August 2015 Mitcham Community News

AUGUST 2015

Council is inviting feedback from the community on the draft Access and Inclusion Plan 2015-2020 aimed to advance the City as a welcoming and inclusive place for all.

FULL STORY ON PAGE 5

MITCHAM COMMUNITY NEWS AUGUST 2015 Also in this issue

The City of Mitcham is seeking partnerships with local businesses for its largest community event, Carols by the Creek to be held on the 6 December.

Page 3

We are serious about reducing illegal dumping within our community as it is important to keep our streets and open spaces looking clean and tidy and not spoilt by dumped mattresses, chairs and TVs. Page 14

A Workskil Youth Green Army team has been hard at work restoring Grey Box Woodlands through woody weed control and planting in the Mitcham hills. Page 15

2

Australia Day Nominations

3

National Broadband Network

4

Meet Andy Griffiths

6

Annual Business Plan

10 Community Calendar 11 Playground Upgrades 12 Your Elected Members 16 Every Generation

02

mitcham community news

August 2015

August 2015 Publication Details Mitcham Community News is published bi-monthly by and for the City of Mitcham.

Editorial Communications Department City of Mitcham

Australia Day Nominations are Now Open!

We all know of someone who has given up countless hours to our local community, helped our environment or organised an amazing community event? So why not nominate that someone, group or event that has contributed significantly to the local community.

Reprographics + Printing

The City of Mitcham is currently seeking nominations from the community for Council’s Australia Day Awards and Awards for Excellence to acknowledge achievements by individuals and or groups who have made an outstanding contribution to our community. Nominations are accepted in the following categories:

Graphic Print Group

Australia Day Citizen of the Year

City of Mitcham Awards for Excellence

Paperstock

Awarded to persons over 30 years who have given outstanding service to the local community.

Awards for Excellence recognise groups who have given outstanding service to the Community (Community Service) or individuals or groups who have made a significant contribution through Design (innovations in building and renovation), Sport or Environmental Achievement.

Design + Production Sarah Bennett Design

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

Australia Day Young Citizen of the Year

Distribution

Awarded to persons under 30 years who have given outstanding service to the local community.

Salmat Mediaforce and Australia Post

Australia Day Event of the Year

Delivered to 29,850 homes, PO boxes and businesses within the Mitcham Council area.

Awarded to the community event which made a significant contribution to the local community.

The deadline for all nominations is 5 pm Friday, 13 November 2015.

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

Nomination forms and guidelines are available from the City of Mitcham Civic Centre, 131 Belair Road, Torrens Park or at www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au

Contributing Articles

For further information please email mitcham@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au or call 8372 8805.

Community groups and organisations submitting items for the October 2015 issue of this publication should ensure they reach Business Partner Communication and Marketing Julie Lamond no later than Friday 11 September 2015.

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 Listen to the Mitcham Community News Audio copies of the Mitcham Community News are available on compact disc at both Mitcham and Blackwood Libraries, on Council’s website www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au or by arrangement from the Community Information Service.

Telephone: 8372 8812.

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.

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 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.

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

St Therese Community Garden

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.

The St Therese Community Garden, located in Colonel Light Gardens, is helping unemployed people gain skills in construction.

Types of projects considered for funding include the following categories:

The St Therese Community Garden is providing hands-on learning for unemployed people.

Recently 12 unemployed people graduated with a Certificate 2 in construction and a further 12 have begun the 10 week course, conducted by TAFE SA under the direction of Renewal SA.

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 Special Community Projects and Events grant category is available where Council considers one-off requests for funding assistance for special community events or projects. This funding is limited and as it is a decision of Council, is available for application throughout the year.

Applications can now be submitted for the next funding round which closes at 5 pm on Wednesday 30 September 2015.

Guidelines and application forms are available from www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au or by calling 8372 8899.

As part of their studies they are constructing the community garden beds as well as a social gathering space including a BBQ area. Once completed the community including local primary schools and other local church communities will be invited to use the garden.

The St Therese Community Garden will teach students about recycling, mulching, worm farms as well as how to plan for a sustainable, productive garden.

The garden has received generous support from the City of Mitcham’s Community Development Grants, Lions Club of Mitcham and local businesses have provided materials at generous discounts.

If you would like to support the community garden please contact Dr Tony Ielasi on 0408 837 631.

mitcham community news

National Broadband Network in Mitcham Fibre-to-the-node pre-construction and fibreto-the-home construction, as part of the National Broadband Network, has commenced in Mitcham.

The National Broadband Network is an Australia wide project to upgrade the existing fixed line phone and internet network infrastructure to deliver Australia’s first national wholesale-only, open access broadband network.

August 2015

Would you like to sponsor Carols by the Creek?

The City of Mitcham is seeking partnerships with local businesses for its largest community event, Carols by the Creek to be held on the 6 December.

Carols by the Creek provides sponsors with the opportunity to engage with a broad audience of up to 30,000 households in the City of Mitcham through advertising and corporate branding, media promotion, product sales and sampling, and corporate hospitality.

For more information: Free call: 1800 687 626 Email: info@nbnco.com.au Web: www.nbnco.com.au

The fun and festivity has been enjoyed by over 5,000 people each year from Mitcham and across Adelaide for the last 18 years.

Varying levels of support are available.

For more information call 8372 8805 or email mitcham@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au.

New Partners for a Resilient South

Across the City of Mitcham both fibreto-the-node and fibre-to-the-premises network build has begun.

Fibre-to-the-node pre-construction activity is underway; the green area on the map is where the pre-construction is occurring.

Contractors are readying pits and pipes for use by the National Broadband Network, this occurs before the physical construction of the Network. Fibre-to-the-home construction has commenced in the brown area on the map.

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All Aboard Encore

Resilient South, an initiative of the Cities of Onkaparinga, Holdfast Bay, Marion and Mitcham, has recently been successful in securing South Australian government funding to conduct urban heat island mapping in the south.

Did you miss out on our very popular All Aboard Hills Rail History Tour during the SA History Festival? Due to overwhelming demand we will run encore tours of the hills by railway on Tuesday 15 September.

Increasing temperatures and more frequent and intense heat-waves are known to have significant effects on our physical and mental health and can lead to higher morbidity rates. The most vulnerable are older people, young children, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, low-socioeconomic groups and people that need assistance with everyday activities.

The fascinating history of the hills railway, the greatest engineering feat in South Australia at the time, will be recounted on board the Adelaide Metro train as it climbs from Mitcham Station to Belair. Tour groups will alight at Belair Station for more rail tales and after a short stop, it will be time to catch the train down to Blackwood Station to join the Blackwood Action Group for refreshments and some surprising rail displays.

The mapping will help us to understand which communities are the hottest and what benefits existing street trees, reserves and parks provide in mitigating that heat.

Please contact the Mitcham Heritage Research Centre for further details and bookings on 8372 8261.

It is hoped that this information can be used when we make decisions about future vegetation needs, irrigation, stormwater management and water sensitive urban design.

For more information email Natalie Stalenberg at natsta@onkaparinga.sa.gov.au or call on 8384 0532.

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mitcham community news

August 2015

The Mitcham Library Service presents Andy Griffiths

Meet Renowned Chef and Cookbook Author Simon Bryant

Come and meet Andy Griffiths, one of Australia’s most popular children’s authors, on Saturday 12 September at 6.15 pm.

Come and meet Simon Bryant, from TVs “The Cook and the Chef”, on Tuesday 18 August at 6.30 pm.

Andy is best known for The Treehouse series, the JUST! books and The Day My Bum Went Psycho.

