Nillumbik News Spring 2015 September - November
From the Mayor
After focussing our attention for many years on advocating for additional funds for
Nillumbik I am delighted to report the recent announcement of an initial $50 million fund for
the Interface Councils.
The Interface is the group of 10 councils which surround the metropolitan area of
Melbourne of which Nillumbik is one. As Mayor this year, the Council’s representative and
now Board member at the Municipal Association Victoria and as a member of the Local
Government Minister’s Mayoral Advisory Panel I have been privileged to attend many
meetings with Ministers and MPs to ensure that Nillumbik’s voice has been heard.
Interface councils include City of Casey; Cardinia Shire; Hume City; City of Melton;
Mornington Peninsula Shire; Mitchell Shire; Nillumbik Shire; City of Whittlesea; Wyndham
City; and Yarra Ranges Shire.
Nillumbik along with our Interface Council colleagues welcome this funding particularly as
Interface budget analysis shows that as a large group of municipalities we are responsible
for 47 per cent of population growth and the crucial management of Melbourne’s green
wedges.
The announcement of this funding program follows four years of advocacy for State
Government funding to reduce the gap in critical community infrastructure such as open
space improvements, sporting fields, community centres and streetscape improvements
within activity centres.
We have been grateful for the opportunity to work with Minister for Local Government,
Natalie Hutchins, who I must congratulate for campaigning on behalf of the Interface
Councils. We’ve also worked closely with our local members of parliament, Vicki Ward and
Danielle Green to discuss our needs in Nillumbik and how the Interface Fund could assist
the community.
In addition to the fund, the State Budget contained a number of positive investments in
Interface areas including outer suburban roads, bus services, education, health, mental
health and domestic violence. In Nillumbik this included money for planning of the
duplication of Yan Yean Road and Bolton Street as well as a new CFA station in Plenty.
Mayor, Cr Helen Coleman
Planning Opinion
Taking a proactive approach to planning and urban design by James Lamour
Reid
James Lamour Reid has provided this opinion piece. He is Director of Planisphere and
President of the Victorian Division of the Planning Institute of Australia however the words
in this story are his own.
Everyone is familiar with the three r’s of local government –roads, rates and rubbish. What
is less well known are the sophisticated ways in which councils are doing positive things to
achieve important social, economic and environmental goals.
When planning for the future, councils will examine where and how we currently live;
residential amenity, neighbourhood character and the environment; how close we live to
jobs, schools, shops, parks and other facilities; how easy it is to get around; and how we
need to plan for future changes.
Town planning is both a forward-looking activity and a decision making process. It plays an
important role in managing the growth of cities and townships by allocating land for future
uses and controlling the pace and type of development.
The aim of town planning is to manage change to achieve a preferred future.This often
involves a balance between enabling development to take place and conserving and
protecting what is valued about the existing built environment. It tries to ensure that
activities associated with urban settlement happen in the right place, at the right time, and
in the right relationship with one another and with the environment.
The work town planners do is becoming more important as society places greater
emphasis on ecological sustainability, liveability, high quality urban design and managing
urban growth effectively.
Local government is in a unique position to influence positive change in the built
environment because of its wide range of roles and in-house expertise. Unlike a private
property owner, whose interests are often very site-specific, Councils have powers and
responsibilities that involve entire communities.
Councils can use their planning, urban design and property management expertise to
achieve results on the ground. This is best achieved when a whole-of-Council approach is
adopted.
Under the traditional “three r’s” model, councils tended to develop and maintain assets for
a single purpose, without much thought about whether an asset could have more than one
use or support a variety of objectives. Under this model there was little incentive for
Council departments to work together and community engagement was a patchy affair.
A good example of this change in thinking is the emergence of Community Hubs. The new
Hurstbridge Community Hub is a dynamic and versatile facility that supports a wide range
of activities for people at all stages of their lives. This single facility is able to provide for
activities as diverse as maternal and child health services, playgroups, yoga, U3A, youth
programs, cooking, fitness, choirs and community meeting places.
The benefits of this type of approach are fairly obvious. Council, working with community
and other levels of government, is able to provide for a wide range of needs in a state-ofthe-art building. This is an effective use of Council assets and staff resources and
encourages community interaction, involvement and pride.
This type of strategic, community focussed thinking is also being applied in the Eltham
Town Square and the former Hurstbridge High School site projects.
Although these two projects are very different to a community hub, they do illustrate a very
contemporary approach to planning and design. This approach avoids the potential for
well-intentioned strategic plans to gather dust by targeting Council’s energies where they
will have greatest impact. Often this enables outcomes to be achieved that would not
occur if left to the private sector alone.
Eltham Town Square
Due for completion in early November
The redevelopment of the Eltham Town Square will see the realisation of an idea first put
forward over a decade ago as part of the Eltham Structure Plan.
In the intervening years Council has consulted with the community and the plan has been
developed and refined.
Through clever design and sensible use of Council land the current plan will achieve an
increase in the amount of public space, a reduction in road surface, retention of car
parking, a new public toilet, and improvements to landscaping and street furniture.
An element of the plan is the inclusion of a cafe and al-fresco dining area towards the
southern end of the town square. A range of concerns have been raised about the cafe,
however from an urban design and community perspective it makes a lot of sense.
Eltham Town Square is already a well-loved space. Yet its attractiveness is affected by the
dominance of car parking and its vitality limited by the fact that there are shops fronting
only to one of its sides.
The proposed cafe will draw activity to the space throughout the day and into the evening.
More people in the square will mean more causal surveillance and a boost to existing
shops through the additional foot traffic.
From a visual perspective it will reduce the prominence of the car park and therefore
enhance the image of the Town Square as the community heart of Eltham.
Liveable Nillumbik
Hurstbridge housing project
Council’s approach to the former Hurstbridge High School site demonstrates a
commitment to optimising the public benefit achieved through the development of the land.
Hurstbridge residents were updated about this project in July when the Liveable Nillumbik
Community Reference Group was introduced.
Council appointed an Independent Planning Panel in June to hear the submissions that
had been made by the public on Amendment C85.
The amendment proposes to rezone the land to Township Zone and apply a Development
Plan Overlay. There were 68 submissions in total about the amendment and five people
made a presentation to the Planning Panel.
