002 planning permit.

Priority 2.2 Developing the City’s Activity Centres to create vibrant centres where new residential and commercial development is linked to transport and services.

Conducted community consultations about footpath trading and footpath access in all Activity Centres.

The adopted policy reflects requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and Equal

Opportunity Act 1985 and implementation across Monash has been completed.

Completed the Structure Plan for Oakleigh Major Activity Centre, design work for the multi-deck car park off Atkinson Street, and redevelopment of Eaton Mall, Oakleigh.

Completed the Glen Waverley Activity Centre Master Plan and the construction of the $17.3 million

Euneva project providing an additional 350 public car spaces within busy Glen Waverley Activity Centre.

Drafted a broader Glen Waverley Structure Plan and Sustainable Transport Plan for community

comment in 2014.

Priority 2.3 Investing in parking facilities

Completed construction of the $17.3 million Euneva Project within Glen Waverley Activity Centre - 351 public car spaces over six levels.

Completed design work for the multi-deck car park off Atkinson Street, Oakleigh.

Priority 2.4 Investing in the City’s local road network and pedestrian and bicycle network

Council’s Road Management Plan was amended in 2013, following input from community consultations. This plan also includes Council standards for footpath construction and repair works.

Major works completed in accord with our local area traffic management program, and included: o three new roundabouts in Grenfell Road, Mount Waverley;

o major road reconstructions at specific locations in Oakleigh, Hughesdale and Clayton.

Completed important bicycle path improvements, including: o Scotchmans Creek Trail “missing link” in Mount Waverley, between Forster and Waverley Roads

o Gardiners Creek Trail upgrades at Ashwood, near Jingella Reserve.

o $1.4 million Warrigal Road ‘underpass’ (in partnership with City of Boroondara and Federal Govt.)

Priority 2.5 & 2.6 Encouraging ongoing economic development and growth of local jobs and secure the future of the ‘Technology Precinct’.

Council continued its support of small businesses in transition through its innovative Monash Enterprise Centre in Mulgrave and was successful in attracting a Federal capital grant to expand these facilities to include a regional Business Innovation Centre, due for completion 2015.

Supported learning and networking by local businesses by continuing with the Monash Business Awards,

annual Economic Forums and production of a business newsletter ‘Focus’.

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Recognised the significance of the Monash Technology Precinct by providing a special zone to maintain

and promote its use for research, industry and office space. This precinct, as key ‘Employment Cluster’,

is indentified in Plan Melbourne as being nationally significant.

Priority 2.7

Putting in place strategies to encourage development of private and public affordable housing.

Drafted a new housing strategy to directly address housing diversity and affordability across Monash.

Adopted a new local planning policy 2011, regarding Student Accommodation within Monash. This policy was informed by consultations undertaken with our community and stakeholders.

Priority 2.8

Working in partnership with neighbouring councils and community organisations to advocate for

continuing improvements to public transport services in the city.

Council remained a member of the Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC) and participated in ETC Summits –

to lobby state government for improvements and priorities identified for this region.

Focus Area 3. An inclusive and safe community Important to this goal, Council has now developed a comprehensive Monash Equity and Access Framework, based firmly on principles of human rights, social justice, access and equity, and a whole-of-Council approach to policy development and service provision.

Priority 3.1

Exploring the unique social and community needs of our local neighbourhoods.

Funded the Strengthening Clayton and Clarinda Project over 3 years to successfully engage many within these communities. It resulted in a Clayton Community Action Plan and gave the community a stronger voice in local planning.

Updated our detailed demographic profiles and population forecasts for each suburb within Monash, to promote better understanding of diversity within Monash and available online for community use.

Priority 3.2 Optimising our use of sporting reserves and facilities and explore new technologies to enhance them

Upgraded irrigation systems and converted existing turf to warm season grasses at key reserves

throughout the City. Continued installation and upgrade of low-abrasive cricket wicket covers to

ensure the surface remains safe for winter sports.

Committed to an Active Reserves Strategy and implemented stage 1 and 2 to date.

Priority 3.3 Adapting our communications and services to meet community expectations to conduct business with council online.

Created a new customer service unit and frontline counter at the Civic Centre supported by a customer

service ‘Guarantee’ and a system to enable direct requests for service ‘online’ and the viewing of

development proposals ‘online’.

Continued to enhance our monthly newsletter for all households and community services in the City -

the Monash Bulletin, with translated versions for Chinese, Greek and Italian residents as requested.

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Priority 3.4 Ensuring council is consulting with the community in contemporary, appropriate and meaningful ways.

