Appropriate livable development

✓ Planning guidelines for Livable Development in Darebin:

As a candidate running for Mayor of Darebin, I advocate for comprehensive planning guidelines for liveable development in Darebin. Currently, Darebin lacks a coherent planning scheme or strategic plan, forcing developers and residents into disputes at VCAT. Our council must take responsibility for processing new development applications and provide long-term strategic planning to ensure effective town planning, zoning, and subdivisions.

By dedicating resources to preparing neighbourhood plans in consultation with residents, we can save significant costs and time wasted at VCAT.

Darebin needs a structured planning scheme or strategic plan for new developments, including mandated storey levels and fixed height restriction limits. Implementing and enforcing such a planning scheme will protect the community.

The planning scheme should also ensure universal access for scooters, wheelchairs, and prams. Making Darebin an age-friendly city involves requiring new multi-apartment developments to include easier access and an inclusion plan for disability, allowing residents to use scooters or wheelchairs.

Community consultation is vital. We must implement guidelines that ensure community protection and liveable development through consultative planning processes focused on the community, environment, and realistic liveable development. This approach benefits everyone in the short and long term. The community must have a say in protecting open spaces and neighbourhood developments. Major proposals should be published on the Darebin website for public access.

The community values the character and amenity of historical sites. A comprehensive, well-documented planning scheme for all wards, available to the public, should cover height restrictions for new developments, density, parking, landscaping, protection of significant trees, and a heritage overlay. Bylaws must be upheld, and community consultation should be mandatory.

I propose establishing an Advisory Board to ensure good urban design that fits Darebin’s landscape. The board can make recommendations to Darebin town planning and developers.

To protect our environment, we should adopt a Significant Tree Register, managed by the Advisory Board, to prevent the removal or lopping of unique, historical, rare, and environmentally important trees without Council's consent. This register should be included in the Darebin Planning Guidelines.

A Heritage Advisory Committee is crucial for protecting and maintaining heritage areas and environments, promoting heritage awareness for future generations. The committee will ensure that buildings and environmental issues are protected and can make recommendations to council, developers, and residents.

Members of the Advisory and Heritage Committees should include a Councillor, Strategic Planning Manager, Heritage Advisor, Community Historical Society members, National Trust representatives, Preston Reservoir Indigenous Organisations, and a Council Officer. This diverse representation ensures comprehensive and effective planning and protection for Darebin.

✓ Improving Darebin's health and community services:

As a candidate running for Mayor of Darebin, I am committed to improving Darebin’s health and community services with a strong community-focused approach.

✓ Community Hubs

I propose upgrading the Preston Library by linking all the libraries together as Community Hubs. These hubs will offer a safe environment for community involvement and provide user-friendly access to good facilities. By integrating multiple clusters of services, we can create a more community-focused network.

✓ Library Integration and Expansion

Libraries should be more than just places for borrowing books. I aim to transform them into centres offering various activities, excursions, and seminars focused on health and wellbeing. This expansion will make libraries and neighbourhood houses vital community spaces for education and engagement.

✓ Advocacy and Engagement

I will advocate for issues affecting the Darebin community by organising seminars and awareness classes to engage all community members. This inclusive approach will address concerns, support families, and foster positive community attitudes.

✓ Preston Library Upgrade

The Gower St Preston Library requires significant upgrades, including private cubicles, additional rooms, improved mobile and booking services, longer opening hours, a free toy library service, and new furnishings.

✓ Town Hall Utilisation

I propose making greater use of the town hall by screening movies for secondary school children during school holidays, conducting Rock n Roll and Ballroom Dancing nights on a trial basis, and hosting other community events.

✓ Excursions and Wellbeing Initiatives

I support organising excursions for adults to volunteer with the homeless, participate in environmental activities, or visit museums, galleries, zoos, and Melbourne Gaol. Additionally, promoting wellbeing initiatives such as walking or cycling groups will enhance community health.

✓ Senior Health and Wellbeing Seminars

I will introduce seminars focused on senior women's and men's health and wellbeing, including classes on recognising health warning signs for stroke, heart attacks, and menopause. Gentle exercise classes, such as Pilates, will also be offered.

✓ Community Activities and Workshops

Offering Bingo days with local business vouchers as prizes will engage residents who do not have access to computers. I will also support women's and men's working workshops, including activities like jewellery making, tapestry, knitting, crochet, stained glass, quilting, gardening ideas, and trivia.

✓ Informative Seminar Nights

Seminar information nights will cover everyday concerns such as starting a business, job interview techniques, issues related to alcohol, drugs, depression, suicidal thoughts, and gambling. Other topics will include parenting, cyberbullying, writing wills, organ donation, and more, ensuring a wide range of people can benefit.

✓ Support for School Kids

Specific days will be dedicated to assisting school children with their homework and assignments, with separate days for different year levels from Year 7 to Year 12.

✓ Parents' Health and Wellbeing Seminars

These seminars will address concerns important to parents, offering information nights for first-time parents, new fathers, and grandparents. Topics will include breastfeeding, coping with premature birth, and other relevant issues.

By implementing these initiatives, we can create a healthier, more connected, and supportive community in Darebin.