monash 125 parks - city of monash | monash council · including robert bosch, nec, bmw, telstra,...

Today the City of Monash is one of Melbourne’s most populous municipalities, with an estimated 176,069 residents living in 63,235 households. It is a highly diverse and cosmopolitan city. Almost 40 per cent of residents come from more than 30 countries. The City has a highly skilled and well-educated workforce and its residents enjoy a level of home ownership considerably higher than the Melbourne average.

Monash is home to some of Melbourne’s best known institutions, including the Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, Holmesglen TAFE, the Victoria Police Academy and Jells Park. It has also developed a reputation as a technology and business centre thanks to the Australian Synchrotron as well as the headquarters of a number of major companies, including Robert Bosch, NEC, BMW, Telstra, Biota, Mercedes Benz, Nestle and Toyota.

Along with these major companies, a large number of small to medium businesses provide some 90,000 jobs, making it second only to the CBD for job opportunities.

The City of Monash community, like the wider community, is ageing with growth in the number of people aged over 55 living in the municipality. At the same time, Monash remains a desirable place for families (61 per cent of households are families with children – ABS 2006 Census) due to the leafy character of the city along with schools, tertiary education institutions and a broad range of sporting, recreational and community facilities including libraries.

The city is connected to the rest of Melbourne by major roads including the Monash and Eastern Freeways and Eastlink and public transport, in particular trains and a large network of bus routes.

The City of Monash is also endowed with 125 parks and reserves that are home to important stands of indigenous vegetation. These form important corridors, which provide havens and habitat for native wildlife.

we are today

Who

176,069 residents90,000 jobs

125 parks

Activation! (Ashwood Chadstone Family Fun Day) 2010

11Monash 2021 a thriving community

Monash

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Building on strong fundamentals

• Fiscal responsibility – Council is unswerving in its prudent and astute approach to financial management to ensure the long term financial sustainability of the organisation.

• Organisational capability – Council strives to be a responsive organisation with highly skilled and trained people who are supported to develop and to meet the needs of a diverse community.

• Governance – Council has a strong track record as a responsibly governed organisation that is accountable to the community through a commitment to consultation and transparency of decision-making.

• Risk management – Council takes a structured and thorough approach to risk management with a plan that is regularly reviewed and adapted to meet changing circumstances.

• Asset management – Council takes a planned and evidence-based approach to maintaining and upgrading the city’s significant public assets to ensure they are safe, fit-for-purpose and meet the changing needs of the community.

• Partnerships – Council works constructively in partnerships with a large range of organisations to generate positive outcomes for the community including other levels of government, agencies, healthcare providers, Victoria Police and community groups.

Building on strong fundamentals

Over the coming decade, the City of Monash will continue to build on its track record of responsible government and financial management. In order for Council to achieve its vision for the community and to meet future challenges, it is essential that it gets the fundamental things right,

Early Ashphalt works

which include:

The City of Monash Planning Framework


Building on strong fundamentalsBuilding on strong fundamentals The City of Monash Planning FrameworkCouncil takes an integrated approach to planning and reporting on its performance, which means there is consistency and alignment of plans so Council can work towards long term goals through its ongoing decision making and operations.

Council Plan

Business Plan

Annual Report

A long-term strategy that identifies goals for

the future.

A four-year plan of Council’s priorities and actions aimed at achieving the goals in the

long term strategy.

An annual plan of action to guide Council departments

in progressing the objectives in the Council Plan.

An annual report on Council’s actions and achievements

towards the goals and objectives in all plans.

Snapshot report every three years

Reviewed annually

Updated annually

Producedannually

Monash 2021

This approach also builds in opportunities for review and renewal to ensure Council is responding to what the community is saying and to shifts in the external environment.

Council measures its progress towards the vision in Monash 2021 – a thriving community through an annual reporting cycle against the specific measures outlined in the annual Business Plan and in the Council Plan.

