Kingston Council Update
Key points
- Launch of ‘Talking Kingston’ – a year-round consultation that invites the community to provide feedback and ideas on projects and initiatives to feed into future Council budgets. Talking Kingston will provide the community with early input and a greater level of influence over Council decisions. It will also promote increased transparency, with Council regularly reporting back to the community on where their feedback has impacted key outcomes. Access Talking Kingston via the Your Kingston Your Say Page
- ‘Integrated Water Strategy adopted’ – Conserving drinking water, increasing the use of alternative water, improving our flood management (including prevention and response) and improving the quality of stormwater runoff that flows into our watercourses and into Port Phillip Bay are the major objectives of Kingston’s new Integrated Water Strategy. The strategy and supporting documents received strong support during public consultation held across July, August and September this year and will guide our water management for the next decade
- Community consultation on Urban Forest Strategy – Consultation is set to kick off on the draft Urban Forest Strategy. Kingston’s canopy cover is currently low at just 12.3% and projections show that without intervention, it will decrease by 2030. The strategy establishes the direction and actions to increase canopy cover across Kingston to 20% by 2050
- Peri-urban Weed Management Partnership funding from DELWP. Council, in partnership with the Bunurong Land Council are successful in obtaining $400K funding over 4 years to set up an indigenous ranger team and work on weeds and ‘return to country’ projects.
Updates for bushland team
- Recruiting for two new rangers now and an apprentice early in new year.
- Update on weed contract, Seeds are doing a good job during a very wet spring.
- Habitat hectare assessment being undertaken by Practical Ecology, council is meeting up with consultant prior to Christmas break to review how they are tracking. Report due March next year.
- National Standards – Council staff undertook some training recently and will be incorporating the National Standards principles into maintenance programs early in new year.
- Bradshaw Victorian Environment Friends Network grant. Lee met with fauna consultant to look at appropriate species habitat boxes and their monitoring. Awaiting quote.
Port Phillip Conservation Council Annual General Meeting
Catherine Mc Guinness spoke on Climate Change and sea level rises. Jenny Warfe has a copy of film presented.
Incremental Creep
Brief discussion on writing a standard statement asking DELWP (now known as Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action) and Kingston Officers to adhere to the Marine Coastal Management Plan 2014 and the Coastal and Marine Management Plan (Draft Oct 2021 still not passed). To be discussed at February Meeting.
Peter Scullin Reserve
Extra space has been taken up by the planned Play space, works to be commenced in March.
Mentone Life Saving Club
The playground will be built up due to Climate Change.
Environment and Open Spaces Strategic Advisory Committee
Urban Forest Strategy. The draft is available on Your Kingston Your Say until February 20th 2023
Golf courses
Rossdale – Plans to rezone. Proposal has not gone to members yet.
Kingswood – Looks like limited development will go ahead
Jeff Yucovich is doing a flora survey of all golf courses.
Mordialloc Sporting Club
Have applied to amend their existing permit to allow ” live music on any day up to 9pm….”
Nearby residents are concerned about music being played on the outdoor terrace.
Written to the Manager – City Development City of Kingston.
The meeting concluded and was followed by an end of year lunch. Thank you to everyone for your contribution.