December 2013 Mitcham Community News by Julie Lamond

inside dECEMBER 2013

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Christmas Hours for Mitcham Council Services New Venue for Council's Immunisation Service Clinic

2013 City of Mitcham

Carols by the Creek 4

Australia Day Celebrations

Council and local Churches are delighted to present one of the highlights of the Mitcham calendar, the annual City of Mitcham Christmas Carols by the Creek. Celebrate Christmas at this joyful free family event with lots of singing and family entertainment. A delicious feast awaits you prior to the main program with a sausage sizzle, pancakes, tea and coffee available for purchase.

6 8 11

Mitcham Library Service Your Elected Members What Goes into the Yellow Recycling Bin

The kids will love the free face painting and the ever popular camel and pony rides.

The City of Mitcham would like to thank:

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors Are You Bushfire Ready?

We are excited to announce that Humphrey B. Bear will be returning to Carols by the Creek this year. To celebrate his return, Humphrey and his friends have a smorgasbord of exciting plans so come and sing, dance, laugh, learn and explore with Humphrey the fun loving bear! Humphrey is delighted to be spreading the Christmas cheer at the Mitcham Christmas Carols this year. He loves entertaining children and

can’t wait to ‘jingle bells’ with all his friends.

pm and community singing will commence at 6.45 pm.

International Tenor Brian Gilbertson will compere the carols which feature some of Adelaide’s most popular stars including The Borderers, our own Mitcham City Band, the Australian Girls Choir and the Scotch Pipes and Drums.

There will be plenty of carol singing during the evening, with candles and songbooks available for purchase on the night from parishioners of local churches.

Community and school choirs will begin the entertainment at 5.30

Performers drawn from local churches and schools will again stage a nativity scene, complete with live animals.

Carols by the Creek Sunday 8 December 5 pm – 6.30 pm BBQ, community choirs and free face painting, camel and pony rides 6.45 pm – 9 pm Community Carols Soldiers Memorial Gardens, Belair Road, Hawthorn

Bronze Sponsors

PAGE 2 Mitcham Community News DECEMBER 2013

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On behalf of the Mayor, Elected Members and staff of the City of Mitcham, we wish you all the joys of the Festive Season and our very best wishes for a Happy New Year. We look forward to being of continued service to our local residents, businesses and community groups in 2014.

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Christmas Hours for Mitcham Council Services Council Civic Centre

Council Depot

Normal opening hours 9 am to 5 pm weekdays

Normal opening hours 8 am to 4 pm weekdays.

Friday 20 December 9 am to 12.30 pm

Friday 20 December 8 am to 12.30 pm

Monday 23 December

9 am to 5 pm

Monday 23 December

8 am to 4 pm

9 am to 5 pm

Tuesday 24 December Christmas Eve

8 am to 4 pm

Tuesday 24 December Christmas Eve Wednesday 25 December Christmas Day

Closed

Wednesday 25 December Christmas Day

Closed

Domestic Waste Collections Christmas/ New Year

Mitcham Library

Blackwood Library

Friday 20 December 10 am to 12.30 pm

Saturday 21 December

Christmas Day

Sunday 22 December

Rubbish due for collection during the week from Christmas Day will be one day later as follows:

Monday 23 December 10 am to 5.30 pm

Tuesday 24 December Christmas Eve

Wednesday 25 December will be collected on Thursday 26 December.

Thursday 26 December Proclamation Day Public Holiday Closed

Thursday 26 December will be collected on Friday 27 December.

Friday 27 December

Closed

Friday 27 December

Closed

Monday 30 December

Closed

Monday 30 December

Closed

Friday 27 December will be collected on Saturday 28 December.

Tuesday 31 December

Closed

Tuesday 31 December

Closed

New Year 2014

Closed

Wednesday 1 January New Year’s Day

Closed

Rubbish due for collection during the week from New Year’s Day will be one day later as follows:

Wednesday 1 January New Year’s Day

Normal opening hours resume on Thursday 2 January 2014.

Wednesday 1 January will be collected on Thursday 2 January. Thursday 2 January will be collected on Friday 3 January.

Council’s Immunisation Service Clinics

Friday 3 January will be collected on Saturday 4 January.

No evening Immunisation Clinics will be held on Wednesday 18 December at the Mitcham Community Centre and no Immunisation Clinics will be held on Wednesday 1 January 2014 at the Blackwood Hills Baptist Church or the Mitcham Community Centre.

The facility will be closed from Sunday 22 December to Friday 3 January 2014. The Lynton Green Organics Dropoff Facility will reopen on Saturday 4 January 2014.

Immunisation Service Clinics will be held on: Wednesday 18 December at the Blackwood Hills Baptist Church from 11.30 am to 12.30 pm. Wednesday 15 January 2014 at the Blackwood Community Centre from 11.30 am to 12.30 pm and at the Mitcham Community Centre from 5.30 pm to 7 pm.

Full details about Council’s public immunisation clinics at Mitcham and Blackwood can be obtained from Council’s website www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au or by contacting the Environmental Health Unit on 8372 8816.

Lynton Green Organics Drop-off Facility

Mitcham Cultural Village Mitcham Village Institute and the Mitcham Cultural Village Community Shed will be closed from 3.30 pm on Thursday 19 December to Sunday 5 January 2014 inclusive. The Mitcham Cultural Village Institute and Mitcham Cultural Village Community Shed will reopen on Monday 6 January 2014.

10 am to 4 pm 2 pm to 5 pm

10 am to 5 pm

Wednesday 25 December Christmas Day

Closed

Sunday 22 December

Wednesday 25 December Christmas Day

10 am to 4 pm 2 pm to 5 pm

10 am to 5 pm Closed

Thursday 26 December Proclamation Day Public Holiday Closed

Friday 27 December

10 am to 2 pm

Friday 27 December

Closed

Saturday 28 December

10 am to 4 pm

Saturday 28 December

Closed

2 pm to 5 pm

Sunday 29 December

Closed

Monday 30 December 10 am to 5.30 pm

Monday 30 December

Closed

Tuesday 31 December 10 am to 5.30 pm

Tuesday 31 December

Closed

Wednesday 1 January New Year’s Day

Closed

Sunday 29 December

Closed

Normal opening hours resume on Thursday 2 January 2014.

Preschool story time will take a longer break from 6 December 2013 to 28 January 2014. To contact the Mitcham Library call on 8372 8244 or Blackwood Library on 8372 8255.

Mitcham Toy Library

Community Bus

Will be closed from 12 pm on Saturday 21 December until Tuesday 7 January 2014 inclusive. The Mitcham Toy Library will reopen on Wednesday 8 January 2014.

The Community Bus service will not operate from 4 pm on Friday 20 December until Sunday 5 January 2014 inclusive. Services will resume on Monday 6 January 2014.

Blackwood Toy Library Will be closed from 7 pm on Thursday 19 December until Monday 6 January 2014 inclusive. The Blackwood Toy Library will reopen on Tuesday 7 January 2014.

The Mitcham Heritage Research Centre will be closed from 3.30 pm on Thursday 19 December to Monday 6 January 2014. The Mitcham Heritage Research Centre will reopen on Tuesday 7 January 2014.

No toys will be due for return during the closure period. You can contact the Mitcham Toy Library on 8274 1351 or the Blackwood Toy Library on 8372 8255.

for the interstate freight line to be moved north around Adelaide.

is a great opportunity for the whole family to get together and sing some traditional and modern Christmas carols. The ever-popular Humphrey B Bear, the Mitcham Brass Band, the Scotch Pipes and Drums and many other wonderful performers will entertain us again. It’s shaping up to be another exciting evening for everyone!

Call the Customer Service Centre on 8372 8888 for more information. Council Emergency after hour’s phone number is 8366 0588.

From your Mayor Transport Plan Components of the State Government’s Draft Transport Plan will assist us with finding solutions for a number of concerning traffic and transport issues existing in Mitcham.

