KINGSTONAUGUST2022kingston.vic.gov.au Your City GOVERNMENT NEWS - NOT JUNK MAIL Special ElectionStateEdition % Sports upgrades % New pool % Improved Arts Centre % Transport Put KINGSTON First
BunurongPOinfo@kingston.vic.gov.aukingstoncitycouncilkingstoncouncilkingstoncccityofkingstonkingston.vic.gov.auBox1000,Mentone,3194Country
• A new cricket practice net at Bonbeach Reserve.
Successful partnerships
• $981,000 from the Victorian Government to help redevelop the North Cheltenham Preschool to replace the old building with a bigger and better two-room facility
New and upgraded life saving clubs along our foreshore to keep our community space.much-neededcreatedNewschoolingatolearningExcellentlifestyle.afacilitiesHigh-qualitysafe.sportingtopromotehealthyandactiveearlyfacilitiesgiveyoungstersgreatstarttotheiryears.parklandstoprovideopen
We’re hoping to see further announcements from candidates across all parties in coming weeks.
QR CODES Kingston Council utilises QR codes within this magazine, to link to articles and more information. This helps us to avoid any typos/ errors that can come from using longer URL links. If you would prefer to view these URLs before linking to them, please visit kingston.vic.gov.au/kyc
• $20m in funding commitment for Council’s new Aquatic & Leisure Centre from the Australian Labor Party
KINGSTON YOUR CITY EDITOR
Localincluding:councils can’t deliver these large-scale projects alone, and we welcome the opportunity to partner with both the Victorian and Australian Government to deliver fantastic results. By working together, we can have greater impact and help make Kingston an even stronger, connected and supportive community. We’re pleased to report that we’ve seen a number of positive announcements in recent months towards local projects, including:
• $24.8m funding from the Victorian Government for the Dingley Purple Pipeline recycled water project
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The City of Kingston proudly acknowledges the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land, and we pay our respect to their Elders, past and present and emerging.
Kingston is proud to have a strong track record of working with all levels of government to deliver great outcomes for our community. Take a look around Kingston and it’s easy to spot the positive results
CONTACT US
• $3.5m for improvement works on the Patterson River’s Lower Precinct (Launching Way) plus $3m towards the upper precinct at the National Water Sports Centre
offrompermissionfromreprintKingstoncomms@kingston.vic.gov.auencouragesyoutoarticlesandphotographsthispublicationbutmustfirstbesoughttheEditor.Acknowledgementthesourcemustbeprovided.
CUSTOMER CARE 1300 653 356 ABOUT Our state election bonus edition of KYC puts a spotlight on the issues we want candidates running for the Victorian Government to address, ahead of the next state election. From funding asks to policy changes, we hope that you share our passion for all of these issues that the Victorian Government can pledge to support in our own backyard.
COVER PHOTO The Miljko family enjoy a morning stroll. We’re calling for better environmental protections to ensure the long-term health of our waterways and surrounding natural vegetation. Mordialloc Creek is one of these waterway systems we want a commitment to protect.
• $2 million in funding support from the Victorian Government to complete Phase 2 of our Dingley Village Neighbourhood Centre redevelopment. Our vision is an intergenerational hub that can provide Maternal and Child Healthcare, Kinder, Preschool and Seniors services under one roof
do not select candidates until close to
Welcome to our bonus Victorian election advocacy edition of Kingston Your City. This edition features a range of fantastic local projects that we are keen to see all political parties support as part of their election We’repromises.asking that all candidates Put Kingston First this election. Kingston Council hopes to play a positive role in making sure key local issues are kept front of mind for all parties in the lead-up to election day. Our priority projects are outlined in this edition and include: • Support for major projects including Kingston’s planned new Aquatic & Leisure Centre and redevelopment of Kingston City Hall Arts Precinct • Funding support to deliver upgrades at four key sporting and recreation sites • Transforming Chelsea’s The Strand precinct • Further funding to protect and enhance vital waterways • Removing level crossings along the Frankston train line • Improvements to the proposed Suburban Rail Loop and Park dale/Mentone Level Crossing Removal projects • Investing in key local roads to keep Kingston moving Our community can help boost these local campaigns by adding your voice and showing your support. Get involved There are plenty of ways you can get involved from sending an email to your local candidates, posting to social media to share your support or sharing stories about how these key local issues impact you. Find out how you can help by scanning the QR code below or visiting com.au/kycvicadvocacyyourkingstonyoursay.
