February 2014 Mitcham Community News

Mitcham residents celebrated Australia Day with an ‘Aussie BBQ’, citizenship and awards presentation at the beautiful grounds of Carrick Hill. inside FEBRUARY 2014

2 3

4 5

Local Government Elections Brown Hill and Keswick Creek Update

Temperance Hotel Upcoming Work in Your Street

Above left: Mayor Michael Picton with Citizen of the Year Award recipient Angie Pangallo. Centre: William 'Billy' Russell, Australia Day Young Citizen of the Year. Right (from top): Excellence in Design recipient Charles Savage, for the Temperance Hotel. Excellence in Community Service recipient Nan Davies. Excellence in Community Service Colonel Light Gardens RSL.

Mitcham Celebrates

Australia’s Day at Carrick Hill 6 8 10

Crowds enjoyed a citizenship and awards ceremony as well as live music from Sitara and the Mitcham City Brass Band.

Annual Report Your Elected Members Community Calendar

This year, 87 people become Australian citizens during a citizenship ceremony officiated by Mayor, Michael Picton.

Council presented Australia Day Awards and Awards of Excellence to individuals who have made significant contributions to our local area.

The Australia Day Citizen of the Year Award was presented to Mrs Angie Pangallo for her contributions to the community in forming and assisting in managing the Gold Foundation, which is an organisation that addresses the needs of children with Asperger’s and their carers.

11 12

Protecting Mitcham's Heritage Are You Foodwise?

As the mother of a child with Asperger’s, Angie formed the Gold Foundation due to the absence of any programs in SA that brings together families that have a family member with Asperger’s.

The Gold Foundation started in 2008 through a donation to pay for a pilot program for eight

children with Asperger’s. Today the Gold Foundation has expanded to include; ongoing social skills and social buzz programs, formal graduation ceremonies, excursions, parent support sessions, parent/ sibling seminars, events and a fully resourced centre for children with Asperger’s.

Angie through her dedicated volunteer work has helped so many families and children to flourish and cope in today’s society.

William ‘Billy' Russell was presented with the Australia Day Young Citizen of the Year Award.

Billy established the Teen Support Network which provides online support to bullied young people and those that identify with being a part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Through the Teen Support Network, Billy has campaigned tirelessly for the rights

of young people to be themselves without the fear of bullying or discrimination. Billy has helped elevate awareness of bullying with local schools and the wider community. Billy has also recently completed Year 12 at Urrbrae Agricultural High School where he was a SRC Committee Advisor and is an Executive Member of the Mitcham Youth Advisory Committee.

The SA Women’s Memorial Playing Fields Trust Inc. received the Australia Day Community Event of the Year Award for the Bangka Memorial Service. Since 1956 the annual Bangka Memorial Service has been held on the closest Sunday to February 16, the day 21 Australian nurses were massacred on Radji Beach, Bangka Island, Indonesia 1942.

For more information about the 2015 Australia Day Awards contact Chris Bartlett on 8372 8805 or email mitcham@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au

The volunteers of the Trust, with no outside funding, have developed the service into the largest annual memorial service for women, with guests attending from most states.

The 2014 Bangka Memorial Service will be held on Sunday 16 February.

The Excellence in Community Service Award was presented jointly to the Colonel Light Gardens Community RSL and also to Nan Davies for her contributions to the Mitcham Hills Community.

The Colonel Light Gardens Community RSL acts as a community hub for people to meet, socialise and interact. Established in 1927, the Colonel Light Gardens Community RSL then opened its doors to the entire community in 2003 and is now open seven days a week supported by volunteers from within the community.

Nan Davies has contributed many long hours as a volunteer to the Blackwood Action Group Greening Program beautifying many of

Continued on page 2

PAGE 2 Mitcham Community News february 2014

Local Government Elections – November 2014 Local Government Elections will be held in November 2014 – How can you be involved?

Now is the time to begin thinking about making a contribution to your community by standing to become an Elected Member for the City of Mitcham.

For Council to truly represent its community, it requires equal numbers of men and women, who are of different ages and cultural backgrounds, and who bring with them a variety of skills, knowledge and expertise.

To find out what an Elected Member does, it is a good idea to consider coming along to a Council Meeting over the next few months to see the decision making process in action.

Full Council Full Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 7 pm.

March Tuesday 11

Tuesday 25 April Tuesday 8

Tuesday 22 Development Assessment Panel The Development Assessment Panel is held on the first Thursday of the month at 6.30 pm.

March Thursday 6 April Thursday 3

For a full list of dates visit www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au/meetings

Review of Representation In November 2013, the Electoral Commission of South Australia certified Council’s Review of Representation.

While the status quo will prevail for the next election, Council and the community at large considered a number of issues as a part of this Review which included: Should the principal member be elected by the community or by the Council itself?

Should there be area councillors?

Mitcham has more than 12 councillors (there are 13 councillors).

Should this number be reduced?

Should the Council area be divided into wards, and if so, how many?

Council gave serious consideration to reducing the number of councillors and reducing the number of wards.

In the end, taking all community comment into consideration, Council’s preferred position was to maintain the existing composition and structure. The reasons for such a decision were: the election of the Mayor by the community is a well accepted practice the existing six wards are regarded as best meeting the needs of the community with regard to representation, meeting local needs and providing clear lines of communication between the community and Council via the ward councillors compared with other like councils, Mitcham’s representation ratio is very favourable thirteen councillors are required to provide adequate representation to a relatively diverse community, spread over a relatively large area there needs to be sufficient elected members to manage the affairs of Council, while avoiding excessive workloads the existing ward boundaries still provide for all quotas to be within the tolerance level neither the community nor Council deemed there to be a case for including area councillors

Electors will therefore be faced with no changes for the Council elections in November 2014.

February 2014 Publication Details Mitcham Community News is published bi-monthly by and for the City of Mitcham.

Editorial Communications Department City of Mitcham Design + Production Sarah Bennett Design Reprographics + Printing Graphic Print Group

Paperstock Printed on paper made in Australia from elemental chlorine free pulp derived from sustainable plantation forests.

Distribution Salmat Mediaforce and Australia Post Delivered to 29,850 homes, PO boxes and businesses within the Mitcham Council area.

Advertising KRL Media Services Telephone: 8231 5433 PO Box 131 Unley, SA 5061

Are you enrolled to vote in the Local Government Elections this year?

Landlords, business owners, occupiers and non-Australian citizens to be able to vote in the November Local Government Elections, you must be either on the House of Assembly Roll or on Council’s voters roll.

Council’s voters roll expired on 1 January 2014. If you have previously applied to be on the roll, you will need to apply again before August 2014, if you want to be able to vote in the 2014 Council elections.

People who are typically on Council’s voters roll are: persons who reside in the Council area but are not enrolled on the House of Assembly roll a ratepayer who is the sole owner and/or occupier of a rateable property but does not reside at the property a body corporate which is the sole owner/occupier of a rateable property a group of persons who are joint owners/ratepayers of a rateable property Application forms can be obtained from the City of Mitcham Civic Centre, 131 Belair Road, Torrens Park. For further information contact Lyn Bishop on 8372 8856 or Meredith Nunan on 8372 8837.

Please note that if your name is already on the House of Assembly Roll, you do not have to apply, unless you also want to exercise a vote as a landlord or a business lessee.

Interesting Snippets about Elections in the City of Mitcham Voting trends in Council elections vary depending on issues confronting the Council, local ward issues or whether there is a mayoral election. These influence the number of people who decide to nominate for Council and the voter turn out at the election.

Percentage of Elected Member Positions Contested For the last two general elections, all positions on Council have been contested, resulting in all six wards being contested and one mayoral election. This is a sign of a healthy democracy at work.

Number of Nominations for Candidate In 2010, there were a record number of 35 candidates who stood for election. This compares with just 14 candidates for the 2003 Council election.

Women Candidates for Council Elections In order to be representative of the community, ideally there would be roughly equal numbers of men and women nominating for Council. One of the State Strategic Plan’s 100 targets is to increase the percentage of women nominating to stand in Local, State and Federal Government elections in South Australia to 50% by 2014. While this has never occurred, a record 40% of candidates in 2010 were women. This translated into the election of five women (of a

total of 14 Elected Members), representing 36% of the Council.

Voter Turnout Voter turnout at Local Government elections remains a vexed issue given it is not compulsory.

While postal voting has certainly helped to increase the voter turnout, in the recent past Mitcham’s highest recorded vote was 36.4% in the 2000 elections. The voter turnout in 2010 was 28.1%, despite increased efforts at promotion and a record number of candidates.

