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Emmaus students brighten up local police station

The courtyards at Forest Hill Police Station (FHPS) have undergone a much-needed refresh, courtesy of the hardworking Year 12 VCAL students at Emmaus College.

The project kicked off early last year, when Bunnings Warehouse in Vermont South recommended the school’s Year 12 VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning) program to FHPS to make over their rundown and overgrown courtyards. “FHPS has always promptly assisted Bunnings in Vermont South, especially over the past two years of COVID,” said Scott Eddington, the VCAL Coordinator at Emmaus College. “Bunnings management wanted to acknowledge them by renovating their courtyards and, being very aware of the integrity of our VCAL program, recommended consulting us. Before long, 12VCAL took over the project.” “The first courtyard was very overgrown and messy, covered in rosemary bushes. This was converted to a beautiful space with a stream water feature. The second courtyard, which was heavily overgrown and an eyesore, was converted to a sophisticated, neat and tidy formal space.” The project took three months to execute, with students at the helm of planning, organisation, communication and construction. The planning stage saw students brainstorming ideas and meeting with officers and other suppliers to figure out what could be achieved. From here, students made 3D models of their ideas and presented two designs for each of the courtyards. The police were invited to choose from these. The students researched and liaised with local suppliers for donations, materials and inspiration for the courtyards. “We were fortunate enough to receive support from Eastern Suburbs Garden Supply, Plantmart Wantirna, Bunnings Warehouse Vermont South and BinGO Industries. They were very helpful and generous,” said Scott. With supplies gathered and plans finalised, the students commenced a three-day blitz to build the new courtyards. On day one, the team cleared the existing shrubs and plants, digging an area for the stream in the first courtyard and flattening the ground in the second one, preparing it for the weed mat. The second day was when the gardens really starting coming to life, with students installing the pump for the water feature, laying out the stones and mulch, placing down pavers and planting shrubs. On the third day, students received the final deliveries and finalised the last parts of the project. In spite of the cold weather and rain, the project was completed without a hitch and the team successfully delivered a beautiful new space for the police station to enjoy. “It was tiring and a lot of hard work, but it was worth it,” said Nathaniel, one of the students who worked on the project. “Being able to work with my peers on such a large-scale project was extremely enjoyable,” said another student Liam. “It was heaps of fun,” said Scott. “Students got so much out of the real-life experience of engaging with organisations to build such a lovely recreation space for the FHPS members.”

The first courtyard after construction

The second courtyard after construction

Working for Whitehorse

Championing customer experience

Whitehorse City Council has a hardworking Customer Service team operating out of the Nunawading Civic Centre, Forest Hill Chase and Box Hill Town Hall. They provide service in person, by phone and through several digital service channels.

Rikki Skocir is one of the friendly members of this team, helping out Whitehorse residents in her role as Acting Lead Operations, Customer Service. At 28, she’s already dedicated 10 years of service to the Whitehorse community. “I joined Whitehorse in 2011 as a school-based trainee and have been here ever since starting in Year 12,” said Rikki. “I manage the day to day operations for the Customer Service Team. My day changes depending on what issues arise. Typical tasks include rostering, procurement, checking the day’s cashiering transactions, reporting statistics, projects and supporting the team in any way they need.” If you have been on Council’s website, you may have noticed or interacted with the Chatbot, Ed. Rikki manages this handy and clever service. “Ed is a pop up, asking customers how he can help and answering common questions with pre-progammed answers. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.” “In the future, he will programmed to actually have conversations with customers which is exciting!” Council’s Customer Service team handles a wide variety of enquiries, most commonly relating to bins, rates, hard waste and general community concerns and issues. Rikki was instrumental in working out the best way the Customer Service department could serve the community while working remotely during the pandemic. “It was challenging to see how COVID affected residents,” said Rikki. “But what I enjoy most about my role is working with our great team and feeling like I get to make a positive impact for the community.”

Advocating for Whitehorse

Council continues to advocate for the interests of our community throughout the design and construction of the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East.

