Message from the Mayor, Cr Jane Addis

Message from the Mayor, Cr Jane Addis ttoth Fri 21 January 2022

Welcome to summer 2022. A new year is a time of hope and resolutions; the hope that 2022 will be a better year despite a bumpy start, and a resolution to enjoy the simple pleasures of time with friends and family, our parks and gardens, and all that our beautiful municipality offers us.

2022 will also be a time to focus on our newly endorsed Boroondara Community Plan 2021-31. The plan underpins all that Council does and guides decisions based upon what you have told us is important to you. That includes a commitment to the environment, protecting our heritage, the books on our library shelves, caring for and increasing our trees and open spaces, and the services that support us all to be healthy and fulfilled from the first weeks of our lives.

Also supporting our community are the 26% of us who volunteer in order to make life easier and better for others. Three special volunteers, and one program operated by volunteers, have been recognised in the 2022 Boroondara Volunteer of the Year Awards. Their interests and contributions range from radio to tai chi, emergency relief to safeguarding vulnerable residents living in supported residential care. I congratulate and thank them all on our behalf.

Another priority for 2022 is our Boroondara Bicycle Strategy, which aims to deliver an integrated and appealing bicycle network that is safe, connected, protected and efficient.

If one of your resolutions is to start something new this year, you will find inspiration in this edition of the digital Boroondara Bulletin. We have articles on a new functional fitness program designed for older people who do not exercise regularly, tips and resources for starting or joining a book group, and new courses at our Neighbourhood Houses.

For many residents and businesses in Boroondara, the Lunar New Year of the Tiger will be celebrated from 1 February. I wish you all a joyous festival and a happy, healthy and prosperous year ahead.

Cr Jane Addis
Mayor of Boroondara

Your Boroondara Community Plan

Your Boroondara Community Plan ttoth Fri 21 January 2022

Let us introduce your Boroondara Community Plan 2021-31. It guides everything Council does to ensure we deliver on what you told us you value most. Here’s what it means for you.

In the City of Boroondara, we have a passionate, highly engaged and diverse community that embraces the lifestyle and opportunities that come with living here – the heritage and character of our neighbourhoods, our parks and green spaces, bustling shopping centres, and the services helping people live healthy, fulfilling lives.

We have an important role in fostering our community’s much-loved way of life, which is why we are excited to present your Boroondara Community Plan 2021-31, including our community’s vision for Boroondara’s future: ‘A sustainable and inclusive community’.

What is the Boroondara Community Plan?

Shaped by the diverse views of more than 5,000 community members in 2020-21, the Boroondara Community Plan 2021-31 is Council’s key strategic document. It guides everything we do and ensures we continue to deliver on the seven priority themes our community told us are most important to them.

Along with the 10-year vision based on our community’s aspirations, it incorporates our four-year Council Plan and four-year Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan.
Essentially, it paints a picture of what our community values most and demonstrates practically how Council will bring our community’s vision to life.

How was it developed?

Building on the inaugural Boroondara Community Plan developed in 2016-17, we started the process of renewing the plan in 2020 to ensure it reflected our community’s values, aspirations and priorities for the next 10 years.

To understand what is most important to our community, we needed to hear directly from you. So, we undertook a deliberative engagement process in 2020-21, through two stages of community engagement, analysed your feedback, and incorporated it in the renewed Boroondara Community Plan 2021-31.

What does our community value most?

High on the list is our leafy neighbourhoods, parks and playgrounds, the heritage character of our streets, and the relaxed and peaceful nature of Boroondara. Meaningful community connections were valued too, as well as a sense of safety, personal wellbeing and belonging.

And what are our community’s priorities for the future?

Our community expressed how important it is for everyone, especially those in need, to be considered by Council in our planning, delivery, partnership and advocacy efforts. They wanted to ensure Boroondara’s unique features are protected and enhanced. They were very clear about the need to care for the environment, support sustainability and have a robust response to the impacts of climate change.

seven themes of the Boroondara Community Plan: community service and facilities, parks and green spaces, the environment, neighbourhood character and heritage, moving around, local economy, our community

What you told us is most important to you in Boroondara

“Having an environmentally conscious community with sustainability goals set by Council.”

