Cardinia Connect Jun-Jul

Your Council magazine

June–July 2015

Building our shire Works and projects for the year ahead Toomah opens its doors

Soccer central

More community services for shire

IYU Recreation

Anti-graffiti Reserve takes shape schools program

Tagging gets a bagging

Welcome

Council contacts

Message from the Mayor

Cardinia Shire Council Civic Centre is located at 20 Siding Avenue, Officer and is open 8.30am–5pm Monday to Friday.

Address all correspondence to PO Box 7 Pakenham 3810

Welcome to the June−July edition of Connect magazine.

Phone: 1300 787 624 Fax: 5941 3784 After hours emergencies: 1300 787 624 Email: mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au Website: cardinia.vic.gov.au National Relay Service (NRS): Customers who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment can call through the National Relay Service: TTY users phone 133 677 then ask for 1300 787 624. Speak and Listen (speech-to-speech relay) users phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 1300 787 624.

Connect is the official Cardinia Shire Council magazine. It is published six times each year and is distributed to more than 35,000 homes and businesses in Cardinia Shire. It is also available on audio CD from local libraries.

All images and other personal information collected for Connect will be stored securely, and be made available only in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2000 and in accordance with Council’s Information Privacy Policy, a copy of which may be obtained from Council’s website cardinia.vic.gov.au/privacy

PROVIDING the services, programs and facilities that residents in growth areas need is a huge challenge for councils, and Cardinia Shire is no exception. As our population grows, pressure on existing infrastructure and services increases and demand for new services grows every day.

But this infrastructure doesn’t come cheaply – especially when much of it needs to be built from the ground up. Council’s 2015−16 budget delivers funding for the excellent children’s centres, sporting facilities and road maintenance programs you need and deserve, while also taking into account that times are tough financially for some households. Turn to page 8 to find out about our exciting plans for the coming year.

Working alongside our community is very important to Council, and a number of stories in this Connect edition reflect this.

On page 5 you can read about how we collaborated with Pakenham United Football Club to plan IYU Recreation Reserve so the facility would serve the club’s needs.

We also worked closely with a proactive community group during the relocation of the Officer memorial gates − turn to page 11 to find out more.

And we are proud to be working with Graham Simpson and other Ash Wednesday Memorial Committee members as the centre in Cockatoo progresses.

I would like to thank community members who devote their time to initiatives like these; your contribution is so valuable.

Mayor Cr Leticia Wilmot

For enquiries, contact the editor on 1300 787 624 or editor@cardinia.vic.gov.au

Must do …

Next edition: August−September 2015

1. Take the kids to see a movie at Cardinia Cultural Centre during the July school holidays – it’s an affordable outing everyone will enjoy! Tickets are only $3 each, or $8 including popcorn and a drink.

Turn to page 7 for session times and booking information.

Cover photo: Citywide contractors for Cardinia Shire (from left to right) Nick Shores, Ernie Pisana and Philippe Guillemin conduct landscaping works at Cardinia Cultural Centre in Pakenham. $5.6 million has been allocated to maintaining and improving the shire’s parks and gardens in Council’s 2015−16 budget.

Photo: Hilton Stone

2. Give your feedback on our draft Age Friendly Cardinia Shire Strategy for 2015−19. It’s part of our commitment to providing opportunities for older people to maintain physical and mental health, feel safe and secure, participate fully in their community and stay connected with others. Visit cardinia.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay to view the strategy or pick up a hard copy from our Customer Service Centre.

Submissions close Friday 3 July, 5pm.

Printing: Blue Star Print is a Forest Stewardship Council, Chain of Custody certified company. All processes are controlled via our Environmental Management System which is certified to ISO 14001.

3. Book in for our brilliant July school holiday program! It features loads of great excursions for people aged 12 to 17 including trips to the snow, Melbourne Zoo and the MCG, as well as free or low-cost activities happening locally. Visit cardinia.vic.gov.au/youth for details.

Printed on ecoStar paper made from 100% recycled post-consumer waste.

5. Fill in our youth forum survey (if you are aged between 12 and 25 and live, work or go to school in Cardinia Shire!) It’s your chance to have a say on the services, programs and opportunities you want to see in your local area, and the issues affecting you. Everyone who responds goes into the draw to win a $300 Westfield voucher or one of three $30 vouchers. Visit cardinia.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay to complete the survey by Friday 26 June, 5pm.

Connect with Council facebook.com/ CardiniaShireCouncil

4. Get an insight into the retail world from former Myer CEO Bernie Brookes at the next Casey Cardinia Business Breakfast on Wednesday 24 June. To book visit trybooking.com/52316

Get ‘on track’ with a free cuppa

R

ea PRESENT this voucher to de claim your free tea or coffee rb when you spend $5 or more at on us On Track Cafe (dine in or takeaway; regular size only).

Offer valid until Friday 31 July 2015.

