29 September 2020

 You might find the following of interest?

Proposed Pedestrian Refuge in East Ave: A substantial petition has been presented to Council calling for the proposed pedestrian crossing near Rise and Grind to not be constructed. This crossing was proposed during the recent Local Area Traffic management Plan and has been endorsed by Council. However, it would seem that the owner and the tenant at Rise and Grind believe that the crossing is unnecessary and too many car parks will be lost that will reduce income for the business. Over 400 people signed the petition and nearly half of these are local residents. There is one person

 making a deputation in support of abandoning the proposal. PASSED

  • Walking and Cycling Plan- KWR and Simpson Pde: A separate bike path has been proposed that will link the end of the Mike Turtur bikeway to Greenhill Rd. These plans will go to the residents for consultation. PASSED
  • Draft Community Land Management Plans for Consultation: This policy lists all of Council owned parks and open spaces and describes level of service that should apply  to each space. PASSED
  • Review of the Footpath Trading Policy: This will allow for minor changes to the existing policy PASSED
  • Alliance Francaise Event Change: The much loved Xmas Markets will not be held but the organisation would like to add to Unley's murals by having a mural painted on their building in Wayville. PASSED
  • Financial Measures to Achieve the Tree Canopy Target: Council asked staff to investigate methods that can be employed to encourage residents to plant and retain trees on their land. It would seem that some methods can be applied that are both legal and effective. However, Council is progressing with caution as ratepayers may lose a  rebate if the canopy cover on their property is diminished over a given period of time. PASSED
  • Representation Review: I have written a earlier blog on this. PASED but with an additional clause to continue with the status quo.
  • Variation of the Mayor's Allowance: This asks for Council to approve the use of a Council owned ipad and an additional 500 business cards per year. In my opinion these are trivial costs that I am surprised that we need Council approval of. I also wonder this in light of the fact that an additional staff member has been employed to assist the current Mayor with his duties. PASSED
  • Vote for LGA President: There a 3 nominations all from good candidates
  • Vote for LGA Membership (GAROC): This one is more difficult as there is an internal nomination. I intend to vote for the persons that have given the best argument for why they should represent me.
  • Single Use Plastics: This is a motion from Cr Dewing calling for investigating options to encourage retailers to reduce the use of these products. PASSED
  • Climate Change Statement: This is a motion form Cr Hughes that askes for Council to better inform our residents of the work that Council is doing and intends to do to mitigate the effects of Climate Change. It does not call for a a Climate Emergency to be declared and may fall well short of what our residents have been asking for. The debate on this will be had at the October meeting. PASSED but the stronger version will be debated in October
  • Dog Waste Bins and Bags supplied by Council: Cr Dewing is also asking that all dog poo bags dispensed by Council be compostable. PASSED.

28 September 2020

Goodwood Grandstand to to be opened Oct 18th

 


With the new building near completion it seems that it is time to celebrate. The building will be officially opened on Oct 18th at 12pm. This will coincide with an Open Day that is being hosted by Goodwood Saints between 10am and 2pm the same day. This has been completed on time and on budget.


13 September 2020

Pool has reopened

Jennie Boisvert - Councillor for Clarence Park Ward: Unley Pool looking  good for summer


While the facility will re-open, operations will look different to past years, with several considered and balanced controls being put in place for the safety of our customers and staff. These controls ensure the facility is operating efficiently and consider the current economic climate, whilst ensuring we meet all legislative requirements and set a socially responsible example for our community.

While some of these controls may not initially be welcomed by our patrons, we believe them to be necessary, and they offer Council the flexibility to further relax restrictions, or to tighten them, should this become necessary. The controls are like those which are currently in place at indoor swim centres and will be at other outdoor pools when they reopen soon. We have put a clear communications plan in place to ensure our current members and the wider community remain well informed.

Changes to our regular Swimming Centre re-opening include;

• A COVID-Safe Plan is in place, which stipulates our obligations and requirements, including cleaning protocols and contact tracing.

• Resident clubs, community clubs and all user groups will require a COVID-Safe Plan for their activities.

• On days when attendance at the facility is expected to be above 200, a designated COVID Marshal will be in place.

