Kingston Your City - Summer 2022

kingston.vic.gov.au cityofkingston kingstoncc kingstoncouncil kingstoncitycouncil info@kingston.vic.gov.au

PO Box 1000, Mentone, 3194 Bunurong Country

CUSTOMER CARE 1300 653 356

COUNCIL MEETINGS

The next meeting is 12 December.

All other meeting times and dates and the link to live stream a meeting can be found here.

KINGSTON YOUR CITY EDITOR

comms@kingston.vic.gov.au

Kingston encourages you to reprint articles and photographs from this publication, but permission must first be sought from the Editor. Acknowledgement of the source must be provided.

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.

COVER PHOTO

Members of the Mordialloc Jazz Orchestra (MOJO) get in a festive mood as they prepare for Carols by Kingston at Bicentennial Park, Chelsea on Sunday 11 December.

New mayor for Kingston

Councillor Hadi Saab has been elected as Mayor for the next 12 months.

During his term, he plans on being an active and visible conduit between the community and Council and has pledged to always champion community consultation.

The Mayor’s focus will be on maintaining transparent communication, further bolstering advocacy, and fostering strong civic pride.

Promoting multiculturalism, through Kingston’s diversity and inclusion plans and the Back Your Neighbour campaign and supporting our youths and young adults are also passions of Cr Saab

Councillor

Championing community concerns

The Victorian Government’s latest plans for the Parkdale/Mentone Level Crossing removal have taken on board some key feedback but more work is needed.

With the government pushing ahead with elevated rail, we have been advocating for designs that benefit our community.

It is positive that the new plans include some of the key features of our adopted Urban Design Framework including:

• the adoption of the ‘village green concept’,

• north and south station entrances,

• the extent of landscaping and plantings,

• the inclusion of multiple gathering spaces and recreation facilities.

While these are important wins, we remain concerned there are still no plans for a safe pedestrian and cycling crossing over Nepean Highway to Mordialloc and streetscape upgrades on Como Parade West.

We know our community doesn’t want Parkdale to become a commuter station, so new commuter carparks must be kept to a minimum and open public space prioritised.

Council also welcomes plans to remove more level crossings but calls on the Victorian Government to provide the community with a strong say during planning.

We want the community to have input on key decisions, including issues such as the proposed road closure at Latrobe Street in Cheltenham.

Chris Hill was elected Deputy Mayor and he looks forward to working collaboratively with the Mayor, councillors and the community to achieve positive results for the people of Kingston.

Cr Chris Hill (Deputy Mayor) and Cr Hadi Saab (Mayor) have been elected to lead the Kingston community for the next 12 months.

Boosting local sport and play

We are continuing our exciting upgrade and expansion of community spaces.

Recent tender awards mean work can begin on facilities in Carrum, Dingley, Moorabbin and Aspendale as we work to meet growing demand and ensure modern, accessible pavilions and playgrounds.

The new Carrum Sports Precinct is closer to completion with the tender awarded for a new tennis pavilion at Roy Dore Reserve

The tennis facilities are just one part of an overall $12.5m investment at the site which includes a new two-storey pavilion with female-friendly change facilities and disability access, upgraded cricket nets, two new acrylic netball courts and new sports lighting.

Four tennis-court revamps are underway and the new tennis pavilion and upgraded scoreboards

will be completed over the next year. The projects have been delivered by Council in partnership with Victorian Government, Federal Government, AFL Victoria and local sporting clubs.

Work is underway on a modern Souter Oval pavilion at Dingley Reserve to add extra changerooms – including for umpires - new social room, kitchen and community space, kiosk, public toilets and open terrace viewing platform.

The $7.1 million project has been made possible through a $4.5 million contribution from the Victorian Government, $177,000 from the Commonwealth and $50,000 from the AFL.

The $8.94 million revamp of GR Bricker Reserve Moorabbin includes a new pavilion, sports lighting, upgraded play space, outdoor exercise equipment, gathering spaces and landscaping.

The Victorian Government will contribute $3 million.

Netballers at Regents Park, Aspendale are looking forward to two flood-lit netball courts and an all-gender friendly pavilion with new change rooms, toilets, medical room, showers, bar, social space and storage.

A $125,000 Victorian Government grant will assist with the installation of new sports lighting at Bonbeach St Chads Baseball Club

Safer trail

The final stage of improvements on the Longbeach Trail between Thames Promenade and Mordialloc Creek

Pedestrian Footbridge are scheduled to get underway by the end of the year. The work at the footbridge will take approximately six weeks to complete.

Funding has been provided via a Federal Government ‘Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program grant’.

New link for Chain of Parks

Kingston is pleased a further 83 hectares of land has been bought by the Victorian Government for the long-awaited Chain of Parks to create linked parks, trails and green space from Karkarook to Braeside Park.

Council has also invested many millions to deliver parts of the Chain of Parks on council owned land, including the new Elder Street South Reserve, Clarinda and Spring Road Reserve in Dingley Village. A 30-hectare park on Victory Road in Clayton South is also due to open in early 2023.

While we welcome this significant step forward, Council is disappointed that the Delta site was not included despite it being identified for public open space for almost 30 years and earmarked for a regional sporting facility.