Mayor Michael Picton • Transport Plan • Mayor’s Awards • Christmas Celebrations • Australia Day Awards • Bushfire Plan • Well Wishes

Telephone: 0417 812 546 mpicton@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au

Consultation with the community and local businesses, to assist us with ranking the proposals, will be an important part of the process. We hope to eventually see the traffic problems in Blackwood, including the notorious Blackwood roundabout, finally solved. The Daws, Springbank and Goodwood Roads bottleneck will also be remedied. The proposed Belair to the City bikeway will complement our network of bike trails through the Mitcham hills and allow cyclists to ride safely between the hills and the city. The electrification of the Belair line will allow for an increase to service frequencies making it easier for people to reach the City. Electric trains are known to be quicker and quieter than their diesel counterparts. The electrification of the line will put pressure on the Federal Government to one-day plan

Mayor’s Awards I have been fortunate to be in a position to present a number of Mayor’s Award Prizes to several young people involved with sporting groups and schools in Mitcham. The worthy recipients of the awards were young people selected by their school or club, who have made a special contribution throughout the year. It was my pleasure to present the awards at the end of year functions and school graduation ceremonies.

Christmas Celebrations Mitcham residents will be able to celebrate Christmas in style again this year. The Blackwood Christmas Pageant, organised by the local Rotary and Lions Clubs will be bigger and better than ever. It will be held on Friday 6 December and will attract thousands of spectators to the parade and then afterwards at the Waite Street Reserve. Please join us at the Pageant, as it’s a great evening out for the whole family. The spectacular City of Mitcham Carols by the Creek will be held on Sunday 8 December this year. This

Australia Day Awards Each year the City of Mitcham presents Australia Day Awards to special individuals or groups living and or working in Mitcham who have made outstanding contributions to the community. If you know of anyone or any group that you think should be recognised by the community please contact me at Council so that we can submit a nomination form. There are a number of categories open for nomination: Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year, Community Event of the Year, Excellence in Community Service and Excellence in Environmental Achievement. The Awards are presented on Australia Day at the beautiful Carrick Hill, immediately after our Citizenship Ceremony. Everyone is welcome to attend to celebrate Australia Day.

Bushfire Plan The recent bushfires in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales are a timely reminder to everyone in the bushfire prone areas of Mitcham to have a bushfire survival plan in place for you and your family. It is vitally important to prepare your property by clearing up combustible material from around the house and ensuring that your home is ember proof and your gutters are clear of leaves and rubbish. You will need to Prepare, Act and Survive. Your Bushfire Plan will assist you and your family to take appropriate action and avoid making last-minute decisions that could prove fatal during a bushfire. It is important that residents have more than one route out of the hills in an emergency in the event that a road or the railway crossing is blocked. The only guarantee to safety is to leave early.

Well Wishes I would like to wish everyone in Mitcham all the best for the festive season and I look forward to working together with you in 2014 to make Mitcham an even better place to live.

PAGE 3 Mitcham Community News DECEMBER 2013

Merry Christmas to Our Volunteers The Mayor, Elected Members and Staff would like to thank our dedicated volunteers for their work on Council programs through the year and wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and health and happiness for the New Year. Council has over 300 dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly to assist Council to provide a range of services for our community including:

If you would like to become a Council Volunteer and help in your community phone Melissa on 8372 8860.

Caring for our gardens and wetlands. Leading walking and fitness groups.

Driving and helping on our community buses.

Researching and collating historical records at the Heritage Research Centre.

Driving residents to medical appointments.

Providing community information to the public.

Providing a Justice of the Peace service.

Support the delivery of programs at the Mitcham Cultural Village.

Assisting in our Libraries and Toy Libraries.

Sharing skills within a learning environment in the Community Shed.

Selecting and delivering library material to housebound residents. Building and maintaining trails.

Assisting staff to deliver community events.

Reading the Mitcham Community News onto audio tape for visually impaired residents. Providing transport, support and friendship in our social programs and Community Connections. Representing young people in the community through our Mitcham Youth Advisory Committee.

New Venue for Council’s Immunisation Service Clinic in Blackwood Council’s Immunisation Service is moving to the Blackwood Community Centre, 4 Young Street, Blackwood (next to Coles) from Wednesday 15 January 2014. The Council provides free immunisation services to children and adolescents to keep you and your family safe and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Four regular community clinics are held within the Council area at two convenient locations. No booking is required, just arrive between the scheduled times with your ‘immunisation record book’ and Medicare Card. Mitcham Community Centre, cnr Grange and Belair Roads, Lower Mitcham First Wednesday of every month – day clinic: 11.30 am to 1 pm Third Wednesday of every month – evening clinic: 5.30 pm to 7 pm Blackwood Community Centre (from Wednesday 15 January 2014) 4 Young Street, Blackwood Third Wednesday of every month – day clinic: 11.30 am to 12.30 pm First Wednesday of every month – evening clinic: 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm

Full details about Council’s community immunisation clinics at Mitcham and Blackwood are available at www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au or by contacting the Environmental Health Unit on 8372 8816.

Parinitha from India collaged her ‘Exploration’ to Australia.

Cedar collaged her journey ‘Gondwana Break Up’ her journey of her ancestors and heritage.

You Are Here X Drawing Journeys and Maps of the Imagination Workshop In celebration of the Voices of the Village Multicultural Festival held at the Mitcham Cultural Village, the City of Mitcham funded two free art workshops ‘You Are Here X Drawing Journeys and Maps of the Imagination’. Participants used collage, drawing and painting to chart a map from their past or travel in the future.

PAGE 4 Mitcham Community News DECEMBER 2013

Australia Day Celebrations Celebrate Australia Day on Sunday 26 January 2014 at Carrick Hill, Carrick Hill Drive, Springfield. Come along to the beautiful grounds of Carrick Hill for our Australia Day Celebrations with a free ‘Aussie BBQ’ from 10.30 am and musical entertainment by local performers. As part of the Australia Day Celebrations a citizenship ceremony will commence at 9 am for up to 100 candidates as well as presentations for the City of Mitcham’s Australia Day Awards at 11 am.

For more information about Council’s Australia Day celebrations contact Chris Bartlett on 8372 8805.

9 am: Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony 10.45 am: Musical Entertainment 11 am: Australia Day Awards

Bringing Generations Together Urrbrae Agricultural High School together with the City of Mitcham’s Positive Ageing and Community Care and Youth Development programs celebrated the Every Generation Festival with a week of activities. An initiative of the Council of The Ageing, the Every Generation Festival aims to bring people of all ages together in celebration of the achievements of older people and the valuable contributions they make to our communities. Year 9 students from Urrbrae Agricultural High School along with older residents participated in a variety of activities, both at school and within the local community, sharing each other’s knowledge, skills and experiences. Tours of the school included morning tea and showcased activities of the students as they shared their knowledge of life at Urrbrae and the extensive agricultural program offered at the school.

Trade School Awards Blackwood High School Student Jess Smyth received the 2013 Inner Southern Metro Trade School Based Apprentice of the Year Award. The 2013 Inner Southern Metro Trade School Awards were recently held to recognise and reward the outstanding work of students, from across the Cities of Mitcham, Holdfast Bay and Marion. Mayor Michael Picton, on behalf of the City of Mitcham a proud supporter of this award, presented Jess with the School Based Apprentice of the Year Award recognising her exceptional skills in school, training and the workplace. The Trade Schools for the Future program is an education initiative that enables government high school students to combine their South

Australian Certificate of Education studies with Vocational and Education Training in the form of school-based apprenticeships or traineeships. It aims to ensure students have genuine career pathways and that employers gain motivated, trained and work-ready employees. Local students Jarrod Bowden (Blackwood High School), Georgia Smith (Mitcham Girls High School), Matthew Cailes (Pasadena High School), John Stamatopoulos (Unley High School), and Leigh Giles-Stubna (Urrbrae Agricultural High School), were also VET award winners for their respective schools.

Visitors had a chance to get up close and personal with some of the farmyard animals, as students took residents on a guided tour of the farm, bringing animals to the bus making the experience accessible and interactive.

Urrbrae students also had the opportunity to visit Council’s Positive Ageing and Community Care lunch group. Residents shared their life stories; with each story recorded and included in a bound book that was later presented back to the residents during a celebration day at the school. A community group, Care and Share, which meets to enjoy lunch and friendship, hosted the students who joined in with exercises, bingo and other activities.