Monash 2021 will be reviewed every three years and a public snapshot report produced to ensure it remains relevant and aligned with the priorities of council and the community.

The following illustration shows how Council’s plans are linked and reinforce each other.

Eaton Mall, Oakleigh 2010

Our vision for Monash

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Our vision for Monash A thriving community now and in the future is Council’s vision for the City of Monash.

We see this vision as having four primary areas of focus:

A fair and healthy community1. where older people are encouraged to lead healthy and active lives,

2. where older people are supported to age at home or in their community,

3. that provides support, stability and facilities for families raising their children,

4. that recognises and embraces its diversity and its benefits,

5. that provides opportunities to people from all socio-economic backgrounds and

6. with a large range of essential services close to home.

A planned and connected city1. that retains its garden character while developing vibrant Activity

Centres that are residential, employment, transport, services, entertainment and cultural hubs,

2. with easy and quick connections to the rest of Melbourne,

3. where people have access to good road infrastructure,

4. that is committed to keeping improved public transport on the agenda,

5. with a range of different housing so young families and older people can afford to stay in Monash and

6. with a strong and diverse local economy that provide jobs for local people.

An inclusive and safe community1. with a sense of place and where people feel safe and connected to

their community,

2. with facilities and opportunities for people to come together and actively participate in the life of their community,

3. where Council continues to listen and show real interest in the community,

4. that is rich in skills and knowledge, with an openness to life-long learning and

5. that uses the most up to date online technology to enhance people’s lives while still valuing human contact.

A green and naturally-rich city1. that keeps its green leafy character and values open spaces,

2. where environmental sustainability is part of business as usual,

3. with high quality recreational facilities for organised sport and walking and cycling and

4. where people have a positive attitude to recycling and being waterwise.

vision: a thriving community


vision: a thriving community

To achieve this vision, Council’s work is underpinned by the principles of:

Sustainability

Fiscal responsibility

Leadership

Accountability

Advocacy

Engagement

A thriving

community

An inclusive and safe

community

A fair and healthy

community

A planned

and

connected city

A green and naturally

rich city

Acc

ou

ntab

ility

Fisc

al

resp

ons

ibilit

y

Sustainability

Leadership

Advo

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En

gagement

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A fair and healthy communityA fair and healthy community

The community that calls the City of Monash home is characterised by a very broad mix of demographics, backgrounds and socio economic circumstances.

There are a number of demographic and social trends that will continue to have an effect in Monash over the next 10 years. Growth in the number of people aged 70 and over, and in families with young children will continue, as will the cultural diversity of the community. In addition, many people in the Baby Boomer generation will be moving into retirement and getting involved in different activities in the community.

The burden of chronic disease such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes as well as mental illness is also forecast to grow and will have an impact on local communities.

For Council this means planning and advocating for funding to assist greater numbers of older people with care services so they can live at home with dignity. Providing activities and meaningful learning and volunteering opportunities for people moving into retirement will need to be a focus.

To meet the need of more families, Council will need to continue to provide the full range of children’s and family services.

Ensuring that services are accessible by and sensitive to the needs of diverse cultural communities, supporting carers of people with a disability or those who are ill and, working on early intervention programs for issues such as obesity and problem gambling will also be important for community health and well being in the future.

Cosmopolitan community with family, friends and older residents.

Services for older and disabled people. Helping people to stay in their own homes.

Facilities for families bringing up children.

Great walking paths, lots of sporting activities, great libraries, pools etc.

Access to community and health services, public transport and useful parks.

Beautiful clean parks and playgrounds, and good quality schools for children.

The peaceful co-existence of people from many cultures.

Oakleigh Little Athletics 1971

Looking to the future

What the community says it values

A thriving

community


community

A fair and healthy

community

A

plannedand

connected city


rich city

Our current strategiesThe City of Monash currently provides a broad range of services, facilities and infrastructure that all play an important role in community health and well-being from children’s and young people’s services to aged care services, community centres, recreation facilities, physical activity education and cultural events and facilities. It has also put a number of strategies in place to ensure the quality, appropriateness and cost-effectiveness of these services and facilities.

