Page 1 Monash Bulletin March 2025 clayton Festival Bogong Car Park Cultural Diversity Week Cleaner Creeks Waverley Rail Trail Page 2 KINDERGARTEN Open Night 2025 Kindergarten Open Night is on again on Wednesday 19 March from 5pm to 7pm. The event offers families a chance to visit participating local kindergartens, look at their programs and speak to staff before finalising enrolment selections for the 2026 kindergarten year. We are excited to welcome two new kindergartens to our early years facilities this year: Glen Education Oakleigh South Kindergarten at 1228 North Road, Oakleigh South and Dorrington Kindergarten at 7 Dorrington Drive, Mount Waverley. monash.vic.gov.au/kindergarten-open-night NEW CLASS of early years builds now complete We are welcoming back children and their families to four new and upgraded kindergartens in 2025. Dorrington Child and Family Hub (Mount Waverley) is our fourth integrated early years centre in Monash. Part of our ongoing commitment to improving access to early childhood services, the hub supports the health and development of children and their families. Home to the new light-filled two-room Dorrington Kindergarten, the hub features our Sleep and Settling Service for new parents, outdoor learning spaces, playgroups, and a multipurpose community room. We have also upgraded Ashwood Memorial Kindergarten and delivered new facilities at Dover Street Preschool (Oakleigh East) and Ward Avenue Kindergarten (Oakleigh South). Supported by the Victorian Government, these four kindergarten projects cap off several years of construction to deliver new state-of-the-art facilities so more Monash families can access the best in early childhood education. shape.monash.vic.gov.au/early-years HUBS for Hire Our Child and Family Hubs in Mulgrave, Mount Waverley and Oakleigh South now have rooms for hire. Whether it is consulting suites, parenting workshops, art classes or community group meetings, our hubs are suitable for a wide range of eligible uses. Do you see your service sitting alongside maternal and child health, kindergarten and playgroup services? Learn more at monash.vic.gov.au/hubs-for-hire Get ready to park at Bogong Excitement is building as work to add more than 500 parking spaces to Councils Bogong Avenue Car Park nears completion. With reconstruction on track to be completed in autumn the re-opening of the car park will return 1,000 car parking spaces to the heart of Glen Waverley. The extension will include four additional levels, taking the capacity to 1,037 (522 additional spaces); a new building façade, featuring public art and specialist lighting; improved lifts; 10 motorcycle spaces; two EV charging bays, with the ability for this to be expanded in the future; smart parking assistance and wayfinding signage; and a PV (photovoltaic) solar system that will feed into powering the buildings lifts, lighting, EV charging bays and other services. monash.vic.gov.au/bogong Page 3 Message from Mayor Cr Paul Klisaris Welcome to our latest issue of the Monash Bulletin. I hope you have had some time to rest and revitalise over the holiday period and are looking forward with as much excitement as I am for what the year will bring. I am delighted that we will be re-opening the Bogong Car Park in Glen Waverley in the next few months after successful delivery of this outstanding project. We have added four additional levels and 522 additional car parks, taking the total capacity to more than 1,000 car spaces to give visitors to this busy and vibrant shopping hub a place to park close to the action. Thanks to our Monash team for their great work on this project. I know our traders and visitors will be very happy to see this extended facility opened. In this issue of the Bulletin we are also asking for your feedback on a number of consultations – the Waverley Rail Trail creating a link between Jordanville and Mount Waverley railway stations and the design of the Brandon Park Reserve Pavilion, two fantastic projects that we are delivering to the community. I said in my speech, after being given the honour of mayor for this year, that a successful city is one that actively engages its residents in decision-making. I believe the best way to serve Monash is by listening to the people who live, work, and raise families here. Your voices matter. Our 2025-2029 Council Vision and Plan, Annual Budget, Health and Wellbeing Plan, Financial Plan and Asset Plan are all the richer because of your input. Work and consultation on these plans has taken place over the past six months and we are grateful for the feedback from our deliberative panel and community members. In the next few months, we will provide another opportunity for you to comment on these draft plans and help to shape the Monash of the future. As always, please get in touch if you would like to discuss any matter with me: 9518 3524 or paul.klisaris@monash.vic.gov.au Roll Up, Roll Up Clayton comes alive Clayton will come alive with all the excitement and hoopla of the