We are today - City of Monash

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We are today - City of Monash
Monash
               125 parks
Who
  we are today
  Today the City of Monash is one of Melbourne’s most populous municipalities, with an
  estimated 176,069 residents living in 63,235 households. It is a highly diverse and cosmopolitan
  city. Almost 40 per cent of residents come from more than 30 countries. The City has a
  highly skilled and well-educated workforce and its residents enjoy a level of home ownership
  considerably higher than the Melbourne average.
  Monash is home to some of Melbourne’s best known institutions, including the Monash
  Medical Centre, Monash University, Holmesglen TAFE, the Victoria Police Academy and Jells
  Park. It has also developed a reputation as a technology and business centre thanks to
  the Australian Synchrotron as well as the headquarters of a number of major companies,
  including Robert Bosch, NEC, BMW, Telstra, Biota, Mercedes Benz, Nestle and Toyota.
  Along with these major companies, a large number of small to medium businesses provide
  some 90,000 jobs, making it second only to the CBD for job opportunities.
  The City of Monash community, like the wider community, is ageing with growth in the
  number of people aged over 55 living in the municipality. At the same time, Monash remains
  a desirable place for families (61 per cent of households are families with children – ABS
  2006 Census) due to the leafy character of the city along with schools, tertiary education
  institutions and a broad range of sporting, recreational and community facilities including
  libraries.
  The city is connected to the rest of Melbourne by major roads including the Monash and
  Eastern Freeways and Eastlink and public transport, in particular trains and a large network
  of bus routes.
  The City of Monash is also endowed with 125 parks and reserves that are home to important
  stands of indigenous vegetation. These form important corridors, which provide havens and

            90,000 jobs
  habitat for native wildlife.

 176,069 residents                                                                                   Activation! (Ashwood Chadstone Family Fun Day) 2010

                                                                         Monash 2021 a thriving community
                                                                                                                                                           11
We are today - City of Monash
BB      uilding on strong fundamentals
                                     uilding on strong fundamentals
                                           Over the coming decade, the City of Monash will continue to build on its track record
                                           of responsible government and financial management. In order for Council to achieve
                                           its vision for the community and to meet future challenges, it is essential that it gets the
                                           fundamental things right,

                            which include:
                            • Fiscal responsibility – Council is unswerving in its prudent and astute approach to financial
                              management to ensure the long term financial sustainability of the organisation.
                            • Organisational capability – Council strives to be a responsive organisation with highly skilled and
                              trained people who are supported to develop and to meet the needs of a diverse community.
                            • Governance – Council has a strong track record as a responsibly governed organisation that
                              is accountable to the community through a commitment to consultation and transparency of
                              decision-making.
                            • Risk management – Council takes a structured and thorough approach to risk management with a
                              plan that is regularly reviewed and adapted to meet changing circumstances.
                            • Asset management – Council takes a planned and evidence-based approach to maintaining and
                              upgrading the city’s significant public assets to ensure they are safe, fit-for-purpose and meet the
                              changing needs of the community.
                            • Partnerships – Council works constructively in partnerships with a large range of organisations
                              to generate positive outcomes for the community including other levels of government, agencies,
                              healthcare providers, Victoria Police and community groups.

     Early Ashphalt works
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We are today - City of Monash
TT        he City of Monash Planning Framework
           he City of Monash Planning Framework
                Council takes an integrated approach to planning and reporting on
                its performance, which means there is consistency and alignment of
                plans so Council can work towards long term goals through its ongoing
                decision making and operations.
This approach also builds in opportunities for review and renewal to ensure Council is
responding to what the community is saying and to shifts in the external environment.
Council measures its progress towards the vision in Monash 2021 – a thriving community
through an annual reporting cycle against the specific measures outlined in the annual
Business Plan and in the Council Plan.
Monash 2021 will be reviewed every three years and a public snapshot report produced
to ensure it remains relevant and aligned with the priorities of council and the community.
The following illustration shows how Council’s plans are linked and reinforce each other.

