Council adopts Annual Report 2018/19 – full version now online

Council has adopted its Annual Report 2018/19, which outlines the organisation’s performance and achievements in the municipality over the past financial year.

Formally endorsed by Council at its 21 October 2019 meeting, the Annual Report 2018/19 reviews Council activities and business from the past financial year.

Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Rob Steane said the document highlighted a busy year of achievement and Council’s progress in meeting strategic goals and community expectations outlined in the Council Plan (2017-2021).

“Council’s Annual Report is like a viewing window into our place of work and provides an opportunity to keep the community informed of our progress,” said Cr Steane.

“Contained within this comprehensive 227-page document are not only facts and figures, but it highlights what we’ve achieved during the year and what we expect for the coming year,” he said.

“We have successfully completed the second year of the four-year Council Plan. Other long-term planning has taken place to guide the development of a new Children and Families Strategy, a new Youth Strategy and a Vegetation Strategy.

“The adoption of Council’s new Reconciliation Action Plan earlier this year sees us continue to focus on identifying practical actions and measures for creating opportunities, promoting a respectful culture and building relationships with our local Indigenous community.

“In addition, Council continues to plan for the future of our two Activity Centres, with a review of the Ringwood Metropolitan Activity Centre (RMAC) Masterplan and significant work in the Croydon Activity Centre.

“We have also commenced the development of a draft Croydon Community Precinct Masterplan, with the proposed redevelopment receiving a $2 million funding commitment from the Federal Government,” Cr Steane said.

The annual report also highlights where Council works in partnership with other organisations and community volunteers to deliver services and fulfil commitments in areas such as reconciliation, supporting refugees, delivering aged-friendly services and managing and protecting our environment.

“To continue our important work in the area of community health and safety, both Ringwood and Croydon town squares become smoke free on 1 January 2019,” Cr Steane said.

“Council has also collaborated with numerous local agencies to support those affected by hoarding and squalor in our community. This included the launch in 2018 of the Maroondah Hoarding and Squalor Network website, which has had well over 6000 visits to date.

“We are also proud of the many projects completed, including the unveiling earlier this year of the $2 million Croydon Town Square, which creates a new open space and better connections between Main Street and Croydon station and bus interchange.

“Another major highlight has been the opening of the $16.5 million HE Parker multi-sports pavilion, Maroondah Nets, in May. The annual report charts the significant planning that has gone into this spectacular community facility, including its environmentally sustainable design that complements the natural surrounding landscape.

“We were also proud to launch a new accessible playspace at Ringwood Lake Park in August 2018, which was supported by a $100,000 Victorian Government grant,” Cr Steane said.

He said Council had continued its advocacy to the Victorian Government in the lead-up to the State election in November 2018, and the to Federal Government ahead of this year’s Federal election in May.

“We were successful in achieving more than $180 million in funding for a range of significant projects that will benefit the community. These include $60 million for carparks at four of our railway stations, road improvements for Dorset Road ($50 million) and Canterbury Road ($24.5 million), and funding for sporting and community facilities.

“We do our utmost to make decisions in the best interests of the community and advocate to other levels of government where Council is not the decision-making authority. Issues such as recycling, transport and infrastructure continue to be at the forefront of efforts to meet the current and future needs of our community.

“We are very proud of the work that has been achieved by the organisation, in partnership with Councillors and the community. The significant achievements of the past year are highlighted throughout this report and we commend it as a record of the extent of what has been accomplished to ensure our City, and the community, continues to be active, prosperous, vibrant, sustainable, accessible, thriving, inclusive and empowered,” Cr Steane added.

The Local Government Act 1989 (the Act) requires all local government authorities to prepare and submit an annual report to the Minister for Local Government each financial year.

The full version of the Annual Report 2018/19 can be viewed online or in hard copy at Council’s service centres.