ISSUE 63 JUNE – JULY 2020 Draft Budget 2020/21 Food and Green Waste One year on Back to books Council services reopen Waste collection calendar insideInside this issue Cover Noah and Freya picked up their reservations from the Library after the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. Let’s Talk Bayside is printed using vegetable based inks and a 100% alcohol free printing process. It is manufactured carbon neutral. Monza Recycled contains 99% recycled fibre and is FSC ® Mix Certified. 4 Steady path ahead 8 Business, not as usual 9 Happy green anniversary 11 Natural connections 12 Stormwater harvesting 14 Art for everyone, anytime v How to contact us Online bayside.vic.gov.au Phone (03) 9599 4444 In person 76 Royal Ave, Sandringham facebook.com/BaysideCityCouncil Email enquiries@bayside.vic.gov.au twitter.com/BaysideCouncil CUSTOMER SERVICE COMMITMENTFEEDBACK AND COMPLAINTS We are committed to being easy to deal with, empathetic, Complaints should be put in writing and can be lodged effective and trusted. Our website makes it easier to via Council’s website. You can expect to receive a contact us, make an enquiry, request a service or provide response within 10 working days. feedback at a time that is convenient to you. Pool registration deadline extended The State Government has extended its deadline for owners to register their backyard pools and spas. Private owners now have until 1 November 2020 to register their pool and/ or spa with Council. Register your pool or spa online bayside.vic.gov.au/register-your-pool-or-spaReopening post shutdown COVID-19 UPDATE Council is continuing to support the Bayside community and provide essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Easing restrictions paves the way for the reopening of many Council facilities which may look and operate differently than before the pandemic. All facilities are being adapted to deliver within COVID-19 safety and physical distancing guidelines. From 29 June, Beaumaris, Brighton and Hampton libraries will be open for book browsing and reservation collections. Book return chutes are open and library members who are finished with their loans are encouraged to return their books. PCs and study spaces will remain closed until further notice. The customer service counter at Council’s Corporate Centre has re- opened for face to face payments and general enquiries. Specialist enquiries including: planning and building, parking, pet registrations and local laws must continue to be made via telephone or online. The Bayside Gallery will reopen from 1 July with Fiona McMonagle: Classy open from 1 – 14 July and Greenworld from 18 July – 6 September. For more information about our open services o bayside.vic.gov.au BaysideCityCouncil ( 9599 4444 o bayside.vic.gov.au/enews GALLERY RETURNS The Bayside Gallery re-opens on 1 July. From 29 June, Beaumaris, Brighton and Hampton libraries will be open for book browsing and reservation collections. Let’s Talk Bayside 3Steady path ahead SERVICE The 2020/21 Draft Budget proposes a steady path through the COVID-19 pandemic that will deliver community services and support along with infrastructure investment to stimulate economic recovery. Bayside Mayor Cr Clarke Martin said the carefully shaped budget is being considered in an environment quite unlike any other. “Like every other part of our society and economy, COVID-19 is impacting Council‘s operations in a myriad of ways,’ he said. “We have rapidly adapted to the new environment and continue to deliver for our community, diverting staff and resources into essential areas including support for elderly and vulnerable residents and supporting our local businesses so they continue to survive.” HIT HARD While financial impacts from COVID-19 will hit Council’s bottom line hard, helping the community recover is a priority. “We have provided financial relief where we can including an economic support package for small business, rent relief for our community and commercial tenants, and rates deferral for ratepayers in financial hardship,” Cr Martin said. “This is necessary to help our community recover, however the reality is that combined with a reduction in other non-rate revenue due to the impacts of social isolation our revenue will reduce by an estimated $6 million including $2.7 million in the first quarter of 2020/21. “Fortunately for Bayside, prudent management means we are in a strong financial position with zero debt and well placed to weather the COVID-19 storm in the short term.” WHAT'S PLANNED In 2020/21 Council will focus on providing core services and a program of infrastructure upgrades funded by a $138 million budget. Proposed upgrades includes $12.9 million on parks, open space and streetscapes; $12.4 million on buildings; $3.7 million for roads; $2.2 million for foreshores and conservation; $1.8 million for footpaths and bicycle ways; and $1.6 million on drainage. Rates will increase by 2 per cent in 2020/21 in line with the Victorian Government’s Fair Go Rates System. Cr Martin said that rates will not only fund services and infrastructure in 2020/21, but also continued support for the Bayside community during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020/21 Council will focus on providing core services and a program of infrastructure upgrades funded by a $138 million budget BATTERS UP Mayor Cr Clarke Martin and Moorabbin Baseball Club Secretary Adrian, checked up on the progress of the AW Oliver Pavilion, due for completion in September. 