Adopted a modern Engagement Framework and Guidelines and undertook a major online community consultation in 2012, to identify priorities for many Council Plans. This consultation ‘Monash-in-Four’ gained detailed input from over 660 community members.

Continued annual collection of community feedback through Victorian Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey, with careful analysis and discussion of the results to inform Council services and responding to expectations of our residents.

Priority 3.5 Raising community awareness about safety in the home and public spaces.

Driven a community education program for Prevention of Violence Against Women, and includes: o A campaign promoting the message ‘SAY NO to violence against women, SAY YES to equality and

respect’.

o Launch of a significant program aimed at Generating Equality and Respect, starting in Clayton.

Priority 3.6 Delivering an inclusive, diverse festival and events program and provide local places to experience art and cultural expression.

Fostered creative and performing arts throughout Monash, through our ‘Community Grants’ Program – part of which is specifically aimed at artists and local art groups.

Festivals have sparkled across the whole of our City, with: o Continued support of the popular Clayton Street Festival and the Chinese New Year Lantern Festival

o Launch of the vibrant Oakleigh Music Festival

o Jells Park coming alive each year with Carols by Candlelight;

o Neighbourhood events in Ashwood-Chadstone and Mulgrave ;

o Glen Waverley Youth Music & Skate Festival, organised by Council’s FReeZA Youth Committee;

o In 2013 provided support for the inaugural Oakleigh Greek Glendie.

Priority 3.7 Building the reputation of Monash Gallery of Art (MGA)

Maintained free public admission to Gallery with visitor numbers increasing each year.

Delivered the successful Bowness Photography Prize annually, with the MGA Foundation.

Priority 3.8 Providing library collections and services to foster lifelong learning, enjoyment and wellbeing.

Received a four star rating for our Library Service after completing a continuous improvement program

of the State Library of Victoria and the Public Libraries Victoria Network.

Opened a Neighbourhood Library in Mulgrave - at the Mulgrave Neighbourhood House, in Wellington

Reserve.

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Focus Area 4. A green and naturally-rich City

Priority 4.1 Leading the Monash community in responsible recycling, waste and litter management.

Conducted successful recycling efforts: Battery Back campaign; the Mobile Muster; and Detox your Home (collecting fluorescent light bulbs and chemicals such as oils and paint).

Council delivered popular programs within Monash schools and kindergartens about recycling, composting and waste and supported many local early learning centres with their aims to become more sustainable.

Priority 4.2 Cultivating sustainable living practices within the Monash community including water and energy use.

Developed an online Sustainable Living Guide that explains actions residents may take to live in more sustainable ways.

Provided Sustainable Living Workshops to the community on topics including energy and water saving practices, waste management and reduction (through recycling and composting) and indigenous planting.

Priority 4.3 & 4.5 Reducing our community’s use of resources and our greenhouse gas emissions. Educating and supporting residents to adapt to a low carbon economy.

Monitored performance of the kerbside green waste collections which are sent to Council’s Green Waste Disposal Facility. This facility continues to convert this green waste to compost, which is ‘sold on’ to nurseries and the landscaping industry.

In 2011/12, Monash was the top performing Victorian council for waste diversion from Landfill, achieved through effective recycling and separation of green waste. Monash was second in Victoria in 2012/13.

Council has resolved to invest in the major transition of our 8000+ streetlights to energy efficient light bulbs in order to reduce Council’s carbon gas emissions.

In partnership with 4 neighbouring councils – City of Monash continues to own and run a Landfill Gas Project – which collects methane from the waste in the landfill, converts this into power, which is the sold to the electricity Grid.

Priority 4.4 Leading by example in adopting sustainable practices and technology in council buildings and operations.

Adopted a Sustainability Road Map in 2011, to build onto our environmentally sustainable initiatives.

Monash was one of six finalists in the 2013 Awards for Victorian Sustainable City of the Year; and won the Victorian Litter Prevention Award for its ‘Monash Pride Crew’ initiatives. And also achieved ‘Gold’ in Sustainability Victoria’s Waste Wise Program.

Priority 4.6 & 4.7 Maintaining Council’s provision of open space, for passive and active uses.

Maintaining the leafy character of the city and streetscapes

Continued investment in an annual planting program; managing 100,000+ existing street trees and supporting community activity days for planting, weeding, pruning and erosion control works.

Completed the first parts of an new Open Space Strategy for Monash.

Developed priority BushIand Management Plans for reserves in Glen Waverley, Wheelers Hill and Mount Waverley.