MOONEE VALLEY NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision Mayor’s foreword I am very proud to introduce the Moonee Valley Next Generation Vision. Not every council tries to create a Community Vision. The City of Moonee Valley took the opportunity in 2012 to give deeper expression to the idea of citizenship and democracy within our municipality by going back to the community to build this document. We now have an expression of the aspirations our community holds for the future that reflects the varied ideas and different ways we experience our community. Over 1,000 people contributed to the development of this Vision and I would like to thank you all for your generous contributions. The previous Community Vision, Moonee Valley 2020, was last refreshed in 2009 but much has changed since. Economic, social and environmental factors are now having a greater effect on our city. Council feels a new long-term time frame is warranted. Moonee Valley people have told us that in 2035 they want our city to be clean, green and beautiful, vibrant, built around diverse and sustainable communities where people are friendly and are safe. These aspirations for 2035 will set the foundation to ensure that the aspirations and issues most concerning our community are mirrored in Council’s planning, partnerships and advocacy. I look forward to joining you on this journey to realise this community vision for 2035. Our community draws great strength from the diversity of all its residents and celebrates this proudly while also respectfully acknowledging the traditional custodians of this land – the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation, their spirits, ancestors, elders and community members past and present. Cr Jim Cusack Mayor of Moonee Valley Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 3 Contents Mayor’s foreword .................................................................................................. 2 Overview ............................................................................................................... 4 Purpose ................................................................................................................ 5 Part 1: A Vision for the future ................................................................................ 6 Key themes ....................................................................................................... 6 Friendly and safe ............................................................................................. 11 Green, clean and beautiful .............................................................................. 15 Sustainable living ............................................................................................ 20 Vibrant and diverse ......................................................................................... 23 The way forward .............................................................................................. 27 Part 2: Behind the vision ..................................................................................... 28 What is a Community Vision?.......................................................................... 28 Council roles and responsibilities .................................................................... 28 The world around us........................................................................................ 31 Our city today .................................................................................................. 34 How the Community Vision was developed .................................................... 36 Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 4 Overview The Moonee Valley of the next generation can be expected to look and feel very different to how it looks and feels today. This is obvious when we think about the changes that have occurred in Moonee Valley over the last 25 years. While we cannot easily predict the evolution of our city, it is something that affects all those who live, work, study, visit or play here. What we do know is that Moonee Valley is a city in transition. It is significantly affected by changes going on beyond the boundaries of our city, as well as within it. The challenge for Council is to understand the shared and competing values within our community and incorporate the best available data and evidence in responding to them. That’s why Council considers it important to have a conversation with the Moonee Valley community about what kind of city people want for the future. Moonee Valley Next Generation 2035 is the process for that conversation and the opportunity to create a shared Community Vision we can all work towards. We have used strategies designed to reach people where they are already meeting across the municipality, as well as through the news media and social media. Moonee Valley residents, students, workers, business people and visitors from small children to the elderly have all participated. Underpinned by a short survey, the process during 2012 has reached 40,000 households and over 1,100 people directly expressed their views. The overarching Community Vision that has emerged is that in 2035 Moonee Valley will be a city of clean, green and beautiful, vibrant, diverse and sustainable communities that people experience as friendly and safe to live in. This Vision builds on four interrelated themes: Friendly and safe Clean, green and beautiful Sustainable living Vibrant and diverse Discussion of each of these themes, along with the challenges people see ahead are included in this report. The report also includes implications for future Council planning, partnerships and advocacy. Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 5 Purpose The purpose of this document is to outline the Community Vision for Moonee Valley in 2035, to report on the consultation that led to it and to discuss its implications, particularly in terms of how Council might best respond. This document is in two parts. The first part outlines the Vision and implications. It discusses the four interrelated themes that emerged from community engagement, and it identifies the challenges people see. The first part also outlines the implications for future Council planning, partnerships and advocacy. The second part of the report discusses the idea of a Community Vision and how it relates to other Council planning. It discusses other factors that impact on Council planning and how Council responds to community views. This includes discussing Council’s statutory responsibilities and the broad context of the world around us including State and National policy directions. It also provides a picture of our city today. The second part of the report also details how the Vision has been developed. It discusses the community engagement process and how the diverse input received was analysed. Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 6 Part 1: A Vision for the future The Vision Statement In 2035 Moonee Valley will be a city of clean, green and beautiful, vibrant, diverse and sustainable communities that people experience as friendly and safe to live in. Key themes of the Vision are identified below (from most frequently mentioned words to less frequently): Safe, Green, Friendly, Clean, Community, Vibrant, Beautiful, Sustainable, Accessible, Family, Liveable, Peaceful, Fun, Multicultural, Diverse, Health, Environmentally, People, Healthy, Modern, Affordable, Happy, Transport, Inclusive, Welcoming, Attractive, Parks Public, Low, Progressive, Good, Open, Traffic, Environment, Awesome, Gardens, Quiet, Active, Well, Exciting, Facilities, Spaces, Density, City, Live, Living, Picturesque, Traffic, Harmonious, Free, Tidy, Shopping, Shops, Caring, Congested, Trees, High, Connected, Spacious Key themes Thinking about what kind of city we want Moonee Valley to be in the future, people across the city consistently say they want it to be safe, friendly, green, clean, beautiful and sustainable, vibrant and diverse. These are the key attributes they want Moonee Valley to have in 2035. These are multidimensional attributes. Many people say ‘friendly’, describing a supportive, caring and inclusive Moonee Valley. People also talk about Moonee Valley being ‘old age friendly’, ‘family friendly’ or ‘child friendly’. Others are thinking of a happy, vibrant and fun Moonee Valley. The themes are also interrelated. For example, a community is likely to feel safer and friendlier if it is