Contents Winter edition 2016
New rates notice On the Way: Your new-look rates notice will arrive from mid-July, giving you more time than ever to pay your bill.
Investing in Cardinia Shire: 2016-17 budget fast facts.
Ron and Beryl Banbury: A dynamic duo from Catani.
What's on at Cardinia Cultural Centre
News in your Ward
Library events
The "to-do" list
Cover Photo: Together We Can. Act now to end Family Violence in Cardinia Shire.
Photo credit: Grizzle Design Pty Ltd on behalf of the Together We Can initiative.
Council Contacts
Cardinia Shire Council Civic Centre
20 Siding Avenue, Officer
Open 8.30am-5pm, Monday to Friday
Postal address:
PO Box 7 Pakenham 3810
Phone: 1300 787 624
Fax: 5941 3784
After hours emergencies: 1300 787 624
Email:
Website: cardinia.vic.gov.au
National Relay Service (NRS): Customers who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment can call through the NRS. This is a free service.
TTY users phone 133 677 then ask for 1300 787 624.
Speak and Listen (speech-to-speech relay) users phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 1300 787 624.
Connect is Cardinia Shire Council's community magazine. It is published four times each year and is distributed to more than 37,000 homes and businesses in the shire. It is also available on audio CD from local libraries. All images and other personal information collected for Connect will be stored securely, and be made available only in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2000 and in accordance with Council's Information Privacy Policy, a copy of which may be obtained from Council's website at cardinia.vic.gov.au/privacy
For enquiries, contact the Connect editor on
1300 787 624 or
Next edition: Summer 2016-17
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"Community Compass" online mapping and information tool cardinia.vic.gov.au/communitycompass
Welcome
As Mayor, the prevalence of family violence in Cardinia Shire frightens me.
In 2014-15, three to four incidents of family violence were reported each day in Cardinia Shire. This is just one reason why Council has partnered with Family Life on the Together We Can project. This project is not to raise awareness of family violence or reduce the instances of family violence - we want to STOP it in our community.
In April, we held the Together We Can Community Convention. The aim was to get everyone together to help promote respectful adult relationships and the wellbeing of children in homes and neighbourhoods free from violence. It was fantastic to see so many people with ideas for local solutions to keep children safe and to improve respectful relationships in the shire. Community action is vital to respond to family violence in Cardinia Shire so I thank all those who attended and encourage everyone to get involved in the push to end family violence in our community. Read more about the Together We Can event and partnership on page 9.
As evidence of our commitment to an inclusive community, Cardinia Shire has recently been named a World Health Organisation Age Friendly City. A WHO Age Friendly City is committed to creating an environment that allows older persons to live safely, be healthy and connect with the community.
More than 15 per cent of the Cardinia Shire population are aged over 60 and by the year 2026 there will be over 34,000 residents in the shire over the age of 60. We want to ensure our residents, particularly as they age, have access to a wide range of local services, employment, spaces and activities. The Age Friendly City recognition endorses the work we have been doing on this area.
Our Indian Myna trapping program has been so popular since it launched last year, that we have many residents on the waiting list to hire a trap. To help our residents trap these invasive birds, we are offering the additional option to purchase a trap. Check our website for more information.
We have adopted the budget for 2016-17 and kept rates within the rate cap of 2.5 per cent. It was a difficult budget to prepare but we were pleased to be able to listen to feedback from residents through the Big Budget Brainstorm and draft budget consultation opportunities. It has been exciting to see so many people getting involved and sharing what they want to see happen in their shire. Read more about the budget on pages 16 to 20.
As you can see, it is a busy and exciting time for our shire!
Mayor Cr Jodie Owen
Photo: Mayor Cr Jodie Owen launching the Together We Can initiative at a community convention in Pakenham in April.
Aligned Leisure to reinvigorate recreation
Council has signed a contract with Aligned Leisure to manage its eight major recreation facilities.
Aligned Leisure, a subsidiary of the Richmond Football Club, will manage Cardinia Life, Pakenham Regional Tennis Centre and four seasonal outdoor pools. The contract also includes two soon-to-be-open facilities, Officer Community Hub and IYU Recreation Reserve - synthetic (soccer) pitch.
