Tag: kindergarten

Media Release: Draft Community Facilities Occupancy Policy and Pricing Policy on public display

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Maroondah City Council has endorsed the draft Community Facilities Occupancy Policy and the draft Community Facilities Pricing Policy for public display.

The policies were presented at the Council meeting on September 20.

Council currently owns or manages more than 100 sports fields, pavilions, halls, meeting rooms and other facilities on behalf of the community.

Maroondah Mayor Councillor Alex Makin said the draft policies were developed concurrently and were directly aligned.

“The draft policies provide a comprehensive framework for the community use of Council owned or managed facilities,” Cr Makin said.

“The draft Community Facilities Occupancy Policy and the draft Community Facilities Pricing Policy will guide the process of determining appropriate occupancy agreements and pricing structures for all Council owned or managed facilities and ensure the agreements are consistent and transparent,” Cr Makin said.

“The draft policies aim to establish clear frameworks so the community groups know what they are paying for, why they are paying and that other users groups in similar situations are contributing in a consistent manner,” Cr Makin said.

“Under the draft Community Facilities Occupancy Policy community groups wishing to use Council owned or managed facilities will have to undergo an assessment to determine the suitability of the proposed arrangement and the length of tenure. Once this assessment has taken place Council will then discuss the rate of rental,” Cr Makin said.

“There are two existing policies relating to the occupancy and the pricing of community facilities, however these policies have not been updated for a number of years. During this time there has been changes to legislation, increased emphasis on risk management and occupational health and safety requirements and changes to the way the groups are using the facilities,” Cr Makin said.

“To meet these new needs Council has also reassessed the pricing structure associated with the use of Council facilities. The current pricing structure has been in place for the past 11 years and was established with the intention that Council could recover an estimated 30 per cent of facility maintenance costs,” Cr Makin said.

“In the past 11 years that margin has dropped significantly and Council is currently recovering on average 3 per cent of maintenance costs for the sporting grounds and 15 per cent for the pavilions,” Cr Makin said.

“Council believes the sporting grounds and community facilities are integral to the development of a strong community, which is why we subsidise and support the many groups which use them,” Cr Makin said.

“We need to have a system in place which allows for the reasonable, transparent and equitable use of these facilities,” Cr Makin said.

The policies cover most Council owned facilities or grounds including:

  • Council Owned Community Halls
  • Community Centres
  • Kindergartens
  • Senior Citizens Centres
  • Sporting Pavilions
  • Sports Grounds and sporting activity surfaces
  • Scout and Guide Halls
  • Facilities managed by Council Committees of Management
  • Maroondah Federation Estate

The draft policies will be on public display until October 26. Those wanting to make a submission must do so before this date. Following consideration of the submissions the policies will be amended where appropriate and Council endorsement will be sought.

– ENDS –

Launch of new playground for North Ringwood Community Children’s Centre

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Maroondah City Council offers a variety of grants to assist community based organisations, including funding through the third/third/third grants, which can be utilised for capital works within council owned facilities.  The upgraded playground at North Ringwood Community Children’s Centre, based at Norwood Reserve on Warrandyte Road in Ringwood North is one example of this funding.

North Ringwood Community Children’s Centre is a community based, not-for-profit organisation, which is managed through a voluntary Committee of Management.  The Centre provides a range of programs for young children, including an accredited four year old kindergarten program, with an emphasis on creativity and learning.

This afternoon I was invited to officially launched the new playground at the Centre, which was funded through Council’s third/third/third program. This grants program is where Council contributes time and financial resources to assist community organisations with capital works.  The community group contributes one third of the project, Council another third and the final third can be provided as a loan or through other external sources of funding.

The playground provides an expanded range of activities and play spaces for the children in the Centre and is an example of an organisation that is meeting the long-term needs of Maroondah’s community.  For further information on the third/third/third funding program and other community grants offered by the City of Maroondah please visit www.maroondah.vic.gov.au/GrantsProgram.aspx.

Ringwood Uniting Preschool – 50th anniversary

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The Ringwood Uniting Preschool is located in Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood near Bedford Road and was opened as an approved centre in February 1959.

The work, however, began in 1957 when a Committee of Parents and Friends discussed the possibility of starting a kindergarten to reduce the large waiting lists that existed at the time.

Today’s event included past and present staff, committee members and families, who all shared in the celebrations. I was invited to speak as part of the celebrations, where I discussed the commitment of the many people involved within the organisation and the increasing emphasis on early childhood education.

The Ringwood Uniting Church has a strong history of community involvement, through its founding of Ringwood Biala, the Ringwood Uniting Adult Daycare Service and the Ringwood Uniting Preschool.

These organisations contribute immensely to the wellbeing of local residents, through providing a range of much needed services for our community.