In the lead-up to the Victorian elections (at the time of going to print in mid November): the Labor Party promised $1m to plan for a replacement regional sporting facility in Dingley Village’s Green

Wedge area while the Liberal/ Nationals promised to scrap the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) stablingyards plan for the Delta site and commit $20 million towards a new active recreation reserve there.

If the stabling yard plan proceeds, the SRL East Inquiry and Advisory Committee report replacement open space must be provided.

To address growing population and sporting needs, we have called for that site to be:

• Equivalent or greater in size than Delta and not fragmented

• Located nearby with public transport connectivity

• Large enough for required sporting fields and buildings

• Promptly acquired

• Where it won’t displace key Green Wedge activities, such as agriculture.

Enhancing our urban forest

Trees absorb carbon, provide shade, habitat for birds and improve the aesthetic of a neighbourhood.

Kingston’s Tree Planting Program has planted 4200 trees in our streets, parks and reserves so far this year.

We want to protect and expand our urban forest on private and public land across Kingston.

We need to increase our number of trees because we are losing canopy faster than it is growing.

We plan to plant more trees on Council land and in streets, protect and maintain existing public and private trees and vegetation and urge other landowners to plant too.

We want to engage the community as ‘urban forest stewards’ because it’s important we work together.

Stay up to date on our Urban Forest Strategy via yourkingstonyoursay.com.au/urbanforest and look out for information on planned pop ups at:

Saturday 3 December 7am-Noon at Kingston Farmers Market, Sir William Fry Reserve, Highett.

Sunday 11 December 8.30am-12.30pm at Bonbeach Farmers Market, Bonbeach.

Friday 13 January 3-6pm at Owen St Piazza, Mordialloc.

Thursday 19 January 10am, Noon, 2pm at Westall Community Hub, Clayton South (including activities for ages 5+)

Friday 3 February, 3-6pm at The Highett Common, Highett.

Community dives into aquatic planning

The creation of a new aquatic and leisure centre that is contemporary, accessible for all, and meets current standards is a significant project and investment.

To build this important facility we need community input. Earlier this year we invited the community to register their interest to be part of the Community Reference Group (CRG) to help shape the important decisions we need to make, to deliver our new Aquatic & Leisure Centre.

We received more than 148 responses – thank you to everyone who expressed their interest.

The recruitment process was managed by an independent consultant (Deliberately Engaging).

Comprising 25 members, the CRG brings together locals across the demographic spectrum, with vastly different experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds.

The CRG will learn about all sorts of factors associated with such a centre, discuss them with one

another, and then offer feedback to help guide our decision-making. We look forward to sharing updates and highlights of upcoming CRG meetings with our community. The next stage of consultation on the concept design is planned to open in early-mid 2023.

Swim school scores gold!

Waves Leisure Centre has won Swim School of the Year at the Aquatic & Recreation Victoria Industry Gala Awards.

Innovative and effective management, programming, human resources, customer service, risk management, community involvement and partnerships were all evaluated.

Waves was celebrated for its dynamic programming through COVID-19, staff mentor program, community partnerships, inclusivity, and customer-first approach.

To learn more about the centre’s Learn to Swim program, visit kingstonactive.com.au/ learn-to-swim

Members of the Community Reference Group for our planned new Aquatic and Leisure Centre.

Planning for the future

The most recent stage of consultation invited community feedback on proposed new planning controls (Amendment C203). During August and September, thousands of community members visited our consultation page, downloaded documents and accessed online tools to find out what the proposed changes to Kingston’s residential zones and overlays mean for you.

What’s next?

We are now considering all submissions received during

consultation and a decision whether or not to proceed to a Planning Panel will be made at a Council Meeting in December. If we proceed to a Planning Panel, the panel will hear submissions about the amendment and will make recommendations or provide advice if the amendment should proceed. The amendment, including the Panel report, will then be considered at a Council Meeting. If the amendment is adopted by Council, it will be submitted to the Minister for Planning for the final decision.

Why do we need new zones?

The Victorian Government estimates Melbourne will grow to 7.9 million people by 2051 and has set out how Councils will have to take their fair share of the growth. We want to ensure growth in Kingston is around key activity centres, close to public transport, shops and services to allow us to protect the amenity of our quieter streets.

For more info, visit yourkingstonyoursay.com.au/c203

During the recent Victorian election, we ran the Put Kingston First campaign to raise awareness about key local projects – many which need state government support to proceed.

We called on all parties to support a range of key local projects including:

% Funding contribution towards Kingston’s new Aquatic & Leisure Centre

% Support for sporting upgrades at Bonbeach Reserve, Le Page Park, Kingston Heath Reserve & Namatjira Park

% Improvements to major state projects including the Suburban Rail Loop and level crossing removal projects.

To spread the word, we held a range of activities including an MP & Candidate breakfast, numerous MP briefings and pop-ups across the municipality to seek community support.

Thank-you to the many community members who added their voice to the Put Kingston First campaign to show there was strong support for these important local projects.

Keep speaking up!