Continued from front cover

Mitcham Celebrates Australia’s Day at Carrick Hill

Above left: Excellence in Sport recipient Hugh Haysmen. Above centre: Community Event of the Year - SA Women's Memorial Playing Fields Trust Inc. - The Bangka Memorial Service. Above right: Award of Appreciation - Torben Davidson presented to Jeannette Davidson. the landscapes in the Blackwood Shopping precincts. Nan has also supported the National Heart Foundation and Anti Cancer Council as a volunteer along with other projects as a Vice President of the Blackwood Action Group.

The Excellence in Design Award was presented to the former Temperance Hotel for heritage restoration enhancing and complementing the character of the Mitcham Village Historic Conservation Zone. The

Contributing Articles Community groups and organisations submitting items for the April 2014 issue of this publication should ensure they reach Business Partner Communication and Marketing Officer Julie Lamond no later than Friday 7 March 2014.

Telephone: 8372 8871 or email jlamond@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au Good quality colour/high resolution colour photographs/image files can be submitted although publication will depend on space availability.

Website www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au

works have restored a previously derelict local heritage place which is a landmark building at the gateway of the historic Mitcham Village.

The Excellence in Sport Award was presented to Hugh Haysmen of Mercedes College for his achievements in Athletics, Cross Country, Cricket and Aussie Rules Football as well as acting as a mentor to young athletes.

An Australia Day Award of Appreciation was awarded to Torben

Davidson who sadly passed away in 2013. The award was presented to his wife, Jeannette Davidson, in recognition of Torben’s lifelong commitment and outstanding contribution to the local community.

Torben has volunteered for his local Church, Scouts, Oxfam, Overseas Aid and most recently offered his gardening skills to Waite Institute, becoming a valued and popular member of the Friends of Urrbrae House.

Audio Tapes Mitcham Community News audio tapes are available at both Mitcham and Blackwood Libraries or by arrangement from the Community Information Service.

Telephone: 8372 8812.

Council Civic Centre Open weekdays 9 am to 5 pm.

131 Belair Road, Torrens Park or PO Box 21, Mitcham Shopping Centre, Torrens Park, South Australia 5062 Telephone: 8372 8888

Council Meetings The Development Assessment Panel meets on the first Thursday of the month at 6.30 pm.

Full Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 7 pm.

The views and opinions expressed in articles and advertisements submitted by contributors, other than the City of Mitcham, do not necessarily reflect the views of the Council as a body, nor as individual members. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy in published articles submitted by contributors other than Council, no responsibility is accepted for any errors that they may contain.

PAGE 3 Mitcham Community News february 2014

Brown Hill and Keswick Creek Project Update The City of Mitcham continues to work with the Cities of Adelaide, Burnside, Unley and West Torrens to develop a Stormwater Management Plan for the Brown Hill and Keswick Creek Catchment.

The Councils are looking to identify a Stormwater Management Plan which: Provides adequate flood protection Is acceptable to the community including environmental impacts Has an acceptable cost/benefit ratio Can be maintained long term (including creek sections in private ownership) The Councils have agreed on 80% of the works required and have

agreed to do further work to investigate the optimal solution for the remaining works in Upper Brown Hill Creek.

In investigating Upper Brown Hill Creek the Councils have agreed to pursue a “feasible and community acceptable ‘no dam’ solution of acceptable cost”. The Stormwater Management Authority has agreed to this approach.

Some of the agreed works are already underway eg at Ridge Park and a diversion culvert at the Goodwood Railway Junction.

Revised Hydrology The Bureau of Meteorology has updated rainfall predictions (intensity, frequency and duration) for the catchment. This is the first update since 1987.

The new rainfall data reduces flooding predictions and has therefore necessitated re-working the flood modelling. This work is underway now and includes consideration of less disruptive drainage solutions which may become possible given the new data. Investigations to date have

confirmed that a no dam solution is technically feasible.

The Councils are in discussion with the State Government to seek State and Federal funding to support the project. It is beyond the financial capacity of Local Government to fund the entire project.

The investigations required to identify a preferred solution are largely complete and are scheduled to come before Council in the first quarter of 2014.

If you would like more detailed information a project update can be found in the City of Mitcham Council Agenda of 28 November 2013 visit www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au

Arson Prevention – ‘Practice Makes Perfect’ Fire can devastate communities, livelihoods and properties.

Deliberately lit fires have the potential to cause serious harm to people and property and can cause significant damage to your local community.

The South Australian Police, to prevent arson, are encouraging the community to report all fires, no matter how insignificant they may seem.

Arsonists often practice their offending behaviour. Police can acquire evidence from small fires which may lead to the identification of an offender or pattern of offending behaviour.

Information about how to help prevent arsonists targeting your home, business or school is available at www.police.sa.gov.au under Safety and Security.

If you see anything suspicious – no matter how insignificant it may seem – immediately call the Police Assistance line on 131 444. If you have any information about arsonists or their activities, report it to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.sa.crimstoppers.com.au

Continue to be Bushfire Ready Maintain your preparedness through the Fire Danger Season.

Bushfire prevention is a year round responsibility and necessity.

It is essential to maintain your home during the Fire Danger Season to withstand a Bushfire. If you don’t you may endanger both your own property and the lives and property of your neighbours.

For information and advice on protecting your property from bushfire, call Mitcham Bushfire Prevention Officer John Zybek on 8372 8894.

tO MAKE SURE YOU ARE Bushfire Ready YOU MUST

February March April

Fire Danger Season 1 December 2013 to 30 April 2014 Maintain fuel reduction practices throughout summer.

Check all equipment.

Monitor fire restrictions.

Keep flammable materials clear of buildings.

Rehearse your Bushfire Emergency Plan.

Ensure you have a portable battery-powered radio and spare batteries to listen to bushfire warnings.

Remember permits are required to light fires during the Fire Danger Season.

Arsonists may be practicing in your local area. Don’t let them perfect it. Fires can kill. Report it.

New Access and Inclusion Plan for Mitcham In early 2014 the City of Mitcham will invite the community’s input to the development of a new Access and Inclusion Plan for Mitcham.

The plan will set out Council’s commitment to advancing the City as a welcoming and inclusive place, with a particular focus on outcomes for people living with disability.

Council is particularly interested in identifying priorities which will assist residents to move about and to actively participate in the life of our community.

The consultation process commences in March 2014 including an open workshop and online survey.

Additional information will be made available on Mitcham’s website.

All residents, particularly those living with a disability and their carers/ friends/family, parents who use prams and strollers and senior residents are welcome to attend.

Access and Inclusion Workshop Location: Mitcham Cultural Village Institute, Princes Road, Mitcham Date: Monday 24 March Time: 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm

Register your interest by contacting the City of Mitcham via email mitcham@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au or telephone the Customer Service Centre on 8372 8888.

PAGE 4 Mitcham Community News february 2014

Temperance Hotel Have you noticed that one of Mitcham’s landmark historic buildings has been restored and its façade now displays the original shop signwriting?

The former Temperance Hotel at 41 Albert Street, Mitcham, one of the first hotels in Mitcham Village, was awarded the 2014 City of Mitcham Australia Day Excellence in Design Award for heritage restoration at Council’s recent Australia Day celebrations.

The privately owned local heritage place, at the gateway of the historic Mitcham Village, has been restored, preserving a significant landmark building. As the only two storey building in this part of Albert Street the former hotel has always been a landmark in the area. Now an elegant private residence, it once enjoyed a colourful past, evolving from a hotel to a shop, boarding house, betting premises and flats.

Mitcham Artists on the Fringe Opening 2 pm on Sunday 16 February at the Mitcham Cultural Village Atrium Gallery.

The Mitcham Cultural Village, as part of the Adelaide Fringe, is hosting Mitcham Artists on the Fringe an exhibition of exciting works by local artists.

As a play on words; the title reflects the exhibiting artist’s creation of diverse textile artwork for the very

well esteemed Adelaide Fringe Festival - a celebration of the Visual Arts.

The City of Mitcham invites you to come along and meet the local makers and see a variety of demonstrated artwork.

Artists include: Mem Graham – textiles/paper Isobel McGarry – textiles/fabric Andie Marten – textiles/paper Wendy Thurston-Wright – print making/illustrations Jenny Williams – textiles/fabric

Originally built as the single story ‘Mitcham Hotel’ in 1869, the hotel was ideally situated to take advantage of the busy traffic route between Adelaide and Belair. A second storey was added later; the change in the stonework still visible along the side wall.