Come and learn about his latest book ‘The 65-Storey Treehouse’ which has a pet-grooming salon, a birthday room where it’s always your birthday (even when it’s not), a room full of exploding eyeballs, a lollipop shop, a quicksand pit, an ant farm, a time machine and Tree-NN: a 24-hour-a-day TV news centre keeping you up to

Simon has just released a new cookbook “Vegetables, Grains & Other Good Stuff” full of delicious vegie cooking at its very best.

This free event presented by the Mitcham Library Service and Booked at North Adelaide is being held at the Blackwood Community Centre, Young Street, Blackwood at 6.30 pm.

date with all the latest treehouse news, current events and gossip.

This free event presented by the Mitcham Library Service and Collins Booksellers from Edwardstown is being held at the Edwardstown Baptist Church, Rothesay Avenue, St Marys at 6.15 pm.

Seats are limited so book today. Books will be available for purchase from Collins Booksellers and for signing by Andy.

To book your seat call Mitcham Library on 8372 8244, Blackwood Library on 8372 8255 or Collins Booksellers on 8277 8857.

Seats are limited so book today. Books will be available for purchase and for signing

by Simon.

TechTime

To book your seat call Blackwood Library on 8372 8255.

Photo credit: Alan Benson

Want some advice on your device?

The Mitcham Library Service offers weekly TechTime sessions to help you understand your device.

iPad Class at the Mitcham Library Do you have an iPad that you would like to learn how to use?

Come and learn how to use the main functions of your iPad and develop self-help skills.

Cost is $8 per session.

For more information about classes call the Mitcham Library on 8372 8244.

If you need assistance with your smartphone, tablet, laptop or other tech related question book a session today.

Fifteen minute sessions are available free on Tuesdays at Blackwood Library from 10 am to 11 am and at the Mitcham Library from 3 pm to 4 pm.

Bookings are essential please call the Blackwood Library on 8372 8255 or the Mitcham Library on 8372 8244.

Agedcare Alternatives Do you have questions about aged care?

What Makes a Neighbourhood ‘Aged Friendly’?

The City of Mitcham is working with the City of Marion and City of Holdfast Bay to develop a Regional Age Friendly Environment and Communities Strategy.

People are living longer and more people want to continue living in the community of their choice for as long as possible. It is important to plan for population ageing so we can enhance all residents’ health and wellbeing and promote social and economic participation across the spectrum of community life.

A Regional Age Friendly Environment and Communities Strategy will ensure the Cities

of Mitcham, Marion and Holdfast Bay provide a consistent direction for planning for older people.

During September and October communities across the three Councils will be invited to participate in an on-line survey to help understand what makes neighbourhoods age friendly.

For more information, please contact Jenny Sandow, Manager Community Wellbeing on 8372 8888.

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 and 31 August 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.

mitcham community news

August 2015

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A Connected Community for All in Mitcham

How can you provide feedback?

A copy of the draft Access and Inclusion Plan is available at: www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au City of Mitcham Civic Centre, 131 Belair Road, Torrens Park

Council is inviting feedback from the community on the draft Access and Inclusion Plan 2015-2020 aimed to advance the City as a welcoming and inclusive place for all.

What is the Access and Inclusion Plan?

The draft Access and Inclusion Plan provides a framework and sets out Council’s commitment to advancing the City as a welcoming and inclusive place. While the Plan has a focus on outcomes for people living with disability, it is as much about ‘inclusion’ as it is about ‘access’ for every member of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, religion, nationality or if they are parents using a pram or stroller. Council can ensure that residents are equally represented and considered in all aspects of Council business as well as meeting legislative and regulatory obligations.

Why is the Plan Important?

In Mitcham approximately 20% of residents have a disability or impairment; families who use strollers and prams; and more than 11,000 people aged over 65 years.

The draft Plan has been developed with the assistance of residents and stakeholders including an open community consultation held March 2014, forums with groups of residents who live with disability and an online survey.

What is expected of the Plan?

The draft plan will focus on partnering, facilitating, advocating or delivering on specific actions and projects for the next five years such as: Providing services, supports, facilities and information that are accessible for all Providing people living with disability with access to equal opportunities to authentically participate in, and contribute to, our local community Encouraging people living with disability to contribute to the delivery of accessible and inclusive services, supports, facilities and information through ongoing consultation and engagement Working in collaboration with people living with disability, community groups, State Government, local business operators and other community stakeholders to improve access and inclusion within our community and raise awareness and understanding about living with disability.

For more information visit www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au or call 8372 8888.

Mitcham Library, 154 Belair Road, Hawthorn Blackwood Library, 215 Main Road, Blackwood The Plan is an accessible electronic document optimised for screen readers and other assistive devices. It is available in a number of other formats such as audio, Braille, Easy English, large font and if requested other languages. For information about other versions please call 8372 8888.

Written submissions on the proposed draft Access and Inclusion Plan are invited by 5 pm Wednesday 2 September by: Completing an online survey at www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au letter addressed to City of Mitcham, PO Box 21, Mitcham Shopping Centre, Torrens Park SA 5062 email mitcham@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au If you require assistance please call 8372 8888 Each written submission must include your name and address. The Council will consider all submissions received by the due date however any submissions received that do not provide this information may not be included in the consultation process. Please indicate if you would like your name and address kept confidential however these details may potentially be accessible under the Freedom of Information Act 1991.

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mitcham community news

August 2015

City of Mitcham Annual Business Plan 2015 2016 The Annual Business Plan sets out the proposed services, projects and programs for 2015/2016 to continue to work towards our objectives and long-term goals set out in Council’s Strategic Management Plan.

Council has budgeted to spend $54.2 million delivering services and projects to the community and is budgeting for an underlying surplus from Council operations of $1.14 million. This relies on a substantial savings of $1.2 million being made through cost and efficiency savings. The budgeted underlying surplus allows us to repay debt within 20 years, in keeping with Council’s debt repayment commitment.

The Plan also highlights our commitment to investing in our community assets with $7.2 million dedicated to improving our roads, $2.4 million for new local stormwater infrastructure, $3.6 million on upgrading and constructing new footpaths and $2.7 for improvements to sporting clubrooms and community buildings, playgrounds and open space. A total of $24.8 million is being invested in our community assets.

Services we provide Environment

Community Services

Infrastructure

Governance

Development Control

Parking Control

Community Bus

Library Service

Parks and Gardens

Community Development

Local History Service

Bus Shelters and Street Furniture

Asset Management

Dog and Cat Management

Personal Transport

Cycleways

Elections

Community Development Grants and General Donations

Social Programs

Ratepayers’ Crossovers

Events

Sporting Facilities

Roads and Bridges

Publications

Toy Library Service

Footpaths

Community Facilities

Volunteer Support and Development

Stormwater Management, Construction and Maintenance

Environmental Health Control Bushfire Protection Food Inspection Green Organic Depot At Call Domestic Hard Waste Collection Immunisation Services Kerbside Recycling Land Acquisition for Open Space Mitcham Cemetery Natural Heritage Projects

Pest Control eg European Wasps Pest Plant and Weed Control Public and Environmental Health Management Review and Development of Planning Policy

Community Information Service

Youth Development

Cultural Development

Technical Services

Community Wellbeing

Street Cleaning

Home Assistance

Traffic Management and Control

Street Lighting

Home Maintenance

Urrbrae Wetlands

Street Trees

Improving Accessibility for the Disabled

Waste Management Waste Management Education

Communications

mitcham community news

August 2015

07

City of Mitcham Annual Business Plan 2015 2016

Investing in Infrastructure and Service Improvement Council will be spending $20.1 million on renewing existing assets and reducing backlog and a further $4.7 million will be spent on constructing or acquiring new assets and improving services.

