Mayor’s message

Cr Mark Lane

Welcome to the April edition of Whitehorse News.

We recently celebrated Harmony Week and Cultural Diversity Week, which was an opportunity to reflect on our culturally and linguistically diverse community. Collectively in Whitehorse, we represent more than 160 cultures and speak more than 130 languages.

Council is proud to showcase and celebrate our diverse Whitehorse community through events and other support.

Acknowledgement of Country

Whitehorse City Council acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the traditional owners of the land. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Translation services

For free interpreting assistance, call 131 450. Mention the language you speak and ask to be connected to Whitehorse City Council.

如需免费的口译协助服务，请拨 打电话 131 450。接通后请说出您 的母语，并要求转接到 Whitehorse 市议会。

Để được hỗ trợ thông dịch miễn phí, hãy gọi số 131 450. Nêu tên ngôn ngữ quý vị nói và đề nghị được kết nối với Whitehorse City Council.

Για δωρεάν υπηρεσίες διερμηνέα τηλεφωνήστε στο 131 450. Δηλώστε τη γλώσσα που μιλάτε και ζητήστε να συνδεθείτε με το Whitehorse City Council.

Per l’assistenza gratuita di un interprete chiamare il 131 450. Specificare la propria lingua e chiedere di parlare con il Whitehorse City Council.

At our Harmony Day Event we were fortunate to have so many different communities come together and share aspects of their culture through food, music and dance. Events that bring us together and promote trust, respect, social inclusion and friendship are good for the health and wellbeing of our community. On page 14 of this paper you will find the details of the Blackburn Gurdwara community Vaisakhi celebration.

We have a strong commitment to engaging with the people in Whitehorse in community languages, so that they can access our services. This is reflected in our translated letters and other communications, our use of non-English social media platforms and when you call Council, we have seven seconds of in-language recordings to help people access an interpreter for their call.

Advocating for Whitehorse

Council is continuing to advocate for Whitehorse residents and commuters during the disruption to train services on the Belgrave and Lilydale lines for the Victorian Government’s Level Crossing Removal Project.

Trains are not running from March to May 2023 between Box Hill and Camberwell stations so that construction can be completed on the new Union Station, which will replace Surrey Hills and Mont Albert stations. There are rail replacement buses between Box Hill and Camberwell but the disruption has seen many commuters move to using the 109 tram, cars and other modes to get to work, school and other places. This has seen an increase in traffic, and has made it difficult for people to access the tram.

At its meeting on Monday 27 February, 2023, Council moved an urgent motion to write to Public Transport Victoria to increase the frequency of tram services and capacity along the 109 tram route on Whitehorse Road. Frequency of tram services should be increased during the morning peak period between 6am to 9:30am and the afternoon peak period between 3pm and 7pm for the remainder of the works period.

The Round is Growing!

While the construction of our new performing arts centre is well underway, Council’s Parks and Natural Environment Team has been working hard behind the scenes.

A variety of plants, including indigenous, native, and exotic species, have been carefully chosen to complement the architecture of the new building. The plants will provide seasonal benefits for visitors such as summer shade and winter sun, as well as habitat and biodiversity for local wildlife. The plants are currently growing at an offsite nursery, waiting to be transplanted in their new home at The Round.

In the central carpark the trees will be planted in a state-of-the-art Strata Vault system made from 100% recycled plastic. This underground system will support the tree as they grow by providing space for roots to establish and propagate, promoting healthy tree growth. The Strata Vault system also minimises damage to roads and pavements by promoting and fostering downward root growth away from surrounding roads, footpaths, and other infrastructure. The Strata Vault system will help the trees reach maximum growth in both height and canopy, cooling the area and providing vital defence against the urban heat island effect.

The Round will be a space where the performing arts can thrive in Whitehorse, surrounded by beautifully designed parkland. As the performing arts centre grows, so too will the parkland surrounding it.

Artspace Exhibition: TWENTY FIVE

Since the establishment of the Whitehorse Artspace at Box Hill Town Hall 25 years ago, there has been an amazing array of exhibitions that have intrigued some, challenged others, or simply made visitors smile.