By 1880 the hotel was known as the ‘Temperance Hotel’, offering accommodation and serving non-alcoholic drinks due to the growing influence of the temperance movement which believed that crime and poverty resulted from drinking.

The hotel was once part of a group of shops in this part of Albert Street.

East of the hotel at 39 Albert Street was Gregory’s store and further east on the corner of High Street was

Mitcham Cultural Village - Mitcham Artists on the Fringe Exhibition Dates: Monday 13 January to Friday 28 February 2014.

Time: Monday to Friday 9 am to 1 pm.

Location: Mitcham Cultural Village, Princes Road, Mitcham.

Adelaide Fringe Festival 14 February – 16 March 2014

For more information call Catherine Aldrete-Morris; Community Centres Coordinator on 8372 8262.

Help Celebrate 40 Years of Art and Crafts To celebrate 40 years of the Mitcham Village Art and Crafts Association Inc an exhibition showcasing arts and crafts over the past four decades is currently being planned.

The Mitcham Village Art and Crafts Association opened its gallery and workshop on 1 March 1974 in the old store on the corner of Albert and High Streets in Mitcham (now part of the Edinburgh Cellars).

Art and craft donations, created over the last 40 years at the Mitcham Village Art and Crafts Association, are being invited from current and past members to showcase the diverse range of handcrafts, particularly in the early years. If you have items which could be included

in the exhibition please contact Raelene Evans on 7329 4601 or Pamela Oborn on 8271 5091.

The exhibition will be held at ‘Gallery One’ part of the Mitcham Cultural Village located at Princes Road, Mitcham from 2 to 19 March during Gallery hours Tuesday to Friday 10 am to 4.30 pm and Sunday 10 am to 4.30 pm.

For further information contact the Gallery Manager, Sanja, on 8272 4504.

Harris’s shop (now Mitcham Kindergarten).

By the time the owner purchased the building in 2011, it was in a very sad state, with badly cracked walls, cement render over the stonework, a dilapidated front verandah and an unattractive front porch. Using early photographs from the City of Mitcham’s local history collection, the owner restored the front façade to near original condition.

Careful removal of the cement render revealed an exciting discovery– the original shop signwriting remained on the walls. Stabilisation work, meticulous restoration and a restrained approach to the interior design has ensured a long term future for this significant heritage building.

History of Arts and Crafts in Mitcham traded as ‘Gallery One’ part of the The initial idea to develop an art and Mitcham Cultural Village. crafts centre was driven by local historian and author Pamela Oborn, Today over 250 people attend art who wanted to preserve historic and craft classes and workshops buildings in the Mitcham Village area each week plus creative children’s while also creating a centre of activities while the gallery hosts excellence for the arts. major exhibitions throughout the On 1 March 1974 the Mitcham year. The Mitcham Village Art and Village Art and Crafts Association Inc. Crafts now Gallery One has been at opened its gallery and workshops the centre of cultural life in Mitcham and following an arson attack in for four decades.

1991 the association relocated to the The ongoing success of Gallery One East Wing of the Mitcham Village is due to the dedication of the Institute. In 1994 they moved into volunteers and part-time Gallery their purpose-built gallery at the rear Manager funded through annual of the Institute. Since 2009 they have membership fees and profits from gallery sales.

Agedcare Alternatives Do you have questions about aged care?

Agedcare Alternatives is hosting free fortnightly sessions at the Blackwood Library to answer your questions about the aged care system.

Simply drop in and ask us a question between 1 pm and 3 pm on Monday: 17 February 3 or 31 March 14 or 28 April Discover information about community care, residential care, respite, retirement villages and many other relevant aged care programs and topics.

Agedcare Alternatives does not provide assessment or advisory services and cannot guarantee access to services.

Agedcare Alternatives is sponsored by Resthaven Inc.

For more information contact Agedcare Alternatives on 8271 3888.

PAGE 5 Mitcham Community News february 2014

Upcoming Work in Your Street

Traffic Management Kerbing Construction

Road Works

Council’s kerb and watertable replacement works have been completed in:

Road works recently completed:

Coolidge Street, Lower Mitcham Council’s kerb and watertable replacement works are currently ongoing in: Eynesbury Avenue, Kingswood Council’s kerb and watertable replacement works due to commence in February and March: Albert Street, Clarence Gardens Barretts Road, Torrens Park Burbank Avenue, Bedford Park High Street, Mitcham Lincoln Road, Bedford Park Maidstone Road, Bedford Park

Stormwater Construction Council’s stormwater drainage construction has been completed in: Goldney Grove, Hawthorndene Suffolk Road, Hawthorndene Council’s stormwater drainage construction work due to commence in February and March: Barretts Road, Torrens Park High Street, Mitcham

AA Bailey Reserve (northern car park and Entrance Road), Clarence Gardens Ardrossan Avenue, Belair Brook Lane, Torrens Park Claire Street, Lower Mitcham Crowder Street, Lower Mitcham Coolidge Avenue, Lower Mitcham Corunna Street, Melrose Park Doncaster Avenue, Colonel Light Gardens Fraser Street, Lower Mitcham Garden Road, Westbourne Park Grigg Court, Clarence Gardens Hessian Avenue, Clarence Gardens Jose Street, Melrose Park Monash Avenue, Belair Pages Road, Mitcham Penang Avenue, Melrose Park Surrey Crescent, Lower Mitcham Western Avenue, Blackwood Council’s road rehabilitation and overlay works programmed to commence in February and March: Suffolk and Rankeys Hill Road, Hawthorndene Eynesbury Avenue, Kingswood

Road safety projects are continuing: Clapham – Consultation on a draft traffic management plan for part of the Panorama and Clapham area has been undertaken and the results are currently being analysed.

Blackwood - traffic management investigation at Blackwood is continuing.

Footpath Construction Paving works recently completed: Bennet Avenue, Melrose Park Coolidge Street, Lower Mitcham Frontenac Avenue, Panorama Pitfour Road, Clapham Rentoul Avenue, Netherby Richmond Road, Westbourne Park Paving works underway Ashbourne Avenue, Kingswood Elphyn Road, Kingswood Hollywood Way and Sun Valley Drive, Glenalta Price Avenue, Lower Mitcham South Road, St Marys Paving works programmed to commence in February and March: Sierra Nevada Boulevard, Pasadena Old Belair Road, Mitcham

Further information about the infrastructure program is available at www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au/goto/budget

Treenet Inlets installed in Coolidge Avenue.

Watering our Street Trees The City of Mitcham is collecting stormwater through specially designed inlets to help water street trees.

Each of Mitcham’s street trees needs many kilolitres of water, drawn from the soil, to grow and stay healthy. In natural environments, rainfall soaks into soils but in urban settings our homes, driveways, roads and footpaths stop rainfall entering the soil.

Council, to capture this rainfall, has recently installed a new device, the ‘TREENET Inlet’, in Coolidge Avenue in Lower Mitcham to capture stormwater runoff from the road and put it

directly in the soil for the street trees.

The TREENET Inlet was developed

by TREENET Inc as a result of 10 years of research and testing undertaken with Council’s support in Claremont Avenue in Netherby.

The TREENET Inlet is a device which is built into standard kerbing. Each time stormwater runs down the gutter it flows into the TREENET Inlet and then soaks into the soil on the verge via a ‘leaky well’.

Each ‘leaky well’ holds 100 litres of water and is filled by rain many

times during the year to give street trees a potential harvest of several kilolitres. Tree roots grow directly into the gravel screenings around the leaky wells to quickly extract the water which is then distributed around the tree and through the soils surrounding the root zone.

Using TREENET Inlets is one way Council is adapting to a changing climate and potential future water shortages. By recharging soil moisture Mitcham’s streetscapes can remain green, leafy and cool into the future.

Keeping Naomi Reserve Green Naomi Reserve located at Naomi Terrace, Pasadena was recently upgraded with new playground and facilities, but few would know about what lies beneath the surface.

Below the grass on the reserve an environmentally friendly drainage system has been constructed to collect the rainwater that runs off the tennis courts. The three tennis courts cover almost 1,500 square metres allowing the new drainage system to capture over 750,000 litres of water each year. This water is then distributed to the reserve through a network of soakage trenches to keep it green and healthy.

The 1.5 m deep trenches are partially filled with crushed rock to allow space for more water to be held.

Stormwater flows through slotted drainage pipes to fill the gaps in the crushed rock before it seeps into the surrounding soil.

The reserve’s trees will develop roots around the soakage trenches to tap into this water; this will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the system. Water travels more quickly

through tree roots than through heavy clay soils, so the trees actually help increase the rate of water infiltration and the root networks effectively extend the soakage system into a greater volume of soil.