App for Android and Apple devices

On Track Cafe is a social enterprise eatery at the new Toomah Community Centre. It serves delicious and healthy food using produce that is locally sourced and ethically produced, and provides workers with valuable employment and training opportunities in the food and hospitality industries.

Subscribe to our eNewsletters ‘Community Compass’ online mapping and information tool

On Track Cafe Toomah Community Centre 18 Golden Green Street, Pakenham

Ph: 5941 2389 Open Monday to Friday 7am−5pm, Saturday 8am−3pm.



twitter.com/CardiniaShire

News

In brief ...

Commemorating Ash Wednesday THE ASH Wednesday memorial centre at the former Cockatoo Kindergarten site is now being built. Stage 1 of the project, the building’s construction, is expected to be completed by mid-June.

(From left to right) CEO of Windermere Child and Family Services Lynette Buoy, Mayor Cr Leticia Wilmot and CEO of Living and Learning Pakenham Tammy Lobato at Toomah Community Centre.

New skills, services and support at your doorstep

The $6.8 million facility was jointly funded by Council ($3.3 million), Windermere Child and Family Services ($2 million) and the Victorian Government ($1.5 million).

Council has appointed Living and Learning to manage the facility and deliver training.

Windermere Child and Family Services will operate from the centre, delivering support services and programs to disadvantaged and vulnerable members of our community.

Mayor Cr Leticia Wilmot said the centre will provide a range of community services not previously available in Cardinia Shire.

“Service providers will address key social issues in our region including family violence, unemployment, skill deficits, financial stress and mental health issues,” Cr Wilmot said.

“The facility will also offer valuable training opportunities so people can get the skills they need to participate and thrive in the workforce.

Such training is vital given that many Cardinia Shire residents leave school early and relatively few attend university”.

The building will retain the kindergarten’s original concrete slab and 12-sided steel framework. It will feature memorial plaques, historical and bushfire education displays, and a barbecue and shelter.

Council is working with the Ash Wednesday Memorial Committee to deliver this community-driven project.

Island Road now sealed

A NEW state-of-the-art health and wellbeing community centre will provide a range of community services, training facilities and meeting spaces to help Cardinia Shire residents learn new skills, connect with others and raise healthy families.

Toomah Community Centre opened to the public on 20 April. Located next to Cardinia Railway Station in Golden Green Street, Pakenham, it features five consulting suites, five meeting and activity spaces for community use and hire, a community kitchen, a training room with IT equipment, a commercial training kitchen, and a social enterprise cafe.

The centre is being funded by the Australian Government ($500,000), Council ($300,000) and the Victorian Heritage Restoration Fund ($100,000).

ISLAND Road in Koo Wee Rup has been sealed between Lea Road and the Koo Wee Rup township, at a cost of almost $1.2 million.

The 2.5 kilometre stretch of road was funded by the Victorian Government’s Transport Solutions regional freight initiative ($428,000); Council and benefiting property owners contributed the balance in equal amounts.

Island and Lea roads service the area’s prime asparagus-growing region. These roads are also home to five asparagus packing sheds which together produce most of the asparagus that Australia exports, valued at about $25 million.

Enrol for kinder

The centre’s social enterprise cafe, On Track, primarily employs early school leavers, parents returning to work and those who have been unemployed for some time. The cafe serves up delicious and well-priced meals to the public and gives staff hands-on experience in the food and hospitality industries.

The meeting spaces have adjustable walls to accommodate small meetings or gatherings of up to 150 people. These spaces are affordable for community members to hire for activities, programs and meetings.

Council consulted extensively with Windermere and local residents during the centre’s planning stages to ensure it would meet the community’s needs.

Cr Wilmot said the centre “will help people to connect with one another and will improve the skills, health and wellbeing of many residents.

“Council is enormously proud of the centre.

We know it will benefit many people”.

To enquire about hiring a community space at Toomah Community Centre, contact Living and Learning on 5941 2389.

ENROLMENTS for three- and four-year-old kindergarten in 2016 will close on Tuesday 30 June. Letters of offer will be posted during July and August.

Visit cardinia.vic.gov.au/kindergarten to submit your application online (this is the quickest and easy way to enrol). You will also find postal application forms and more information about the enrolment process on this web page.

Enrolments for all community kindergartens in Cardinia Shire are now managed by Council.

Plans for Pepi’s Land COUNCIL has adopted a master plan to transform Pepi’s Land in Emerald into a recreational and environmental open space in the coming years.

Four netball courts, club facilities, a car park and a children’s playground will be built at the site. Construction of cycling and walking paths and revegetation works to establish natural habitat for native fauna have already commenced.

The 25-hectare parcel of land is located on Beaconsfield–Emerald Road next to Puffing Billy Railway to the north and Hogan’s Park to the west.

JUNE–JULY 2015 | 3

Your Council

Meet … Council’s Project Engineer Stewart Pike

Spotlight on …

Emerald Museum DO you enjoy learning about the history of your local area? Emerald Museum is full of fascinating items and records from Emerald and the surrounding district.