Clayton Festival set for Sunday 16 March (12pm-5pm). The festival is a FREE community event for families and children, featuring live entertainment, creative activities, food trucks and roving performers. The festival is held in the heart of the Clayton business district, within the car park of the Clayton Community Centre and Clayton Aquatic and Health Club in Cooke Street, Clayton. As well as the family-friendly activities, there is a surprise show in store at the Clayton Theatrette while the Clayton Aquatic and Health Club will offer FREE pool entry between 1pm - 5pm. The festival reflects our vibrant and diverse community, and we welcome everyone to join us for a day of excitement in Clayton. Clayton Festival is a FREE ticketed event. Registering for a ticket ensures we can deliver the best possible event for our community. To find out more, and register for tickets: monash.vic.gov.au/festivals Page 4 Help fight period poverty   Menstruating is not a choice, but with the ongoing cost of living crisis more and more people are forced to choose between buying period products and putting food on the table. Last year, 64 per cent of Australians who menstruate had difficulty buying period products. Period poverty can prevent participation in schooling, work and social activities and have a detrimental impact on health and wellbeing. This March, we are joining the fight to end period poverty, and we need your help in donating brand new and sealed sanitary and period products including pads, tampons, maternity pads, incontinence pads, reusable pads, period underwear, and menstrual cups. Loose pads or tampons, or used reusable items cannot be accepted. Donate at one of 11 Monash Share the Dignity collection bins located at our six library branches, three recreation centres, Monash Youth Services and the Cabena Child and Family Centre. More info: monash.vic.gov.au/share-the-dignity Terms started, lets keep our school zones safe   With the summer holidays over, the area around our schools, particularly at pick-up and drop-off times, is getting busy. If you are a driver or rider, it is important that you keep an eye out for children near schools and help make our school zones as safe as possible. Be aware of school zones and school zone speed restrictions; approach crossings at a speed slow enough to stop safely if needed; and do not overtake any vehicles stopping or stopped at a crossing. Stop if a hand-held -Stop- sign is displayed; if someone is about to cross or is crossing (even if there is no supervisor); and only proceed when all pedestrians, including a supervisor, are clear of the crossing. It is also important to be aware of all parking signage in the area and park legally. Council parking officers patrol school zones regularly to ensure vehicles are parking legally and safely around schools. Rhythms of Monash Cultural Diversity Week 2025 Bring your friends and family to learn and celebrate the many cultures of Monash through dance. Saturday 22 March 11am - 3pm Dance Hall Southern Community Centre, Mulgrave Bookings open 22 February 2025: wwww.trybooking.com/CYLFQ or call 9518 3241 Page 5 CLEANER CREEKS with innovative tech  We have teamed up with the CSIRO for an exciting three-month pilot project to monitor litter in Scotchmans Creek using cutting-edge technology.  Four sensors, discreetly installed along the creek, will capture images of the water below, which CSIROs AI technology will then analyse to identify the different types of litter. Delivered as part of the Gardiners Creek (KooyongKoot) Regional Collaboration, this ground-breaking initiative aims to help us understand whats polluting our waterways, identify litter hotspots and inform more innovative waste management systems that improve our creeks ecological health. Thank you to Friends of Scotchmans Creek and Valley Reserve volunteers for their assistance. Learn more: gckcollab.org/portfolio/catchment-scale-litter-monitoring-pilot-with-csiro  Planning changes to promote more affordable housing Rising house prices and rents, along with limited investment in social and affordable housing, have increased housing stress in Monash. To address this, Council adopted the Monash Affordable Housing Strategy last year. The strategy highlights the need for more, and the broad community benefits of, affordable housing. Council is now proposing to amend the Monash Planning Scheme to include the provision of a minimum six per cent affordable housing in new developments of more than 20 homes, and for land being rezoned for housing development. Amendment C174, which includes these changes, is on public exhibition until 7 March 2025. More info: shape.monash.vic.gov.au/amendment-c174 MONASH at a glance Community Grants Applications for our 2025/26 Community Grants Program will close on Tuesday 4 March 2025. Last year, our grants program awarded more than $2.5m to support local community groups and organisations in delivering projects, activities and events that strengthen, enhance, and benefit