Maroondah news - July 2023

Maroondah news

Your community newsletter

A competitive edge

Maroondah cricketers and netballers have a new place to train, with Maroondah Edge open for use by local clubs. Located in the Jubilee Park precinct, the centre overlooks the Premier Grade Russell Lucas Oval and adds to the existing facilities for local cricket, football, tennis, soccer and croquet, along with playgrounds and Aquanation. With five lanes for indoor cricket training and a half-netball court, Maroondah Edge is a one-of-a-kind facility in the Eastern Region and the first of one of four indoor cricket training hubs in the Melbourne metropolitan area.

It is also set to become a regional women’s centre of excellence for cricket and will further raise the profile of women’s cricket in Victoria and the outer eastern suburbs of Maroondah.

Teams from the premier grade, Ringwood Cricket Club, Ringwood Football Netball Club, Ringwood Spiders All-Abilities Sports Club, Cricket Victoria and the Ringwood District Cricket Association (RDCA) are enjoying the new facilities, which commenced operations in June.

Ringwood Cricket Club Vice President Tamara Bourke said the centre will be important for supporting players’ goals.

“Growing local talent has always been a focus for the Club and having access to Maroondah Edge allows us to further support the local cricket community.

The focus on women’s premier cricket and the development of girls’ cricket is important as we continue to support players with aspirations to play for Australia,” Tamara said.

“Jubilee Park is now even more attractive for hosting national cricket events, and we look forward to supporting these opportunities too.”

Chairman of the Ringwood Spiders All-Abilities Sports Club Committee Paul House said the new facilities are a welcome addition.

“Maroondah Edge both complements and enhances what we already have with the RO Spencer Pavilion. Both football and netball players are enjoying the ground and the social facilities.

Continued page 2

Welcome to Maroondah news

Hello and welcome to the July edition of Maroondah news

This is one of many ways that you can keep informed and engaged with the range of Council’s services, events and programs.

We also provide other digital and print news publications, including our quarterly Maroondah news magazine, our eNewsletter and regular updates via our website and social media.

If you haven’t already, visit www.maroondah.vic.gov.au and subscribe to our regular eNewsletters, or keep up to date on our social media channels.

Page 3: Have your say

Page 4: A look inside the 2023/24 Budget

Page 6: Help reduce plastic pollution

Maroondah cricketers training at the new Maroondah Edge centre, which opened for use last month.

Council meetings

Council meetings are generally held on the third Monday of each month from 7.30pm in the Council Chamber at Realm and are live-streamed via Council’s website.

Upcoming dates are:

Monday 17 July

Monday 28 August

Monday 18 September

Council meetings are open to the public and are promoted across a range of channels, with an open invitation to attend. If attending in person, please arrive in time for the start of the meeting. Agendas are made available online via Council’s website on the Friday before the meeting date.

Council opening hours

Our customer service centres are here to help. Visit:

Realm

Ringwood Town Square

179 Maroondah Highway, Ringwood (opposite Ringwood Station)

Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm

Open Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 5pm

Open most Victorian public holidays

Croydon Library

5 Civic Square, Croydon

Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Closed on weekends and public holidays

Get in contact with us

Call 1300 88 22 33 or 9298 4598

SMS 0480 020 200

maroondah@maroondah.vic.gov.au

Live chat via our website www.maroondah.vic.gov.au

Scan the QR code to subscribe to Maroondah news, our community e-newsletter that features a range of news, consultations and events to keep you connected with what’s happening in and around Maroondah.

Maroondah City Council

CityofMaroondah

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Maroondah City Council

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“Our sister club, Eastern All-Abilities Netball Club, can now train at the same time as the Spiders Football Club. This allows both clubs to train at the one location and allows us to socialise and enjoy a meal and each other’s company,” Paul said.

“With the new cricket training centre, the Jubilee sporting precinct is Maroondah’s centre of excellence that we can all enjoy and with support from Council and other clubs in the area, we should see a growth in the all-abilities sector.”