Media Release: Kids rule the roost come festival time

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Some of the most exciting childrens entertainment on Maroondah’s 2009 social calendar can be found at Kids Kingdom – a much anticipated feature of the annual Maroondah Festival.

Kids Kingdom features a huge range of free activities, rides and entertainment for young ones.

Councillor Alex Makin said festival organisers had jammed as much fun as possible into this year’s program.

“It’s kids only at Kids Kingdom, but mums and dads are welcome of course!” Cr Makin said.

“The entire family could easily spend a day out at the festival exploring Kids Kingdom alone. Entertainment ranges from live performances to farmyard animals, cupcake decorating, rides and much more,” Cr Makin said.

“So make sure you mark Sunday 8 November in your diary to avoid missing out,” Cr Makin said.

One of the highlights of Kids Kingdom will be the Kids Stage, which will host performances from 11am by Yarra Road Primary School, Village School, Ruskin Park Primary School and the festival’s featured act The Workers.

Elsewhere, children will have the opportunity to participate in an activity presented by Brentwood Park Kindergarten, join the fun of the farmyard area (complete with animal farm, hay bales, scarecrows, animal craft activity and roving cowboy Slim Tim), and visit the snake handler’s live reptile display where they can learn about Charlie the Crocodile, venomous snakes, stumpy tails, bearded dragons and many more weird and wonderful creatures.

For something a little more sedate, children can try their hand at painting terracotta pots containing plants native to Maroondah. Once finished, children can take the plants and pots home.

To celebrate the festival’s 20th birthday children will be invited to join a special cupcake decorating activity. But you’ll have to be on-site early as there will be a limited number of cupcakes available.

“And if your child wants to get their hands a little bit dirty, the festival’s interactive play area is the place to be. Have a ball in the giant sandpit, and discover the fun of play dough, slime and bubbles at this popular section of Kids Kingdom,” Cr Makin said.

The Croydon Library will be open and will host special author readings through the day. Be sure to visit the Fairy Garden in front of the library at 12.30 and 3.30pm for special storytime sessions by authors Richard Galbraith and Leigh Hobbs.

Many childrens service providers servicing Maroondah exhibit at Kids Kingdom. Nursing mothers, lost children and baby change facilities are also located at Kids Kingdom for your convenience.

The Maroondah Festival is proudly presented by Maroondah City Council in conjunction with Ringwood Honda. The festival is held at Town Park, Croydon from 10am to 5pm on Sunday 8 November.

Be sure to visit the festival website www.maroondahfestival.com or contact the festival hotline on 9294 5604 for more information.

Delegates' Report: Community sustainability through involvement

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On the 18th of March I attended the North Ringwood Community House Annual General Meeting. North Ringwood Community House, located at 120 Oban Road, provides a remarkable facility for our community. Sue McDermott is the new coordinator of the house and she spoke extensively about their services into the future.

North Ringwood Community House is in a unique situation where the facility is located on parish land within the Holy Spirit Primary School. The fact that the house does not own either the building or the land they are on curtails their growth and the ability to offer services and courses to Maroondah residents. North Ringwood Community House is a unique community asset and has moved beyond the traditional role of community houses by offering TAFE accredited courses in areas such as Palliative Care and Aged Care. It is it critical that the house is able to secure a solid future within Maroondah.

On the 25th of March I attended one of Enjoying Planned Retirement’s bocce afternoons. Bocce, which is conducted between December and April, is one of the many activities organised by EPR. This afternoon marked a special occasion since it included the unveiling of a new barbecue for the group. This barbecue was donated by a local Croydon resident, who is a Sales Manager for Rinnai after EPR’s original barbecue was stolen on the 12th of February and subsequently featured in a local newspaper. The strength of a community is always demonstrated during negative times and it was great to see our community rallying behind EPR to provide this new barbecue.

On the 4th of April I attended the Scoot Wheel n Move workshop. This workshop provided an opportunity to plan the future of this highly successful group, which is focused on the needs of people with mobility aids, such as wheelchairs and scooters. Scoot Wheel n Move has had a range of achievements over the past few years, including the highly successful recharge program and a number of public forums. With initiatives, such as the redevelopment of Eastland, it is imperative that accessibility is built into these projects and not merely considered as an afterthought. The feedback from the workshop will assist the future direction of Scoot Wheel n Move and ensure that these successes continue into the future.

On the 5th of April I attended a local version of the Rudd Government’s 2020 Summit as the Deputy Chair and Maroondah’s representative of the Eastern Transport Coalition. This event which was held at Monash University in Clayton provided an opportunity to include input for the summit that was held in Canberra. I attended the economic infrastructure, digital economy and future of our cities session, where the need for Federal leadership in regard to urban sustainability and public transport infrastructure was readily agreed upon. In fact, the need for public transport improvements was stressed in a number of different forum topics as it became clear that people require mobility and transport choice in accessing educational, employment and health services.