Managed by volunteers, the museum features more than 3,000 artefacts including household items, photographs, agricultural machinery and documents.

The history of the Nobelius family and other local families is a highlight of the vast collection, which even includes a lighthorse saddle used by a local resident during his service in World War I. The museum could not operate without its dedicated volunteers including Emerald Museum Committee Secretary and Museum Coordinator Mrs Chris Britton. Chris has been volunteering at the facility for 25 years, spending at least two days a week there.

My role involves …

Delivering a variety of civil projects on Council’s Capital Works Program.

This generally includes design, tendering, contract management and site supervision.

This year I have worked on the sealing of Island Road in Koo Wee Rup, construction of IYU Recreation Reserve in Pakenham, replacement of Paterson’s Road bridge in Officer, and on our annual road resurfacing and drainage upgrade programs.

On a typical work day …

Chris has a strong family connection to Emerald Museum; her parents were on the museum’s first committee formed in 1969, and her father’s memoirs form part of its collection.

“My mother Mary Wyatt migrated from England as a child and settled in Emerald in 1923; my grandparents ran The Cascades boarding house.

“My mother lived next door to my father, George Walter A’Vard, before they married,” Chris said.

Except for a few years spent travelling, Chris has lived in Emerald all her life.

“My grandfather drove a bullock team and I was raised on a dairy farm, so I find this area’s agricultural history particularly interesting.”

I spend about half the day on site and the rest of the time behind a desk, which is a great balance for me.

Chris said volunteering at the museum is rewarding.

My time on site is usually spent discussing work methods, safety procedures and problem-solving with our contractors. Sometimes there is a need to quickly change direction on a project, even if it has been really well-planned − a great idea on paper isn’t always the best solution once construction starts.

“I realise it’s hard as everyone’s lives are so busy, but every little bit of help counts − even if you can only spare one or two hours each week”.

In the office I review designs, scope new projects, monitor project expenditures, organise work and quotations and process payments.

“We’d love to see more young people volunteering with us.

Chris Britton follows in her parents’ footsteps by volunteering at Emerald Museum.

To embark on this career I studied …

Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) at RMIT University.

I chose this career path because …

I have always had a keen interest in the way things are built. It’s satisfying finding the best, most cost-effective engineering solutions and keeping up-to-date on new products and construction techniques.

The best part of my job is …

Running a project from conception to completion – it helps to build my skills as an engineer and gives me a sense of ‘ownership’ and pride about the project.

A challenging part of my role is …

Emerald Museum 5 Crichton Road, Emerald (in Nobelius Heritage Park)

Learning about the unique characteristics and landscapes of Cardinia Shire’s townships. I need to take these into consideration when I deliver a project; it’s an important part of what I do here.

Open Wednesday 10am−3pm, Sunday 1.30−4pm or by appointment.

In my spare time …

For more information or to enquire about volunteering contact the museum on 5968 2152 or enquiries@emeraldmuseum.org.au

I like to ride my motorbike, surf in summer, get up to the snow in winter and play a bit of guitar in between!

4 | cardinia.vic.gov.au 1300 787 624

News

Pakenham United Football Club’s under 14s team is looking forward to playing at IYU Recreation Reserve.

Amazing new ‘home of soccer’ in the making WORK on Cardinia Shire’s premier new soccer facility is progressing well; Stage 1 of the project is now complete.

Council has invested $2.35 million in IYU Recreation Reserve to date, with Sport and Recreation Victoria contributing $650,000 of this amount.

Around $2.02 million will also be spent in 2015–16.

The facility in Henry Road, Pakenham now has one full-sized senior soccer field and a multi-use pitch that can be used as two junior fields or a single senior field.

Each of the fields has a sand base, drainage, irrigation, drought-tolerant turf and access to a sustainable water source. Grass will be planted this spring. Council hopes the pitches will be ready for play in winter 2016, but this will depend on grass-growing conditions.

A pavilion and an all-weather synthetic soccer pitch will be constructed at the reserve in 2016 and an athletics facility will be built in the following years.

“With so many players and supporters, we have outgrown the facilities we currently use,” Mark said.

Pakenham United Football Club Committee member and under 14s coach Mark Dunn says the club’s players “can’t wait to pull on their boots and run onto IYU once it’s ready.

“Local soccer players are fortunate Council had the foresight back in 2007 to see there was going to be a real need for this facility.”

“Our club is incredibly excited that we will be able to call the best soccer facility in this region our home ground”.

Mark also said soccer’s popularity in Cardinia Shire is “exploding” as more families from culturally diverse backgrounds move into the area.

“The team I coach is wonderfully diverse; we have 16 players from 13 different nationalities.

“Playing sport is a great way for kids who have migrated from other countries to feel a real sense of belonging and make good friends,” he said.

