Melbourne eastern cycle route

The Boroondara Sustainability Network and the Boroondara Bicycle User Group are both keen to see a safe east-west cycle route provided through central Boroondara.  

A safe east-west cycling link through Boroondara is desired by many residents in Boroondara.  We believe that using sections of the existing railway easement is a good option that has support from Boroondara and Whitehorse Councils, but as yet has no support from the Victorian State Government.  

This option deserves serious consideration, as there would be a significant impact on traffic flow if any of the adjacent arterial roads (Barkers, Riversdale, Burwood) were modified to have Copenhagen-style lanes.

The bike path could be used for local trips between shopping centres, by school children during the week, by families on weekends and by commuters during weekdays.  

Some more information on route options:

• East west link information and history - Boroondara Bicycle User Group  
• Melbourne eastern cycle route project proposal - Greenlivingpedia

We are also concerned about planning and integration for cycle routes across Melbourne within the State Government and between Council boundaries [link]

The draft Principle Bicycle Network - circulated to Councils for comment in May 2010 - but not yet for public consultation - shows a route marked along Burwood Road Hawthorn.  This a major concern as this road is currently not safe for cycling.

We are forming a community working group with representatives along the entire length of the potential route from Hawthorn to Mitcham and Lilydale.

 News articles

• HAVE YOUR SAY: Pedalling plan, Bianca Carmona, Progress Leader, 18 May 2010

Photo credit: Josie Hayden, Progress Leader

Hays Paddock development and pavilion May 2010

There is an opportunity to provide feedback and suggestions on current and future use of Hays Paddock, Kew East.

The pavilion in Hays Paddock is scheduled for redevelopment by Boroondara Council in 2010 as part of this initiative.

A public meeting was held by Council at Hays Paddock Pavilion on 29 April 2009 for local residents.  

It is encouraging  that many comments voiced through the Boroondara Sustainability Network, Lighter Footprints and FOHP (Friends of Hays Paddock) have been noted.

There were 50 or so attendees, standing room only,  the venue (one Club's clubroom in Pavilion) was not really big enough for the crowd as it turned out.

The  meeting seemed to be very successful in terms of what we would like to see happen going forward. David Crowe stressed this is just the 1st opportunity, see next steps below.

Keith Lodge spoke eloquently and knowledgable about the Hays Paddock history and the "1980 Concept plan"

 Cr Brad Miles summed up at the end as follows:

 1) "1980 Concept plan"  has been re-presented and proposed as a proxy for what we may want. Council is inviting written comments (we need to comment - see below).

 2) Council (led by Steven White, Mgr Projects & Strategy) have examined options for pavilion location (current location preferred), and then whether to build or renew (current preferred suggested by Planning is renovate and extend say 25%).  ESD (enviro sustainable design) features are to be incorporated.

However, the tabled plan seems to lack a really good community/utility space that is not shared change room space with "operable walls".  (i.e. concertina to open up space into change rooms).

Comments and feedback on this to Council can be provided.

 3) Brad Miles proposed that a "reference group"   could be set up.

This would consist of 10 User nominees, typically representing formal and informal Park users. David Crowe asked people to self-nominate to him by email if they would like to be part of this

 Opportunities

• Groups and invididuals can comment using the form and email address provide here. Feedback can be submitted by hardcopy or email.
• Individuals  should strongly consider nominating for the "Reference Group"

This update was provided by Mick Nolan from Lighter Footprints.

Boroondara Sustainability Network Meeting 4 May 2010

Minutes of a meeting of the Boroondara Sustainability Network held 4 May 2010 

• Date & time: 7pm Tuesday 4 May 2010
• Venue: Council Offices,  8 Inglesby Road, Camberwell (Melway 59 J1)

STATUS: Draft

1. PRESENT: Peter Campbell (Chair), Charles Rendig, Ken Coghill, Liz Burton (Acting Secretary), David Coote, Michaela Skett, (Team Leader, Environmental Planning), City of Boroondara, Marcia Hall (Rowville)

2. APOLOGIES: Adam Hall, Heinz Kreutz, Sean Knott, Fiona Armstrong, Richard Webb, Stu Farrant, Carolyn Ingvarson, Julia Thornton.