The Municipal Public Health Plan 2010-2013 is an important strategic document which will guide Council’s overall work to promote the health and well-being of the community over the coming three years. A number of other dedicated strategies such as the Disability Access and Inclusion Framework and Action Plan, the Multicultural Framework and Action Plan, the Youth Action Plan, the Monash Municipal Early Years Plan, and the Indigenous Framework and Action Plan, deliver on the aims of the broader plan.

For the best part of a decade, the City of Monash has also been actively working to reduce the harm that arises from problem gambling in the community through its Monash Responsible Gaming Action Plan, which has guided Council advocacy for problem gambling support services, and community education programs.

Our future prioritiesOur priorities for the next 10 years will be to:

Continue to develop active reserves for a range of sports; and passive reserves for walking and recreation to encourage active living in Monash.

Support the diversity of the Monash community through cultural development programs and events and by supporting community groups to share their traditions with others

Work in closer partnership with health and community agencies on public health and creating healthy environments.

Plan for the refurbishment of facilities for the community.

Provide facilities and services for families with young children so they get the best start in life.

Advocate for funding and provide services to help older people age with dignity at home.

Adapt our services to support the needs of people in Monash to take advantage of the opportunities provided by a large group of recently retired, experienced and energetic people.

Continue to provide support and services for young people.


Clayton Community Pool

Looking to the future Victoria’s population is forecast to grow and with it the population of the municipality of the City of Monash. By 2031, it is estimated that there will be approximately 191,000 people living in the City of Monash. Planning for the future liveability of a more populous city will be one of the City of Monash’s greatest challenges in the next 10 to 20 years.

For Council this means balancing new development to accommodate more people with retaining the suburban garden character of the city that the community values.

A greater diversity in the types of housing available, including increased density and higher dwelling heights in some areas of the city, will be needed so young families and older people can stay in Monash. At the same time, it will be vital that Council maintain and enhance existing public spaces, centres and the large range of recreational and community facilities. The City of Monash will need to work in partnership with the Commonwealth, State and other local governments so that land use decisions and planning processes help achieve this balance.

Advocating on behalf of the community for better integrated public transport, while continuing to maintain and enhance the safety and quality of the local road network and parking facilities will also remain important areas of focus.

As the major jobs corridor for the eastern metropolitan area, Monash will continue its efforts to build on the city’s robust local economy and encourage jobs growth. Focus will also continue on securing the long term success of the Technology Precinct around the Australian Synchrotron.

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What the community says it valuesA planned and connected cityA planned and connected city

Convenience, we are in walking distance to all we need.

Well maintained and clean tree-lined streets.

The suburban feel, with lively local strip shopping and public transport.

A balance between residential and commercial and industrial development.

Great facilities such as swimming pools and recreation centres and park land.

Our traditional suburban lifestyle and the larger blocks of land available.

Good connections to bus and train services.

Ease of access to city by train/freeway.

Waverley Park Football Ground circa 1980’s

A thriving

community


community

A fair and healthy

community

A

plannedand

connected city


rich city


The Monash Planning Scheme and particularly the Municipal Strategic Statement (MSS) outlines council’s vision and how it approaches the key areas of urban development, transport and traffic management, activity centre development, the environment, and economic development. The Garden City Character is a core value of the scheme and is an important consideration in all land use and development decisions.

The MSS has and will continue to guide Council’s work in developing structure plans for the city’s Activity Centres and encouraging increased density and high dwelling heights in specific locations such as the Glen Waverley and Oakleigh Major Activity Centres, and to a lesser extent Brandon Park, Clayton and Mount Waverley Major Activity Centres. It has also driven the conversation of significant residential, commercial and industrial heritage buildings, places, streetscapes and bushland areas.

