Maranoa WardDECEMBER 2017

Cr Cynthia Watson

9835 7846 or 0419 488 204cynthia.watson@boroondara.vic.gov.au

Cr Cynthia Watson proves your local shops can provide all your Christmas day feast needs.

A message from your CouncillorA vibrant local economy forms an important foundation for a sustainable city. What does our local economy look like?

There are over 15,000 sole traders and 8,800 businesses who employ others in Boroondara. We also have over 1,300 retail traders in 53 shopping strips who are an important part of our local economy. In preparing the Boroondara Community Plan we asked what you thought about your local shops and businesses and you said: “We value the presence of vibrant shops in our community.”

At university I remember learning about the Butterfly effect. This is the idea that ‘small actions can have larger effects’, that the flapping of the wings of a butterfly can create a large tornado. With the explosion of online shopping and relentless expansion of large shopping centres, we sometimes forget that we ‘vote’ with our wallets when we spend money. We fail to realise that like the flapping wings of the butterfly, the small spending choices we make matter in creating and sustaining a functioning local economy.

Why shop local?1. Supporting our local traders supports

our local economy. Research shows that for every dollar spent in a local business, 63 cents stays within the local economy compared with 40 cents spent at a large regional centre.

2. It’s ethical! Local suppliers such as butchers, bakers and fruiterers have shorter paddock to plate journeys.

3. Our cafes and eateries build community by providing people a place to relax and socialise, and often host local events.

4. Uniqueness. Local traders often support fledgling designers, artists and artisans in our local area.

Christmas sales can account for a third or more of a small trader’s annual turnover which makes supporting our local traders at this time of year so important. Think global, act local and find Christmas with all the trimmings from our traders in Boroondara.While we prepare for our Christmas celebrations let us not forget the true spirit of the season and be a little kinder to each other. Christmas is more than a time of

festivities, family, and friends; it is a season of generosity, gladness, and gratitude. We can support each other through small and simple things like offering to collect mail for a neighbour on holiday, checking in on the elderly on hot summer days, and remembering that there are those in our community who need our kindness this Christmas. If I could extend the butterfly metaphor a little further and say, come out of your cocoons and look around for the small things you can do for others, and make our community a beautiful place this Christmas.My best wishes to you and your family this Christmas and a prosperous and Happy New Year in 2018.

Cynthia Watson

North East Community Hub progressing Work on the North East Community Hub is progressing well and the building is now close to lock-up stage.

Works on the internal fit-out and services will begin shortly before landscaping around the site is undertaken. The hub is on track for completion in mid-2018. Our community can look forward to a great hub with a range of services, including the North Balwyn RSL, a library lounge, neighbourhood house with community meeting spaces and allied health and counselling services.

For young families, the hub will house the Greythorn Maternal and Child Health Centre and Greythorn Early Childhood Centre and Kindergarten, plus a new occasional care service.

For more details about the new hub, including temporary locations for services, or to receive regular email updates, visit www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/nech

Work is progressing on the North-East Community Hub

North Balwyn Men’s Shed openingThe North Balwyn Community Men’s Shed opened in September.

The community-based, non-profit organisation aims to provide a welcoming and friendly environment where men can work on meaningful projects together.The purpose-built North Balwyn Community Men’s Shed is one of four Men’s Sheds in the City of Boroondara and is the result of a partnership between Council and the North Balwyn Rotary Club, with support from the North Balwyn Bowls Club and the Australian Government.Men’s Sheds are playing an increasingly important role in supporting men’s health and wellbeing, providing opportunities for them to socialise and engage in activities of mutual interest.

For further information call 0447 740 142 or visit www.northbalwynmensshed.com

Balwyn Heritage Study Peer ReviewThe Palace Cinema in Balwyn, or Balwyn Theatre as it was originally known, is a local institution.

Constructed in 1928-29 and opened in 1930, it is one of the oldest cinemas still in operation in Australia and continues to be a favourite place for local families to watch films.The Balwyn Theatre is of historical, architectural and aesthetic significance to the City of Boroondara. It was the first picture theatre in our City to be purpose-built for sound films as opposed to silent films and is one of only two surviving cinemas in our City that pre date the “picture palace” boom of the later 1930s and early 1940s. The building is a great example of an inter-war picture theatre in a style that characterised popular architecture of the 1920s. The Balwyn Theatre is just one of the many heritage properties in Balwyn that we want to protect from demolition and development by including it in the Heritage Overlay to the Boroondara Planning Scheme. The mechanism to do this is through the Balwyn Heritage Study Peer Review.The Balwyn Heritage Study Peer Review is part of Council’s ongoing heritage work and involves a number of stages. Recently, Council sought feedback on the draft heritage citations for the Balwyn Theatre and eleven other properties as well as two precincts. The next step is for the Urban Planning Special Committee to consider the feedback received.

To keep up-to-date with the project visit www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/bhspr or contact Nick Brennan, Senior Strategic Planner on 9278 4535.

Christmas with all the trimmings at Balwyn Heights VillageThis Christmas you don’t have to travel too far from home to find everything you need to make your Christmas day feast one of the best you’ve ever had.

As you avoid the crowds and mayhem of large, impersonal shopping centres, shop at your local butcher and green grocers for all your midday roast needs. You can even find specialty wine, champagne and all your other favourite alcoholic beverages for Christmas at your local liquor store. And why not reward yourself at a local cafe with a coffee, brunch or a delicious treat to take home?And while you’re supporting your local community, take in the Christmas window displays put together by traders participating in Boroondara’s inaugural

Christmas window display competition. Visit www.facebook.com/boroondaralife and like and share your favourite festive shop window for a chance to win one of ten, $100 shopping vouchers.

Visit www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/christmas for more information on Christmas in Boroondara, including market dates and events.

Shopping for your Christmas feast doesn't have to be stressful: sourcing all your ingredients from local traders takes the pressure off!

Snap, Send and Solve graffitiHave you noticed graffiti on Council property, or overgrown vegetation on shared trails or nature strips? Even during the busy festive season, Snap Send Solve makes reporting these issues to Council quick and easy. This free, user-friendly app for iPhone and Android users allows people to report incidents to Council from the palm of their hand.

Simply follow these five simple steps:1. Download Snap Send Solve from

the App Store or Google Play2. Start a new report3. Snap a photo of the incident

or issue4. Set your location5. Send it to us

Use Snap Send Solve to let us know about many issues, including:• graffiti on Council property• dumped rubbish• footpath and road faults• faulty Council assets, such as public

toilets, seats and tables, playground equipment

• damaged drains• parking issues.

Going on holidays? What about Fido? Dogs are social creatures and can suffer from separation anxiety when left alone. This may cause them to bark excessively.You can reduce your dog’s distress by maintaining their usual care and routine. Consider organising a pet-sitter or booking a doggy day-care. It is also a good idea to check that your fence is secured to prevent injuries and escapee pets. Barking can significantly impact others and dog owners are ultimately responsible for preventing this nuisance behaviour.

For tips on training and management techniques visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/pets/dogs/training-and-behavioural-problems/barking .

Web: boroondara.vic.gov.auTelephone: 9278 4444

Postal address: Private Bag 1 Camberwell VIC 3124

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