Pakenham United FC now has 10 competition teams and 32 players in the under 5s, 6s and 7s teams, as well as “many fantastic coaches, parents and committee members.

Council consulted extensively with Pakenham United Football Club during the planning of IYU Recreation Reserve to ensure it would serve the club’s needs and help it achieve its future goals.

“It takes considerable time to budget, consult, plan, design and construct a recreation reserve and Council has kept the club up-to-date every step of the way,” Mark said.

“With this state-of-the-art facility on the horizon, the sky’s the limit for us and for other soccer clubs in the area”.

To stay informed about works at IYU Recreation Reserve and on other major Council projects visit cardinia.vic.gov.au/majorprojects

JUNE–JULY 2015 | 5

What’s on June

July

August

Tuesday 16

Thursday 9

Wednesday 5

Emerald Garden Club

Country Women’s Association Pakenham Branch meeting

Free legal advice Receive expert legal advice on a range of issues. Free 15-minute appointments available; bookings essential. Outlook Community Centre, 24 Toomuc Valley Road, Pakenham 6–7.30pm. To book call 5940 4728.

Friday 19 Pakenham Bluelight Disco

Second Thursday of every month. Meetings include speakers, display bench, trading table, raffle and information on gardening events. Emerald Art Society Hall, corner Church and Anne streets, Emerald 7.30–9.30pm.

Contact Emerald Garden Club 5968 3394 or hawring@gmail.com

Monday 13 Functional fitness for every day A personal trainer will show how to do everyday activities safely and efficiently.

Suitable for all ages and fitness levels.

Cost: $20 per term. Outlook Community Centre, 24 Toomuc Valley Road, Pakenham 9.30–10.30am. Contact Outlook Community Centre 5940 4728 or outlookvic.org.au

Saturday 18 E-waste drop-off Disco for young people (Years 5–8). Pakenham Hall, corner John and Henry streets, Pakenham 6.30–9pm. Cost: $5. Contact Sharon Patterson 5945 2500 or bluelight.org.au

Local women of all ages meet for friendship and fellowship and raise funds for local organisations and people in need. Guide Hall, 31 Henry Street, Pakenham 9.30am–2.30pm.

Contact Vicky Birch 5940 4651 or vickyken@bigpond.com or cwaofvic.org.au

Thursday 6 Free counselling sessions 45-minute sessions, by appointment only.

Outlook Community Centre, 24 Toomuc Valley Road, Pakenham 2–5.30pm. To book contact Outlook Community Centre 5940 4728 or outlookvic.org.au

Wednesday 24 Casey Cardinia Business Breakfast Guest speaker is retail veteran and former Myer CEO Bernie Brookes.

Cardinia Cultural Centre, Lakeside Boulevard, Pakenham 7–9am.

Cost: $55, sponsor a table: $700.

To book visit trybooking.com.au/ 52316

Bunyip Primary School, Nar Nar Goon– Longwarry Road, Bunyip 9am–12noon. Visit cardinia.vic.gov.au/recycling for more information.

Friday 24 Santamental Music Competition FReeZA’s band competition and Christmas in July event. Pakenham Hall, corner John and Henry streets, Pakenham 6.30–11pm.

Contact Council’s Youth Services Officer 1300 787 624 or mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au or visit the Cardinia Youth Services Facebook page.

Local markets Stock up on fresh fruit and vegies, handmade jewellery, clothing, crafts, plants and more at a Cardinia Shire market.

Sunday 21 June Emerald Market Kilvington Drive, 9am–3pm Pakenham Community Market Toomuc Reserve, Princes Highway, 9am–3pm

Sunday 28 Hills Riders Ride with about 30 motorcyclists to a cafe, pub or barbecue. Meet at St Mark’s Church, 1–3 Church Street, Emerald 11.30am–5.30pm.

Contact Wayne Collins 0407 824 323 or wayne.collins@echo.org.au

Sunday 28 June Gembrook Market Gembrook Station, 60 Main Street, 9am–2pm

Tuesday 30 50 Shades of Health Program The first of three sessions to be held monthly.

A holistic program to motivate women to keep healthy and happy, delivered by Council in partnership with Women’s Health in the South East and Koo Wee Rup Regional Health Service. Free program; morning tea provided.

Pakenham Regional Tennis Centre, 11 Webster Way, Pakenham 10am–12.30pm. Contact Council’s Health Promotion Coordinator 1300 787 624 or mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au

6 | cardinia.vic.gov.au 1300 787 624

Saturday 25 Pakenham’s 12th Annual Antiques and Collectibles Fair Valuations from 1pm by David Freeman ($5 per item; no jewellery, coins or stamps).

