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Email:info@moreland.vic.gov.au

December 2004 05

Working Together For Our Community

Mayor’s Speech 2005

It is my great privilege to introduce to you the Mayor’sSpeech 2005.

The document explains the valuesand ideals that will guide Councilthis year, and throughout theterm.

It addresses many areas ofCouncil operations, and sets specific policy goals for theorganisation.

I would like to acknowledge all ofthe people who have contributedto this document. It started lifewithin the ALP, where everymember of the ALP in Morelandhad an opportunity to contributeto the policy developmentprocess. I’m proud to say thatdozens of members took theopportunity to get involved.

After the election, the Mayor’sSpeech emerged from the ALPpolicy, through consultation withthe non-Labor Councillors andwith the administration. Council’ssenior officers gave their inputbefore the document was presented to every MorelandCouncillor for their contributionsand additions.

I want to record my congratulations and thanks to allof my fellow Councillors for taking up the challenge of publicoffice. I am very much lookingforward to working with you andthe community to put our values,ideals and specific policy initiatives into action. In theprocess we will no doubt haveour differences, but we will workthrough them as a team.

I will make sure that this is aninclusive Council, benefiting fromthe strengths and capacities ofeach of the Councillors. ThisCouncil is the first elected underproportional representation andthere is now a greater diversity ofpolitical views represented.Whatever political view we maybe from, we are now all workingto serve the same community,and we will serve them best if wework as a team.

Putting together the Mayor’sSpeech 2005 has been an inclusive process, with manyviewpoints and perspectivestaken into account.

As Mayor I am very proud of theresult and I will work to achievethe goals it sets out.

Cr Mark HigginbothamMayor

Mayor’s Speech 1

Councillor MarkHigginbothamMayordelivered the Mayor’s Speech at theCoburg Town Hall on 15 December 2004

Mayor’s Speech 2005Working Together For Our Community

Public Health

Council will always promote thehealth, safety and well-being ofthe Moreland community. OurMoreland Municipal Public HealthPlan views health as a completestate of physical, mental andsocial well-being, more than justthe absence of illness and disease.

Our urban environment, socialand economic circumstances, ourlifestyle and our relationshipswith family and friends are allimportant to our health and wellbeing.

The most serious illnesses inMoreland are heart disease, diabetes, asthma, cancer andmental health problems. Weknow that we can reduce theseillnesses by addressing such issuesas social isolation, youth unemployment and low incomes.Council aims to enhance healthand well-being in Moreland byensuring access to safe recreationand leisure opportunities, openspace, cleaner air and access topublic transport, community support services and informationon health issues. We will pursuethese and the other goals set outin the Moreland Municipal PublicHealth Plan.

Council will also continue to campaign for a universal, accessible and quality publichealth system. We will campaignfor the Federal Government to'Defend and Extend Medicare',extend Medicare to cover dentalcare, and to protect thePharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Aged Care

The shortage of nursing homebeds in Moreland is of major concern. Council will continue tocondemn the inadequate provision of high-care nursinghome beds in Moreland and theeffect this has on health and thecost of other services. We willadvocate for a more equitableshare of the FederalGovernment's total aged careallocations.

Council will work to facilitatecross-government and privatesector partnerships to provideaffordable accommodation forthe elderly.

We will explore the feasibility of apercentage of new apartmentaccommodation in Morelandbeing reserved for the activeaged at an affordable price. Thiswould ensure that newly-developed units are available for a mix of people ofall ages, contributing to a senseof community, and reducingsocial isolation.

Home and Community Care

Council supports the Home andCommunity Care program whichprovides shopping assistance,home cleaning, personal andrespite care, home maintenanceand meals on wheels to frail elderly and disabled citizens.

Council will work to reduce thewaiting lists for general housekeeping support by trialingother methods of providing relevant assistance to those witha lower or less urgent need andadvocating for an increase inState and Federal Governmentfunding to match the growth inthe ageing population.

To ensure services are accessibleto all eligible people, and to provide a more culturally relevantservice for elderly migrants, wewill implement the Home andCommunity Care program funded Culturally EquitableGateways Project, in partnershipwith ethnic organisations. Councilwill also develop a project toimprove communication andunderstanding with older peopleabout accessing the Home andCommunity Care program andother services.

Community Health

The four centres of the MorelandCommunity Health Service provide essential health servicesto Moreland residents. They alsohave a unique role in communitydevelopment, advocacy andhealth promotion. Moreland willcontinue to work in partnershipwith the Moreland CommunityHealth Service, and to lobby theState and Federal Governmentsfor increased funding to reducethe waiting lists for services suchas physiotherapy, podiatry and dental care.

2 Mayor’s Speech

Social DevelopmentDetailed Commitments

Children and Family Services

Children are our future anddeserve the best start in life. Allchildren in our communitydeserve an environment that supports their health, well-beingand development in communityand family settings. It is acknowledged that families withyoung children need to accessservices and supports in theirlocal area.

Council will continue to provideservices for young children andtheir families, including maternaland child health, immunisation,family day care, school holidayprograms and the children'sresource unit, in partnership withthe State and FederalGovernments, and with community services providers.

Our services are guided by theMoreland Early Years Strategy2004-2008 and we will continueto follow detailed annual implementation plans for thestrategy.

We will also provide a wide rangeof leisure, arts, environmental,safety, health promotion andlibrary services and activities toenhance children's developmentand enable families to participatein and feel part of their localcommunity.

In the second year of the term,Council will develop a calendarfor families with young children,highlighting family and children'sevents and service informationthat incorporate arts and culture,library and health promotionactivities and events in appropriate formats and languages.

It is important that access to preschool facilities is equitable forthe whole community. Council isaware that currently there are discrepancies and differences inenrolment criteria throughout themunicipality. In consultation withmanagement committees and thebroader community, we willinvestigate the possibility of aconsistent preschool enrolmentprocess across the city.

Council recognises that many ofour early years services currentlyoccupy outdated and single usefacilities. We will continuetowards a comprehensive reviewof the location of buildings forearly years services, exploringoptions for co-location and redevelopment.

Council believes that the availability of quality, affordablechild care is an important economic and social issue. A lackof quality child care places canaffect life decisions, such as having children and the balancebetween work and family. Suchissues are compounded by thestresses of the general cost of living and the further reliance ondual incomes. A lack of child careplaces is a substantial

impediment to re-entering andparticipating in the workforce,reducing choice and creating significant economic hardship.

Most parents looking for childcare in Moreland are forced toplace their child on a number ofdifferent waiting lists across thecity. Council recognises that thisis not in the best interests of families, and will begin negotiations with child careproviders to establish a central,common waiting list.

Many Council-owned child carecentres in Moreland are run byvolunteer committees of management. Council will maintain strong relationships withthese committees and assist themto manage their centres effectively. We will assist them bymaintaining their buildings, facilitating training and peer support, and advocating on theirbehalf to other levels of government.

Council acknowledges the importance of family day careservices to Moreland families. Wewill continue to improve andexpand the family day care program.

Council acknowledges that different groups in our community have different childcare needs. Council will work toensure that people from diversecultural and economic backgrounds and children withhigh needs are provided with relevant child care options.

Mayor’s Speech 3

Social Development

Disability

Approximately 17.7 per cent ofMoreland's population has a disability to some degree.

This is a very significant numberand we strongly believe that wemust value, and serve all our citizens equally - regardless ofwho they are, where they comefrom or what abilities they do ordo not have. We also believe thatproviding for people equitablydoes not mean serving them inthe same way.

We must respect that differentpeople have different needs, andwe must cater to a broad diversity of needs to make surethat everyone is included.