Students also had the opportunity to assist the Positive Ageing and Community Care Home Maintenance staff to help out local residents with their gardens, undertaking much needed trimming, re-potting and weeding. The generous spread of morning tea provided by residents enhanced the opportunity to share stories between all participants, further promoting the inter-generational learning.

Nominate a Local Young Achiever Do you know a local young achiever that is making a difference? Nominations for the Channel 9 Young Achiever Awards are now open in the following categories: The University of Adelaide Faculty of Sciences - Science and Technology Award. The Coffee Club Arts Award.

Office for Youth Aboriginal Achievement Award. Flinders Port Holdings Environment Award. Rural Doctors Workforce Agency Rural Health Award. Worldwide Printing Solutions Sports Award.

Adelaide Airport Sustainability Award. Australian Super Career Kickstart Award. Hostworks Online Achievement Award.

Nomination forms are available from the City of Mitcham. For further information phone 8132 0753 or email sa@awardsaustralia.com or visit http://www.awardsaustralia.com/young-achiever-awards/sa

PAGE 5 Mitcham Community News DECEMBER 2013

Upcoming Work in Your Street

Footpath Construction Paving works recently completed:

Kerbing Construction

Road Works

Council’s kerb and watertable replacement works have been completed in:

Pages Road, Lower Mitcham

Pages Road, Lower Mitcham Bowman Avenue, Belair Hessian Avenue, Clarence Gardens Council’s kerb and watertable replacement works due to commence in November and December: Coolidge Street, Lower Mitcham Bowyer Crescent, Cumberland Park

Stormwater Construction Council’s stormwater drainage construction has been completed in: Batchelor Reserve, Westbourne Park Council’s stormwater drainage construction works are currently underway in: Goldney Grove, Hawthorndene Suffolk Road, Hawthorndene

Council’s road rehabilitation and overlay works programmed to commence in November and December: Hessian Avenue, Clarence Gardens AA Bailey Reserve (northern car park and Entrance Road), Clarence Gardens

Traffic Management Road safety projects are underway including: Clapham – A draft traffic management plan for part of the Panorama and Clapham area is currently being prepared for consultation later this year. Blackwood - traffic management investigation at Blackwood. Traffic data collection process is continuing. Edward Street School Crossing relocation of the school crossing on Edward Street is complete.

Further information about the infrastructure program is available at www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au/goto/budget

Ackland Avenue, Clarence Gardens Edward Street, Cumberland Park Toronto Avenue, Clapham Harrow Terrace, Kingswood Rozelle Avenue, Melrose Park Walkway (Norseman Avenue/ Batchelor Reserve), Westbourne Park Old Belair Road Stage 2, Belair Coromandel Parade, Coromandel Valley Paving works underway Walkway (Sylvan Way to Sun Valley Drive), Glenalta Belair Road, Torrens Park Bennet Avenue, Melrose Park

How to Control Unwanted Olives Olives are a threat to indigenous vegetation such as the endangered Grey box grassy woodland (Eucalyptus microcarpa) which is found in the Mitcham Hills. Property owners, under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004, must control Olives on their property that are not planted and maintained (harvested annually) for domestic or commercial use. Olive plants can be controlled a number of ways. As Seedings: Removing seedlings by hand when soil is moist. Cut the plant close to the ground and apply a registered herbicide immediately. Spot spray seedlings and regrowth with a registered herbicide. Dig out plants with a mattock.

As Shrubs and Trees: Drill a series of holes (20-40 mm deep, 40 mm apart at a 45 degree angle) around the base of the tree, exposed roots and the fork of main branches at the trunk and fill each hole with a registered herbicide within 20 seconds of drilling. Each tree should have at least two rings of holes around its base in a zigzag pattern. Remove 12 months after poisoning. Cut all branches and the trunk 75-100 mm above ground level and swab immediately with registered herbicide. Drill a series of holes around the stump and fill immediately with registered herbicide.

Remember timing is the key! Avoid poisoning Olives in hot weather, be thorough ‘do it right the first time’ and single stem Olives not properly controlled turn into a mass of regrowth stems that are difficult to treat.

Paving works programmed to commence in November and December: Frontenac Avenue, Panorama Sierra Nevada Boulevard, Pasadena Rentoul Avenue, Netherby Elphyn Road, Kingswood Richmond Road, Westbourne Park Pitfour Road, Clapham Price Avenue, Lower Mitcham Old Belair Road, Mitcham Coolidge Street, Lower Mitcham

Hand pull seedlings when the soil is moist.

Retaining Wall Construction Replacement of the retaining walls on Coromandel Parade, Coromandel Valley, and Grand Boulevard, Craigburn Farm, have been completed.

Control Mosquitoes this Summer! Mosquito activity is at its peak during summer and apart from being a biting, irritating nuisance, they can also spread disease. Mosquitoes breed in calm, still water mainly during the summer months. You can reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes by getting rid of the potential mosquito breeding sites around your home. This can be achieved in the following ways: Remove all containers, such as tins, jars, tyres, etc, that hold water (cover or put holes in them). Keep fish ponds stocked with fish (goldfish or native fish are recommended). Keep roof guttering in good repair and regularly remove leaves and debris to prevent water pooling. Empty pot plant drip trays once a week, or fill them with sand to absorb excess water. Keep swimming pools disinfected or salted. Screen rain water tanks, septic tanks and other large water containers with wire gauze no coarser than 1mm mesh. Replace bird baths and pet’s drinking water at least once a week. Drill holes in tyres used for swings and garden surrounds to allow water to drain from them. Boats, canoes and dinghies should be overturned or have the drain plug removed so that they do not hold water after rain. Maintain gardens, keeping them free of potential mosquito breeding sites.

Protect yourself from mosquitoes and enjoy your summer. For further information contact Council’s Environmental Health Department on 8372 8888.

Drill a series of holes (20-40 mm deep, 40 mm apart at a 45 degree angle) around the base of the tree, exposed roots and the fork of main branches at the trunk.

Fill each hole with a registered herbicide within 20 seconds of drilling. Each tree should have at least two rings of holes around its base in a zigzag pattern.

For more information on the removal of Olives please contact Jacob Kochergen on 8372 8888 or visit www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au

PAGE 6 Mitcham Community News DECEMBER 2013

Use the Technology! Visit our website regularly to discover the latest information about events and new books, competitions and just plain fun stuff which allows you to be the first in the loop for those special often booked out events! Bookmyne Catalogue App (BookMyne™) makes it quick and easy to access your local Library on the go! Search the Library catalogue, download items, manage your account and find suggested reading instantly with your tablet or smartphone.

Check out a Book

Mitcham Library Services How to use your Public Library Has it been some time since you have been to the library? If you haven’t visited us recently come in to discover how they have been reinvented into vital community hubs. The Mitcham Library Service libraries have become places of gathering, momentum and fun – a place where you can nurture not just your love of reading but a place where you will meet new people, find out how to start your new business or immerse yourself in technology. Read on to discover more.

Sure you can still borrow a book but there is more! The Mitcham Library Service is part of the ‘One Card’ library system, allowing you to borrow from almost any public library within the state through interlibrary loan or when visiting them. Just search our catalogue (at home or in the library) and put in an e-request from any of the participating libraries on our online catalogue. Your request will be delivered to the library. You can access over 3.3 million items. Take up the challenge to read your way through them, especially as you can borrow 100 at a time! Don’t forget you can return your items from other libraries here too! Don’t forget the library is staffed by people who know their way around libraries, technology and who love to read. We are happy to recommend new books/ authors for you, based on what you tell us you enjoy reading.

Come in and update your Library Card You can access our online catalogue 24/7 at http://library. mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au and search the Mitcham Library Service and the One Card network without logging in. To place a hold or extend an item you must login to your account. Every borrower has an account. To login you need a Barcode/ Username and Password/PIN. If you have any difficulty logging in or do not know what your PIN is please contact the Library.

E-Books You can now also borrow books in electronic format. You don’t even have to visit the library if you are too busy, home bound or on holidays (beyond an initial visit to join). Just sit back at home and search for electronic books, key in your library number and password and enjoy the materials on your laptop, iPad or eReader.