Cardinia Cultural Centre, Lakeside Boulevard, Pakenham 9am–4pm. Contact Jewel Beard 5941 1327 or pgandje@net2000.com.au

Saturday 4 July Cockatoo Country Market Alma Treloar Reserve, Pakenham Road, 9am–2pm

Sunday 5 July Koowee Community Market Koo Wee Rup Community Centre, Cochrane Park, Rossiter Road, 8am–1.30pm For more market dates and information visit cardinia.vic.gov.au/calendar

For more Council and community events visit cardinia.vic.gov.au/calendar Library news Bookings are essential.

Book at: tinyurl.com/cclcevents or phone the library.

All events are free unless advised.

Emerald Library 400B Belgrave–Gembrook Road, Emerald Phone: 5949 4600

Tuesday 16 June 6.30–7.30pm Planning for your retirement Presented by Andrea Jenkins from Jenbury Financial. Includes advice on accessing superannuation, tax, pensions, family security, and boosting your savings.

Wednesday 22 July My Life in Ruins: an evening with Adam Ford 6.30–7.30pm Adam Ford is a British archaeologist, author and presenter of ABC TV’s Who’s Been Sleeping in My House? He will share stories of his archaeological adventures. Books will be available for sale.

Cardinia Cultural Centre Lakeside Boulevard, Pakenham Phone: 1300 887 624 Website: cardiniaculturalcentre.com.au

June

Psychic Expo Features mediums, clairvoyants, tarot, palm and aura readers, massage, natural healing, Reiki and stalls. 10am–5pm. Tickets: $8, concession $5, children 15 and under free.

Wednesday 17 A tribute to Marilyn Monroe, Peggy Lee and Mae West presented by Issi Dye Aurora Mackrill pays tribute to three superstars of the silver screen. Morning tea 10am, show 11am.

Tickets: $15 (includes morning tea).

July

The Lion’s Club bargain book sale Stock up with some great winter reads – all genres, all ages at the Mechanics Institute Hall, Main Street, Emerald. Entry: gold coin.

Cardinia celebrates NAIDOC Week: The Sapphires movie screening and Q&A

Corner John and Henry streets, Pakenham Phone: 5940 6200

Tuesday 2 June ReMinds presents the Triple M Challenges seminar 6.30–8pm Addressing motivation, memory and metacognitive thinking challenges in children with learning difficulties.

Saturday 18 July and Wednesday 22 July 1–2.30pm Understanding the age pension Presented by Regan Welburn from Centrelink.

Friday 10

Featuring indigenous entertainment, food, and a screening of The Sapphires followed by a Q&A with the film’s writer Tony Briggs. 6.30pm.

Tickets: $9.

Saturday 11 The Fairies: The Fairy Dancing Girl A one-hour show for young children featuring fairy-fantastic songs and dancing! Two shows: 11am and 2pm.

Tickets: $27.50 (children under two can sit on a parents’ lap at no charge).

Saturday 25 July and Wednesday 29 July 1–2.30pm Superannuation and your retirement Presented by Regan Welburn from Centrelink.

Saturday 1 August 1–2.30pm Pasta workshop The authors of Wow! It’s Italian demonstrate how to make perfect pasta without a machine.

Casey–Cardinia Library Corporation operates public library services for Cardinia Shire Council in Pakenham and Emerald. Cardinia Mobile Library visits the following suburbs and townships every week: Beaconsfield, Bunyip, Cockatoo, Garfield, Gembrook, Koo Wee Rup, Lang Lang, Maryknoll, Tynong and Upper Beaconsfield. Library membership is free. For more information on library services including mobile library locations, dates and times visit cclc.vic.gov.au

All movies screen at 10am Tickets: movie only $3, *combo $8 *Combo includes movie, popcorn and drink.

Sunday 14

Saturday 25 July 9am–3pm and Sunday 26 July 9am–2pm

Pakenham Library

July school holidays movies

Wednesday 1 Penguins of Madagascar

Friday 3 Paddington

Wednesday 8 Big Hero 6

Friday 10 Paper Planes

August

Thursday 6 The Lost WW1 Diary with Damian Callinan Presented by Regional Arts Victoria. Obsessed by the Anzac legend and intrigued by the mystery surrounding the identity of two diggers from a family photo, renowned stand-up comedian Damian Callinan sets out on a quest to put names to the faces. 7.30pm. Tickets: adults $34, concession $30.

Develop your business

Council meetings

Sign up to a business event this June.

Sessions are available on human resource management, crisis planning, online strategy and business networking. For more information visit cardinia.vic.gov.au/calendar and select ‘Business and networking’.

Open to the public. Meetings are held in Council Chambers at Cardinia Shire Council Civic Centre, 20 Siding Avenue, Officer* at 7pm.

June Monday 15 – Council meeting Pakenham Hall, corner John and Henry streets, Pakenham

July Monday 6 – Town planning meeting Monday 20 – Council meeting

August Monday 3 – Town planning meeting * Unless otherwise advised. Check Council’s website for meeting locations.

JUNE–JULY 2015 | 7

Feature

Margaret, Larnie and Toby enjoy a visit to Pakenham Library. Council will invest just over $1.8 million in library services this financial year.