The Melbourne metropolitan strategy Plan Melbourne places emphasis on the
development of large strategic sites such as this to optimise outcomes for the community.
Council’s involvement in crafting detailed planning controls for the site will ensure that its
future development achieves character, environmental and social objectives that would be
extremely difficult to negotiate through traditional planning application processes.
Council’s vision for the site directly addresses community priorities such as respecting
neighbourhood character, providing accessible and affordable housing, enabling people to
age in place, and promoting sustainable design.
The proposed development will comply with all planning guidelines that apply to the
Hurstbridge area, such as the Hurstbridge Urban Design Guidelines. Strict criteria have
been set which requires developers to explain how they will address the accessibility,
diversity, affordability, environmental and neighbourhood character aspects of the
development. This is a requirement of the Development Plan.
The Plan details the key components of the development including the design and
landscaping. It will be presented to Council for final approval. Once approved, all future
development on the site must be undertaken in accordance with the Plan.
The planning and building approvals process of the Liveable Nillumbik project is
anticipated to take between two to three years. Construction will begin once the approvals
process is completed.
Population and homes into the future in Nillumbik
As with many councils across Victoria, Nillumbik is planning on how to best manage the
future housing needs for our residents. In order to get the right statistical information
Council asked SGS Economics and Planning to analyse future housing trends for the
Shire. Along with information from the State Government’s Victoria in Future 2015 report,
the result provides sound evidence to help Council develop a housing strategy to 2031.
NILLUMBIK’S POPULATION
2011 - 62,716
NILLUMBIK’S FORECASTED POPULATION
2031 - 68,679
Aged 60 and over
2011 - 15%
2031 - 31%
In 20 years, almost a third of our population will be aged 60 or over. Providing suitable
housing options will be a challenge in a Shire dominated by large houses on large blocks.
Aged 24 or under
2011 - 36%
2031 - 28%
By 2031, there will be an 8 per cent decrease in the number of people living in Nillumbik
who will be 24 years or younger. The SGS Economics and Planning report highlighted
problems with affordability for first home buyers in Nillumbik.
Couples with no children
2011 - 8%
2031 - 12%
Eight per cent of our population (5,096) are couples with no children and this is due to
grow to 12 per cent (7,992) by 2031. Many of these will be couples who no longer have
dependent children.
One or two people households
2011 - 13%
2031 - 19%
In 2011 there were 8,026 people who either lived on their own or were part of a couple.
In 2031 this is expected to increase to 13,133.
Two bedroom properties*
2011 - 7%
2031 - 8.5%
The number of two bedroom properties is low across the Shire however the number of
people living on their own or in a couple is high and due to increase to 19% of the total
Nillumbik population by 2013.
* SGS Economics and Planning
Four or more bedrooms*
2011 - 49%
2031 - 46%
Nillumbik is renowned for its large homes on large blocks. These figures demonstrate that
the majority of homes across Nillumbik are large with four or more bedrooms and generally
suited to families.
* SGS Economics and Planning
Building heights in Diamond Creek and Eltham
In the last edition of Nillumbik News we brought you a story about the different planning
zones and building heights allowed in our two main townships, Eltham and Diamond
Creek.
There has been some recent concern in the community about the heights of buildings that
have either been developed or are about to be in Diamond Creek and Eltham.
The State Government recently introduced new planning zones across Melbourne in order
to cope with the projected population growth. These zones aim to increase the density of
properties in designated activity centres in the metropolitan area. Eltham and Diamond
Creek are the two designated townships in Nillumbik.
Council wants to ensure that any future developments take into account our community’s
expectation to respect the existing natural and built character of our activity centres, while
providing acceptable development opportunities to aid population growth.
In March 2014 we were successful in securing specific controls for Nillumbik that will strike
the right balance. The height of future developments in certain locations will now be limited
to three storeys and in certain locations the height limit will be 17.5 metres (five storeys).
The maps show what heights to expect in certain areas of the two townships.
This provides a level of certainty for residents and developers that has not previously
existed and these measures will also protect sight lines for tree canopy and views and
protect neighbourhood character.
Previously a developer could apply to build to any height and density on any piece of land
and remove any vegetation and it would have been difficult for Council to reject such
proposals.
These new measures mean that:
• height controls are set to ensure development respects the local view lines and
topography
• tree protection provisions are set to retain and enhance tree canopy
• a mix of land uses and consolidation in each centre is encouraged.
Council encourages quality development which reflects Nillumbik’s artistic and
environmental heritage while planning for future housing needs, taking into account
affordability, providing different types of homes and catering for our ageing population.
Working to protect neighbourhood character
While most activity centres across Victoria don’t have height limits, Nillumbik Council
secured the maximum height limits and developed design guidelines in respect to building
setbacks and building materials and styles to ensure that the tree canopy, sight lines and
neighbourhood character of Eltham and Diamond Creek is preserved.
Height limits around Eltham town centre
Commercial core: maximum of 17.5 metres
Residential interface: maximum of 14 metres
Transport hub: maximum of 17.5 metres
Civic precinct: maximum of 17.5 metres
Height limits around Diamond Creek town centre
Chute Street: maximum of 14 metres
Industrial area: maximum of 17.5 metres
Retail core: maximum of 17.5 metres
Employment/industrial area: maximum of 17.5 metres
Mixed used area: maximum of 14 metres
Rates and charges in Nillumbik
In 2015-2016, rates and charges will increase by 5.5 per cent per property on
average, which meets the target set in Council’s long-term financial plan.
This plan also forecasts increases averaging 3.5 per cent per year for the following
decade. Council will review these forecasts once the details of the proposed rate capping
framework are confirmed by the State Government later this year.
Key reasons for this year’s rate increase include a continued freeze in Commonwealth
Government financial assistance grants, a reduction in net revenue from Nillumbik’s
leisure centres, and the operating costs for the newly opened Hurstbridge Community
Hub.
There are three separate components to rates and charges in Nillumbik.
• The rates component is levied on the Capital Improved Value of each property.
• The Waste Management Charge is charged to properties which receive a kerbside
service, and it covers the costs of collection and disposal of waste and recyclables, the
State Government’s Landfill Levy, the hard waste service, and the rehabilitation of former
landfill sites in Plenty and Kangaroo Ground.
• The third component is the Municipal Charge which is a fixed cost. This represents the
impact of cost-shifting decisions by State and Commonwealth governments, such as cuts
to grants. These impact on Council’s budget by more than $2 million annually, and in
2015-2016 this equates to $93.50 per property in Nillumbik.
Payment dates
The due dates for 2015-2016 rates if you are paying by instalments are:

30 September 2015

30 November 2015

29 February 2016

31 May 2016.
How $100 of your rates is spent
$16.02: Roads, footpaths and traffic
$12.12: Recreation and leisure
$11.49: Environment, parks and open space
$11.39: Waste management and recycling
$8.50: Customer service and corporate support
$7.67: Library, education and culture
$7.25: Family, children and community services
$6.35: Planning and development
$6.01: Public safety, emergency management and risk
$5.19: Debt servicing
$4.20: Building maintenance and assets
$3.81: Governance
Leisure, childcare facilities big winners in budget
Council has adopted its 2015-2015 Budget which contains $17.47 million spending on a
number of significant capital works projects and service initiatives. This amount includes
$4.62 million external funding and contributions.
Major spending includes $1.2 million for detailed design of the $15.8 million upgrade of
aquatics facilities at the Eltham Leisure Centre and $2.15 million for the redevelopment of
pavilion facilities at Eltham North Reserve.
An on-road trail between Wattle Glen and Hurstbridge receives $750,000 and there is a
$500,000 allocation to begin works on the Diamond Creek to Hurstbridge Recreation Trail.
Other projects to be funded this year are:
• $835,000 for works at Eltham Community and Reception Centre including asbestos roof
replacement
• $542,000 to upgrade Woodridge Pre-School
• $400,000 to upgrade Plenty Park
• $382,000 to upgrade Eltham Child Care Centre
• $250,000 to construct a footbridge over the Diamond Creek at Diamond Creek Reserve
• $250,000 to install solar panels at the Civic Centre
• $90,000 to plan for the Hurstbridge intergenerational housing project
• $70,000 to continue to provide two fee-free green waste drop-off days.
The Budget continues to provide significant resources to maintain and renew existing
infrastructure, including roads ($2,150,000), footpaths ($410,000), bridges ($90,000),
sports-grounds/pavilions ($180,000), major leisure centres and community halls
($530,000), recreation trails ($225,000), other Council buildings ($580,000), disability
access works ($120,000) and playgrounds ($250,000).
The adopted Budget 2015-2016 is available on Council’s website
www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au
Non-mains energy concession 2015 – applications now open
Residents holding a Pensioner Concession Card, Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card or a Health
Care Card who rely on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), firewood or heating oil for heating,
hot water or cooking may be eligible for a non-mains energy rebate.
Rebates apply to the period 1 January to 31 December 2015.
Other rebates are available for households where someone has a chronic medical
condition that requires cooling or special equipment use, for low and high energy users
and for winter gas concessions.
For further information or an application form: www.dhs.vic.gov.au/concessions 1800 658
521
Council’s going greener
Over the past year Council has made significant progress in reducing its greenhouse gas
emissions, improving water management throughout the Shire and reducing energy and
water costs.
Two rain gardens were installed in the Civic Precinct to improve the quality of stormwater
runoff from roads and carparks. A wetland and storage pond was installed to capture and
treat stormwater runoff from residential streets in Hurstbridge. This system provides water
for local sports ground irrigation and environmental flows for the Diamond Creek.
Rainwater tanks with a capacity of 333 kilolitres were installed at the Civic Centre and
Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre. The water is filtered and used for hand basins,
showers and toilets as well as providing enough water to irrigate future landscaping at the
site.
Energy saving measures were introduced across several buildings including de-lamping,
lighting replacements, natural and energy efficient heating and cooling and draught
proofing.
Council’s rooftop solar capacity doubled over the year to a total of 223 kilowatts. The 36
systems generate enough electricity to avoid 467 tonnes of greenhouse gases each year,
the equivalent of taking 109 cars off the road.
19th Annual Nillumbik Pet Expo
Sunday 25 October • 10am-4pm
Marngrook Oval, Diamond Creek
A FREE fun local event for the whole family
The Nillumbik Pet Expo is a vibrant local event that celebrates our wonderful pets and the
healthy lifestyles they help us lead. The day features dog obedience displays, miniature
horse events, a farmyard nursery, snake handling displays and lure coursing. The usual
favourites like pony rides and face painting will return and there will be an opportunity to
meet and chat to Council’s rangers.
BRING YOUR PET!
There will be a number of fun competitions on the day with great prizes to be won!

