Council releases Annual Report 2018/19

Council has finalised its Annual Report 2018/19, which is now on public exhibition and is available online and at Council service centres.

The Annual Report 2018/19 was endorsed by Council at its meeting on Monday 16 September 2019 to be submitted to the Minister for Local Government and placed on community exhibition.

The Local Government Act 1989 (the Act) requires all local government authorities to prepare and submit an annual report to the Minister for Local Government by 30 September each year.

The Annual Report has three components: the report of operations, the performance statement and the financial statements.

Mayor of Maroondah Cr Rob Steane said the document was Council’s most comprehensive report to the community detailing how the organisation is performing against the community’s expectations outlined in the four-year Council Plan (2017-2021).

“The Annual Report 2018/19 provides Council with an opportunity to highlight our activities, programs, budget and accomplishments over the past 12 months and share this with our community,” Cr Steane said.

“The document provides information on many significant achievements of Council over the past financial year, many of which were only successful due to the significant input of members of the Maroondah community,” he said.

Cr Steane said this was due in part to Council’s online consultation hub – Your Say Maroondah.

“Since the launch in 2018 of Your Say Maroondah, our community have welcomed the opportunity to share their feedback on issues that matter most to them – be it through online discussions, completing a survey, voting in quick polls, or simply telling us what they think. Your Say Maroondah is one of the many ways in which people can have direct input into changes for our municipality,” he said.

The report shows that Council continues to lead the way in its service delivery, with performance across all its key services exceeding benchmark targets. This was reflected in exceptionally high results received from the State Government Community Satisfaction Survey.

Cr Steane said Council’s strong relationship with all levels of government had again resulted in several funding partnerships to construct and complete new facilities and undertake special projects that would benefit the community.

“Thanks to Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding contributions, the $16.5 million HE Parker multi-sports pavilion, Maroondah Nets, opened in May 2019. The Annual Report charts the significant planning that has gone into this spectacular community facility, including its environmentally sustainable design using high-performance building materials that complements the natural landscape setting,” he said.

“In addition, Council commenced the Croydon Community Precinct Masterplan, with the proposed redevelopment receiving a $2 million funding commitment from the Federal Government in May 2019.

“We were also proud to launch a new accessible playspace at Ringwood Lake Park in August 2018, which was supported by a $100,000 Victorian Government grant.”

Cr Steane said Council had continued its advocacy to the Victorian Government in the lead-up to the State election in November 2018, and to the Federal Government ahead of this year’s Federal election in May.

“We were successful in achieving more than $180 million in funding for a range of significant projects that will benefit the community. These include $60 million for carparks at four of our railway stations, road improvements for Dorset Road ($50 million) and Canterbury Road ($24.5 million), and funding for sporting and community facilities,” he said.

The Annual Report also details some of the national and state awards and formal recognition Council has received from Local Government and industry sectors for its work during the year.

“Over the last few years, the number of awards and recognition for excellence received by Council is testament to the service and quality delivered by our organisation on behalf of our community,” Cr Steane said.

“Council’s BizHub CoWorking Space, Ringwood Lake Park Playspace, Community Run Club and Hoarding and Squalor Network/website all received Finalist status at the recent 2019 LGPro Awards for Excellence.

“Council was also a finalist in the 2018 Victorian Disability Awards for its Pathways for Carers program, which aims to combat issues of mental and physical health for carers.

“We are glad to be able to share these achievements with the wider community,” he said.

The adoption of the Maroondah Gambling Policy 2018 sees Council continue its important work in the area of community health and safety. The policy defines Council’s role and responsibilities in managing gambling within our municipality and to protect those at risk of gambling-related harms.

In April 2019, Council formally adopted the Maroondah Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2018-2020, which focuses on identifying practical actions and measures for creating opportunities, promoting a respectful culture and building relationships with the local Indigenous community.

“Council recognises the valuable contribution to the Maroondah region made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and looks forward to a future of mutual respect and harmony,” Cr Steane added.

In addition, Council continues to plan for the future of its two Activity Centres, with a review of the Ringwood Metropolitan Activity Centre (RMAC) Masterplan and significant work on the Croydon Activity Centre.

The Local Government Act 1989 requires all local government authorities to prepare and submit an annual report to the Minister within three months of the end of each financial year.

“While the Annual Report reflects on Council’s activities during 2018/19, we continue to have our sights firmly set on the future and have successfully completed the second year of the four-year Council Plan (2017-2021),” Cr Steane said.

“The Council Plan is based on Council’s broader document Maroondah 2040: Our future together, which provides a blueprint for the future of Maroondah that reflects the aspirations and hopes of our community,” he said.

You can view the Annual Report 2018/19 online <link> or request a copy at one of our Customer Service Centres.

Key highlights $1 million playspace at Ringwood Lake Park opened in August 2018. $2 million Croydon Town Square completed in April 2019 Maroondah Nets commenced operations in May 2019 Launch of two major new areas within Council’s website providing improved access to arts and cultural information and events, and information on Council’s Maroondah Festival. Introduction of Your Say Maroondah, a new online consultation hub enabling the community to better engage with Council on a range of topics. $1.3 million refurbishment of the Croydon Sporting Pavilion was formally opened in May 2019. Launch of Maroondah Hoarding and Squalor Network website, with over 6000 visits since launched in 2018.  The 2019 Maroondah BizWeek program was attended by 656 members of the business community across 40 events, workshops and mentoring sessions. As part of Council’s Vegetation Review, 130 people attended a symposium to discuss the value of vegetation to our community. The Maroondah Vegetation Review involves an assessment of the biodiversity and tree canopy coverage of Maroondah. Council continues to maintain a high percentage of Statutory Planning decisions within specified timeframes, with VCAT setting aside just 2% of Council’s decisions. Following extensive community consultation, Ringwood and Croydon Town Squares became smoke free on 1January 2019. Together with U3A Croydon and Knox Council, Council kicked off the inaugural Walking Football (soccer) season for participants aged 50 and over. Adoption of Reconciliation Action Plan in April 2019, endorsed by Reconciliation Australia and developed in conjunction with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander community. Focuses on identifying practical actions and measures for building relationships, promoting a respectful culture and creating opportunities. In May 2019, men from across the Eastern Region attended a sold-out Men’s Health BizWeek event, delivered by Council in partnership with the Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network. The third year of the L2P program saw 695 hours of practice provided by volunteer mentor drivers to help learner drivers gain the required 120 hours of driving experience to be eligible for a probationary driver’s licence. Introduction of online immunisation booking system during 2019, enabling the community to book appointment at a time that suits them. Council’s BizHub CoWorking Space received Finalist status at the 2019 LGPro Awards for Excellence in the Special Projects category. Maroondah hosted the world-famous Spiegeltent for a second year across nine days in April 2019. The event involved a total 18 performances and was attended by over 4700 people. Council hosted its first Kindergarten Expo and was highly successful with approximately 150 parents attending. Construction of approximately 5100 metres of footpath at cost of $1.37 million 35,500 street trees pruned for electric line and road clearance. Further information

For further information on the Annual Report, contact Council on 1300 88 22 33.