To better cater for people with adisability, Council will continue toimplement the measures outlinedin the Moreland Disability Policyand Action Plan 2003-2006,including actions to:

provide new domestic and commercial building and planning permit applicants with a disability access checklist and information on the Disability Discrimination Act;

identify and assist residents who have difficulty in maintaining nature strips and using waste services;

update our website and publications to better cater for people with a disability;

continue support for the Moreland Disability Advisory Group and the Moreland Disability Access Awards; and

continue to design and construct Council infrastructure with regard to the needs of people with a disability.

Gambling

Electronic gaming machine lossesin 2003-2004 totalled just over$66 million in Moreland and thisis expected to grow in 2004-2005. Research indicatesthat problem gamblers contribute42 per cent to the total electronicgaming machine losses.

Council aims to reduce the socialand economic harm of gamblingin our community. We willoppose gaming applicationswhen they will negatively affectthe social or economic well-beingof the community.

Council will advocate forincreased local government inputand control over gaming venuesand gaming machines.

Council will educate the community on the hazards ofgambling to individuals, familiesand to the wider community. Wewill do this in partnership withgaming venues and serviceproviders, and through localmedia and Council publications.

Drugs and Alcohol

Alcohol and drug misuse canaffect all sections of our community. Council will continueto support organisations such asthe Moreland Community HealthService to provide programs toreduce harm from drugs andalcohol. Council will continue toundertake initiatives to improvesocial connections, the accessibility of leisure activitiesand other social support servicesto reduce the harmful impacts ofdrug and alcohol use.

Council will continue to supportthe Moreland Liquor LicensingAccord, an alliance betweenCouncil, enforcement authoritiesand licencees, that encouragesthe responsible consumption ofalcohol.

Community Partnerships

We believe that the most valuable asset any suburb in anycity can have is community participation. Studies have shownthat places where people knowtheir neighbours, get involved inlocal community groups, andtrust each other are the bestplaces to live. These areas havebetter levels of health and education and have more opportunities. Council will continue to work alongside community groups and organisations to increase community spirit and participation.

4 Mayor’s Speech

Social Development

Increased community participation improves opportunities to develop newskills, social connections, self-esteem and well-being.Community participation createspride and ownership of community facilities, and resultsin better access to funding forservices and facilities. It is also thebest way to promote and maintain Moreland's emphasis onbeing an open, respectful, tolerant and fair community.

Specific projects will be implemented in Fawkner andGlenroy to strengthen links withinthese communities and encourage community participation in a range of localinitiatives. In Fawkner, the focuswill be on implementing thelocally developed Fawkner ActionPlan. In Glenroy, Council willcommence building the newneighbourhood facility in MurrellStreet, Glenroy. This 'LinkingGlenroy' project is being supported by the StateGovernment and includes community initiatives to buildlinks between people, assistyoung people and promote partnerships between Council,service providers, residents andlocal businesses.

Neighbourhood Houses andCommunity Centres

Our neighbourhood houses areamong the most valuable community building assets inMoreland.

Now that we have finalised thedesigns and secured fundingfrom the State Government,Council will complete the GlenroyNeighbourhood Facility. This community centre will be of greatbenefit to the community andwill house many services, including the GlenroyNeighbourhood Learning Centre,Maternal and Child HealthService and a branch of theMoreland Community HealthService.

Council will continue to improvethe condition of other neighbourhood houses in partnership with the communityand other levels of government.We will, at a minimum, maintainthe current funding levels tohouses, aiming to provide equitable funding to each house.

Council will work with neighbourhood houses toimprove outreach services toareas of the municipality andcommunities, which are not currently covered by neighbourhood houses.

Council recognises the importantrole senior citizens centres play inthe lives of our older residents.Council will continue to fund aprogram of upgrading our seniorcitizens centres.

Community Grants

Council will maintain the value ofthe numerous grants programsrun by Council and ensure thegrants are relevant to the needsof the community.

The general community grants,sustainability grants and culturalgrants will continue their criticalrole for hundreds of groups inthe community.

Library Services

Moreland Libraries provide extensive free access to information, knowledge, thoughtand culture. Council will maintainour libraries' independence andability to serve the Morelandcommunity. Council will ensurethat funds for the purchase ofnew books are increased by aminimum of the CPI rate eachyear.

Seven-day-a-week operations willcontinue for the three largestlibraries at Coburg, Brunswickand Glenroy, and current openinghours at all service points will bemaintained. We will continue toimprove the library buildings inMoreland to ensure they arecomfortable, easy to use andavailable for study. The redevelopment of Coburg Library,incorporating new loans andinformation facilities, seating anddisplay areas, will be completedin 2005 and furniture and fittingswill be upgraded at all fivelibraries. Council will look intoways of displaying public art atthe Coburg and Glenroy Libraries.

New technology and media canimprove services in our libraries,particularly for people with a disability. Council will supportnew technologies, without diminishing physical access to thelibraries.

Mayor’s Speech 5

Social Development

The Moreland Reading Project,'Read More', aimed at enhancingcommunity literacy and socialengagement, will continue to bea feature of the library service.

Arts and Culture

Council will facilitate a widerange of arts and cultural activityin the city, including communityfestivals, art exhibitions, performing arts, public art andcultural exchange initiatives.Council will make arrangementsfor the free billeting of international visitors participatingin arts exchanges, particularly theVolunteers for Peace, associatedwith the annual Return of theSacred Kingfisher Festival atCERES Environment Park.

Council will continue to build therole of the arts precinct inBrunswick regionally. The core ofthe precinct, the CounihanGallery In Brunswick will be maintained as a gallery with freeentry and local components in itsprogram.

Council will seek to develop artsinfrastructure in the northernareas of the municipality toensure that all residents in themunicipality have access to thearts, and that art and dramagroups have appropriate spacesfor performance and local expansion.

Council will plan arts activities tocelebrate the 2006Commonwealth Games.

To celebrate Reconciliation Weekin 2005, Council will present anexhibition at the CounihanGallery In Brunswick that exploresthis area's Indigenous heritagewhile also celebrating the workof southern Australian Indigenousartists.

We will award cultural grants toat least 20 individuals or community groups and reviewthe Moreland Arts Strategy in2005. The Moreland Arts Boardwill play a key role in the planning and development of thenew arts strategy.

We will finalise an audit of festival sites in Moreland anddevelop guidelines for the use ofthe city's festival sites.

Festivals

Council will continue to supportimportant community arts festivals including Council’s keyfestival, the Brunswick MusicFestival.

Council will continue to supportthe Sydney Road Street Party,Moreland’s major festive event,held in conjunction with theacclaimed Brunswick MusicFestival.

Council believes that community-based festivals and events, suchas the Coburg Festa, Pascoe ValeFestival, Fawkner CommunityFestival and the Twilight Moviesin the Park in the north ofMoreland are important to thecommunity and our support forthem will continue.

Leisure and Aquatic Centres

Council will ensure that Council-owned recreation centres arefunded and maintained to a highlevel of safety and amenity. Wewill continue to prepare andupdate master plans and redevelopment plans for thefuture of Council-owned facilities.

Council recognises the importance of outdoor recreationduring summer and we willreview the operation of outdooraquatics and recreation facilitiesto ensure Moreland residentshave access to high quality, sustainable outdoor facilities during summer.

Council supports the installationof energy and water conservationinfrastructure in Moreland aquatic centres. We will explorefunding options to update ourwater heating and treatmentplants, particularly at theBrunswick Baths.

State Government fundingopportunities will be explored forthe redevelopment of aquaticfacilities, particularly at the OakPark Aquatic Centre, where wewill develop proposals to providea gymnasium and fitness centrefor residents in the north west ofthe municipality who are not wellserviced by the Fawkner, Coburgand Brunswick leisure centres.

Increased patronage and awareness of aquatic areas inMoreland will be achievedthrough Council-sponsored opendays.