4 Let’s Talk BaysideWhile rates represent only 3.5 per cent of total taxation paid by Australians, they fund 30 per cent of the community’s assets such as roads, parks, open space, footpaths and public buildings “Rates are Council’s main form of income and we will use them to continue to support our vulnerable community members, traders, and businesses who are facing significant financial hardship during the COVID-19 crisis,” Cr Martin said. “As the closest level of government to the community, Councils connect with residents on a daily basis. The recent experience of COVID-19 shows how important our support, services and facilities are to the wellbeing of our community. “In the near term, rates will support our COVID-19 recovery plan including reinvigorating local shopping villages and employment hubs and re-establishing social connections across our community. “While rates represent only 3.5 per cent of total taxation paid by Australians, they fund 30 per cent of the community’s assets such as roads, drains, parks, open space, footpaths and public buildings.” The 2020-21 Draft Budget will be put to Council at the June 23 Ordinary Meeting of Council. Budget highlights ALL DONE Roundabout upgrades along Church Street are complete. BETTER ROADWAYS Included in the budget is a proposed $1.8 million for footpaths and bicycle ways. Let’s Talk Bayside 5 AW Oliver Reserve Pavilion – complete construction Beaumaris Arts Centre redevelopment – continue design and planning Elsternwick Park Nature Reserve – commence Phase 1 Sandringham Athletics Track – reconstruction Sandringham Masonic Hall – refurbishment Thomas Street Reserve Playground – construction Thomas Street Reserve and Green Point – new public toilets Dendy Street Beach Pavilion – continue design and planningB utt out on our beaches SERVICE Smoking on Bayside beaches is now an offence and from September, anyone smoking on a Bayside beach could face a $200 penalty or a fine of up $1,000. The smoking ban applies to the sand areas of all Bayside beaches, including Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary and surrounds, and the Brighton Dunes. The issue of cigarette litter and smoking on beaches was brought to Council’s attention by a number of community members and groups including Marine Care Ricketts Point and MESAC (Marine Education Science and Community Centre) whose volunteers regularly pick up cigarette butts from the Ricketts Point area. Council consulted with the community over summer about its plans to ban smoking on beaches, which was supported by 91 per cent of the 1600 people formally surveyed. “The introduction of a smoking ban on Bayside beaches is a great example of collaboration between Council and community,” Bayside Mayor Cr Clarke Martin said. “The smoking ban will help to safeguard our beautiful foreshore and improve the wellbeing of our community. “I’m pleased that the smoking ban will give Council power to help keep our beaches clean, so they can be enjoyed by all.” Signs have been installed along foreshore paths and beach entry points to inform people about the ban. Bayside’s beach smoking ban has been introduced under Clause 68 of Council’s Local Law No.2 ‘Neighbourhood Amenity’, which is designed to maintain community safety, protect public assets and enhance neighbourhood amenity. The smoking ban includes E-cigarettes, vaping, and pipes. Bayside, live greener and get rewarded. Set up your free account today bayside.greenmoney.com.au Join Bayside City Council’s GreenMoney program and earn local discounts and rewards for taking simple green actions. BEAUTIFUL BAYSIDE The smoking ban will help protect our beaches. The issue of cigarette litter and smoking on beaches was brought to Council’s attention by a number of community members and groups 6 Let’s Talk BaysideCouncil elections coming soon COUNCIL With more than 4.5 million Victorians enrolled to vote and 2000+ candidates expected to contest, this year is shaping up to be the biggest local government election yet. Residents can have their say on Bayside’s Council representatives with the election set to go ahead on Saturday 24 October 2020 via postal vote. Ahead of the 2020 Council elections, and in accordance with the new Local Government Act, Bayside is changing its electoral structure and ward boundaries to single member wards which will increase from three to seven. Council has determined the following new names for the seven wards, based on historical significance, well known places and notable individuals. Enrol or update your details before 28 August at www.vec.vic.gov.au COUNCIL CHAMBERS Have your say on Council decisions. New ward names Ward A - Dendy Ward Named after Sir Henry Dendy, a significant historical landowner who, in 1841, purchased the 2ha of land where the City of Brighton was developed. Ward B - Bleazby Ward Named after Elizabeth Bleazby, the first female Councillor of the City of Brighton (1930–1946). Ward C - Castlefield Named after the historical post war housing estate. Ward D - Boyd