Multimedia The library is now a multimedia zone, brimming full of information in just about as many formats as have been created. You can borrow movies on DVDs, music on CDs, popular magazines, large print books, audio books, Wii games, graphic novels, toys and games. We have an extensive range of Blu-ray DVDs. Material in languages other than English is available.

Toy Libraries The Toy Libraries have some fabulous larger toys like slides and play kitchens. They also have a wide range of smaller toys, games and puppets. Having access to a Toy Library means you don’t clutter up your home with forgotten toys. Membership fee is only $30 a year - less than the cost of one toy!

Online Subscriptions Road to IELTS Assists people wishing to pass the IELTS exam (‘International English Language Testing System’), an international standardised test of English language proficiency.

Overdrive Best selling and classic audio books and e-Books available for free 24/7.

Press Display Provides online access to today’s newspapers from around the world in full colour, full page format.

GCF LearnFree.org Over 750 free online technology lessons.

BLACKWOOD LIBRARY

MITCHAM LIBRARY

8372 8255

8372 8244

Treat your local library as the hub that e informed at whatever your stage of life. you access to information that is quality in the form of library staff.

PAGE 7 Mitcham Community News DECEMBER 2013

World Book An online encyclopaedia that meets the general information needs of both children (primary and high school) and adults.

Ancestry Library Edition Are you interested in researching your family history? Ancestry Library Edition is a genealogy research tool that can only be accessed in the library.

My Health and Wellbeing Aims to collate (briefly) and review the best of the health information websites.

Get Connected to the Internet

Need to learn a new Language! As well as our online ESL course we have books and DVDs to learn how to say ‘Where is the toilet?’ from French to Swahili.

Audio Books If you have difficulties reading because of poor eyesight or health reasons ask about our vast collection of e-audio. Great too for those long car trips (parents are you taking this in?), gardening or walking.

At the Libraries we offer scrabble, writers and knitting groups. There is always a great event to book yourself into. Bookings essential for them all.

Use your library card to use our computers or bring in your own and sit comfortably in our quiet meeting room using wireless. All internet access is free. Printers and scanners are available.

Coming up we have: Fashion swap on 14 November.

As well as surfing online we run classes for basic computing, internet, setting up free web based email, digital images and using iPad2 – just ask. Fees are only $8 for a two hour class.

Can’t make it into the Library? We think it is important that people continue to feel connected to the community and can access all our services whatever their stage of life.

Home Library visits The Library offers a service to our residents who find it difficult to come to the Library. Our volunteers choose and deliver to your home a selection of materials tailored to your needs. This includes DVDs, CDs, magazines or books. Please feel free to refer people you may know in our community who may find this service of benefit.

Community Bus The Library Community Bus can collect you from your home once a month and bring you to the Library. After choosing your books we serve you morning tea. Enjoy an opportunity to have a chat and for us to say hello to you.

Join a Reading Group Come and join one of the many book discussion groups meeting in the library or in homes. They are a fabulous way to read outside your normal reading areas and to meet new friends. If you have a group of friends who would like to start a group or if you are an individual who wants to join in with one of ours contact us for more information.

But there’s more!

Best selling author Matthew Reilly on Tuesday 26 November. Amazing Drumming Monkeys for the kids on the 11 and 12 December.

Kids are important! Encourage your children to spend time discovering the library on a regular basis. The sooner they feel comfortable searching for and absorbing information, the more likely they will be to embrace lifelong learning and the benefits that this assures them for a solid future. Storytelling sessions are run four times weekly as well as babytime session twice fortnightly. Children learn social skills, listen to our amazing staff tell stories and sing songs and get to make things so you can stop worrying about glue and glitter on your own lounge floor. Times of sessions are always advertised at the library and on our webpage.

A summer reading programme where you can join in to go in the draw to win an iPod shuffle. Babytime party on 4 and 5 December. January School Holiday activities.

Gift of Reading – We will be accepting donations of new children and adult books in December to give as Christmas presents to people in need.

Dealing with children at times of change is sometimes difficult and stories can make explanations easier to understand. There are kits which help with • starting school • getting a new brother or sister • saying goodbye

Watch this Space The library staff over the next few months will be busy organising the changes necessary for the new self service system. Patrons will be able to borrow and return their own items allowing staff to provide better face to face customer service and reduce theft.

There are vacancies for 2014!

expands your horizons and keeps you well . It provides opportunities by providing ty, varied and comes with a friendly helper

The Mitcham library kids area has had a small facelift with a colourful new mural. Come in and check it out!

PAGE 8 Mitcham Community News DECEMBER 2013

From your Elected Members Babbage Ward Cr David Munro Telephone 0403 161 462 dmunro@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au Well I have been away for a month travelling through to Perth via the Nullarbor and coming home through the desert travelling in my 1979 Mini Moke (Thomas). When your car only does a maximum of 100km an hour and sometimes we were down to 30km an hour for hour after hour sure does give you a lot of time to relax, think and enjoy this beautiful country of ours.

I’ve been to a few Development Assessment Panel meetings now and am actually enjoying this side of the Council. It is amazing how much work goes into these meetings and the degree of knowledge that is amongst the panel is outstanding. I think we are very fortunate to have the depth of knowledge that the independents and Elected Members bring to the meeting each month.

Now I am back home and time to come up to speed with everything

We are now heading into the final year of our appointment and I

I would like to wish all residents, their families and friends a safe and restful Christmas and new year break. I always enjoy spending extra time with family and friends over the December/January break.

the community of Mitcham Council. The services provided by our library staff are wonderful, yet the library buildings are dated and insufficient to meet modern needs being provided by many newer libraries around the state and country. I support new libraries for Mitcham and Blackwood, and look forward to planning to ensure both current and future communities can continue to access quality services but in modern and more appropriate facilities.

Increased Traffic on our Roads

The Park Ward Cr Mark Ward Telephone: 0458 112 358 mward@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au

that has been going on at Council. The old chestnut of the Elected Members’ Christmas party is once again causing controversy within the chambers. I guess getting the chamber to agree on all matters is at least consistent.

I met with former Minister Conlon two years ago to ask for a review of the Blackwood/Belair Road Management Plan. I did this because the roads in the hills are increasingly becoming more congested at busy times. The renewed plan now sits with Council and while currently confidential, you should expect that your input can be provided and considered soon. During the public consultation two years ago, the State Government were provided with proactive ideas from local residents to improve traffic flow (side-slip lanes at key intersections, roundabouts etc). I encourage you to ensure that your ideas are included as priorities for funding and action in the hills, by contacting Council. Local people understand local roads. This local knowledge must be valued and acted upon.

Looking Ahead Moving towards Council elections in late 2014 it is worth reflecting on the wonderful possibilities ahead for

I strongly support community gardens, with all the physical, social and environmental benefits they bring to all ages. There are some small community gardens operating successfully in Mitcham Council area and I would like to see Council become involved in this wonderful concept in some capacity. I am in strong support of a ‘master plan’ for the Blackwood and district area. A master plan would allow Council, State and Federal Governments, small and large businesses, community groups and residents to meet to discuss a connected way forward in relation to development of major shops, smaller businesses, better parking, connectivity, open spaces, community centres and

Overton Ward Cr John Sanderson Telephone: 0402 517 945

Dangerous situations have arisen when large trucks have only been able to scrape through streets where parking is on both sides.

jsanderson@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au

This matter is high on the agenda of the local political parties and concerned local residents.

Parking issues around the Repatriation Hospital These issues have arisen with the adjoining local residents to the Hospital as a result of the introduction of paid staff carparking together with the construction work within the Hospital grounds. Parking is affecting the streets all around this location, not just the adjoining streets, but to the north, east of Goodwood Road, to the south and west of the site.

