October 2015 Meeting Minutes

Present and Apologies: As per attendance book.

Minutes of last meeting:  Read and accepted as a true record. Moved, seconded. Carried.

Melbourne Water Presentation:  Melbourne Water representatives Robyn Brown and KhushruWadia joined the meeting to discuss upcoming developments at their Greenvale site, as well as an overview of current works and ongoing issues.

In summary:

-         The water held in the Greenvale Reservoir is drinking water;

-         There is an ongoing challenge with preventing people from accessing protected areas and potentially contaminating the supply – there are ongoing costs to repair damaged fencing, etc;

-         Park entry/access is yet to be completed due to Melbourne Water awaiting approval from Exxon/Mobil to work near a fuel line. This is estimated to occur in the first quarter 2016;

-         A new project is underway to upgrade the Melbourne Water treatment plant on the southern side of Somerton Road which involves the relocation of one building. These upgrades are to ensure future demand can be met.

Robyn also took on notice and will get back to the GRA on the following issues raised by residents: Graffiti on large water storage tanks near the Somerton Rd/Kirkham Dve intersection; Greenvale Gardens water recycling plant still not open; wetlands in Greenvale Gardens as well as the Providence area have not been completed; maintenance of parkland near the southern Melbourne Water site – overgrowth of Scotch thistle; and water quality/question over pink mould in sinks in the new estates.

Correspondence:  Out – To councillors regarding the main issues being pursued by the GRA, namely roads, public transport and secondary college.  In –Letter to residents regarding Crime Prevention and Home Safety presentation with Victoria Police.  Forum to be held on Wednesday 11/11/15 at 7:00pm at the Greenvale Recreation Centre; Local Area Traffic Management correspondence received by all residents.

Treasurer’s Report:  Account balance reported and accepted.

Local MP and Councillors’ Report: 

Major ongoing issues for both the Council andRos’s office are roads, public transport and schools.

Ros Spence MP

Ros addressed the meeting on the following issues raised with her by the GRA:
-         The focus on roads has been around the duplication of Mickleham, Somerton and Craigieburn Roads.  This process involves road studies being undertaken, business case being developed, advocacy with community, then recommendations being made to the Minister.  The current status is that the reports are due within the next couple of months.  In reality the actual works are anywhere up to 5 years away.  Footpaths are a more urgent issue which Ros has committed to raise in the meantime.

-         Public transport issues centre on the inadequate bus service.  There is a public transport forum scheduled to occur early next year involving the Roads Minister.  Reinstatement of the SmartBus service is being pursued separately as is a link to Craigieburn.  There is no ETA for the implementation of bus services through the newer estates.
-         Schools:  A proposed primary school for Greenvale Gardens is a top priority.  Land needs to be acquired by the State Government in the next couple of years in order to make this a reality.  Population will demand the school within the next 6-8 years.  The secondary school numbers are still being worked on but it does look like Greenvale will not meet the requirements within the foreseeable future:  1100 students are required for a state school.  A deficit of 550 in the surrounding schools’ capacity would have to exist in the current network to trigger the need for a school in Greenvale (ie: there would have to be 550 more students than there are places in the surrounding catchment schools).  At present this deficit figure sits at around 180 taking future growth into consideration.  The State Government is yet to respond to Ros with actual figures rather than assumptions.Ros will continue meetings with the Education Minister, Education Department and Hume Council to see where/how we can move forward on the issue.  In the meantime Ros addressed the community asking how hard we wanted her to push for the zoning of the Gladstone Park Secondary College to be reviewed.  The meeting’s response was “very hard”.  It is likely that a petition will follow the meeting with the Minister regarding the zoning.

Mayor  Cr. Helen Patsikatheodorou

The meeting welcomed and congratulated our new Hume Mayor, Cr Helen Patsikatheodorou.  Cr Helen reported that:

-         She will maintain her open door meeting times in Gladstone Park and at the Hume Global Learning Centre.  She will also spend her term as the “Pink Mayor” advocating for breast cancer awareness following her own health issues. 

-         Sunbury Out Of Hume has now been resolved – the split will not go ahead.

-         Aitken Boulevard is expected to open between Somerton Road and Craigieburn Road by the end of the year.

Education Collective Report:  As per feedback presented to the meeting by Ros Spence MP.

LATM Outcomes: Concern over the proposal of concrete rather than rubber road treatments in the Drummond Street area.  GRA to express this concern to council as a matter of urgency.

Election of Office Bearers for 2016

All Positions were declared vacant and nominations called for the following positions 

PRESIDENT: Richard B
Moved Vivien; Seconded Diane.  Accepted.

There being no other nominations, Richard B is declared President for 2016.

 

VICE PRESIDENT: Charlie G

Moved Vivien; Seconded Diane.  Accepted.
There being no other nominations, Charlie G is declared Vice President for 2016.

 SECRETARY: Melanie L

Moved Charlie; Seconded Vivien.  Accepted.
There being no other nominations, Melanie L is declared Secretary for 2016.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY: Rebecca W

Moved Vivien; Seconded Maria.  Accepted.
There being no other nominations, Rebecca W is declared Assistant Secretary for 2016.

TREASURER: Stephen W

Moved Vivien; Seconded Tony.  Accepted.
There being no other nominations, Stephen W is declared Treasurer for 2016.

Committee Members for 2016:  Vivien, Joe, Daryl, Megan, Tony.

Proposed 2016 Meeting Schedule:  5 meetings to continue on the last Thursday of every second month commencing February:

                   February 25
                   April 28
                   June 30
                   August 25
                   October 27 (AGM)

General Business: 

-         Parking fines are being issues in the new estates – space and congestion continue to be an issue.  Council are looking at providing indented parking in some areas.

-         Membership Fees – there is no proposal for a fee this year.  This can be reconsidered in future if necessary.

Meeting closed 9:15pm.

Next Meeting– Thursday February 25, 2016 at 7:30pm.