So far this year more than 100,000 of you have used our Your Kingston Your Say website to join the discussions about local projects.

A big thanks to everyone who gave feedback. Your voice makes a difference.

If you haven’t signed up yet, visit yourkingstonyoursay.com.au and click on the register button.

For several years we’ve been working with our community to develop new residential planning rules.

Council has been working hard to speak up on behalf of our community and advocate to the Victorian Government for their support on local projects.

Be the first to know what's happening in Kingston by signing up to our eNewsletter.

Kingston kids get top-class start

Parkdale, Carrum and Edithvale Family and Children’s Centres have been recognised as among the best in Australia.

Our centres have been rated as exceeding the National Quality Standards (NQS) following a rigorous assessment.

Excitingly, the long day care and kindergarten services of all three centres were assessed to be exceeding the standards in all the seven areas judged.

The assessors were glowing in their praise of Kingston’s early childhood professionals, describing their relationships with the children

Payment flexibility for ratepayers

You can now spread your rates payments across the financial year.

Using bill-paying platform Payble, your payments can be direct debited weekly, fortnightly, or monthly from your bank account, debit or credit card.

Flexible payments are set up on your current rates balance.

Update, pause and change your payment details anytime and set SMS reminders to stay on track.

Get all the details here!

as “warm, caring, nurturing, responsive and respectful”.

The centres’ environmental sustainability focus, including worm farms, veggie gardens and recycling programs; the nutritious and delicious meals provided; and Indigenous perspectives being embedded across all programs and services also came in for special mention.

The National Quality Framework (NQF) for early childhood education and care was introduced to produce better educational and development outcomes for children, with the implementation

Fighting gambling harm

We are disappointed the Supreme Court recently upheld a VCAT decision to approve a Woolworthsbased shopping centre development just 75 metres from an electronic gaming machine venue at the Chelsea Heights Hotel.

Under current planning laws Councils can ban the development of gambling venues in retail areas.

Therefore, we can stop development of a gaming venue next to a supermarket, but not of a supermarket next to an existing gaming venue.

We call on the Planning Minister to close this loophole.

of the NQF guided by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority.

At a glance

The NQS cover seven quality areas - educational program and practice, children’s health and safety, physical environment, staffing arrangements, relationships with children, collaborative partnerships with families and communities, and governance and leadership.

Tribunal refuses

Cove

application

VCAT has ruled that an application associated with a proposed 10-storey building in Endeavour Cove won’t proceed.

We successfully opposed the application at the tribunal and welcome the decision.

We had earlier determined to refuse the application which sought a reduction in the number of parking spaces required for the proposed development at 64 Pier One Drive, but the matter was appealed to VCAT.

We are now focusing on introducing tighter permanent planning controls for the area.

Have a look at our great centres!

Harrison, Archer and Gracie have been checking out Bicentennial Park for us ahead of the much-anticipated return of Carols by Kingston on Sunday 11 December.

We’re back with a bang, with fabulous performers, amazing food and spectacular fireworks.

We have an array of festive and summery treats lined up for the whole family to enjoy.

kingston.vic.gov.au/carols

A big thanks to our little Christmas helpers. They look as excited and happy to have Carols back as we are!

It will be a festive night to remember. Bring your picnic blanket, nibbles and drinks - or enjoy something delicious from a range of food stalls and trucks. The ever popular Mordialloc Jazz Orchestra (pictured) will back the singers and wow us with plenty of their own renditions. And to ensure a spectacular Carols return, after a two-year hiatus, we’ll have ever-popular fireworks to finish. Be sure to snap photos with your family and friends and share with us on social media with

you are quick! Limited reserved seating at the front of the crowd is available for $20 a seat. Book online at kingston.vic. gov.au/carols

buying a candle on the night. The Fund aims to make the community stronger and more connected by supporting our local charities.

kingston.vic.gov.au/kcf

your favourite carols performed by a great line-up of entertainers.

Summer on your door step!

Did you know we have more than 13 kilometres of coastline?

Now is a great time to get outside and explore all that Kingston has to offer.

Our beautiful beaches are perfect for a day out with the family, lazing on the sand or swimming in the bay.

If walking or cycling are your thing, the Bay Trail offers spectacular water views, native vegetation and glimpses of wildlife.

Our wonderful reserves, bushland and our great parks are also summer spaces to enjoy.

Pack a picnic and find a neighbouring park – or try one you haven’t been to before

We have 116 playgrounds across the municipality, so there are plenty of spots to give the kids a few hours of fun.

And don’t forget our creeks and wetlands offer stunning places to escape to for naturefilled walks and a quiet retreat from the everyday bustle.

Check out waterfowl, the migratory birds and the precious flora and fauna at Edithvale Wetlands

When you’re too busy to plan a picnic, show our local traders some love. There are many outdoor dining options.

Visit kingston.vic.gov.au for more detailed information on our parks, beaches and reserves.

Planning for healthier transport

Over five weeks in spring 2021, we ran a community consultation asking you to let us know how we can make cycling and walking the preferred way for short trips around Kingston.

We received more than 900 suggestions, pinned to a map of the city, and a huge number of survey responses.