6 Mayor’s Speech

Social Development

Sporting Groups and Facilities

Moreland's sporting facilities areessential for the good health,quality of life and communityspirit of our citizens. Increasingparticipation in sporting andrecreation, both formal and informal, is an ongoing priority ofMoreland City Council.

To achieve this goal, Council willcontinue to implement theMoreland Leisure Plan. The plansets out ways Council can assistsporting clubs to serve the community, increase awarenessof sporting opportunities, andimprove access for people whohave not previously had access tosporting opportunities.

Council will assist clubs throughpreparing strategic plans for different sporting codes, and bycontinuing the Moreland SportingForums, which give sporting clubsan opportunity to come together(particularly those that share facilities) to discuss issues of common concern. Positive resultsfrom these meetings will includecommon approaches to buildingparticipation and membership.

Council will improve sportingopportunities for those who havenot been well catered for in thepast, such as older people,women, people with a disability,the socio-economically disadvantaged or people fromdiverse cultural backgrounds. Wewill do this in the planning andconstruction of new and refurbished sporting infrastructure and by increasing

awareness of existing opportunities.

Information and awareness oflocal sporting facilities is essentialfor increasing participation.Council will ensure that information about local sportingfacilities is freely available. Wewill also devise a three-year publicity campaign, in partnershipwith local schools, sporting clubsand other stakeholders. Using thefull range of Council's publicityoptions, including festivals, publications and the website, the publicity campaign will focus inturn on each area of Moreland,promoting local sporting groupsand facilities. The campaign willpromote a wide range of sports,particularly activities catering forsenior citizens, people with disabilities, women, and peoplefrom diverse cultural backgrounds.

To further promote sports in thecity, Moreland will hold an annualcity-wide 'active in sports week'to promote involvement in localsporting groups and recreationcentres.

To continue improving our sporting facilities, Council willapply for, and will match, theState Government funding toconstruct sportsfields to be located where the needs of thelocal sporting community are notcurrently being met.

Commonwealth Games

Through our CommonwealthGames Committee, Council willcontinue to work with the community and external stakeholders to maximise theopportunities presented by theCommonwealth Games.

Opportunities to benefit from thegames include:

promoting local sporting clubs by facilitating special sporting events in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games;

public art; infrastructure projects; community hosting; volunteering; and promoting business

opportunities for local businesses and shopping strips.

Council will encourage sportingstars to visit community centresof recreation in the lead up tothe games to promote participation in sports.

Youth

Young people in Morelanddeserve a central place in thecommunity, and opportunities forthe development of their life skillsand well-being. We shouldrespect the views of the nextgeneration, and give adults thebenefits of having young peoplemore involved in their lives.

Mayor’s Speech 7

Social Development

To achieve this, Council willimplement the Youth Strategy2004-2009: Seen, Heard, Valued,Included. The youth strategy is anambitious strategy, which sets out64 key actions to address theneeds of young people. Some ofthe planned initiatives are toinvestigate the feasibility of ayouth and entertainment centrefor all young people, and to workwith appropriate StateGovernment authorities toimprove safety on public transport, improve access to sportand recreation opportunities,increase access to informationabout available services for youngpeople and other importantissues, and link young people toemployment services.

Council will continue to hold thebiennial Youth Summit and workwith the youth of the municipality beyond the summitto deliver, where possible, therecommendations made at thesummit.

We will work with other stakeholders to continue to run youth-focused festival eventssuch as the successful Festival forHealthy Living.

Rate Rebate

Council welcomes the increase,and indexation, of the rate rebatefor pensioners from $135 to$160. Council will continue tocampaign for further increases ofthe rate rebate so that it reachesa sustainable level, as well asother concession reforms.

Social Housing

Council has been a strong advocate for public and socialhousing. Council will continue toadvocate for public housing inour community and will undertake the following actions:

Lobby for increased expenditure from the State and Federal Governments;

Identify opportunities for expansion and redevelopment of existing public housing stock, including the State Government 'Neighbourhood Renewal' Program;

Identify opportunities and advocate for spot purchase by the State and Federal Governments;

Identify and support opportunities for public/socialhousing in larger re-development projects (for example rezoned industrial sites); and

Lobby the Federal and State Governments to release 'surplus' land and property assets to Council and community housing providers at minimal cost.

Council will continue to pursuecommunity partnerships withagencies to develop and encourage social housing thatmeets the needs of our community.

Education

Council believes that all ouryoung people deserve an education which maximises theirpotential choices in life.

Council will implement the following actions to improve the educational experience ofMoreland students:

advocate to the State Government for an increase in education standards in Moreland;

support homework groups in partnership with local organisations;

continue involvement in the Northern Schools Health Promotion Network;

continue to develop active partnerships with the Inner Northern Local Learning andEmployment Network and the School Focused Youth Services;

work with individual schools to provide educational opportunities and support where appropriate and where funds are available; and

support community educationas a choice for parents and students.

Council will continue to support astate secondary college in Coburgand will campaign to ensure thata new secondary college isopened at the site of theMoreland City College.

8 Mayor’s Speech

Social Development

Cultural Diversity

The banner 'One CommunityProudly Diverse' will continue tobe held aloft in Moreland.

Council will explore new andinnovative means of displayingand celebrating the cultural diversity of Moreland. We willconfront ignorance and prejudicewith healthy examples of the positive benefits of multiculturalism.

Council services will be culturallyrelevant and accessible to thewhole community. We will seekfeedback from our multiculturalcommunity, provide languageservices, bilingual informationand regular staff training.

Cultural Exchange

Council recognises the value ofMoreland's special relationshipwith Xianyang in China, Aileu inEast Timor, and other friendshiprelationship programs currentlyundertaken by Council.

Council will further developMoreland's cultural and economicties provided by these culturalexchange programs.

Council will implement strategiesto enable all residents, ratepayersand local business groups tomake full use of the advantagesof these cultural and economicties.

Reconciliation

Council will continue to workwith the local Indigenous people,the Wurundjeri, to promote reconciliation in the community.

Aside from the recognition ofprior ownership of this land andmaintenance of the Aboriginalflag next to the Australian flag,Council shall investigate andimplement the appropriate marking of places of archaeological, cultural, historicaland Indigenous significance inMoreland and amend the planning scheme to reflect theAboriginal pre-contact study findings.

Council will work to reduce thesignificant socio-economic disadvantage experienced withinthe Indigenous community bypromoting employment and education opportunities, andworking with service providers,businesses and other levels ofgovernment to strengthen theirrelationships with the Aboriginalcommunity. Council will also provide supplementary fundingfor the Federal Government grantto complete the post-contactAboriginal Heritage Study.

Women

Council will promote and assistthe involvement of women incommunity affairs. There will be aparticular focus on building thecapacity for women, especiallyfrom a non-English speakingbackground, to help build ourcommunity.

Council will employ a range ofinitiatives to celebrate the contribution of women in ourcommunity. We will present theHonouring Women in MorelandAwards in 2005.

Council will maintain the positionof 'Councillor Responsible forWomen's Issues' and will continue to raise the profile ofwomen community leaders, andnominate them for the VictorianHonour Roll of Women.

Refugees

Council has worked towardsmaking Moreland a place wherepeople of all cultures, includingrefugees, are welcome.

Council is opposed to the FederalGovernment's inhumane policiesin dealing with refugees and asylum seekers and will continueto advocate and support newarrivals to our city.

Council is particularly opposed toTemporary Protection Visas andtheir corrosive effect on the livesand security of refugees and willparticipate in national campaignswith other local governments tosee Temporary Protection Visasabolished. Throughout 2005 wewill continue to provide freeaccess to our leisure and aquaticcentres to asylum seekers whohold Bridging Visas E and A.

Mayor’s Speech 9

Social Development

Planning to Improve ourQuality of Life

Council will work towards anenvironmentally sustainable andliveable city, with an abundanceof high quality employment,recreation and accommodationopportunities; a city where a carand a high income are not necessary for a rich and rewarding quality of life.