Members of the Ringwood Football Netball Club can now train alongside each other, which will help strengthen relationships throughout the club, said Netball Coordinator Nicole Stagg.

Stay well

“Maroondah Edge will help grow our sense of community. The netball teams can now train alongside the footballers, which makes it easier for them to feel a part of the club and build relationships with the other members,” Nicole said.

“We can also have dinners together after training, creating a sense of inclusiveness for the netballers and bringing everyone closer as a community. This can help bring more players and supporters to our games as well, which is a massive part of our club values.”

Visit Council’s website to learn more about Maroondah Edge. This project has been funded by Council in partnership with the Victorian Government.

If it’s been six months since your last COVID-19 vaccination or COVID-19 infection, you may be eligible to receive your 2023 booster.

If you are:

• aged 65 years and over, or

• aged 18 to 64 years and are at risk (you have medical comorbidities or disability with significant or complex health needs) and have not had COVID-19 or been vaccinated in the past six months, the 2023 COVID booster is highly recommended for you.

You may like to receive a 2023 booster if you are:

• an adult aged 18 to 64 years with no risk factors for severe COVID-19, or

• a child or adolescent aged 5 to 17 years who is at risk (you have medical comorbidities or disability with significant or complex health needs) and have not had COVID-19 or been vaccinated in the past six months.

Free rapid antigen tests

Free rapid antigen tests (RATs) are available at Council’s Realm and Croydon Customer Service Centres. Visit Council’s website for more information.

Protect yourself and others

You can help protect yourself and others by wearing a high-quality, well-fitted face mask when unwell, receiving the 2023 booster, letting fresh air in when indoors, and taking a rapid antigen test (RAT) if you have symptoms. If you have COVID-19, you should stay home for five days and continue to stay home until you have no symptoms.

Find out more

Visit the Department of Health website www.health.gov.au to learn more.

The information provided in this newsletter was accurate at the time of print. Visit Council’s website for the latest information.

Bookings

Lead the way

“It’s okay, my dog is friendly!”

While many dogs are friendly and sociable, it’s essential that you practice safe, responsible on and off-leash etiquette with your dog.

This includes understanding that dogs must be kept on a leash at all times in a public place, except in off-leash areas, and respecting that each dog is different – while your dog may feel confident and comfortable around other dogs, other dogs may not.

As part of the Maroondah Domestic Animal Management Plan 2021–2025 , Council is encouraging all dog owners to follow appropriate on and off-leash etiquette to help ensure a safe experience for everyone.

Council’s website provides information about how to approach different situations, along with other things to consider when out with your dog.

Before allowing your dog to approach another dog, it is important to note that dogs may be on a leash for a variety of reasons, such as training, reactive behaviour, nervousness, safety or health reasons.

Just because your dog is friendly does not mean someone else’s dog wants to say hello. Things can escalate quickly, so practicing responsible on and off-leash etiquette is the best way to ensure a safe, enjoyable experience for everyone. Learn more about responsible pet ownership on Council’s website.

Flu vaccines

Council offers free flu vaccines to eligible persons through the National Immunisation Program (NIP). Payable flu vaccines are also available for those not eligible for the free flu vaccine.

You can receive the flu vaccination at immunisation sessions held at Maroondah Federation Estate, Ringwood; Aquahub, Croydon; North Ringwood Community House, Ringwood North; and Arrabri Community Centre, Bayswater North.

Visit the ‘Public immunisation’ page on Council’s website for eligibility criteria for the free flu vaccine, the cost of a payable flu vaccine and to make a booking.

Maroondah Business Excellence Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2023 Maroondah Business Excellence Awards.

Community members can nominate an exceptional business in Maroondah or if you’re a business owner or operator, you can nominate yourself. The awards celebrate the achievements of Maroondah businesses across key industry sectors including Manufacturing and Technology, Professional Services, and Retail and Hospitality.

Have your say Maroondah Bicycle Network Review

A review is being undertaken of the Maroondah Bicycle Network, as part of the Maroondah Bicycle Strategy.