the Monash community. The Community Grants Guidelines can be found at: monash.vic.gov.au/community-grants Rates Reminder If you have chosen to pay your 2024/25 rates in a lump sum payment, we remind you the due date was Monday 17 February. Rates can be paid via Councils website; Australia Post; BPAY; at Council offices; or by mail. How to pay details are on the back of your rates notice. If you have not received a notice, please 9518 3555. Clean Up Australia Day We are encouraging everyone to get involved in Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday 2 March and help organisers make this the biggest event in its 35-year history. Participating is more than just picking up litter; it is about fostering responsibility and pride in our surroundings. Lets show that small actions can lead to significant changes. To find or register an event in Monash, and to join in: cleanup.org.au Page 6 Have your Say at shape.monash.vic.gov.au Waverley Rail Trail We are building a shared path that connects the Jordanville and Mount Waverley railway stations - the missing section of the Waverley Rail Trail. The shared path will be located along the railway line side of Windsor Avenue on Councils nature strip and railway land managed by Metro Trains Melbourne. We have completed designs for the path and features include: * A 3m wide shared path for walkers and bike riders * Minimised tree removal, by locating the path between trees and the railway line * Lighting every 30m to 40m * Fencing along the railway line * Additional safety measures at driveways and road crossings. To view plans and provide feedback, before Sunday 9 March, visit: shape.monash.vic.gov.au/waverley-rail-trail SPORTS reserve signage Council has a responsibility to ensure there is a consistent approach to signage at its sport and recreation reserves and that all signage is safely erected and maintained, and does not detract from the visual amenity. An Active Reserves Signage and Sponsorship Policy has been drafted to provide a consistent and transparent approach to the establishment, installation and management of signage, including club sponsorship signage, at Council sport and recreation reserves. We want Monash clubs, and the broader community, to provide feedback on the draft policy. This input will help inform the final policy, which will then be presented to Council for endorsement. Have your say, before Friday 14 March, at shape. monash.vic.gov.au/signage-sponsorship-policy New pavilion coming A new pavilion is on its way to Glen Waverleys Brandon Park Reserve, to better facilitate community sport. The new pavilion will be situated at the northern end of the current car park to facilitate traffic movement in the reserve. It will be of a modular design, resulting in a shorter construction time and less disruption to clubs. Features include four gender neutral change rooms, social room, kitchen, gender neutral umpires room, first aid room, public toilet, and external club storage bays. We will demolish the old pavilion and terrace seating; and reconfigure the reserves car parking at the completion of the new pavilion. Construction is expected to commence later in 2025. The pavilion development is supported by the Victorian Governments Community Sport and Recreation Projects program. We have completed a preliminary design and want to know what you think: shape.monash.vic.gov.au/brandon-park-pavilion Page 7 Warrigal Ward Cr Stuart James I am honoured and humbled to have the strong support of the local community in Hughesdale, Oakleigh and Huntingdale to continue to represent them for the next four years. As you will know, the State Government has changed the electoral structure, which means that unfortunately I lose some areas of Monash that I have built a special connection with over the past eight years representing them. Without playing favourites, the community of Notting Hill and I have made some exceptional enhancements to that local area. Regardless of the lines the VEC may draw on a map, I remain available to assist any Monash resident. Over the next four years I look forward to progressing and finishing some long-term projects I have been working on closely with officers: Construction is just about to begin on the first stage of the Djerring to Scotchmans Creek trail dedicated cycleway through the middle of the Oakleigh Activity Centre, making it safer for children and families Final stages of the Hughesdale local area traffic management plan that was put together with local residents are being implemented over the next two years We are heading out to community consultation shortly on a multi-million-dollar redevelopment of the south side of the Oakleigh Station following years of design, with an aim to complete construction this term Design work is underway for a redesign of the northern side of the station, including a proposed removal of the roundabout to enhance vehicle movements, and a much more pedestrian friendly space linking the station to the activity