“Accessibility to a variety of services and facilities in my local area, which respond to the needs of all age groups and abilities.”

“It is important to us to have responsible waste management, and to preserve the unique heritage of the area.”

“Good connectivity; public transport, walking trails, bike paths on and off road.”

“I love the myriad of shops, cafes, restaurants and parks that comprise my neighbourhood. We are so lucky to have such beautiful green spaces, and they should be cherished and protected.”

“Community engagement, including input into planning and particularly community events.”

“I love our local parks and hope they continue being cared for, with even more native flora planted.”

Find out more

Visit the Boroondara Community Plan page to find out more about the Boroondara Community Plan 2021-31.

Have your say on additional car-parking spaces

Have your say on additional car-parking spaces ttoth Fri 28 January 2022

Council is exploring additional short-term and long-term car-parking spaces as part of the Australian Government’s Urban Congestion Fund. These proposed additional spaces are located near Camberwell, Canterbury and Glenferrie train stations.

The proposal involves creating additional car-parking spaces at existing Council-owned car parks. We have identified suitable locations for these spaces near each train station:

Camberwell – around 90 additional car-parking spaces on top of the existing Junction West multi-level car park, located behind the Camberwell Shopping Centre (formerly The Well) between Camberwell Rd and Harold St.
Canterbury – a new car-parking facility of around 200 spaces at the existing Wattle Valley car park, retaining surface-level parking and adding two levels of underground parking.
Glenferrie – a new car-parking facility of around 490 spaces at the existing Liddiard St car park in Hawthorn.

These proposed additional car-parking spaces will:

support community members who want to commute by train, tram or bus
support visitors keen to shop, dine and explore each area
improve amenity and access to existing Council-owned car parks.

Have your say

This community consultation has now closed.

Community consultation on the proposed additional car-parking spaces for each location is now underway. We welcome your feedback before 12 noon, Thursday 10 February 2022.

Your feedback will help us develop reports for Council to consider before further discussions with the Australian Government are undertaken about the funding offers for each area.

More information

To learn more and have your say before Thursday 10 February, visit Engage Boroondara-external site.

Have your say on our bicycle strategy

Have your say on our bicycle strategy ttoth Mon 24 January 2022

Our draft Boroondara Bicycle Strategy aims to deliver a safe and appealing bicycle network, including high-quality off-road riding, safer cycling on main roads, and better bike parking and end-of-trip facilities.

Bicycles provide a sustainable transport option with a low carbon footprint and are associated with a wide range of environmental benefits that will help lead to a greener, more sustainable Boroondara.

The draft strategy outlines the new strategic framework, which will help us advance bicycle infrastructure and bicycle mode share in Boroondara over the next 10 years. We aim to deliver an integrated bicycle network that is safe, connected, protected, efficient and appealing to bicycle users of all ages and abilities. Council is seeking community feedback on the strategy until Monday 28 February.

Our guiding principles in drafting the strategy are:

a complete and connected bicycle network
a safe bicycle riding experience
integrated supporting facilities and amenities
awareness and education.

Initiatives and actions to support improvements to infrastructure and provide a connected safe network right across our city include:

advocating for support from the Victorian Government to develop the Strategic Cycling Corridor within Boroondara
creating a high-quality off-road shared path network by upgrading existing paths and providing new links
improving bicycle safety along main roads and intersections with various infrastructure treatments
creating a supporting network of safe bicycle streets to encourage access and local trips by bicycle
improving the management of paths used by both pedestrians and bike riders in formal gardens
improving the quality and quantity of bike parking and end-of-trip facilities
providing high-quality wayfinding
continuing to run and support educational programs designed to encourage people to ride bikes and develop safe riding skills.

This draft strategy has been developed following extensive community engagement, research and analysis to ensure it is relevant, achievable and meets the needs of our broader community.

Visit Engage Boroondara-external site to view the draft strategy and have your say before Monday 28 February 2022.