vibrant, clean and beautiful. Many people value the city’s trees and parks for their own sake but also clearly feel they make the city more beautiful. Others talk about trees and parks as underpinning an ecologically sustainable city. The themes have implications for future strategic activities that Council and others might support, and also for the way in which the city is designed and built. These implications are reinforced by the commonly identified challenges ahead. These are: Management of increasing population Development and loss of ‘green’ Adequacy of infrastructure including schools and public transport Traffic congestion and parking constraints Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 7 Ageing of the population A thriving community with clear definition between the business community and the family community... means building in the appropriate business corridors without impacting the surrounding streets where our families are growing up. (Man 35, lives 3039, online) Key challenges and opportunities are identified in the list below (from most frequently mentioned words to less frequently): Transport, Community, Traffic, Population, People, Public, High, Housing, Development, Density, Parking, Moonee Valley, Less, Better, Area, Rise, Needs, City, Schools, Roads, Buildings, Growth, Keeping, Services, Opportunities, Area, Environmental, Infrastructure, Areas, Keep, Facilities, Parks, Residents, Council, Affordable, Living, Congestion, Young, Increase, Make, Good, Planning, Shopping, Spaces, Cars, Trees, Activities, New, Around, Streets, Many, Developments, Education, Moonee Ponds, Essendon, Apartments, Road, Local, Many, Support, Good, Heritage, Street, Stop, Space, Work, Buildings, Families, Clean, Friendly, Events, Children, Many, Youth, Centres, Overdevelopment, Management, Green, Old, Car, Live, Keilor, Increased, Feel, Increased, Park, Airport, Access, Homes, Get, Open, Like, Live, Older, Employment, Pollution, Great, Safe, Units, Bike Both the themes and challenges identified by the community are reinforced by recent consultations undertaken by Moonee Valley City Council. The Healthy Ageing Strategy survey results emphasise the importance of an age-friendly community and especially: Meaningful social and recreational activities Transport as a major aid to participation in the community The importance of family and friends to help people stay active and connected Council’s Walking and Cycling Strategy notes the community’s concern about the impact of traffic and its appreciation of open public spaces, the Maribyrnong River, Queens Park and Woodlands Park. Consultations for the World Class Locally Branding and Marketing Strategy revealed a strong sense of pride for Moonee Valley. People described it as vibrant, diverse, well developed and having everything you need on your doorstep. There was also a strong attachment to Moonee Valley’s green space and a feeling that it was a cohesive and welcoming community. Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 8 Moonee Valley’s City Sustainability Strategy consultation to date also emphasises that: People strongly value nature and gardens in our city. Living locally is very important along with people seeking a strong sense of community with neighbours knowing each other. People want slower traffic and streets safer for children to play. They want to be able to get around without a car with closer services, better walking and cycling paths and more public transport particularly in areas like Avondale Heights. People still want to see homes and buildings built in a way that helps the environment and reduces running costs, especially any new developments in our city. Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 9 Broader research about the capacity of cities to withstand the pressures of the future reflects similar concerns, notably population expansion, climate change, outdated transport and other infrastructure as well as outmoded patterns of use. These all demand serious attention to avoid inefficient and unsustainable cities. 1 The Moonee Valley community clearly associates many of the ingredients of a liveable city with the city as it is now. Its high quality public realm and local character include the low rise built environment of much of the municipality, its heritage features, along with its parks and a natural environment that supports wildlife in the suburbs. These are essential to the sense of community connection many of us attribute to Moonee Valley. This is not unwillingness to disturb the status quo. People seek a varied mix of neighbourhoods and vibrant business and entertainment areas. However people want greater certainty that Council values the attributes they associate with the city too. Maintaining a sense of community will be very difficult with so many new residents and the distrust between the community and council over new buildings. (Woman 33, lives 3040, online) It is important for a suburb to retain some heritage, some grass roots belief and feeling to drive ownership and commitment within a community ... also brings people together. (Man 35, lives 3039, online) A city to be proud of with a wider range of essential and nonessential services. A city that is cultured, diverse, inclusive; that’s progressive but calm and quiet about it. A place you don’t need to go anywhere to get what you need. (Man 67, lives 3033, Mediterranean Fiesta) Key ingredients of livable and sustainable cities The six key ingredients1 of liveable and sustainable cities are: 1 Mixed use Density Eg Victorian Department of Transport and the City of Melbourne (2009), Transforming Australian Cities for a more financially viable and sustainable future, updated March 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2012 from www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/AboutMelbourne/Statistics/Documents/TransformingCitiesMay2010.pdf Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 10 Connectivity High quality public realm Local character Adaptability Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 11 Friendly and safe Community connection Multicultural, accepting Easy and safe to get around in by foot, bicycle or on public transport Young and aged feel safe and well looked after People emphasise safety and friendliness as the foundations of the kind of city they want Moonee Valley to be in 2035: a supportive, caring and inclusive Moonee Valley. This area… has a heart and a soul. (Ambassador, Moonee Valley 2035 video) Understanding that strong connections within a community help make people feel accepted and safe, people want a city that welcomes diverse cultures; where the young feel accepted and older residents feel safe and cared for. We want to feel safe getting around, whether crossing the road, on public transport, or walking about the streets. A safe place, peaceful with nice parks... more children’s playgroups and play areas so older children and younger children can... play safely. (Woman 24, lives 3032, Community Centre) A general characteristic of the community’s picture of Moonee Valley in 2035 is that it is safe: Children and the elderly feel safe. People feel safe to walk around the streets any time of day or night. Footpaths and road crossings are well maintained and easy to use. People can cycle safely. People feel safe on public transport and around public transport stops and stations. The incidence of crimes and violence is low. Public places are clean. Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 12 Real or perceived safety has several dimensions. It is fundamental to people’s confidence to get out and about and participate in their community. Some high profile incidents of crime aside, Moonee Valley is one of the safest municipalities in Victoria. However attention to other dimensions of safety is also important. People comment on how traffic safety including for pedestrians and cyclists, and safety on public transport, promotes a safe and welcoming community. A welcoming environment. To be a safe environment for my children to socialise with their friends and be able to walk or ride their bikes safely to a mate’s. (Woman 38, lives and works 3033, Early Years Teachers forum) Our picture of Moonee Valley in 2035 is a friendly and safe city: It is happy, welcoming and fun – with a feeling of energy. It is supportive, caring and inclusive – with a sense of acceptance Wider research shows friendships and neighbourhood connections have diminished in recent decades across Australia.2 Trends such as more people living on their own increase the risks of people being lonely. Busy traffic in residential areas undermines contact between neighbours. In contrast, urban design that makes it easy to walk or cycle around promotes healthy activity and social interaction. These are obvious examples of the ways in which a city is organised and built has a real impact on how it functions, and how design can help people to connect with and understand each other. For me the most important thing is to be able to walk to wherever I want to go not just because that gives me exercise but it connects me to the community and what’s going on within my community. (Ambassador, Moonee Valley 2035 video) Flow-on benefits of closer knit and active communities for both mental and physical health are also profound. As the population ages these issues are likely to become more important. They are also significant issues for young people as the rising incidence of both obesity and depression indicate.3 2 Kelly, J-F. et. al. (2012), Social Cities, Grattan Institute, Melbourne. Retrieved 25 May 2012 from www.grattan.edu.au/pub_page/130_social_cities.html 3 Department of Health (2011), Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2011-2015, p.20-22. Retrieved 24 May 2012 from www.health.vic.gov.au/prevention/vphwplan Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 13 My community, where I know I can belong, know that I can catch up with friends and or join a group and be involved, to organise fundraisers or events that will bring the whole community together, the young and the old. (Woman 65, lives 3040, online) A community, homely, where everyone meets, not a grey city but full of parks, music and things to bring us together. (Girl 12, lives 3039, Sounds Loud festival) The ageing of the population is in general a success story in terms of increasing lifespan. However it presents challenges as the size of the older population increases and their health and other needs change. We generally prefer to age in the place where we live. Maintaining our social connections and confidence despite any increase in frailty is vital to achieve this successfully. I would like Moonee Valley in 2035 to be a lovely mix of age groups, good place to age in with good retirement villages, eg. at Moonee Valley racecourse, and lots of trees and gardens. (Woman 66, lives 3031, Community Centre) In addition to services, it means creating greater support for both lively and quiet leisure activities, as well as opportunities to form and maintain relationships. Along with design of the physical environment, community centres, libraries, playgrounds, sports facilities and parks especially in the North and West may be particularly important. Similarly Moonee Valley people emphasise the need for accessible public transport across the whole of the municipality. A place without discrimination. A city where everybody can come and have a good time at parks or playgrounds. Also a city that creates opportunities for everybody, with public transport that gives access to all parts of the area. (Man 42, lives 3042, online) Moonee Valley in 2035 will be typified by generosity of spirit... enabled by effective infrastructure planning that provides equitable access to high quality health and aged care, education (through high quality schools and libraries), affordable housing, local employment Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 14 opportunities and suitably upgraded public transport that facilitates mobility. (Doutta Galla Community Health Service submission) Implications for planning, partnerships and advocacy Council planning needs to give priority to approaches that enhance the safety, friendliness and participation of neighbourhoods across Moonee Valley, including developing and implementing strategies for: Health and wellbeing that emphasise actions to promote: Community connection and perceptions of safety across all ages, from children and young people to the elderly Tolerance and acceptance of diversity Increased lively and quiet recreational activities including walking and cycling Physical environments and community facilities that are designed and built to promote connected, friendly and safe environments Healthy ageing that expand opportunities for people to age in place, feeling safe and included in their community Improved access to transport across the whole municipality and better traffic management, including the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users Partnerships with community agencies such as Doutta Galla Community Health Service and the Moonee Valley Bicycle Users Group, Women’s Services, police and other small services such as the Moonee Valley Bicycle Users Group, business groups and others to realise these strategies. Advocacy on issues of health and wellbeing including the positive impact of the natural environment and well designed facilities and services to other levels of government. Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 15 Green, clean and beautiful Parks, gardens and playgrounds Streetscapes and trees Attractive natural and built environment A key reason people say they love Moonee Valley is for the contribution made by both its natural and built environments. A beautiful city with its beautiful gardens (eg. Queens Park) & parks well maintained. (Not supplied, 3042, mail) The natural environment of Moonee Valley is much loved both by those who live and work here as well as our visitors. This includes its natural reserves, rivers, creeks and wildlife. Its parks, leafy streets and attractive gardens are also a major drawcard for the city. I really enjoy living in Moonee Ponds. I love the closeness of the shopping hub, and the Maribyrnong River and the parklands near it. I hope none of the parklands that exist around disappear because the environment is (an) important part of encouraging this community to be healthy and fit. (Girl 16, lives 3039, online) Many people express support for major areas of Moonee Valley to remain suburban and for its natural environment to be maintained and enhanced. They frequently specify a desire for more trees planted in the streets, with this maintenance of low density and trees promoting the function of suburban areas as the ‘green lungs’ of the city. Striking a balance between developmental pressures and maintaining a tradition of open spaces, green corridors and commitment to our unique waterways and wildlife. (Woman 36, lives and works 3040, mail) People also stress the importance of parks and gardens for children to grow up in. Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 16 Well maintained parks and facilities for children. Keep clean and nice living area in Moonee Valley. Friendly. (Man 39, lives 3039, Children’s Expo) Drawings of their ideal city contributed by young children certainly featured the outdoors, water and animals. Most children drew pictures about play, ‘space to run around in’, swings, slides, swimming, trees, flowers and nature. Some children drew about family and being happy. Many drew trees and water near buildings. They sometimes incorporated traffic lights highlighting their perception of living in an urban environment but still connecting with its natural elements. The community understanding the need for whole environmental response. Keeping waterways clear of rubbish. Having environment champions in youth and children. Promotion in the media. (Woman 40, lives 3033, works 3039, online) Neighbourhoods with attractive green streetscapes and tree canopies provide plenty of shade and encourage people to be in the street more. People feel safer being in the street with others promoting more active and friendlier neighbourhoods. Closer connections and a clean environment are also seen to help reduce risks of theft, illicit drug use and other crime. Another benefit of leafy streets is their contribution to a stable climate. Lots of shade, greener, street trees planting (concrete jungle now) and people would get out and walk around more. (Woman 45, lives 3032) Our picture of Moonee Valley in 2035 is emphatically green and clean with: Trees, parks and gardens that enhance the wellbeing and attractiveness of our community An environmentally sustainable community Specifically it has: Plenty of open and green space Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 17 Existing parks, playgrounds and street trees well maintained More and diverse trees Community