Named candidates and
Many of Victoria’s minor parties election parties at: The Greens greens.org.au/vic Liberal Democrats ldp.org.au/victoria Animal Justice Party animaljusticeparty.org Sustainable Australia Party sustainableaustralia.org.au/vic incumbents July 20
SonyaCARRUMKilkenny MP Member for Carrum, Labor BradSANDRINGHAMRowswellMP Member for Sandringham, Liberal Bettina Prescott Labor candidate, Sandringham
PLEASE NOTE: List as of
Put KINGSTON First
NickBENTLEIGHStaikos MP Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, Member for Bentleigh, Labor Debbie Taylor-Haynes Liberal candidate for Bentleigh TimMORDIALLOCRichardson MP Member for Mordialloc, Labor Phillip Pease Liberal candidate, Mordialloc
time. You can find more information on these
Tak MP Member for Clarinda, Labor Anthony Richardson Liberal candidate, Clarinda
Steve MayorStaikos
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SPORT & RECREATION More players, more uniforms and more equipment. We've seen phenomenal growth in our sporting communities, particularly with the greater participation in sport of women and girls. Now we need the fields, pitches and pavilions to match. We’ve been on a sporting blitz to ensure our grounds and clubs have everything they need to grow and succeed. For the upcoming state election, we are focused on four major projects that we want to see funded.
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Total project cost: $15.5M Seeking state contribution: $5M
BONBEACH RESERVE We’re delighted the Victorian Government has funded the installation of an additional cricket net, but more funding is needed. We’re seeking support for the almost 10,000 members of junior and senior clubs that call Bonbeach Reserve home, by: % Replacing two ageing pavilions with a new modern, accessible facility % Adding female-friendly and accessible changing facilities % Improvements to Oval 5 (east of the Reserve) Michael Hogan and Shaun Fisher from Bonbeach Cricket Club with Susan Henry from the Bonbeach Sharks. future-proof local sport
LE PAGE PARK We’re seeking to upgrade Le Page Park in Cheltenham, including: % New tennis and netball courts and facilities % An active recreation zone with fitness equipment, basketball and futsal courts, parkour courses and a skate/scoot area % Stormwater harvesting to maintain the sportsgrounds and grassed areas KINGSTON HEATH We’re seeking funding to meet the growing community need for Hockey and Baseball at Kingston Heath Reserve in WeCheltenham.wanttodeliver: % An additional hockey pitch % Improved player amenities % More space to play and train in our city Total project cost: $7M+ Seeking state contribution: $2MNAMATJIRA PARK We’re seeking support to deliver improved sporting and recreation facilities at Namatjira Park in Clayton South, including: % A new sport and community pavilion % Improved lighting and trails % An all-weather bowls green with roof % Upgraded sports fields and cricket nets % Upgraded playground and active recreation zone Namatjira Gridiron Club with John Perkins, President. Total project cost: $12.5M Seeking state contribution: $5M Total project cost: $3M Seeking state contribution: $1M kingston.vic.gov.au | Page 5
We are excited to be building a new Aquatic & Leisure Centre for Kingston. Following the closure of the Don Tatnell Leisure Centre, Council is building a new district-level centre to meet the needs of our community for years to come. We are now entering the design stage for the project, which is expected to include: the Mordialloc Creek and Jack Grut Reserve precinct. A Community Reference Group has been formed to help guide the design phase of the project. Delivery of the new Aquatic & Leisure Centre is a major capital works project and cannot be delivered by Council alone. Council will contribute significant funding to the project. Funds to purchase the site on Governor Road in Mordialloc for the new facility have been allocated in the 2022/23 Council Budget. We were also pleased that the federal member for Isaacs Mark Dreyfus MP committed $20 million towards the project during the recent federal election campaign. Council is also seeking funding support for the project from the Victorian Government. Council has invested $14.6 million to purchase the site for the new pool. Kingston received a $20m election promise from Australian Government towards the centre, including making the pool 50m. We’re seeking a $15 million contribution from the Victorian Government. know
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
surrounding
Did you
? Dive in and watch the video! Page 6 | Kingston Your City - August 2022
• Water exercise • Learn to swim classes • Lap swimming • A community gym • Sustainable design • Strong connections to
While in its early stages, this project has the potential to create a welcoming space in Chelsea, which could act as a catalyst for increased community and economic activity. We wanted to take the opportunity during an election year to make sure it is flagged for funding. We’d like to see a commitment to revitalise The Strand, which would:
advocatedConservationMordialloc-BeaumaristheLeaguehaveformorethan50 years for better protection of the creek and its water quality. The local boating community are keen to see a $10m investment in dredging the creek. This will require collaboration and support, as the sediment collected will likely contain contaminants which will need to be safely disposed of. We would also like to work with Melbourne Water to install a large wetland along Mordialloc Creek near Boundary Road to preserve the area’s unique flora and fauna and provide greater habitat protection.
• Enhance indigenous coastal planting and increased canopy cover
Seeking state contribution: $3M kingston.vic.gov.au
Total project cost: $5M+
Visit yourkingstonyoursay.com.au/integratedwater
Want to know more about our Integrated Water Strategy consultation?
