ATTENDEES: Joe Calabretta, Charlie Grech, Vania Lunardi, Diane Schudmak,
Lidia Pastuovic, Belinda Pastuovic, Maria Rickey, Mavis Jack, William Jack, David Burrows,
Daniel Garofalo, Vince Tamburro, Daryl Canny, Mick Andacic, Lou, Rosaria and Andrew Saccardo, David Sabato, Steve Vugdelija, Salv Lupone, Craig lawlor, Jamie Gray, Craig Pickard, Paul Lanagan, John Haddad, Maria Barca
APOLOGIES: Cr.Adem Atmaca, Cr. Ros Spence, Greg White,
MEETING COMMENCED: 7.05p.m.
MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING BE ACCEPTED
Moved – Diane Schudmak
Seconded – David Burrows
CORRESPONDENCE OUT / IN
LETTER RECEIVED FROM HUME COUNCIL(JOHN MONAGHAN- Manager Infrastructure Planning) -RE: REDUCED CAR PARKING AT BROADMEADOWS LEISURE CENTRE
Letter states that the parking around the Main Street extension has been planned to provide sufficient parking. Unfortunately the parking can’t be guaranteed in the Leisure Centre Car Park and people may have to on occasions park across the road at Council’s car park. Council promotes using public transport where possible. Additional parking will be provided with the construction of the outdoor swimming pool.
PHONE CALL MADE TO PRINCIPAL OF HUME ANGLICAN GRAMMAR SCHOOL-RE: RELOCATING THEIR SCHOOL TO GREENVALE SITE ON BARRYMORE RD
One of our members alerted me that there was an article in the Leader newspaper regarding the Hume Anglican Grammar School not having a site to build their new school. I contacted the principal – Andrew Mackenzie and asked whether he would consider moving the school to Greenvale. He admitted that he had already looked at the site and was very impressed but was concerned that it’s close proximity to Aitken College would be detrimental to pupil numbers. He was going to put this idea to the School Council and keep in contact with me.
TREASURER’S REPORT No report for this month.
GREENVALE SHOPPING CENTRE
Jamie Gray, one of the owners of the Greenvale Shopping Centre addressed our meeting.
Jamie began by explaining that he built the shopping centre with better facilities than before as he believes there is tremendous growth in this corridor, with future housing subdivisions being planned and in his view, in order to have a vibrant community, it is imperative to have sufficient facilities.
Jamie is currently negotiating with businesses to increase shops in the centre. The following stores will be opening shortly in the shopping centre; Contours for Women, Fish and Chips and a Real Estate Agent. He is currently negotiating with Bakers Delight and a Fruit and Nuts operator.
Jamie outlined his plans for a Liquor store in Greenvale and expressed his disappointment that the Greenvale Residents’ Association did not support him on this issue. He conceded that now it is up to VCAT to decide whether a liquor licence is granted or not. Jamie explained that Corpus Christi is not a place of rehabilitation but rather, that the residents are free to come and go as they please and are often found intoxicated around the streets or in the shopping centre. Jamie has offered to work closely with Corpus Christi if a Liquor licence is granted but he has found Corpus Christi management unwilling to co-operate and listen to his ideas on how to limit the mens’ visits to the proposed liquor store.
Jamie challenged GRA to ask Corpus Christi for a copy of their “Procedures Manual” so that we as residents are able to see what policies are in place for the care of their residents, especially when they are found intoxicated in the streets.
Jamie was asked why the Coles access door is closed during the day. He explained that it was only ever a temporary door and now it is used by shoppers only from 9p.m – midnight and early morning. If shoppers used this door, then traders in the centre would suffer.
Jamie has plans for a grand re-opening in the shopping centre. He has bought a BBQ for the centre and plans to encourage the traders to operate a free BBQ once a month for shoppers. He is keen for Greenvale Shopping Centre to be a community place where people feel safe and welcomed.