Top tips to keep your home safe from burglars

Top tips to keep your home safe from burglars ttoth Mon 24 January 2022

Our homes are our sanctuaries, and there are simple things we can all do to deter criminals from stealing our possessions and invading our privacy.

Boroondara Police has seen a concerning trend of criminals breaking into cars to steal garage remotes, then gaining entry to garages and homes to steal car keys, cars and other valuable items.

Our local police provide the following advice to keep your home safe:

If your car is parked outside your garage, don’t leave the remote control to your garage door in the vehicle.
If there’s an internal door between your garage and home, make sure it’s always locked.
Burglars often jump neighbouring fences to gain entry to other homes, so ensure side and rear doors and windows are locked.
Take the time to look around your yard to ensure there are no items, like bins or ladders, that could assist a would-be burglar.
Always lock your garage and sheds, to protect valuable items and ensure your garden tools aren’t used to force entry to your home.
Sensor lighting, CCTV and an alarm system are all useful to help deter criminals.
Most people are trustworthy, but be mindful of sharing too much information about your routine with people hired to do work at your home. Rather than saying “I’m only home on Mondays”, try “My work hours vary, but this week Monday suits best”.
You may wish to consider removing valuable items from plain view while you have strangers working in your home.

person with a hoodie peering into a car window

Are reusable cloth nappies for you?

Are reusable cloth nappies for you? ttoth Mon 24 January 2022

Do you have a little one in nappies? If so, we'd love to hear from you.

Reusable cloth nappies have benefits both for the environment and household budgets when compared with disposable nappies, which do not break down in landfill and contribute to carbon emissions.

In collaboration with neighbouring Councils, and with support from the Victorian Government, we are working to better understand how we can offer practical support to those considering alternatives to disposable nappies.

If you are a parent or care-giver of a child or children who wear nappies, or are about to have a child, we encourage you to visit the survey link below to tell us what you think about different types of nappies. The findings from this collective research effort will help guide Council’s decision-making on reusable nappy support programs in future.

In the meantime, you can also find out more about reusable modern cloth nappies at our free Cloth Nappies 101 online workshop on 16 February at 7:30pm. Workshop participants will be eligible to receive a cloth nappy trial pack.

To complete the survey, visit Engage Boroondara-external site.

To register for the Cloth Nappies 101 workshop, visit our Sustainable living workshops and events page.

Ask away: try our chat bot

Ask away: try our chat bot ttoth Mon 24 January 2022

The next time you’re on our website, remember our chat bot is available online 24/7 to help answer your questions promptly.

You’ve told us that you want to be able to connect with Council at any time, and in a way that’s convenient to you. The chat bot is ready with answers to more than 190 frequently asked questions, with more being added all the time across topics ranging from waste and environment, to pets, libraries and much more.

Machine learning – where a system can learn from data – helps us continually improve the responses and helpful information the chat bot retrieves from our website. Plus, we’re expanding the breadth of topics it can help you with, and responding to new trends in the information you request.

While the chat bot is helping visitors to our website, our Customer Connect team remains available by phone, email, webform and in person.

Find the chat bot icon in the bottom corner of any page of our website.

COVID-19: Council support for our community

COVID-19: Council support for our community ttoth Mon 24 January 2022

We are here to help with a dedicated hotline and support for residents and businesses.

Our community is continuing to experience the effects of COVID-19, with the Omicron variant spreading throughout Victoria.

With significant numbers of the community isolating due to COVID, including some of our own staff, we extend our support and well wishes to anyone who is recovering from COVID or living with someone suffering COVID.

If you or a loved one need additional assistance, we are here for you. Our support team can arrange local emergency relief or refer people to partner organisations and agencies who can help.

Call our dedicated coronavirus hotline on (03) 9278 4444 and press 6 to speak to a member of our support team between 8:30am and 5:15pm, 7 days a week. You can also email [email protected].

We also have additional support continuing for residents and businesses, including:

Local businesses: Find out about a number of initiatives and resources available to help business, including our COVID-safe Business Concierge Program and Love Local Life business directory-external site.
Sports clubs: Find out about returning safely to play, access COVID-safe plan templates and more.
Community services: Download our directory for contact details and more information about key service providers and community organisations we work with.