Craigburn Ward Cr Nick Greer Telephone: 7073 3457 ngreer@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au The ‘E’ Word Certainly, few words conjure up such feelings of revulsion and disgust as the word ‘Environment’. From the chronically underengineered Brown Hill Creek, to oppressively ugly ‘Grey Box’ tree something must be done! I have to say something more about the Grey Box, or ‘Eucalyptus

Traffic studies take sometime to process, and there are many on the traffic management’s desk at the present moment, it is my view that an area traffic study be carried out by Council at a date in early 2014, and before the completion of the construction as there maybe more parking requirements when completed.

Footpaths There is some satisfaction noticing further footpaths are being replaced within the Overton Ward. Until

microcarpa’, the deformed trees that infest the Mitcham Hills and present a significant fire risk. Let’s be honest - they are an offensive attempt at a tree. That much is universally agreed. However, few stop to consider whether they are endangered for a good reason. Perhaps these spiteful trees, which regularly drop limbs on innocent children, are meant to move on.... or be moved on. A first step would involve banning supermarkets from selling their seedlings. But the solution may very well involve high density housing and industrial development up what is

think it will be quite interesting how the next 12 months go with the impending election in November 2014. I won’t be changing my approach on pushing for efficiencies, good financial reporting and a focus on the deficit for the next 12 months. The deficit is heading in the right direction although the next 12 months will be interesting as I hope we continue to ensure that value for money is a focus of the Council and further efficiencies gains are looked for. I believe now that we are having two Full Council meetings a month the people of Mitcham should start to see items being brought to Council earlier and dealt with. Hard rubbish was one of the topics I covered in my last article and it

the co-development of a connected and shared vision for our area. Maintaining our wonderful ‘Village’ atmosphere while bringing planning into the 21st Century can happen simultaneously, and in a coordinated and connected way through a co-constructed master plan as a guiding framework.

Sporting and Community Clubs We have some amazing sporting and community clubs in our Council area. Thousands of people young and old enjoy the benefits of being involved in organised sports and activities. I support the wonderful diversity of sporting offerings we have including baseball, cricket, netball, tennis, skating, walking, bike riding and others and commend the clubs and their officials, volunteers, parents, grandparents and helpers in keeping these clubs and membership vibrant and sustainable. Some of our sporting facilities are in need of major upgrade. Hewett Reserve clubrooms are a fine case in point. I will continue to support clubs in seeking Council support for improving sports facilities in Mitcham, and in Council assisting clubs in seeking much needed funds for improvement from State and Federal Governments.

all streets have one new paved footpath, there will only one side of the street completed with new paving, the other side will have regular maintenance work carried out by Council staff.

Traffic Residents would note that Corunna Avenue has a ‘No Trucks’ sign near the intersection of Corunna Avenue and Stephens Street to Rozelle Avenue. We hope this will deter large semi-trailers and B Double trucks taking a short cut in our residential area. Please, if you see these types of vehicles entering this location, take the registration number, and the truck description, then report that to Council’s Traffic Manager, and action will be taken. Thanks to a resident, he recently photographed a B Double

known as the ‘Hills Face Zone’. With inspiration from Rio de Janeiro, we could concrete up the side of the Mitcham Hills and place a large statue of Jesus with outstretched arms on Windy Point. This would serve a double purpose of both eliminating bush fire risk, and also a significant den of Grey Box infestation. I believe that with this strategy, and with the support of other good Councillors, we will one day win final victory in our ongoing battle against the Environment.

Entertainment in the Hills I encourage you to support the Blackwood Players, an outstanding

seems it is still a very hot topic in the Babbage Ward. Recent statistics provided by Council show that St Marys has had the highest number of reported illegal rubbish dumped for the period from January to October. Whilst it is a horrible activity that people continue to dump rubbish within the area, we know that the people within Babbage are taking an active role in reporting these matters to Council to keep our area clean. So thank you for your efforts in reporting these matters and if you feel that a matter hasn’t been dealt with in a timely manner then please give me a call and I will take it up with Council. I wish you all a safe and merry Christmas and am looking forward to a productive 2014.

Telstra Tower I recently voted against allowing Telstra to build a tower on Hewett Reserve, Blackwood. Unfortunately more Councillors voted for approval rather than against. There is still an opportunity for Telstra instead to build the tower on Blackwood Hill Reserve, the location that Optus says gives the best coverage for residents of Craigburn Farm. Optus and Telstra use the same technology to provide this coverage and so Telstra would equally provide excellent coverage for its customers from this location. I urge Telstra to listen to the community and not build on Hewett Reserve, and to consider Blackwood Hill Reserve location.

Consultation Your comments, ideas and opinions are important to me. I enjoy meeting with residents, taking phone calls, responding to emails and getting texts from the community. I’d like to thank all residents for their contributions, large or small to our wonderful community. Once again a very safe and restful Christmas break and I look forward to 2014, with its new challenges and both State and Local Government elections.

attempting to drive around the round-about on Winston Avenue, this matter is now with the Police.

Watering of Parks The Council park watering systems are currently being checked for the summer operations for those parks which are watered. The increased watering will have an effect on the mowing of parks, but the small delay will not be a problem, at least the trees surrounding the parks will have a better chance of survival in the summer heat. I take this opportunity to wish each and everyone a Happy and safe Festive Season, all the best for 2014. If you have a question in respect of a Council matter, please do not hesitate to phone me on 82771884 so I may be of assistance to you.

local group of performers based at the Blackwood 21 War Memorial Hall. By the time you receive this newsletter, their latest show ‘Love Rides the Rails’ will be in full swing - a hilarious melodrama, except the hero gets tied to the railway tracks, not the heroine! For more information about this show or if you might consider auditioning for the next performance, visit http://www.blackwoodplayers.com Please feel free to contact me via email.

PAGE 9 Mitcham Community News DECEMBER 2013

Boorman Ward Cr Judith Weaver Telephone: 8357 7522 jweaver@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au

CRAIGBURN WARD Cr Elaine Grimm Telephone: 8370 0025 egrimm@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au

Time

Footpaths

I am writing this article in October following almost six weeks away from council meetings as I have had some elective surgery. There have been some advantages though, primarily the time to reflect and consider and listen and to appreciate the real value of the gift of time and friends. How lucky I am but not so many, many, others in our community. Those who are alone, elderly, ill, and suffering. Increasingly available time for many of us becomes more remote, more impossible to pursue because of all the other activities we are locked into. We need time to offer a hand, organise a local activity, and to build communities. I recently read an article written by a Sydney surgeon detailing an increasing phenomena of wheelie bin injuries for elderly people as they slip, twist, jam hands dragging their bins to the kerbside each week. How hard is it for any of us to do it for them? Couldn’t we offer?

I also now more completely appeciate why footpaths are so high on the priority list for our residents. When you are out there walking gingerly or I imagine driving your gopher or pushing your pram cautiously and you are vulnerable, you do not want to trip over. Please continue to register concerns you have on particular stretches.

On 23 April 2013 the Advertiser [p.1] (quickly followed by several articles in the Mitcham and Hills Messenger) reported that ”Emergency Services Minister Michael O’Brien is exploring Mitcham Council’s proposal to force people who are selling their homes to have their properties assessed and rated for bushfire safety compliance if they lived in an at risk zone”. The article continued that Mitcham Mayor, Michael Picton, said it “could include inspections of risky foliage and gutters, and confirmation that rainwater tanks and hoses are installed”.

Resident responses in letters to the Messenger criticised the idea of “another level of cost and regulations” (15/5/13) and (8/5/13) a “big brother approach” with high costs and a deterrent to people to buy in the hills.

There was quite a negative reaction to the proposal, particularly by real estate agents who felt it would be financially unviable for them if inspection responsibility was theirs. Mitcham and Hills Messenger, 1/5/13, reported that a sales agent in Kinglake, Victoria said there were even now no similar mandatory inspection rules and that “any such plan had the potential to ruin towns in fire danger zones”. The Mayor of Adelaide Hills Council was opposed, saying many homeowners could not afford such measures.

Council’s Financial Situation Council continues to wrestle with reconciling our current operating deficit, (albeit with plans to return to surplus in the next few years), against a continuing push for Council to provide a new Blackwood Library, and more recently, to upgrade Blackwood’s shopping zone. This last push is completely wrongheaded.