                                   A long-term strategy             Snapshot
           Monash 2021           that identifies goals for        report every
                                        the future.                three years

                                A four-year plan of Council’s
                                priorities and actions aimed        Reviewed
           Council Plan
                                at achieving the goals in the        annually
                                     long term strategy.

                                An annual plan of action to
                                guide Council departments           Updated
           Business Plan       in progressing the objectives        annually
                                    in the Council Plan.

                              An annual report on Council’s
                               actions and achievements            Produced
           Annual Report         towards the goals and              annually
                                 objectives in all plans.

                                                                                                Eaton Mall, Oakleigh 2010
                                                                                                                            13
                                                                                   Monash 2021 a thriving community
We are today - City of Monash
O
     O
                     ur vision for Monash
                      ur vision for Monash
                           A thriving community now and in the future is Council’s vision for the City of Monash.

     We see this vision as having four primary areas of focus:

     A fair and healthy community                                                                  An inclusive and safe community
         1. where older people are encouraged to lead healthy and active lives,                      1. with a sense of place and where people feel safe and connected to
                                                                                                        their community,
         2. where older people are supported to age at home or in their
            community,                                                                               2. with facilities and opportunities for people to come together and
                                                                                                        actively participate in the life of their community,
         3. that provides support, stability and facilities for families raising their children,
                                                                                                     3. where Council continues to listen and show real interest in the
         4. that recognises and embraces its diversity and its benefits,
                                                                                                        community,
         5. that provides opportunities to people from all socio-economic
                                                                                                     4. that is rich in skills and knowledge, with an openness to life-long
            backgrounds and
                                                                                                        learning and
         6. with a large range of essential services close to home.
                                                                                                     5. that uses the most up to date online technology to enhance people’s
                                                                                                        lives while still valuing human contact.

     A planned and connected city
         1. that retains its garden character while developing vibrant Activity                    A green and naturally-rich city
            Centres that are residential, employment, transport, services,
                                                                                                     1. that keeps its green leafy character and values open spaces,
            entertainment and cultural hubs,
                                                                                                     2. where environmental sustainability is part of business as usual,
         2. with easy and quick connections to the rest of Melbourne,
                                                                                                     3. with high quality recreational facilities for organised sport and walking
         3. where people have access to good road infrastructure,
                                                                                                        and cycling and
         4. that is committed to keeping improved public transport on the agenda,
                                                                                                     4. where people have a positive attitude to recycling and being waterwise.
         5. with a range of different housing so young families and older people
            can afford to stay in Monash and
         6. with a strong and diverse local economy that provide jobs for local people.

14
                                                                            vision: a thriv
We are today - City of Monash
A green
 To achieve this vision,                                          and naturally
 Council’s work is                                                  rich city
 underpinned by the
 principles of:                                        ility
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                                                                                              tainability
                                                  o
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                            healthy                                                                              connected

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                                                                 community

                                               e
   Accountability          community

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                                                                    An inclusive
                                                                      and safe
                                                                     community

ving community                                                 Monash 2021 a thriving community
                                                                                                                             15
We are today - City of Monash
A
     A
          fair and healthy community                                                                                    What the community
           fair and healthy community                                                                                   says it values
                                                                                                                           Cosmopolitan community
                                                                                                                           with family, friends and older
                                      Looking to the future                                                                residents.
                                                                                                                           Services for older and disabled
                                      The community that calls the City of Monash home is characterised by                 people. Helping people to stay
                                      a very broad mix of demographics, backgrounds and socio economic                     in their own homes.
                                      circumstances.
                                                                                                                           Facilities for families bringing up
                                      There are a number of demographic and social trends that will continue to
                                                                                                                           children.
                                      have an effect in Monash over the next 10 years. Growth in the number of
                                      people aged 70 and over, and in families with young children will continue,          Great walking paths, lots of
                                      as will the cultural diversity of the community. In addition, many people            sporting activities, great libraries,
                                      in the Baby Boomer generation will be moving into retirement and getting             pools etc.
                                      involved in different activities in the community.
                                                                                                                           Access to community and health
                                      The burden of chronic disease such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes             services, public transport and
                                      as well as mental illness is also forecast to grow and will have an impact on        useful parks.
                                      local communities.
                                      For Council this means planning and advocating for funding to assist greater         Beautiful clean parks and
                                      numbers of older people with care services so they can live at home with             playgrounds, and good quality
                                      dignity. Providing activities and meaningful learning and volunteering               schools for children.
                                      opportunities for people moving into retirement will need to be a focus.             The peaceful co-existence of
                                      To meet the need of more families, Council will need to continue to provide          people from many cultures.
                                      the full range of children’s and family services.
                                      Ensuring that services are accessible by and sensitive to the needs of diverse                    A green
                                      cultural communities, supporting carers of people with a disability or those                    and naturally
                                                                                                                                        rich city
                                      who are ill and, working on early intervention programs for issues such as
                                      obesity and problem gambling will also be important for community health
                                                                                                                                                             A
                                      and well being in the future.                                                        A              A              planned
                                                                                                                        fair and       thriving            and
                                                                                                                        healthy                         connected
                                                                                                                       community      community             city