For more details and information for other support services including family violence support and information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, please visit our website at COVID-19 support for residents and businesses.

Changes to council services due to COVID-19

Some Council services and events may be impacted in the event our employees and contractors are exposed to COVID-19 as the Omicron variant spreads rapidly across Victoria.

We are working hard to keep safely delivering important services for you and sincerely thank you for your patience during this challenging time. The health and wellbeing of our community and employees will always be our top priorities.

Things can change incredibly quickly, and we recommend visiting our social media channels and website for the latest updates. We sincerely apologise in the event of any inconvenience and thank you in advance for your patience.

Visit our Changes to council services and facilities due to COVID-19 page for the latest information.

It's easy to add fitness to your years

It's easy to add fitness to your years ttoth Mon 24 January 2022

Keen to exercise but don't know where to start? Try our functional fitness program.

We all know maintaining good physical fitness has proven benefits for your health and wellbeing. However, it becomes particularly important as you get older.

People 65 and older, perhaps more than any other age group, require adequate fitness levels to help them maintain independence, recover from illness and reduce their high risk of disease.

If you don’t exercise regularly, it can be hard to know where or how to start. Common reasons for older adults not participating in physical activity can include the cost of joining a gym or fitness class, fear of injury, a lack of confidence or feeling overwhelmed.

With this in mind, Council has partnered with YMCA to develop a low-cost, six-week fitness program, specifically designed for older people who don’t exercise regularly. Exercises focus on functional movements to increase strength, stability and mobility, which are key to performing everyday tasks and activities.

The first program held at Balwyn Evergreen Centre proved to be a hit, with participants enjoying easing into exercise in a comfortable environment.

“The program has been really worthwhile. You can go at your own pace in the classes and take a break if you need,” says participant Lulu.

“I’ve seen improvements to my fitness in four weeks and I’m looking to continue exercising once the program has finished.”

Throughout the six-week program, friendly and professional fitness instructors lead exercise classes suitable for all levels of fitness, provide important health and wellbeing information, and give participants the opportunity to measure their progress through simple, exercise-based fitness checks.

Each class is followed by a healthy afternoon tea where participants can enjoy refreshments with other participants. “The classes have been especially helpful after COVID-19 and encourage you to get moving,” says Mary.

“It’s a welcoming environment with a friendly group of people, and the weekly class gives us an outing for the afternoon.”

Upcoming events

Time to salute our volunteers

Time to salute our volunteers ttoth Mon 24 January 2022

5 volunteers standing on the stair at Hawthorn Arts Centre.

Volunteers make the world go around, particularly during a pandemic. The 2022 Boroondara Volunteer of the Year Awards recognise three special people and a program that all operate with our community at heart.

2022 Boroondara Volunteers of the Year (joint winners)

Matthew Etty-Leal

Matthew was recognised for his volunteer service across four decades. He has presented more than 200 Australian history sessions to community groups including five Boroondara aged-care centres, U3A, Probus clubs and history groups. He reads to residents at Baptcare, accompanies BASSCare clients on day trips, is a reader with Vision Radio, volunteers at the Balwyn Historical Society and St Barnabas Balwyn, and has been a member of Council’s Community Grants Panel.

Margaret Rogers

Margaret was a member of the Camberwell Community Centre Management Committee for 21 years, including 15 years as President, when she was instrumental in advocating for and supporting the centre’s redevelopment. She was also involved with Victorian Scouts for more than 20 years, and with the Victorian Flute Guild. Margaret runs weekly tai chi sessions at Bowen Gardens and supports tai chi activities throughout the community.

I feel I’m accepting this award for all the volunteers in Boroondara, not just me; it’s an appreciation for all the work volunteers do.