In fact, the ETC and hence by extension the City of Maroondah’s stance on public transport improvements has garnered respect far and wide, with Kelvin Thomson, the Federal Member for Wills, speaking favourably of the ETC’s approach within Federal Parliament. I will be tabling the extract of the members speech. It is clear that the approach the ETC has taken is generating results, just like when the grouping of seven councils led the successful abolition of zone three.

On the 8th of April I attended the 40th AGM of the Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau. The Citizens Advice Bureau is another one of Maroondah’s hidden gems who are focused on assisting people in need within Maroondah through providing advice, referral services and emergency relief. Being in existence for 40 years is a testament for any volunteer and community based organisation but it is an even greater achievement for an association that is dedicated to assisting others.

Lastly, on the 15th of April I attended the Know Your Parks function at Lockhart Road Reserve. Lockhart Road Reserve is a park situated in Ringwood North next to a kindergarten and it was great to see such a strong interest in our community with this park. Over 250 people and families enjoyed the festivities and children were able to partake in the jumping castle and face painting. The sausages and balloons were a tremendous success and it was great to be able to enjoy a sunny Autumn afternoon in one of our wonderful parks.

I will be tabling the rest of my report.

Know Your Parks: Lockhart Road Park

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Know Your Parks is an event organised by Maroondah City Council to showcase the many community parks that exist throughout the municipality.

This afternoon we held the first ever Know Your Parks program at the Lockhart Road Park in Ringwood North. Combined with Melbourne’s mild Autumn weather the event which included a free sausage sizzle, and a range of children’s activities was a tremendous success.

Lockhart Road Park, situated next to a kindergarten, is one of Maroondah’s hidden gems complete with playground facilities. Children were able to enjoy the jumping castle, face painting and a range of other activities that were available throughout the afternoon.

It was absolutely delightful to be able to speak to families about life in Maroondah and I would like to thank the many hundreds of people that enjoyed the afternoon at Lockhart Park.

Pinemont Preschool 40th anniversary

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This afternoon I was invited to attend the 40th anniversary and unveiling of the new garden area for Pinemont Preschool, located in Ringwood North. The new garden area, like earlier accessibility works, was funded through a community grant provided by Maroondah City Council.

Like most other kindergartens in Victoria, a voluntary parents committee manages Pinemont, which is responsible for the upkeep of the preschool and also the implementation of projects such as the new garden area.

The new garden area will provide the kindergarten with an outside reading and activity area and harnesses the beauty of the natural environment around Pinemont.

MAV: Future of Local Government progressing the Inter-Governmental Agreement

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The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) as the collective voice for the 79 local councils in Victoria is calling for sector-wide reform of local government, with the aim of improving community engagement and regional collaboration, in an attempt to secure more equitable funding arrangements from the State and Federal Governments.

In 2003 David Hawker, MP for Wannon (in Victoria) chaired a Federal Parliamentary inquiry into instances of cost shifting between local, state and federal governments. The completed report officially called Rates & Taxes: A Fair Share for Responsible Local Government, but commonly known as the Hawker Inquiry, found that local government was increasingly the victim of cost shifting particularly from State Governments.

As a result the Hawker Inquiry recommended the signing of an Inter-Governmental Agreement with the aim of preventing further instances of cost shifting. In April 2006 the Inter-Governmental Agreement was signed between Federal, State and Local Governments providing local councils a rare opportunity to seek redress to the current imbalance of costs and revenue that exists.

Today I attended a briefing organised by the MAV in its pursuit of furthering the Inter-Governmental Agreement.

Progressing the opportunity presented by the Inter-Governmental Agreement will require local government to identify its core services and to recognise which tier of government is best able to deliver the service expected by the community. For example, in relation to graffiti the State Government would be the best tier to coordinate policy response and monitoring with the empowerment of local government to eradicate and document reported graffiti.

The Inter-Governmental Agreement will only succeed if all tiers of government have the maturity to seek better outcomes for the community. Unfortunately the State Government has typically been the worst culprit in regard to cost shifting and there is little indication that this will change in the near future.

Local Government, has for example, has become involved in kindergartens, aged care facilities and public transport simply due to a reluctance from the State Government to provide adequate investment in such areas. Unfortunately when the State Government uses the word ‘partnership’, such as in the case of school crossing supervisors or walking school bus, it appears to simply be a mechanism to eventually cost shift services onto another tier of government.

Local Government is at the crossroads and is poised to secure a better outcome for the community if it pledges to enhance community facilitation and education on the benefits of widespread reform. The community needs to become actively engaged so that the wider community can map out of the future of their neighbourhoods and recognise which tier of government is responsible for providing the improvements that they seek.