Improving Community Assets

One-off Projects for 2015 2016

Roads

$7,200,436

Plant and Fleet

$4,566,117

Footpaths

$3,649,415

Land and Buildings (Community, Civic and Sporting)

$2,882,680

Stormwater

$2,441,603

Open Space, Reserves and Sports Facilities

$1,155,440

Bridges

$856,328

Trails and Cycleways

$600,782

Playgrounds

$447,385

Office Furniture and Equipment

$228,260

Brownhill and Keswick Creek

$218,001

Kerb and Watertable

$209,450

Traffic Control

$123,400

Car Parks

$115,900

Bus Shelters

$68,372

Retaining Walls

$63,405

Total

$24,826,974

New and Improved Services for the Community

Stormwater

Stormwater Management Plan

$2,130,000

Sturt Linear Park

$685,000

Mitcham Trails Network

$600,000

Footpaths

$552,000

Brownhill Creek Stormwater Management Plan

$218,000

Sleeps Hills Reserve Fencing

$150,000

$130,000

Delivery of the Trails Strategy

$92,000

Sport and Recreational Strategy

$80,000

Emerging Project Priorities

$73,000

Traffic Control Devices

$40,000

Asset Management ASSETIC updates and Asset Management Plan

$40,000

Scanning of Archived Development Applications

$40,000

Integrated Transport and Traffic Strategy

$35,000

Integrated Bike Plan

$25,000

Resilient South – Implementation of Regional Climate Change Adaption Plan – Year 1

$20,000

Records Management Scanning/Archiving and Reporting Project

$20,000

LED Lighting Trials

$15,000

Asset Revaluation – Open Space Assets

$15,000

Operation Review of the City of Mitcham Library Services

$15,000

Review of Council’s Corporate Systems

$15,000

Regional Play Space Investigation

$15,000

Shade Over Playgrounds

$76,000

Water Sensitive Urban Design

$75,000

Red Cross REDiPlan – Emergency Preparedness and Recovery Partnership Proposal

$12,000

Civic Centre Solar Panels

$66,000

Council Wide Public Art Policy

$10,000

Kinedana Playground

$54,000

Strategic Management Plan Review / Development

$10,000

CCTV Windy Point

$50,000

Multicultural Food and Music Festival – Year 1

$8,000

Pocket Park at Blackwood

$15,000

Hayman Retreat Traffic Consultation

$7,000

Shared Community Garden Development

$6,000

Avenue Road Skate Park Addition Total

$8,000 $4,679,000

Total

$723,000

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mitcham community news

August 2015

City of Mitcham Annual Business Plan 2015 2016

Works program for 2015/2016 These works are being undertaken in your street as part of Council’s 2015/2016 Capital Works Program, should you have any queries or feedback in relation to any of these works please email mitcham@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au by 5 pm Friday 18 September 2015.

Legend Road Rehabilitation, Overlays and Reconstruction Bitumen Rejuvenation and Crack Sealing Kerb, Watertable and Stormwater Retaining Walls

Colonel Light Gardens

Glenalta

Panorama

Clyde Avenue

Greenwood Court

Lyall Avenue

East Parkway

Hawthorndene Drive

Gulley Reserve

Oxford Crescent

Huntingdon Drive

Grandview Drive

Rosemont Street

Little John Street

Panorama Drive

Sturt Avenue

Hawthorn

Tafquin Street

Pasadena

View Street

Hawthorn Oval

West Parkway

Richmond Road

Adelaide Terrace

Mortlock Park

Short Avenue

Aurricchio Avenue

Footpaths

Manchester Road

Bridges

Pembroke Place

Acacia Avenue

Barcroft Street

Carparks

Prince George Parade

Apex Park

Boorman Avenue

Goodwood Road

Cypress Avenue

Daws Road

Martlesham Court

Fairway Drive

Eyre Boulevard

Bedford Park

Hawthorndene

Ayliffes Road

Light Place

Hawthorndene Reserve

Grandview Drive

Flinders Drive

Penang Avenue

Hewett Avenue

McIntosh Avenue

Leila Street

Roseberry Street

Lois Lane

Moore Street

Malcolm Street

Richmond Avenue

Myrtle Road

Southern Avenue

Rozells Avenue

Nama Drive

Milton Street

Belair

Coromandel Valley

Suffolk Road

Western Avenue

St Marys

Deane Avenue

Coromandel Parade

Tallerook Road

Aurricchio Avenue

Gratton Street

Ewers Avenue

Walkways

Dorene Street

Monash Avenue

Jackson Avenue

Neate Avenue

Rustic Avenue

Brenchley Grove

Lloyd Street

Penno Parade North

Walkway Trevilyn Court

East Parade

Norman Court

Ralph Avenue

Boronia Avenue

Harrow Terrace

South Road

The Ridgeway

Sturt River Linear Park

North Parade

Walsh Avenue

Bellevue Heights Manson Oval

Blackwood

Kingswood

Craigburn Farm

Princes Road

Grand Boulevard Coromandel Parade

Kiley Court

Springfield

Seafield Avenue

Brookside Road

Lower Mitcham

Delamere Avenue

Albert Place

Grass Lily Street

Belmont Street

Archibald Street

The Farm Lane

Denman Terrace

Ashley Court

Warriparinga Avenue

Dunbar Avenue

Ayr Avenue

Grange Road

Fife Avenue

Blackwood Hill Reserve

Cumberland Park

Newenham Avenue

Torrens Park

Brighton Parade

Mersey Street

Holme Avenue

Lochwinnoch Road

Brightview Avenue

Tamar Street

Keys Road

Princes Road

Burfield Street

Daw Park

Murray Street

Thorpe Street

Clarence Street

Daws Road

The Grove

Rowallen Road

Edgecumbe Parade

Day Avenue

View Street

Gladstone Road

Dudley Avenue

Wattle Avenue

Grandview Avenue

Mimosa Avenue

Goodwood Road

Wesley Street

Pitcaim Avenue

Penno Parade South

Hope Street

Playford Avenue

Lancelot Drive

Clayton Crescent

Towerview Road

Railway Terrace

Morgan Avenue

Crozier Avenue

Waite Road

View Road

Roseberry Street

Lowe Street

Clapham

Melrose Park

Eden Hills

Urrbrae

Strathmore Grove

Westbourne Park

Mead Crescent

Carlisle Road

Barretts Road

Beaconsfield Road

Regent Street

Deepdene Avenue

Springbank Road

Kooringa Street

Walter Street

Elmo Avenue

Seymour Street

Wheaton Road

Leslie Avenue

Clarence Gardens Clovelly Avenue

Wilpena Street

Dinwoodie Avenue

Willowie Street

Winston Avenue

Mitcham

Norseman Avenue High Street

Netherby

Sussex Terrace Watt Street

Fullarton Road Waite Road

mitcham community news

August 2015

09

City of Mitcham Annual Business Plan 2015 2016 Where Your Rates are Spent?

This year Council will spend $54.2 million delivering services and projects to the community.

Rates income is the major source of funding used to provide a range of essential everyday services to the community such as road rehabilitation, footpath repairs and maintenance, stormwater drainage, the collection of rubbish and recyclable materials, ongoing maintenance of parks, gardens and buildings, street lighting and street cleaning, libraries, animal control, planning and enforcement of local laws.

Income of $47.9 million will be raised from rates and $8.4 million from other sources including user fees and charges and State and Federal Grants.