Best Trick

Most Creative Costume

Best Rescue Pet Story

Cutest Costume

Most Unusual Pet
www.nilllumbik.vic.gov.au/petexpo
Practically Green Festival
Free Family Event
The festival is a great day out for children with a free children's activity on offer in each
festival hub.
Sunday 18 October 10am - 4.30pm
Edendale, Gastons Road, Eltham
Celebrate sustainable building, living and all things green at the Practically Green Festival.
A highlight on the Nillumbik community calendar this free festival offers quality exhibits,
demonstrations, live music, food and children’s activities across six festival hubs.
• GREEN YOUR BUILD Visit the Green your Build hub to find out more about sustainable
building design and methods and materials for new build and renovations. Talk to local
businesses and sustainable designers and learn how to build with mud bricks.
• THE GOOD LIFE Visit The Good Life hub for an insight into making your day-to-day life
more environmentally friendly. Find out more about greener cleaning options as well as
checking out some fair trade market stalls.
• LOCAL HARVEST The Local Harvest hub is where you can purchase locally produced
food as well as find out more about how to set up a thriving veggie patch at home.
• GREEN THUMBS Meet with local landscaping businesses and get a feel for their work
from garden design displays.
• LIVING WITH THE LAND Engage with your local Landcare groups, get some land
management advice foryour property and connect with the natural environment.
• GROOVE & GRAZE Enjoy live music, entertainment and local food.
www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/pgfestival
Join the event on Facebook to get the latest festival news, main stage line up, exhibitor
details and more.
www.facebook.com/nillumbikcouncil
Open Farm Day
Sunday 4 October 10am - 4pm
Free Family Event
Ten Nillumbik farms will open their gates to the public to showcase a range of farming,
including alpacas, beef farming and breeding, wine production, olive growing and
production and fresh produce such as apples, blueberries and citrus. It’s your chance to
have a chat with the farmers.
• Farm tours
• Live demonstrations
• Farm animals
• Product tastings
Join the event on Facebook www.facebook.com/ nillumbikcouncil for your chance to win a
Nillumbik Open Farm Day hamper!
www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/ openfarmday
Meet your local farmer:
Omaru Alpaca Farm, Cottles Bridge
Sian and Rob Rickards began their alpaca venture in 2011 and since then their little herd
has grown from a small beginning of five alpacas to almost 30 and includes breeding
males, females, cria (baby alpacas) and wethers.
The idea for farming alpacas was actually born out of a wet felting class! Alpaca fleece is
the natural fibre harvested from an alpaca.
It can be light or heavy in weight, depending on how it is spun or processed. It is a soft,
durable, silky natural fibre that is naturally water-repellent and difficult to ignite making it an
extremely versatile product. Sian and Rob invite you to visit them on Open Farm Day to
meet these beautiful animals and share in fleece preparation demonstrations.
Seniors Festival
There are lots of activities happening in Nillumbik in October as part of the Victorian
Seniors Festival.

A bus trip and tour to Abbotsford Convent

A luncheon tour of the Guide Dogs Centre

Jazz Tea Dance with music by the late Graeme Bell, performed by the ‘Bell All Stars’
tribute band and the Eltham High School Jazz Band

Learn how to use an iPad workshop

Asian cooking demonstration

Showing of the film My Old Lady with Kevin Kline and Maggie Smith

Local history chat about Eltham’s early pioneers

In support of prostate cancer the Eltham Men’s Shed is holding Eltham’s Biggest Ever
Blokes Lunch featuring; Mike Brady, Greg Champion, Tony Shaw and Gary Honey

Enjoy a guided walk around Edendale and learn about its history, land use and see
newborn animals. Visit the indigenous plant nursery and have a cuppa at Café Eden.
www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/seniors
Diamond Creek Rotary Town Fair
Saturday 12 September
10am-10pm
Marngrook Oval, Diamond Creek
www.diamondcreektownfair.org.au
On the Hill Panton Hill Festival
Sunday 25 October
11am-6pm
Firefighters Memorial Park,
Main Road, Panton Hill
www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/festivals
Eltham Copper Butterfly Festival
Saturday 7 November
5pm-8pm
Edendale Farm,
30 Gastons Road, Eltham
www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/festivals
Rotary Eltham Town Fair
Saturday 21 November,
12pm-9.30pm
Sunday 22 November, 9am-5pm
Eltham Town Square
and Alistair Knox Park
www.elthamfestival.org.au
Consider your pets at festival time
Residents need to secure their pets during fireworks displays.
OPEN DAY
Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre
Saturday 26 September
Clublinks is proud to be the new manager of the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness
Centre. It is opening the doors to the community for a free family open day so you can
come down and see everything the centre has to offer!
FREE activities

Face painting

Jumping castle

Arts and crafts at the child care

Free barbecue from 12pm to 1pm
Get active with us
Basketball, netball, badminton, table tennis and squash