Building a great future

BUDGET 2015–16 MORE than $30 million will be invested in new facilities, road and footpath construction and maintenance and other significant capital works under Council’s 2015–16 budget.

New community hubs will be developed in Emerald and Officer. Sporting facilities in Pakenham, Lang Lang, Emerald and Officer will be expanded, while road and footpath renewal and maintenance across the shire will continue to be a priority.

Residents can expect their garbage charge to drop by more than $5 per household (from $233.50 to $228.20). Meanwhile, the 5.5 per cent rate increase is 0.4 per cent lower than last year and continues an ongoing downward trend as part of our four-year financial plan.

Despite the prospect of rate capping and increasing cost-shifting by Australian and Victorian governments, Mayor Cr Leticia Wilmot said Council had delivered a realistic budget that still provided value for residents.

“With this budget Council will maintain current service levels and balance the needs of rural areas alongside the challenges associated with rapid population growth in Pakenham, Beaconsfield and Officer.”

“Our aim is to deliver the infrastructure and services that our communities need while also recognising that many people are doing it tough,” Cr Wilmot said.

“Careful financial management is crucial and it is pleasing to see that this year we are forecasting a budget surplus and will be reducing our debt by more than $5 million over the next four years.

“We have also been listening to our residents in terms of how Council can further improve and strengthen our communities. I am proud that we will be delivering some terrific new facilities in this budget,” she said.

8 | cardinia.vic.gov.au 1300 787 624

Fast facts Rates increase 5.5 per

cent (0.4% lower than last year). arbage charge to drop G by $5.30 from $233.50 to $228.20. reen waste charge G to stay same as last year ($129). otal revenue to be T received from rates is $61.9m. et cost of services N to be delivered to the community is $92.4m (up $1.3m on last year). apital Works Program C $30.1m (a $9.5m increase on 2014–15). ardinia Shire C population (2015) 90,325.

Feature

Highlights at a glance Roads, bridges and drainage ($6.44 million) • Pavement renewals $2.3 million.

Parks, open spaces and streetscapes ($990,000)

• Resealing of local roads $1.2 million.

• Deep Creek Reserve $500,000.

• Gravel resheeting $900,000.

• New playgrounds and recreation facilities $220,000.

• Sealing of Moody Street, Koo Wee Rup $400,000.

• Drainage replacement $300,000.

• Playground upgrades $120,000.

Footpaths and bike trails ($1.26 million)

• Pepi’s Land strategy implementation, Emerald $100,000.

• Footpaths $600,000.

• Tree planting $50,000.

• Bridge replacement $600,000.

Capital works Major projects for this financial year include: • Officer Secondary College stadium and community hub ($2.2 million) • Emerald Community Hub ($1.5 million) • continued development of the regional soccer facility at IYU Recreation Reserve in Henry Road, Pakenham ($1.4 million) • Lang Lang sporting facilities ($1.3 million)

• Concrete footpaths $278,000.

• new kindergarten at Arena, Officer ($1.2 million)

• Pedestrian and bike trails $200,000.

• Emerald netball facility ($1.1 million)

• Equestrian trails $50,000.

• Heatherbrae Recreation Reserve, Officer ($1 million).

Recreation, leisure and community facilities ($13.2 million)

Council will also invest $13.9 million into renewing and upgrading roads, bridges and footpaths, replacing drainage and improving recreation reserves and sporting facilities.

• Cardinia Recreation Reserve pavilion $655,000.

• Recreation reserve resurfacing $350,000.

• Renewal of netball facilities $300,000.

A grants program worth $550,000 will support community capital works projects while a further $150,000 has been allocated to implementing improvements identified in township strategies.

• Resurface bowling green – Cockatoo $180,000.

• Holm Park Recreation Reserve development $150,000.

• Public art program $5,000.

Rates explained

The $50 rebate scheme for residential ratepayers who receive a Newstart Allowance will continue in 2015–16.

Revenue from rates is used to provide infrastructure and services to the community.

Our rating strategy is designed to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of rates revenue across different property categories.

The rates are levied by applying a rate in the dollar against the capital improved value of the property. Total revenue to be received via rates is $61.9 million, which is about 60 per cent of our operating revenue.

More information on the rating strategy is available on Council’s website in the ‘rates’ section.

Emerald Netball Club President Mathew Fitch with Mayor Cr Leticia Wilmot at Pepi’s Land in Emerald, the site of a future netball facility.

Scope to improve disability services SUPPORT for people with a disability will be boosted by the arrival of a new service provider in Cardinia Shire.

Council was recently pleased to welcome not-for-profit organisation Scope to its Services Central facility in Pakenham. Scope supports people with physical, intellectual and multiple disabilities to achieve their life goals.

Scope will deliver a range of programs from the Henry Street centre including:

residents with anticipated growth of up to 50 per cent in the next 12 to 18 months.