centre and Eaton Mall Tenders will be awarded this term on a brand-new $100M+ multi-story civic centre and library for Monash that will be the envy of Councils across the state The $14 million development of a new pavilion and community hub will be completed at Jack Edwards Reserve later this year. If you are interested to know whats happening in our neck of the woods, you can follow me on Facebook or Instagram, or sign up for notifications at shape.monash.vic.gov.au Next Council Meetings Tuesday 25 February, 7pm/Tuesday 25 March, 7pm Monash Civic Centre, 293 Springvale Rd, Glen Waverley Access meeting agendas and watch in-person or online: www.monash.vic.gov.au/meetings Your Councillors Banksia Ward, Cr Cameron Little, 0472 523 241, Cameron.Little@monash.vic.gov.au Blackburn Ward, Cr Rebecca Paterson, 0437 959 163, Rebecca.Paterson@monash.vic.gov.au Gallaghers Ward, Cr Geoff Lake, 0411 645 281, Geoff.Lake@monash.vic.gov.au Gardiners Creek Ward, Cr Anjalee de Silva, 0424 679 096,Anjalee.deSilva@monash.vic.gov.au Jells Ward, Cr Elisha Lee, 0461 305 956, Elisha.Lee@monash.vic.gov.au Mayfield Ward, Cr Brian Little | Deputy Mayor, 0407 878 033, Brian.Little@monash.vic.gov.au Scotchmans Creek Ward, Cr Nicky Luo, 0451 560 398, Nicky.Luo@monash.vic.gov.au University Ward, Cr Josh Fergeus, 0466 465 421, Josh.Fergeus@monash.vic.gov.au Warrigal Ward, Cr Stuart James, 0413 184 250, Stuart.James@monash.vic.gov.au Waverley Park Ward, Cr Shane McCluskey, 0466 345 406, Shane.McCluskey@monash.vic.gov.au Wellington Ward, Cr Paul Klisaris | Mayor, 9518 3524 | 0412 516 026, Paul.Klisaris@monash.vic.gov.au You can contact Councillors via phone or email. Letters can be mailed to: PO Box 1, Glen Waverley, VIC 3150 monash.vic.gov.au/Councillors New PALS for autumn  Positive Ageing Lifestyles (PALS) is a quarterly program for older adults who live, work or visit Monash. It offers free or low-cost events and activities aimed at promoting healthy, active ageing and social inclusion. The booklet for our autumn PALS program is now available monash.vic.gov.au/PALS, agewell@monash.vic.gov.au, 9518 3555 Page 8 Whats on in Monash International Womens Day Celebrate International Womens Day and hear from special guest Tayla Harris (AFLW player, boxer, and Young Australian of the Year 2021). This FREE community event is a chance to help shape the action we take in Monash to - March Forward - to an equal future. Where: Mulgrave Community Centre, 355 Wellington Rd, Mulgrave When: Wednesday 12 March, 7pm-8.30pm Bookings: trybooking.com/CYKEU WOMENS BUSINESS Network Hear from Carmans Kitchen founder Carolyn Creswell and celebrate International Womens Day. Learn about creating employee-friendly workspaces and being an employer-of-choice. Sponsored by PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne. WHEN: Tuesday 4 March, 11.30am-2.30pm WHERE: PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne, 872 Blackburn Rd, Clayton $70 (includes two-course lunch) RSVP: Monday 24 February BOOKINGS: trybooking.com/CWEVW New PALS for autumn  Positive Ageing Lifestyles (PALS) is a quarterly program for older adults who live, work or visit Monash. It offers free or low-cost events and activities aimed at promoting healthy, active ageing and social inclusion. The booklet for our autumn PALS program is now available monash.vic.gov.au/PALS, agewell@monash.vic.gov.au, 9518 3555 Bilingual Children – Debunking Stereotypes In multicultural Australia, many families wonder if passing their mother language to their children could positively support their development. In this hybrid session (online or in-person), we will share some ideas from research and personal experience on the advantages of speaking multiple languages. When: Friday 21 February, 6.30pm-7.30pm Where: Clayton Library, 9-15 Cooke St, Clayton OR Online To book: 9541 3120 or monlib.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=101641 Contact us Monash Civic Centre, 293 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley 8.30am-5pm, Monday to Friday Oakleigh Service Centre, 3 Atherton Road, Oakleigh 8.30am-5pm, Monday to Friday Call 9518 3555, email mail@monash.vic.gov.au, visit www.monash.vic.gov.au National Relay Service (for the hearing and speech impaired) phone 1800 555 660 We welcome your feedback at media@monash.vic.gov.au Copyright © 2024 Monash City Council. All Rights Reserved; reproduction in any form will require Council written approval. Monash Council acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land that makes up Monash, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong People, and recognises their continuing connection to the land and waterways. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging and extend this to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Information in the March Bulletin 2025 is current at the time of going to print on 31 January 2025. Snap Send Solve is a great app to report through to us what needs fixing visit www.monash.vic.gov.au/snap-send-solve