The system also helps to clean water and reduces flows out to sea. The additional water through the summer months will result in healthier trees keeping the reserve cooler and providing more shade for users of the reserve.

The new bio-engineered green system cost $40,000 and provides an effective drainage solution while supplying the reserve with $2,600 of additional water each year. Not only reducing Council’s reliance on mains water and creating a more resilient environment, but also saving our community money as water costs increase.

PAGE 6 Mitcham Community News february 2014

Tomorrow’s Mitcham Today Striving for Excellence

CITY OF

MITCHAM

annual report 2012-2013 Council has matched its activities against the key result areas of our Strategic Management Plan to form the 2012/2013 Annual Report.

Economic Sustainability

To ensure the provision and maintenance of assets and support for local business meets critical economic challenges and provides for a healthy community and environment.

Council began an efficiency and effectiveness program to improve business and the provision of services.

210,000 m2 of road rehabilitation works, including asphalt resealing and bitumen rejuvenation was completed at a cost of $3.84 m.

The Blackwood public toilets on Shepherds Hill Road were upgraded.

Asbestos was removed at the Hawthorn Bowling Club and Southern Suburbs Rugby Club.

6.2 km of kerb and watertable was constructed at a cost of $1.84 m.

Lighting at Reade Park Croquet Club was upgraded and the air conditioning unit at the Kingswood Sport and Social Club was replaced.

14 km of new and replacement block paved footpaths were constructed at a cost of $1.89 m.

Change rooms at the Mitcham Football/ Sturt Cricket Club and Blackwood Bowling Club were refurbished.

Stormwater infrastructure upgrades were completed in Blythewood Avenue, Mitcham; Neate Avenue, Blackwood; University Way, Bellevue Heights; Kentucky Avenue, Panorama; and Argyll Walk, Bellevue Heights.

A new perimeter fence was installed at the Blackwood Bowling Club.

Council took on the management of the Blackwood Community Centre and the Westbourne Park Community Club.

New automatic doors were installed at the Colonel Light Gardens Football/Goodwood Baseball Club.

The Cumberland United Soccer Clubrooms and Bailey Reserve Public toilet areas were upgraded.

Environmental Sustainability

To ensure the natural and built environments are protected, enhanced and to conserve resources, prevent waste and support community and economic activities.

1,128 development plan consent decisions were issued.

128 development applications were referred to the Development Assessment Panel.

1,219 building rules consent applications decisions were issued.

The Strategic Directions Report was presented to the Minister for Planning.

Preparation of a Draft Residential Development Plan strategy commenced.

Work continued on a Heritage Development Plan Amendment to incorporate additional Local Heritage Places in Mitcham’s Development Plan and to investigate potential additional Historic Conservation Zones/Policy Areas.

The Watercourse Development Plan Amendment, to protect riparian character, property and life from flooding events associated with the Brown Hill Creek and Sturt River and their tributaries, was deferred.

Investigations for Part B of the Brown Hill Keswick Creek Stormwater Management Plan including the feasibility and associated costs of using bypass culvert systems located predominantly within the City of Unley road reserves and the existing rail corridor have commenced.

Road safety improvements were undertaken and the pedestrian crossing relocated along Edwards Street adjacent to Edwardstown Primary School.

The dedicated dog park in CC Hood Reserve was upgraded with a new irrigation system, a larger green area using turf sods for the dogs to run around.

Traffic signals at the intersection of Winston Avenue and Edwards Street were upgraded.

Improvements to the Mitcham General Cemetery were undertaken.

The existing solar panels were replaced in Sheoak Road in Belair.

A traffic control device was installed at the intersection of Hayman Retreat and Craigburn Road.

Council commenced development of the Integrated Traffic Management Plan for Clapham/Panorama and the Blackwood Traffic Management Plan.

1,150 trees were planted in avenue restoration projects and to replace trees which had been removed.

Garden beds throughout the Blackwood district were landscaped.

The playing field surfaces for Bailey Soccer and Rugby ground, Price Memorial, Karinya Reserve and Blackwood Hill oval were renovated.

New playgrounds and park furniture were installed at Donald Reserve and Naomi Reserve.

New seats were installed in Thurles Reserve, Netherby Reserve, Blackwood War Memorial and Soldier’s Memorial Garden Reserve.

Bushcare works continued in O’Dea’s Quarry Reserve and Ward Street Reserve.

Olives, Boneseed and Cape Broom control was undertaken in Brownies Quarry, Brown Hill Creek.

Weed control was undertaken on Brown Hill Reserve and a three kilometre section of Upper Sturt Road.

Broadleaf weed control commenced at Brown Hill Reserve. $24,980 in grants was approved to 12 landholders in the Mitcham hills to assist in the control of weeds and revegetation of land.

‘Leaky wells’ were installed in Rose Street at Melrose Park to resolve flooding and to provide water to a mature River Red Gum. Investigations into stormwater harvesting opportunities commenced, with a particular focus on aquifer storage and recovery or above ground storage.

Council, in partnership with Marion, Onkaparinga and Holdfast Bay Councils, began developing a regional climate change adaptation plan for the southern Adelaide region.

A total of 12,325 tonnes of domestic waste was removed from 28,400 properties, 6,690 tonnes of recyclables were processed and 8,667 tonnes of greens were recovered for composting.

851 tonnes of hard waste was collected from 5,279 residential properties.

182 European Wasp nests were destroyed.

A Household Hazardous Waste Day was conducted with 34,562 kilograms of household chemicals disposed of.

82 tonnes of leaves, silt and litter were removed from the trash racks at the Urrbrae Wetland.

10 tonnes of TVs and computers were disposed of at the free TV and computer disposal day.

192.64 tonnes of sediment was removed from the sedimentation basin near Balham Reserve.

1,442 tonnes of material was collected for reuse as mulch and compost material at the Lynton Green Organics Drop Off Facility.

An infiltration trench on Naomi Reserve at Pasadena was constructed to resolve flooding and maintain a greener environment.

Eight additional dual landfill gas and ground water monitoring wells were installed at the Lynton Landfill.

PAGE 7 Mitcham Community News february 2014

at a glance Population of the City of Mitcham

65,331

Council Size

75.7 km2

Properties

26,500

Parks, Gardens and Recreational areas

252

Trees Planted

1,150

Immunisations Administered

7,984

European Wasp Nets Destroyed

182

Dogs Registered

9,442

Cats Registered

2,256

Mitcham Library Service Borrowers

32,936

Mitcham Library Service Loans

926,900

Toy Library Borrowers

2,123

Toy Library Loans

17,910

Community Bus Trips

16,142

Hours Contributed by Volunteers

27,350

Community Grants Allocated

$28,676

Road Rehabilitation

Community Sustainability

To improve well-being and create a strong sense of community that supports learning, participation, inclusiveness and healthy lifestyles.

The Library Service received 388,206 visits with 32,936 members borrowing 926,900 items. 24,514 people participated in library activities.

41,073 searches of the libraries’ subscription databases were undertaken.

7,741 children and carers attended preschool storytelling sessions.

2,426 children and carers attended Baby story-time and 80 people attended toddler time sessions.

2,130 people attended Children’s Book Week and 893 children participated in school holiday programmes.

230 items were delivered to individuals who were unable to visit the Library and the Community Bus transported 361 residents to the Library.

The Toy Libraries had 2,123 registered borrowers. 17,910 educational toys and games were borrowed and 26,938 visits made.

Council dedicated a room in the Mitcham Heritage Research Centre and erected a commemorative tiled table at the Mitcham Cultural Village in honour of Maggy Ragless.

Two commemorative cairns were erected to celebrate and recognise the canonisation of Saint Mary MacKillop.

Mitcham’s ‘Clean Site’ development, at Craigburn Farm - stage two, continued.

Council conducted 92 community and school based immunisation clinics with a total of 7,519 vaccines administered.

A total of 11 Influenza clinics were undertaken administering 465 Influenza vaccines.

The Animal Management Plan was reviewed.

6.2 km

Domestic Waste to Landfill (tonnes)

12,325

Recyclable Collected (tonnes)

6,690

Green Recyclables Collected (tonnes)

8,667

Domestic Hard Refuse Collected (tonnes)

851

Seven food safety training programs were conducted.

221 inspections were undertaken as part of the public health inspection program.

348 inspections and follow-up inspections were carried out on food premises to ensure compliance with the Food Safety Standards and the Food Act 2001.

43 complaints relating to unsafe food, unclean premises, alleged food poisoning, poor personal hygiene and poor food handling practices were investigated.

Council also conducted 30 mandatory food safety audits.