How Council Income is Spent? $’M

Efficiency, Effectiveness and Continuous Improvement $0.1

City Works & Services $13.3

Finance & Rates $0.7

Operating Projects $0.6

Information Services (incl Library IT) $2.0

Headline Operating Surplus $2.5

Corporate Affairs $1.5

Community Wellbeing $0.4 People & Culture $2.0

Library Services $2.4 Sport & Recreation Planning $0.3

Community Development $1.0 Engineering $1.5

Property & Contracts $4.4

Special Projects $0.2 Natural Environments $4.4

Environmental Services & Compliance $0.9

Customer Service $0.7

Planning & Building $2.3

City Maintenance $7.1

Procurement Strategy $0.1

Council’s Rate Capping Scheme

How You Can Pay Your Rates

Council has a rate capping scheme available to all rate payers subject to eligibility criteria.

This is designed to assist ratepayers who would otherwise have incurred a rate increase greater than 12.5%. For details of eligibility visit www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au or call 8372 8888.

Rates may be paid by instalments or in full. Rates paid in full by 15 September 2015 will attract a 1% discount. Council provides several payment options which are shown on the rate notice.

Rebates

Further Information

Rebates are available to eligible properties, Council has a Postponement of Rates for Seniors Scheme and also applies a rate capping scheme to all properties to ensure that significant increases in rates are moderated over time.

For further information on Council’s Annual Business Plan and Long Term Financial Plan please call Council’s Customer Service Centre on 8372 8888 or visit Council’s website www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au

Pensioner Concession Budget and Rates To ensure the success of the Plan and the continual development and maintenance of our City and services, homeowners will pay an average of 3.8% more in rates this financial year. This means the average residential rate will increase from $1,510 to $1,567 an increase of $57 or $1.10 per week, based upon;

The State Government have announced a new cost of living concession that replaces concessions including all concessions applied to Council rates. * Assumes recipients held a State Seniors Card.

The concessions will be paid by the State Government direct to recipients in 2015/2016 by cheque.

Payments are expected to be made to homeowners in September 2015. That means that pensioners and concession card holders will no longer receive a rebate on Council rates.

Homeowners who currently receive the council rate concession will not need to apply separately for this concession.

For further information contact the State Government Concession Hotline on 1800 307 758.

2.71% for the continued provision of existing services and fund the repayment of debt over 20 years; plus

2014/2015 Pensioner Concession (outgoing)

2015/2016 New Cost of Living Concession

0.80% to cover new and improved services, in addition to maintain existing services; plus

Pensioners and low-income earners who own their own home

$190 per annum

$200 per annum

0.29% to cover cost shifting through taxes, levies and reduced grant funding from State and Federal Government.

Self-funded retirees who hold Commonwealth Seniors Health Card* who own their own home

$100 per annum

$100 per annum

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mitcham community news

August 2015

community groups

get fit/social activities

community events

Mitcham Community Calendar Probus Club of Colonel Light Gardens – Ladies If you are looking for a morning of fun and friendship join the Probus Club of Colonel Light Gardens for ladies on the first Friday of the month at 10 am at the Colonel Light Gardens Uniting Church, 560 Goodwood Road, Daw Park.

Enjoy guest speakers, day trips and lunches.

Call 8276 8228.

Adelaide-Mitcham Prostate Cancer Support Group Come along to the Colonel Light Gardens RSL Club, 4 Prince George Parade, Colonel Light Gardens on Thursday 27 August at 7 pm to listen to guest speaker Martin Lewis from Cota SA talking about controlling your life. Call 8298 6384 or visit www.adelaide-mitchampcsg.org

Mitcham Kiwanis

Care and Share at Trinity

Come along to a meeting on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at Marion Sports Centre, Sturt Road, Marion. Call 8374 3694.

If you are 65 years of age and older come along and enjoy activities as well as meet new people every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm. Call 8276 1144.

Probus Club of Brownhill Creek – Mitcham If you are a retired male come along to enjoy morning tea, guest speakers, outings and lunches on the second Thursday of each month at 10 am in the Uniting Church hall, 103a Princes Road.

Visit www.probussouthpacific.org/pcbrownhill or call 8357 3238.

Blackwood Hills Baptist Church Come along each Sunday at 10 am or 7 pm at 72 Coromandel Parade, Blackwood to enjoy the relaxed and friendly atmosphere at Blackwood Hills Baptist Church. There are people of all ages, great music and fun activities for the kids.

Call 8370 0333 or visit bhbc.org.au Village Church at Melrose Park Every Sunday at 10.30 am at the Edwardstown Primary School. Join a new and growing familyfriendly church. Visit thevillage.org.au or call 8370 3256.

Blackwood Hills View Club Invites women to meet new friends at their luncheon meeting at the Belair Park Country Club on Monday 24 August at 10 am. Guest speaker from The Smith Family will share information about the Learning of Life programs. Cost $26.

Call 8370 2809.

Messy Church @ Westbourne Park Uniting Church Enjoy a relaxed style of church for families of all ages from 5 pm to 7.30 pm at Westbourne Park Uniting Church, 27 Sussex Terrace, Hawthorn on Saturday 16 August and 19 September. $7 per family. Email wpuc@internode.on.net or visit www.wpuc.org.au or call 8271 7066.

Blackwood Combined Probus Club Retired men and women are welcome to meet people and enjoy activities including guest speakers at the Blackwood Community Centre, 4 Young Street, Blackwood at 10 am on the third Monday of each month. Activities are also arranged, usually on the first Monday of each month. Call 8388 2104.

Kenilworth AFL Masters Are you over 35 and want to keep playing football? Kenilworth Kookaburras Over 35s at St Marys Park are looking for players to join their AFL Masters team. Come and play footy for fun with modified rules to suit ageing bodies. Games are played on a Sunday once a fortnight. Training sessions are held every Wednesday at 6.30 pm at St Marys Park, Laura Avenue, St Marys. Call Peter on 0423 778 628 or visit www.kenilworthfc.com Clarence Gardens Bowling Club Register now for Night Owls Social Lawn Bowls every Thursday at Winona Avenue (Bailey Reserve Complex), Clarence Gardens at 7 pm commencing October. Mixed teams, individual and pair entries welcome. Free loan bowls, coaching if required, casual clothes, flat soled shoes or barefoot, new players welcome. Email cgbc@bigpond.com or call 0411 771 165. Meals available from 5.30 pm by a qualified chef. Social bowls every Wednesday and Saturday at 12.30 pm. $8 includes afternoon tea and prizes. Neat casual attire, flat soled shoes. Loan bowls available and coaching. Call 8293 2134.

Mitcham Uniting Church Come along and meet new people at Men at the Centre every third Tuesday of the month. Pizza at 6.30 pm. Cost $6. Call 0438 705 460. The Mitcham Village Uniting Friendship Group meets 9.30 am to 11.30 am every Wednesday of school term in Tyler Hall, for friendship and craft activities. $2 morning tea. Ye Olde Village Shoppe and Meeting Place every Saturday from 9.30 am to 1 pm. Donations of clean saleable goods much appreciated. Call 8278 8259 or visit 103 Princes Road, Mitcham.

Seniors in Harmony The St Johns Primary School will perform on 1 September at 1.30 pm at the Mitcham Cultural Village Institute Hall. Admission is free and includes afternoon tea.

Email seniorsharmony@gmail.com

Men’s Breakfast Come along and enjoy a continental breakfast and guest speaker Daryl Teague on Saturday 15 August at 7.30 am at the Blackwood Hills Baptist Chruch, 72 Coromandel Parade, Blackwood. Daryl is a highly respected and renowned orthopedic surgeon who has been working in the medical field for over 40 years.

He has been prominent in the volunteering of his gifts and skills in various overseas surgical assistance projects for over two decades. Cost only $8 or $5 concession. RSVP 0403 656 537 or email mjhouston7@gmail.com Annual Camellia Show Camellias South Australia Inc is holding their annual Camellia Show at Carrick Hill, 46 Carrick Hill Drive, Springfield on Saturday 15 August 12 noon to 4.30 pm and Sunday 16 August 10 am to 4.30 pm. Enjoy a display or purchase plants. Free admission.