The Bicycle Network makes travelling by bike and on foot easier, safer and more convenient, with bike lanes, pathways and trails that connect the suburbs to workplaces, schools, public transport and community services.

Now is your chance to tell us how you use the existing Bicycle Network and what you think about it. Whether you use the network for cycling or for walking, running or taking your dog for a walk, we want to hear about your experience and your ideas for how it can be improved.

Consultation is open Monday 17 July to Friday 18 August.

Draft Stadium Sport Strategy

In 2022, Council asked our community and key stakeholders for their thoughts on Maroondah’s stadium facilities and training venues.

This feedback has helped Council develop the Draft Stadium Sport Strategy, with the aim of ensuring sports stadiums continue to meet the needs of our community into the future.

We are now inviting the community and key stakeholders to view the Draft Stadium Sport Strategy and share feedback to ensure our facilities are best placed to meet future demand and priorities for stadium sports in Maroondah.

Consultation closes on Wednesday 19 July.

To learn more about the award categories and details on how to enter please visit www.bizhubmaroondah.com.au

Planning for our future

What do you hope our community will look, feel and be like in 2050? We want you to contribute your ideas!

Planning is underway for Maroondah 2050, our next Community Vision. This vision will provide a roadmap for our community, Council, partner organisations and other levels of government to work together to create a future that enhances Maroondah as a great place to live, work, play and visit.

There will be opportunities for you to share your thoughts, aspirations and ideas for the future of Maroondah over the coming months. Keep an eye on Council’s website next month and register your details on the Your Say Maroondah website www.yoursaymaroondah.vic.gov.au to receive updates.

Your dog may be friendly but it doesn’t mean my dog wants to say hello!

A look inside the 2023/24 Budget

The recently adopted 2023/2024 Budget will help us continue to deliver more than 120 services and programs; protect Council’s $2.1 billion in community assets; deliver $65.77 million of extensive capital projects; and provide an underlying surplus of $3.9 million. It is a balanced, sustainable and responsible financial plan that will ensure a strong future for our community.

The 2023/2024 Budget and Council Plan 2021-2025 (Year 3) have been developed to align Council’s key strategies with priorities, needs and aspirations of the community. Both documents will continue to focus on initiatives and programs that provide support to our community, including Council’s ongoing plan for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Priority actions

The Council Plan lists a range of priority actions to be undertaken by Council over the four-year period from 2021/22 to 2024/25. Significant projects identified for delivery over the next 12 months include:

• Continue to monitor the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and deliver the Maroondah COVID-19 Recovery Plan

• Implement the Ringwood Metropolitan Activity Centre Masterplan including enhancing the Maroondah Highway boulevard and Staley Gardens

• Review, update and implement Council’s Physical Activity Strategy, and develop and implement a Stadium Sports Strategy

• Develop the Maroondah Liveability, Wellbeing and Resilience Strategy 2021-2031 (incorporating the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan)

• Implement Council’s Sustainability Strategy 2022-2031

• Design and construct an activity centre carpark in Ringwood

• Renewal works on the Mullum Mullum Creek and Colchester Road shared trails; and footpath construction in the Principal Pedestrian Network.

Delivering vital community services

Council continues to receive significant recognition for the innovative and quality services it delivers. These services are vital to the health and wellbeing of our community, and include:

• Important Maternal and Child Health services delivered through seven centres across the municipality, including infant health checks and parent support groups

• A fully accredited immunisation service, which delivers more than 10,000 vaccinations annually, including for babies and children, both pre-school and school-aged

• Support services for people who have a disability to navigate the Commonwealth NDIS system

• Social Inclusion and Wellbeing programs for older residents and people with a disability

• Services and programs for young people aged 10 to 25, including drop-in programs and support services

• The creation and distribution of more than 50,000 Meals on Wheels every year

• Training and coordinating 95 school crossing supervisors who support safe passage to and from school at 74 school crossings across Maroondah.