From 1 July, the new partnership will be a boost for the community with Aligned Leisure preparing to roll out a number of community programs and replace the existing gym equipment at Cardinia Life.
The new community initiatives will include two school programs covering health, wellbeing and anti-bullying, an indigenous program aimed at employment and young people, a youth leadership program and support for local charities.
Mayor Cr Jodie Owen said she was excited by the fresh energy Aligned Leisure would bring to these facilities and the Cardinia Shire community.
"Aligned Leisure has committed to delivering more than just management of these facilities with the introduction of programs that will make a real difference to our community," she said.
"We are confident they will deliver a great service and reinvigorate these valuable community assets."
Aligned Leisure's Managing Director Cain Liddle said the transition would be as smooth as possible for users of the facilities.
"Aligned Leisure is excited to be taking this new step in Cardinia Shire and we look forward to providing residents with outstanding service and value, beyond the management of the physical facilities. We look forward to taking our programs out into the community to help people achieve their health, fitness and wellness objectives," he said.
"There will be some unavoidable disruptions as we upgrade the health club at Cardinia Life, but these disruptions will be kept to an absolute minimum and community members will be kept well informed of any short periods of interruption. Aligned Leisure has also committed to re-employing the majority of staff in their existing or similar positions within the facilities."
Thank you YMCA
Council would like to thank the YMCA for the management of Cardinia Life, Pakenham Regional Tennis Centre and four seasonal outdoor pools.
"I would like to thank Victorian YMCA Community Programming (YMCA) and acknowledge the significant contribution they have made to the community over the many years they have managed these facilities on Council's behalf," Cr Owen said.
The YMCA has successfully managed facilities in Cardinia Shire for more than 18 years.
Come and Try
Come to Cardinia Life during July and try the new gym equipment for FREE.
This voucher must be completed and presented at the Cardinia Life reception to claim the free visit.
OR Register online for your free vouched at cardinialeisure.com.au
Name:
Address:
Email:
Offer valid from Friday 1 July to Sunday 31 July 2016.
One coupon per household (bring a partner or friend), per visit. Only valid for access to the Cardinia Life health club.
United to Confront Family Violence in Cardinia Shire
STOP FAMILY VIOLENCE
Council is taking action to significantly reduce the high incidence of family violence in Cardinia Shire.
Council has joined forces with Family Life, the University of Melbourne and the Australian Government's Department of Social Services to launch the Together We Can initiative. Through the partnership, these organisations will work together and, with the community, address the growing family violence issue in Cardinia Shire.
Mayor Cr Jodie Owen said it was critical for the whole Cardinia Shire community to be united to tackle the problem of family violence.
"It's time to stop family violence in its tracks, and uniting together as a community is a vital part of how we'll make a difference," Cr Owen said.
"Cardinia Shire has the second highest number of recorded family violence incidents in Melbourne's southern metropolitan region. Around three to four incidents were recorded per day in our municipality in 2014-15, with many more going unreported.
"Around 20 per cent of all family violence incidents in Cardinia Shire are by repeat offenders."
Cr Owen said family violence had a lasting negative impact on children who experienced or witnessed it.
"Research shows that family violence seriously impacts the psychological, social, emotional and developmental wellbeing of infants, children and adolescents.
"It is most disturbing that during a one-week period in 2015, Council's Maternal and Child Health nurses supported 24 clients where family violence was identified," Cr Owen said.
The Together We Can initiative was officially launched at a community convention in Pakenham in April. The event was well attended, with more than 400 people participating over the two days.
"Thank you to everyone who attended. It was an important step to hear your views on how we can help change attitudes and behaviours in the community, and your ideas on strategies to put in place at a local level," Cr Owen said.
The first day of the event kicked off with a business breakfast and walk around the lake at Lakeside in support of stopping family violence. This was followed by a session on hope and healing, education about family violence, a Q&A session, and a theatre performance. Community leaders from all sectors were invited to the second day to plan how to respond to family violence and the behaviours which lead to it.
If you are experiencing family violence or know of someone who is call the safe steps 24/7 Family Violence Response Centre on 1800 015 188 or Triple Zero in an emergency.