Gault Ward Cr Stephen Fisher Telephone: 8272 6116 sfisher@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au

Community Consultation The Sutton Gardens consultation finished on November 6 and we look forward to reading comments and suggestions. Many I am sure can hardly remember what the previous road configuration looked like. To gain extra open space for our community in this location has been very beneficial. Traffic management has also improved. It is of course originally the location of the early Mitcham settler in 1844 Pastor Thomas Playford who built his home ‘Jerusalem’ there. Fencing

Later, on 28 May 2013, the proposal was brought before Council. The staff recommendation (Option 1) was that Council write to the State Government asking it to investigate and consult on “establishing legislation requiring property owners to provide a Bushfire Rating of their property as part of the transfer of property ownership process in bushfire risk areas”. Council discussed the proposal as presented by staff. I moved Option three, to receive the report and Council take no further action. Although seconded my motion was over-whelming lost. Then, with the exception of only one councillor (and it was a good night with only two councillors absent) all members abstained from Option one and voted for Option two which was to write to the State Government to investigate and consult with the community “on ways to increase community awareness of bushfire

the Great Depression of the 1930s, and the very recent ‘debt ceiling’ budget crisis in the USA, (delayed only until 7/2/2014), and ongoing turmoil in most of the European OECD economies is evidence of this. Council should not be going deeper into debt to pay for ‘Taj Mahal’ projects, when the ability and the enthusiasm of the community to pay higher rates to repay ever increasing debt is doubtful.

The Mitcham Square Shopping Centre, Pasadena Green, and the soon to be reopened Woolworths and Big W redevelopments at Cumberland Park owners designed and paid for their respective upgrades.

Blackwood Library Provision

It is up to the commercial property owners in Blackwood to organise themselves, and fund any upgrades, not the Council.

A recent flyer advertised a USB memory stick which was loaded with 30,000 classic books for $29.95 including GST.

The ‘entitlement’ and ‘handout’ mentality, (encouraged by the Blackwood Times and the Messenger Press), is inequitable.

The internet, Google, and the increasing number of households with internet connection, diminishes usage of a library.

This is against a background of identified increases in costs associated with the Brownhill and Keswick Creek Project funding, and a significant number of smaller drainage infrastructure upgrades needed to prevent local flooding during high rainfall events.

The introduction of the NBN (National Broadband Network) will speed up internet links. This change also needs assessment.

We are living through the deepest and longest world recession since

Bank surveys of the low level of consumer confidence indicates that many in the community are unsure of their future job and income longevity.

I am not predicting the end of the need to provide libraries. Many households do not have home computing (or costly internet

of this area will be a priority in my view and will complete the visual integration with Mitcham Reserve.

Aye Avenue Bridge Replacement Local community discussion continues. Management of traffic and pedestrian safety issues is recognised as an important concern for many.

Tree Plantings and Replacement Princes Road has suffered vandalism and some tree failure and hopefully this will have been rectified. It would be greatly encouraging if residents continued to take some ownership of trees near their property. After all we all pay for this investment in our amenity and often council watering trucks cannot keep up with marked temperature increases.

Bushfire Safety The fires in October in NSW are a devastating reminder of bush fires and their consequences. The season appears to have all the hallmarks

risks in bushfire areas”, and to request support for this of other councils. Sadly, in my opinion, the proposal has taken seed. Mitcham and Hills Messenger, 9/10/13, reported “A plan for houses in bushfire zones to be subject to mandatory presale inspections is on the State Government’s agenda “with “the nine-member Natural Resources Committee….currently examining the plan”. I believe that to introduce such a scheme retrospectively is most unfair. After all, it was the State Government which approved and even promoted land division in the hills, some of which obviously should never have occurred. Will that be repealed? Not only is it unfair but it is inequitable. Five Councils are currently exploring spending many millions of dollars on flood mitigation of Brownhill Creek. Will houses in 1 in 100 year flood zones be required to have mandatory pre-sale safety inspections? Council officers currently have powers to go onto properties to inspect for bushfire compliance but not to enter properties to inspect if structures

access) and Public Library provision is an essential service.

Town Planning The State Government is currently conducting a review of the Development Act, (http://www. thinkdesigndeliver.sa.gov.au). The chairman is Brian Hayes QC. The claimed aim is to produce better outcomes from planning assessment of development proposals. Submissions are still open for the next few weeks, (even though the time limit has been passed), and I urge everyone who is keen to protect the amenity of their local suburb, and all of Adelaide, to become involved. Every alteration to the planning system over the last 20 years has reduced the hurdles for higher density housing proposals to please the big developers, who are the biggest donors to the major political parties. Planning SA has pressured the inner suburban councils to accept eight storey buildings on Greenhill and Fullarton Roads adjoining the parklands, and five storeys along the major roads into Adelaide, such as Unley and Goodwood Roads. The 30 year Plan for Adelaide envisages an additional half a million population, the majority to be ‘stuffed’ into high density

of a long and dry summer. We are blessed with wonderful bush land and natural landscapes but these are high risk areas. Please keep safe and clear adequately and have a workable bushfire safety plan.

Boorman Ward Forum Our forum should be held close to March next year. It is an opportunity for you to share ideas and concerns with your local Councillors and Council administration. Cr Moriarty and I are currently finalising our ideas for budget requests for next financial year. It will be our final year prior to Council elections in November 2014. Please contact us if you wish to discuss any particular concern or request or ideas you may have. We both wish you a wonderful Christmas and New Year and look forward to continue to represent our community.

have been built which, in a flood, would obstruct the stream (a not uncommon occurrence). Will dwellings on Bay of Biscay soil have the same requirements? Where does it all end? What if Mr X complies threefold with the certification requirement to sell his land, but his neighbours on either side, who are not selling, do not? Will he end up with a house, fully fire-safe, which he cannot sell because newcomers have been scared off? This just shows that there is no such thing as a “firesafe house”, especially if we retain trees and parks. (Heaven forbid that we would not! Council’s own Development Plan requires that in the Residential Hills Zone “the natural and landscape character be retained”.) There is no question that bushfire awareness and preparedness are essential for hills dwellers. What is needed is education and common sense, not a bureaucratic order from above. The latter never works – see “Prohibition”. If the State Government does consult the community on this be sure to take the opportunity to have your say.

apartments, which have much higher energy requirements (than detached houses, which benefit from shady garden trees).

High Rise is Less Sustainable! The State Government housing plans for the former Magill Reformatory site, allow dwellings on sites as small as 150 square metres, which is roughly one quarter the size of a standard tennis court, down from the 500 square metres minimum of the local Council’s Development Plan rules. Every increase in population increases travel and commuting times on already insufficient and clogged arterial roads, and will, in addition to undoing road infrastructure improvements such as the eventual two-way Southern Expressway, require enormous water, sewerage and electricity supply upgrades to the localities which suffer these high-rise intrusions. Politicians from both of the major parties continue to be obsessed with increasing Adelaide’s population. The need for the new desalination plant is evidence that any more population growth is unsustainable, in this the driest state. Let your State and Federal member of Parliament know that unsustainable growth diminishes your quality of life, and that they should support a stable population.

PAGE 10 Mitcham Community News DECEMBER 2013

Mitcham Community Calendar community groups Breakfast Church On the third Sunday of each month from 8 am to 9.15 am at the Trinity Baptist Church, Colonel Light Gardens. Breakfast includes pancakes, fruit, cereal, yoghurt, fruit juice, tea and barista coffee. Children are included in the worship time and engaged creatively while the adults participate in an interactive exploration of life issues. Visit www.trinityclg.org.au or call 0412 996 519 or 0432 274 372. Mitcham Kiwanis Meet on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at Marion Sports Centre, Sturt Road, Marion. Call 8374 3694. Westbourne Park Community Club Join the fun at the Westbourne Park Community Club at 390 Goodwood Road, Cumberland Park. Enjoy social indoor bowls every Saturday and social bingo each Monday with all activities starting at 1 pm. All welcome call 8271 3290.