Learn to play – free clinics all day across all sports

Join a team and meet the sports organisations

Gym membership promotions

Mega fit group fitness classes
Great prizes on offer all day, including free gym memberships!
www.diamondvalleysfc.com.au
Runners make their mark in Diamond Creek
Council has partnered with Diamond Creek Parkrun with the support of a donation from
Eltham Community Craft and Produce Market to install footpath signage to mark out a 5km
walk/run route along the Diamond Creek Trail.
Runners, walkers and sports groups are welcome to use the measured track at any time.
The route starts at Marngrook Oval and travels along the Diamond Creek Trail towards
Eltham before turning around at Allendale Road and heading back towards Marngrook
Oval via a small loop.
Parkrun offers a free 5km timed walk/run on Saturday mornings at 8am. Come on down!
www.parkrun.com.au/diamondcreek
Virtual golf at Yarrambat
Three state of the art indoor golf simulators have been installed at Yarrambat Park Golf
Course.
$20 half hour
$30 hour
*price for a single player non-member
You can now play golf on the best courses from around the world with high speed cameras
providing instant analysis of:
• ball velocity
• club speed
• impact point
• swing path
• angle of attack.
Virtual Golf is a great facility for any event, such as a corporate function, a birthday party
or just an excuse to get together.
Want to improve your game?
Book a one-on-one or group lesson on the simulator with our experienced golf
professional.
There have also been improvements to the driving range at Yarrambat with new driving
range bays and mats.
Bunkers Bistro is open for dinner from Wednesdays through to Fridays and on weekends
for breakfast and lunch.
Yarrambat Park Golf Course
9436 2201
Splash into summer
Diamond Creek Outdoor Pool opens for the summer season on 1 November and will be
open all summer until 31 March. The pool is located in Elizabeth Street, Diamond Creek.
The YMCA has been appointed to manage the pool for the next five years and it will be
offering exciting new programs and services.
The centre has a 25m pool, a toddler pool and change room facilities. Both pools are
heated to a comfortable 29 degrees. Council has recently improved the toddler pool area
to make it a great place to spend time with toddlers and babies.
The YMCA will be offering swim and survive school lessons as well as after school and
Saturday morning learn to swim classes.
If you are looking for a fun family outdoor outing or a comfortable lap swimming pool, away
from the crowds, then head down to the Diamond Creek Outdoor Pool this summer.
Youth Festival
'It starts with us'
Thanks to everyone involved in the 2015 Nillumbik Youth festival. Bring on 2016!
Nillumbik Youth Theatre
JUNIOR PRODUCTION: CHARLOTTE’S WEB THE MUSICAL
A very special pig and his friends are coming to Edendale Farm in November!
Charlotte’s Web the Musical, starring Nillumbik young people aged 10 – 14,
will be showing under the stars at Edendale Farm on Friday 27, Saturday 28 and Sunday
29 November.
A great activity for the whole family!
www.nillumbikyouth.vic.gov.au
Sing it out
Wednesdays, 4pm-5.30pm
7 October – 11 November
Hurstbridge Hall, HeidelbergKinglake Road, Hurstbridge
For singers of all levels - good, bad and brilliant; we will work on voice technique, how to
manage audition nerves, road test some harmonies and stage a performance.
Suitable for ages 10-25 years.
Cost: Free for NYT members,
$20 for non-members
Bookings and enquiries:
www.nillumbikyouth.vic.gov.au holly.teagle@nillumbik.vic.gov.au
9433 3168
Hairspray
Congratulations to cast and crew for a spectacular show!
For those keen on getting involved in 2016 we will be auditioning in November for the 2016
senior production.
Facebook.com/nillumbikyouth
www.nillumbikyouth.vic.gov.au
nyp@nillumbik.vic.gov.au
We need driving mentors
The Nillumbik L2P Learner Driver Mentor program has helped many young people gain
their drivers licence with the support of volunteer mentor drivers.
We currently have over 30 active L2P volunteer mentor drivers and we are on the lookout
for more. Access to L2P cars and training is provided.
If you are available to mentor for one hour a week or more and you like the sound of
volunteering that makes a real difference to the lives of young people please email
l2p@nillumbik.vic.gov.au
Youth Grants
Have you got a great idea for a project involving Nillumbik young people?
Funding is now available from Council to develop new youth-focussed programs and
events that increase participation for people aged 10-25 and empower young people to be
involved in local activities.
nillumbik.vic.gov.au/grants
bridget.muir@nillumbik.vic.gov.au
Selling Time to do battle
Good luck to local band Selling Time who will be competing in the Battle of the Bands
Northern Metro Regional Final at the Diamond Creek Rotary Town Fair on Saturday 12
September between 4pm-7.30pm at Coventry Oval, Diamond Creek.
Selling Time is competing for a place in the Battle of the Band Grand Final at Moomba
2016 and the chance to win over $11,000 in prizes. Good luck!
Eltham Library Community Gallery
Panther Place, Eltham
GALLERY HOURS
Monday – Thursday 10am-8.30pm
Friday – Saturday 10am-5pm
Sunday 1pm-5pm
Closed public holidays
Twain in Vain
3 – 28 September
Saara Lamberg & Steve McKenzie
Steel, Earth and Heat
3 – 28 September
Jack Latti & Tim Read
Sound of Japanese Ink
1 – 26 October
Junko Azukawa
Artist Open Studios
29 October – 23 November
Nillumbik Artists
DiversARTy
26 November – 14 December
Living & Learning Nillumbik
tutors and participants
Art and Wellbeing Panel Discussion
Saturday, 28 November, 1.30pm
Eltham Library
In partnership with Living & Learning Nillumbik join us for a discussion that explores the
psychological, physical, creative and community benefits of art.
The Slow Collective at the Practically Green Festival
Sunday 18 October, 10am-4.30pm
The Slow Collective (Tony Adams, Chaco Kato and Dylan Martorell) is an artistic collective
that focuses on creative practices and ethics relating to environmental sustainability,
material ethics, DIY culture and collaboration.
For this year’s Practically Green Festival their site specific outdoor art installation will
embrace the festival’s theme of ‘sustainable building’, exploring ideas such as
sustainability of the built form, unconventional building materials, architecture, energy and
water consumption. Festival details page 10.
www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/PGFestival