Capital works highlights

Council maintains $2.1 billion in assets on behalf of the community, including 510 buildings and structures, 578 parks and reserves, 134 public playgrounds, 486.6 kilometres of local roads, 878 kilometres of stormwater pipes and 647 kilometres of footpaths. Council has allocated $65.77 million in the 2023/2024 Budget to ensure our assets continue to meet the current and future needs of our community. These important and diverse projects include:

• improving accessibility at our facilities

• road sealing and reconstruction works

• footpath replacement and construction works

• stormwater and drainage renewal

• sportsfield resurfacing and lighting

• playground renewals and bridge replacement works in our reserves.

Do you want to be more sustainable and cut down on your hard copy mail? Did you know you can sign up to receive your rates or animal registration notices by email. To register for this service, all you need to do is visit Council’s website and create an account in our eNotices portal. For more information, please call us on 1300 88 22 33 or 9298 4598.

Artist impression of a Blackbox, which will be a key feature of the new Croydon Community Wellbeing Precinct.

What’s coming in 2023/24

Barngeong Ward

• $250k Dixon Avenue (3-21) Easement Drain Upgrade

• $250k Wilson Concourse (2-14) Easement Drain Upgrade

• $135k Holloway Road Major Patching

• $88k Maroondah Highway (South Hughes Park access to Treatment Facility) Shared User Path Construction

$80k San Martin Reserve Playspace Improvements

Bungalook Ward

• $450k Dorset Golf Course Improvements

$80k Chandra Avenue Reserve

$33k Arrabri Community Centre

McAlpin Ward

• $250k Mullum Mullum Creek Trail Improvement – Stage 1

• $130k Bronhill Road Resurfacing

• $100k Old Lilydale Road/ Carcoola Road Intersection Improvement

$93k Towerhill Drive Resurfacing

$62k Kalinda Modified Urban Forest Footpath Improvement

Tarralla Ward

• $150k Central Avenue Road Construction

• $85k Eastfield Dog Park Lighting

• $80k Bungalook Reserve Playspace Improvement

$50k Eastfield Park – Stage 2 Enhancement Plan

Wicklow Ward

Wombolano Ward

• $2m Karralyka Centre Foyer Construction

• $480k East Ringwood Reserve Sportsfield Lighting Upgrade

• $160k Bedford Road Shopping Centre Improvement

• $150k Morinda Street Footpath

$135k Highton Street Footpath

Wonga Ward

• $2m Sherbrook Catchment Flood Mitigation – Stage 4

• $350k Ringwood Street Resurfacing

• $150k Seymour Street Resurfacing

• $90k Rosebank Avenue Resurfacing

• $90k Market Street Resurfacing

Jubilee Ward

• $29m Ringwood Activity Centre Carpark Construction

• $1m Emerald Street Road Reconstruction

• $550k AC Robertson Lighting Upgrade

• $314k Jubilee Park Carpark Improvements – Stage 1

• $150k Heathmont Tennis Lighting Upgrade

• $1.3m Wyreena Community Arts Centre Refurbishment

• $1.2m Aquahub Gymnastics Facility Upgrade

• $600k Aquahub Air Handling Upgrade

• $500k Croydon Park Sportsfield Lighting Upgrade

• $120k Wyreena Reserve Access Road Intersection Improvement

Yarrunga Ward

• $250k Yarrunga Community Centre Function Room Improvement

• $95k Little John Reserve Playspace Improvement

• $75k Little John Road Resurfacing

• $75k Plymouth Road Shared Path Improvement

• $50k Narr Maen Waterway Improvement Works

What’s On

Scan the QR code to visit Council’s website for more information about these and other events. Hosting a community event? Visit our website and add your event to our online ‘Events calendar’.

July

Small Changes; Big Impact (Kitchen Edition)

Saturday 15 July

11.30am to 1pm

Realm Library, Ringwood Town Square

As part of Plastic Free July, hear from Anna (aka The Urban Nanna) as she shares small waste management tips in the kitchen. Learn how simple, everyday choices can help make a big, positive impact on your overall sustainable footprint.

This event is free. Spaces are limited, bookings are essential. Visit Council’s website to find out more and register.