– Margaret Rogers

COVID-19 Recovery: Outstanding Local Hero Award

Winner: Susan Zammit

Susan has been a community visitor volunteer with the Office of the Public Advocate for 19 years. She visits vulnerable Victorians living in supported residential services in the Boroondara area to ensure they are safe and that their human rights are being upheld. During the pandemic, when face-to-face visits were limited due to lockdowns, Susan was quick to pivot to ‘remote safeguarding’ to ensure residents were protected and their wellbeing was maintained.

Volunteer Program Impact Award

Winner: Camcare’s Emergency Relief Program

Community organisation Camcare’s Emergency Relief Program has assisted more than 8,000 community members during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing fresh food and other material aid to people in financial hardship or difficult circumstances. It also offered counselling, provided information on COVID-19 safety protocols and vaccinations, organised referrals and created avenues for youth involvement.

Reconnect at your local neighbourhood house

Reconnect at your local neighbourhood house ttoth Mon 24 January 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for our community. The stay-at-home directions and social-distancing requirements meant a lot of us were unable to see friends, family and neighbours, and this left many people socially isolated. Maintaining social connections makes us feel valued and improves our overall health and wellbeing.

We encourage you to reconnect and get involved at one of the 11 neighbourhood houses and community centres throughout Boroondara.

The new Live and Learn guide is your one-stop shop to find out what’s on offer. There are short courses for all interests, ages and backgrounds, including employment training programs, acting classes, wine workshops, coding camps, craft and cooking workshops, yoga and exercise classes, and child-focused sessions.

To find out more and view the Live and Learn guide, visit our Neighbourhood houses and community centres page.

Is 2022 the year you join a book club?

Is 2022 the year you join a book club? ttoth Mon 24 January 2022

Book groups are a great way to bring people together. The key to a successful group comes down to not only picking the right book, but having the tools to create deep and animated discussion. If you’re thinking about starting a new group, or to ensure your group gets off to a strong start in 2022, Boroondara Library Service has a number of resources available.

Borrow a book group kit

Our book group kits take the hard work out of book club. In 2021 alone, we issued more than 200 to different groups. The kits can be borrowed for up to 60 days and offer dozens of thought-provoking titles including Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet, Pip William’s The Dictionary of Lost Words, and Sally Hepworth’s The Mother-in-Law. Each kit contains 10 copies of the book, two large-print books and two audio books, along with discussion notes and reviews.

For more information about book group kits, visit our Book groups page.

Reading recommendations

Our knowledgeable librarians are on hand to provide book recommendations, but you can also borrow or reserve some of the most popular reads of 2021. With books like Jane Harper’s The Survivors at the top of the most borrowed books for 2021, our Hottest 100 list outlines the most borrowed books across our libraries last year.

Read our Boroondara Hottest 100 adult fiction titles 2021 article to see the full list of titles.

Join an existing club

If the idea of starting your own book club sounds daunting, you can join our online Chatterbooks sessions or the book groups located at Hawthorn or Kew libraries.

For more information about joining, visit our Book groups page.

Calling all amateur photographers

Calling all amateur photographers ttoth Mon 24 January 2022

The 2022 Boroondara Photo Competition is now open for entries.

Each year hundreds of amateur photographers share images of Boroondara, past and present, and add to Boroondara’s extensive collection of local history photographs.

The theme for this year is Diverse Boroondara and we’re inviting you to enter photos that highlight the diversity and heritage of the spaces, places and people in our community.

Our judges will consider photographs in two categories – the Open Photograph Competition for people of all ages, and the Young Photographers Competition for school-aged photographers. All finalists will be included in an exhibition, Diverse Boroondara, at the Hawthorn Arts Centre.

To find out more about the 2022 Boroondara Photo Competition, visit our Boroondara Photograph Competition page.

What's on in Boroondara

What's on in Boroondara ttoth Mon 24 January 2022

Celebrating the Year of the Tiger

Tuesday 1 February marks the beginning of the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. While celebrations may look different this year due to COVID-19, we have a number of online events planned including Mandarin storytime and a performance of traditional musical instruments.

Visit our Lunar New Year page for the most up-to-date information.

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (on 8 March) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of all women, regardless of their ethnicity, culture, religion or beliefs. To mark this significant date, we’ll be holding a series of activities, sharing stories from women in our community, and recognising their resilience, diversity and achievements.