Laughing Waters Artist in Residence Program
SEPTEMBER
Sarah Wilmot: sound/voice and performance artist
Wilmot’s art practice involves voice and breathe, illuminating the sound landscape. As part
of her residency she will facilitate community walks in bush and built up environs to alter
perceptions of our outside and internal environment via auditory means.
Irene Pagram:
textile works
Pagram will focus on her eco dyeing projects specifically using the foliage of the iconic
Red Box Gum tree of Nillumbik to produce mixed media assemblage. She will also offer
eco dye workshops for interested participants/groups of all ages and abilities.
OCTOBER & NOVEMBER
David Adams and Evi van der Niet:
photography and video installations
Dutch artists Adams and Van der Niet describe themselves as freelance community
builders and story harvesters; empowering neighbours with community art projects related
to awareness of Social Green and Quality of Life. We are very happy to welcome two such
committed and well recognised artists.
Michelle Wright: writer
Wright writes short stories and flash fiction.
She wants readers to enter her stories and come out the other end with a reflection, an
emotion, a question, an insight, an unexpected feeling. Her stories have won The Age,
Alan Marshall, Grace Marion Wilson, Orlando and Magic Oxygen Short Story Awards, and
come second in the Bridport Prize and Overland VU Prize. She was awarded the 2013
Writers Victoria Templeberg Fellowship.
Enquiries: artsinfo@nillumbik.vic.gov.au
September calendar
Come visit the goats, lambs and baby chicks at Edendale these September school
holidays! Open 9.30am - 4.30pm daily, 30 Gastons Road Eltham.
2 September
Every Wednesday
9.30am-11am
Community organic vegie gardening
Living & Learning Eltham
Livinglearningnillumbik.vic.gov.au
3 September
3 September – 28 September
Art exhibitions @ ELCG
Twain In Vain
by Saara Lamberg and Steve Mckenzie
Steel, Earth and Heat
by Jack Latti and Tim Read
Eltham Library Community Gallery
nillumbik.vic.gov.au/ELCG
5 September
1pm-3.30pm
Gardening with the plants of Nillumbik
Cost: $25
Edendale
edendale.vic.gov.au
6 September
Hurstbridge Farmers’ Market
8.30am-1pm
hurstbridgefarmersmarket.com.au
7 September
Every Monday
12noon-5pm
Sewing and wool crafts MakerSpace
Living & Learning Eltham
livinglearningnillumbik.vic.gov.au
10 September
1pm-2pm
Gourmet sausage making
Diamond Valley Library
yprl.vic.gov.au
12 September
Diamond Creek Rotary Town Fair
Details page 10.
Remember to secure your pets during fireworks at festivals.
Workshops @ Edendale
1pm-3.30pm
Indigenous plant propagation
Cost: $25 edendale.vic.gov.au
2pm-4.30pm, Soil matters
Cost: Free edendale.vic.gov.au
14 September
School Holiday Bus
The school holiday bus will run on Tuesdays and Fridays during school holidays, providing
residents with a connection between the Hurstbridge train station and communities around
St Andrews, Smiths Gully, Panton Hill and Cottles Bridge.
Download the timetable from nillumbik.vic.gov.au
16 September
4pm-5pm
Get ready for the Grand Final
Children design a banner and make football buddies.
Diamond Valley Library
yprl.vic.gov.au
17 September
7pm
Courthouse Readings
Eltham Courthouse
728 Main Road
Eltham
21 September
ANZAC Centenary
Interpretive signage launch
Kangaroo Ground
Memorial Tower
RSVP 9433 3175
22 September
7pm-8pm
Ordinary Council Meeting
Civic Centre
nillumbik.vic.gov.au
26 September
FREE OPEN DAY
Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre
10am-1pm
Thai cooking workshop
Living & Learning Panton Hill
livinglearningnillumbik.vic.gov.au
30 September
First rates instalment due
10.30am-12.30pm
Backyard chooks for beginners
Cost: $25, Edendale edendale.vic.gov.au
1.30pm-2.30pm
The role of oral history in family history
Tips for gathering family histories through conversation with older family.
Diamond Valley Library yprl.vic.gov.au
School holidays @ Edendale
open 9.30am-4.30pm daily
30 Gastons Road, Eltham
www.edendale.vic.gov.au
Edendale’s school holiday program will focus on bees and pollination. Learn about why we
need to encourage bees into our garden and what indigenous plants bees are attracted to.
All the usual activities will be available including the popular natural play area, a new
Quest activity, a bee counting activity and a new eye spy.
October calendar
There are many activities happening in and around Nillumbik as part of the Victorian
Seniors Festival. Check out the fill calendar of activities at nillumbik.vic.gov.au/seniors
1 October
1 – 26 October
Sound of
Japanese Ink
Eltham Library Community Gallery
2 October
10.30am-11.30am
First Friday Chat:
Eltham old and new
Eltham Library
yprl.vic.gov.au
4 October
Open Farm Day
Visit ten Nillumbik farms that will open their gates to the public.
nillumbik.vic.gov.au/openfarmday
Hurstbridge
Farmers’ Market
8.30am-1pm
hurstbridgefarmersmarket.com.au
5 October and 12 October
6.45pm-9pm
Free antenatal sessions
Civic Centre
Bookings essential: 9433 3190
Monday 5 October –Monday 7 December
7pm-8.15pm
Yoga Bhava style
Living & Learning
Panton Hill
Livinglearning nillumbik.vic.gov.au
6 October
Seniors Week events
2pm-3pm
Art therapy
7 October
10.30am-11.30am
Grandparents storytime
Special story time and craft activity
Diamond Valley Library yprl.vic.gov.au
10 October
Vegetable seedling propagation
Saturday 10 October
2.30pm-4.30pm
Cost: $25
Edendale
edendale.vic.gov.au
11 October
11 – 18 October
9.30am-12noon
Introduction to mosaics
Living & Learning
Panton Hill
livinglearningnillumbik.vic.gov.au
12 October
10am-12noon
Beading workshop
Diamond Valley Library
yprl.vic.gov.au
15 October
9.45am-10.45am
Discovering dance in Eltham
Eltham North Hall. Bookings: 9433 3744
livinglearningnillumbik.vic.gov.au
11am-12noon, Stand Up, Speak Up
Presentation skill building workshop
Eltham Library yprl.vic.gov.au
16 October
7pm
Courthouse Readings
Eltham Courthouse
728 Main Road
Eltham
18 October
10am-4.30pm
Practically Green Festival
Edendale
nillumbik.vic.gov.au/PGFestival
19 October
Monday 19 October, 10am-12pm
Tuesday 20 October, 7pm-9pm
Living & Learning 2016 VET Info Sessions
Meet our trainers and hear all about our courses and your employment opportunities.
Living & Learning Nillumbik,
739 Main Road, Eltham
Bookings essential: 9433 3744
21 October
1pm-6pm
Every Wednesday
Leadlight and glass arts MakerSpace
Living & Learning Eltham
livinglearningnillumbik.vic.gov.au
24 October
10am-1pm
Indian cooking workshop
Living & Learning
Nillumbik Panton Hill