Call 0419 815 035.

Adelaide Mini Maker Faire Come along to a family-friendly festival of invention and creativity on Sunday 1 November at the Tonsley from 10 am to 5 pm. It will be a celebration of the best South Australian technology, education, science, arts, crafts, engineering, food and more! All of this under one roof at Tonsley, South Australia’s latest hub for innovation, education and entrepreneurship.

Visit www.makerfaireadelaide.com St Columba’s Church Fete Come along on Saturday 10 October from 8.30 am to 2 pm and Sunday 11 October from 10.30 am to 1 pm at 3 Rosevear Street, Hawthorn and enjoy stalls for books, clothes, cakes, jams, toys, plants, trash & treasure, BBQ, morning tea and much more! Call 8272 3813.

Occasional Series Explore the life and thought of people of spirit at the Blackwood Uniting Church on Sunday 20 September at 5 pm with Mr Gary Stuckey of the Stillpoint Spirituality Centre who will be talking about Francis of Assisi. Call 8278 7699.

Remembering Our Local Boys Enjoy a presentation by Geoff Locke, an authority on local soldiers who took courage in their hands to represent Australia in World War 1 on Sunday 8 November in conjunction with Blackwood Action Group’s History group. Meet at the Soldiers’ Memorial at the Blackwood roundabout at 2 pm and continue at the Blackwood Train Station in the old ticketing office/waiting room. Devonshire tea will be served. Email ahazellau@gmail.com or call 0438 781 123.

mitcham community news

August 2015

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Woodlake Drive Reserve Playground Upgrade The City of Mitcham has recently replaced the playground located at Woodlake Drive in Craigburn Farm.

The new playground includes a see saw, slide, four large climbing walls, rope climbers, nets, pole climbers, balance equipment and a nest swing so children can swing together.

Look What’s New at Kent Reserve

The equipment is designed to develop children’s coordination, balance, strength and encourages group play.

Council has installed new playground equipment as well as a pedestrian path and gate at Kent Reserve on the corner of Sturt Avenue and Hastings Road in Colonel Light Gardens.

Council would like to thank the community for taking the time to help select the new play equipment.

New Fitness Equipment at CC Hood Reserve The fitness equipment at CC Hood Reserve at Eliza Place in Panorama has been replaced.

Regional Play Space for Mitcham

Eight new gym style stations including a hand bike, spinning bike, leg press, bench, lateral pull down, shoulder press, leg raise and dips have been installed to complement the existing roll over and chin up bars at CC Hood Reserve.

Council will begin exploring opportunities to develop its first regional play space to encourage imaginative, creative and active play for all ages and needs in our community.

Each station includes written instructions on how to use the equipment as well as techniques, trainer tips and equipment benefits. You can also watch a video on your smart phone by scanning the QR code.

A regional play space is an exciting concept in playground design, providing a unique leisure and play space for families in our local community but also attracting families from across the City.

The new exercise equipment is adjacent the shared use path and the dog park.

This play space would offer diverse activities and challenges for children of all abilities and ages designed to enhance the existing natural open space to encourage a variety of imaginative, creative and active play.

Council has also extended the shared use path by an extra 200 metres and installed additional water retention mounds to retain water run-off in heavy rainfall events.

The playground design would meet disability access requirements and cater for children’s physical, mental, emotional and social development with opportunities for: Challenging and fun physical play Stimulating cognitive play Free and creative play Social and interactive play Integrated facilities such as seating, shelters, picnic facilities, toilets and drinking fountains.

Council, in consultation with the community, will begin to review existing reserves for opportunities to develop a regional play space. It is anticipated that Council will consider reserve options, feedback from the community and proposals to develop future stages late in 2015.

A regional play space will expand our network of parks and playgrounds and open up more recreational activities for children in our community.

For more information call 8372 8888 or visit www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au

New playground equipment which includes two slides, net climbers, balance bridge, fireman’s pole, noughts and crosses, activity panels and climbing wall has been installed to complement the existing swings, rocker and toddler equipment.

A new pedestrian path and gate provides easy access from the road to a small paved area with a picnic table adjacent the playground. The fencing has also been extended to improve the safety of children visiting the park.

Thank you to everyone for your assistance in choosing the new play equipment.

Lions Club of Mitcham members, from left Dick Gellert and Roy Bowden seated on the bench atop Brownhill Creek.

Celebrating 50 years of Lions in Mitcham In 2016 the Mitcham Lions will celebrate 50 years of service to the community!

For the past 50 years the Mitcham Lions has made a difference in our community supporting local and international programs and events. This year the club donated a bench which was placed at the junction of the Yurrebilla Trail and the Seven Pines Track atop Brownhill Creek, to allow walkers to enjoy the spectacular view.

Don’t forget to come along to the monthly Car Boot Sale on the first Saturday of each month at the Urrbrae Agricultural High School at Fullarton Road, Urrbrae.

If you are a former Lion and have memorabilia to share or would like to get involved in the celebrations or the club the Mitcham Lions would like to hear from you.

Please email mitchamlions@hotmail.com or write to PO Box 206, Torrens Park 5062.

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mitcham community news

August 2015

Mayor Glenn Spear

The Park Ward Cr Tim Hein

Craigburn Ward Cr Karen Hockley

Telephone: 0438 221 762

Telephone: 0403 080 080

Telephone: 0423 919 080

gspear@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au

thein@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au

khockley@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au

At the last Council meeting I used my casting vote to reduce our rate increase to 3.8%. This is the smallest increase in Mitcham for some time and although I am pleased with this result I will continue to work for even better outcomes for residents. I believe that service levels can be maintained and improved with sensible and prudent financial decision making.

Council recently passed a motion to fly the rainbow flag for the two-week duration of the Feast Adelaide Queer Cultural Festival.

As flags have been a controversial matter recently in other councils, I want to explain why I voted against the motion. I believe a more appropriate occasion to fly the rainbow flag is on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.

Firstly, Mitcham has two flagpoles, flying the Australian Flag and the emblem of the City of Mitcham. We don’t permanently fly the Aboriginal Flag, representing the First Peoples of Australia - only during Reconciliation Week. In respecting their spiritual and cultural relationship with the land, I have trouble elevating another symbolic gesture for a longer period than recognition.

Secondly, a national debate currently exists on the possibility of changing the Marriage Act to permit marriage between two persons of any gender.

That legislation is a federal matter with some state implications, but has nothing to do with local government. Flying the rainbow flag for a two-week period could appear as inappropriate tacit support by the Council for only one side of that debate.

Thirdly, I am reluctant to link appropriate solidarity with residents of Mitcham who identity as LGBTQI to a specific festival featuring a suite of events which appeal to only some. I’m not necessarily convinced the way to help a young person struggling with their sexual identity is to point to this festival as the representative expression of LGBTQI life.

I enjoy alternative and edgy artistic expression, and would affirm the right of the artists to express them, however I’m not convinced it’s in Council’s best interests to link our solidarity with LGBTQI residents directly to this event.

The organisers of the festival themselves rightly note that “our (LGBTQI) community as a whole is still subject to discrimination, violence, misunderstanding and fear, which can manifest in violent attacks, verbal abuse and bullying”.

That behavior is not to be tolerated. And so I think it is appropriate that we participate in the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, a ‘global day aimed at drawing people’s attention to the discrimination still faced by same sex attracted, intersex and gender diverse people” rather than Mitcham establishing a pattern of aligning with a festival. If the first motion had not passed, I would have moved a motion to that effect.