gardens and farmers markets Dog off-lead areas Activities within parks Clean parks and streets Clean Maribyrnong River and Moonee Ponds Creek The built environment is important too. Many people describe their vision of Moonee Valley in 2035 as beautiful, pretty, attractive and pleasant with reference to heritage architecture and period homes, tree lined streets and low rise built environments. These are typically viewed as expressing the character of our city. Protecting this character as the city grows is seen as a major challenge. Similarly, people say that new developments should also strive to be attractive in ways that complement the city’s existing look. Still a great place to live… modernisation that is respectful of our history. Clean streets and plenty of green spaces that incorporate sensitive environmental and urban design to make them interesting and relaxing to be in. (Woman 50+, lives 3040, works 3039, online) Sensitive redevelopment of unused, derelict areas. Preserve federation buildings. Medium and high density is good to attract and sustain services but do it sensitively and appropriately. (Woman 41, lives 3039, Moonee Valley Festival) A place that still has backyards for kids to play in, that is not overdeveloped, a place that still has its period homes... a place where kids still get to have sunshine and are not overshadowed by buildings. (Woman 40, lives Moonee Valley - postcode not supplied, online) Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 18 The vision proposed by the community is highly consistent with frameworks for Australian cities that see key development areas as having strict limits. Local character, heritage areas and public open spaces protected.4 A diverse community which has retained its neighbourhood character and green open spaces. (Woman 40, lives 3032, online) A safe, well connected community with beautiful parks, streetscapes and river precinct... Manage the tension between population density and what makes the area attractive: heritage homes, trees and parks. (Woman 50, 3040, mail) Our picture of Moonee Valley in 2035 is a beautiful place that is peaceful and relaxing to live in and visit including: Parks, trees, gardens, open spaces and other attributes of the natural environment Heritage architecture and buildings Low rise character across much of the city Growth will be well managed to avoid: Pollution from increased traffic congestion Rubbish resulting from increased density Implications for planning, partnerships and advocacy Council planning needs to give priority to approaches that encourage maintenance of a green, clean and beautiful environment in Moonee Valley by developing and implementing strategies that promote: 4 Attractive streetscapes across the municipality including partnerships with community and business groups Victorian Department of Transport and the City of Melbourne (2009), Transforming Australian Cities for a more financially viable and sustainable future, updated March 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2012 from www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/AboutMelbourne/Statistics/Documents/TransformingCitiesMay2010.pdf Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 19 more and diverse tree planting initiatives to identify and protect the value of existing trees rubbish free parks and streets Ongoing maintenance of clean waterways and open spaces Protection of neighbourhood character and heritage environment both built and natural Partnerships with community groups such as the Friends of Maribyrnong River, business groups and others to affect these strategies. Advocacy to other levels of government and agencies such as the Environment Protection Authority on issues of the environment and pollution control. Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 20 Sustainable living Sustainable, natural and built environment Increased use of public transport and cycling Well managed population growth and increasing density Preservation of much loved heritage areas and public spaces Young and old, many people in Moonee Valley are concerned about the environment. Sustainability is seen as a critical attribute of the city into the future. In 2035 Moonee Valley would be… an ecofriendly, green, clean and safe environment for families and businesses to operate in harmony. Traffic congestion would be minimal due to the vast walking/cycling infrastructure and efficient local and wider public transport options available (thanks to a state government that finally acted years earlier). (Man 46, lives 3039, online) Council leadership as well as individual and community action is seen as important. Opportunities: to lead the way in green development not only keeping green areas but also in design of homes, government buildings, businesses, etc. (Woman 55, lives 3032, online) More programs to encourage residents to care for the environment and reduce carbon footprint. (Woman 30, lives 3031, mail) Overlapping with the previous theme the community also sees sustainability as involving ‘smart management’ of an increasing population. Overwhelmingly people see balanced development as continuing the low rise character of most of the city along with its heritage architecture, gardens and existing open public spaces. People describe these features as what contributes to the appeal of Moonee Valley today and how they want to see it in the future. Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 21 Encourage multi-storey developments to have setbacks from footpath to allow for landscaping to soften the impact from street level… (eg.) setback for landscaping and tiered setback in 1st, 2nd and 3rd storeys. (Woman 51, lives 3041, online) Along with this, they want to see increases in well designed open space for families and individuals to enjoy right across the municipality. This desire is also consistent with findings about how to create liveable neighbourhoods. For a truly lively city or town, one or two great neighbourhoods are not enough. Right across the municipality people need close-to-home opportunities to take pleasure in public life5. Our picture of Moonee Valley in 2035 includes a Council that leads the way in promoting environmental and sustainable living with ongoing strategies encouraging: Renewable energy Recycling Green, future proof building design Less car usage by facilitating increased cycling and pedestrian infrastructure and promoting more accessible public transport Congestion on the roads and on public transport in Moonee Valley is a major challenge many people want to see addressed. People often identify more public transport and cycling to get around as part of the response required. These options are also supported for the opportunities they create for more community connection. If we could get more people riding bikes it would be better for the community and for the world (Girl 12, lives 3034, video) Fewer parents driving their kids to school. Lots of bike lanes. More cohesive, more people gardening. More people using public transport and cycling. (Woman 50, lives and works 3034, Children’s Expo) 5 Project for Public Spaces (2009), The Power of 10. Retrieved 30 May 2012 from www.pps.org/reference/the-power-of10/ Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 22 Reducing car use is seen as having lots of benefits for individuals as well as the environment, reducing pollution, traffic and noise, as well as creating more room for public open space. Ensuring access to public transport across the whole of the municipality is seen as one of the key challenges for Moonee Valley. Implications for planning, partnerships and advocacy Council planning needs to give priority to approaches that contribute to the sustainable liveability of communities across Moonee Valley. This includes developing, implementing and reviewing strategies for smart management of population density that build on the Municipal Strategic Statement and emphasise: Environmental sustainability including renewable energy, recycling and green building design Open spaces, parks, trees, gardens and other attributes of the natural environment A built environment that encourages connected, friendly and safe environments including greater walking and cycling Heritage architecture and the existing character of much of the city Increased pedestrian and cycling infrastructure and more accessible transport across the whole municipality Creation and clear communication to the community of Council’s development framework committed to liveability Partnerships with community groups and peak bodies such as the Municipal Association of Victoria and the Planning Institute of Australia to contribute to the formulation of Council’s development framework. Advocacy of Council’s framework and the community’s values to State and National Government reviews of urban development including the current State Government Metropolitan Planning Strategy. Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 23 Vibrant and diverse Thriving shopping strips and entertainment areas Diverse, fun and exciting Creating opportunities for all Younger people responded to Moonee Valley Next Generation 2035 surveys suggesting activities with friends, entertainment and fun with an edge of excitement are often central to their sense of wellbeing. The availability of these options within the municipality into the future will contribute to them continuing to feel a sense of belonging and that Moonee Valley is welcoming and safe. Easily accessible via public transport, with vibrant public spaces and nightlife. Open to people of all ages. (Man 22, lives 3040, Sounds Loud Festival) However they are not alone. Many members of the community envisage Moonee Valley in 2035 as vibrant, exciting, progressive and innovative. Vibrant shopping strips including entertainment options such as cinemas, theatre and other cultural pursuits are frequently mentioned. An innovative place that takes chances and has become a world leader in introducing new ideas and technology to better its residents and the environment... a place where small business knows it has the support of its council to help it grow. (Woman 27, postcode not supplied, online) A warm and caring city, with a solid and successful business community, amazing recreational facilities and a community in harmony with each other (Man 42, lives 3042, works 3039, online) A place where people want to come and visit for its beauty and great facilities and shopping precincts and sporting/recreational facilities. (Woman 49, lives 3033, mail) Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 24 Moonee Valley in 2035 is a vibrant city with diverse communities. Together, these communities reflect our multicultural origins, high education levels, well connected transport, diverse entertainment and recreational options and thriving business community. Specific aspects people identify that this builds on are: Investment in education and transport Celebrating the community, its diversity and encouraging social interaction through investment in arts and cultural activities Young people, the elderly and Moonee Valley’s diverse ethnic mix as important contributors to and beneficiaries of arts, sports, recreational and cultural events Council support of businesses including investment in the appearance and safety of shopping precincts People stress investment in the appearance of and safety around shopping precincts such as Puckle Street, Mt Alexander Road, Niddrie Central and Essendon. Council is also seen as having a role in increasing the availability of parking to support the continuance of these areas as shopping destinations. These comments echo broader concerns that parking availability will not be an issue in Moonee Valley in 2035. Supporting the survival of strip shopping centres. They are an integral part of the local neighbourhood character and create a positive sense of community. (Woman 40, lives 3032, online) Essendon North Village is a great example of community shopping and I hope it receives assistance to maintain the local feel. (Woman 55, lives and works 3040, online) The State Government and Council have been working with business and other sectors to stimulate vibrant centres that combine residential and commercial development with good access to services, shops and public transport in Airport West and Moonee Ponds. Keilor Road, North Essendon, Union Road and Racecourse Road are also expected to develop as major areas of focus. Smaller neighbourhood oriented areas are also considered important. Many people also associate a vibrant city with diversity of cultures and multiculturalism, a thriving business community and plenty of job opportunities. Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 25 Vibrant city, diverse culture, acceptable for everyone… more youth inclusion in the workforce. (Woman 31, works 3031, Community Centre) Finding staff who have innovative ideas, ensuring council members are progressive and supportive, engaging big business in joint ventures for the community. (Woman 45, lives and works 3032, Children’s Expo) Consistent with this view of Moonee Valley as progressive and prosperous, community members often express a desire for more educational options in 2035, from preschools to secondary schools. Everyone will have a really good education… opportunities to dream and be inspired and go out and do whatever they want to do in the future. (Ambassador, Moonee Valley 2035 video) Many people who live or work in Moonee Valley also want to see access to affordable living and housing, as well as transport that is readily available to get them to work. They see these as challenges to be addressed by 2035. (There would be) more opportunities for jobs if we had better public transport. (Woman 54, lives 3042, mail) These themes are high on the agenda of the Western Melbourne Regional Development Authority. This regional collaboration highlights stronger links between the higher education sector and industry to stimulate innovation and the region’s economy. It emphasises that across the West, all levels of education need to be adequate for the demands of the 21st century workplace. The best solution is to make (this) locality a destination for employment, education, so locals don't have to look elsewhere (Man 41, lives 3039, mail) Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 26 More education; job opportunities especially for migrants and more help to settle in without going in the wrong direction. (Man 40, lives 3039, Community Centre) Implications for planning, partnerships and advocacy Council planning needs to give priority to approaches that capitalise on the community’s vision of Moonee Valley in 2035 as vibrant, diverse and progressive with strategies involving: Strong promotion and advocacy of the economic opportunities that exist within Moonee Valley Regional approaches to growing local business and employment opportunities and on issues such as affordable housing A continuing focus on arts and culture including enlivening public places, public art and activities for youth and diverse communities Strategies for young people that include employment, learning and continued creation of fun recreational opportunities including vibrant festivals Partnerships with other councils and government; regional bodies and business and employment groups and higher education institutes such as Victoria University and Kangan Institute, to further extend the skills and knowledge base of the local workforce. Advocacy in partnership with the Western Melbourne Regional Development Authority and business groups that promotes the competitive advantages of conducting business in Moonee Valley arising from its green, clean and sustainable objectives. Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 27 The way forward Along with some interrelated priorities the people of Moonee Valley value, the community has confirmed some big environmental, social and economic challenges facing the city. Future Council Plans need to include clear responses to these challenges, whilst responding to the day to day needs of the city. However ensuring the ongoing desirability of our city as a place to live and visit is not just the responsibility of Council. State and Federal Governments obviously have at least as much responsibility. Strong partnerships with business and the not-for-profit sector, community groups, organisations and individuals are also key to achieving the priorities and addressing the challenges identified. Regional collaboration and advocacy, including with and to other councils in the region, and peak bodies and state and federal governments, is likely to be particularly important. The effectiveness of regional collaboration and advocacy has been recognised on other major issues such as developing industry and jobs. The same approach is likely to be required in terms of population and housing in the inner metropolitan area, with examples of potential partnerships including the Inner Melbourne Affordable Housing Group. Partnerships with peak bodies such as the Municipal Association of Victoria could also enhance awareness of community priorities and concerns. Raising awareness at appropriate levels on an ongoing basis may also require strategies such as formal roundtables with key State Ministers responsible for areas including planning, transport and community development. Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 28 Part 2: Behind the vision This part of the report brings together the background to the Vision in Part 1. It discusses the concept and purpose of a Community Vision and the broader factors that impact on how the community’s views might be implemented. They include Council’s responsibilities and roles, developments beyond Moonee Valley such as the broader policy context and existing features of Moonee Valley on which the Vision builds. This section also describes the community engagement process and analysis of the data we collected to create the Vision. What is a Community Vision? A Community Vision is a statement of a community’s aspirations and values about what kind of city people want for the future. Through Moonee Valley Next Generation 2035 we are creating a shared Community Vision we can all work towards for Moonee Valley. This broad Vision can be used to inform Council planning and projects including partnerships for action and related advocacy. The Vision may also be used by other levels of government, as well as business and community organisations, as they develop their own projects and advocate on the issues of most concern to them. These issues might involve goals that are beyond the ability of Council to achieve on its own, for example improved public transport or education. The large-scale concerns identified in the Vision highlight that in addition to opportunities for Council action and leadership, regional collaboration is necessary to work toward this Vision. Ways in which the Community Vision might be used: Collaborative partnerships Council/community planning – Community Vision – Actions and services Advocacy Council roles and responsibilities Under the Victorian Local Government Act 1989, the primary objective of a Council is to achieve the best outcomes for the local community. The Act specifies this must take into account the long-term and cumulative effects of decisions (Section 3C and see below). Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 29 The Council Plan sets out proposed action to achieve agreed strategic goals over a four-year timeframe. A Community Vision creates an overarching guide that sits above this four-year Plan and other Council strategies and plans. It gives a shared understanding of the community’s values and aspirations for the long term. Alongside other research data and policy directions set by the State and Australian Governments, the Community Vision can help Council fulfil the breadth of its roles and responsibilities. Moonee Valley City Council is concerned with the issues that affect the wellbeing of our community. This arises in part from the statutory roles and responsibilities councils must negotiate under numerous pieces of legislation. Just one is the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 which require councils to prepare a Health and Wellbeing Plan to help promote the health of their communities. Council also directly delivers a range of services from home-based care and community services to rubbish collection and road works. Broadly the role of Council is to directly influence outcomes for the community. This may be achieved in collaboration with other councils or key stakeholders. In other cases, this may require ensuring those with direct influence have a good understanding what Moonee Valley citizens are concerned about. This might include advocacy to the State or Federal Government or to business interests. Victoria’s Planning and Environment Act 1987 requires councils to create a Municipal Strategic Statement (MSS). Like the Community Vision, the MSS takes a long-term view of the future. Due for review in the near future, the MSS sets out a vision and strategic framework for local planning that responds to State Government directions in a wide range of policy areas. This includes planning for infrastructure, transport and residential and economic development. The Community Vision can play an important part in informing the scheduled MSS review. The Victorian Local Government Act The Victorian Local Government Act 1989 section 3D sets out broad roles for councils. They must: Provide leadership establishing strategic objectives and monitor their achievement Ensure resources are managed in a responsible and accountable manner Foster community cohesion, encouraging active participation in civic life Take into account the diverse needs of the local community when making decisions Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 30 Advocate for the interests of their local community to other communities and governments Act as a responsible partner in government by taking into account the needs of other communities The relationship between the Community Vision and Council planning: Community Vision Council Plan Service plans Planning and Strategies Partnerships Advocacy Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 31 The world around us There are many external factors which influence the development of a city. These may be economic, social or environmental, have global impact or be locally focused. Often these factors are interrelated, as the growth of cities demonstrates. Melbourne’s population is growing rapidly and is now expected to reach 5.4 million by 2031.6 This growth has seen significant urban expansion into rural areas. Unchecked, this will have a major impact on our environment, our wildlife and our self-sufficiency in food production. It will impede our economic interests as we reduce our diversity of land use from farming to business, animal habitat to residential. Continually increasing the metropolitan boundaries is not feasible. The trials of new communities built on the urban fringes with little infrastructure of any sort are well known. Accommodating much of this population growth within existing suburbs can create vibrant places for people to live. It can also bring increased opportunities for both employment and entertainment that enhance the liveability of our existing urban environment. Council’s ability to renew infrastructure is also under pressure. Over time cost shifting and funding approaches by State and Federal Governments have not kept pace with the need for renewal of infrastructure and the increased costs of providing services.7 Despite Australia’s relative insulation from the volatile global economic situation, this trend is unlikely to reverse. The challenges these trends present for inner city councils such as Moonee Valley are pressing. Existing infrastructure requires renewal or replacement or the substitution of new technologies and systems in the near future. In addition the dearth of employment options in the North and West means workers from new outer suburbs frequently commute to work into, or through, inner metropolitan areas such as Moonee Valley. The result is severe traffic and public transport congestion and escalating strain on ageing infrastructure. Research exploring these issues suggests balance can be achieved if higher density development is focused along major road-based public transport corridors as it primarily is in Moonee Valley. Some studies suggest this approach needs to utilise only 3 per cent of existing urban areas and may require only medium rise buildings.8 Such studies also reinforce the need for development 6 Department of Planning and Community Development (2012), Victoria in the Future 2012: Population and household projections 2011-2031 for Victoria and its regions. Retrieved 22 June 2012 from www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/home/publications-andresearch/ urban-and-regionalresearch/census-2011/ victoria-in-future2012/VIF-2011-One-page-Profiles 7 Municipal Association of Victoria (no date), Local Government Finance: cost pressures. Retrieved 20 June 2012 from www.mav.asn.au/about-local-government/localgovernment- finance/Pages/Cost-pressures.aspx 8 Victorian Department of Transport and the City of Melbourne. (2009). Transforming Australian Cities for a more financially viable and sustainable future. updated March 