Thanks to all who provided this invaluable feedback. We are now commencing work on a draft five year Walking and Cycling Plan.

We have great potential for increasing cycling and walking options because Kingston

is relatively flat with activity centres and destinations well connected to the Nepean Highway and the rail corridors. This will complement our Climate and Ecological Emergency Response plan, which aims to reduce carbon emissions and supports our Health and Wellbeing plan - and can save community members at the bowser.

Over summer we will seek feedback on the draft plan.

Visit yourkingstonyoursay. com.au or scan the QR.

Did you know?

From 8 December –31 January our beaches are raked twice weekly around lifesaving clubs.

You can take your furry friends to the Mentone dog beach (Charman Road to Plummer Road) for 24hr off-leash play all year around.

A dog’s life Stay safe, keep it clean

Whether you are at the beach or elsewhere, please dispose of cigarette butts properly to keep our beaches and bay clean.

When visiting your local beach, please take care to park safely and legally. When parking in local streets keep driveways free.

Kingston residents are entitled to a beach parking permit.

Contact Council’s Customer Care team on 1300 653 356 if you have not received yours.

Please help keep our beaches clean and tidy by collecting all your rubbish, putting it securely inside bins or taking it home.

Swim between the red and yellow flags at a patrolled location wherever possible. Remember if they can’t see you, they can’t save you.

Aspendale, Bonbeach, Edithvale and Mentone beaches are patrolled in summer.

From November to April, foreshore bins are emptied more often in peak times and at busy spots.

If you see a full bin, please report it via the QR code on the bin so we can empty it as soon as possible.

Local community groups, including Beach Patrol Australia groups, also hold clean-up sessions on several local beaches. Visit beachpatrol.com.au

The Environment Protection Authority advises against swimming at all waterways and beaches for up to 48 hours after heavy rain due to risk from increased pathogen levels.

Keep track on the EPA website.

However, various restrictions are in place over summer at other beaches.

Check here for details

ALCOHOL-FREE ZONE

All Kingston’s public spaces will be an alcohol-free zone from 6pm on New Year’s Eve until 10am New Year’s Day.

Find out more at kingston.vic.gov.au/ alcohol-free-zones

Volunteer working bees

Working bees across Kingston’s reserves and foreshore are a great way to meet new people, protect and preserve our beautiful environment and make a positive impact in your community. Join in for an enjoyable day out!

Volunteer groups who are ‘Friends of’ our reserves hold several events across Kingston.

Working bees take place at the following locations, generally between 10 am to noon on Sunday mornings.

• Bradshaw Bushland Reserve, Mordialloc

• Kingston Heath Reserve, Heatherton

• Mordialloc Catchment

• The Grange Reserve, Clayton South

• Rowans Woodland, Dingley Village

• Aspendale beach, Aspendale

• Carrum beach

• Bonbeach and Chelsea beaches

If you’re aged 65 and over or have a disability, we have a range of services, to support you to live independently in your own home for as long as you wish to.

You may just need one or two services occasionally, for example housework, shopping or personal care.

If you need many services multiple times per week, you can apply for a Home Care Package, where you receive budget and choose how your money is spent. You can also access additional services including podiatry, nursing, occupational therapy and buy required equipment. An allocated care manager will support you to make the most of your budget and provide advice.

Visit accesscare.org.au for more information.

• Indigenous Nursery, Bonbeach

Find out more about working bees kingston.vic.gov.au/working-bees

Ageing comfortably in Kingston Backing our community

We have a range of grants available to local not-for-profit organisations and groups to help provide services and projects for health and welfare, art and culture, sport and recreation, education, environment and community support.

This year, social welfare groups, schools, theatres, and sporting clubs shared in just over $1.6 million to continue their great work thanks to our Annual Community Grants Program.

Individual artists, not-for-profit arts groups and organisations are invited to make an application for an Arts Grant as part of the wider Community Grants Program.

Need a playgroup?

We offer free playgroups, providing a safe, relaxed environment to have fun, build friendships and enjoy time with your children. Contact us on 1300 653 356 or playgroups@kingston.vic.gov.au

And our annual Children’s Week Grants program provides grants of up to $1,000 assist local community groups and not-for-profit organisations to celebrate Children’s Week.

The grants will open on 9am Monday 30 January 2023 and close midnight Thursday 30 March.

Visit kingston.vic.gov.au/grants

Volunteers protecting the environment at Mordialloc Creek

How to stay safe this summer

Summer may be our holiday season, but it can also be a season of adverse weather periods.

Whether it’s freak storms, bushfires or extreme heat, stay safe by being prepared.

Bushfires

If you are holidaying in a bushfire-prone area, work out your level of risk and prepare a Bushfire Survival Plan.

Visit cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare to find out how.

Floods

Severe weather can cause flooding and power outages.

Do not swim or allow children to swim or play in floodwater. As well as the risk of drowning, there is a risk of injury from objects in the water.

Downed power lines, chemical or sewerage waste all pose dangers, too.

The Victorian Government Department of Health recommends keeping children and pets away from your property after flooding until it has been completely cleaned up.

