Maroondah in Focus – June to August 2017
Mayors message
It’s been a busy end of summer in the community with Council at work consulting and delivering on projects across Maroondah. I was pleased to see so many people take part in the International Women’s Day breakfast event, Tri Maroondah, Earth Hour at Ringwood Town Square and this year’s Youth Awards. These popular, annual events bring the community together to participate, learn and celebrate the people and places that make Maroondah a great place to live.
Recent capital works projects that have been completed include the new athletics pavilion at Proclamation Park, new multipurpose pavilion at East Ringwood Reserve, new fenced dog park at Eastfield Reserve, Render art project in Croydon and the redevelopment of Lipscombe Park Kindergarten. You can read about these, and a number of other projects, in the following pages. I’m very proud that we are able to provide such great new facilities for our community, providing benefits that will continue well in to the future.
As the new financial year approaches, Council has prepared our proposed Budget2017/18 and Draft Council Plan 2017-21, both of which are available for community feedback. Page 10 and 11 of this edition of Focus highlight these important documents that outline Council’s operational budget in line with the strategic direction identified over the next four years in the new 2017-2021 Draft Council Plan.
Information from the proposed budget is broken down to demonstrate how rates and charges will be spent per $100 and we also highlight some of the proposed significant capital works projects planned for the 2017/18 Council year.
Even though we’re heading in to the cooler months, there’s still plenty on offer in Maroondah: take some time to view some exciting art at our three galleries; attend a show at Karralyka; visit Realm and explore all that’s on offer across the three levels; or explore the many parks and reserves around our great city.
Looking forward, don’t forget to put Sunday 12 November in your calendar and spend the day at Maroondah Festival in Croydon. Planning is underway for another great celebration of all things Maroondah and this is an event that you don’t want to miss.
Did you know
Council meetings are held monthly and community members are encouraged to attend.
- 26 June
- 17 July
- 28 August
Meetings start at 7.30pm and are held in the Council Chambers, Braeside Avenue, Ringwood.
Did you know you can also now watch Council meetings live from the comfort of your own home? All public Council meetings will be filmed and available to watch via a live stream on Council’s website. An archive will also be available for those who would like to look back on past meetings. To find out more visit Council’s website.
Get to know your Councillors
With this edition of Maroondah inFocus comes the release of newshort videos featuring updates from our Maroondah Councillors.
In the videos the Councillors share with the community news from their wards; some of the things they are currently working on; and what they are looking forward to over the coming months.
To view the videos, visit the Councillor page on Council’s website.
Supporting our older community
Supporting our ageing population to live safely, with dignity and respect, is the aim of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on Thursday 15 June.
WEAAD is an opportunity to raise awareness that many older people experience mistreatment from people close to them, including family members.
Council is supporting the initiative by encouraging the community to be aware of the warning signs and seek advice if they think a friend or family member may be impacted.
Unfortunately, most elder abuse occurs behind closed doors, which is why it is so important for loved ones to watch out for signs, listen and offer help. For more information, support, or advice on how you can support someone impacted by elder abuse, contact Seniors Rights Victoria on 1300 368 821 or visit
Fast facts
Council offers a range of programs that encourage active and healthy ageing to support and include seniors in the community. For more information, visit
It’s a dog’s life!
Hundreds of dogs of all shapes and sizes joined us to mark the opening of Maroondah’s first fully fenced dog park in Eastfield Park, in early May.
To stay up to date with Council news, activities and events visit Council’s website, connect with us on social media, or call 1300 88 22 33 or 9298 4598.
The facility has proven to be a huge success, with people coming from far and wide to be amongst the first to explore the new facility. Wagging tails proved how excited our four-legged visitors were to be exploring the park.
The fully fenced dog park features:
- double gated entrances
- time out zone for young/quieter dogs
- rock mounds
- sand pits
- agility equipment
- seating
- drinking fountain
- bag dispensers and bins
- extensive screen planting.
Come on down and enjoy the new facility at the front of EastfieldPark, Eastfield Road, Croydon.
Improving Maroondah
Eastfield Park is also set to benefit from a new toilet facility next to the dog park, new car parking and upgrades to the playground. These works will be undertaken in the coming months.
Looking after our furry friends
Council is preparing a new Domestic Animal Management Plan, which will provide the framework for our future animal management services.
During June, the community will have a chance to tell us what they would like to see as Council’s main focus for animal management over the next four years.
We want to hear from a range of pet owners, as well as those who don’t own pets, to ensure we hear varied points of view.
