NEWS DESK
Kingston ‘above average’ in state survey RESIDENTS have given Kingston Council an above average mark for overall performance in this year’s independent Community Satisfaction Survey. Four hundred households took part in the annual state-wide survey by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning through independent group JWS Research in February and March. More than 28,000 Victorians were interviewed about the performance of their councils in the survey, which is completed on behalf of the 69 councils participating this year. Kingston mayor Cr Tamsin Bearsley praised the council’s overall score of 66, which she said was “well above the state-wide council average of 59”. “We strive to deliver great services and value for money and the survey shows people appreciate this,” she said. Kingston also scored strongly in the key areas of customer service (74) and overall council direction (66) – both said to be “significantly higher” than the state average. It performed well across most core and individual service measures, achieving stable results in 14 of 25 key measures, with residents giving the thumbs up to waste management (76), appearance of public areas (73), Kingston’s art centres and libraries (72), and recreation facilities (71). Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins said the survey also showed a slight decline in overall satisfaction.
‘Balance needed on planning matters’ IT was clear Kingston Council needed to better explain the ways it was trying to strike a balance on planning matters, the mayor Cr Tamsin Bearsley said. She was speaking after a statewide survey showed the council’s bottom three performance service areas related to planning permits, planning for population growth in the area, and town planning policy. Cr Bearsley said planning was a complex area overseen by state planning laws. These included supporting growth in key activity centres and along high-traffic routes, such as Nepean Hwy, while protecting quieter residential areas. She said the council was still awaiting state government approval for this approach. The mayor said the council wanted to introduce stricter parking controls on multi-unit developments that would preclude them
“The results show a clear picture about what is most important to ratepayers and provides further evidence of the need for the state government’s local government reform agenda,” she said. State-wide, the survey found that emergency management, waste, community decisions and unsealed roads were the most important ser-
from relying on on-street parking in resident parking schemes. The aim would be to encourage developers to include more on-site parking. However, the council is presently unable to force the issue if the development meets requirements under state laws. The council also believes the requirement of one car park for a two bedroom apartment is inadequate. Kingston Council is set to start a Neighbourhood Character Study to help strengthen protection for areas with distinctive neighbourhood character. The council holds planning consultation meetings between developers and concerned neighbours to try to find compromises before applications are lodged. This has resulted in fewer appeals to VCAT and a high success rate for the council at the tribunal, Cr Bearsley said.
vices and issues for Victorian ratepayers. Overall, the best-rated council services among residents state-wide were libraries, arts centres, the appearance of public areas and waste management. Residents across the state were largely positive in their outlook, with 68 per cent believing their council
Cr Tamsin Bearsley
was on the right track. This compares with 18 per cent who believe their council’s direction has deteriorated. Cr Bearsley said Kingston Council believed it was important to take part in the voluntary survey to check in with residents and listen to their responses. “We always have areas we can improve on and it is vital that we hear from our community to ensure
we can make changes where necessary.” The council’s bottom three performance service areas were planning permits, planning for population growth in the area and town planning policy. “These results were shared by local councils across the state,” Cr Bearsley said. “All centre on the challenge of balancing demand for higher density living in a time of population growth with community expectations.” Cr Bearsley said that, when the survey was conducted earlier in the year, the council rated poorly in the areas of lobbying and community consultation. “We’ve held a wide range of community consultation this year, with more than 1500 community responses on a broad range of topics, including the Bay Trail, public toilets, animal management, traffic issues and an apartment survey,” she said. “To ensure the council better informs the community about the many ways they can have their say, we are also undertaking a communications survey to hear how people want to be kept informed.” Ms Hutchins said the survey was an important tool to help councils align their work with areas for improvement and the views of their communities. “In conjunction with the data on Know Your Council, the survey provides a good basis for ratepayers to assess their council.”
Club is 50 up A GREAT time was had by all at the Aspendale Seniors Club’s 50th anniversary lunch on Monday 27 June. The 136 club members, as well as guests Kingston mayor Cr Tamsin Bearsley and Cr David Eden and partner, were treated to an appetising lunch. This was followed by a concert from the iconic Col Perkins who is said to be “always popular”. “Our members were very happy to join in the singing and dancing,” treasurer Sheila Mulder said. “The hall was wonderfully decorated and the beautifully iced cake was cut by the mayor – and soon devoured at afternoon tea.” Aspendale Seniors strive to live up to their name as “The Happy Club”. Members enjoy 10 different activities
each week as well as a concert with a professional entertainer on Monday afternoons. There are bus and train trips, theatre visits, dinner dances and lunches. President Jim Lancaster and the committee are keen to welcome new members. The club is close to Aspendale station and on various bus routes. It has wheelchair access and activities cost $2 or $3 and include tea, coffee and biscuits. Annual subscriptions are $5. “Come and join us and take up the opportunity to make so many new friends,” Ms Mulder said. On stage: Club president Jim Lancaster welcomes luncheon guests at Aspendale Seniors Club’s 50th anniversary lunch.
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Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 13 July 2016
Bayside