www.livinglearningnillumbik.vic.gov.au
3pm-4pm
Set up and maintain a worm farm
Cost: Free
Edendale
edendale.vic.gov.au
25 October
10am-4pm, Nillumbik Pet Expo
Marngrook Oval, Diamond Creek
nillumbik.vic.gov.au/petexpo
11am-6pm
On the Hill Panton Hill Festival
Firefighters Memorial Park,
Main Road, Panton Hill
26 October
12noon-5pm
Every Monday
Sewing and wool crafts
MakerSpace
Living & Learning
Eltham
livinglearningnillumbik.vic.gov.au
27 October
7pm-8pm
Ordinary Council Meeting
Civic Centre
nillumbik.vic.gov.au
28 October
11am-3pm
Free Children’s Week event
Ride the trains and play in the park.
Diamond Valley Miniature Railway,
Lower Park Eltham
November calendar
Celebrate the Eltham Copper Butterfly and the community effort to protect this amazing
species at the Eltham Copper Butterfly Festival on Saturday 7 November.
The Nillumbik L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program provides access to driving practice for
learner drivers aged 16-21 years who may be facing difficulty reaching the mandatory 120
hours driving practice.
nillumbikyouth.vic.gov.au/L2P
1 November
Hurstbridge Farmers’ Market
8.30am-1pm
Hurstbridgefarmersmarket.com.au
4 November
9.30am-11am
Every Wednesday Community organic vegie gardening
Living & Learning
Eltham
livinglearningnillumbik.vic.gov.au
5 November
9.30am-4.30pm
Every Thursday
Clay MakerSpace
Living & Learning
Eltham
livinglearningnillumbik.vic.gov.au
7 November
5pm-8pm
Eltham Copper Butterfly Festival
Edendale
edendale.vic.gov.au
11 – 18 November
Soy candle making
Living & Learning
Panton Hill
livinglearningnillumbik.vic.gov.au
18 November
10am-1pm
Every Wednesday
Soft toys and textiles
MakerSpace
Living & Learning Eltham
livinglearningnillumbik.vic.gov.au
19 November
7.30pm
Courthouse Readings
Eltham Courthouse, 728 Main Road,
Eltham. Details 0438 339 732
22 - 22 November
Saturday 21 (12pm-9.30pm) and
Sunday 22 November (9am-5pm)
Rotary Eltham Town Fair
Eltham Town Square/Alistair Knox Park
elthamfestival.org.au
24 November
7pm-8pm
Ordinary Council Meeting
Civic Centre
nillumbik.vic.gov.au
25 November
12noon-5pm
Every Wednesday
Paper crafts
MakerSpace
Living & Learning Eltham
livinglearningnillumbik.vic.gov.au
26 November –14 December
DiversARTy
An exhibition of works created by Living & Learning participants and tutors in 2015.
27 November
10.30am
Backyard chooks for beginners
Cost: $25
Edendale
edendale.vic.gov.au
29 November
8am-4pm
Free garden green waste drop off
Nillumbik Recycling & Recovery Centre,
290 Yan Yean Road, Plenty
nillumbik.vic.gov.au/waste
Artists Open Studios Exhibition
29 October – 23 November
Eltham Library Community Gallery
Artist Open Studio weekends
21-22 November and 28-29 November
Local artists open their studios doors to
the public. artistsopenstudios.com.au
Let’s get social!
facebook.com/NillumbikCouncil
facebook.com/nypyouth
facebook.com/NSCArts
facebook.com/LivingLearningNillumbik
facebook.com/edendalecentre
facebook.com/hurstbridgecommunityhub
facebook.com/NSCfamilyand
childrensservices
Your councillors
Mayor, Councillor Helen Coleman
0437 940 930 9439 0063
Helen.Coleman@nillumbik.vic.gov.au
ww.facebook.com/helen.coleman.73345
WINGROVE WARD
The Nillumbik Prize celebrates contemporary works of excellence by artists in the
Nillumbik region and I was thrilled to announce Jessie Imam as the winner of the 2015
competition for her work Diagram of Sentiment.
Congratulations also go to Jole Di Florio’s A Buck in Arthur’s Creek 2 and Jodi Wiley’s
Afternoon Light which were both highly commended.
Eltham Lower Park Accessible Play Space was recently chosen by Destination Melbourne
as one of Melbourne’s greatest playgrounds. While we all know it’s a fabulous playground
it’s nice to be recognised by Destination Melbourne. Inspired by the unique lifecycle of the
local Eltham Copper Butterfly with giant wooden caterpillar and butterfly panels, the
playground connects with the native area while the kids burn off all of their energy.
Deputy Mayor,
Councillor Anika Van Hulsen
0408 281 905
Anika.Vanhulsen@nillumbik.vic.gov.au
BUNJIL WARD
After trying for over a decade, I am very excited to finally achieve significant funding
allocations for two very important recreational trails.
The line marking of bike lanes along the main road between Wattle Glen and Hurstbridge
will address serious safety concerns and work is progressing on planning the extension to
the scenic Diamond Creek Trail which showcases the natural beauty of our landscape.
Both trails will be a real boon for the whole of the Shire – enhancing recreational
opportunities for residents and visitors and economic benefits to businesses.
Also worth checking out are the new multi-purpose nets in Panton Hill and the swale and
paths at the Peppers Paddock wetlands in Wattle Glen.
Councillor Michael Young
0437 840 866 9431 1972
Michael.Young@nillumbik.vic.gov.au
EDENDALE WARD
I’m proud that Edendale is an important part of my ward and the recent renovation works
have proved successful with visitation more than doubling in the past four years, with use
of the site now exceeding 70,000 per annum.
The school holiday programs are rapidly increasing in popularity, with over 3,000 children
now participating in the organised activities each year. Adult workshops are also very
popular as they provide an opportunity for learning and sharing in a group environment.
Volunteering is a key contributor to the success of Edendale and offers learning and social
opportunities for over 40 volunteers each week. Community participation in events held at
Edendale continues to grow. The site is ideally positioned for large scale community
events such as the recent Youth Festival.
Councillor Ken King
0427 549 759
Ken.King@nillumbik.vic.gov.au
SUGARLOAF WARD
Sugarloaf Ward is known for its beautiful environment and it’s important we protect that as
much as we can and that’s why the work of the Green Army is important. The Green Army
is a federally funded program which gives 17 to 24 year olds an opportunity to make a real
difference to the environment through local on-ground work.
Council’s army has been working on a six month project called Making Connections:
Nillumbik Habitat Corridors Project and much of that work has taken place within
Sugarloaf’s significant bushland reserves. The work includes revegetation, rabbit control,
fencing, rubbish removal, trail maintenance, weed control, weed mapping and fauna
monitoring.
The nine young people all have an interest in land management and have shown such