Over 100 staff will operate from the site in an outreach and office-based capacity.

Fifteen permanent Scope staff will be based at the building.

Council will work closely with Scope to further develop programs to support the Cardinia Shire community.

• therapy services for early childhood to seniors • individualised support programs • lifestyle and respite programs.

These programs will service approximately 250

JUNE–JULY 2015 | 9

Connections

Cr Jodie Owen, presenter Xavier Diaz and Year 8 students from Beaconhills College Pakenham campus (from left to right) Carly, Emma, Zac and Shaun at a recent graffiti education session.

If you spray, we all pay!

STUDENTS from Years 5 to 9 at four Cardinia Shire schools learned about the negative impacts of graffiti and tagging in a thought-provoking program supported by Council.

The Graffiti Education Program was presented at Beaconhills College Pakenham campus, Cockatoo Primary School, and Emerald and Pakenham secondary colleges during terms 1 and 2 this year.

The entertaining sessions were delivered by a trained presenter from Warner Youth Education.

“It’s high-energy and really powerful. You only had to look at the students’ faces to see that valuable messages about graffiti were getting through.”

The presenter explained how the police keep photographic records of tags as evidence.

A tagger may offend once and think they’ve gotten away with it so they keep going – until enough evidence is collected to send them to court, or even prison.

The program is aimed at young people at an age when they are likely to be experimenting, forming attitudes and being influenced by others.

During the sessions the presenter acted out scenes that depicted the unfavourable social, financial and criminal consequences of picking up a spray can. Situations included a tagger being charged by police in front of his distraught mother and a young person giving in to peer pressure to engage in graffiti vandalism.

Scenarios in which young people made the right choice were also portrayed. In one scene, a bystander made up an excuse to leave a situation in which graffiti crime was taking place.

Central Ward Councillor Jodie Owen said the program uses language and situations with which young people can identify.

“The program raises possibilities many young people may not have considered in relation to engaging in graffiti.

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Council’s Youth Services Officer John Veloso talks to students after a session.

“Participants also learned that taggers can be forced to pay thousands of dollars in damages for graffiti clean-up, even years after committing the crime,” Cr Owen said.

A staff member from Council’s Youth Services team attended each session to provide information on positive recreational activities for young people to engage in after school and during school holidays, as well as support services available at My Place youth facility in Pakenham.

The Graffiti Education Program is funded through the Victorian Government’s Community Crime Prevention Program.

Connections

(From left to right) Daniel Mulino MLC, Cr Brett Owen, President of the Officer and District Community Association Rob Porter and Jason Wood MP at the reopening of the Officer memorial gates.

Gates restored to former glory THE OFFICER memorial gates have been relocated and restored. The works were unveiled at a special ceremony on the day of the Anzac Centenary.

Located at Officer Recreation Reserve, the gates were shifted to make way for a new traffic intersection at the heart of the planned Officer town centre. They were dismantled and reconstructed stone-by-stone. A new forecourt and plaques were also installed and a Lone Pine

donated by the Pakenham Cemetery Trust was planted at the site.

The memorial gates were built 64 years ago thanks to the fundraising efforts of residents from Officer and its surrounding district. They were dedicated on Armistice Day in 1951 to commemorate the servicemen from the area who did not return from the First and Second World Wars.

Local residents Annette and Rob Aldersea, Gary Maker and Carol and Rob Porter worked tirelessly to oversee the project, which was delivered by Council and funded by the Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure’s Community Infrastructure Fund and the Australian Government’s Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program.

It’s no ‘myna’ problem!

IN RESPONSE to feedback from residents, Council is trialling a program to help control the number of Indian myna birds in our area.

Traps are now available for loan from Council’s Customer Service Centre. Registration is required prior to collecting the trap and $100 deposit is payable on collection. Borrowers must sign an agreement to confirm that any birds trapped are captured and euthanased according to humane, RSPCA-endorsed methods. Full instructions on acceptable ways to do this will be provided.

Indian mynas, an introduced species, are one of the most invasive and aggressive animal species in the world. They force native birds and small mammals out of their nests and tree hollows, and prey on baby native birds.

By using sticks and rubbish to build nests inside roofs, Indian mynas also create fire hazards.

They scavenge in open bins and spread rubbish, causing public health risks. Droppings and mites from their nests also contribute to the spread of disease.

To register your interest in borrowing an Indian myna trap, contact Council on 1300 787 624 or mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au

JUNE–JULY 2015 | 11

Looking forward Cr Brett Owen Ranges Ward

From your councillors Cr Leticia Wilmot Ranges Ward

Phone: 0418 993 370 Email: b.owen@cardinia.vic.gov.au New projects in Ranges Ward to receive funding in the 2015-16 budget include a community hub and netball facilities in Emerald, the stadium and community hub in Officer, Heatherbrae Recreation Reserve’s pavilion and Arena Kindergarten. Irrigation and drainage works will also take place at Gembrook Recreation Reserve and new footpath funding has increased.