• Increase space for walking and cycling
Local waterways
Maintaining healthy waterways is crucial. They’re the habitat of plants, birds and animals and are used by visitors and the community for boating, water sports, relaxation and Developmentwalks. has brought significant change to the land around Patterson River and Mordialloc Creek. Council would like to see support for precinct masterplans in these areas to ensure we protect the volume and improve the quality of open space along the rivers. Maintenance and repair along Patterson River and the Mordialloc Creek are key concerns of Council. We’ve been fortunate that significant funding has been committed to the Patterson River, but urgent repairs are needed now, and we can’t afford to wait for this funding to be released. Access to the levee bank along Patterson River needs to be addressed as a matter of priority, along with the renewal of river rock retaining walls that are unable to handle current wave height conditions. At Mordialloc Creek,
• Create a sustainable and cooler design that tackles the urban heat island effect. Megan Anderson and Sophie Soleman at The Strand in Chelsea.
The Strand in Chelsea
• Establish a new beach arrival place and connection to the Chelsea Surf Lifesaving Club
We want to keep our waterways for recreation and enjoyment long into the future.
With a line of sight to the beach and a direct link between the Nepean Highway, Chelsea Train Station and Chelsea Beach, we’re exploring ways to re-energise The Strand in Chelsea.
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Page 8 | Kingston Your City - August 2022
• Create 75+ jobs in construction and related industries
Kingston City Hall
Upgrade works to Kingston City Hall will deliver a fantastic largescale arts centre to serve our entire region. A draft masterplan for the site sets out $15 million in improvement works to make this community focal point an even greater hub for our arts, creative and hospitality industries. Kingston Council will commit $5 million towards the project, but we need support from the Victorian Government to bring the project to life. The redevelopment is a unique opportunity to invest in a largescale venue to serve the entire region and provide stimulus to Melbourne’s creative arts and hospitality industries.
The upgrade will retain everything we love about our City Hall while boosting the centre's flexibility by adding a balcony, the possibility for fly towers, lifts, green rooms, a grander foyer, increased capacity and improved accessibility. The project will also create more local jobs and help boost Moorabbin's growing economy. Our mighty Wurlitzer organ will also be a centrepiece of the redevelopment, showcasing Melbourne's musical history. Built in 1928 and known as the King of Instruments, it has resided in City Hall since 1970. This incredible and rare instrument can mimic the sound of an entire orchestra on its own. We want to bring this treasure centre stage.
Economic modelling estimates the redevelopment alone would:
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
• Increase apprenticeship places
Total project cost: $15M Seeking state contribution: $5M - CITIES OF BAYSIDE AND GLEN EIRA
• Deliver $5.2 million in flow-on revenue to local traders
• Provide ongoing arts and hospitality Evenopportunities.employmentneighbouringcouncils have heard the curtain-call. “The arts precinct serves a broad area, with a population of three municipalities totalling 496,000 people. We fully support the proposed redevelopment and would welcome Victorian Government funding support to ensure this much-needed investment in our region’s creative community proceeds.”
Enough is Enough campaign: enough-is-enough-campaignyourkingstonyoursay.com.au/ IS ENOUGH
Support from community groups like Aspendale Gardens Residents Association and Kingston Zero 2030 helped amplify our message.
Kingston’s residents lost nearly $44.2 million through pokies machines in 2020/21, despite venues being closed for nearly 5 months. In a normal year, gambling harm would total nearly $80 million. That’s why we have joined forces with the Alliance for Gambling Reform to reduce gambling harm in our city. Both Council and the Alliance were present for a rally held in Chelsea in July. We came together with community groups to protest a major loophole in planning laws that expose residents to a greater risk of gambling harm, just by buying their groceries. Council challenged a VCAT decision this year to allow a major supermarket to open close to a gaming venue, despite current laws banning gaming venues from setting up in frequently used retail spaces. In June, Mayor Steve Staikos also presented a motion to the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) State Council, calling on the Victorian Planning Minister to block this loophole. Mayor Steve Staikos said: “This gap in logic leaves our communities open to the very real trauma of gambling harm. Enough is Atenough.”therally, passionate residents heard from the Rev. Tim Costello about ways communities and local governments can help protect themselves: “This is a loophole that must be closed, it clearly is against the spirit of the law which is designed to minimise the harm poker machines do in our community by not putting gambling venues close to essential, everyday services such as shopping centres,” the chief advocate of the Alliance for Gambling Reform, Rev. Tim Costello, said. Council will continue to advocate for greater gambling harm reduction measures in collaboration with the Alliance and community groups via its
We declared a climate emergency in 2021 and as a result Council has accelerated our efforts to determine a strategy for Council and the community to reduce emissions. Our NetZero 2030 campaign has two main goalsnet zero Council emissions by 2025 and to support the community to reduce emissions by 40% by 2025. We’ve been doing this by ensuring we design buildings, prepare applications and build developments that meet a high Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) standard, by moving to transition businesses towards more energy efficient technology and away from gas - and by taking up low-carbon and sustainable transport options like electric vehicles and installing charging stations.