We encourage everyone to take the time to have their say and assist in the development of the plan.
To find out more, or have your say, visit Council’s website.
Get involved in Maroondah Festival
Don’t miss out on your chance to be involved in this year’s Maroondah Festival on Sunday 12 November.
Local community groups and service providers who want to take part in the event are being asked to submit an Expression of Interest.
Maroondah Festival is a great way for local groups or organisations to raise awareness of what they offer, as well as providing a great fundraising opportunity.
Expression interest forms must be received by Friday 30 June.
We also offer a grants program, which allows community groups to apply for funding to offer a fun and interactive activity at the festival. These may be craft workshops, ‘come and try’ sports activities, demonstrations or music based activities. Council will contribute up to $500 from a total pool of $2500, to eligible groups that meet the selection criteria. Applications are due by Friday 28 July.
To find out more about Maroondah Festival contact 1300 88 22 33 email visit
Did you know?
Last year’s Maroondah Festival attracted more than 30,000 people, and more than 120 community groups and organisations took part in the event.
Celebrating our young achievers
The contribution Maroondah’s young people make to our community was recognised during National Youth Week, with Council presenting awards to 50 young people.
The annual Maroondah Youth Awards, held in April, are a chance for us to formally recognise the commitments and achievements of young people aged 12 to 25 years.
The awards were presented under five categories: Arts; Personal Journey; Young Leader; Super Citizen; and Innovation.
Each recipient is a credit to Maroondah’sdiverse community of young people andhighlights the many ways they are applying their vision and skills as leaders.
To find out more about the recipients read the 2017 Maroondah Youth Awards booklet at
The Coopersmith Pavilion opening
The new Coopersmith Pavilion at East Ringwood Reserve will be officially opened later in June, marking the completion of the two year project.
Council will be joined by representatives from the Victorian and Federal governments, to officially open the newly named $2.7million mulitpurpose pavilion.
The pavilion will be home to the Ringwood Cricket Club, Ringwood Football Club, East Ringwood Netball Club and the Victoria Chin Community.
During the day the pavilion will be a community centre for the Victoria Chin Community, who will conduct a range of activities including settlement support, activity programs, education and language classes.
In the evenings the facility becomes the home of the East Ringwood football, cricket and netball clubs for their sporting and social activities.
The pavilion has been named for Brian Coopersmith OAM, in recognition of his services to the community through fundraising, philanthropy and long term involvement in East Ringwood Football Club, the Eastern Football League and Maroondah Sports Club.
Improving Maroondah
Road improvement works are underway on Dublin Road, between Mt Dandenong Road and Patterson Street, Ringwood East.
The works will see the current north-bound lane formed into two clearly identified traffic lanes, as well as the creation of new kerband channel, new drainage, vehicle crossovers and line marking.
Works are expected to be completed by the end of July, subject to weather conditions.
Get to know your Councillors
Cr Tony Dib JP, Mayor
Mobile: 0438 515 089
Plans for the HE Parker Sporting Pavilion are in development, with the local clubs set to benefit from an upgrade that will improve accessibility and provide more opportunity for multi-purpose use.
Four new unisex change facilities will be constructed, catering for the increased demand at the facility. Upgrades will also be done to the existing accessible toilet, the social room, kitchen and store rooms. A new multipurpose room will mean the facility can also be used by other community groups for other activities.
This is an exciting project for both Heathmont cricket and football clubs. I was also privileged to attend the Young at Heart mural launch at Yarrunga Community Centre recently. The young artists who were involved in the project should be extremely proud of what they have achieved, as it’s a beautiful piece of community artwork.
Cr Paul Macdonald
Mobile: 0436 001 760
It was great to see so many people participate in TriMaroondah in March. The annual event continues to grow, with more people participating every year.
These sporting events are a great way to set your fitness goals, with training opportunities available throughout the year.
Each week Council hosts Maroondah Runners Club sessions at Croydon Athletic track. These guided training sessions cater for beginner to professional runners, with a running coach providing support to help you achieve your goals.
It was great to attend a session to see the support the group provides, while making it easier for people to train safely.
The next community fitness event is the Maroondah Duathlon on July 23. So now is the time to start training! To find out more about the Maroondah Runners Club or upcoming events, visit Council’s website.
Cr Kylie Spears
Mobile: 0436 003 660
Congratulations to the Maternal and Child Health Services for achieving a century of commitment to family health and wellbeing across the nation. In early March, I was thrilled to attend the Maroondah International Women’s Day breakfast that included displays, presentations and panel discussions with retired and active MCH nurses. Through their informative and entertaining discussions they provided a fascinating insight into the growth and development of MCH services.