Council supports a planning system that encourages sustainable and appropriatedevelopment that:

respects neighbourhood character;

supports diversity in housing choice and caters for different needs of people within Moreland;

is sensitive to the local infrastructure;

considers the impact on localarea traffic congestion and parking requirements;

is environmentally sustainable; respects and conserves our

valued heritage assets; aims for excellent design and

construction (we will review the Urban Design policy in the Moreland Planning Scheme to reflect this);

provides for suitable zoning, especially to support commercial and industrial activities;

creates the best possible environment and quality of life for current and future residents; and

links in with Moreland's Open Space Strategy and ensures adequate access for all residents.

Melbourne 2030

Council endorses the generalaims of Melbourne 2030. Webelieve that strategically locatedurban consolidation is necessaryto protect the 'green wedges'and wider environment and toensure that the whole ofMelbourne is a sustainable andliveable city. In implementingMelbourne 2030 we will ensurethat:

development over the next 26 years improves our community and our infrastructure;

Moreland gets no more than its fair share of increased density over the same time;

detailed plans are completed for major and principal activity centres in Coburg, Glenroy and Brunswick over the next four years and residential areas within those centres will be protected from major change until they are completed; and

the bulk of new housing is provided close to existing services, shops, public transport and parks. The scale of development is commensurate with the ability of the local infrastructure to cope with the increase in activity that it generates.

Activity Centres

The development and changenecessary to meet future population growth and demographic changes shall beconcentrated in non-residentialcommercial areas, close to existing services.

By 2008, we will completedetailed plans for principal andmajor activity centres: Coburg,Brunswick and Glenroy. CentralCoburg 2020 is the plan for theprincipal activity centre ofMoreland and the main focus ofstrategic planning over the nexttwo years. Central Coburg 2020has been adopted by Council asthe vision to guide the regeneration of the shopping andactivity centre over the comingyears. As Moreland's principalactivity centre, Coburg will be theprime shopping, living and activity precinct with a widerange of services in one accessible location including community and civic facilities.

The delivery of the strategies andactions over the coming years willrange from changes to the planning scheme to guide useand development, service andfacility enhancements, to theconstruction of streetscape andinfrastructure improvements.Ensuring the integration of thePentridge redevelopment into thecentre will be a key challenge.Implementing the vision willrequire input from all areas ofCouncil to create an excitingheart for all of Moreland.

10 Mayor’s Speech

Sustainable Urban EnvironmentDetailed Commitments

Detailed plans for all Moreland'sactivity centres will be devised inclose consultation with the existing community and incorporated into the planningscheme. In planning forMoreland's activity centres,Council will ensure that positivesocial, economic and environmental goals will be central considerations. The activity centres need to cater forthe needs of a very diverse andchanging community now andinto the future. Council willundertake local research andfacilitate community consultationand participation in activity centreplanning to ensure the best outcomes for the community inthe longer term.

Until these plans are completed,Council will work to ensure thatany proposed developments areconsistent with Council guidelinesand policy on neighbourhoodcharacter, appropriate to thearea, sensitive to local infrastructure, that they respectthe existing scale and form ofbuildings and will not adverselyaffect resident amenity.

Proposed developments will beexpected to meet a high standardof design and environmentalexcellence and to make a positivecontribution to Moreland.Council's neighbourhood character guideline controls shallapply. A higher standard of energy efficiency shall be requiredin all new dwellings in activitycentres.

First STEPS DevelopmentRating Tool

In early 2005, Moreland will publish its groundbreakingSustainability Tools forEnvironmental Performance(STEPS) tool, along with associated education and promotional material. This projectwill put Moreland back in front ofthe pack as a leader in sustainable development.

STEPS is an interactive, user-friendly, web-based buildingsustainability rating tool,designed for use by Morelanddevelopers and residents.

STEPS will present a consistentapproach to the sustainabilityassessment of residential planning applications within themunicipality, providing the development industry and residents with certainty as to thestandard of residential environmental sustainabilityrequired in Moreland. STEPS willalso assist in the education of thecommunity, helping them toassess the sustainability performance of their existinghomes and determining how theycould be improved.

In June 2005, Council will consider a report on the successof the first STEPS trial, outliningfurther refinements required, andprogressing the ultimate goal ofSTEPS' integration into the planning scheme.

Diversity in Housing

A fair and diverse city ensuresappropriate housing is availablefor everyone in the community.Council will employ a number ofstrategies to achieve this.

Council will complete a housingstrategy addressing issues ofaffordable housing, supply,demand and capacity in themunicipality. The strategy will alsocommit Council to a number ofactions to increase our stock ofaffordable housing.

Council will aim to:

lobby for increased expenditure from the Federal and State Governments;

identify development opportunities which can be partially funded through housing association partnerships;

identify and support opportunities for affordable housing in larger developments such as rezoned industrial sites;

identify opportunities for sensitive expansion and redevelopment of existing public housing;

continue to research and lobby for appropriate housing for residents most in need of affordable housing options;

implement the framework agreement with Melbourne Affordable Housing;

Mayor’s Speech 11

Sustainable Urban Environment

lobby the Federal and State Governments to notify Council and housing associations about 'surplus' land and property assets and release these assets for affordable housing projects at minimal cost; and

broker arrangements with housing associations to manage long term affordable rental housing in shop-top housing.

Council will also increase thediversity of housing stock in thecity through our administration ofthe planning scheme. Our decisions will:

provide for ageing in place;

provide a mix of one, two, three (and larger) bedroom dwellings;

provides housing with appropriate private open space for families;

promote the provision ofhousing for people with a disability; and

protect the neighbourhood character of one and two storey streetscapes.

Neighbourhood Character

Council will ensure that development in residential areasprotects neighbourhood character. Council will incorporate neighbourhood character controls in the

implementation of interim structure plans for activity centresand the new Residential 3 Zone. New development must respectthe existing scale and built formof the neighbourhood and itspreferred future character. Nomore than one-storey height difference will, in general, beallowed between a site and thatgenerally prevailing on adjoiningproperties in residential areas.Front and side setbacks must alsorespect the established rhythm ofbuildings in the street. The importance of backyards and garden outlooks will also berespected.

Consultation

Council will strongly advise developers, be they home renovators or large developers, toconsult with affected partiesbefore designing new or modified buildings. Meaningfulconsultation will help ensuremore appropriate developments. Council will ensure all necessaryinformation is provided to thecommunity for citizens to determine how potential developments may affect them,and to help them assess theimpact of proposed developments.

Council believes that the consultation required for largedevelopments should be greaterthan the current statutoryrequirements. Criteria such asheight and cost should triggeradditional consultation with theaffected community. We will dowhat we can internally and

externally to increase notificationrequirements for large developments to affected parties.

Decision-Making

Council will further develop andenhance the existing decision-making processes onurban planning matters to ensureadequate and appropriate levelsof representation and communityinvolvement.

Fees

Moreland shall continue to lobbythe State Government forincreases to scheduled fees forlarge developments. Currently thecity subsidies the assessment ofprivate development by around$1.2 million per year and this isunacceptable.

Development Contributions

Council will work towards changing the Victoria planningprovisions and other statutoryobstacles preventing compulsoryfinancial contributions fromdevelopments to provideimproved built and social infrastructure. This way, newdevelopment will improve theinfrastructure that we all use suchas footpaths, parks and community services, rather thanjust making a profit.

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Sustainable Urban Environment

Car Parking

Council will ensure that adequateparking is provided with all newdevelopments. Where on-streetparking is necessary, sufficientclearance for garbage and emergency service vehicles will beprovided. Council will discouragecars from parking in bicycle lanes.Council will complete its newparking strategy within the firstyear of its term.