5,745 expiation notices were issued and emphasis continued to be placed on education and enforcement around areas of high safety risk.

1,438 people received 48,825 hours of assistance on 33,413 occasions for basic home maintenance, domestic care, transport and social support.

809 residents received over 3,400 hours of home maintenance assistance.

Council conducted a number of events including Carols by the Creek, Australia Day, Civic Receptions, SA About Time History Festival and citizenship ceremonies.

Kerb and Watertable Renewed

24 food businesses were inspected.

342 volunteers contributed 27,350 hours of volunteer service to the community across 24 programs.

Development approval process began for further trail links in Blackwood Hill Reserve.

14 km

2,256 cats were registered.

422 residents received 4,298 hours of domestic assistance.

The Voices of the Village – Sustainable Communities Fair was held at the Mitcham Cultural Village to raise awareness of sustainable living practices.

Paved Footpaths Constructed

9,442 dogs were registered with 452 expiations issued.

$28,676 of Community Development Grants was allocated to 28 organisations.

600 people participated in activities at the Mitcham Cultural Village.

210,000 m2

Volunteers provided a total of 4,547 hours of invaluable social support.

The Mitcham Community Bus service transported 312 residents on 16,142 trips.

Emotional Health and Wellbeing workshops were conducted for over 80 girls aged 12 to 15 years from local high schools.

Safety at Schoolies Seminars were held with over 700 year 12 students from secondary schools.

Council provided funding support to the Sammy D. Foundation to deliver seminars to over 600 Year 9 to 12 students from six local secondary schools.

Over 400 young people participated in a range of activities held for National Youth Week.

The Mitcham Youth Advisory Committee underwent a complete restructure resulting in the recruitment of 11 local young people in Years 9 to 12, representing four local secondary schools.

The 2008-2012 Youth Strategy underwent a review as part of the development of a new Youth Plan for 2013-2016.

Organisational Excellence

To ensure responsible governance that improves performance, values staff and promotes the equitable and sustainable distribution of resources now and into the future.

A Review of Representation commenced.

Two supplementary elections were conducted. One for The Park Ward following the passing of Cr Colin Campbell and for the Babbage Ward following the resignation of Cr Christopher Gellie. Cr Tim Hein (The Park Ward) and Cr Brett Hearne (Babbage Ward) were elected.

16 Freedom of Information applications were received and one was brought forward from the previous year. Of these, 10 were granted full release, four were granted partial release and three were refused.

A total of 18 confidential items were tabled at meetings of Council.

The Customer Service Centre processed an average of 2,159 transactions and 680 customer requests each month and managed 9,440 dog renewals and new dog registrations and 2,255 cat renewals and new cat registrations.

The risk management review, conducted by the Local Government Association

Mutual Liability Scheme, placed Mitcham overall at the metropolitan Council average of 93%.

Council employed a total of 308 people; 225 full-time employees, 44 part-time employees and 39 people were employed on a casual basis.

The Centre handled an average of 6,420 calls per month, processed an average of 2,600 transactions and 732 customer requests each month and managed 9,125 dog renewals and new dog registrations and 2,025 cat renewals and new cat registrations.

Council employed a total of 313 people; 221 full-time employees, 51 part-time employees and 41 people were employed on a casual basis.

The risk management review placed Mitcham above the metropolitan Council average in five of the eight categories.

22 workers compensation claims were lodged with a total of 97 working days lost.

PAGE 8 Mitcham Community News february 2014

From your Elected Members

Mayor Michael Picton • Australia Day • Mitcham Arts and Crafts 40 year celebrations • Local Government elections in November • Emergency Services

In my first Community News article as Mayor, I wrote of my pride and honour in being elected as your Mayor. I pledged that I would endeavour to work hard for all in the community, throughout my term as Mayor.

I was delighted to announce that Mrs Angie Pangallo was the Mitcham’s Australia Day Citizen of the Year. Angie formed the Gold Foundation in 2008 to assist children with Asperger’s Syndrome and their families and carers.

Those sentiments continue to be just as important to me today as they were then. I’m looking forward to working with the Mitcham residents in this final year of the Council term and to standing again for Mayor in the Council election in November. The Council is meeting a number of the targets that I had envisaged three years ago and continues to work on projects that will further enhance the lives of Mitcham residents. With your assistance the elected members, staff and I, will work together to further improve our Council area for everyone.

Billy Russell, a student from Urrbrae School in 2013, was a worthy recipient of the Young Citizen of the Year for 2014.

Australia Day At the start of the year one of my most rewarding duties as Mayor is to welcome new Citizens to Mitcham and to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of individuals or groups in the community. This ceremony was again held at Carrick Hill in Springfield as part of the Australia Day celebrations.

Telephone: 0417 812 546 mpicton@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au

Babbage Ward Cr Brett Hearne • South Australian Women’s Memorial Playing Fields • Bangka Memorial Service

Telephone: 0415 150 010 bhearne@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au “It has been said that a Nation’s greatness is decided by the calibre of its women” The Babbage Ward has an interesting history, the South

The Community Event of the Year Award was received by the SA Women’s Memorial Playing Fields Trust for their annual Bangka Memorial Service.

Nan Davies of Blackwood received the City of Mitcham Award for Excellence in Community Service for her volunteer work in the hills community, for her fundraising activities and for her involvement with the Blackwood Action Group.

The Colonel Light Gardens RSL also received the City of Mitcham Award for Excellence in Community Service for supporting and providing facilities to the Colonel Light Gardens and wider community. To these recipients and to all others who received awards, I thank you all for your dedication and hard work in our community.

Australian Women’s Memorial Playing Fields located on the corner of Ayliffes and Shepherds Hill Roads was established in 1953 and is a part of that history.

The concept of the Women’s Memorial Playing Fields was derived from the concern that there was a lack of sporting/playing areas for women. The overwhelming concern gave rise to the formation of the South Australian Women’s Amateur Sports Council.

The 20 acres of reserve land on the corner of Shepherds Hill and Ayliffes Roads, St Marys had been designated to become an area for

Mitcham Arts and Crafts 40 year celebrations

Local Government elections in November

Mitcham’s, iconic artistic institution, the Mitcham Village Art & Crafts Association Inc (MVAC), now known as Gallery One, part of the Mitcham Cultural Village, is holding a Retrospective Exhibition showcasing some of the work of past members of the group.

Local Government Elections are fast approaching and it is a good time to consider whether you would like to run for Council at the November election.

On the 1st March 1974 the then Mayor of Mitcham Mayor Frank Byles officially opened the MVAC Gallery and Workshop. Forty years later, on 1st March 2014, I will officially open this Retrospective Exhibition. The exhibition will celebrate 40 years of operation of the gallery and showcase some of the artwork past members have produced.

The people who pioneered the gallery, the art and craft classes and the historical society, were pivotal in shaping and preserving much of what we see in the Mitcham Village today. The hard work of these people has ensured that Gallery One is still home to thriving local artistic community operating out of the gallery and surrounding buildings.

Please attend a Council Meeting if you are interested in understanding how council meetings work and the role of elected members. Feel free to phone me at anytime if you would like to discuss what is involved in representing your community. I’ve been privileged to be part of the Mitcham Council now for nearly 11 years as both a Councillor and as the Mayor.

Emergency Services I would like to thank the many men and women who have been keeping our community safe and secure over the summer period. Our Council staff, police, SES, CFS and SA Power Network staff have worked tirelessly to keep things running when gale force winds brought down many trees and branches just before Christmas. The heat wave we all endured mid January has seen another super effort from these same people to keep everything running smoothly. Thank you all for your great efforts.

women’s sport. The work of early Trust members is commemorated in the naming of the Helen Black Oval, the Gordon Brown Oval and the May Mills Pavilion. The grounds as a whole were dedicated as a memorial to all the members of the women’s services who lost their lives in war services.

South Australian Vivian Bullwinkel, the sole survivor of the massacre and after being interned for three years came home to tell the story. In 2014 the annual Bangka Memorial Service will be held at 10 am on Sunday February 16 at the South Australian Women’s Memorial Playing Fields at St Marys.

The book ‘On Radji Beach’ by Ian Shaw explains the story in detail of our nurses who survived the sinking Vyner Brook. The 22 nursing sisters who made it to Radji Beach were lined up and machine gunned from behind by Japanese soldiers on February 16 1942 on Bangka Island, Indonesia.

This is the largest memorial service for women in South Australia and possibly Australia. The public are most welcome to attend.

For more information about the Trust, visit www.womensmemorial.org.au

Community Development Grants Local not-for-profit community groups are encouraged to apply for funding from Council through the Community Development Grants program.