This does align with my view for a pluralist society that celebrates diversity, rather than removing all symbolic references from the public space. I note the recent debates elsewhere on restrictions to Christmas decorations, or the location of mosques.

As a multi-cultural, multi-faith community, the role of government is to seek the peace and prosperity of all residents. I do hope the inclusive spirit extends to other parts of the community also.

I must note that it was encouraging to participate in the constructive and positive debate at Council, in which everyone spoke and all views were listened to carefully, in our usual good-natured and respectful atmosphere.

People ask me if being an Elected Member is what I expected and mostly it is but unexpected things do happen. Recently I was driving with my boys and one suddenly asked me “do you have parties at Council?”. I was taken aback but tried to answer patiently and thoughtfully and said “no I don’t go there for parties, I go there to meet my Elected Member colleagues, talk through issues and make good decisions for the community”. I was surprised when he responded that he didn’t mean that, he meant parties “like on the news”. With a silent chuckle I realise he is thinking of political parties.

Mitcham is in the process of re–negotiating its waste management contracts, instead of paying for recycling deposits we are being paid for the material in a newly negotiated contract. This is a significant return to Council of hundreds of thousands of dollars. I am pushing for private entity organisations operating within buildings such as universities, hospitals and cemeteries to pay rates, currently they are exempt and I think this is unfair.

I am pleased to report that delivery of the home care services and community bus program will continue to be delivered by Council. It is very clear to me that Local Government is in the best position to deliver these essential core services.

Many of our citizens have paid rates for over 40 years and I think home support is essential and best delivered at local level. Some Councillors favour investigation for delivery of these services to Federal or State government departments. I have seen clear evidence that residents receive better and a more personalised service by Council.

Our recent review of by-laws has seen a new policy for dogs in playgrounds. I am of the opinion that there is somewhat of a “big brother” approach and I believe that most dog owners and dogs realise their responsibilities and behave in a responsible manner.

I am disappointed that the State Government has again neglected to fund essential road programs for Blackwood and Belair. The roundabout has been acknowledged as a real problem by independent reporting bodies and yet still is not on the radar of government. I will continue to lobby the government for funding. The South Road interchange works are in final planning stages and I have made strong representation for improved access for affected suburbs.

Tracey and I have represented Council at numerous community and civic events. We were proud to acknowledge recent Australia Day and Queens Birthday Honours recipients at a reception. Recently we had the pleasure of attending several Rotary Club events and it is a credit to the men and women of Rotary that do so much work for local and international charities.

I am in the fortunate position of presiding over a strong and committed Council body. There is much robust debate and discussion at Council meetings and it can be interesting to witness the various opinions on a wide range of subjects. The Council website contains the minutes of meetings and you can see how your elected body votes on various issues.

I am pleased and proud to be working with an administrative executive that supports my ultimate goal of achieving a better City of Mitcham for all.

The answer is no we don’t have parties at Council, we all act as independents even though we might be members of a party and we bring our experiences and biases with us.

This exchange has led me to think of two important issues. One is how easy it is to get the wrong end of the stick. This happened to me recently when I wanted to talk about the Home and Community Care (HACC) program run by Council. I am a strong supporter of HACC, however it was reported in the media and discussed in Council as though I was proposing to withdraw important services that help older people live independently in the community. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Based on my professional experience in the aged care sector and on the community’s desire to see Council run more efficiently, I thought that Council’s HACC services could be delivered differently to avoid having Council contribute approximately $430,000 to the program in 2015/2016. This could mean that current and future HACC clients would continue to receive excellent service while enabling Council to provide similar supports to other vulnerable groups in our community, including one parent families, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, those from a culturally and linguistically diverse or refugee background and people experiencing or recovering from domestic violence.

My goal is to challenge Council to respond flexibly to ensure that the needs of more vulnerable groups within the community can be met despite competing priorities.

The other point that this exchange with an eight year old raised for me is how important it is that I don’t respond to issues simply by considering them from my own personal perspective.

I absolutely recognise my role as that of a representative. As such it is incumbent on me to seek out and articulate your preferences, vision and hopes for Mitcham Council.

I am pleased that I have been able to talk with many of you to get your thoughts on the nuclear question and the rainbow flag. I would like to do more of this so I encourage you to contact me by email on khockley@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au, by phone on 0423 919 080 or like me on Facebook to keep in touch and to give me your feedback and perspectives so that I can represent you fully and proactively on issues you care about.

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August 2015

13

Council Meeting Procedures

Craigburn Ward Cr Nick Greer

Babbage Ward Cr David Munro

Telephone: 7420 9808

Telephone: 0403 161 462

ngreer@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au

dmunro@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au

Keeping Rates Under Control

Whether change appeals to you or it doesn’t, you can’t help but notice that the Babbage Ward is a hive of activity at the moment.

As this article is written, it appears likely that Mitcham will impose on households an average $57 per annum increase in residential rates for this financial year, with the average rate moving to $1,567.

Business will cop a $151 increase in commercial rates, to bring the average commercial rate to a hefty $4,118 – on the back of a 32% rise over the last three financial years.

Some people in Council say that residents and business can still afford to pay more.

After all, Council supports programs for the community such as: “Tapping Your Troubles Away with Emotional Freedom Techniques,” or the “Alice in Wonderland Tea Party” to be held at the Mitcham Library. Alternatively, there is the “Cooking Class for Senior Men” or the “Free Photography Workshop” at the Hawthorn Community Centre.

Your rates are being spent to promote, support or put on these events.

We also have Council wages to pay that have now blown out to around $800,000 each fortnight.

I don’t have any trouble with residents tapping their troubles away with ‘emotional freedom techniques’, but Councils don’t need to be spending your money to promote events like this. Community groups and local businesses can perform these tasks.

The question comes back to a concept of ‘core business’ for Councils, and what that business really is. Should Councils be involved of all manner of entertainment, public programs and events - or should Councils stick with the essentials of collecting rubbish, getting our roads, playgrounds, and footpaths in good order and other necessary tasks. I am of the view that Councils do too much, and that this is costing ratepayers too much.

Regarding rate increases - you may say that an extra $57 or $151 is not that much. However, remember this – it is not only an extra $57 or $151 this year, but next year’s increase will build on that increase, and so on – year after year. Much like compounding interest, for every year that Council rates increase beyond CPI the cost to households grows exponentially.

I will continue to fight for rates to be kept as low as possible, through cutting services that are not required and by rationalising salary expenditure through natural staff attrition. That is why I opposed and will continue to oppose any rate rises in excess of the Local Government Price Index, as I committed to do during the election.

Regional Play Space Investigations During the last election, I heard strong community support to improve one of our playgrounds to a regional standard - something great for kids closer than Burnside’s Hazelwood Park, and without an entry charge (Belair Adventure Playground). Some have suggested updating and expanding the Carrick Hill ‘Story Book Trail’ via a capital donation from Council.

On March 24, Council strongly supported my motion to put this issue to a budget review for consideration of funding. On 26 May, Council almost unanimously supported my amendment to engage a consultant.

Stay tuned for further details.

In the south of the ward we have the Darlington project ramping up. The Darlington project is going to change our Ward forever; it has been encouraging to witness the level of community feedback and involvement in this project. The role Council will play is important and we are very fortunate to have the support from a number of Elected Members throughout Mitcham attending Community Ward Forums and various meetings.

In the north we have a new Caltex service station going in opposite Pasadena High and whilst on the subject of ‘that’ intersection it is great to hear that funding has been granted to conduct works at the intersection of Springbank, Daws and Goodwood Roads. I did receive some correspondence from Hon. Martin HamiltonSmith regarding the intersection, so whilst not a long term solution it will certainly assist in getting some of the traffic moving. And then there is the old Panorama TAFE site that is going to be watched by all. What will finally end up happening with the site is uncertain but the current state of it shows it doesn’t take long for the site to succumb to vandalism, graffiti and far from its former glory.

