Casey Catch Up Summer 2022/23

WILSON BOTANIC PARK BERWICK WINS TOP HONOURS

Wilson Botanic Park Berwick has been awarded ‘National Park of the Year’ by Parks and Leisure Australia.

The City of Casey won the award for the excellent revitalisation work undertaken at the park including rare species planting, establishment of a bird-attracting area, pop-up café, improved signage, amenities, paths, smart bin, park and ride initiative, stormwater harvesting and a visionary, immersive sunken walkway into Lilypad Lake.

Wilson Botanic Park Berwick is one of Casey’s premier parks and showcases unique plant collections, fossils, and fauna, all presented in picturesque open space. The park also plays an integral role in bringing the community together and supporting the community’s physical and mental health, with approximately 600,000 visitors coming to the park every year.

Council’s recently endorsed Wilson Botanic Park Master Plan 2022 sets the vision, objectives and priority projects for the park to ensure the growing number of visitors can continue to enjoy the beautiful landscapes, walks, native animals and plants.

This master plan, which was informed by extensive feedback received through community consultation and stakeholder engagement, will guide the future use, development and advocacy for the park and responds to current and future demand and community expectations for high quality, economically sustainable facilities.

To find out more and read the Wilson Botanic Park Master Plan 2022, visit Council’s website.

PARK AND RIDE DURING SUMMER

As one of Casey’s premier recreation spaces, Wilson Botanic Park Berwick is a popular destination among locals and visitors from across Melbourne.

This also means the park gets very busy, especially on a sunny weekend, to help ease the pressure Council is offering a free park and ride shuttle service from Federation University to the park.

The service operates from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm on weekends during the peak season until 31 March 2023. Visitors are encouraged to park at Federation University, located at 100 Clyde Road, Berwick and catch the shuttle bus which will drop you off at the park’s visitor centre.

Once you have finished your time at the park, simply head to the designated bus zone and board the next bus to be taken back to Federation University. The last shuttle departs the park at 5.00 pm each day.

The park and ride shuttle bus allows for prams, wheelchairs and picnic baskets, but please note that pets are not permitted. Booster seats for children aged four and over are supplied on the shuttle bus, to be fitted by parents.

To find out more, search Wilson Botanic Park Berwick on Council’s website.

AWARDS CELEBRATE CASEY’S TOP BUSINESSES

2022 CASEY BUSINESS AWARD

WINNERS

Employment Category

CFM Air Conditioning

Alongside some of the latest marketing technologies to help grow their business, CFM Air Conditioning has invested heavily in their staff to future-proof their growth. The judges celebrated their holistic approach to running their business, specifically noting the warm environment they have created for their team and consequently their team’s enthusiasm to come into work each day.

Sustainability Category

Beaconsfield Dental

Despite some of the toughest business conditions in Australia’s history, Hallam-based CFM Air Conditioning has remained quality oriented and committed to their staff – and now, among other recent accolades, they have been named the 2022 Casey Business of the Year.

CFM Air Conditioning was also named the winner of the Employment Category, with City of Casey Chair of Administrators Noelene Duff PSM saying it was wonderful to see the company’s investment into their staff paying off.

“Among a field of high-achieving local businesses, CFM Air Conditioning stood out to the judges for their innovation through adversity by promoting from within, investing in their team’s skills and rewarding those whose workload had increased,” Ms Duff said.

“It’s an inspiring example of how crucial your staff members are to the success of any organisation and how sound investments into their advancement and wellbeing can return ten-fold.

“The judges were also incredibly impressed to see a business with a female CEO thriving in a traditionally male dominated industry.”

At the awards ceremony held at Bunjil Place, another two businesses and one business leader were recognised for their business excellence and contribution to the wider business community.

For more information about this year’s Casey Business Awards and more about each of the winners, please visit Council’s business website Business in Casey.

Beaconsfield Dental has long displayed their devotion to sustainability with thoughtfully designed building features and innovative internal processes, not to mention their ongoing environmental advocacy efforts. The judges celebrated their practical implementation of numerous initiatives, which are supported by a strong policy.

