abouttown Issue 11 Autumn 2015 Message from the Mayor of Walkerville On Australia Day 2015, I had the honour of conferring citizenship to eleven people and their families. This year, we had applicants from the United Kingdom, China, India, the US, Japan and Iran. From the four corners of the globe, they and their families, call the Town of Walkerville home; bringing fresh ideas, new experiences and diversity and adding value and vibrancy to our way of life. One message I was keen to communicate on the day; and which I think is so important in developing a cohesive, close knit ‘village’; is the importance of being active citizens. We have local groups and associations involved at every level of community life – sports, heritage, environment, education and social programs. There are many opportunities and ways to get involved. A learning during my time in this role is the number and longevity of some of our local community groups. One of these being the Gilberton Amateur Swimming Club which celebrated its Centenary in February. This organisation was formed in 1915, with the principal aim to teach and encourage the art of swimming and methods of lifesaving. Eventually, the deterioration of the River Torrens and the competing attractions from suburban public pools would lead to the demise of the Club. However, the Club continues its work through an investment scheme that enables neighbouring schools to offer free swimming lessons to children. Recently, I became the Patron of the Walkerville Bowling Club, which will be celebrating its own Centenary in 2017. One of our local primary schools, St Andrew’s will be celebrating its 165th year in 2015. In April, the Walkerville RSL will be commemorating the centenary of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli at their annual Dawn Service. Council has entered into an agreement to sponsor the Dawn Service to be held at the Memorial Gardens on Church Terrace. I hope to see many of you there to reflect on this particularly significant milestone in our nation’s history. walkerville.sa.gov.au I’m a great believer in getting out of the office and seeing, and hearing, things first-hand. Actually taking the issue out of the meeting room and onto the street, can provide a different perspective and help get to the heart of the matter. Which is why a few weeks ago, on a Sunday morning, Elected Members, Administration staff and I, took a bus tour around the Township to look at some of the places that are on Council’s agenda. As we travelled around the neighbourhood; getting out on foot to look at various reserves and walking trails; it highlighted once again, that the priority of traffic and transport management is a key issue for Council. Whether you drive, walk, cycle, use public transport or a mobility scooter, we must ensure that our streets and public spaces are safe and user-friendly – for everyone. I am pleased to announce that in December 2014, Council received funding of $50,000 from the Motor Accident Commission (MAC). This grant will go towards the cost of installing a wombat crossing on the western side of the Smith Street roundabout on Walkerville Terrace. This location was supported directly though the public consultation sessions held for the Movement Management Plan in 2014. This plan will be available from Council’s website. Furthermore, in February, Council endorsed the Movement Action Plan which sets out a list of priority actions to resolve specific movement related issues in the Town. In the next issue of About town, I will be providing more information on the establishment of our community liaison groups. I want these groups to provide an active and positive platform to share ideas and identify opportunities for the improvement and enhancement of our community. Raymond (Ray) Grigg Mayor of Walkerville above: Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony, Mayor Grigg with the new Australian Citizens and families. Issue 11 Autumn 2015 ANZAC Day Dawn Service: Gallipoli 2015 “Sound the Last Post again, lest we forget the freedom that we cherish has been bought – not found like mushrooms in the field; the debt is ours to pay, mindful of those who fought and fell.” Excerpt from Sonnet for ANZAC Day by Alf Wood. The upcoming Centenary of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli, will lend a particular significance to this year’s Dawn Service held in the Memorial Gardens on Church Terrace. In light of this Centenary year, Council entered into an agreement with the Walkerville RSL to sponsor the 2015 commemorations. The RSL is expecting thousands of people at the service and preparations for the event are well underway. For the first time, large TV screens will be positioned at vantage points in the Memorial Gardens to accommodate the expected crowds. In addition, the Council has been carrying out a range of works in the Gardens, including new planting, landscaping and improved irrigation. Following the Dawn Service, the RSL will be hosting an ANZAC Day breakfast for up to 500 people in the car park area. Entry is by gold coin donation. ‘I would like to acknowledge Walkerville Council for sponsoring the 2015 ANZAC Day event and for the work they have undertaken in enhancing the Memorial Gardens to ensure they will be at their best. Obviously, this is a very important day for the RSL, but it is also an important day for the community and I would like to encourage people who have never attended a Dawn Service to do so in this Centenary year’, says Norm Coleman, President of the Walkerville RSL and organiser of the event. Photos: Victoria Berekmeri walkerville.sa.gov.au While this year, will see a greater focus on Gallipoli, the spirit of ANZAC Day remains constant: to reflect and to remember those who have served and died in all wars and conflicts. Walkerville Memorial Gardens Church Terrace, Walkerville 6.15 am, 25 April 2015 Breakfast at the Walkerville RSL & Community Centre, car park, 98 Walkerville Tce, Walkerville. Gold coin donation Poppies will be available for a donation. Enquiries to Norm Coleman, mob 0417 817 568 [email protected] Issue 11 Autumn 2015 Give happy. Live happy “Not only