                                                                                                                                       An inclusive
                                                                                                                                         and safe
                                                                                                                                        community
     Oakleigh Little Athletics 1971
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We are today - City of Monash
Our current strategies
The City of Monash currently provides a broad range of services, facilities and infrastructure that all
play an important role in community health and well-being from children’s and young people’s services
to aged care services, community centres, recreation facilities, physical activity education and cultural
events and facilities. It has also put a number of strategies in place to ensure the quality, appropriateness
and cost-effectiveness of these services and facilities.
The Municipal Public Health Plan 2010-2013 is an important strategic document which will guide Council’s
overall work to promote the health and well-being of the community over the coming three years. A
number of other dedicated strategies such as the Disability Access and Inclusion Framework and Action
Plan, the Multicultural Framework and Action Plan, the Youth Action Plan, the Monash Municipal Early
Years Plan, and the Indigenous Framework and Action Plan, deliver on the aims of the broader plan.
For the best part of a decade, the City of Monash has also been actively working to reduce the harm that
arises from problem gambling in the community through its Monash Responsible Gaming Action Plan,
which has guided Council advocacy for problem gambling support services, and community education
programs.

Our future priorities
Our priorities for the next 10 years will be to:
    Continue to develop active reserves for a range of sports; and passive reserves for walking and
    recreation to encourage active living in Monash.
    Support the diversity of the Monash community through cultural development programs and events
    and by supporting community groups to share their traditions with others
    Work in closer partnership with health and community agencies on public health and creating
    healthy environments.
    Plan for the refurbishment of facilities for the community.
    Provide facilities and services for families with young children so they get the best start in life.
    Advocate for funding and provide services to help older people age with dignity at home.
    Adapt our services to support the needs of people in Monash to take advantage of the opportunities
    provided by a large group of recently retired, experienced and energetic people.
    Continue to provide support and services for young people.