Visit our International Women’s Day page to find out more.

Library events for children

Children of all ages are welcome to join our events as they continue in February. From Bedtime Storytime to bilingual sessions like Wurundjeri and Mandarin, our programs aim to give children a fun and enriching experience, while helping to create a love of books and reading.

Visit our Children’s storytime and activities page to find out more.

Image: Jahnne Pasco-White, detail from Making Kin, 2020, natural dyed fabrics, earth pigments, violets, olives, crayon, pencil, recycled paper, linen, cotton, acrylic and oil stick on canvas, three panels; total 213.0 x 456.0 cm approx, image courtesy of the artist and STATION. Photography by Christo Crocker.

Summer in the Park

Boroondara’s COVID-safe Summer in the Park series (February 5 to March 6) will fill our stunning green spaces with music, cinema, theatre and circus. Headline events include Cinema in the Park at Riverside Park in Camberwell, Jazz in the Park at St James Park in Hawthorn, Family Fun in the Park and Opera in the Park at Canterbury Gardens in Canterbury, and Theatre in the Park (theatre events are free but ticketed) at Summerhill Park in Ashburton. Families can also enjoy Micro Circus in the Park in three locations.

To find out more, visit our Summer in the Park page.

Exhibitions

Enjoy our new major group exhibition Material Reverie, at Town Hall Gallery, exploring the rich variety of materials used by contemporary Australian artists. Examine our enduring love affair with summer at the exhibition Local Summer, featuring works from the Town Hall Gallery Collection. And check out our community exhibition Portraiture in Black and White.

Visit our Exhibitions and visual arts page to find out what else is on and what’s coming up.

Literary award winners announced

Literary award winners announced ttoth Mon 24 January 2022

More than 1200 local writers shared their stories in the 23rd annual Boroondara Literary Awards.

The winners were announced in a digital ceremony in late November, with Mayor Cr Jane Addis noting the high quality of the 1,282 entries and the creative talent within our community.

“The stories and poems submitted this year are exceptional and demonstrate not only the culture of literacy within our community but also the breadth of talent and creativity,” she said.

Three judges were engaged to select the 2021 winners and highly commended entries: Chloe Hooper for the Open Short Story; Nam Le for Young Writers’ Poetry; and Leanne Hall for Young Writers’ Prose. The winners shared more than $8,000 in prize money.

Sophie Matthiesson won the Open Short Story Competition for Dead Heifers, set in the aftermath of a bushfire, while Linda Judge won the honorary Keith Carroll Award for Scrub Crawl.

Cr Addis thanked the Rotary Club of Balwyn for its support of the Literary Awards, along with the local schools and writers who participated in this year’s Writers in Schools Program.

2021 Boroondara Literary Award winners

Open Short Story Competition

Sophie Matthiesson, Dead Heifers

Keith Carroll Award

Linda Judge, Scrub Crawl

Young Writers’ Competition: Prose

Junior prose category: Annalisa Chen, Everything has a Price
Middle prose category: Rosa Toon, Stonewall
Senior prose category: Angelina Liu, Whale

Young Writers’ Competition: Poetry

Junior poetry category: Joel Hu, The Wall
Middle poetry category: Hazel Angelucci, Green Grove
Senior poetry category: Marcus Peeters-Williams, Let Me Kiss You, Daddy Stalin

The winners and highly commended entries of the 2021 Literary Awards have been published in the 2021 Boroondara Literary Awards Anthology, which is available to borrow and buy through Council libraries.

To view the full list of winners and the highly commended entries for each category, visit our 2021 Boroondara Literary Awards page.

Rates payment now due

Rates payment now due ttoth Mon 24 January 2022

If you haven’t paid your rates yet, you have until:

Tuesday 15 February if you have chosen to pay your rates in full, or
Monday 28 February for your third instalment, if you’ve opted to pay in quarterly instalments.

If you are experiencing financial hardship, please contact us to discuss options for a rate deferment or to make a special payment arrangement.