Heritage

Council will continue to conserveMoreland's rich heritage assetsincluding buildings, parks andother elements valued by thecommunity. Where new construction is permitted in adesignated heritage place, theprinciples of the Burra Charterwill be applied. This means thatnon-intrusive design rather thanimitative will prevail.

Council will support the incorporation into the planningscheme of additional places ofsignificance as identified in therecent heritage review. Councilwill protect our city's Aboriginalheritage, as outlined in theReconciliation section of this document.

Council will prepare a heritagepolicy to provide better guidancefor Council planners andlandowners on the application ofthe planning heritage controls.

Council will ensure that wheremunicipal assets are replaced, abalance is found between theneed to preserve heritage valueand budgetary constraints.

Public Transport

Council supports the StateGovernment target of moving 20per cent of all Melbourne non-walking trips to public transport by 2020 and will continue to advocate for keypublic transport route improvements to help achievethat aim. This includes cross-townas well as radial services.

Council will continue to supportimprovements to accessibility toensure all members of the community including people withspecial needs can access train,tram, bus and taxi services.

Council will oppose any servicereductions and continue to develop relationships with publictransport operators in Morelandand with adjoining municipalitiesto achieve public transportimprovements for Moreland residents. Council will advocatefor improvements to bus servicesand ticketing arrangements.

As part of the implementation ofCoburg 2020, Council will seekfunding to create a CoburgTransport Interchange to enablesafer and better-coordinated bus,tram, train and taxi services inCoburg, including a smart busorbital route along Bell Street.Council will continue to lobby forimprovements to Sydney Road to

enable trams to flow more freelyand to give the shopping stripmore prominence. Council considers it important thatchanges are made to SydneyRoad to make it function betterfor public transport, pedestrians,people in wheelchairs, cyclistsand as a shopping environment.

Roads

Council believes in maintainingand improving our roads, pathsand associated infrastructure andwill continue to use the Five YearFinancial Plan to ensure adequatefunding is provided for the maintenance of our road networks, and to fund roadworksaccording to the Moreland RoadAssets Management Strategy(RAMS).

In addition, we will continue tolobby the State and FederalGovernments to provide fundingto help achieve this aim, especially in relation to areas listed as accident blackspots.

Where road reconstructions areplanned, Council will notify allaffected parties and give localresidents a chance to provideinput into the design.

Reconstructed roads will incorporate environmentally sustainable design and improveconditions for all users, includingcyclists, pedestrians, emergencyservice vehicles and people with adisability. If this conflicts with thenature of the road, attempts willbe made to provide alternativeroutes.

Mayor’s Speech 13

Sustainable Urban Environment

Council will examine rail crossingsin the municipality to identifythose crossings where overly longdelays are experienced bymotorists. The rail crossings willthen be prioritised for grade separation and the StateGovernment will be lobbied toprovide funding for those intersections rated as high priority.

Council will also investigate othermeans of traffic amelioration atthese intersections, particularlyGlenroy Road, and seek StateGovernment funding for identified measures to reducetraffic congestion and delays.

Council will continue to supportthe installation of traffic controlmeasures where they are appropriate. Where traffic controlmeasures are required at intersections, we will use thetoolkit developed by BicycleVictoria to make intersectionssafer for all road users.

The location and design of trafficmeasures will be guided by aconsultative process. Council willdesignate appropriate speed limits for each road type andplace, with consistency across themunicipality.

Council recognises the importantrole of Local Area TrafficManagement (LATM) plans inachieving effective traffic management treatments with neighbourhood consensus. Wewill continue to fund the study ofLATMs, and implement at leasttwo LATM plans each year.

Pedestrians

Council will improve the walkingnetworks in Moreland, andundertake actions to encouragemore walking trips. We willfinalise and implement a pedestrian and walking strategyprioritising actions to improvewalking safety and conditions inthe city. We will request theinstallation of pedestrian crossings where a need is identified and the StateGovernment's criteria is met.Council will continue to supportprograms such as the 'WalkingSchool Bus' and will lobby theState Government to providefunding for them. Council willencourage developers to submitdesigns with adequate pedestrianaccess.

In public and private car parkredesign or redevelopmentCouncil will ensure that adequatelevels of shade and pedestrianaccess are included.

Bicycles

Council will continue to implement the Moreland BicyclePlan to improve the bicycle network in the municipality. Thisincludes the provision of markedbicycle lanes on roads and extensions to the off-road networks.

Council will complete the Glenroysection of the Upfield path andthe Fawkner section of the MerriCreek path to create high qualitycontinuous off-road links fromthe Western Ring Road in the

north to the southern border ofthe city. We will also continue toimprove the east-west linksbetween the three major north-south bike paths.

Council will continue to seekfinancial support for the installation of pedestrian andcyclist operated signals at Parkand Dawson Streets and investigate options to create safercrossings at other busy intersections along the UpfieldPath, including Harding andAlbert Streets. We will considerco-funding these signals in accordance with the MorelandBike Plan. Council will alsoamend the planning scheme toreflect the Bike Plan.

Protecting and ImprovingPublic Open Space

Council will work towards all residents having quality, accessible open space within safewalking distance, and within 300metres, of higher density areas.Council will continue to involvethe local community in openspace decision-making.

Council will also continue tomaintain and improve publicopen space by allocating adequate resources for maintenance and refurbishmentof existing and additional openspace, as well as seeking additional funding from developers and outside bodies.

14 Mayor’s Speech

Sustainable Urban Environment

Council recognises that there isroom for improvement in manyof our neighbourhood playground facilities and we willwork to improve the standard ofplaygrounds across the municipality in the coming term.This year, in consultation withlocal families, Council will finalisea playground strategy to guidecapital investment in play equipment. The strategy willensure playground facilities areavailable for children with a disability and will prioritise compliance with Australian safetystandards.

Council will also complete openspace projects at Bain Reserve inMerlynston and Clifton Park inBrunswick and will extendBridges Reserve in Harding Street,Coburg. In park development andimprovement works, Council willprovide access for people withdisabilities wherever possible andensure that the design and maintenance of open space provides a high standard of safetyfor users. Council will replace thedamaged path in North BoxCourt Park in Hadfield and willcontinue to audit playgroundequipment safety.

Council will develop the formerKangan Batman TAFE site inGaffney Street, Coburg to amulti-use open space facility thatincludes the Moreland SkatePark, informal recreation andhabitat. We will pursue StateGovernment funding for anAccess for All Abilities playgroundat the site.

Moreland Open SpaceStrategy

Council supports the principlescontained in the Moreland OpenSpace Strategy 2004 and willwork to address identified areasof need outlined in the strategy.In particular, Council will developparkland for informal recreationon the margins of ATC CookReserve, Glenroy and currentlyundeveloped open space inGowanbrae.

Council will provide landscaping,public access and a walking linkthrough land surrounding thescout hall in Chapman Avenue,Glenroy. In consultation with residents, Council will redevelopCoburg's Bush Reserve depot intolocal parkland.

Council will also amend the planning scheme to reflect theopen space review.

Shared Facilities

Council will protect sportingreserves and move to ensure thatall public land and open space isused to its full potential. Councilwill investigate sharing openspace and sporting facilities withlocal schools, aiming to formpartnerships that benefit both thelocal community and the schools.Council will pursue opportunitiesthrough the State Government's'Shared Facilities' funding program.

Council will negotiate guidelinesand memoranda of understanding with schools guiding out-of-hours publicaccess to grounds, ensuring thatliability and duty of care issuesare adequately addressed.

In particular, Council will seekafter-hours access arrangementsto the grounds of BrunswickNorth Primary School, Box ForestSecondary College, Koori OpenDoor Education and GlenroyWest Primary School to addressareas of need identified in theMoreland Open Space Strategy2004.