Mayoral award

Cr Steve Staikos has received a Municipal Association of Victoria’s Mayor Emeritus Award.

Cr Staikos was recognised for serving four terms as Mayor.

At the ceremony, former Kingston Councillor Ron Brownlees OAM was recognised for his 30 years of community service in Local Government.

Perishable foods that have been left above 5°C for more than four hours because of a power outage should be thrown away.

Visit ses.vic.gov.au/plan-andstay-safe for helpful information.

Stay cool

Heat can cause illnesses such as heat cramps and heat exhaustion which can lead to the lifethreatening condition, heatstroke.

Older people, young children and people with a medical condition are most vulnerable.

Stay safe by:

• Drinking plenty of water

• Never leaving anyone (or pets) in a car

• Staying somewhere cool

• Planning ahead

Check in on others, especially the elderly.

For more information visit betterhealth.vic.gov.au

If you or anyone you know feels unwell on a hot day call NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24, or 000 in an emergency.

Find out about our community emergency planning at kingston.vic.gov.au/community/ emergency-planning

CR JENNA DAVEY-BURNS 0437 859 749

jenna.davey-burns@kingston.vic.gov.au

Celebrating the year that was and welcoming in a new year ahead is an important time. I hope that this festive season and summer brings you some much deserved rest and re-connection with people you hold dear.

Shout out to the amazing teams at all our wonderful Neighbourhood Houses across Kingston. The work you do to support our community is truly wonderful. I loved joining in English classes at Cheltenham Community Centre and meeting the fun-loving Club 115 at Mordialloc Community Centre. With Highett and Wickham Road level crossing removals now firmly on the agenda, I will be advocating strongly for community consultation to make sure our voices are heard. We want to ensure these projects are a catalyst for enhancing our much-loved shopping strips, lead to public safety improvements, develop vibrant community spaces, and importantly, improved pedestrian and cycling links

A big thanks to our local traders across Cheltenham and Highett! I’m especially excited about the Follett Road upgrades and art project. What a fantastic community.

Over Summer I will be out on my bike – we need better and safer cycle paths in Kingston and I am working on achieving this.

For those of you with young ones at home, Waves Leisure Centre has some great school holiday fun lined up. I have loved serving the community as Deputy Mayor over the last 12 months – an enormous thanks to all the organisations and community groups who invited me to visit and to all the traders and residents for such wonderful engagement.

CR TRACEY DAVIES 0438 108 611

tracey.davies@kingston.vic.gov.au

It’s getting near that time of the year when we think about getting out more, catching up with friends and enjoying the warmer weather. Planning is well underway for our festive events and, as many of you will know by now, Carols at Kingston is back! Two years of pandemic restrictions have meant this much-loved musical evening was mothballed.

Save the date! Sunday 11 December.

It’s great we can get together again at Bicentennial Park for this feelgood festival of song that will lift our spirits and ease us into a fun, but let’s face it, often hectic season.

So, don’t forget to enjoy not just the Carols but the great outdoors. Take time to relax and utilise the beautiful beaches, walking paths and parks that we are lucky to have. Here in Kingston, we have wonderful stretch of coastline from Mentone to Carrum.

And summer is, of course, the season of picnics. The foreshore and Kingston’s selection of parks offer perfect picnic spots.

Beautiful Braeside Park, for example, is a tranquil oasis in the middle of suburbia, with biking and walking trails through native bushland.

Take your kayak on to Karkarook Park lake or go for a walk around the lake and watch the ducks and swans and listen out for the frogs. Check out Kingston Farmers’ Market at Sir William Fry Reserve and treat yourself to fresh and farm-origin food products. Whatever you get up to, surround yourself with people you love, relax and enjoy.

Love local this summer

The Love Local Kingston initiative is designed to support our community, promote our local businesses, and celebrate the spaces and places that make Kingston a wonderful place.

Summer is almost here, so what better time to get outdoors, enjoy our parks, and support local when you shop and dine with friends and family. We live in a wonderful municipality and there is so much to enjoy, we also have a great variety of local businesses from health and

City of WardsKingston

beauty to retail, to cafes and restaurants and so much more.

So, this season let’s shop, stay, play and love local when we can.

Councillors Jenna Davey-Burns and Tracey Davies enjoy a coffee from a local café as they check out the Love Kingston stopand-relax spot at Highett Common.

Another link in our Chain of Parks

A former 30-hectare landfill site on Victory Rd, Clayton South is being rehabilitated into parkland to help expand Kingston’s urban forest and beautiful Chain of Parks. We’re working with Cleanaway and their contractor ULS Group to rehabilitate the site and oversee the planting of hundreds of trees and thousands of shrubs and grasses. New paths and trails will be created to link the Elder Street South Parkland and Victory Road Parkland, and the site will also feature a lookout and a new fenced off-leash dog park.

CR GEORGE HUA 0429 171 449 george.hua@kingston.vic.gov.au

The close of the year is a time for reflection on what’s past and a focus on what we hope to come.

There has been a great energy this year at Council and I like where things are heading.

We are passionate about a zero emissions future, working to reduce community CO2 emissions to net zero by 2030.