Innovation Category

Coolon

LED Lighting

Coolon LED Lighting’s investment into research and development helped them launch a new generation of smart lights for industrial sites, seeing the business succeed despite the pandemic limiting some of their most critical components. The judges celebrated Coolon’s tenacity and bravery in investing in research and development in the face of tremendous worldwide uncertainty.

Business Leadership

Daniel Muir, Amstel Club

As CEO of Amstel Club, Daniel Muir is respected both by his staff and those in the broader hospitality industry. His leadership helped to steer the club through a tumultuous period and to emerge as a hospitality employer of choice, while also opening up the club to share best-practice principles with other local hospitality managers and community groups.

The winning team at CFM Air Conditioning

IS YOUR CHILD READY TO START KINDERGARTEN?

There are places currently available for both the three-year-old and four-year-old kindergarten programs at Council’s kindergartens for the 2023 school year.

From next year, all kindergarten sessions will be free and with 47 Council-operated centres located around Casey there is plenty to choose from.

Our kindergartens offer individual programs unique to their local environment and community, with indoor and outdoor spaces and a range of structured and flexible programs catering for children of all abilities and developmental needs.

SPLASH INTO SUMMER AT DOVETON POOL

Doveton Pool in the Park’s summer season has been extended with the pool opening on 19 November this year until 2 April 2023.

The trigger temperature has also been decreased so the pool will remain open provided Melbourne’s temperature is 25 degrees or above.

Following a community consultation process and the endorsement of the Doveton Pool in the Park Master Plan earlier this year, the pool’s new open days and hours will mean even more fun time by the pool through the 2022/23 summer season.

Our highly skilled, qualified educators deliver programs that support each individual child’s growth and development through play and learning opportunities, helping them to gain confidence and independence and prepare for starting school.

For more information about City of Casey kindergarten programs, to check your child’s eligibility, to arrange a tour of a kindergarten or to register, please visit Council’s website.

Doveton Pool in the Park is a popular summer facility in Casey featuring a heated 50m outdoor pool, splash park, two learners’ pools, small waterslide, giant waterslide, café with fresh food options, a barbecue area plus large, shaded area to relax in.

Doveton Pool in the Park is located at the corner of Tristania Street and Kidds Road in Doveton. For more information on Council’s aquatic and leisure facilities, see our website.

CONGRATULATIONS 2022 COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP PROGRAM GRADUATES

Having completed ten workshops over five months, Casey’s 2022 Community Leadership Program (CLP) participants graduated in October with a celebration ceremony held at Bunjil Place.

First launched in 2021, the annual program provides free training for new, emerging and existing community leaders in Casey who want to build their leadership skills, learn about community engagement and local government, and make a difference in their community.

The event was attended by City of Casey Chair of Administrators Noelene Duff PSM, Administrator Miguel Belmar and CEO Glenn Patterson who extended their congratulations to the graduating participants.

“It is very exciting to see another group graduate from the Community Leadership Program. We recognise the contribution that these dedicated community leaders make, and value the great insight and understanding they are able to provide about the broader Casey community as members of the program’s alumni group,” Ms Duff said.

Participants of the program said the experience not only increased their selfconfidence, but also expanded their local networks, helped them to become stronger leaders and helped build stronger connections to their communities and Council.

Members of the group will also continue developing and implementing the community projects they worked on during the program including:

Online safety sessions for children and parents

Development of a new cricket program for girls and young women

Environmental and sustainability projects

Family violence awareness sessions for women

Multicultural events.

Expressions of Interest for the 2023 Community Leadership Program will open in February 2023. For more information, see Council’s website.

LOCAL PROJECTS BENEFIT FROM FUNDING BOOST

The City of Casey recently welcomed more than $1.2 million of funding for three major projects in Casey, secured through the Victorian Government’s 2022/23 Growing Suburbs Fund.

The projects are:

Hampton Park Community House, with $938,884 provided for the renovation of amenities, relocation of a community space, installation of an air lock at the front entrance and minor landscaping.

Fairhaven Family and Children’s Centre with $135,000 provided to upgrade the entry, foyer and waiting areas, as well as staff working spaces.