Open Space Corridors

Council will support the consolidation of open space corridors and the permanentrezoning of land with particularregard to State-owned properties.Council will create a 'greentourism trail', from CERESEnvironment Park to Lake Reservein Coburg and then to MoombaPark. Council will investigate there-establishment of themedplanting corridors to extend andimprove habitat for flora andfauna.

Mayor’s Speech 15

Sustainable Urban Environment

Community Participation

Council will continue to supportand work in conjunction withpark friends groups, and willencourage the development offriends groups for those parkswhich are not currently supportedin this way.

Broadening the SustainabilityAgenda

Council will incorporate social,economic and environmentalprinciples into every aspect of ouroperations. We will complete asustainability strategy for theorganisation, synthesising existingpolicies, strategies and activities.The sustainability strategy willbroaden the sustainability agendathroughout the whole of Council,and will successfully integratesustainability into all future workand activities.

Greening Moreland

Council will continue to supportand work with the community toimplement the Moreland OpenSpace Strategy. We will engagethe community with open spaceissues in a number of differentways, and will investigate convening a new GreeningMoreland Forum or somethingsimilar.

Council will continue its strongemphasis on improving andgreening streetscapes and revegetation initiatives, in accordance with the MorelandStreet Landscape Policy, and inconsultation with the community.

This will see more than 40,000trees planted over three years,community and school plantingdays and the Autumn PlantingFestival. Council will also amendthe planning scheme to reflectthe recent remnant vegetationassessment.

Creeks and Waterways

Moreland's waterways are ascarce and wonderful resourceand their improvementhas been instrumental in bringingnative flora and fauna back tothe area.

In addition to the Merri andMoonee Ponds Creeks, attentionto the regeneration of the Edgarand Merlynston Creeks shall continue. In cooperation withsurrounding municipalities,Melbourne Water and ParksVictoria, Council will seek funding and other support fromthe State Government to createand manage a landmark parkdevelopment based on the MerriCreek corridor.

Council will continue its efforts torevitalise the Moonee PondsCreek. Council will continue tosupport the principles of theMoonee Ponds Creek ConceptPlan and the resourcing of theMoonee Ponds CreekCoordinating Committee. Councilis committed to putting resourcesinto the Moonee Ponds Creekrevitalisation and to attractingfunding from State and FederalGovernment agencies and privatecompanies including MelbourneWater, Parks Victoria, Melbourne

City Link Authority andTransurban.

Council will continue to workwith the Merri CreekManagement Committee, theFriends of Merri Creek, and theFriends of Moonee Ponds Creek,believing that the most effectiveway of improving the creeks is toinvolve local residents. Councilwill continue to implement theMoreland StormwaterManagement Plan, including itsinclusion into the planningscheme.

Community Education

Council has led the way in putting in place programs to promote a more sustainable community and will continue todo so. Popular institutions andprograms, such as CERESEnvironment Park, MorelandEnergy Foundation, CommunityPower, Footprints, SustainabilityStreet and other community education programs, will continue to be supported andimproved. We will support newprograms designed to encouragea whole of community approachto sustainability.

We will continue to pursue ourgoal of a 20 per cent reductionfrom 1995 levels of communitygreenhouse gas emissions by2010.

We will use a wide range ofmeasures to achieve this, including education programsand discount schemes.

16 Mayor’s Speech

Sustainable Urban Environment

Council will, as a minimum,maintain its current funding levelsfor energy programs, initiativesand community education.Council will support and engagein environmental and communitypartnerships with CERES.

Environmental Education

Council will continue to provideeducation programs as practicalsteps that can be taken by all residents to help the environment. We will continue towork with Moreland schools toimplement new energy conservation and sustainabilityprograms, and continue the successful Footprints program.Council will provide informationto planning applicants to assistwith environmentally friendlydesign, waste minimisation andminimise environmental impactsof developments.

Water Saving

Council will continue to encourage and provide incentivesto residents to save water, suchas discounts on the installation ofwater tanks. Council will encourage residents to use lesswater and to install grey waterand rainwater harvesting systems.

Council will continue to installwater saving techniques at ourparks and gardens, includingcomputer-controlled sprinkler systems and the use of plantspecies that require less water.

Council will encourage developers and renovators toinstall water saving devices whenreviewing planning applications.

Alternatives to Car Use

Council will continue to promotealternatives to car use. We willensure that residents know aboutthe transport services that areavailable and support programsto encourage their use.

Energy Saving

Council has a proud record ofbeing at the forefront of energyconservation and saving initiatives. Since 1995, we havereduced Council's greenhouseemissions by 82 per cent. Councilwill continue to find ways to further reduce our energy consumption and greenhouseemissions.

Council will continue to supportthe use of green power for allCouncil energy requirements andwill encourage residents to alsotake up these options.

Council will ensure that all newdevelopments and renovationsmeet the State Government's fivestar energy rating.

Construction

Council will develop or replaceour assets in such a way as tohave a minimal effect on theenvironment. Council will encourage the use of recycledmaterials in all new buildings anddevelopments where this may be

possible. Council will ensure thatnew infrastructure has litter andpollution traps built into thedrainage system to reduce pollution entering our waterways.

Waste

Council will continue to provide areliable waste collection service.Council supports the StateGovernment's 'Towards Zero'waste strategy and will work withthe community towards reducingthe quantity of waste sent tolandfill. Council will provide efficient and reliable recyclingand green waste services. We willprovide the community withinformation to enable them touse these services in the mosteffective manner.

Responding to a new regulatoryenvironment, Council will implement a co-mingled mobilebin for paper and recyclables toreplace the current crate systemin the south of the municipality.This will improve the service byeliminating the need for residentsto carry heavy crates, and willreduce the number of bins on thefootpath.

Appropriate Public Lighting

Council will improve streetscapesthrough appropriate public lighting for all parts of the municipality. Council supports thenew Moreland Public LightingPolicy and will implement it.

Mayor’s Speech 17

Sustainable Urban Environment

Council believes that local government must be founded ona vibrant, living, and interactivedemocracy. Council will reach outfor community views and valuesand raise issues for public debate.We will make decisions throughconsultation and leadership.

Democratic Government

We will be honest and open inour governance of the Morelandcommunity. Governance is anactive process, requiring sharedunderstanding and commitment,hard work, and goodwill. Thefirst principle of local democracyis that elected Councillors remainaccountable to their constituents.Voters have a right to expecttheir elected representatives willstrive to implement the platformand policies they advocated ascandidates. Council administration will be heldaccountable to the electedCouncil for the implementationof Council policy.

Local government provides themost important and accessibleopportunity for citizens to beinvolved in shaping their owncommunities, and Council willprovide every opportunity for citizens to participate.

Council will continue to campaign for the constitutionalrecognition of local governmentby the Federal Government.Before the next municipal elections, Council will undertakea campaign to encourage all eligible residents to be enrolled tovote. This includes all local residents who have been grantedpermanent residency status bythe Department of Immigrationand Multicultural and IndigenousAffairs, many of whom wereinadvertently taken off theCouncil electoral role in previousState Government electoralreform.

Political Leadership

The role of elected representatives is demanding.Council will provide Councillorswith the resources and structuresto effectively exercise politicalleadership. These include:

the Mayor of Moreland will, wherever possible, serve in a full time capacity;

Council will continue to advocate to the State Government for more adequate remuneration for Councillors;

Council will support elected representatives by the provision of an Executive Officer Mayor and Councillors and by providing appropriate technology by which Councillors engage with the community and the Council administration;

all Councillors, regardless of their political background, will be involved in decision-making processes; and

Council will maintain political leadership in all areas of Council operations through asystem of Portfolio Councillors and Project Responsibilities. At the end of each Mayoral term, we will review Councillor Portfolios and Project Responsibilities in order to provide the best possible governance for the city.