Council’s Community Development Grants program provides amounts of up to $1,500 for community groups and organisations to support projects that provide benefits to the local Mitcham community.

Types of projects considered for funding include the following categories: Community Projects Community Events Facilities Upgrades and Equipment Purchases

Priority is given to projects that can demonstrate a high level of community need or for vital upgrades or equipment to continue a project.

A new Grant category, Special Community Projects and Events, is now available. Council may consider requests for one-off funding assistance for special community events or projects. This funding is limited and as it is a decision of Council, is available for application through out the year.

Applications can now be submitted for the next funding round which closes on Monday 31 March 2014. Guidelines and application forms are available from www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au or by calling 8372 8899.

Contacting Your Elected Member Mayor

Babbage Ward

Boorman Ward

Craigburn Ward

Gault Ward

Overton Ward

The Park Ward

Mayor Michael Picton 0417 812 546

Cr. David Munro 0403 161 462

Cr. Leanne Moriarty 8379 3797

Cr. Nick Greer 7420 9808

Cr. Chris Adcock 0428 724 315

Cr. Yvonne Poland 0416 773 973

Cr. Tim Hein 0403 080 080

Cr. Brett Hearne 0415 150 101

Cr. Judith Weaver 8357 7522

Cr. Elaine Grimm 8370 0025

Cr. Stephen Fisher 8272 6116

Cr. John Sanderson 0402 517 945

Cr. Mark Ward 0458 112 358

Cr. Jane Silbereisen 0477 209 782

PAGE 9 Mitcham Community News february 2014

Gault Ward Cr Chris Adcock

wonderful venue. The event was greatly enhanced with the sulphur crested cockatoos adding to the atmosphere with their raucous cry and somewhat wild flight between the river red gums, where they have been nesting, bordering the park.

The rainbow lorikeets added to the noise and the busy flight paths over the park. What a wonderful Australian touch to the Carols. The somewhat out of place camels and donkey making an unusual contrast to the scene. The staff involved, as well as the organisers, should be congratulated on the outstanding result.

• The New Year • Carols by the Creek • Soldiers Memorial Gardens • Open Space

Telephone: 0428 724 315 cadcock@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au The New Year I would like to wish you all a happy and healthy year ahead. It will be a busy year for Council and it will see a new Council elected by year’s end. Some of the past year has been difficult, in particular in a financial sense. While there has been recognition of Council’s deficit and steps have been made to reduce it, Council needs to remain firm in its resolve to eliminate it.

Soldiers Memorial Gardens This is a lovely section of Brownhill Creek which will be made even more attractive when it is developed. Living close to the creek I have also observed wildlife in the area including occasional flying foxes (possibly grey headed), grey currawongs, the almost plague numbers of brush tail possums which bounce around on my roof as well as the smaller and much less numerous ring tail possums. It

Carols by the Creek The 2013 Carols by the Creek was a wonderful event at a

The Park Ward Cr Tim Hein • Blackwood Master Plan • Library • Community Garden • Budget

Telephone: 0403 080 080 thein@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au As the new year begins, we continue to have many reasons to be grateful for our marvellous community.

would be wonderful if the Soldiers Memorial Gardens and the other sections of the reserve through to Kent Street could be developed over the next few years subject to the financial constraints.

Open Space In some wards, there is a reasonable amount of open space/reserves.

Unfortunately the areas of Gault and Overton did not allow for as many of these areas when development was taking place. Aside from the Brownhill Creek Recreation Reserve, the Mitcham Reserve, McElligotts Reserve etc, Boorman has the benefit of Urrbrae and Unley High Schools as well as Scotch College and Mercedes College lands, Waite Institute and CSIRO which lead into the foothills above and the wonderful Carrick Hill site.

Babbage Ward also has had the benefit of a number of reserves and recreation areas including St Marys Park with the adjacent Norman Street Reserve, and the extensive Women’s Memorial Playing Fields. There is also the excellent

In particular I am grateful for the generations of countless people who have volunteered in programs which serve others, and our community at large. But also for those who have invested and shaped the various parts of Mitcham, and those who continue to do so.

community in which to live - but it needs some big picture thinking to ensure it works as a whole, including traffic, shopping, housing and appropriate development.

Blackwood can be better. This opportunity remains and I continue to advocate for it.

It’s why I’m committed to always thinking long-term when it comes to our Council. And why I’m still committed to seeing Council develop a ‘master plan’ for Blackwood, to provide a mechanism for all the various stakeholders in our community to come together and envision a better future that works!

This will include a much improved Library facility. It’s unfortunate that these ideas have been talked down by some, for I believe a modern library is far more than a storehouse of books. Indeed the requirement of a new location for our very popular toy library recently (due to required upgrades in the current building) has showed how multidimensional this kind of activity centre can be.

We know why our area is popular, and why it is such an ideal

Centennial Park facility and Pasadena High School which adds to the open space. From Centennial Park there is a narrow strip park which spreads into three fingers above Fiveash Drive. Beyond this road, there is the CC Hood Reserve which has an excellent dedicated dog park.

The Park and Craigburn Wards have the benefit of many wonderful tracts of land including the wonderful Belair National Park. Babbage Ward, with its more recent development, has had the benefit of considerably more open space than either Gault or Overton Wards.

The Mary Jeavons report commissioned by Mitcham Council in 1991, also pointed out the dearth of this open space, particularly in Overton and Gault Wards. A much more recent report is the 2012 ‘Healthy by Design SA’. This report suggests that “in urbanised areas people should have the opportunity to walk no further than 400-800 metres to local destinations including parks and recreational facilities.”

As well as having thriving shopping and commercial districts, it’s important we also continue to foster parts of our community where people gather for other reasons.

Community Gardens are just one example of this, and I continue to advocate for Council to support initiatives in this area.

Another crucial issue demanding our careful focus this year is the financial situation of Council. Some heavy lifting has been done in recent time to ensure the budget moves from deficit to surplus. I am committed to seeing this happen, without having to continually trigger significant rate rises.

Community Ward Forums Community Ward Forums provide an opportunity for residents to meet with Elected Members, find out more about your ward, ask questions and talk about local issues.

Residents are invited to attend their local forum on: Community Forum for Boorman Ward (Kingswood, Torrens Park, Lynton, Mitcham, Netherby, Brown Hill Creek, Springfield, Urrbrae, Leawood Gardens) 7 pm, Monday 10 February City of Mitcham, Mayor’s Parlour, 131 Belair Road, Torrens Park.

Community Forum for Gault Ward (Clapham, Colonel Light Gardens [part], Hawthorn, Lower Mitcham and Westbourne Park) 7 pm, Monday 24 February City of Mitcham, Mayor’s Parlour, 131 Belair Road, Torrens Park.

Clarence Gardens

Residents are invited to submit questions prior to a forum to ensure that the topic can be addressed on the night. Questions should be made in writing and: State the ward forum at which the matter will be raised.

Be sent to Council at least two weeks prior to the relevant forum.

Include the resident’s contact details should any clarification of the question need to be sought.

Be addressed to: City of Mitcham PO Box 21 Mitcham Shopping Centre Torrens Park SA 5062 or by email: mitcham@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au

Community Forum for Babbage Ward (Bedford Park, Panorama, Pasadena and St Marys) 7 pm, Monday 24 March City of Mitcham Mayor’s Parlour, 131 Belair Road, Torrens Park.

Community Forum for Overton Ward (Clarence Gardens, Melrose Park, Cumberland Park, Daw Park, Colonel Light Gardens [part]) 7 pm, Monday 17 March City of Mitcham Mayor’s Parlour, 131 Belair Road, Torrens Park.

Community Forum for Craigburn/The Park Ward (Blackwood, Belair, Bellevue Heights, Coromandel Valley, Craigburn Farm, Eden Hills, Glenalta, Hawthorndene and Upper Sturt) 7 pm, Thursday 13 March Blackwood Community Centre, 4 Young Street, Blackwood.

Cumberland Park

N

TO OVER

LT GAULower

Colonel Light Gardens

Daw Park

Melrose Park

Hawthorn Kingswood Westbourne Park

Mitcham

Panorama

AGE

AN

M BOOR

Torrens Park

Brownhill Creek

Mitcham

Lynton

BABB

Belair

St Marys Glenalta Eden Hills

Craigburn Farm

Crafers West

Hawthorndene Blackwood

Bellevue Heights

K

AR THE P

N

GBUR

CRAI

Bedford Park

Leawood Gardens

Springfield

Clapham

Pasadena

Urrbrae Netherby

Upper Sturt

Coromandel Valley

For more information call 8372 8888.