3. Previous meeting minutes.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 16 March 2010 were noted.

4.	BUSINESS	ACTION
4.1	City of Boroondara Low Carbon Strategy
	Michaela Skett tabled copies of Council’s Low Carbon Strategy, dated July 2009 and provided an update on the strategy, including the following:
	(a) the carbon reduction aim for Council had been increased to the range 30-40% below 2007-08 levels by 2020 (previously set at 25-40%);
	(b) development of a priority action plan identifying strategic targets. This has identified a savings gap between the initial three year action plan the subsequent target range of 30-40%;	Development of proposals to reduce the energy savings gap.
	(c) the principles applied include direct reduction of emissions and carbon offsets as outlined in the corporate action plan;
	(d) carbon reduction principles are being applied to a range of new building projects.
	(e) over the last 7-8 years, energy efficiency audits of buildings and retrofits have been undertaken.
	(f) the aim was to achieve a 5 star energy efficiency for Council buildings and as such, there was an opportunity for the design of major projects such as the Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre and Camberwell Library to reach higher standards than the minimum prescribed by the building code;
	(g) Eco Living Centre: the site of the temporary Camberwell library has been selected for makeover as the eco living centre. Council’s application for funds from the State Government was unsuccessful.
	During discussion with Ms Skett, a number of matters were raised and noted including: (a) audits of energy consumption were being undertaken by Council and action plans developed; (b) that the energy “savings gap” identified in Figure 5 on p10 of the publication “Our Low Carbon Future – City of Boroondara Strategy” (July 2009) was considered to be difficult to close; (c) that Council was preparing a sustainable buildings policy, scheduled to be available later in 2010; (d) that a program of sustainability workshops was being held by Council throughout the year; (e) that sustainability awards have been launched by Council  to recognise sustainable design in homes and gardens across Boroondara with a closing date for nominations of 31 December 2010 (copies of the entry form and guidelines were tabled).	Promotion of sustainability awards
4.2	Member updates on their group projects, activities and upcoming events
	Reporting on various groups (Peter Campbell) These items are included elsewhere in the minutes.
	Eastern suburbs permaculture (David Coote) Agri-forestry, Leongatha – 500 fruit trees.
4.3	Community gardens
	It was noted that a proposal for a community orchard of around 60 fruit trees has been made at the Morang Rd Hawthorn reserve.
4.4	Cycing
	East-west cycling corridor – problems with lack of security for bike riders Gardeners Creek bike path – The City of Boroondara is commended for the work being done on path construction and redevelopment Issues with bike riders using Glenferrie Road, in particular, accidents and recent death of bike rider. Letter sent to Transport Minister Darebin Creek bike path link over Yarra river has encountered difficulties with Parks Vic. Chandler Hwy path on bridge may be upgraded and obviate need for the crossing over the Yarra.
4.5	Council budget and priorities for 2010-2011
	It was noted that Council’s draft budget and plan for 2010 would be available soon for public consultation.
	Secretarial note: the closing date for public submissions is 9 June 2010.
4.6	Hays paddock pavilion redevelopment
	It was noted that public consultation had been invited on the proposed retrofit of the pavilion.
4.7	Discussion on purpose and function of Boroondara Sustainability Network (BSN)
	At present the purpose and function of the network was to: (a) provide an information and exchange forum for environmental groups in Boroondara on issues affecting them; (b) collaborate with Boroondara Council on environmental planning and policy; and (c) monitor and disseminate relevant proposals and/or initiatives from the three tiers of government.
4.8	BSN website	BNS member groups to note.
	Members were invited to provide to the web master, Peter Campbell, copy on their projects for inclusion on the website.
4.9	Meeting dates for 2010
	Tuesday 8 June, Tuesday 10 August, Tuesday 12 October, Tuesday 7 December.
5	ANY OTHER BUSINESS
5.1	Climate communities
	It was noted that a program of grants was available through Sustainability Victoria entitled “Climate Communities Grants Program” with grants of up to $50,000 available for practical action on climate change within communities. It was considered that submissions needed to be flagship in nature. The following proposals were received from David Coote.
	Reducing emissions retrofitting a community hall to reduce energy use and use as a demonstration to promote energy efficiency; establishing a shared transport scheme, such as a bike repair and hire cooperative.
	Building community resilience to adapt to climate change providing community gardening workshops to promote drought-tolerant and edible gardening; providing a community leader or volunteer with training to support a group or groups to operate more sustainably and to transfer knowledge between members.
	Trialling and/or promoting new ideas to help tackle climate change piloting a project to reduce waste at your local sports club and sharing results with other sports clubs; introducing an energy cooperative that trials a new clean technology.
	Secretarial note: Further details may be obtained from the climate communities website:http://www.climatecommunities.vic.gov.au/grants/about-grants-program
6	NEXT MEETING
	Next meeting to be held Tuesday 8 June 2010.
	The meeting closed at 9.05pm