Council is also a member of the Eastern Affordable Housing Alliance that will advocate and create strategies to assist residents of eastern Melbourne to have improved access to housing that is affordable.

Council’s Road Management Plan 2009 was developed to balance the competing demands on the local road network and provide the city with safe, well maintained roads. Council has also been actively working with other local governments and the state government to improve both the road network and public transport. As a member of the Eastern Transport Coalition, the City of Monash continues to strongly advocate for improvements to public transport infrastructure, services and connections in the eastern suburbs.

The City of Monash Economic Development Strategy 2008–2012 is guiding efforts to encourage investment, business growth and employment opportunities in the municipality. It is closely linked to work with the broader Melbourne South East Strategy, which is a partnership of all levels of government promoting the economic development of the region.


Work in partnership with neighbouring councils and community organisations to advocate for continuing improvements to public transport services in the city.

Invest in the strategic development of our city to promote its character and amenity.

Develop the city’s Activity Centres to create vibrant centres where new residential and commercial development is linked to transport and services.

Put in place strategies to encourage the development of private and public affordable housing.

Build on the strengths of the Technology Precinct and secure its long term future as a magnet for high tech research, development and industry.

Encourage ongoing economic development and growth of local jobs.

Continue to invest in the city’s local road, pedestrian and bicycle network.

Continue to invest in parking facilities.

Our current strategies

Waverley Park today

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What the community says it values

A n inclusive and safe communityAn inclusive and safe communityCommunity spirit and to feel safe.

Friendly, community based atmosphere in shopping strips

Council listens to ratepayers and acts on what is said to them.

A Safe place to live and bring up a family.

A council who is interested in its citizens.

Multiple branches of the library with variety of media, diverse range of books and holiday programs.

Lively culture and convenience for shopping and social life such as on Kingsway, Glen Waverley.

The high quality, affordability and availability of community centres and services like libraries and aquatic centres.

Looking to the future Local governments have an important role to play in providing facilities and services that help build a sense of community. They also play an important role in community safety both through the design of safe public spaces and providing information and guidance to residents on staying safe on the roads, in public spaces and at home.

The rise of information technology over the past 10 years is changing the way we access information and interact with each other and with organisations. It is widely accepted that broadband internet access has become increasingly essential and households with only dial-up or no internet service are being left behind as both government and the private sector move more of their business online.

For Council this means planning to meet the expectations of the community for more information and services online. It highlights the importance of libraries and neighbourhood houses in providing access to the internet and other digital media and in helping the community gain the skills to use them. The information age is also raising community expectations about being heard and having a say in the decisions that affect them.

At the same time, it will remain vitally important that Council continues to provide facilities, activities and opportunities that strengthen the fabric of society by bringing people together to socialise, share interests and support each other.

Kingsway, Glen Waverley 1967

A thriving

community


community

A fair and healthy

community

A

plannedand

connected city


rich city

Deliver an inclusive, diverse and effectively managed festival and events program, and provide local places to experience art and cultural expression.

Continue to build the reputation of the Monash Gallery of Art as a nationally relevant cultural institution recognised for its expertise in Australian photography.

Provide accessible services and library collections to our diverse community that foster lifelong learning, encourage enjoyment and enhance wellbeing.

Increase Council’s capacity to support agencies and the community in responding to emergencies.


Our current strategiesThe City of Monash is determined to ensure that all members of the community can get involved and feel connected to their community. A number of action plans have been developed to address the unique needs of specific groups in the community. The Monash Public Library Service has developed into a vital centre of knowledge and information for all, with six branches providing a broad range of services including traditional books (in community languages), digital media, access to computers with the internet and wi-fi internet as well as storytime sessions, holiday programs, homework clubs and many others.

For many years Council has supported the cultural life of the city through community festivals and support for diverse local arts events and groups as well as running the highly regarded Monash Gallery of Art, a recognised specialist in Australian photography.