                                                                                                                          Clayton Community Pool
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                                                                                       Monash 2021 a thriving community
A
                                                                                                                                    What the community
                     planned and connected city
     A                planned and connected city                                                                                    says it values
                                                                                                                                        Convenience, we are in walking
                                                                                                                                        distance to all we need.
                                                  Looking to the future                                                                 Well maintained and clean tree-
                                                                                                                                        lined streets.
                                                  Victoria’s population is forecast to grow and with it the population of the
                                                  municipality of the City of Monash. By 2031, it is estimated that there will be       The suburban feel, with lively
                                                  approximately 191,000 people living in the City of Monash. Planning for the           local strip shopping and public
                                                  future liveability of a more populous city will be one of the City of Monash’s        transport.
                                                  greatest challenges in the next 10 to 20 years.                                       A balance between residential
                                                  For Council this means balancing new development to accommodate more                  and commercial and industrial
                                                  people with retaining the suburban garden character of the city that the              development.
                                                  community values.                                                                     Great facilities such as swimming
                                                  A greater diversity in the types of housing available, including increased            pools and recreation centres and
                                                  density and higher dwelling heights in some areas of the city, will be needed         park land.
                                                  so young families and older people can stay in Monash. At the same time,              Our traditional suburban lifestyle
                                                  it will be vital that Council maintain and enhance existing public spaces,            and the larger blocks of land
                                                  centres and the large range of recreational and community facilities. The             available.
                                                  City of Monash will need to work in partnership with the Commonwealth,
                                                  State and other local governments so that land use decisions and planning             Good connections to bus and
                                                  processes help achieve this balance.                                                  train services.
                                                  Advocating on behalf of the community for better integrated public                    Ease of access to city by train/
                                                  transport, while continuing to maintain and enhance the safety and quality            freeway.
                                                  of the local road network and parking facilities will also remain important
                                                  areas of focus.                                                                                    A green
                                                                                                                                                   and naturally
                                                  As the major jobs corridor for the eastern metropolitan area, Monash                               rich city
                                                  will continue its efforts to build on the city’s robust local economy and
                                                  encourage jobs growth. Focus will also continue on securing the long term
                                                                                                                                                                        A
                                                  success of the Technology Precinct around the Australian Synchrotron.                 A             A             planned
                                                                                                                                     fair and      thriving           and
                                                                                                                                     healthy                       connected
                                                                                                                                    community     community            city

                                                                                                                                                    An inclusive
                                                                                                                                                      and safe
     Waverley Park Football Ground circa 1980’s                                                                                                      community

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Our current strategies
The Monash Planning Scheme and particularly the Municipal Strategic Statement (MSS) outlines council’s
vision and how it approaches the key areas of urban development, transport and traffic management,
activity centre development, the environment, and economic development. The Garden City Character is
a core value of the scheme and is an important consideration in all land use and development decisions.
The MSS has and will continue to guide Council’s work in developing structure plans for the city’s
Activity Centres and encouraging increased density and high dwelling heights in specific locations such
as the Glen Waverley and Oakleigh Major Activity Centres, and to a lesser extent Brandon Park, Clayton
and Mount Waverley Major Activity Centres. It has also driven the conversation of significant residential,
commercial and industrial heritage buildings, places, streetscapes and bushland areas.
Council is also a member of the Eastern Affordable Housing Alliance that will advocate and create
strategies to assist residents of eastern Melbourne to have improved access to housing that is affordable.
Council’s Road Management Plan 2009 was developed to balance the competing demands on the local road
network and provide the city with safe, well maintained roads. Council has also been actively working with
other local governments and the state government to improve both the road network and public transport.
As a member of the Eastern Transport Coalition, the City of Monash continues to strongly advocate for
improvements to public transport infrastructure, services and connections in the eastern suburbs.
The City of Monash Economic Development Strategy 2008–2012 is guiding efforts to encourage
investment, business growth and employment opportunities in the municipality. It is closely linked to
work with the broader Melbourne South East Strategy, which is a partnership of all levels of government
promoting the economic development of the region.

Our future priorities
Our priorities for the next 10 years will be to:
    Work in partnership with neighbouring councils and community organisations to advocate for
    continuing improvements to public transport services in the city.
    Invest in the strategic development of our city to promote its character and amenity.
    Develop the city’s Activity Centres to create vibrant centres where new residential and commercial
    development is linked to transport and services.
    Put in place strategies to encourage the development of private and public affordable housing.
    Build on the strengths of the Technology Precinct and secure its long term future as a magnet for
    high tech research, development and industry.
    Encourage ongoing economic development and growth of local jobs.
    Continue to invest in the city’s local road, pedestrian and bicycle network.
    Continue to invest in parking facilities.                                                                          Waverley Park today
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                                                                                    Monash 2021 a thriving community
A
                                                                                                                     What the community
           n inclusive and safe community
     A
                                                                                                                     says it values
            n inclusive and safe community                                                                               Community spirit and to feel safe.
                                                                                                                         Friendly, community based
                                    Looking to the future                                                                atmosphere in shopping strips
                                    Local governments have an important role to play in providing facilities and         Council listens to ratepayers and
                                    services that help build a sense of community. They also play an important           acts on what is said to them.
                                    role in community safety both through the design of safe public spaces
                                    and providing information and guidance to residents on staying safe on the           A Safe place to live and bring up
                                    roads, in public spaces and at home.                                                 a family.