Electoral Systems

The new electoral structure willhave many impacts on local government and representationin Moreland. Council supportsthe periodic review of electoralstructures, to ensure they areserving the purpose for whichthey were intended. At the coreof any review should be the principles of good governance setout in the Victorian LocalGovernance Association andMunicipal Association of VictoriaCode of Good Governance.

18 Mayor’s Speech

Democratic GovernanceDetailed Commitments

Accountability

Moreland Councillors will beaccountable for their actions.Decision-making processes will beopen and accessible to the community. Specifically, thismeans:

a minimum of council reports will be considered in camera;

all enquiries and complaints will be dealt with promptly and thoroughly;

telephone enquiries during business hours will be answered promptly and not queued wherever possible;

Councillors will be available to the community;

we will keep the 'local' in 'local government'. This means that neighbourhoods and precincts will be listened to and recognised;

opportunities for community observation of, and input into, decision-making will be maximised. This will include open and interactive Council and Committee Meetings;

a half-hour question time will be maintained at the commencement of each Council meeting;

Council meetings will be rotated throughout Moreland to facilitate maximum access by the community; and

Council will launch and explain its annual budget so that the community clearly knows the services and projects Council is funding.

Community Consultation

Effective consultation and aninformed community are the fundamentals of good governance. Knowledge andunderstanding is necessary if people are to participate in, andbe satisfied with, our consultation. Council believesthat quality consultation leads toimproved decision-making.

Council will review and improveits community consultation policyand mechanisms, includingexploring more opportunities forthe community to be involved inthe decision-making process.

Council will ensure that stakeholders' voices are heard.Council will seek consultationand feedback from residents onplanning issues affecting theirneighbourhood or property, priorto any council decision beingmade.

Communications

Council will continue to use localpapers, community radio, Councilpublications and the website tocommunicate with Moreland residents and businesses. Thesewill be reviewed during the termof this Council, and will beimproved or revised on the basisof community feedback.

Renewed effort will be made toobtain improved coverage ofMoreland items through the non-English media.

Language Link Strategy

This ground-breaking Morelandinitiative will be revitalised, andthe needs of emerging communities will be included inour total communications andresearch strategy. Council willensure that constant improvement to the LanguageLink communication strategy willbe a Council priority. Moreland'smain community languages willbe regularly used to communicate key messages tothe community.

Mayor’s Speech 19

Democratic Governance

Moreland Website

Moreland's highly useful websiteshall continue to be developed tomake it more useful for residents,community groups and businesses. The website shouldreflect its status as a mainstreamresource for informing andengaging the Moreland community. Council will look atreplacing the current site with acommunity portal that reflectsand connects our diverse community, by engaging andbringing together our people, ourlocal organisations and our businesses. The website willimprove access to information forpeople with a disability and citizens from non-English speaking backgrounds.

Citizens will be given greateraccess to Council decision-makersand decision-making processesthrough improved use of technology. Council will enhancecommunication and informationservices and will take advantageof new technologies that promote increased email accessto Council and expand Councildocumentation available online.

Information Society

Free and equitable access toinformation and informationtechnology is critical for a justsociety. Access to municipal information services, such aslibraries, will be kept free andreadily accessible to the public.

Community AdvisoryCommittees

Council will ensure good use ofcommunity advisory committeesas a means of providing policyadvice and practical guidance toCouncil. A review will be undertaken of all existing advisory committees. Additionalcommittees will be establishedwhere required and Moreland citizens will be invited to join.

Payments to Council

We will make it easier to dealwith Council by developingincreasing options for the payment of rates and othercharges. In particular, Council willexpand the opportunities for e-commerce through payment ofrates and fines online andthrough credit card payments.

Industrial Relations

Council believes productivity andservice quality are best achievedas a partnership involvingemployees, unions and the community. Council will:

respect the rights of employees to be represented in the workplace;

provide a safe workplace, with appropriate security;

provide adequate training, re-training and professional development opportunities toensure a skilled, innovative and resourceful workforce;

continue to support equal opportunity and ensure fair, open and equitable selection processes; and

maintain an award system that provides for equitable and relevant wages and conditions of employees.

Budgetary Policy

Council believes that prudentbudgetary policy preserves ratesjustice while sufficiently resourcing community servicesand assets.

Council recognises that financialmanagement is not an end initself but a tool to deliverimproved services and outcomesfor our community.

With the decline in State andFederal Government grants andthe increased reliance on ratesand user charges for Council'srevenue base, Council reaffirmsthe need to be financially responsible. We recognise thehardship that is being placed onsome ratepayers due to Council'sFive-Year Financial Plan and willensure that all expenditure andincome will be equitable, effectively targeted, sustainable,and produce clear outcomes forthe community.

20 Mayor’s Speech

Democratic Governance

Council will deliver balancedbudgets and will not borrow tofund its operations. Council willrenew and enhance Moreland'sinfrastructure, and will considerborrowing options for targetedinfrastructure improvements, particularly those with an intergenerational benefit. Anysuch borrowings will be prudentand manageable, within a balanced budget framework, andin the context of an equitablerates system. Council will supportthe Five-Year Financial Planaccording to the following principles:

adequate funding will be allocated to renew Moreland's infrastructure;

revenue collection will remain equitable and in accordance to the community's capacity to pay;

spending will be equitable, effectively targeted, sustainable and produce clear outcomes for the community; and

user charges will only be imposed where necessary and will be set within a range that reflects the social, cultural and economic make-up of Moreland.

Council will also investigate cost-effective ways to get ratespaid early or at least on time.

Standards for Contracts

Council recognises that in contracting for and purchasinggoods and services, our transactions can have significanteconomic, social and environmental benefits forMoreland and the broader community.

Council recognises its role as anelected government to set highstandards and provide leadership.In negotiating contracts, and inpurchasing goods or services,Council will ensure that our decisions:

achieve positive social, economic and environmental objectives;

allow for the timely implementation of Council responsibilities;

achieve value for money, rather than just the cheapest up-front purchase price. Value is an important term and can be broadly construed to mean social, economic and environmental value across the whole life-cycle;

ensure probity and accountability for procurement outcomes;

ensure ethical behaviour, fair dealing and open, effective competition; and

are sensible, written clearly in plain language, and properly execute Council's rights and responsibilities.

We will also ensure that:

contractors adhere to the terms and objectives in their contracts, meeting Council and community values including occupational health and safety;

recycled and environmentally sustainable products are preferred. This means incorporating the considerations such as waste, climate damage, habitat destruction, pollution, and soil degradation;

prefer contractors who can demonstrate good corporate citizenship are preferred;

require contractors to apply all relevant legal requirements to the employment of their staff; and

provide Council with a right to monitor and oversee the execution of contracts.

Mayor’s Speech 21

Democratic Governance

Promoting Moreland Business

A strong, sustainable economyprovides employment for everyone who needs it andimproves the quality of life, without jeopardising the environment.

Council sees reducing unemployment in the municipality as one of its highestpriorities and supports initiativesthat create local employment andtraining opportunities.

Council believes that local government has a number ofroles in building a strong sustainable economy in our city,recognising that Moreland'sfuture is still something that canbe shaped and controlled at thelocal level.

Council will seek to become anactive member of BusinessRetention and ExpansionInternational and instituting abusiness retention and expansion(BR&E) program in Moreland.

This will commence with theestablishment of the MorelandBusiness Retention and ExpansionTask Force and will use internationally-tested models forgathering information about -and ways of connecting with -Moreland's business communityto identify and address businessneeds, concerns and opportunities.

To maintain existing employers,and attract prospective businessesto Moreland, Council will publishinformation packs containinginformation on the strategic benefits of conducting businessin Moreland.