It is of course budget time and by the time this goes to print hopefully we have gone below 4% for our rate rise this year. Council’s finances are in a much better state and we are definitely returning to the black. There has had to be a number of tough decisions made over the past few years to get to this point.

The Chief Executive Officer and his team have worked well in looking to save costs without sacrificing services to get this Council back in the black. The next step forward is to review services across Council, to find out if what we provided years ago is still relevant. The chamber will need to decide if these services that once sat well with Council are now past its use by date. This process will take a while to go through but it is an important step for Council. It is important that we keep an open mind and just by merely looking at a service review does not mean that it is going to be removed. It is a time when the chamber can have all the information of what services are being provided and understand if we are getting value for money, is it still a core part of Council’s role or can we provide an additional service or do we need to look to improve it. There will be no doubt be a time that Council will be looking for community feedback on how you feel about services and your participation in community consultation is much appreciated.

The conduct of Council and Committee meetings is governed by the Local Government Act 1999 and the Local Government (Procedures at Meetings) Regulations 2013.

Where the law is silent on a procedural meeting matter, councils are able to set their own guidelines and protocols. Mitcham has a number of local meeting practices which Council has endorsed over the years. They can be found in Council’s Code of Practice – Meeting Procedures.

Elected Members took the opportunity to review its Code of Practice at the 19 May 2015 Council Meeting. A number of changes were made with the primary aim of increasing the transparency of Council’s decision making and/or streamlining the decision making process to ensure that it is both effective and productive.

The changes to the Code of Practice include: clarification of a number of existing meeting protocols the treatment of motions and questions without notice protocols to streamline the deputation process guidance for Elected Members regarding changes to recommendations a new way of dealing with formally adjourned Council business a different method of extending a Council meeting beyond the 10.30 pm finish time a change to the method of seeking community participation on Council committees removal of the formal feedback sheets for use

by Elected Members a new section on the role/purpose of informal gatherings for Elected Members a new section regarding Elected Member access to staff If you would like to see the revised Code of Practice – Meeting Procedures, it can be viewed at Council’s Customer Service Centre, 131 Belair Road, Torrens Park or online at www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au

Registrations are Open for Food, Market or Community Stalls for Voices of the Village Help us celebrate the 175th anniversary of Mitcham Village during Voices of the Village on Sunday 18 October.

Voices of the Village will feature fantastic performances and activities for all ages at a new venue nearby at the Mitcham Reserve.

Opportunities exist for food and market stalls and community information stalls to express interest in participating in the event to be held on Sunday 18 October 2015.

For more information please call 8372 8805 or email mitcham@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au.

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mitcham community news

August 2015

Getting Tough on Illegal Dumping Have you seen our illegal dumping tape? We are serious about reducing illegal dumping within our community as it is important to keep our streets and open spaces looking clean and tidy and not spoilt by dumped mattresses, chairs and TVs. The City of Mitcham is now investigating illegal dumping. An officer will visit nearby houses seeking information on how the rubbish came to be dumped. The illegal dumping tape is being used to highlight that Council is aware of the dumped rubbish and act as a reminder that dumping rubbish is illegal.

If you have something in good condition and want to give it away, you can still do this but you need to do it from your own property. You can bring attention to your give away item by placing a sign on the item itself, your letterbox or fence. You may even decide to donate it to a charity store.

The ‘At Call’ hard waste service is available for items too big for the kerbside bins. East Waste will schedule a date within four weeks to come and collect your unwanted items. Bookings can be made by visiting www.eastwaste.com or calling 8347 5111.

For those items that can’t be placed in a kerbside bin or collected by hard rubbish, you will need to take them to a waste transfer station or recycler.

Don’t forget to contact the facility beforehand to find out if fees apply.

It is important to take responsibility for managing your own rubbish and not leave it for someone

Ruth Gregor, a talented and emerging sculptor from Venus Bay in the Eyre Peninsula, will become an Artist in Residence at Centennial Park Cemetery as part of the 2015 South Australian Living Artists Festival from 1-31 August.

Dog and cat registration notices for the coming financial year were issued at the end of June with payment due by 31 August.

If you did not receive your renewal notice or you have a new dog or cat aged over three months please call 8372 8888 to ensure your pet is registered. Failure to register a dog or cat may result in a fine.

Ruth will conduct an interactive sculpture exhibition, where members of the public will have the opportunity to see her create a life-sized sculptural piece onsite at Centennial Park.

Centennial Park will also host an indoor ceramics, photography and works-on-paper exhibition – Moments – to be held in the cemetery’s Jubilee Complex. It will feature a range of talented visual artists including Peter Johnson, Judy Morris, Megan Roodenryhs, Deborah Sleeman and Sheree White.

A series of Artist Talks incorporating all Centennial Park’s featured artists will also be held.

SALA at Centennial Park ‘Cycle of Life’ by Artist in Residence Ruth Gregor, ‘Moments’ indoor exhibition and ‘Artist Talks’ will be at Centennial Park Cemetery, located at 760 Goodwood Road, Pasadena, on:

Club President Brian and his wife Pam, along with a working group from the Colonel Light Gardens Uniting Church, replaced and painted the fence.

Brownhill Creek Rotary Club Assists to Fence the Cemetery The Brownhill Creek Rotary Club, as part of their community service, has erected a new fence at the historic West Mitcham Primitive Methodist Cemetery on Belair Road, Torrens Park.

‘Cycle of Life’ – Monday 10 August until mid September on selected days (10 am to 2 pm).

In 1864 this historic cemetery was part of the Primitive Methodist Church property, and the first burial was conducted in 1874. In 1994 the church closed and is now managed by the Colonel Light Gardens Uniting Church.

‘Moments’ – Monday 3 August until Sunday 30 August at selected times – Monday to Friday (10 am to 4 pm) and Saturdays (10 am to 2 pm).

Closed Sundays.

Rev Lawrie Linggood from Colonel Light Gardens Uniting Church sort assistance from Rotary, with the support of a working group, to construct and paint a new fence in the cemetery.

‘Artist Talks’ – Wednesday 12 August and Wednesday 19 August at 4 pm.

The new fence which has enhanced the look of the cemetery was constructed by the Rotary Club President Brian who, in a past life, was a professional fencer and has, in recent years, lead teams replacing farm fencing damaged in Victorian and South Australian bushfires.

For more information call 8276 6011.

For more information on how you can dispose of your unwanted items call 8372 8888 or visit www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au

Remember to Register your Dog and Cat!

Celebrate SALA at Centennial Park

The stone sculpture – titled Cycle of Life – will be crafted in Centennial Park’s Weeping Rose memorial garden. Weighing over a tonne and standing at approximately 1.8 metres high, the sculpture will symbolise the ‘cycle of life’ through a series of carvings depicting natural elements such as eucalyptus leaves, flowers, empty gumnuts and a single flame.

else to tidy up. Remember dumping rubbish on the footpath and verge is illegal and fines of $315 apply.

What do I do if I have a problem with a cat?

If you have a problem with your neighbour’s cat, start by discussing your concerns with the neighbour. Many people don’t realise that their cat is being a nuisance. Try to find a mutually acceptable solution and be prepared to be patient; it can take a while for someone to retrain their animal.

If talking to your neighbour doesn’t work, there are a number of steps you can take to deter the cat from your property. There may not be an immediate solution, as it will take time to determine if the deterrents are working. If these methods are unsuccessful, try contacting your neighbour again. Inform them of the actions that you have taken and ask them once again if they are willing to help solve the problems caused by their cat. If the answer is still no, inform them of your intention to contact the Council.