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2012 from www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/AboutMelbourne/Statistics/Documents/TransformingCitiesMay2010.pdf Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 32 frameworks that protect high quality public spaces and the local character of an area, specifically including heritage features. These factors contribute to both liveability and sustainability of urban development. The State Government is currently preparing a new Metropolitan Planning Strategy that aims to ensure the valued aspects of Melbourne are protected while allowing for future needs. Called A Vision for Victoria, the Strategy will address housing choice, transport accessibility, economic growth, environmental protection, infrastructure, community facilities and services. Council will be actively involved in providing input into the development of Victoria’s new Metropolitan Planning Strategy. At the same time research evidence increasingly shows how vital community connection is to the wellbeing of a community. Successful cities all have high levels of social connection. The four key components are often formally described as social capital, trust, cohesion and inclusion.9 Thinking about how to make neighbourhoods friendlier and safer places to live in is a key tenet of the Victorian Families Statement released by the State Government.10 It also underpins the national Government's statement on social inclusion – A Stronger, Fairer Australia.11 Through this policy the Australian Government emphasises the need to tackle issues such as the entrenched disadvantage experienced by the significant percentage of children who live in jobless families. More generally it highlights the importance of opportunities for all Australians to connect with each other and the wider community. Changing population trends reinforce the importance of creating more opportunities for social interaction. We have a more diverse community with migrants from many countries. Our community is ageing, more people live on their own and more families are headed by single parents. More families with both parents working face the challenge of balancing their work and family life. Technology allows many more forms of virtual connection. Other factors such as increased time spent commuting can limit people’s ability to be active and physically connect with friends and family. Increasingly both children and adults are less physically active and much heavier. And evidence reminds us that loneliness and isolation is a health hazard. The way we build and organise our cities can help or hinder these trends. Cities can and do set the ground rules for interaction and activity. Environments designed to promote walking, cycling and using public transport can encourage physical activity and social interaction and boost mental health. 9 Kelly, J-F. et. al. (2012). Social Cities, Grattan Institute, Melbourne. Retrieved 25 May 2012 from www.grattan.edu.au/pub_page/130_social_cities.html 10 State Government of Victoria. (2011). Victorian Families Statement. Retrieved 24 May 2012 from www.premier.vic.gov.au/announcements/ victorianfamilies-statement.html 11 Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. (2009). A stronger, fairer Australia. Retrieved 24 May 2012 from www.socialinclusion.gov.au/files/publications/pdf/brochure_stronger_fairer_australia.pdf Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 33 A thriving business environment also contributes to a vibrant community. Investment in human capital through education and business development can create employment opportunities and enhance this vibrancy. Moonee Valley 2035 Community Vision provides us with a picture of how to go about creating a city that maximises the opportunities, whilst minimising the negative impacts of these trends. Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 34 Our city today Moonee Valley is home to over 113,500 people living in a largely residential area 43km2. Victorian Government projections based on 2011 census data, suggest we will have at least 12,500 more residents by 2031.12 Increasingly many of us are older people, with just under 12 per cent of the Moonee Valley community over 70 years old. This compares with 20 per cent who are under 18 living in 28,400 families. Especially when compared to surrounding municipalities, the community is well educated, reflected in a high proportion of white collar workers. Moonee Valley’s suburbs extend 4 to 13km North West from the CBD including major suburbs such as Essendon, Keilor East and Moonee Ponds. They are a destination of choice for many shoppers and for entertainment. The natural environment, parks and reserves also attract many visitors from beyond the municipality. Moonee Valley has 528 hectares of parks and reserves, with the four kilometre walk around the Maribyrnong considered one of the great Melbourne walking circuits. Other inner urban bushland areas Moonee Valley offers include Boeing Reserve stretching along Moonee Ponds Creek and Spring Gully Reserve in East Keilor surrounding a section of Steele Creek. The streets of Flemington, Essendon, Ascot Vale and Moonee Ponds feature many different examples of beautiful period architecture. Leafy boulevards such as Mt Alexander and Ascot Vale Roads remain major transport routes from the north/north-western suburbs to the CBD. The area has a long and proud history. Its traditional owners, the WurundjeriWillam people were able to live well along our waterways. Areas such as the Kulin Wetlands in East Keilor and the Afton Street Reserve in Aberfeldie remain a haven of bushland and wildlife today. Early travellers heading for the goldfields met at Queens Park in the heart of Moonee Ponds. Burke and Wills camped their camels here in 1860. Queens Park remains a Moonee Valley landmark. In the North many of us have Italian, Greek and Maltese backgrounds. Coming here after the Second World War we brought both a new workforce and enriched the cultural environment of Moonee Valley. Later Vietnamese and Chinese migration and more recent arrivals from the Horn of Africa in Flemington have added to our diversity. Our diversity is evident in our language use and religious faith. Almost 40 per cent of us speak Cantonese, Somali, Vietnamese and Arabic or other languages as our first language. Many are Catholic (42 per cent), others are Anglican or Eastern Orthodox. Nearly 3 per cent of us are Buddhist or Muslim. 12 This overview draws on the current Moonee Valley Municipal Strategic Statement, 2011 Census and MVCC Household Survey 2011. Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 35 Across Moonee Valley 11,600 businesses make a strong contribution to community life, employing nearly 50,000 people. This makes Moonee Valley the leading business location in Melbourne’s inner northwest. Retail, health and education are the major sectors in which Moonee Valley residents are employed. Significant enterprises such as Linfox Logistics and Murray Goulburn are beginning to locate their global headquarters in business hubs such as Essendon Fields. We love our sport. Moonee Valley is home to the Essendon Football Club and numerous community sports clubs. They range from Little Athletics to the Moonee Valley Magpies, which has engaged girls and boys with intellectual disabilities in footy since 2001. Moonee Valley Racing Club has been running the Cox Plate since 1922. We also walk, swim, cycle, run and use gyms and parks for both recreation and exercise. We also have plenty to stimulate our imagination with innovative exhibitions at the historic Incinerator Gallery designed by Walter Burley Griffin and a packed program each year at the Clocktower Centre where a range of performances take place from music and children’s shows to professional theatre. Settings for performances include the Sounds Loud concert for young people in Queens Park and the Winter Music in the Valley program in our churches. We like to take part in and give back to our community. 