Council Business Summary January to March 2023

Your elected Councillors meet twice a month to discuss Council business, set strategic objectives and make decisions on behalf of the community. Here are some of the decisions made and discussions held over the past few months:

31 January 2023

• Work with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elders to ensure community understanding and support for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, which Council has formally endorsed as important constitutional recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Deliver a report on the outcomes of the electric vehicle charging station in The Parade, Ascot Vale and review the feasibility of expanding the cost-neutral charging stations at locations such as leisure centres, sports facilities and shopping areas.
• Consult the community on renaming Boeing Reserve Oval 4 in Strathmore Heights to Chris Lane Field, in memory of the former Essendon Baseball Club player and Moonee Valley resident and as part of Council’s proposed place naming process.
• Support Moonee Valley Knights soccer team in their bid for promotion by Football Victoria to the State League 4 North division.

14 February 2023

• Assess risks and opportunities for improved dog walking signage across different park locations.
• Advise residents of Regent Street, Ascot Vale of approved parking changes, including removal of the 7pm-7am permit zone on the northern side and additional parking patrols, and survey residents in a year about the effectiveness.
• Prepare a report on the options of diverting soft plastics from landfill to assess drop-off at Council facilities and further recycling opportunities through product development and asphalting of roads.
• Lobby Australia Post to consider a new site or leasing options to ensure continued post office services for the Essendon community due to announced closure of the postal outlet at 881 Mount Alexander Road.
• Request a joint meeting with Victoria Racing Club, Melbourne Showgrounds, City of Melbourne and other relevant stakeholders to agree on improved consultation and communication with residents and the community impacted by events at Flemington Racecourse and the Showgrounds.
• Consider options for the possible return of the Moonee Valley Festival into the annual event program and suitable locations including Queens Park.
• Investigate the health and condition of trees in Valley Lake Estate, Keilor East, in response to reports of pest infestation and consider management options such as eucalyptus tree plantings.
• Assess benefits and impacts of the Victorian Government’s Kerbside Recycling Reforms (introduction of a four-bin collection system) and the most suitable service options for Moonee Valley.
• Write to the Minister for Planning to clarify the meaning and operation of sections 106-113 (building notices and orders) of Victoria’s Building Act 1993, and any reforms that may be required to support continued safety compliance inspections by municipal building surveyors.
• Deliver a submission from Council to the Maribyrnong River Flood Event Independent Review, conducted by Melbourne Water, to highlight issues such as impacts of the flood on Moonee Valley, Melbourne Water approaches to flood modelling and Council’s position on the Flemington Racecourse flood wall.
• Consult with the community on installing a synthetic pitch and associated lighting at JH Allan Reserve in Keilor East and evaluate costs as part of Council’s 2023-24 Budget estimates.
• Publish the Quarterly Declaration of Council Expenses for October − December 2022 on Council’s website.

28 February 2023

• Endorsed the Bagarru Bagarru Djerring Reconciliation Plan to 2025 and Reconciliation Policy.
• Resolved to issue a Planning Permit for buildings and works associated with a maintenance facility at 80 Wilson Street, Moonee Ponds (Moonee Valley Racecourse) in line with several conditions.
• Write to the Department of Transport and Planning, the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, the Hon. Melissa Horne, and the Member for Essendon, the Hon. Danny Pearson, requesting an urgent meeting to discuss recent pedestrian safety incidents at Essendon North Junction roundabouts. Council will also seek immediate investigation into proposed safety upgrades at Mt Alexander Road from Mooltan Street, Travencore to Moonee Ponds Junction.
• Write to the Department of Transport and Planning, the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, the Hon. Melissa Horne, and the Member for Niddrie, the Hon. Ben Carroll, seeking to engage and work with the school to investigate potential options to improve pedestrian safety at St Martin De Porres Primary School on Military Road, Avondale Heights.
• Prepare a report outlining advantages and disadvantages to Council and listing potential opportunities for a public-private partnership of a highball stadium on Council land and the steps Council would need to take to consider these options.
• Review current arrangements regarding presentation of the Neighbourhood Spirit Awards and consider returning to previous formats or holding the event to coincide with opening of the new Djerring Flemington Hub or at Council festivals.

14 March 2023

• Resolved to issue a Planning Permit for an application at 80 Wilson Street, Moonee Ponds related to the construction of buildings and works associated with the upgrade of Moonee Valley Racecourse, and in line with certain conditions.
• Resolved to issue a Notice of Decision to Refuse an application for the development of an 11-storey mixed use building at 25-29 Keilor Road, Essendon.
• Approved awarding a design and construction contract for a new South Pavilion at Fairbairn Park in Ascot Vale.
• Endorsed the draft Footpath Trading Policy and draft Parklet Guidelines for community consultation, with a report to Council on recommended amendments following the public engagement process.
• Should Council be required to act on a request by Emergency Services to rename The Avenue and Newman Street, Niddrie, between Keilor Road and Hotham Road, that Council commences the processes by initially calling for renaming recommendations from the broader Moonee Valley community, prior to an initial report coming to Council, while noting Council’s commitment to recognise the diverse multicultural community, Indigenous history and contributions of notable women in Moonee Valley.
• Endorsed Council’s submission to Melbourne Water’s Maribyrnong River Flood Review.
• Oversee an integrated approach to weed management across dog parks and open spaces in Moonee Valley, monitor alternative management practices, industry trends to reduce herbicide use and support non-chemical weed control activities by the community.

View meetings, submit questions and read minutes on Council’s website.

We thank everyone for their contributions to Council meetings in 2022. Our first meeting for 2023 will be held on 31 January at 6.30pm. Please visit the Council meetings page for all planned meeting dates for 2023. We look forward to working with the community for a healthy and vibrant Moonee Valley in 2023.