One of these roles is in raisingthe awareness of our businessesin markets in Moreland andbeyond. Council will investigatecreating themed business directories to actively generateinterest in, and understanding of,local products and services. Thesemay include lists of local businesses, restaurant guides,local entertainment guides, building and renovations supplies,factory outlets, sports and leisureclubs, tourism and history information. Council will publishand maintain these directories onthe website, and create a complementary business portal.

Green Business

Council will support and advocate for environmental orTriple Bottom Line initiatives inlocal business. Council will investigate the creation of a'GreenStreet' in Moreland andcontinue to support the work ofthe Moreland Energy FoundationLtd and other organisations inproviding advice and support tolocal businesses on greenhousegas reduction, energy efficiency,water conservation and othercommunity and environmentalinitiatives.

Shops and Shopping Centres

Council will uphold and improvethe amenity and appeal of localshopping centres with practicalmeasures such as clear parkingsignage, appropriate levels ofcleaning and rubbish facilities,provision of bike racks, seatingand other beautifications.

Council is currently workingthrough allocation of the firstdedicated capital works budgetfor shopping centre improvements in Moreland,recognising how important shopping centres are to the viability and character ofMoreland. Council will maintainor increase this budget in futureyears.

Council also recognises its role inproviding a clean, well-maintained and attractiveretail environment and will continue to work with traders'groups to establish a worksschedule that meets the needs ofboth retailers and Council.Council will also match fundingwith traders' groups seeking specific projects beyond Council'sworks schedule.

Council will complete the currentStreetlife partnership with theState Government, working withtraders in eight of our smallerretail centres. We will investigateimplementing some of the greatideas coming out of this program.

22 Mayor’s Speech

Economic OpportunitiesDetailed Commitments

Council will complete a retail andcommercial areas study this financial year and commence aretail and commercial strategy tobe incorporated into theMoreland Planning Scheme overthe next two years.

Moreland Ventures

Council will continue its broadand inventive program of initiatives to encourage and support new businesses, including:

the Moreland CommunityEnterprise Centre, at theBrunswick Town Hall, which provides affordable office space to new businesses and organisations;

continued implementation ofthe Moreland Industrial Land Use Strategy including preparation of structure plans for core industrial areas;

the Brunswick Business Incubator, at the former Brunswick Secondary College site, which provides affordable office and light industry space and a supportive learning environment;

maintaining a Business Development officer to work with local business and business support groups, to provide an integrated business support in Moreland;

the Grow North Streetlife program working with the North Coburg automotive industry to support this important industrial sector; and

active membership of NorthLink, the Northern Melbourne regional economic development organisation,including participation and support for projects such as the Austrade New Export Development Program, and marketing the northern region.

Council will increase its encouragement and support ofnew businesses by adding the following initiatives to its existingprogram:

seek funding to expand the Business Incubation program to locations in the northern and central areas of the municipality.

create and maintain a virtual business incubator, to cost-effectively provide business incubation services even more broadly;

investigate support mechanisms for local manufacturers. Council will investigate an outlet in Glenroy to provide local manufacturers, particularly clothing and footwear, a direct-to-public shop-front, to encourage the purchase of locally-made products at factory outlet prices and to

increase shopping choice at the Glenroy centre;

while recognising the State Government position to prepare a strategic plan for all Victoria Police depot locations by 2007, Council will continue to provide local leadership and drive the timely reuse of the Dawson Street Traffic Management Unit Site as an 'Innovation Zone' taking advantage of its proximity to RMIT Brunswick campus, the Business Incubator, the Human Services Precinct that is currentlyunder construction, and the Brunswick arts precinct. This principle will be equally applied to other parcels of land and buildings of interest owned by State authorities; and

encourage active employment-related use of commercial and industrial property identified in the Moreland Industrial Land Use Strategy, particularly office uses on former industrial land in Brunswick.

Mayor’s Speech 23

Economic Opportunities

Council Service to LocalBusiness

Council will develop a service culture in its ordinary dealingswith local businesses and improveits reputation as a business facilitator.

Council will:

investigate a best value model for providing services to local businesses, particularly with planning approval and building works;

continue to conduct and improve the Business Customer Survey;

publish new research focusing on:

The profile of Moreland's businesses

Analysis of business sector trends in expanding, downsizing, moving or closing down in the coming year

Proposals to assist business conditions in Moreland;

maintain formal links between Council and bodies representing and advocating for local businesses; and

ensure transparency and awareness of rules and processes and use clear plain language for all communication and forms.

Employment

Council believes that every adultwho wants paid employmentshould have the opportunity towork in a meaningful andrewarding job, which uses theirskills. Council sees reducingunemployment in the municipality as one of its highestpriorities.

Employment close to home isdesirable for Moreland residents,particularly for the environmentas there is less pollution from car travel and for quality of life.

Council will address structuralfactors underlying the municipality's consistently higher-than-average unemployment rate, as stated inthe Moreland EmploymentStrategy by undertaking the following actions:

establish Council as a model employer;

linking the Moreland website, through a new 'MoreJobs' feature, to local and regional employment opportunities on local and regional employment provider websites;

advocate for improvementsand additions to the employment programs of other levels of government;

mobilise other organisations, including employers and educators, to increase the employment options for

disadvantaged groups such as young, unskilled, migrant, mature, aged, Indigenous, and northern;

advocate for education improvement, including the rate of secondary education and Year 12 retention rates, and the provision of education appropriate to local job opportunities;

support training and career development, by providing work experience and employment at Council;

encourage Moreland residents to apply for Council job vacancies; and

where other factors are equal,prefer businesses with links into the Moreland economy for Council contracts.

Developing the Communityand Advocacy Sector

Moreland has a strong community service and not-for-profit sector, and Councilwill continue to put Morelandforward as a natural home forcommunity service organisations.

Council believes that encouragingdevelopment of the communitysector will create local jobs, fosterthe progressive character of themunicipality, and provideimproved services for disadvantaged people.

24 Mayor’s Speech

Economic Opportunities

Our actions will include, but neednot be limited to:

producing and distributing materials which set out the benefits of running a community or not-for-profit organisation from Moreland, including costs, support structure, Council facilities and services, and local character in general; and

sponsoring the creation of a Moreland not-for-profit association. This body shoulddetermine its own charter, and ultimately be independent of Council. It is envisaged that the charter include:

advocacy to Council for community organisations;

sharing knowledge and mutual support; and

further promotion of not-for-profit operations in Moreland.

Mayor’s Speech 25

Economic Opportunities

26 Mayor’s Speech

Cr Joe Caputo

Cr MarkHigginbothamMayor

Cr AnthonyHelou

Cr Jo Connellan Cr Alice Pryor

Cr Michael El-Halabi

Cr Daniel DeLorenzis

Cr Mark O’Brien Cr Andrea Sharam

Cr John Kavanagh

Cr KathleenMatthews-Ward Deputy Mayor

Councillors each have a mobile phone and a personal email address on which they can be contacted. Until these are in place, please contact your Ward Councillor by phone on 9240 1193, or by email oninfo@moreland.vic.gov.au.

Councillors Elected November 2004 for four years

South Ward

North-West Ward

North-East Ward

For more information or copies ofMayor’s Speech 2005 please contact

The Mayor’s OfficeMoreland City Council90 Bell StreetCoburg

Tel: (03) 9240 1193Fax: (03) 9240 1179

Council Offices

Office hours: 8.30 am to 5 pm

Moreland City Council

Moreland Civic Centre90 Bell StreetCoburg

Brunswick Citizens Service Centre233 Sydney RoadBrunswick

Glenroy Citizens Service Centre796N Pascoe Vale RoadGlenroy

General enquiries

Tel: (03) 9240 1111

Visit us on the web:www.moreland.vic.gov.au

Email:info@moreland.vic.gov.au

December 2004 05

Working Together For Our Community

Mayor’s Speech 2005