2,000 people joined in the first birthday celebrations for the Avondale Heights Library and Learning Centre. Over 30,000 people each year come to celebrate our community at the Moonee Valley Festival. We celebrate our volunteers through the Spirit of Moonee Valley Award and show off our diversity at events like the Mediterranean Fiesta in East Keilor or the Gateway to the World Café at the Flemington Community Centre. Moonee Valley is changing as the urban population booms. Young families are seeking more affordable housing in the north of the municipality. Many new immigrants are finding their first homes in one of Moonee Valley’s two major public housing estates. New housing and commercial opportunities are also being developed along the municipality’s major transport routes, such as Keilor Road, Mt Alexander Road, Buckley Street and in Moonee Ponds. Growth creates some tensions as we work out how to accommodate it. However it also has benefits. The increasing population has the potential to change the ageing profile of Moonee Valley and inject new vibrancy into the city. Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 36 How the Community Vision was developed Moonee Valley is a diverse community of people whose range of views and interests is broad. We wanted to ensure this breadth of views contributed to the Community Vision. Over 1,100 people took the opportunity to have a say during the engagement period. A deliberate effort was made to involve all parts of the municipality. Our survey reached over 40,000 households through the Valley View magazine. We also spoke to you at over 20 different community events such as the Moonee Valley Festival, the Children’s Expo, the Mediterranean Fiesta in East Keilor, a Buddhist lunch at the Flemington Community Centre and the youth focused Sounds Loud festival. A Youth Summit included a specially designed workshop. Education leaders also encouraged participation by young people through their networks and schools, and children in childcare centres and preschools around the city created pictures showing how they imagined their city of the future. Many of these were displayed on the website. Moonee Valley businesses, such as Victoria University and area Traders Associations highlighted Moonee Valley Next Generation 2035 on their Internet home page, and emailed staff, students and members encouraging them to complete a survey. Doutta Galla Community Health Service also highlighted MV2035 on their home page, provided a detailed submission and encouraged clients to participate in a focus group discussion to contribute their views. Students of a local Neighbourhood Learning Centre engaged with the survey as an exercise in their English Language classes. People could respond to a short survey online or in hard copy. They could fill in a postcard at the event they were attending or send it back post-paid. Translated surveys meant people could complete it in languages other than English such as Somali, Arabic and Chinese. Interpreters also assisted people attending cultural events such as Harmony Day to complete the survey in other languages. We also created a specific Moonee Valley Next Generation 2035 webpage where people could comment, answer a survey or simply see what others were saying in YouTube clips. They could also leave a comment on Council’s facebook page. Key questions we explored Our survey and other tools asked people for their responses to the following: I would like Moonee Valley in 2035 to be… When I picture Moonee Valley in 2035, the three words that should describe my city are… To complete my picture I think what most needs to change is… Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 37 I think the major challenges and opportunities in Moonee Valley over the next twenty five years are… We also collected demographic data that told us where people lived, if they were a resident, a worker, a student or a visitor to Moonee Valley, how old they were and whether they were male or female. In total 1,123 people participated directly. This included 876 people responded using the survey, in addition to almost 250 people providing their views and feedback in other ways. The largest groups responding to the survey were 35 to 49 year olds – 25 per cent 50 to 59 year olds – 13 per cent 12 to 17 year olds – 11 per cent 80 per cent lived in the Mooney Valley area 27 per cent worked in Moonee Valley 17 per cent both lived and worked here The postcode distribution of people according to the suburb they lived in is shown in the graph below. Postcode distribution of survey respondents (numbers approximate only) 3031: 65 responses 3032: 70 responses 3033: 72 responses 3034: 52 responses 3039: 120 responses 3040: 155 responses 3041: 40 responses 3042: 81 responses Other: 100 responses Not stated: 65 responses Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 38 The community engagement processes aimed to involve a broad range of people. We obtained views from diverse age ranges, from children and teenagers to the elderly, and engaged people from all Moonee Valley suburbs. Critical to the process were the Council Officers’ Working Group and the Community Ambassadors. Community leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, business people and service providers from across Moonee Valley were invited by the Mayor to help promote the project. This group worked hard, encouraging others to get involved and providing direct feedback; promoting the vision in the media and designing a workshop for young people. We used software called NViVo to help ensure the rigour of our analysis of all the data collected. To help confirm our findings we also looked at the results of other Moonee Valley Council consultations such as World Class Locally, City Sustainability, Arts and Culture surveys and the Healthy Ageing Strategy 20122017 survey.13 At the conclusion of the community engagement process, 150 senior staff of Moonee Valley City Council participated in an Organisational Leaders Forum. This enabled Council leaders to look at the community’s aspirations for the city. Brainstorming responses, they confirmed the need for action across Council and to involve the community in developing these responses. At this point, all the views expressed during the community engagement process were interpreted and presented in the Moonee Valley Next Generation 2035 Draft Community Vision. Following the development of the Moonee Valley Next Generation 2035 Draft Community Vision, Council undertook a further consultation period. The consultation period took place in July 2012 and was used as an opportunity for the community to confirm the Community Vision. The community consultation process received minimal feedback. However, the responses received indicated that the community found their view reflected in the themes and additional minor amendments were made to improve the clarity of the implications for planning. For a more detailed report on the consultation process, you can read ‘How the Community Vision was Developed’, which can be found at mvcc.vic.gov.au/mv2035 13 Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 39 Acknowledgements Many people contributed to the development of the community engagement process and this report. We would particularly like to thank for their thoughtful and generous contributions: The Community Ambassadors: David Adamson Principal Essendon Keilor Secondary College Fiona Alexander, Parent and Early Childhood Consultant Rob Brown, Victoria University Pro-Vice Chancellor Jane Canaway, Co-founder Avondale Heights Community Gardens Joseph Connellan, Chair Doutta Galla Community Health Service John Dainutis, Western Metro Regional Network Leader DEECD Ahmed Dini, People of Australia Ambassador 2012 Sue Duras, Immediate Past Chair Moonee Valley Foundation Brian Haratsis, Chief Economist Macroplan Caz Healey, CEO Doutta Galla Community Health Service Frank Kinnersley, Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards Volunteer of the Year 2012 John Larkins, President Senior Football Section Aberfeldie Sports Club Inc Ken Matthews, Chairperson of Melbourne's West Export Network Patrick McGorry, Australian of the Year 2010 Erin Young, founder REAL Magazine for young women Ralph Plarre, Prominent speaker about practical sustainability and business Volunteers in the Community video and from St Bernard’s College Essendon. The children who contributed drawings to My Dream for Moonee Valley, some of which are feature in this report. The MV Next Generation 2035 team: Denise Shearer, Manager Community Development Meredith Carter, Principal Consultant Meredith Carter & Associates Michelle Hall, Research and Evaluation Officer Moonee Valley NEXT GENERATION 2035 Community Vision 40 Celine Oerlemans, Senior Communications Project Officer Claire Spivakovsky, Community Planning Officer Amona Hassab, additional administrative assistance Participants of the Officers’ Working Group