Mayor 2022-23
Congratulations to the new Mayor of Moonee Valley, Cr Pierce Tyson! He’s joined in his leadership by Deputy Mayor, Cr Samantha Byrne. They were elected to their new roles at our annual Statutory Meeting last night, with a majority of councillors (including me) supporting this team to dedicate the next 12 months to leading our wonderful municipality. I know they’ll have a strong partnership and will work incredibly hard for our community. Congratulations to them both
Flood clean up
The flood clean up continues with Council staff continuing to work through facilities that have been waterlogged and damaged. Here’s a summary from council officers.
Sports fields
Sports fields at Fairbairn Park and Aberfeldie Park have been impacted. There are currently 10 cricket fields (8 synthetic and 2 turf) out of action while remedial works take place. Officers are working with all cricket associations to accommodate games elsewhere. This is challenging as we are already at capacity for cricket match venues within Moonee Valley. We are also working closely with clubs.
The clean-up and repair work planned for fields includes:
Scraping off the thick mud/silt with a bobcat
Phase mowing the thin mud/silt, this will remove the majority of the mud
Double scarify the surface to remove the remaining mud
Aerate the surface to allow air and water to penetrate
Top-dress with clean sand to level out the surface and encourage turf growth
Fertilise to encourage turf growth.
The works should take up to 3 weeks weather permitting and cricket games can commence once the works are completed. There will be sand present across the grounds. These works will ensure the grounds will be safe for play and training.
Commencing these works is proving difficult due to the current weather pattern. We are waiting until the grounds have further dried out, as putting heavy machinery on the grounds now will further damage the surface. To expedite the issue a contractor has been engaged to pump away pooling water over the coming days to allow machinery to enter as soon as possible.
Athletics track
Polytan is currently on site scrubbing and high pressure cleaning the track, this will take several days with a secondary assessment to follow and potentially further cleaning may be required at this stage.
Riverside Tennis and Netball
Contractors are currently onsite removing mud and cleaning the courts with many courts now cleaned. This may take up to ten days, but hopefully less.
Cricket nets
Fairbairn and Aberfeldie have seen partial sludge removal at both locations, with cleaning now required. Expected completion next week.
Playgrounds
Awaiting final assessment report on condition with priority to be Pirate Ship Playground. Report expected shortly. Expected works to be removal and replacement of all soft fall, sand and sanitation.
BBQs
Across the site, 19 separate BBQs have internal mechanisms requiring replacement. There are likely delays with materials.
Park Furniture
Condition inspections of general parks furniture remains ongoing by internal teams. Minimal issues reported thus far.
Trees
Trees are being inspected to ensure structural integrity with priority given to areas being utilised by the upcoming Illuminate the River Festival.
Council Meeting Tuesday 25 October
You can read about the decisions made at this week’s Council meeting here: https://mvcc.vic.gov.au/my-council/council-meetings/#read
492-494 Mt Alexander Road, Ascot Vale: All Councillors except Cr Sipek supported the permit for ‘Trombar’ with extensive conditions to limit and manage noise and patron behaviour and secure enforceable limits on impacts to residential amenity.
Moonee Valley City Council Annual Report 2021-22 and Achievement of Council Plan and Health Plan 2021-25 Strategies were carried unanimously and provide an important summary of your Council’s performance.
Two contracts were unanimously supported: Award Contract No 2306/084 - Library Collections, Furniture, Equipment & Associated Requirements and Award of Contract No. 203176 - Cold Planning and Supply, Lay and Consolidation of Asphalt
The Review of Councillor Expenses Policy was unanimously supported bringing about some changes to some expenses: a cap of $250 on tickets to non-Council events; inclusion of travel for advocacy; professional development expenses to accumulate over the 4 year term; and provision of an Electric Mayoral vehicle on request and Myki cards to encourage councillors to use sustainable transport.
Disability Inclusion Bill Exposure submission was approved with a note about not expecting expertise or advice from people with lived or living experience of disability to be provided for free.
Notice of Motion No. 2022/24 - Dogs on leash was supported unanimously.
Notice of Motion No. 2022/25 - Advocacy for the welfare of racing and post-racing greyhounds, and future Greyhound Off-Leash Dog Park opportunities within the City of Moonee Valley was supported with Crs Tyson and Iser voting against parts of the motion given the absence of independent advice on the issue and concerns for Moonee Valley maintaining a strategic and effective approach to our advocacy.
Confidential Reports: Chris Lane Memorial Field project funding shortfall and Variation to Contract No. 21/039 - Construction of Flemington Community Hub
Events
Community clean up Fairbairn Park – Sunday 30 October 9am-12pm
Are you interested in doing your part to pitch in and help the massive clean-up efforts along the Maribyrnong River in Moonee Valley ?
We're seeking community members to join a Community Flood Clean-up at Fairbairn Park & Riverside Golf Course, for a few hours over the weekend. Hot drinks and refreshments will be provided to the hard-working crew, and BYO water bottle. We also encourage you to wear steel-capped boots or gumboots as the ground is still quite tricky to walk on.
When: 9am-12pm, Sunday 30 October
Where: Meet at the Pavilion at Fairbairn Park, Wood Street, Ascot Vale.
Register online: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/449901927777
Engagement
Please respond to the survey about the new play space for Strathaird Reserve, Strathmore https://yoursay.mvcc.vic.gov.au/strathairdplay
Information
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
The United Nations’ international campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence takes place each year from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) until 10 December (International Human Rights Day). We are pleased to report that Council is organising and supporting a broad range of activities for this year’s campaign, details of which you can find in the attached Calendar of Events. We especially encourage participation in the Walk Against Family Violence event taking place in the CBD on the 25th November.
And finally …
Activate your parking permits! It's racing season!
Please remember to display your permits as Parking Officers will be patrolling the area and issuing fines to illegally parked vehicles. Residents are advised to call Council on 9243 8888 from 8am – 9pm on Saturday to report any parking breaches. If you're planning to get dressed up to head out to Derby Day we suggest you leave the car at home and take the quickest route - via public transport! There are plenty of tram, train and bus options in the area: http://ow.ly/JYW850Lnx0 The Victoria Racing Club are expecting 80,000 people to attend Derby Day at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday 29 October.