                                    The rise of information technology over the past 10 years is changing                A council who is interested in its
                                    the way we access information and interact with each other and with                  citizens.
                                    organisations. It is widely accepted that broadband internet access has              Multiple branches of the library
                                    become increasingly essential and households with only dial-up or no                 with variety of media, diverse
                                    internet service are being left behind as both government and the private            range of books and holiday
                                    sector move more of their business online.                                           programs.
                                    For Council this means planning to meet the expectations of the community            Lively culture and convenience
                                    for more information and services online. It highlights the importance of            for shopping and social life such
                                    libraries and neighbourhood houses in providing access to the internet and           as on Kingsway, Glen Waverley.
                                    other digital media and in helping the community gain the skills to use them.
                                                                                                                         The high quality, affordability
                                    The information age is also raising community expectations about being
                                                                                                                         and availability of community
                                    heard and having a say in the decisions that affect them.
                                                                                                                         centres and services like libraries
                                    At the same time, it will remain vitally important that Council continues            and aquatic centres.
                                    to provide facilities, activities and opportunities that strengthen the fabric
                                    of society by bringing people together to socialise, share interests and
                                    support each other.                                                                               A green
                                                                                                                                    and naturally
                                                                                                                                      rich city

                                                                                                                                                         A
                                                                                                                         A             A             planned
                                                                                                                      fair and      thriving           and
                                                                                                                      healthy                       connected
                                                                                                                     community     community            city

                                                                                                                                     An inclusive
                                                                                                                                       and safe
                                                                                                                                      community

     Kingsway, Glen Waverley 1967
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Our current strategies
The City of Monash is determined to ensure that all members of the community can get involved and feel
connected to their community. A number of action plans have been developed to address the unique needs
of specific groups in the community. The Monash Public Library Service has developed into a vital centre of
knowledge and information for all, with six branches providing a broad range of services including traditional
books (in community languages), digital media, access to computers with the internet and wi-fi internet as well
as storytime sessions, holiday programs, homework clubs and many others.
For many years Council has supported the cultural life of the city through community festivals and support for
diverse local arts events and groups as well as running the highly regarded Monash Gallery of Art, a recognised
specialist in Australian photography.
Council also recognises the importance of sport and recreation in providing a sense of community and has
developed the Active Reserves Strategies (stage 1 and 2) to ensure the long term health and viability of the
city’s 80 reserves which are used for activities such as cricket, football, soccer, rugby, bocce, croquet, archery,
baseball, athletics, fitness training, dog obedience training, school sport and informal social activities.
Council’s Municipal Emergency Management Plan is playing a key role in the organisation’s preparedness to
respond to emergencies in the city and ensure the safety of the community.

Our future priorities
Our priorities for the next 10 years will be to:
     Continue to explore the unique social and                    Deliver an inclusive, diverse and effectively
     community needs of our local neighbourhoods.                 managed festival and events program, and
     Optimise our use of sporting reserves and facilities         provide local places to experience art and
     and explore new technologies to enhance them.                cultural expression.