Jamie was asked about whether he would consider providing entertainment for the children during school holidays. Residents present at meeting suggested an Animal farm, Magic Shows, Talent Shows.
He advised us that there was evidence of drug dealings going on behind Coles and promptly installed gates. Gates have also stopped skate boarders from using the centre. Jamie is prepared to put on extra security and cameras if necessary, to ensure safety of all, and his staff have been advised to call police if there are any problems.
EVALUATION OF COMMUNITY DAY
The Greenvale Residents’ Association held a COMMUNITY DAY on Saturday, April 17 from
10.00a.m – 2.00p.m. Almost 50 people were surveyed. We were surprised as to how many people at the shopping centre were not from Greenvale but from Roxburgh Park, Craigieiburn and Gladstone Park.
We believe the day went well and we achieved our objectives of making people aware of GRA. We also have an extra 22 people who left us their email addresses so we can forward minutes of our meetings on to them. 11 children entered the colouring in competition and all (except 3) came to the meeting to collect their prizes. Charlie suggested that we provide a “Drop Off Box” for people who took surveys home to fill in.
Results of “COMMUNITY SURVEY”
1. What issues concern you the most about living in Greenvale?
Hoons, graffiti, Lack of police presence, High rates,Poor Rec Centre, No facilities, Poor street lighting and no lights at parks, No secondary school, Kirkham Drive- Somerton Rd intersection, No bottle shop,Poor public transport, Nothing for youth, playgrounds need improving, No restaurants, churches
2. What facilities would you like to have in Greenvale?
Bigger shopping centre,Public swimming pool, Gym, High School, Improve roads, footpaths and street lighting, Walking tracks, Bottle shop, Better parks, more frequent mulching services, better public transport, Hard rubbish collection, Library, Improve parks, Cafes
3. What has been your experience dealing with Hume City Council / Councillors?
Negative, “They charge and don’t deliver anything to Greenvale residents,” No complaints, “Where are they?” “Called Council – no response,” “Inaccessible councillors”
4. What is your opinion of the Greenvale Shopping Centre?
Clean, needs more shops, Excellent, Pricey – no competition, Ok but poor parking, Cinemas?
Great, don’t need a bigger one, Need a Medicare office and Bank, Annoyed that access door to Coles is locked, Empty shops don’t look good, Getting too big, No liquor shop,
5. How often do you shop there?
Varied from 2 to 3 times a week to everyday.
6. If Greenvale provided you with more shopping variety, would you be more inclined to shop locally?
Yes. Fish shop, Bottle shop, Bank, Health Food shop, Video, Cake shop, Café and Homewares needed.
7. What are your thoughts on public transport in Greenvale?
Crap, Needs improvement, Idon’t use it as I drive
8. Did you know that Greenvale has a Residents’ Association to represent your views to Council and State Parliamentarians?
Yes = 26 No = 8
9. Are you able to attend the monthly meeting and be involved?
Yes = 7 No = 15
10. Do you wish to be placed on our email list to receive the minutes of the Greenvale Residents’ Association monthly meetings?
22 people have given me their email addresses
SIGN TO ADVERTISE GRA & NHW
We are a step closer to having our sign ready to be erected at the front of the Recreation Centre, facing Barrymore Rd. Sign will advertise GRA and NHW.
LIQUOR LICENCE HEARING
Debra Evans from Corpus Christi informed us that the hearing went well, but there was still a long way to go. If the Director of Liquor Licensing decides to give the ok, then Corpus Christi will appeal. If the Director decides to reject, then Liquorland are expected to appeal.
ISSUES TO BE RESOLVED REPORT
Diane spent a few minutes up-dating us on the report which is a record of current / incomplete issues which have been raisedat GRA meetings, as well as a record of Councillor attendance.
Diane will keep this report updated each month.
MEETING CLOSED AT 8.20p.m.
NEXT MEETING Thursday, MAY 27, 2010 @ 7p.m.
