Highlights from Maroondah City Council’s first meeting for 2020

Maroondah City Council’s first Ordinary Meeting of the year was highlighted by the adoption of a proposed Heritage Overlay at 3-5 Wonga Road, Ringwood North, and the tracking of progress of Council’s priority actions outlined in the Council Plan 2017-2021.

At its meeting on Monday 17 February 2020 Council resolved to adopt Amendment C128maro to the Maroondah Planning Scheme, paving the way to protect the local heritage significance of 3-5 Wonga Road, Ringwood North.

Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Mike Symon, said the amendment would seek for a permanent Heritage Overlay to be applied to the whole of the property at 3-5 Wonga Road, replacing an Interim Heritage Overlay due to expire on 31 March 2020.

“In response to a planning permit application that sought demolition of the dwelling at 3-5 Wonga Road, Council pursued a detailed assessment on the heritage significance of the site,” Cr Symon said.

“Subject to final approval by the Minister for Planning, Amendment C128maro will ensure that the existing building (former ‘Thalloo’ house c.1942) and garden at 3-5 Wonga Road in Ringwood North, identified as having local heritage significance, will be protected and that any future redevelopment will have regard to the significant heritage aspects of the site,” he said.

In other news, Council has noted positive progress in delivering the 2019-20 priority actions identified in the

As of 31 December 2019, four projects were completed, 54 were in progress and one was yet to commence. Reports on the progress of key priorities are provided to Council on a quarterly basis throughout the financial year.

Among projects on track for completion in 2019/20 include: the Quambee sportsfield reconstruction; development of a new Arts & Cultural Development Strategy; development of the Maroondah Vegetation Review; identification of flood mitigation solutions for Croydon Major Activity Centre; and the Maroondah 2040 Interim Review.

In addition, construction has commenced on the $4.25 million redevelopment of the HE Parker Sporting Pavilion, due for completion by May 2020. Design work has also begun on the $3.25 million Proclamation Park Sporting Pavilion redevelopment, with construction due to start mid-2020.

“The Council Plan plays a vital role in shaping Maroondah’s future over a four-year period and identifies both challenges and opportunities for our community at a local and regional level,” Cr Symon said.

“We make our decisions based on the best interests of the community and we 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,” he said.

A six-monthly report on Council’s fiscal year to date was also presented to Council.

The report gives the public a comprehensive record of what the city spent and includes a detailed financial report.

For the six months ended 31 December 2019, Council is $1.24 million ahead of the year-to-date forecast budget.

“The 31 December 2019 year-to-date results are favourable and provide a solid foundation for achieving Council’s 2019-2020 services, future capital works, and advocacy programs,” Cr Symon said.

Councillors also received an update on Council’s Community Assistance Fund, a grant scheme supporting individuals and community groups in Maroondah.

From July to December 2019, nine individuals shared in almost $3000 of funding to support them in their sporting endeavours, with a further $5000 in-kind support going to the Rotary Club of Croydon & Montrose for its Charity Golf Day.

Cr Symon said the Community Assistance Fund was the only scheme available offering funding opportunities for individual Maroondah residents.

“The fund exists to offer assistance to individuals to meet costs associated with participation in community activities such as sporting competitions, self-development initiatives or arts interests,” he said.

Council at its meeting also endorsed the Municipal Emergency Management Plan (2020-2023).

The MEMP outlines the requirements and procedures for emergency mitigation, operations and associated relief and recovery arrangements at a municipal level in the event of an emergency.

“Emergency management planning at the municipal level is a shared responsibility involving many people and organisations in the community. Communities that are well supported to recover are more likely to survive, adapt and grow, making them resilient to subsequent emergencies,’ Cr Symon said.

“The MEMP is always accessible online and at Council’s customer services centres, and residents are invited to contribute and provide feedback about the Plan at any time,” he added.

Minutes from and documents relating to the Ordinary Meeting are

The next Ordinary Meeting of Council will be held on Monday 16 March at 7.30pm in the Council Chambers in Braeside Avenue, Ringwood.

For anyone not able to attend meetings in person, Council meetings can be streamed live over the internet or accessed via an online archive.