Cockatoo’s Ash Wednesday Memorial is looking great. Also, congratulations to all involved in the reopening of the Officer memorial gates.

Cr Tania Baxter Ranges Ward

Phone: 0427 135 879 Email: L.Wilmot@cardinia.vic.gov.au Community consultation on Emerald Community Hub has commenced. The redevelopment of the Mechanics Hall into a community hub is an important development for the area. The consultation period is an opportunity for residents from townships across the hills region to have input into what facilities they think could be included in this redevelopment. Details on how to do this are on Council’s website at cardinia.vic.gov.au/ haveyoursay

Cr Collin Ross Central Ward

Phone: 0427 528 358 Email: t.baxter@cardinia.vic.gov.au Are you interested in history and horticulture, or want to contribute to the local community?

Emerald Museum and Nobelius Heritage Park are looking for new volunteer committee members, both executive and general.

No prior experience is necessary, only a willingness to learn and contribute to an important community asset. The committee’s Biennial General Meeting is on Tuesday 7 July at 5pm at Emerald Museum; for more info contact 5968 2152 or enquiries@emeraldmuseum.org.au

Cr George Blenkhorn Central Ward

Phone: 0428 598 491 Email: c.ross@cardinia.vic.gov.au On the day of the Anzac Centenary I had the privilege of attending services in Pakenham and Gembrook. One hundred years ago many young soldiers left our shores and never returned. We can never thank them enough but we can always remember and reflect on their sacrifices. All soldiers who have sacrificed for Australia in all conflicts should always be remembered and honoured.

Thank you!

Phone: 0429 139 902 Email: g.blenkhorn@cardinia.vic.gov.au Council has set the budget for 2015−16 and it is the first time in the six years that I have been on Council that we are forecasting an underlying surplus. This is the critical measure of Council’s financial stability.

The deficit on this measure was $7.9 million in 2010−11; it has been progressively reduced by stringent examination of all spending programs while maintaining Council’s services.

Cr Kate Lempriere Central Ward Phone: 0427 371 263 Email: k.lempriere@cardinia.vic.gov.au Very excited that Toomah Community Centre in Pakenham has just opened its doors! This outstanding facility shows how committed we are to residents’ health and wellbeing.

Why not visit the centre’s social enterprise cafe − you’ll be supporting local jobs and training opportunities.

Traffic along McGregor Road is moving much better since its duplication. We will keep putting pressure on the Victorian Government to duplicate the road over the railway crossing.

Cr Graeme Moore Port Ward

Cr Jodie Owen Central Ward Phone: 0427 294 893 Email: j.owen@cardinia.vic.gov.au The new Pakenham Structure Plan provides Council with a tool to help guide future planning and development in Pakenham.

Council is dedicated to ensuring that new estates have the new infrastructure they need to support residents, while also ensuring that existing assets are maintained and improved as needed.

A graffiti education program is being delivered in selected Cardinia Shire schools.

Hopefully it will help deter young people from engaging in tagging and graffiti.

Cr David Young Port Ward

Phone: 0400 167 844 Email: g.moore@cardinia.vic.gov.au Local volunteers were recognised at the annual Mayor’s Volunteers Reception; a big thanks to those who give their time and energy in this way.

Biggest Morning Tea events were recently held across Port Ward. Well done to organisers for their fantastic efforts.

Thanks also to those who supported this year’s Yakkerboo Art Show, which showcases many local artists’ work. This quality event is always much anticipated by those who love the arts.

Phone: 0427 455 798 Email: d.young@cardinia.vic.gov.au The autumn break, although patchy, arrived in April and hopefully will set us up for a good year.

I enjoyed walking along the Koo Wee Rup Bypass with residents on 3 May. Its opening heralds one of the biggest changes to the local road network since the Pakenham Bypass was constructed.

Council’s 2015–16 budget is expected to be adopted in June with a small surplus, the first for many years.

Views expressed in ‘Looking forward’ are those of the Ward councillors.

Cardinia Shire Ranges Ward • Avonsleigh • Beaconsfield • Beaconsfield Upper • Clematis • Cockatoo • Dewhurst • Emerald

• Gembrook • Guys Hill • Menzies Creek • Mount Burnett • Nangana • Officer • Pakenham Upper • Toomuc Valley

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Port Ward • Bayles • Bunyip • Bunyip North • Caldermeade • Cardinia • Catani • Cora Lynn • Dalmore • Garfield

Central Ward • Garfield North • Heath Hill • Iona • Koo Wee Rup • Koo Wee Rup North • Lang Lang • Lang Lang East • Longwarry

• Maryknoll • Modella • Monomeith • Nar Nar Goon • Nar Nar Goon North • Nyora • Officer South

• Pakenham South • Pakenham • Rythdale • Tonimbuk • Tooradin • Tynong • Tynong North • Vervale • Yannathan