Recently we completed our own Climate Change Advocacy Plan 2022 and participated in developing the Regional advocacy plan for The South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCCA). Both plans focus on planning, building design, working with industry to transition towards renewables, water management and foreshore protection.
Our agendaadvocacyclimate kingston.vic.gov.au | Page 9
COMMUNITY ACTION ENOUGH
The Victorian Government has announced it will be removing the level crossings at Parkers Road in Parkdale and Warrigal Road, Mentone using an elevated rail
• new open spaces for community use
• improved pedestrian and cyclist connections.
While these projects are the responsibility of the Victorian Government, Council plays an important role in speaking up for our community and calling for You’veaction.told us these crossings increase your travel times, cause safety issues for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, and create a barrier as you try to get around your neighbourhood to shop, eat or Removingplay. these remaining crossings is key to keeping Kingston moving.
Kingston has seen major change in recent years with the removal of eight level crossings across our city, and two more in the planning phase. We are now advocating to the Victorian Government to remove the final few crossings and make the Frankston line level-crossing free! We are keen to see level crossings removed at:
• Highett Road and Wickham Road, Highett • Station Street, Aspendale • Bear Street and McDonald Street, Mordialloc Due to level crossing delays, traffic banks back in these locations causing safety concerns in the area, particularly around peak school and commuter times.
Theapproach.localcommunity has strongly objected to elevated rail and Council has repeatedly taken these concerns to the government for action. We are also concerned that if the government does proceed with an elevated rail approach, local input is urgently needed in order to gain some benefits for the community. For that reason, Council has been consulting with our community on what should be included if the current approach proceeds. Based on community feedback, Council is calling for:
Page 10 | Kingston Your City - August 2022
Funding and input for major transport projects is a key issue for Kingston with a range of initiatives set to make a big impact on our community.
Level crossing removals will unlock our city. Investing in Parkdale and Mentone Level Crossing project
KeepTRANSPORT
• increased tree plantings
Scan QR code to hear more about Kingston LXRP: Frankston line crossing free
Make
• retention of the historic train station building in the immediate area
Kingston moving
• no net loss of parking
• more convenient pick-up and drop-off locations. Roads
• additional station entries and an underground walkway between Southland and the new SRL station
• improved integration between the new station, parkland, gasworks precinct, Southland and Bay Road
The Victorian Government’s Suburban Rail Loop project will have a significant impact on
Kingston’s Integrated Transport Strategy has a focus on a connected, sustainable and coordinated transport system.
• the upgrade of South Road CouncilMoorabbinisconcerned congestion is leading to larger trucks using suburban roads that aren’t equipped to handle them. Council is also looking towards evaluating the traffic volume of Centre Dandenong Road and reviewing the major intersections of Centre Dandenong Road at Warrigal Road, Nepean Highway, and Boundary Road, with a proposal to potentially introduce a double right turn lane from Centre Dandenong Road into Nepean Highway at the Centre Dandenong Road/Nepean Highway intersection.
Kingston is calling for changes to the project to provide better community outcomes - including moving the train stabling yard from the Delta site on Kingston Road in WeHeatherton.havebeen advocating to the government for much-needed changes before the project proceeds, including: Sir William Fry Reserve
kingston.vic.gov.au | Page 11
Integrated transport also means local, regional and metropolitan transport agencies working together to deliver a range of ways people and goods can reach their destination. This might mean looking at methods to increase bicycle friendly roads, or reduce traffic and congestion by creating new roads or extending existing ones.
• park improvements including a bigger skate park, outdoor exercise equipment, tree planting, and more
• the Delta site in Heatherton is the site of a proposed train stabling yard.
A better vision for the Suburban Rail Loop
•Kingston:around 40% of Sir William Fry Reserve in Highett, opposite Southland, will be used for a new station and development site
For these reasons, we are advocating for:
• the duplication of Governor Road (between Boundary Road and Springvale Road)
• inclusion of a market square, common open spaces, pedestrian links and improved public transport connections
• the Westall Road extension (between Princes Highway and Monash Freeway)
Keep your eyes on your letterbox! Something important is arriving soon. The Housing Strategy and Neighbourhood Character Study was adopted by Council in 2021 thanks to your help. Now we need to put in place new planning controls based on your feedback to determine how the future of our residential areas will look. This includes new residential zones and overlays. This process is called Planning Scheme Amendment C203. Very soon, all residents will receive a letter explaining that the consultation is starting and how to contribute. PLANNING FOR OUR futureFindoutmore: Visit yourkingstonyoursay.com.au/housing-strategy or scan the QR code.