His Excellency joined Mrs Mary Prime to cut the ceremonial cake. Mary has delivered meals fortnightly for 41 years at Mitcham!

Mitcham Meals on Wheels Celebrated 50 Years in 2013 Meals on Wheels at Mitcham recently celebrated 50 years of service to the local community with an official event honouring the outstanding efforts of its volunteers.

In 1963 the branch was officially opened and 63 meals were delivered on the first day. Since then, the Mitcham branch of Meals on Wheels has provided almost 1.7 million meals to clients and currently has a local volunteer workforce of 170 volunteers.

Meals on Wheels Patron, Governor of South Australia His Excellency Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce spoke at the function, helped cut a cake and presented special service awards at a ceremony to mark the occasion.

PAGE 10 Mitcham Community News february 2014

Mitcham Community Calendar community groups Westbourne Park Primary School Centenary Westbourne Park Primary School is calling out to all old scholars and the local community to contact the school in preparation for some exciting centenary events planned for 2014. Call 8271 7430 or subscribe to email updates via the website at www.wpps100.com.au

Messy Church @ Westbourne Park Uniting Church Invites you to enjoy a relaxed style of church for families of all ages through creativity, hospitality, celebration and fun on Saturday 15 February and 15 March from 5 pm to 7.30 pm at Westbourne Park Uniting Church, 27 Sussex Terrace, Hawthorn. Donation $5 per family.

Email wpuc@internode.on.net, visit www.wpuc.org.au or call 8271 7066.

Mitcham Kiwanis Meet on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at Marion Sports Centre, Sturt Road, Marion.

Call 8374 3694.

Hills Choral Society Welcome new singers. Rehearsals, in preparation for a concert in May, are held at 7.30 pm on Wednesday evenings at the Belair Uniting Church Hall. Call 8227 2239 or 8278 2004.

underway. The Orchestra will perform seven shows in October, “From The Stage, Music and Images”.

For more information visit www.sacomment.com/arpa.htm

St Francis Community Centre

Mitcham Prostate Cancer Support Group

At 835 South Road, Clarence Gardens welcomes you to enjoy a range of programs and courses including Zumba, Pilates, Quilting, Line Dancing, Aikido Ka, Yoga and Karate. Monthly groups include AFS Intercultural programs, Edwardstown Probus, Mothers Union, Seniors’ Friendship@ Francis which includes a light meal with games and friendship. Transport can be arranged.

For more information about the programs or to hire the hall, supper room and kitchen call 8293 2203 or email ganddpalmer@bigpond.com

Come along to discuss health issues on Thursday 27 February at 7 pm at the Colonel Light Gardens RSL Club, 4 Prince George Parade, Colonel Light Gardens. The February meeting will include the Annual General Meeting, general discussion and a DVD. Call 8277 2138 or visit www.psamitcham.org

Strings Wanted The ARPA Orchestra is looking for extra string players. If you are able to attend rehearsals on Thursday mornings at the Cumberland Park Community Centre and play an instrument competently then contact the secretary on 8337 3307. Players are required to join ARPA (Australian Retired Persons Association) for a small annual fee and there is an orchestra fee. Planning for the 2014 major performance and venue is

get fit/social activities Playroom Yoga Classes Come and enjoy a Hatha Yoga class especially for parents of young children. Children 0-4 years welcome to attend. Children make games among themselves or join in as we; strengthen arms, back and core, improve posture and breathing and stretch out all the muscles that get tired and overworked when caring for young children. Held in Blackwood, Thursday and Friday mornings. Call 72204978 or email twivickas@adam.com.au

Clarence Gardens Bowling Club Come along to the Clarence Gardens Bowling Club, Winona Avenue, Clarence Gardens and enjoy a game of social bowls every Saturday at 1 pm, $6 green fees (includes afternoon tea) or night bowling every Wednesday at 7.15 pm, $6 per person. Neat casual dress and flat solved shoes. Call 0424 483 170.

Mud, Sweat and Gears Are you interested in getting fitter and live in the Mitcham Hills? Every Saturday at 9 am a group of cyclists gather in the Belair National Park. Visit www.mudsweatandgears.org.au

community events Movies in the Park Enjoy outdoor cinema under the stars with ‘Monsters University’ on Saturday 22 February at Weymouth Oval, 442B Main Road, Coromandel Valley from 7 pm. Grab your family and friends to enjoy this fun, safe and local community event.

Bring along your bean bag, rugs (no high backed chairs) and picnic baskets. $2 donation. Visit www.coromandelcc.org.au

Broadband for Seniors Do you need a lesson in how to use a computer or the internet? Free tutorials are available for seniors at the Blackwood Hills Baptist Church.

Call 8370 0333.

Oasis Youth Group

Rotary Club of Mitcham Big Bookshop Warehouse Sale

Got High School teenagers looking to connect with others and in need of a sense of adventure on a Friday night? Oasis Youth Group might be just what they need. Call 0428 882 013 or the Blackwood Hills Baptist Church on 8370 0333.

Bargains Galore on Saturday 1 March 8 am to 3 pm in the car park at 448 Goodwood Road, Cumberland Park (opposite Domain Mitre 10). Don’t miss out and arrive early nothing over $2! All proceeds to the Shelter Box Project.

The 1914 Blackwood Magazine Project To celebrate the centenary of The Blackwood Magazine snippets from the 1914 edition will be reproduced in The Blackwood Times showing a snapshot of the lives, times and issues of hills residents 100 years ago and how times have changed.

‘Bracket Fungus’, by Deborah Cantrill from found timber, apple prunings, iris leaves and string.

Basketry Exhibition – ‘Waste Not’ at Urrbrae House Enjoy a beautiful display of contemporary basketry ‘Waste Not’ during the 2014 Adelaide Fringe at Urrbrae House from February 15 to 23.

The Friends of the Waite Arboretum and Basketry South Australia will host a Basketry exhibition in Urrbrae House during the Adelaide Fringe 2014.

The ‘Waste Not’ Exhibition of contemporary basketry reuses discarded and otherwise wasted materials, both natural and man-made, into beautiful baskets and works of art inspired by reflections on various aspects of waste management in our urban environment.

The exhibition will be officially opened on Saturday 15 February at 2 pm and be on display between 11 am and 4 pm daily from Saturday February 15 to Sunday 23.

Urrbrae House is located off Fullarton Road in Urrbrae.

The Blackwood Magazine was introduced in 1914 by the Blackwood, Coromandel and Belair Club Literary Society as they felt the local area did “not receive that attention which its unique natural attractions and the talents of its inhabitants deserve”.

Reading the first issue, no one could doubt how proud the editors were of their local area.

“The Blackwood spirit is the essence of kindliness, simplicity, brotherliness, and above all, loyalty. In our experience few can live in Blackwood without assimilating that spirit very largely.

For the barbarian from the suburbs who comes to live among us with all his vices thick upon him, is soon so tamed, so softened, that he might have been born in the midst of us.” (January p3) The Magazine, which cost 3p, was published monthly for only one year in 1914 – and is a unique part of Blackwood’s history.

With a masthead that proudly proclaimed E montibus omnia bona, which loosely translates as ‘all good things come from the

hills’, the magazine included community concerns, advertising, church, sporting and club news, images, weather, transport and shopping information, poetry and stories of local identities.

The Blackwood Action Group, with support from the Mitcham Heritage Research Centre, are working with community members and schools to reproduce many of the wonderful stories printed in 1914.

If you, your club or school would like to get involved in the project, contribute photographs or submit articles covering: ‘Then and Now’ - Juxtapose an article from a 1914 magazine with 2014; a personal story about your hills relative who served in WW1; or iconic shops of the past and present please

contact Pauline Dodd via email paulinedodd@bigpond.com or phone 8278 5229 or Lindy Taeuber via email ltaeub@optusnet.com.au.

The Blackwood Times is a monthly newspaper to keep the community informed as to what is happening in the Blackwood area. The paper is delivered throughout Belair, Bellevue Heights, Blackwood, Eden Hills, Coromandel Valley, Glenalta, Hawthorndene, Blackwood Park, Upper Sturt, Aberfoyle Park and Flagstaff Hill.

If you live outside the hills area and would like to follow the centenary celebrations of The Blackwood Magazine visit www.blackwoodtimes.com.au or www.bagi.org.au

To find out more about the Blackwood Action Group and local projects being undertaken visit www.bagi.org.au.

PAGE 11 Mitcham Community News february 2014

Protecting Mitcham’s Heritage The City of Mitcham is reviewing its Development Plan to protect historically important buildings in the Council area.