Council also recognises the importance of sport and recreation in providing a sense of community and has developed the Active Reserves Strategies (stage 1 and 2) to ensure the long term health and viability of the city’s 80 reserves which are used for activities such as cricket, football, soccer, rugby, bocce, croquet, archery, baseball, athletics, fitness training, dog obedience training, school sport and informal social activities.

Council’s Municipal Emergency Management Plan is playing a key role in the organisation’s preparedness to respond to emergencies in the city and ensure the safety of the community.


Continue to explore the unique social and community needs of our local neighbourhoods.

Optimise our use of sporting reserves and facilities and explore new technologies to enhance them.

Adapt our communications and services to meet community expectations to conduct business with council online.

Ensure Council is consulting and engaging with the community in contemporary, appropriate and meaningful ways.

Continue to raise community awareness about safety in the home and public spaces.

Promote libraries as dynamic portals where the community can connect to the wider world through electronic access and resources.

Kingsway, Glen Waverley today

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What the community says it valuesA green and naturally-rich cityA green and naturally-rich city

Looking to the future For some time, the global scientific community has been presenting evidence that human activity has and will continue to contribute to climate change. Responding to climate change is a pressing challenge as it cuts across our energy and water usage, transportation methods, the costs of extreme weather events and our enjoyment of open space and the natural environment.

For Council this means the need to plan for a higher number of extreme weather events including providing services to those who are vulnerable in heatwaves such as those with pre-existing health conditions, the elderly and infants. Council will also need to continue to be innovative in maintaining parks, sports fields and gardens, and in waste management to further reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. Protecting and rejuvenating natural areas and encouraging sustainability in urban design as well as in private commercial and housing design will also remain important.

A clean, green community environment.

Preservation of reserves and wetlands.

Open space, re-vegetated bushland, tall trees.

Environmental values.

Recycling program and hard rubbish.

Being in a “green” city and the bike and walk paths, along with the wetlands.

Tree-lined streets and open space.

Green and leafy - birds and fresh air.

Cnr Atkinson St and Broadway, Oakleigh 1896

A thriving

community


community

A fair and healthy

community

A

plannedand

connected city


rich city


Our current strategiesThe City of Monash has been active in reducing its carbon emissions and water and energy use for many years guided by the Monash Greenhouse Action Plan 2003 and as a member of the International Cities for Climate Protection™ program since 2002. Council has also agreed to join the Victorian Local Government Sustainability Accord.

The Monash Stormwater Management Plan and Water Use Management Strategy 2008 are both driving significant work to save water and enhance the natural environment. For example, through using constructed wetlands and litter traps to treat storm water, thereby improving the quality of water in bushland waterways.

Working with the community to effectively manage litter and waste and to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill has also been a priority. The Litter Prevention Strategy 2009 contains a range of actions covering community education, council infrastructure and enforcement of local laws.

Council has also been developing a roadmap to coordinate and prioritise its actions across the broad range of issues related to the natural environment and reducing the city’s carbon footprint.


Lead the Monash community in responsible recycling, waste and litter management.

Cultivate and promote sustainable living practices within the Monash community including recycling and water and energy use.

Reduce our community’s use of resources and our greenhouse gas emissions.

Lead by example in adopting sustainable practices and technology in council buildings and operations.

Educate and support residents to adapt to a low carbon economy.

Use community events as opportunities to engage the community in discussion about environmental issues.

Maintain the provision of open space for passive and active uses.

Maintain the leafy character of the city and streetscapes.

Monash Civic Centre 293 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley, 3150

Hours: 8.30am - 5pm, Monday to Friday

Oakleigh Service Centre

Atherton Road, Oakleigh, 3166

Hours: 8.45am - 5pm, Monday to Friday

General EnquiriesPhone: 9518 3555 TTY - Hearing impaired: 9518 3655

E-mail: [email protected]

Postal AddressMonash City CouncilPO Box 1

Glen Waverley, 3150

Contact us

monash 125 parks - city of monash | monash council · including robert bosch, nec, bmw, telstra,...

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