Memberships from the previous season remain valid up to Sunday 15 November 2020, representing the period of lost time resulting from the early closure March 2020.

• The centre will not accept new members until 15 November 2020, however after this date (conditions permitting) season passes will be sold at a reduced rate based on the time left in season. Multi visit pass sales will also resume. Until this time patrons will still be able to access the facility via the casual admission charges set by the 2020/21 Fees and Charges schedule.

• All patrons will be required to pre-book their visit, with time limits in place - one hour for fitness and two hours for recreation. We have sourced and will be using an online booking system that interfaces with Council’s website and social media platforms. Bookings will be taken for pre-assigned session times and categories (e.g. lap swimming, recreation, rehabilitation and programs classes), with capacity limits in place. Staff will assist patrons who need support with making bookings online.

• Swimming lessons will have capacity limits, and the program will be spread out across a greater area within the facility. The major changes to this program will be communicated in late September, closer to the program’s scheduled start on Monday 12 October 2020.

• The cafĂ© service will be limited to takeaway and packaged items only for customers and there will be no sit-down services offered initially

During the recent closure period we have completed several key capital works projects, which include;

• Installation of a new shade structure spanning the width of the main pool’s shallow end and covering the northern walkway (see picture attached).


10 September 2020

Council likely to reduce number of Councillors

 At a briefing this week we discussed a response for our representation review in line with the intended legislation that will limit the maximum number of Councillors to 12, including the mayor. We have so far discussed reducing to 11+1, 10+1 and 9 +1 arranged as a single electorate,  5 wards with 2 each, 4 wards with 3 or 4 each (or a combination) and 3 wards with 3 each. This matter will be consulted with the public and the results brought back to Council for determination. At  this point I'm favouring 3x3, but can see some benefit in the first option or second options as well.

Parkside Bi-election result

Parkside Ward – Vote 1: Jennifer Bonham for Resilient Neighbourhoods

Jennifer Bonham is Council's newest member as she was elected yesterday. She will fill the vacancy created when Mike Hudson retired a few months ago. Jennifer will be sworn it at the September Council meeting. I wish her all the best and look forward to working with her again. We were both on the Unley DAP  for some time a quite a while ago.


How to save $20million?

In a recent article in the paper they calculated the cost of people not using the correct bins for the weekly pickup. It is estimated and 40% of the contents of the blue is food scraps (much of which was still edible on the day of disposal). These scraps should be placed in the green bin as they are compatible. The contents of this bin goes directly to Jeffries to be composted thus removing the waste from the red bin that Council has to send to landfill at a significant cost to ratepayers. All households in Unleywill soon receive a green caddy and a years supply of compostible bags to further progress process.

03 September 2020

Green Verges: apply now

Greening Verges are back for 2020! Unley residents and organisations are now eligible to apply for a Greening Verges Incentive to assist in greening their verge (nature strip).
For a limited number of successful applicants, Council will remove existing dolomite and replace with 100mm depth of soil at no cost, leaving the verges ready for planting.
Verge gardening

 

 Applications are available online or hardcopies at the Council Civic Centre. Applications close on Monday 28 September, but don't delay as spots will be allocated on a ‘first qualified in, first served’ basis. 

Please note that applicants must agree to source and pay costs associated with plants, planting the verge and ongoing maintenance.

 Council encourages residents to take ownership of their verge areas as this enhances our streetscapes and the kerb appeal of residences throughout the City. 

In addition to extra greenery, landscaping a verge contributes in many positive ways by:

  • providing a healthier environment for street trees
  • softening the effect of hard surfaces such as roads and footpaths
  • improving air quality
  • working at natural air conditioners through moisture in leaves
  • reducing stormwater run-off, and
  • providing habitat for small creatures like bees and butterflies.

Need Some Verge Garden Inspiration?

Our display verges at Edmund Avenue showcase a variety of plants and treatments that you could use to transform your verge into an attractive garden feature.
Take a stroll down Edmund Avenue, Unley and be inspired by contemporary, cottage, natural and formal layout examples, including different path ideas. All meet the guidelines of safe plant choices and low plant heights to ensure good sight lines for road users. A matching planting guide with suggested plant species is also available.