We have installed more than one megawatt of solar power on Council buildings, we buy only zero-emissions electricity, and we will soon transition our fleet to zero emissions vehicles.

And thank you Kingston residents! We now divert more than 4,000 tonnes of food and garden waste a year from landfill. Together we will continue this critical climate action.

It’s been great to see the finalisation of the Bay Trail and hopefully soon we will see the long-planned Chain of Parks come to life.

I am proud that Kingston is on a crucial journey with our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan. This is important work as we enter a phase of truth-telling and treaty in Victoria and hopefully constitutional reform for an Indigenous Voice to the Federal Parliament.

On the 15 December, our City commemorates 28 years. Much has changed in that time, but the constant is our strong commitment to our community.

It has been an honour serving as Mayor. Thank you to all our wonderful groups, volunteers, organisations, businesses and residents for making Kingston such a special place.

I warmly welcome our new Mayor, Hadi Saab and look forward to working with you through 2023.

It’s an honour to be serving our community as Mayor.

Bolstering advocacy, maintaining transparent communication and fostering strong civic pride is my focus.

I see my role as a visible conduit between the community and Council, championing timely, transparent community consultation on any impactful changes.

Thank you to Cr Steve Staikos for his great work as Mayor this past 12 months.

He was a great advocate for Kingston to other levels of government and actively engaged with external bodies to help improve our municipality.

My goal is to further develop that advocacy and strengthen our links with the advocacy group Greater South East Melbourne to push for jobs, infrastructure, investment and liveability in this region.

I will keep campaigning for funding for a recycled water ‘purple pipeline’.

I’ll continue support for the innovative South East Metropolitan Advanced Waste Processing Project and the Back Your Neighbour coalition of local councils which stands up for some of the most vulnerable members of our community … people seeking asylum.

My parents came to Australia looking for a secure and safer environment.

My dad fled war in Lebanon.

Promoting and celebrating Kingston’s multiculturalism, through our diversity and inclusion plans, is important.

I also want to support our youth and young adults in issues they care about is important, too.

And continued climate action is critical as we strive for a zero-emissions and a climate-change resilient community. In short, I want a Kingston we are proud of.

Our support for local sport is underpinned by continuing upgrades of facilities to ensure they are fit for purpose and accessible.

I’m delighted to see construction commencing for the Souter Oval pavilion at Dingley Reserve. This modern building will have additional change rooms – including for umpires – a new social room, kitchen and community space. There will also be a kiosk, public toilets and a viewing platform.

More broadly, I mentioned our proposed new Planning Scheme Amendment C203 in the previous edition of Kingston Your City. We are now considering all submissions received during consultation. I understand our residents have strong concerns for having three or more storeys’ buildings in the local community. That is why I fought very hard to minimise the area of General Residential Zones (GRZ) that would allow three storey development.

Councillors George Hua, Steve Staikos and Mayor Hadi Saab at the Victory Road former landfill site.

Playful boost for Mordialloc

We’ve received a welcome funding boost from the Victorian Government, under the Community Local Sports Infrastructure Fund. A $300,000 grant will help fund the upgrade of Mordialloc’s popular Peter Scullin Reserve, allowing us to create a modern, accessible play space.

The playground was closed at the end of 2021 due to corrosion issues and we look forward to a great replacement that will include water play, swings and interactive play features.

CR CAMERON HOWE 0429 498 028 cameron.howe@kingston.vic.gov.au

Hello Patterson Lakes (PL), Carrum and Bonbeach residents. As the year ends, it’s good to look back on the delivery of projects, including the Roy Dore Reserve main pavilion, oval irrigation, tennis and netball courts and dog park; in addition to Bonbeach LSC and Bonbeach Reserve ballstop netting, landscaping of roundabout, access points and the PL town centre. Myola Street was resealed, and PL primary school car park work is concluding. We also assisted with funding advocacy, delivering the Carrum Sailing and Motor Boat Club. 2023/24 indicative timeline - Carrum SLSC extension, Roy Dore Reserve tennis pavilion, Church Road reconstruction, Bonbeach Reserve drainage and cricket nets, (subject to Melbourne Water and statutory approvals); the northern Carrum boardwalk extension, PL plaza boardwalk and Kananook Creek viewing platform. Our sculpture trail is a 2023 start, with planning underway for The Beauty Spot.

At printing, Patterson River state-owned issues still under advocation included: a replacement litter trap and the overall master plan, while the Berkeley Living complex awaits state direction to force the sale or be acquired.

For those of you looking forward to time out over summer, check out the Southern Waters Ski Team Christmas show on December 18, 2-5pm at the National Water Sports Centre. And, of course, enjoy the wonderful Christmas lights shows from Paterson Lakes canal homeowners – a stunning annual festive treat.

FB (pages): Cameron Howe. IG: @camhowe.

Mordi Fest. When that festival is over in March, construction can begin on the $1.8m project.

CR CHRIS HILL 0437 913 851 chris.hill@kingston.vic.gov.au

I have spoken before of my campaigning to protect neighbourhood character and amenity of our quiet residential streets and our work on developing new residential planning rules.