More Info
togetherwecan.org.au
facebook.com/groups/TogetherWeCanAU
twitter.com/TWC_AU
Save the date for your waste
E-waste collections
Bunyip
Saturday 16 July, 9am-12noon
Bunyip Primary School, Nar Nar Goon-Longwarry Road, Bunyip
Pakenham
Saturday 5 November, 9am-1pm
Cardinia Shire Council depot, Purton Road, Pakenham
Emerald
Saturday 3 December, 9am-12noon
Gemco Players Community Theatre, 19 Kilvington Drive, Emerald
NOTE: Whitegoods are not accepted. Whitegoods can be recycled in the hard waste collection.
drumMUSTER
For recycling of empty agriculture and VET chemical containers.
Pakenham
Saturday 5 November, 9am-1pm
Cardinia Shire Council depot, Purton Road, Pakenham
National Recycling Week Planet Ark
Monday 7 to Sunday 13 November
Visit recyclingweek.planetark.org for information on events.
Kerbside recycling tips and tricks
Keep your recyclables out of plastic bags!
Bagging recyclables stops the machines from sorting the materials into the different types of waste and so the whole bag gets sent to landfill.
Don't put wine glasses and pyrex in your bin
These products are heat treated and have a higher melting point than glass bottles suitable for recycling.
Test your families recycling knowledge:
• Recycling quiz: recyclingweek.planetark.org/quiz
• Clean up the river game: cleanup.org.au/au/FunStuff
• Charlie and Lola: charlieandlola.com/planet/planet-game
"Recycling One-O-One"
Easily recyclable items you may not know about:
• disposable coffee cups
• plastic meat and fish trays
• take away containers
• clean paper towel (that's only been wet)
• pizza boxes without too much oil and food residue.
To wash, or not to wash?
Recycling technology has come a long way in the last few years. Now, systems are in place to remove most food contaminants.
If a container is empty a little food residue is fine. Specially washing your containers means the environmental benefit is lost. Unless using leftover washing water or already putting on the dishwasher, don't worry.
Want info on recycling?
Go to cardinia.vic.gov.au/recycling
New Rates Notice on the Way
Your new-look rates notice will arrive from mid-July, giving you more time than ever to pay your bill.
The new rates notice clearly outlines when each quarterly instalment is due, and makes it easier to understand how your rates are calculated by providing a clear breakdown of Council, Victorian Government and waste charges.
Council has also introduced its new "FlexiPay" payment tool, allowing you to pay your rates at certain times to best suit your budget.
Mayor Cr Jodie Owen said Council wanted to be as flexible as possible by offering a range of payment options to best suit the needs of ratepayers.
"We understand that people have different financial situations, and that times are tough for some individuals and families," Cr Owen said.
"FlexiPay will be a great budgeting and time-saving option for many people. It means you can arrange to make smaller and more frequent payments over the year, to reduce the impact of quarterly bills on your household budget."
"Paying by quarterly instalments reflects a growing preference in the community towards paying smaller amounts over the course of a year rather than via a single lump sum."
The user-friendly notice will also answer some commonly-asked-questions about rates.
The rating period is from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017. The first instalment is due on 30 September 2016.
Your rates in Action!
Jessica, Cooper, Manisha, Mark, Shirley and Reg are all Cardinia Shire residents and ratepayers and use a range of Council services in their local community. Check out the crew on the fresh-look notice and see how they regularly connect with us.
FlexiPay
What's new
Pay your rates using FlexiPay, Council's new rates payment tool.
FlexiPay allows you to pay your rates in smaller amounts, giving you total control over your budget. Pay weekly, fortnightly, monthly or quarterly - the choice is yours!
More Info
cardinia.vic.gov.au/payments
2016-17 Budget
Investing in Cardinia Shire
Council has adopted a budget with a commitment of more than $36 million to be invested in new community and recreation facilities, road and footpath construction and maintenance and other significant capital works in 2016-17.
An additional $9.16 million will be spent on new and existing assets in Cardinia Shire, compared with 2015-16. Key projects include sporting and recreation facilities in Pakenham, Officer, Lang Lang and Emerald, while road and footpath renewal and maintenance across the shire will continue to be a priority.