Save our Family Parks!

Our family parks are under threat from m****-grab**** councillors who have long campaigned to sell these community assets so that other pet projects of theirs can be realised!

Those peaceful green oases scattered around our municipality, usually the size of a residential block, have long been under siege. The showdown is at the pubic Council Meeting, Tue 2nd Feb 2010!

Long before I became a councillor, I supported a petition to save my local "unclassified reserve" in Coolabah Street, Doncaster. Current Council Policy allows for these reserves to go unnamed, unsigned and neglected. When play equipment falls into disrepair, it is removed, not repaired or replaced! By oficially calling them "unclassified reserves", some residents feel, as do I, that this is an attempt to belittle their true worth to the community.

Join me in my fight to protect our community assets! I have raised the following Councillor Motion at the public Council Meeting on 2nd Feb 2010. Show your support by attending at 7pm or writing to all councillors at: councillors@manningham.vic.gov.au.

Don't let them steal our parks!

Councillor Reid's motion:

Manningham City Council resolves:

1. That the term "Unclassified Reserves" as defined in 3.2.4 of the Open Space Strategy 2004 be immediately discontinued and replaced by the term "Family Parks", since this better reflects their true community value.

2. That Manningham Council immediately commences a review, independent of the broader Open Space Strategy Review, of all its policies directly dealing with "Family Parks" (currently designated "Unclassified Reserves"). This review is to also focus on reviewing the appropriateness or otherwise of current Council policies relating to the maintenance of these community assets, in particular their signage, play equipment and future use. Of particular concern are recommendations 23 to 27, and 46 of the Open Space Strategy 2004, and sections 3.3.2, 3.3.3, 3.3.4 and 3.5.2.

3. That this review involve significant community consultation including a Mayor's letter to all residents previously recorded as objecting to Council about its policies relating to "Unclassified Reserves" and/or their possible sale.

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Parking issues around Doncaster Hill

Manningham has the dubious distinction of having the highest number of cars per household in the whole of Melbourne and is the only urban municipality without any form of public rail infrastructure. Ever increasing housing density and the huge popularity of Doncaster Shoppingtown can only exacerbate the parking and congestion problems our residents already face.

To this end, I have responded to community petitions by raising the following motion to be debated at the public Council Meeting to be held Tue 2nd Feb 2010 at 7pm. I encourage all concerned residents to support me in my endeavours, by writing to "councillors@manningham.vic.gov.au" (which reaches all elected councillors) and / or attending the council meeting.

Councillor Reid's Motion:
With regard to strong community sentiment relating to on-street parking around the Doncaster Hill area, and in particular, the petition received from residents of Tiffany and Adele Courts Doncaster, Manningham Council resolves to:

1. Reflect the wishes of the majority of residents by immediately implementing Permit Parking restrictions in Tiffany and Adele Courts, Doncaster, to ensure consistency with the adjacent streets which already have these parking conditions.

2. Examine other streets around Doncaster Hill which may also have parking restrictions inconsistent with their adjoining streets and recommend measures for these streets.

3. Undertake a comprehensive strategic review of the current and projected future parking and traffic volumes around Doncaster Hill, with recommendations on suitable parking restrictions, enforcement and mitigation strategies. The review should reflect the likely continued increase in residential and commercial development within the area, particularly should the Eastern Golf Course redevelopment eventuate. It should also critically examine the current trend in parking dispensations for commercial developments and consider the impact of possible new public transport e.g. tram.