View key historic works by the likes of Emmanuel Phillips Fox, Frederick McCubbin and others, as well as important contemporary photographic, sculptural and ceramic works. Enjoy free curator talks and painting demonstrations throughout the exhibition. More information at www.boxhilltownhall.com.au/artspace-exhibitions

Exhibition dates: 25 March – 29 May 2023

Launch event: Wednesday 5 April, 6pm to 8pm; RSVP to artspace@whitehorse.vic.gov.au or phone 9262 6250

Whitehorse Business Start-Up Series - April to June 2023

Are you a start-up business that has been operating less than 12 months?

Or perhaps you have a hobby or idea, which you would like to develop into a business?

If the answer is ‘yes’ to either of these questions, then we have the support for you.

Council is running a trial program to support start-up or intending businesses to get up and running in 2023. With only six spots available, your commitment will be one session a month, with an action plan to guide you from concept to compliance to a successful commencement.

Sessions schedule: 18 April, 23 May and 20 June.

Pet registrations due this month

Don’t forget that pet registration renewals are due Monday 10 April 2023.

Dogs and cats in Whitehorse must be registered with Council by three months of age. Once registered, you will be issued with a lifetime tag to place on your pet’s collar, which helps us to reunite you in case your pet goes missing.

All dog and cat owners should by now have received notices for their pets’ registration renewal. If you have not received yours, please contact Council.

Keeping your information up to date is crucial for a fast reunion if your pet goes missing. Renew your pet registration or update your details now at www.whitehorse.vic.gov. au/registering-your-pet

For more information and registration details visit www.wbiz.com.au

Creating a sustainable home

Are you thinking of building or renovating? Have you thought about Passive Housing? What is it? How can you do it?

Find out how you can make your place cooler in summer and warmer in winter, whilst saving energy and money by attending our Built Environment Education Event 2023, as part of Whitehorse City Council Sustainability Week.

Simone Schenkel, founder of Gruen Eco Design (www.gruenecodesign.com.au), will be presenting her work and discussing designs for passive housing, the current regulations, ideas for affordable modifications and more. Following this, she will host a general question and answer session.

Five lucky community members will also have the chance to be a part of an extended Q&A session. All you need to do is register your interest and bring along your house plans and/or ideas. Simone and her team will host a specific question and answer session around your proposed design for 10-15 minutes!

It will be an evening of discussion, learning and education. We encourage you to come along and learn more about doing great, sustainable design in our great, sustainable municipality. Come along to this must-attend event and see what passive housing can mean for you and your home!

This event is free and all you need to do is register your interest via the link below.

Tuesday 2nd May, 6pm – 8pm www.eventbrite.com.au/e/ passive-houses-tickets-586730335227

You are invited to Whitehorse’s Sustainable Living Week!

Join us at the series of events from 28 April to 7 May 2023 to connect with nature, learn about simple actions on climate change that everyone can take and explore a more sustainable lifestyle. Small steps can make a big difference!

To see the full line-up of events and book your spot, please visit www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au/sustainable-living

Sunday 30 April

Spend Sunday 30 April with Matthew Evans, the Gourmet Farmer. Learn a handful of practical sustainable tips from his experience living and working on his Fat Pig Farm featured on SBS and his 13 books about food and soil.

Monday 1 May

Explore the importance of moving towards all-electric homes and how to ditch gas at the All-Electric Homes webinar on 1 May.

Thursday 4 May

Learn how to transform your very own garden into a place of climate action with Greenlink Box Hill indigenous plant nursery on 4 May.

Friday 28 April – Thursday 11 May

Enjoy some fantastic art created from recycled materials at our annual Upcycle Art Exhibition in Box Hill Community Arts Centre from 28 April to 11 May.

Sunday 7 May

Meet like-minded neighbours at our Regenerating Australia movie afternoon on Sunday 7 May.

Friday 28 April – Sunday 7 May

For the youngest ones in our community, we will be hosting a series of sustainability-themed stories, rhymes and craft activities as part of Storytime across Whitehorse Libraries and the Blackburn Lake Visitor’s Centre.