enthusiasm and willingness to learn that I’m sure they’ll all have great careers in
environmental protection in the future.
Councillor Peter Perkins
0437 455 064
Peter.Perkins@nillumbik.vic.gov.au
ELLIS WARD
I’m happy to report that I’ve secured some of this year’s budget
for Diamond Creek for a new footbridge from Campbell Street Reserve to the large offleash area and the new dog park behind the bowling club at Diamond Creek Reserve.
The playground and the toilets near the netball courts are also overdue for an upgrade and
we’re hoping to secure funds from the State Government’s new Interface Growth Fund to
complete that. The Interface Growth Fund is $50 million which will be shared amongst the
10 outer metropolitan Melbourne councils.
In my last column I mentioned that the toilets at the Plaza would be completed but due to
some administrative issues this was delayed and work is now due to be completed by the
end of September.
Councillor Meralyn Klein
0407 801 066
Meralyn.Klein@nillumbik.vic.gov.au
BLUE LAKE WARD
I continue advocacy for the upgrade of Yan Yean Road, meeting with Shadow Ministers in
coming weeks.
Work continues around the Yarrambat Township with the appointment of an advisory
group, looking at proposals, draft strategies and our consultation process for the Township
Plan.
As chair of Council’s Memorials Committee it has been my privilege to oversee the
upgrade of many of Nillumbik’s War Memorials including the recent launch of the
Hurstbridge Memorial Park interpretive signage and the Hurstbridge Avenue of Honour
plaque.
I would like to draw your attention to the proposed major changes to the Significant
Landscape Overlays Council is considering. For queries or information on how this will
affect your property please contact me as your ward councillor on 0407 801 066.
Councillor Bronnie Hattam
0400 411 862
Bronnie.Hattam@nillumbik.vic.gov.au
SWIPERS GULLY WARD
As Chair of the Inclusion Advisory Committee and Community Network I’m pleased to call
for participants for a great new leadership program being brought to you from Women with
Disabilities (Victoria) called Enabling Women Leadership Program for Women with
Disabilities which is taking place in October.
If you would like more information about the program please contact Jane Oldfield on 9286
7807 or email Jane.Oldfield@wdv.org.au.
We recently met with Jenny Macklin MP at Araluen, Lower Plenty to launch a book titled
Models of Housing and Support which canvassed different models for housing people
living with a disability.
It gave us plenty of food for thought regarding possibilities for our Community Housing
Project. There is clearly a need in our community for supported housing.
Reckless fires
Did you know that more than 80 per cent of bushfires are deliberately lit or caused by
recklessness?
These types of fires can be prevented and are a crime, just like arson.
Recklessly causing a bushfire has a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment and/or
$35,000 fine.
If you burn off and don’t extinguish the fire you can be charged even if this is outside the
declared fire danger period. If you operate machinery such as mowers and angle grinders
without taking the right precautions, you can also be prosecuted.
If you are unsure of your responsibilities and what you are allowed to do on high fire
danger days, days of total fire ban and during the fire danger period, visit the Can I can’t I
section of www.cfa.vic.gov.au
Fire Danger Period
CFA declares the Fire Danger Period for each shire at different times in the lead up to the
fire season. It depends on the amount of rain, grassland curing rate and other local
conditions.
Check out the CFA website to find out when the Fire Danger Period is declared in
Nillumbik.
www.cfa.vic.gov.au
Getting ready for summer
Work is underway to prepare the Shire for summer. Council undertakes bushfire mitigation
works on roadsides and Council reserves including box clearance, slashing and vegetation
removal.
While managing vegetation is an important part of managing fire risk it is not the complete
answer. The CFA advises that when the fire danger rating is at severe or higher, fires that
start and take hold may be uncontrollable. Under these conditions roads are likely to be
impassable due to smoke and falling trees. Residents should consider this and their own
situation when developing their fire plans.
Council manages about seven per cent of the land across the Shire. It is timely for all
residents to consider what action they can take to make their own properties safer.
www.cfa.vic.gov.au
Is your family prepared?
It is important to plan what you will do in an emergency and prepare your family, your pets
and your home, and consider things such as electricity loss.
If you are already prepared, speak to your neighbours who might need help; the elderly
and those living alone might appreciate assistance.
To help you with bushfire preparedness, visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au for storms and floods,
visit www.ses.vic.gov.au and for preparing for all emergencies, visit www.redcross.org.au
Free green waste drop off
8am-4pm
Sunday 29 November 2015
Sunday 7 February 2016
Recycling & Recovery Centre,
290 Yan Yean Road, Plenty
We accept tree prunings, garden clippings, leaves and grass (as many trailer loads as you
like). We do not accept commercial loads or food waste.
Free drop off is for Nillumbik residents only – remember to bring your rates notice or
drivers licence to show you live in the Shire.
Other disposal options
GREEN BIN
For smaller properties, residents are encouraged to use their green waste bin every week
to gradually dispose of garden material stockpiles all year round.
You can also drop off garden materials for a charge at our Recycling & Recovery Centre
on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday (closed Tuesday, Wednesday,Thursday and
public holidays).
www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/waste
Nillumbik Shire Council
Civic Drive, Greensborough VIC 3088
Telephone 9433 3111 | Facsimile 9433 3777
Email nillumbik@nillumbik.vic.gov.au
Web www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au
Cover caption: Some of the talented cast from the 2015 Nillumbik Youth Theatre senior
production of Hairspray.
Nillumbik News is available in alternative formats on request.
Contact 9433 3188. Printed in Nillumbik, using vegetable inks on Australian-made recycled
paper.
www.facebook.com/nillumbikcouncil
@nillumbikshire