What do I do if I find a dog?

If you find a dog wandering call 8372 8888 during normal business hours Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm or 7111 3588 after hours.

If the dog has a registration disc, give the number on the disc to the Officer who will attempt to contact the owner to have them collect their dog.

If the dog has no identification, Council will make arrangements to collect the dog and take it to an approved dog shelter.

Don’t forget, if you lose your dog contact Council as we might be able to reunite you with your lost pet!

mitcham community news

Parks and Reserves in Colonel Light Gardens

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August 2015

Green Army Project in Mitcham A Workskil Youth Green Army team has been hard at work restoring Grey Box Woodlands through woody weed control and planting in the Mitcham hills.

The City of Mitcham is undertaking a review of the community land management plans for Hillview Reserve, Reade Park, Pembroke Place Reserve and Rochester Avenue Reserve.

For more information on this project go to www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au

Sustainable Stormwater Management The City of Mitcham, through environmental water projects, is managing its stormwater to provide water for our urban green environment.

Water Sensitive Urban Design projects continue to be introduced throughout the City to ensure that the stormwater resource is put to best community and environmental use in Mitcham.

Council installed TREENET Inlets to address ponding issues in gutters in Fraser Street in Lower Mitcham and Western Avenue in Pasadena. These devices clear water from the street to prevent health issues and potential slipping while also delivering water to street trees.

To ensure the long term survival of the heritage River Red Gum trees, leaky wells and a large infiltration trench were installed in Freeling Crescent in Colonel Light Gardens. Two side entry pits built during the recent road and drainage works supply water to the leaky wells; they feed it into a permeable sand layer beneath the road reserve near the primary school.

A 60 metre long infiltration trench was built on the reserve at the intersection with The Strand.

The trench’s slotted pipe and gravel fill can hold 27 kilolitres of stormwater which then infiltrates quickly into the surrounding soil. The water will also help the three young Deodar Cedar trees grow.

Council’s water sensitive urban design projects and research are supported by the Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges NRM Board, UniSA, Water Sensitive SA and other agencies.

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Rochester Avenue Reserve

The Green Army team has been controlling feral olives and other woody weeds in Blackwood Hill Reserve and at the back of the Lynton Depot.

The Green Army program is an Australian Government initiative that provides opportunities for young Australians aged 17-24 years old who want to participate in environmental projects in their local communities.

The team has been part of a wider revegetation program with 1,300 local native species planted during the winter months across the Council area.

The team has been assisting with maintenance and minor construction of popular trail networks.

Mitcham’s White Cedar Avenues Restoration Project Council is replacing avenues of White Cedar in Westbourne Park and Hawthorn this winter.

A small proportion of the White Cedars in Richmond and Marlborough Roads in Westbourne Park and Jeffrey Street, Egmont Terrace and Devonshire Street in Hawthorn will be removed.

As these trees are now approaching the end of their lives Council has developed a staged tree replacement program, which will see trees in poor health and those which present the most immediate risks removed and replaced over time.

A sterile form of White Cedar will be planted to restore the avenues. These White Cedars still provide shade and habitat for birds, possums and other wildlife however their flower buds don’t open so they don’t produce the berries.

Many of Council’s 1,900 White Cedar trees were planted in the 1920 and 30s and over the years they have been impacted by lopping resulting in wood decay. Progressive replacement of a small number of trees is the best way Council can minimise visual and environmental impact, manage risk, and cost-effectively ensure the avenues are preserved in their best condition into the future.

For more information email mitcham@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au or call Tim Johnson on 8374 7722.

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Pembroke Place Reserve

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Reade Park

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Hillview Reserve

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E C IT Y O F M

A review of the community land management plan for Mortlock Park in Colonel Light Gardens was finalised last year, with works to upgrade the northern end of the park completed in April.

Council will undertake a review of the community land management plans for:

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Parks and Reserves in Colonel Light Gardens are subject to a community land management plan to guide future use and development.

Mitcham’s open space volunteers appreciate the dedication and support provided by the Workskil Youth Green Army team who have undertaken planting, hand weeding, rubbish removal and anything else that needs doing on their sites.

Mitcham Council is looking forward to the ongoing success of this important youth training program with significant environmental outcomes.

Young people interested in participating in the Green Army program can visit www.workskil.com.au/youth/green-army or www.environment.gov.au/land/green-army for more information.

16

mitcham community news

August 2015

Every Generation Celebrate the ‘Every Generation Festival’ at the Mitcham Library Service during October 2015. The City of Mitcham is celebrating the valuable contributions made by older Mitcham residents to our community through a series of programs and activities.

Di Morrissey Celebrate books!

Bestselling author and Australia’s favourite storyteller Di Morrissey will be speaking at the Edwardstown Baptist Church on 29 October at 7 pm. Di Morrissey is known for her stories set in the majestic Australian landscape, from the reef to the desert and everything in between. Author of over 20 books, such as The Road Back, The Winter Sea, The Golden Land, The Opal Desert and many more, her upcoming title Rain Music will be out soon. Don’t miss this chance to see this very popular author while she is in South Australia! There will be an opportunity to meet Di and to purchase books and get them signed. Bookings essential. Phone 8372 8244 or 8372 8255.

Callum Hann Celebrate Food!

Sophie Thomson Celebrate Gardening!

Celebrity chef Callum Hann, runner up 2010 Australian Masterchef TV series, will be appearing at the Mitcham Library on Thursday 1 October at 6.30 pm. Callum, who is also the author of two cookbooks The Starter Kitchen and I’d Eat That will be speaking about his experiences and adventures in the kitchen. There will also be a chance to purchase a book and get it signed! Bookings are essential.

Phone 8372 8244.

Sophie Thomson, SA presenter on TV’s Gardening Australia and regular gardening columnist for magazines and newspapers will be speaking at the Blackwood Community Centre at 6.30 pm on Tuesday 20 October. Sophie will be speaking about gardening for health and wellbeing for all ages. There will also be some giveaways on the night and the opportunity to purchase a book and get it signed.

Bookings are essential. Phone 8372 8255.

Date:

Thursday 1 October

Date:

Tuesday 20 October

Time:

6.30 pm

Time:

6.30 pm

Location: Mitcham Library, 154 Belair Road, Hawthorn

Location: Blackwood Community Centre, Young Street, Blackwood

Cost: Free

Cost:

Singing Workshops Celebrate Song!

Do you love to sing or have always wanted to have a go? Sing your heart out at our singing workshops for all levels, including beginners.

The program consists of two Saturday morning group singing workshops followed by a chance to perform for family and friends at the Blackwood Library. The workshops will be held at the Blackwood Community Centre on Saturday October 10 and 17, from 10 am to 12 noon with the performance at Blackwood Library on October 17 at the end of the workshop. Bookings essential.

Phone 8372 8255.

Free

Singing Workshops Date:

Saturday 10 October and 17 October

Time:

10 am to 12 noon

Location: Blackwood Community Centre, Young Street, Blackwood Cost: Free Performance Date:

Saturday 17 October

Time:

12 noon

Location: Blackwood Library, 215 Main Road, Blackwood Cost: Free

Date:

Thursday 29 October

Time:

7 pm

Location: Edwardstown Baptist Church, Rothesay Avenue, St Marys Cost: Free

Afternoon Tea Enjoy a lovely afternoon tea, served by Library staff, at the Libraries. Just drop in every Monday to Thursday in October.

Date: Every Monday to Thursday during October Time: 2.15 pm to 2.45 pm Location: Blackwood Library, 215 Main Road, Blackwood

Mitcham Library, 154 Belair Road, Hawthorn Cost: Free