The vision for the City of Mitcham is not just about future development. It is about protecting our heritage and cultural assets.

Mitcham is one of the oldest Councils in South Australia and it is important that our history, including historically important buildings, is recognised and preserved for the enjoyment of future generations.

Council has been undertaking a review of the many heritage assets within its area aware of the pressure to subdivide properties and demolish older buildings.

Whilst Council is supportive of subdivision in appropriate areas, it has a responsibility to protect the history that can often be seen in a building that stands as a proud reflection of the City of Mitcham at a particular time in its history.

For more information on the Heritage Development Plan Amendment or consultation process please contact Ben Hignett, Business Partner – Strategic Planning and Projects on 8372 8888.

Protecting Heritage through our Development Plan

Some Advantages Worth Considering

How will you be Notified?

Council’s Development Plan is the key legal document that identifies these important local heritage places.

The way to include historic or unique properties in the Development Plan is to assess them against heritage classification criteria. Places are first provisionally entered in the Development Plan and after a period of public consultation, the provisional entries are either confirmed or removed.

The Minister for Planning will place an interim protection order on the property whilst the owner is consulted as to whether the details on the survey are correct and the property is worthy of protection. This is needed to protect against inappropriate demolition and unsuitable new development.

Even if your property is listed, it is likely it can still be modernised to meet today’s standards, while preserving the external fabric of the building.

For those considering renovations or additions to a heritage listed property there are some benefits of listing: Free Heritage Advice Council has a specialist heritage architect who can provide limited free architectural advice in relation to local heritage places.

Cash Grant Council has set up a Heritage Subsidy Scheme to provide a cash grant incentive for heritage conservation work. Details can be obtained from www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au.

Once the Minister has agreed to the process, the changes to the Development Plan will be released for community consultation. Consultation is likely to commence early in 2014.

Directly affected property owners will be notified by letter and public notices will be placed in local newspapers.

The Heritage Development Plan Amendment, as it is known, will be available for inspection at the City of Mitcham Civic Centre and Blackwood and Mitcham Libraries. A copy of the Heritage Development Plan Amendment will be also available at www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au

New Fees for State Heritage Development Applications The Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources State Heritage Unit has introduced a consistent fee structure across Local Government.

The new State Heritage Unit fee for development applications that need to be referred to the State Heritage Unit are: $203 for applications with a development cost less than $1,000,000. $340 for applications with a development cost greater than $1,000,000.

Development applications for rainwater tanks or solar panels on State Heritage Places do not require a State Heritage Unit referral fee.

For further information please contact the City of Mitcham’s Planning and Building Department on 8372 8888.

Where to from Here?

Council will undertake an eight week consultation period, during which time written representations will be welcomed. This will be followed by a public hearing.

Council will consider all representations made and review submissions before finalising the Heritage Development Plan Amendment including refining the list of the proposed local heritage places.

New Regulations for Swimming Pools Recent improvements to the Development Regulations will improve swimming pool safety throughout Mitcham.

The Development Regulations 2008 have been amended to improve the safety of swimming pools following consultation undertaken by the State Government in 2013.

Owners or builders, when constructing a new swimming pool, must now notify Council: 1. When the new swimming pool has been completed (prior to filling), and 2. Upon completion of the pool child-safety barriers.

The approved pool child safety barriers must also be constructed within two months of the completion of the pool.

The City of Mitcham is required under these new Regulations to inspect all swimming pools applied for from 1 January 2014. To assist with the costs of these new regulations to improve pool safety the State Government has introduced a fee of $170 for swimming pool inspections. This fee is paid to Council when applying to construct, alter or add

to a swimming pool or spa pool, or a safety fence or barrier for a swimming pool or spa pool.

The amendments also require that details of appropriate safety features and barriers be included with the development application to enable their assessment and approval when issuing building rules consents for new swimming pools and spas.

For further information please contact the City of Mitcham’s Planning and Building Department on 8372 8888.

PAGE 12 Mitcham Community News february 2014

Are you FoodWise?

Do you know how much food you actually waste? Most Australians don’t understand how much energy and resources it takes to get food from paddock to plate. We want you to become FoodWise!

The City of Mitcham wants to help you save money to make the most out of the food in your kitchen while reducing the environmental impact of Australia’s food consumption.

Visit Council’s FoodWise Recipe Finder page and start to explore the Recipe Room to make the most out of the food in your kitchen. There are recipes from celebrity chefs including Maggie Beer, Neil Perry, Kylie Kwong and Olivia Newton John! Once you have found a recipe, you can use the meal planner function to create your own shopping list.

You will also find tips on commonly wasted foods, how to shop seasonally and smart, and the hard truth on just how much food we actually waste every year. For example, did you know the average household throws away one out of every five bags of groceries purchased, that’s a waste of over $1,000 each year!

There are also videos on how to compost your food scraps by Costa Georgiadis from Gardening Australia, fact sheets on growing a balcony garden and information on sustainable food labels.

Visit Council’s FoodWise website at www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au and learn about what you can do to improve the way we grow, distribute, consume and dispose of food.

Volunteers needed for our Parks and Gardens Do you love your local park, interested in gardening, native plants and animals? Come and join one of our local volunteer groups to help look after Council’s parks and gardens.

Resilient South Project The Resilient South Project is making sure our businesses, communities and environments in the southern region can tackle the challenges of a changing climate.

Led by the Cities of Mitcham, Holdfast Bay, Marion and Onkaparinga, the project is engaging with a variety of sectors from across Adelaide’s Southern Region to coordinate a strategic response to the changing climate and ultimately help maintain a strong and productive region into the future.

Last year the Project undertook extensive research, engagement and consultation activities with key stakeholders representing 14 sectors

covering areas from infrastructure and economic development through environment and biodiversity to health, ageing, community wellbeing, education and sporting.

Views and insights have also been gathered from local and state government bodies, non-government organisations and peak bodies, clubs, businesses and educational institutions.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the project so far.

Become a Resilient South ‘Champion’ In 2014 two workshops with Resilient South ‘Champions’ will be held to help identify the communities vulnerabilities as well as develop a Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Region (scheduled for completion in August 2014).

If you would like become a champion we would love to hear from you – now is the time to get involved!

For more information on the Resilient South Project, or to be involved, please visit resilientsouth.com or contact the Resilient South Project Coordinator on 8384 0532.

Kenny Park Volunteer Group Kenny Park located at Wilpena Street in Eden Hills provides a beautiful natural bushland environment with unique native vegetation providing an important habitat for our diverse wildlife.

Volunteers are needed to help restore and maintain Kenny Park by planting native plants, controlling weeds, mulching and pruning.

Mitcham Scented Gardens Community Group The Mitcham Scented Gardens located on Belair Road, Hawthorn, behind the Mitcham Library, is looking for volunteers to help nurture this unique space for the enjoyment of the community.

As part of a team you will assist with weeding, pruning, mulching, planting, fertilising and general maintenance of the garden and paths.

Volunteers will be required to undergo a Police check and will receive training and an information kit to assist them in their role.

If you are interested please call Susan Lawrie, Coordinator Open Space Volunteers on 8372 8888.

Learning about the Environment at the Picket Fence Community Centre Edwardstown Primary School recently visited the Picket Fence Community Garden to learn about recycling as part of the City of Mitcham and NRM Education’s National Recycling Week program.

The group of year 5 and 6 students got an interactive hands-on experience by planting seeds and seedlings, making compost, feeding the worm farm, painting the garden beds, watering the plants and laying mulch down to make pathways.

The students learnt: How to use the three bin kerbside system at home.

Why it is important to refuse, reduce, reuse and recycle.

How long waste items take to break down in landfill.

How to compost and have a worm farm using your food scraps.

How to plant and grow seedlings.

How to sustainably manage a veggie garden.

How to identify different plants and insects in the garden.

Most importantly the students had an opportunity to help the local community, as all the produce grown at Picket Fence goes to members of the community in need.

Everything at the Picket Fence Community Garden is reused,

recycled or created, from the old timber that gets made into garden beds, to propagating their own seeds, capturing rain water, growing their own veggies and reusing food scraps from the garden to make their own compost. The garden is also buzzing with life attracting butterflies, worms, spiders and snails.

If you are interested in purchasing garden beds, herb and vegetable seedlings, pot plants or volunteering with Picket Fence Community Garden please call Rob on 8374 2522 or email rcollett@anglicare-sa.org.au.

If your school would like to participate in a sustainable activity please contact the City of Mitcham on 8372 8888 or email mitcham@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au