28 July

Maria Forde and Tracey Roberts at Wyreena Music Café

Friday 28 July

7.30pm to 9.30pm

Wyreena Conservatory Café

13-23 Hull Road, Croydon

Enjoy Maria Forde’s storytelling, self-penned songs and deep passion for Ireland and Australia, and Tracey Roberts’ inspiring, effortless performances, delivered with passion, humour and energy. Tickets are $40 per person and include supper. Bookings are essential. Visit Council’s website to book or find out more.

Help reduce plastic pollution

Plastic Free July helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution. One way to do this is to sign up for the Plastic Free July Challenge.

Small actions make a big difference. It can be easy as:

• choosing unpackaged meat, fish and deli items

• bringing your own shopping bags

• choosing reusable drink bottles

• choosing loose produce

• avoiding disposable coffee cups

• picking up and preventing litter

• storing food in reusable containers

• avoiding plastic wrap

To celebrate Plastic Free July, there will be an interactive display at the Realm Customer Service Centre in Ringwood.

11-13 Aug

Victorian State Ballet – Giselle

Friday 11 to Sunday 13 August

Karralyka Mines Road, Ringwood East

Featuring internationally recognised principal artists, this beautiful rendition is retold through excellent staging, simple and direct mime, superb classical ballet technique and choreography work. Appropriate for all ages. Tickets are $46 per adult, $40 for concession and $36 per child.

To book please visit the Karralyka website www.karralyka.com.au or call 9870 2888.

Championing FOGO

You can learn more about simple swaps for everyday plastic items and sign up for the Plastic Free July Challenge.

To help you make a start, Council is hosting a series of events, including how to make your own reusable produce bags and manage waste in the kitchen. You can also attend a Plastic Free July Storytime at Realm Library in Ringwood and Croydon Library in Croydon.

Visit Council’s website for more information and to sign up for the Plastic Free July Challenge.

Maroondah residents have embraced Council’s new Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) waste collection service. Residents, including FOGO champion Trish, are now helping to turn their food and garden waste into compost.

“It’s great that our food waste is now being processed and enriching soils,” Trish said.

Here are our top tips to make the most out of your FOGO caddy:

• only use Council-supplied compostable caddy liners

• remove all stickers and packaging before you put food waste into your caddy

• empty your caddy into your FOGO bin every two to three days

• rinse your caddy each time you empty it

• sprinkle bi-carb soda in the bottom of your caddy to keep it smelling fresh

• place your caddy in the dishwasher once a week for a deeper clean.

Visit Council’s website for more tips and tricks.

Progress on projects in your area

As part of Council’s $65.77 million Capital Works Program, progress on major projects is taking shape.

Jubilee Park carpark improvement works

The upgraded lighting will be a welcome addition to the sporting facilities at Croydon Park and will create a more enjoyable and better quality experience for all users.

This project is funded by the Australian Government.

Ringwood Activity Centre carpark

Construction of a new access road off Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood is currently being built to enable increased access to the sporting pavilion and oval at Jubilee Park.

The existing entrance to Maroondah Edge off Gardini Avenue, Ringwood, will also be widened to ensure easier access for users.

The carparks at both entrances are also being updated, along with precinct-wide lighting improvements, providing access and interface enhancement to the facilities at Jubilee Park.

Croydon Park Oval lighting upgrade

New sportsfield lighting will be installed over the coming months at Croydon Park. The four LED sportsfield lights will sit on 30-metre-high poles to illuminate the oval to 200 lux with LED lamp heads.

Light will be concentrated on the oval, making it safer for players to train at night and to minimise any spill light in accordance with the Australian Standards.

A new carpark will be built in the Ringwood Activity Centre, with construction scheduled to start in late 2023/early 2024.

The carpark at 1 Bedford Road is proposed to provide additional parking spaces for commuters, residents and visitors, reduce parking congestion and improve amenity and connectivity to Ringwood train station and bus interchange.