The large numbers of you who have visited our consultation web page on the issue shows it’s a subject that’s important to you.

The update is we are now considering all submissions and what happens next will be decided at a Council Meeting in December. We must decide whether to abandon it or refer all submissions to an independent Planning Panel, which would then provide us with a report.

Good news locally is we have prepared plans and applied for heritage and planning permits to activate the old station building in Mentone. A planning permit is expected to be issued shortly and a fit out of the building for a hospitality tenant will follow.

It’s expected that the building will be ready for new operator in September 2023.

Some of you will have gone to the recent 20-year celebration of ‘Friends of the Mentone Station Gardens’ at the Gardens and Heritage Deck.

I hope as the warmer weather arrives, we’ll see more people using the deck to enjoy lunch or a coffee and we are working with Vic Track to secure a lease to see it’s increased use as a great location for community events.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and summer. Take time out to enjoy Kingston and support out local businesses.

CR TIM COCHRANE 0437 843 837 tim.cochrane@kingston.vic.gov.au

This is my favourite time of the year. I’m looking forward to another summer getting out and about in Kingston and enjoying all our local venues and beautiful beaches.

We’ve spent the past decade updating lifesaving clubs across the municipality, so I’m working with Council Officers to explore how these can be better used by the community over future summer periods. It’s done well in other states, & I’d like to see it improve here.

Our new aquatic facility is shaping up to be a standout, with a 50m pool, learn to swim, therapy section, gym, saunas & spas. It’s a complex project, but we’re getting it done.

I, along with some very passionate community members, have a vision of reinvigorating Mordialloc’s Governor Road factory precinct. (opposite the new aquatic site)

My hope is to attract exciting, social and interesting new businesses, adding to the growing vibrancy and attractiveness of our seaside suburb.

There are already some great businesses operating in the area such as food precinct; Urban Ground, the great family-owned Braeside Brewing, chocolatier Güras Cacao & wellbeing retreat Wild soul Wellness.

Lastly, make sure to check out ‘ParkiGrocer’ who have started serving up coffee alongside their fresh organic produce. They’re a great family run business & one of Kingston’s little treasures!

Life’s good!

Banksia Ward | Como Ward | Melaleuca Ward

Peter

Scullin

Reserve is a hugely popular park and community space and is home to the annual

Cr Tim Cochrane and Deputy Mayor Chris Hill at Peter Scullin Reserve playground

CR GEORGINA OXLEY 0429 222 504 georgina.oxley@kingston.vic.gov.au

Our beautiful Bicentennial Park will be filled with the sound of song once again. Carols is returning after a two-year halt and a wonderful evening of music and family fun is planned.

So, book it in, dig out your picnic blanket and join us for an event to remember. The free concert is on Sunday 11 December at 6.30pm.

It’s hard to believe Bicentennial Park was once landfill and we reclaimed the land, turning it into an incredible community space. That reclamation and transformation of former tips is still a passionate Kingston project with our Chain of Parks vision still front of mind.

I am committed to land use balance in Kingston and the preservation, when possible, of precious biodiverse flora and fauna.

Summer stretches ahead of us now and I’m looking forward to plenty more walks with my dog, Banjo.

In Chelsea, Chelsea Heights, Bonbeach and Patterson Lakes we are spoiled for choice when it comes to enjoying beautiful outdoor spaces.

I hope you all get a chance to experience what Kingston has to offer.

As you do, please be mindful of how precious our bushland, waterways and foreshores are. Be litter conscious – bin it or take it home. We all have our part to play in protecting our environment. Have a lovely Christmas and a great summer.

CR DAVID EDEN 0422 557 917 david.eden@kingston.vic.gov.au

In 2019, we constructed Kingston’s first Disc Golf course at Bald Hill Park in Clarinda and it was a big hit.

So, earlier this year we trialled a second at Bicentennial Park in Chelsea and public response was again positive.

A concept plan has now been developed for a permanent course in the park with 18 target baskets and nine tee areas. The Melbourne Disc Golf Club and the Disc Golf community were consulted on the course layout. Disc Golf is a competitive and social activity that can be played by people of all ages.

It is a free activity for all park users and discs will be available to borrow from our libraries and community centres.

And it’s worth noting our events, festivals and the off-leash dog areas at Bicentennial Park won’t be affected by the new course. The aim is to integrate Disc Golf into the park to broaden park usage, without disruption to other activities.

We now want to hear from you what you think of the plans.

You can share your views by taking part in our online survey at yourkingstonyoursay.com.au, or join us at Carols by Kingston and provide feedback in person at Bicentennial Park, Chelsea!

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your feedback through the year and there will be plenty more to come in 2023.

CR TAMSIN BEARSLEY 0430 170 210 tamsin.bearsley@kingston.vic.gov.au

I love to see our public spaces upgraded to better meet the needs of the community.

Recently we added four soccer pitches, two cricket ovals, nets and 12 modern lighting poles to the new, first-class Aspendale Gardens Sports Ground. Also, a modern pavilion provides the toilets and changerooms needed to encourage more women and girls into sport.

The pavilion has an inclusive design, with accessible ramps and toilets, an elevated viewing deck and hearing augmentation among the all-abilities features.