Blackwood Action Group Meet on the third Monday of each month at the Blackwood Community Centre, 4 Young Street, Blackwood commencing at 6 pm. Visit www.bagi.org.au or call 8370 3006. Hills Choral Society The 2014 choral season is approaching. Practices commence on Wednesday 29 January 2014. The society is a friendly group of people who enjoy singing a broad repertoire and welcome new members, both male and female. Call 8227 2239 or 8278 2004.

get fit/social activities Night Owls at Clarence Gardens Bowling Club Come and enjoy night bowling every Wednesday at Clarence Gardens Bowling Club, 6 Winona Avenue, Clarence Gardens from 7.15 pm to 9.15 pm. Call 0424 483 170 or email cgbc@bigpond.com.

Care and Share Care and Share is a day care centre for the aged person and younger person with a disability offering friendship, companionship and social outings and valuable respite for carers. Programs include discussions, craft, gentle exercises, board games and the occasional outing. Held on Monday and Thursday 9.30 am to 2.30 pm and Friday (men’s group) 9.30 am to 2 pm at a cost of $10 includes lunch and transport. Wednesday friendship group operates 10 am to 12 pm at a cost of $4 includes morning tea and transport. Special outings incur further costs. Call 8276 1144 or careandshare@adam.com.au

community events Christmas Eve with the Blackwood Hills Baptist Church Bring your neighbours and your friends on Tuesday 24 December to Hewett Oval, Coromandel Parade at Blackwood from 6 pm to 8 pm. Free Camel rides, Live Nativity, Sausage Sizzle, Bouncy Castle and lots more. 8 pm to 9.15 pm Carol Singing, Choir and featuring a Puppet Show especially for the children. Be early! Bring a Rug!

Blackwood Players Inc present ‘Love Rides The Rails' On Friday 15, 22 and 29 November and Saturday 16, 23 and 30 at 8 pm. A special Sunday twilight performance will be held at 4 pm on Sunday 24 November at the Blackwood Memorial Hall, 21 Coromandel Parade, Blackwood. Come prepared to ‘boo’ the villain, ‘cheer’ the hero and ‘sigh’ with the heroine as Blackwood Players take you to the rail road in this production suitable for all ages. Tickets from $15 from www.blackwoodplayers.com, call 0481 373 949 or at the door. Carols with the Village Church Come along to a carols evening on Edwardstown Primary School Oval on Saturday 14 December. Entertainment and food from 6.30 pm and Carols from 8 pm to 9.15 pm.

CHRISTMAS SERVICES Village Church Christmas Day: 9.30 am service at Edwardstown Primary School, Edward Street, Melrose Park. Visit thevillage.org.au or call 8370 3256.

Christmas at Mitcham Village Uniting Church Christmas Eve: Tuesday December 24 Mitcham Village service with carols at 7.30pm. Christmas Day: Wednesday December 25 Christmas Service at 9 am. Call Reverend Dieter Engler on 8390 1915 or 0426 813 538. Blackwood Hills Baptist Church Christmas Day: 9.30 am service at 72 Coromandel Parade, Blackwood. Visit bhbc.org.au or call 8370 0333 St Columba’s Anglican Church Cnr Cross Road and Rosevear Street, Hawthorn. Christmas Eve: 5 pm Eucharist (traditional-BCP); 6.30 pm Family service: children are encouraged to come dressed as an angel or shepherd and join in the Christmas play; 11 pm Carol Singing; 11.30 pm Sung Eucharist. Christmas Day: 8 am Sung Eucharist; 9.30 am Sung Eucharist. Telephone 8272 7266.

Christmas Comes to Blackwood The Blackwood Christmas pageant, which attracts over 10,000 spectators, will be held on Friday 6 December at 6.30 pm.

The Rotary District Governor Wendy Gaborit visited the Bookshop in October. Pictured John Jury, District Governor Wendy Gaborit and volunteers Kay and Peter Brooke-Smith.

For over 30 years the pageant has been entertaining families with more than 75 parade participants, including floats, walking groups and bands, making this a highlight for children at Christmas time. The Blackwood Lions Club, in conjunction with local MP Iain Evans, Sarah Taylor and local service clubs, are proud to bring the 2013 Christmas parade to you. The pageant will start from the corner of Main Road and Gulfview Road, from 6.30 pm and travel along Main Road to Waite Street Reserve. After enjoy the Pageant Fair on Waite Street Reserve, hosted by the Coromandel Rotary Club, where the Pageant floats finish their journey with a variety of stalls and entertainment from 7 to 9 pm.

Mitcham Rotary Bookshop The Rotary Club of Mitcham sells second hand books at 448 Goodwood Road, Cumberland Park from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 4.30 pm. Come and browse for fiction, mystery, crime, reference, magazine, hobbies and more. All proceeds help projects of the club. The October sale benefited a Rotary water project for a desalination plant for the Maldives.

Donations of books are welcome. Call 0458 918 507 or email chgrdod@chariot.net.au

December 2013 Publication Details Mitcham Community News is published bi-monthly by and for the City of Mitcham. Editorial Communications Department City of Mitcham Design + Production Sarah Bennett Design Reprographics + Printing Graphic Print Group

Paperstock Printed on paper made in Australia from elemental chlorine free pulp derived from sustainable plantation forests. Distribution Salmat Mediaforce and Australia Post Delivered to 29,850 homes, PO boxes and businesses within the Mitcham Council area. Advertising KRL Media Services Telephone: 8231 5433 PO Box 131 Unley, SA 5061

For more information contact the office of Iain Evans on 8278 5844.

Contributing Articles Community groups and organisations submitting items for the February 2014 issue of this publication should ensure they reach Business Partner Communication and Marketing Officer Julie Lamond no later than Friday 17 January 2014. 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 http://www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au

Audio Tapes Mitcham Community News audio tapes are available at both Mitcham and Blackwood Libraries or by arrangement from the Community Information Service. Telephone: 8372 8812.

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

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.

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.

PAGE 11 Mitcham Community News DECEMBER 2013

What goes into the Yellow Recycling Bin? Are you confused about what type of plastic you can put in your yellow recycling bin? Soft plastics, such as plastic bags, cannot be recycled through Council’s kerbside recycling service because they cannot be easily separated and interfere with the automatic sorting machines as they get caught in the conveyor belts and jam spinning wheels. Many people reuse their supermarket plastic carry bags as household garbage bin liners. However, these soft plastics shouldn’t be placed in your recycling (yellow lid) bin as they contaminate the recycling stream.

Recyclables such as milk cartons, yogurt containers and aluminium cans should be placed separately into your yellow recycling bin. If you place your recyclables into a plastic bag, all your recycling efforts are wasted as the whole bag gets dumped to landfill. This means that valuable resources will never get the opportunity to be recycled. The soft plastics that cannot be recycled include:  Reusable shopping bags.  Produce bags.

 Bread bags.  Frozen food bags.  Biscuit and lolly packaging.  Newspaper wraps.  Old ‘green’ bags. Soft plastics can still be recycled through the REDcycle Program at Coles supermarkets and turned into outdoor furniture for Australian schools as part of Coles Helping Australia Grow program. Many other supermarkets also recycle soft plastics, so check with your local store.

Alternatively, you can place soft plastics in the general waste bin (blue lid). Don’t forget polystyrene foam is also a soft plastic. All polystyrene foam cups, packaging and meat trays need to go in the blue general waste bin.

Ridged plastic containers or those that hold their shape can be recycled and they should go into the yellow lidded bin loose! Don’t forget to remove their lids and give them a quick rinse.

For more information visit www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au

Domestic ‘At Call’ Hard Waste Collection The City of Mitcham’s trial of an ‘at call’ domestic hard waste collection service has been a great success with residents who have used the service over the last year. With such positive feedback Council will continue to provide a domestic hard waste collection as an ‘at call’ service.