Ward Named after the artistic and creative Boyd family made up of generations of painters, sculptors, authors, potters and even a well-known architect. Ward E - Ivison Ward Named after Ruby May Ivison MBE, the first female Councillor of the City of Sandringham (1961–1976) who serviced twice as Mayor in 1967–68 and 1973–74. Ward F - Ebden Named after Charles Ebden, former Member of Parliament (1843) and Victorian Auditor General who was a significant land and homeowner with a portfolio that included Black Rock House. Ward G- Beckett Named after one of Bayside’s most significant and influencial artists, Clarice Beckett renowned for paintings of Bayside’s foreshore and streets at dawn and dusk. Find out which ward you are in: bayside.vic.gov.au/wards Let’s Talk Bayside 7 INTERESTED IN RUNNING FOR COUNCIL? As a Councillor you can play an important role in making Bayside a better place to live. Have a voice in decisions made by Bayside City Council on behalf of the community by registering your interest at bayside.vic.gov.au/ register-your-interest-run-councilSHOP LOCAL Help support our local traders and Bayside businesses. Business, not as usual COVID-19 UPDATE As Bayside went into lockdown due to COVID-19 health and safety restrictions, businesses had to quickly adapt to keep delivering to their customers. Council worked with local traders to create a directory of around 600 Bayside businesses and their new way of working. Over the coming months, Council will continue to help the business community recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Shopping local will help businesses bounce back. To find out more visit bayside.vic.gov.au/ShopLocal BUSINESSES TRADE ON In the thick of the pandemic, businesses thought outside of the box to continue trading safely. Zoom into yoga Owner of Sandringham-based Yoga Station, Brett Ritchie took his yoga classes online to Baysiders and beyond. “People move away, but during this pandemic I’ve re-connected with past clients,” he said. Yoga Station 0410 645 745 brett@yogastation.com.au Bright little buttons Jenny Steffos’ shoe box, pen and paper outside her Brighton shop allowed customers to write their product requests. “The shoe box idea came was a great way for us to respond to the increase in foot traffic,” she said. Brighton Bay Button Shop 405 Bay Street, Brighton Bringing positivity to life Café owner Ivanka from Arugula has helped neighbouring businesses forced to close by selling their products inside the café. “Businesses should be helping each other so we not only adapt, but survive,” Ivanka said. Arugula Café 444 Hampton Street, Hampton Drop and go for pro photos Professional commercial photographer Tatiana Scott encouraged clients to drop off their products and consult online. “We meet via Zoom or phone to discuss the brief and I send progress shots to ensure the client is happy before receiving the final images,” Tatiana said. Tatiana C C Scott Photography 0466 977 132 tatianaccscott.com.au Local flowers captured for delivery Adam the Flowerman enhanced its online delivery service being utilised more by locals. “With social distancing we needed to be more creative with limited numbers of people being in-store,” he said. Adam The Flower Man 79 Station Street, Sandringham adamtheflowerman.com.au 8 Let’s Talk BaysideH appy green anniversary SERVICE One year on since the introduction of our new food and green waste collection service and the results are in. Prior to the food and green waste collection service, approximately 50 per cent of the average Bayside rubbish bin, was made up of food scraps and garden waste. In just one year, Bayside sent an additional 3,000 tonnes, from food and green waste bins, to be processed into compost and diverted from landfill compared to the same time last year. Landfill volumes have decreased by around 1,650 tonnes - the equivalent of 165,000 household rubbish bins of waste. Bayside’s food and green waste is now being transformed into valuable compost for Victorian farmers rather than creating harmful greenhouse gases in landfill. Bayside Mayor Cr Clarke Martin said the one year anniversary of the food and green waste recycling service is an example of Baysiders putting the environment first and addressing household habits and their effects on waste. “Together we’ve tackled the changing of bin lids, what goes in what bin and what compostable bags we can and can’t use,” Cr Martin said. “Bayside residents have done a wonderful job of implementing food and green recycling in their homes and we should all be proud of these early results,” Cr Martin said. “We will continue to support the community in learning about the benefits of correct recycling food and green waste habits to continually improve our diversion rate.” Council is aiming to further increase our diversion of food waste to landfill and reminds residents to only purchase food that they need and will use, to avoid unnecessary food waste. For more information visit bayside.vic.gov.au/food-and-green- waste-your-questions-answered Landfill volumes have decreased by around 1,650 tonnes - the equivalent of 165,000 household rubbish bins of waste. GO GREEN Your organic waste is turned into high quality compost for Victorian farmers. Let’s Talk Bayside 9Next >