Today, families can access a wide range of MCH programs across Maroondah. Our nurses support families with a range of services including help with feeding and sleeping; a breast feeding program; support for refugee families to integrate into the community; healthy eating programs and support for post-natal depression and difficulties adjusting to parenthood.
HE Parkerproject update
The detailed design for the new HE Parker multi-sports complex is now underway, with input from key stakeholders and the local community.
The $13.5 million project is funded by the Australian and Victorian governments, and will provide a much needed new indoor and outdoor multi-use facility for netball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, basketball and wheelchair sports.
Construction is expected to start later this year.
Yanggai Barring gets a makeover
Maroondah’s waterways play an important role in our local ecology, supporting our indigenous flora and fauna.
Council is currently working within YanggaiBarring in Warranwood to ensure the quality of the waterway is maintained. This area is popular with native animals who frequent the reserve and rely on the waterway as a food source or shelter.
The reserve is on the border of Maroondah,and provides a habitat corridor toAndersons Creek and The 100 Acres Reserve in Manningham.
As part of the wetlands improvement program, Council has installed a flow control valve to help maintain the water levels as well as conducting desilting works that will improve the dam’s ecology.
These initial works form part of a long term series of Waterways Rehabilitation projects forYanggai Barring, which will be undertaken over the next two years.
Changing the globe
Maroondah’s streetlights are getting an environmentally-friendly makeover – resulting in each light using 77 per cent less energy.
Council’s Changing the Globe initiative is a bulk streetlight replacement program that has already seen more than 2172 of Council’s streetlights replaced with energy efficient LED alternatives, north of Maroondah Highway.
The new globes perform better, last longer and are more efficient than existing 80-watt mercury vapour lights. This third stage of the initiative, will result in a reduction of around 440 tonnes of carbon per year – putting Council on track to achieving its goal of being carbon neutral. During this stage, Council will be replacing another 1152 globes.
For more information about the street lighting bulk change project, visit Council’s website or contact Council on 1300 88 22 33.
CCTV camera projects completed
Two CCTV camera projects have been completed, which will assist in improving community safety in East Ringwood and the Ringwood Central Activities Area.
Cameras have been installed in the East Ringwood shopping and public transport precinct in seven locations, with thanks to funding from the Australian Government. This complex project saw Council working with VicTrak and Metro ,as well as East Ringwood traders, to ensure a high quality outcome that supports the existing traders’ network of six cameras.
The Ringwood Central Activities Area has two further camera locations within the Maroondah Highway and Charters Street area. Cameras are linked to Ringwood Police Station, providing improved coverage of this busy area of Ringwood.
A third CCTV camera project is currently being designed for the Croydon Town Centre precinct, with installation planned to start later this year. These cameras will build on the existing network of 14 cameras and will also be linked back to Croydon Police Station.
Improving Maroondah
A section of the Tarralla Creek Trail in Croydon, adjacent to Long View Road, is being realigned to improve safety along the length of path.
The project will improve sight lines for path users by creating a new retaining wall along the embankment and new pedestrian fencing.
Works are expected to be completed in June, subject to weather conditions.
Lights on!
The much-anticipated traffic signalproject at the intersection of BedfordRoad and Great Ryrie Street, Ringwood, has seen an improvement in pedestrian safety and access to the intersection since they were turned on in March.
The completion of the complex $1 million rail and traffic signalisation project, which was fully funded by the Australian Government under its Infrastructure Investment Programme, came as a win for local residents, schools and pedestrians.
A school crossing supervisor is located permanently at the intersection to help school students who are using the new pedestrian crossing which was created as part of the works. This is in addition to the school crossing further east along Bedford Road.
This project has been a high priority for Council and it’s wonderful to see our community is benefiting from safety improvements at this busy intersection.
Improving Maroondah
Improvement works continue along the MullumMullum Creek Trail, with a recent project seeing the trail lights between Acacia Court and Suda Avenue upgraded to LED’s. This trail starts at Sherbrook Park and provides great connections to the EastLink trail and through to the Dandenong Creek Trail.
Get to know your Councillors
Cr Nora Lamont, Deputy Mayor
Mobile: 0428 394 581
Our indigenous heritage is something that we can all be proud of in Maroondah. We have strong links to the Wurundjeri Tribe, with many of our places and spaces named in honour of their history.