This Summer Cool your Home Efficiently As the weather starts heating up, it is the perfect time to think about how you will keep cool at home this summer. To help keep your home cool, shade windows in the day, especially on the north, east and west sides of your home. External shading is best, but even closing curtains and blinds inside your home to block out direct sunlight will help to keep rooms cool. Deciduous trees and eaves can also provide shade. Consider insulating your home as this can also help to reduce heat entering your home. The cooler you keep your home naturally, the less your cooling appliances will need to work, keeping your energy costs down. Ceiling and pedestal fans are the cheapest type of cooling appliance to run, costing just 1 to 3 cents per hour. They can also be used with other cooling appliances to help move cool air around your home. Evaporative coolers have low running costs and are well-suited to the dry South Australian climate. They use 50% to 75% less energy than refrigerative air conditioners, but also use water, so check the water use and costs too. To work effectively evaporative coolers need good cross ventilation, which can be achieved by opening windows. Refrigerative air conditioners have higher running costs, so try setting the thermostat between 24°C and 27°C, or as high as you feel comfortable with. Every 1°C lower can add 10% to the running costs of your appliance. You can also lower running costs by only cooling the rooms you are using by closing doors or using zones. If you are purchasing a new cooling appliance, choose a system that is right for your needs, properly sized, and for ducted systems, has energy efficient ducting. Look for an energy rating label, or ask your retailer about the ongoing running costs.

For more tips on energy efficient cooling and how to calculate an appliance’s running costs, visit sa.gov.au/energy or call the Energy Advisory Service on 8204 1888.

East Waste now manages the domestic ‘at call’ hard waste collection service on behalf of Council. East Waste is already responsible for collecting the recyclables and green organics materials through our Kerbside Waste and Recycling program. Residents are entitled to one hard waste collection each financial year. It is necessary to pre-book your hard waste collection and only place the material out on the verge no earlier than 24 hours before your scheduled collection day. Residents wanting a hard waste collection can contact East Waste to

pre-book their collection. Contact East Waste on 8347 5170 or email east@eastwaste.com to schedule your hard waste collection. Council will collect up to two cubic metres of: Furniture. Mattresses. Refrigerators and freezers (for safety reasons – please remove doors). White goods. Floor coverings (up to 1.5 metre lengths). Sheets of iron and guttering (up to 1.5 metre lengths).

Bo FREE ok your colle hard wa ction st serv e ice toda y.

Timber off cuts (up to 1.5 metre lengths). Dismantled clothes lines. Blinds and window coverings. Bikes and toys. Air conditioners. Small items of scrap metal. Hot water services. Lawn mowers. Tree and shrub prunings cut into two metre lengths and tied in bundles (max of 30 cm diameter). Rainwater tanks (segments no larger than 1.5 metre lengths).

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

PAGE 12 Mitcham Community News DECEMBER 2013

Are YOU Bushfire Ready? PREPARE. ACT. SURVIVE

The Bushfire Season begins on 1 December 2013. Are you Bushfire Ready?

For information and advice on protecting your property from bushfire, call Mitcham Bushfire Prevention Officer John Zybek on 8372 8894.

Bushfire prevention is a year round responsibility and necessity. It is far more than a weekend cleanup just prior to the bushfire season. The best time to fight a bushfire is when there is no bushfire around because the best way of protecting your home, property and family from the dangers of bush fires is preparation.

Mitcham Council’s High Fire Risk Area

Bushfire Ready

July August September October

November

Bushfire Prevention Starts Now Prepare fire breaks. Remove dead branches, fallen leaves and undergrowth. Prune lower tree limbs. Cut long grass within 20 metres of a residential dwelling while on slopes a fuel-reduced zone of 30 metres to 40 metres is recommended. On properties over half a hectare, prepare and maintain a five metre fuel break around fence lines, buildings and equipment sheds. Move bark, heavy mulch, woodpiles and other flammable materials away from the home and other buildings. Council Inspection of Residential Properties Hazard reduction notices sent to land owners. Check all equipment. Prepare and review Bushfire Emergency Plans.

December January February March April

Fire Danger Season 1 December 2013 to 30 April 2014 Maintain fuel reduction practices throughout summer. Check all equipment. Monitor fire restrictions. Keep flammable materials clear of buildings. Rehearse your bushfire Emergency Plan. Remember permits are required to light fires during the Fire Danger Season.

May June

Review Your Plan Review annual clean up program. Remove undergrowth and dead vegetation.

HAWTHORN

CUMBERLAND PARK

CLARENCE GARDENS

WESTBOURNE PARK

ON VERT DAW PARK

PASADENA

NETHERBY

T GAUL

MELROSE PARK

URRBRAE

KINGSWOOD

COLONEL LIGHT GARDENS

LEAWOOD GARDENS

SPRINGFIELD

CLAPHAM

BOOR BROWNHILL CREEK

MITCHAM

BELAIR

PANORAMA LYNTON

AGE

BABB

ARK

ST MARYS

THE P EDEN HILLS

BU CRAIG

BEDFORD PARK

HAWTHORNDENE BLACKWOOD

BELLEVUE HEIGHTS

CRAIGBURN FARM

Take care when you park your vehicle on a narrow road in the hills. The parking of cars in many hills’ streets may potentially create serious problems for the local CFS. If access to a fire track or a nearby fire is blocked by cars parked on the side of the road lives and homes could be put at risk. It is a legal requirement under the Australian Road Rules that a road clearance of at least three metres is provided alongside parked vehicles to enable other vehicles to pass. So be aware when you park your vehicle on the road make sure that you allow at least three metres clearance. You may save a life!

To ensure the safety of staff and volunteers in response to the changes to the national fire danger warning system in the event of a Catastrophic and Extreme Fire Danger Warning services will be restricted in the high fire risk area (Mount Lofty Ranges). Services that will be affected are:

Library Services Blackwood Library will be closed. Services will continue to be provided at Mitcham Library.

Waste Collection Domestic waste collection service (blue lid bin), green organic bin (green lid) and the recyclables bin (yellow lid) will not occur. Residents should leave their bins out until collected as services will be rescheduled as soon as appropriate. If there are a number of Extreme or Catastrophic fire danger rating days forecast, or running one after the other, Council will assess the lowest risk time to collect waste.

UPPER STURT

COROMANDEL VALLEY

Free Dumping

Council’s Services on Catastrophic and Extreme Fire Risk Days Council services will be restricted in the Mitcham Council’s high fire risk area during a declared fire danger rating of Catastrophic or Extreme Fire Danger Warning for the Mount Lofty Ranges District.

CRAFERS WEST

GLENALTA

It is essential to prepare your home to withstand a Bushfire. If you ignore the need for fuel reduction prior to and during the Fire Danger Season, you may endanger both your own property and the lives and property of your neighbours.

Think Before You Park in the Hills

MAN

LOWER TORRENS MITCHAM PARK

Animal Management and Other General Compliance Attendance by Council concerning routine matters that have been reported will not occur. However, all matters should continue to be reported.

Community Bus and Personal Transport The Community Bus and Personal Transport services will not operate. These services will resume as soon as the fire danger rating is downgraded.

Home Maintenance and Social Programs Home Maintenance and Social Programs will not operate. These services will resume as soon as the fire danger rating is downgraded.

Council Facilities Routine maintenance services for Council facilities will be rescheduled.

Emergencies Emergency situations that require the attendance of Council will be assessed on an individual basis.

Appointments Appointments with Council officers will be re-scheduled. Council will contact relevant parties as appropriate, or alternatively contact can be made with the relevant officer to re-schedule the service.

Other Matters All matters requiring the attendance of Council will be attended to as soon as appropriate once the fire danger rating has been downgraded. All matters that can be dealt with over the counter at the Civic Centre or by telephone or internet will occur as per usual. All the above services will continue to operate on days of Extreme and Catastrophic Fire Danger Warnings in those parts of the Council area which are outside the Mount Lofty Ranges Region. Council will continue to monitor the situation in relation to emergencies and/or essential services if the Fire Danger Warning extends over three days. Information and updates will be provided on Council’s website and community service announcements.

To help Mitcham residents to clear their properties, reduce fuel loads and remove fire hazards, Council will open the Lynton Green Waste Depot (Beagle Terrace) for FREE dumping of green waste on: November Saturday 23 & 30 Monday 25 December Saturday 7, 14 & 21 Monday 2, 9 & 16 This facility will be FREE with only GREEN WASTE ACCEPTED – NO RUBBISH, and proof of residency will be required. Green waste materials can consist of grass cuttings, leaf matter and prunings (branches no larger than 200mm (8inchs) in diameter).