Camms Road Maternal and Child Health Centre with $131,600 provided for the installation of an accessible toilet, environmentally sustainable design improvements, landscaping, and the renewal of the kitchen, waiting room and consultation rooms.

Council will also be contributing more than $300,000 towards the three projects.

City of Casey Chair of Administrators Noelene Duff PSM, said the Growing Suburbs Fund is a vital source of funding for the City of Casey and other growth Councils, helping to provide much-needed local infrastructure and ensuring residents have access to facilities and spaces that help them form strong local connections and build a sense of community.

Graduates of the 2022 Community Leadership Program with City of Casey Administrators and staff.

ENDEAVOUR HILLS LIBRARY RENOVATIONS

Renewal works at Endeavour Hills Library have been completed creating a welcoming new space for library visitors and staff.

The work included modernising the service desk and self-check station to allow for an accessible entrance, new work bench area, new seating and furniture, a new dedicated meeting room and re-purposed floor space.

The total cost of the project was $113,536, with $54,000 provided by the State Government through the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program Grant and the remainder funded by Council through its Capital Works Program.

For more information on library services and programs, visit the Casey Cardinia Libraries website: cclc.vic.gov.au

BEACONSFIELD AVENUE OF HONOUR

Council is working on the third and final phase of a tree renewal project along the Beaconsfield Avenue of Honour to ensure this memorial to our local war heroes lives on.

Council has already removed and replaced 67 trees along the Avenue over the past few years and, following its success, is now replacing a further 26 trees.

The Berwick RSL and the Beaconsfield Progress Association have acknowledged their support for this project and welcomed Council undertaking the renewal to ensure the long-term conservation of this memorial.

MORE HEADSPACE NEEDED FOR LOCAL YOUTH

Council is continuing to advocate to the Federal Government for a Headspace service to be located in Cranbourne or Clyde to help improve access to mental health services for young people in Casey. There is currently only one Headspace centre servicing Casey, located in Narre Warren and it sees a caseload of twice the national average.

Casey is home to one of the country’s largest populations of young people with more than 67,000 residents aged between 12 and 25 years. Recent Census data indicates there is a higher than average proportion of youth disengagement in Casey and more than 5,000 young people suffering from a long-term mental health condition.

Council is eager to work in partnership with the Federal Government and local service providers to deliver this service to help improve mental health outcomes for more young people and their families.

For more information on Council’s advocacy follow Connecting Casey on Facebook or visit our website.

The festive season is a time of fun, giving and entertaining and with that also come lots of additional waste that you might be wondering how to dispose of.

To help you recycle right this festive season, take a look at some of the helpful tips below. Don’t forget, there is also the Recycling and Waste Guide with a handy A-Z reference on Council’s website to guide you on how best to dispose of a range of items from aluminium foil to zip lock bags.

Recyclables for the blue bin

Remember to recycle your paper, including wrapping paper, flattened cardboard boxes, greeting cards, glass bottles and jars, loose metal lids from jars and bottles, steel cans, aluminium cans, trays and foil with food waste removed, hard plastic bottles with lids removed and ice cream tubs.

Keep batteries out of bins

A small act like keeping batteries out of your bins makes a big impact on Victoria’s sustainable future. When batteries are put in your household bins, they can cause fires both in

your bins and in the trucks that collect them. Instead take them to your local recycling centres to dispose of them.

Oh Christmas tree

To dispose of an artificial or living tree, you can book a free hard waste collection via Council’s website or drop if off at a waste transfer centre. Remember to call ahead to check the fees that will apply. To dispose of a living tree in your garden waste bin, ensure it is cut into small pieces, including the trunk.

Festive decorations

Items like Christmas decorations or bon bons that are a mixture of cardboard, plastic coating, ribbons, glitter and plastic trinkets can be difficult to recycle. Ensure only cardboard goes into your recycling bin and that other items go into the general rubbish.

Bin collections

Bin collections will occur as usual on public holidays, however your bin must be put out the night before as collection may occur earlier than usual.

To find out more visit Council’s website or follow the Green Living in Casey Facebook page.

RECYCLING

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