are volunteers helping make the lives of everyone around them happier, they too are happier as a result. Research tells us that just a few hours of volunteer work makes a difference in people’s happiness. It’s proven that volunteers are happier, healthier and even sleep better than those who don’t volunteer.” Brett Williamson, CEO, Volunteering Australia. Every year, as part of National Volunteer Week, the Town of Walkerville acknowledges the commitment and contribution of local volunteers and community events. Awards are offered in three categories: Volunteer of the year: Young volunteer of the year: Community event of the year: For exceptional voluntary service by an individual who has benefited the Town of Walkerville. This award is only for people aged over 35 years. This award can recognise a volunteer who has worked in the community for a long-period of time, as well as someone who is new to volunteering, but who has made an outstanding contribution to the Township. The nominee does not need to live in the Township, but must demonstrate a connection to it, through their volunteering activities. Nominations for individuals who live in the Township but who volunteer outside the Council area will be considered. For exceptional voluntary service by an individual who has benefited the Town of Walkerville. This award is only for people aged 35 years or under. The nominee does not need to live in the Township, but must demonstrate a connection to it, through their volunteering activities. This award is also open to students from the Town of Walkerville, who have taken part in volunteering, either in their local school, community, or through other volunteering programs. For a local event held between February 2014 and February 2015 in the Town of Walkerville, that demonstrated a strong local community focus and volunteering element. Individuals can self-nominate for the Volunteer or Young volunteer award. Organisations can nominate their own events for the Community event award. Emailed nominations forms are preferred and forms can be downloaded from walkerville.sa.gov.au. Printed nomination forms are available from the Civic and Community Centre during business hours. Nominations close 5pm, Thursday 9 April 2015 Nomination forms emailed to: [email protected] Subject line: ‘Volunteer awards nomination’ or posted to: 2015 Volunteer awards, Town of Walkerville PO Box 55, Walkerville SA 5081 Above: 2014 award recipients L-R Community event, Alan Hedges (representing Walkerville Rotary, Young Volunteer Will Varga, Volunteer of the year Alan Jones, Volunteer of the year Brian Hern, Young Volunteer, Brooke Craighead. walkerville.sa.gov.au Enquiries to: Sonia De Nicola, Marketing and Communications Manager telephone 8342 7124 or email [email protected] Issue 11 Autumn 2015 Creating a storm A unique Local Government collaboration has been setting new standards for stormwater management and harvesting in inner urban areas across Australia. Waterproofing the East – Eastern Region Alliance Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse is an initiative of the Eastern Region Alliance (ERA), a group of eastern metropolitan Councils working together and sharing resources for the benefit of their local communities and the eastern region community as a whole. The project has been in development since 2009, during which time, Federal funding was secured, feasibility studies and master planning undertaken and a design and distribution team appointed. A Project Steering Group with representatives from various ERA Councils, was formalised in 2013 and is tasked with overseeing the delivery of this multi-million dollar project in 2016. The Steering Group is led by Walkerville Council’s CEO Ms Kiki Magro. The configuration of the number of Councils involved in the project has evolved considerably since 2009. In early March 2015, the number of participating Councils will be formally endorsed. The Town of Walkerville, which from 2009 has taken a lead role in Waterproofing the East, has already confirmed its ongoing commitment to bringing this project to completion. When constructed, water will be extracted from the region’s watercourses and stormwater drains. It will then be treated at various sites in the eastern region via wetlands or bio-filtration systems for aquifer storage and recovery. The outcome for all participating Council regions will be a sustainable additional source of non-potable water. The Project Steering Group which meets fortnightly at Walkerville Council was recently announced as a finalist in the prestigious Local Government Professional Awards. The winners will be announced in April. For an overview of the project visit www.era.sa.gov.au Timeline 2009 Master planning commences, with the commissioning of the Eastern Region Alliance stormwater harvesting and re-use opportunities study. 2011 The study becomes the basis for a successful Federal funding submission for a feasibility study, which subsequently attracts Federal funding to take the project from design to construction. 2012 Second stage of master planning concludes. 2013 Project steering group, led by Walkerville Council’s CEO is formalised and commences the tender evaluation process to appoint the distribution and design team. Ms Kiki Magro, CEO, Town of Walkerville and Project Director of the Steering Group received a Leadership and Management Excellence Award, Metropolitan Councils in recognition of her role in driving this project, since its inception in 2009. 2014 The project was awarded a 2014 Stormwater Excellence Award for Excellence in Strategic and Master Planning. Design phase completed in December. 2015 Stage 1 Design and the business case development due to be completed in December. 