Walking and cycling paths have been built, landscape improvements made and a new carpark added which is also used by Aspendale Gardens Primary School

This project benefits our sporting and broader communities, proving the positivity of broad consultation.

We worked closely with Aspendale Gardens Residents Association, Aspendale Stingrays Soccer Club, and residents on this development.

Kingston is a great municipality with beautiful open spaces, such as Braeside Park and our amazing stretch of coast.

I hope you all find time to enjoy it this summer.

And this Christmas we welcome the return of our Carols event.

It will be a chance for you to get together with family, friends and neighbours and kick off the festive season with music, food and a renewed sense of community. Enjoy!

Explore our precious wetlands this summer

The Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands is a collection of mostly freshwater swamps and marshlands totalling 261 hectares.

Friends of Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands work hard to promote and encourage the protection, rehabilitation and enhancement of this precious wetland area.

They also encourage scientific study of the habitat, fauna and flora and promote awareness and appreciation of this beautiful ecosystem which regularly has more than 100 different species of birds.

As the weather improves following recent heavy rains, we will undertake interim works to improve access by raising the path level with asphalt.

We have installed plastic grid as a temporary measure.

If you would like to volunteer for duty in the Bird Hide – you don’t have to have specialist knowledge, just be willing to engage with visitors – please email Robin at feswiwetlands@gmail.com

Councillors Georgina Oxley and David Eden at the amazing Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands

Improving our hard waste collection

Great news! From July 2023, we’re upgrading our hard waste collection service.

FOOD & GARDEN BIN

RECYCLING BIN

You will receive two, free on-call collections per financial year, replacing the annual collection in September/October. Thank you to the 1400+ community members who shared their thoughts on the proposal earlier this year. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and we look forward to providing you with a more

flexible approach to hard waste.

In the meantime, you can still book additional hard waste collections throughout the year for a fee.

If you would like to be notified by email when bookings open for the new service mid-next year, subscribe at kingston.vic.gov.au/hard-waste

LANDFILL BIN

DECEMBER

SATURDAY 3 DECEMBER

8am-12.30pm

Sir William Fry Reserve

The regular December market will be held on Saturday 3 December 8am – 12.30pm. Get your Christmas produce from local suppliers at Kingston Farmers’ Christmas Market on Wednesday 21 December from 4-7pm.

$2 donation to Rotary

SATURDAY 3 DECEMBER

SUNDAY 11 DECEMBER

CAROLS BY KINGSTON

6.30PM START

FEBRUARY

SATURDAY 4 FEBRUARY

FRIENDS OF KINGSTON HEATH WORKING BEE

10am-12pm Bonbeach Nursery (Southern end of Scotch Pde. Next the Chelsea SES)

ROLL FOR RESPECT

2pm-5.30pm

Springers Leisure Centre

An exciting Roller Derby exhibition match - Kingston City Rollers vs Westside! This is a family-friendly afternoon with coffee, bake sale, face painting, jumping castle, guest speakers and more. Prizes from Bayside Blade and local businesses. This event is supported by Kingston City Council as part of the international 16 Days of Activism Against GenderBased Violence campaign. Wear orange to show your support!

Learn more at kingston.vic.gov.au/ roll-for-respect

TUESDAY 6 DECEMBER

M OVIE NIGHT

CHELSEA TWILIGHTS

6.30pm to 8.30pm

Chelsea Library

Movies in the library with munchies, tea and coffee. Old or new, these movies have broad appeal and are rated G, PG or M.

The movie will be announced closer to the time.

Free, no bookings required

TUESDAY

13 DECEMBER MORNING MELODIES

10.30am

Kingston City Hall

Morning Melodies returns with a very special Christmas edition. Join in the celebrations with Scott Harrison on the Wurlitzer followed by Johanna Allen accompanied by David Cameron in ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’ singing all your favourites.

Tickets are $15 and include complimentary tea and coffee.

Book here kingstonarts.com.au

JANUARY

FRIDAY 20 JANUARY

BLAK MARKETS

5pm-8pm Derrimut Weelam Gathering Place

The Blak Markets are a great opportunity to purchase authentic and unique gifts, knowing that 100% of the profits go back into Aboriginal Business.

2023 is going to be a busy year with the return of the great Skate of Mind skateboarding event; an exciting new podcast and a range of programs.

Stay up to date kingston.vic.gov.au/ services/youth-services

If you have a passion for protecting and preserving Kingston’s Bushland and Foreshore reserves, join us for a working bee, where you’ll pick up some great skills and learn about our beautiful environment.

WEDNESDAY 8 FEBRUARY

MID-WEEK MOVIES AT SUNDOWNER COMMUNITY CENTRE

12.30pm-3.30pm

Sundowner Community Centre

Enjoy a movie on the big screen with a free weekly movie every Wednesday. Tea and coffee provided. Contact 8551 1206

STORYTIME AT THE GALLERY

WEDNESDAY 25 JANUARY

2pm to 3pm

Kingston Arts Centre

Enjoy stories and craft for preschool aged children in the beautiful chamber at the gallery.

Free, no bookings required