Chelsea • Mordialloc • Mentone
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LETTERS Beaumaris Conservation League
Bay Trail ‘back-of-kerb’ best section option
VCAT last resort
CR Gledhill’s assertion that “environmental zealots” have delayed construction of Kingston’s initial section of the Round the Bay Trail is incorrect and offensive (Letters, The News 29/10/2014). Since 2006 environment groups have strongly supported a back-of kerb bike track of similar design to the successfully operating City of Bayside cycle track. Kingston’s section of the Bay Trail, Charman Rd to Naples Rd, could have been completed eight years ago had it not been for certain councillors pushing expensive, dangerous and environmentally damaging alternatives. The back-of-kerb, off road bike track has been approved by two transport ministers, Liberal and Labor. VicRoads gave permission for the gravel verge to be incorporated into the trail design to minimise loss of vegetation on the narrow strip of Crown land on the cliff top. Bicycle Network Victoria supports the back-of-kerb option” as per the Bayside section” but expresses concern because “it appears that a handful of sporadically parked cars will take precedence over the vegetation...history has seen the offroad gravel verge adopted as a pseudo car” (Bicycle Network:Metro Routes, 17/2/2014). Council’s decision to allow 130 metres of the trail to intrude onto the cliff top, and to use the gravel verge as a car park instead of the Bay Trail, is the contentious issue. Kingston’s section of Beach Rd is wider than Australian standards, therefore providing adequate parking kerb side as is the case in the City of Bayside. Mary Rimington, Mordialloc
MAYBE Cr Gledhill (Letters, The News 29/10/2014) should consider the possibility that the reason why the Kingston Residents Association has resorted to taking Kingston Council to VCAT is because they feel the council is not seriously taking notice of the residents’ concerns about the need to preserve and create open space. A recent example of this apparent disregard by council for the concerns of residents in relation to open space was the rushing through by councillors Gledhill, Ron Brownlees, Paul Peulich and Tamsin Bearsley of the motion to sell the Mentone Collins St depot site to an aged care provider (‘Aged care home an open space invader’ The News 29/10/2014). According to Cr Rosemary West this denied the community of the opportunity to debate the best use of the Collins Street site. There are a number of studies that have been made in recent years that indicate that easy access to nearby open space by people living in high density residential areas is of crucial importance to the maintenance of their physical and mental health. The Collins St site, which was vacant and already owned by the council, was a perfect opportunity to provide such a space. It is situated in a residential part of Mentone that in the near future is expected to experience a notable increase in population density. That the above councillors appear to have rushed this motion through, and thus stifled any further debate, does not fill one with confidence about their commitment to the preservation and creation of open space in Kingston. The Collins St site motion coupled with another successful motion by the
same councillors and Cr John Ronke to subdivide a block of land on the Green Wedge at Leslie Rd, Clarinda has created a feeling of helplessness among Kingston residents about stopping these councillors from whittling away open space sites. It is this feeling of helplessness and not being heard that is driving groups like KRA to take Kingston Council to VCAT. Bruce Duffy, Chelsea
KRA space ‘oxygen’ I HAVE noted the increasing space that you are providing to the Kingston Residents Association (KRA) in The News. I think that this should stop until this organisation becomes more transparent about its activities and its membership. The KRA doesn’t have a website and operates through a Facebook page. It is very difficult for residents to obtain any information about their leadership or their links to any political organisations. By all means Maureen Lim, the proclaimed president of the KRA, should be able to express her views about community issues but she should be provided with the same “oxygen” that all other residents get. Until the KRA becomes more open about their activities then they should not hold any special status within our community. Rob Barnett, Parkdale Email letters to team@baysidenews. com.au or mail Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News, PO Box 588, Hastings 3915. Letters may be edited for length or for legal reasons.
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YourKingstonUpdate 1230 Nepean Hwy, Cheltenham • 34 Brindisi St, Mentone • 1 Chelsea Rd, Chelsea
Mentone the
RENAISSANCE is beginning...
Council has unveiled the first stages of their plans to invest in major works to support a vibrant retail and community space, working towards the community's long-term vision for Mentone over the next three years. Plans include a new piazza at the historic triangle site and developing a safer and more vibrant retail and community space. kingston.vic.gov.au/mentone
New retail developments bring new jobs Council has welcomed the start of works to expand the Safeway supermarket at Dingley Village and the creation of a new Costco store at Moorabbin Airport. Both multi-million dollar developments will bring more construction and retail jobs to the local community, adding to Kingston’s 65,000 jobs and $13 billion annual economic output.
Kingston Charitable Fund 2014 Grants Ten community groups have received a share of over $40,000 from the Kingston Charitable Fund. Recipients include Kingston City Church, Bayside Community Centre and Victorian State Emergency Services Chelsea Unit and Make a Difference Dingley Village. These organisations, together with the many contributors to the Fund help Council respond to the needs of our diverse community. kingston.vic.gov.au/charitablefund
Summertime rules for Kingston’s dog walkers 1 November - Tuesday 31 March The seasonal rules governing beach access for dogs have kicked in for summer, and dog owners are encouraged to make themselves familiar with the rules. Summertime rules are in force from 1 November to 31 March and can be viewed on foreshore signage or kingston.vic.gov.au/foreshorerestrictions
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Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 12 November 2014
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COMING SOON!
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GET INVOLVED
Carols by Kingston
Biathlon hits Kingston
Upcoming Council Meetings
SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 6PM SIR WILLIAM FRY RESERVE, HIGHETT
SUNDAY 30 NOVEMBER 6AM CHELSEA BEACH
Ordinary Council Meeting Monday 24 November 7pm
Council’s much loved holiday event Carols by Kingston will be held at Sir William Fry Reserve in Highett on Sunday 14 December. This free family friendly, community event is a great chance to get together with your family and friends before the holidays and to the sounds of holiday cheer! The hilarious Shane Jacobson sponsored by Splashdown Corporate Bathroom Rentals will keep you laughing and the popular Fireworks Spectacular sponsored by Westfield Southland is back and will be the best one yet. Keep an eye out for the lift out in the December/January edition of KYC.
In partnership with the Chelsea Longbeach Surf Life Saving Club and The Shane Warne Foundation, the biathlon provides competitors with a multidiscipline platform designed for all ages and skill levels, including swimming and running. All events will commence on Chelsea Beach. melbournebiathlon.com.au
kingston.vic.gov.au/carols
Kingston Business Women’s Network
To watch Council meetings live or view previous meetings go to kingston.vic.gov.au
Kingston community radio Tune in to Council’s monthly radio hour on Thursday 20 November at 1pm on Southern FM 88.3
TUESDAY 2 DECEMBER 5.30PM
The Kingston Business Women’s Network will be hosting a Christmas Cocktail event at Kingston City Hall Lounge, profiling the success stories of three local business women in marketing and growing their businesses online. Guest speakers include Alison Vassallo of Bayside Vintage; Ebony Round of Ivory Design; and Jane DelRosso from My Other Kitchen. Tickets $35. RSVP to 9581 4786 by 26 November. kingston.vic.gov.au/business
Kingston's Quarterly Report
One Vision Counc
il Plan 2013-2017
Quarterly Perform
Track Council’s progress on delivering the goals set out in the OneVision Council Plan by reading our Quarterly Report QUARTER 1: JULY
- SEPTEMBER
ance Report 2014
2014/15
The purpose of this report is to inform progress on delivering Council the OneVision Council and the Community of Council’s areas contribute Plan 2013-2017. to this report to ensure transparent reporting All Council program and accountability.
community
inspired leadersh ip
kingston.vic.gov.au/quarterlyreport