2016 Construction due to be completed July. Within the sector, the project has attracted national recognition and international interest. It has been recognised for its excellence in master planning and for its Governance framework which will see the establishment of a Regional Subsidiary (made up of the five Councils) with a Charter approved by the relevant Minister. Building site rubbish: where local and State Governments draw the line Untidy building sites and building site rubbish that spills out onto streets or surrounding properties is an issue for residents. However, Local Councils cannot enforce these matters under the Local Government Act. The State authorities responsible for dealing with building site rubbish, dust and noise are Safework SA and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA). Safework SA deals with the site in terms of general untidiness and hazard levels and the EPA deals with the site in terms of pollution which includes: • soil, clay, gravel or sand • waste water from brick, bitumen • or concrete cutting • • • building construction waste building washwater walkerville.sa.gov.au • • concrete waste other waste and litter sawdust washdown from vehicles. However, if the rubbish and debris is placed on the verge then Council’s general inspectors, can, and do, follow this up (as guided by the Local Government Act). As Council does not administer the relevant legislation it does not put conditions or notes on Development Approvals in relation to rubbish and material debris. If Council did put a condition or note on the approval it could only be to remind applicants of their obligations and requirements under the legislations administered by Safework SA and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) SA. Council does inspect sites as per the requirements of the Development Act and Regulations, however, it does not actively inspect sites for rubbish and debris as it is not within its legislated powers. Safework SA: Help Centre 1300 365 255 email [email protected] EPA: telephone 8204 2004 or 1800 623 445 Issue 11 Autumn 2015 Walking with ghosts Busy commuters may be unaware that behind the picket fence on Smith Street lies one of Adelaide’s earliest village cemeteries and the resting place of many notable local identities. These include: J W A Sudholz, chairman of the Yatala South District Council and parliamentarian from the 1880s and 1890s; Mary Lee, the prominent women’s rights activist; Samuel Braund, the first chairman of the Prospect Council and members of the Le Cornu, Wigg and Cleland families, among many others. There are also seven memorials to ANZACS who died in World War One. The Friends of the Walkerville Wesleyan Cemetery are a group of volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure that this historical landmark is promoted and maintained. The Friends regularly hold walking tours of the site which are extremely popular with people of all ages interested in local history. As part of this year’s About What’s on about town Council has introduced a community events calendar on its website. walkerville.sa.gov.au Time History Festival, the Friends will be conducting a tour of the site on the 26 May at 1pm. Participation is by gold coin donation. Everyone is welcome and the tour is also a good opportunity to find out more about the Friends. To book in for the tour contact Raye Whitehead, mobile 0438 615 205 or [email protected] In preparation for Remembrance Day 2015, the Friends are collaborating with Walkerville, Vale Park and St Andrew’s primary schools, Wilderness, the Walkerville RSL and the Walkerville Uniting Church to develop a commemorative DVD on the seven ANZACS memorials in the cemetery. It’s a great way to find out about upcoming community events. Local community groups and schools are encouraged to promote their upcoming events on the calendar. To find out more go to: www.walkerville.sa.gov.au/events Starting with a plan Under the South Australian Public Health Act 2011 every Local Council is required to complete a Public Health Plan. However, Councils do have the option of joining forces to develop a regional plan aimed at protecting the health of their respective Council communities. The Town of Walkerville is one of five constituent Councils of the Eastern Health Authority, (EHA). The other four Councils are the: • City of Burnside • Campbelltown City Council • City of Norwood, Payneham & St Peters • City of Prospect The draft plan opens for public consultation on the 9th March 2015. Community feedback will be presented back to the Elected Members at the May Ordinary Meeting of Council. The draft is available from Council’s website and printed copies are available free of charge from Council offices during business hours. Working together, these five Councils have developed a collective draft plan overseen by EHA’s Board of Management and an Advisory Committee. Before the plan can be endorsed it must go out to public consultation and your feedback is welcome. If you have any questions about the plan contact the EHA directly on tel 8132 3600. Written feedback can be emailed to [email protected] Subject line: ‘EHA draft plan’ or posted to: EHA draft plan, Town of Walkerville, PO Box 55, Walkerville SA 5081 Public consultation closes: 5pm, Friday 17 April 2015 Broadcast news YouthFM gives local young people access to training and skill development in radio production. YouthFM is broadcast every Thursday from 4pm to 5pm on Three D Radio 93.7FM. Training is offered twice a year, at no cost, during the April and September school holidays. Participants must be aged between 15 and 25. If you would like to find out more, an information session will be held: 5.30pm, 2 April at Three D Radio 101 Payneham Road, St Peters 5069 RSVP and enquiries: Friday 22 March to: Mark Crabtree, telephone 8269 5355 or email [email protected] Youth FM is a joint initiative of the Cities of Campbelltown, Norwood Payneham & St Peters, Prospect, Town of Walkerville and Three D Radio. Photo courtesy of City of Prospect NBN is coming to our Town! To get the latest news on the National Broadband Network (NBN) in the Town of Walkerville, go to www.nbnco.com.au All photos by Simon Casson, unless indicated otherwise. Civic & Community Centre 66 Walkerville Terrace, Gilberton SA 5081 T 08 8342 7100 (24 hours) [email protected] walkerville.sa.gov.au Council offices Mondays to Fridays 9am-5pm. Library Mondays 9am-7pm, Tuesdays to Fridays 9am-5pm, Saturdays 9.30am-1pm. Twitter #walkerville5081
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