The remaining portion of the Blood Brothers storefront will be retained and relocated to a prominent position on the site, retaining the corner store significance of the original building. This project is funded by the Australian Government.

What’s happening at your local library

There are some great things happening at Croydon Library and Realm Library, Ringwood.

Croydon Library now open later on Thursdays

You can now spend even longer at the library, with Croydon Library now open until 8pm on Thursday evenings.

Visit the Your Library website to view Your Library locations and hours.

Gaming month at Realm

Realm is the place to be in July, with a range of gaming themed events suitable for all ages and abilities. Places are limited so visit the Your Library website to book or find out more.

Engineering works update

Council is continually improving Maroondah’s roads, drains and footpaths to ensure the safety and accessibility of residents and visitors.

Check out works recently completed in your area:

• Eastfield Road, Ringwood East – infrastructure enhancement works

• Yarra Road, Croydon – road upgrades and footpath works

• Alexandra Road and Scenic Avenue, Ringwood East – flood mitigation works

• Lionel Crescent, Croydon – drainage improvement works

• The Boulevard, Heathmont – drainage improvement works

• Crossman Drive, Croydon Hills – drainage improvement works

• Hendra Grove, Sunhill Road, Sang Court, Ambrie Avenue, Ringwood – footpath construction The following works are currently underway or expected to start shortly:

• New Street, Ringwood – Sherbrook Catchment drainage upgrades, Stage 3

• Central Avenue, Bayswater North – road improvement works

• Todd Court, Croydon – drainage improvement works

• Bond Street, Ringwood – footpath construction

• Churchill Way, Kilsyth – accessible parking improvements

Bilingual storytime

Join Zing and Emma at Croydon Library for a bilingual storytime featuring stories, songs and rhymes in both Hakha Chin and English. Sessions run every second Wednesday at 11am for 25 to 30 minutes, followed by an activity and social opportunities.

Visit the Your Library website or call Croydon Library on 9800 6448 or Realm Library on 9800 6430 to find out more. Visit

Transforming the future of businesses in the east

The Bayswater Business Precinct Transformation Strategy launched in June.

The Bayswater Business Precinct (BBP) crosses the boundaries of Maroondah, Knox and Yarra Ranges Councils. As the second largest employment precinct in the Eastern Metropolitan Region, this economic powerhouse is home to more than 5,000 businesses and employs over 30,000 people. Businesses in the precinct are diverse and include small to medium sized family businesses as well as large multinational companies.

Maroondah, Knox and Yarra Ranges Councils have partnered to develop the Bayswater Business Precinct Transformation Strategy, which aims to ensure the Precinct can attract new investment, increase the number of employment opportunities and maximise key strengths while maintaining the region’s economic success in the future. Over 70 percent of BBP workers live in the Maroondah, Knox and Yarra Ranges Council areas, so the Precinct is a significant asset of the local region.

The strategy will see Councils and the Bayswater Business Precinct team engaging with businesses, industry and other levels of government to advocate for the precinct and further attract economic investment to the region.

The Precinct team can provide connections to services and are a central point of contact for enquiries, up-to-date information and opportunities.

You can learn more about the Bayswater Business

and view the

Maroondah City Council is committed to providing equitable service to all in our community.

Please contact us on

88 22 33 or 9298 4598 if you would like to receive this newsletter in a different format.

Precinct

Bayswater Business Precinct Transformation Strategy on Council’s website.

Cr Tony Dib OAM JP 0438 515 089 Cr Marijke Graham 0418 109 015

Barngeong Ward Bungalook Ward Jubilee Ward

Cr Paul Macdonald 0436 001 760

Cr Suzy Stojanovic 0429 916 094

McAlpin Ward Tarralla Ward

Wicklow Ward Wombolano Ward

Cr Kylie Spears 0436 003 660

Wonga Ward

Cr Linda Hancock 0473 194 871

Yarrunga Ward

Cr Mike Symon 0436 002 080

Cr Tasa Damante Deputy Mayor 0438 704 819

Cr Rob Steane OAM Mayor 0407 519 986