     Adapt our communications and services to meet                Continue to build the reputation of the
     community expectations to conduct business with              Monash Gallery of Art as a nationally relevant
     council online.                                              cultural institution recognised for its expertise
                                                                  in Australian photography.
     Ensure Council is consulting and engaging with
     the community in contemporary, appropriate and               Provide accessible services and library
     meaningful ways.                                             collections to our diverse community that
                                                                  foster lifelong learning, encourage enjoyment
     Continue to raise community awareness about                  and enhance wellbeing.
     safety in the home and public spaces.
                                                                  Increase Council’s capacity to support
     Promote libraries as dynamic portals where the               agencies and the community in responding to
     community can connect to the wider world through             emergencies.
     electronic access and resources.
                                                                                                                        Kingsway, Glen Waverley today
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                                                                                     Monash 2021 a thriving community
A
                                                                                                                              What the community
                   green and naturally-rich city
     A              green and naturally-rich city                                                                             says it values
                                                                                                                                  A clean, green community
                                                                                                                                  environment.
                                               Looking to the future
                                               For some time, the global scientific community has been presenting                 Preservation of reserves and
                                               evidence that human activity has and will continue to contribute to climate        wetlands.
                                               change. Responding to climate change is a pressing challenge as it cuts
                                                                                                                                  Open space, re-vegetated
                                               across our energy and water usage, transportation methods, the costs of
                                                                                                                                  bushland, tall trees.
                                               extreme weather events and our enjoyment of open space and the natural
                                               environment.                                                                       Environmental values.
                                               For Council this means the need to plan for a higher number of extreme
                                               weather events including providing services to those who are vulnerable in         Recycling program and hard
                                               heatwaves such as those with pre-existing health conditions, the elderly and       rubbish.
                                               infants. Council will also need to continue to be innovative in maintaining
                                               parks, sports fields and gardens, and in waste management to further               Being in a “green” city and the
                                               reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. Protecting and rejuvenating          bike and walk paths, along with
                                               natural areas and encouraging sustainability in urban design as well as in         the wetlands.
                                               private commercial and housing design will also remain important.
                                                                                                                                  Tree-lined streets and open
                                                                                                                                  space.

                                                                                                                                  Green and leafy - birds and
                                                                                                                                  fresh air.

                                                                                                                                              A green
                                                                                                                                            and naturally
                                                                                                                                              rich city

                                                                                                                                                                  A
                                                                                                                                  A             A             planned
                                                                                                                               fair and      thriving           and
                                                                                                                               healthy                       connected
                                                                                                                              community     community            city

                                                                                                                                             An inclusive
 Cnr Atkinson St and Broadway, Oakleigh 1896                                                                                                   and safe
                                                                                                                                              community

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Our current strategies
The City of Monash has been active in reducing its carbon emissions and water and energy use for
many years guided by the Monash Greenhouse Action Plan 2003 and as a member of the International
Cities for Climate Protection™ program since 2002. Council has also agreed to join the Victorian Local
Government Sustainability Accord.
The Monash Stormwater Management Plan and Water Use Management Strategy 2008 are both driving
significant work to save water and enhance the natural environment. For example, through using
constructed wetlands and litter traps to treat storm water, thereby improving the quality of water in
bushland waterways.
Working with the community to effectively manage litter and waste and to reduce the amount of waste
going to landfill has also been a priority. The Litter Prevention Strategy 2009 contains a range of actions
covering community education, council infrastructure and enforcement of local laws.
Council has also been developing a roadmap to coordinate and prioritise its actions across the broad
range of issues related to the natural environment and reducing the city’s carbon footprint.

Our future priorities
Our priorities for the next 10 years will be to:
    Lead the Monash community in responsible recycling, waste and litter management.
    Cultivate and promote sustainable living practices within the Monash community including recycling
    and water and energy use.
    Reduce our community’s use of resources and our greenhouse gas emissions.
    Lead by example in adopting sustainable practices and technology in council buildings and
    operations.
    Educate and support residents to adapt to a low carbon economy.
    Use community events as opportunities to engage the community in discussion about environmental
    issues.
    Maintain the provision of open space for passive and active uses.
    Maintain the leafy character of the city and streetscapes.

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                                                                                     Monash 2021 a thriving community
Contact us
Monash Civic Centre                        General Enquiries
293 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley, 3150   Phone: 9518 3555
Hours: 8.30am - 5pm, Monday to Friday      TTY - Hearing impaired: 9518 3655
                                           E-mail: mail@monash.vic.gov.au

Oakleigh Service Centre
Atherton Road, Oakleigh, 3166
                                           Postal Address
Hours: 8.45am - 5pm, Monday to Friday      Monash City Council
                                           PO Box 1
                                           Glen Waverley, 3150
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