A new SRL underground station at Burwood will be built adjacent to Deakin University. As a result, Sinnott Street Reserve, including the Burwood Skyline Drive-in playground and community barbeque facilities, will be closed to the public from 2023. Council is pleased that the SRL Authority (SRLA) has secured a nearby location next to Lundgren Chain Reserve to build a replacement park. This park will serve the community for up to 10 years while works take place. The SRLA consulted the community in June for ideas and opportunities for the replacement park. A summary report on this consultation will be available soon. In May, Council provided a submission to the SRL East Inquiry and Advisory Committee (IAC) that advocated for the Sinnott Street Reserve to be returned to the community as open space after the station construction activities are finished. A decision will be made by the Minister for Planning later in 2022.

Image credit: Suburban Rail Loop East. This map shows the location of Sinnott Street Reserve and the temporary replacement park next to Lundgren Chain Reserve in Burwood.

L More information www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au/suburbanrail-loop

Adopted budget 2022/23

The 2022/23 Budget– which aims to balance the needs and priorities of our diverse and growing community – was adopted by Council on 27 June 2022.

The 2022/2023 budget reflects a commitment to growth, renewal and the delivery of projects and services, all while continuing to support our city through its post-pandemic recovery. It provides for a wide range of services, including sustainability, waste and recycling, home and community services, recreation and leisure, health and family services, arts and cultural services, libraries and maintenance of sports fields, parks and gardens, footpaths, drains and roads.

L More information www. whitehorse.vic.gov.au/adoptedbudget

Help us transform East Burwood Reserve

What are your ideas for the future of East Burwood Reserve?

Located on Burwood Highway near Springvale Road, the reserve is an expansive 16.2 hectare site with major sporting and recreation facilities. We are preparing a Masterplan to guide future use of the site for the next 15 years to meet the needs of our changing and growing community. Your feedback will help inform the development of the Masterplan, which will aim to maximise use of the site for sporting and community groups and the wider community. Learn more at our free community event on Saturday 16 July, 10am-12pm, at the north playground in the reserve. There will be complimentary coffee, muffins, giveaways and free activities for the kids. We would like to hear your thoughts on features that you like about the reserve and changes that you would like to see happen.

Submissions close on 7 August 2022.

L More information yoursay.whitehorse.vic.gov.au/eastburwood-reserve

Upgrading Elgar Park

You’re invited to have your say on upgrades to the north east oval at Elgar Park in Mont Albert North.

The sports field is currently in poor condition and underused. As an action of the Elgar Park Masterplan, Council is installing a synthetic playing surface and associated sports field flood lighting on the north east oval, as well as constructing a new car park next to it. The major benefit of a new synthetic oval is that it can be used at any time, for unlimited hours with consistent playing conditions, making it safer for players. It will also require less water and ongoing maintenance. The new lighting will enable sports to be played during low natural light conditions and the car park will provide approximately 12 additional parking bays. These upgrades are funded by the Victorian Government and will help Council address the growth in demand for sporting facilities. We would like to hear your thoughts on this project and find out how you use the park. The consultation is open from 11-31 July. Learn more and talk to us at our information sessions on Tuesday 19 July at 12pm (virtual) and 5.30pm at Elgar Park.

Have your say

Share your ideas and provide feedback on issues and projects that matter to you!

Register as a user on Your Say Whitehorse to receive notifications of new consultations.

To sign up to Your Say Whitehorse, visit yoursay.whitehorse.vic.gov.au

Investment and Economic Development Strategy

Have your say on the future of industry, business, investment and employment in Whitehorse.

The survey on Council’s Investment and Economic Development Strategy 2023-2027 is now available on Your Say Whitehorse. Your voice is important – the Strategy will explore the following areas as well as other themes identified through community consultation. These include: ▪ Retention and expansion of local businesses ▪ Business attraction ▪ Investment facilitation and advocacy ▪ Promotion of sustainable development and innovation ▪ Promotion of social, economic and environmental viability and sustainability ▪ Support and promotion of quality of life for the

Whitehorse community The survey is available via the Your Say link below.

Council will also be establishing a local Economic Development Reference Group and running workshops, focus groups and pop up community sessions. Scan the QR code or visit www.wbiz.com. au to register your interest.

L More information: yoursay.whitehorse.vic.gov.au/investmentecodev-strategy