Back row (L-R): Cr Mark Di Pasquale, Cr Tom Melican, Mayor Cr Craig Langdon, Cr Rick Garotti; front row (L-R): Cr Wayne Phillips, Cr Jenny Mulholland, Cr Steven Briffa

To be re-elected for a second term as Banyule Mayor for 2014-2015 is a great honour and privilege, especially having lived in Banyule all of my life. Along with my fellow councillors, I am very proud to serve the community and continue making Banyule a better place to live, work and play.

Located in Melbourne’s north-east, Banyule includes 21 suburbs covering approximately 63 square kilometres. The municipality is blessed with bountiful open spaces, thriving commercial centres and a strong community spirit. We have sites of botanical, zoological, habitat and heritage significance, including Aboriginal archaeological sites and scar trees, as well as points of interest associated with the Heidelberg School of Artists. In Heidelberg West, Olympic rings are still displayed and remind us how during the 1956 Melbourne Games Olympic, 4,200 athletes came to stay at the Olympic Village.

Today, Banyule continues to attract people from around the globe. Our 124,000 residents from over 50 countries bring cultural richness. A significant number of residents have European ancestry, and we have a growing population of Asian and African ancestry.

We are lucky to enjoy such diversity and harmony in Banyule. It always gives me great pleasure to watch the community come together to celebrate our annual events. From the multicultural Malahang Festival to the Twilight Sounds music festival, through to colourful street parades and the family-friendly Kids ArtyFarty Fest, there is a real sense of community spirit on show.

Our Council also works hard to promote inclusion, access and social cohesion wherever possible.

We have a suite of plans and initiatives to support our residents that come from many different cultures, beliefs, abilities and identities. During my time as councillor at Banyule, Council has established the Banyule Multicultural Advisory Committee, the Banyule Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Intersex Advisory Committee and the Disability and Inclusion Advisory Committee to assist Council to work more effectively with our community. One of the highlights of 2014 was helping create Babarrbunin Beek, a gathering place for Indigenous people living in and around Banyule.

Building a better Banyule for today and tomorrow -

As councillor and mayor, I am lucky to meet with a diverse range of community members and work with them to enhance the City. This genuine engagement and partnership with residents, community groups and local organisations helps set out our short-term goals as well as our long-term visions. It allows us to better plan and continuously improve on what Council does.

This Council continues to revitalise Banyule by delivering projects that invest in our future. Our $6 million stormwater harvesting project, one of Melbourne’s largest, provides up to 138 million litres – or 45 Olympic size swimming pools – of stormwater for irrigation and removes over 200 tonnes of litter and other pollution from Banyule’s waterways. The project won the 2014 Award for Excellence in Infrastructure at the state level from Stormwater Victoria, and at the national level from Stormwater Australia.

By investing $4.7 million to replace about 8,000 streetlights, currently inefficient 80 watt mercury vapour lights, with T5 fluorescents, Banyule will see long-term financial savings and significant environmental benefits. Greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by almost 3,000 tonnes by using 67% less electricity, generating a saving of almost $350,000 per year on Council’s streetlight bills.

Renewing ageing infrastructure and redeveloping community assets is also high on the agenda at Banyule.

We have almost finished a $6 million redevelopment that will transform the Ivanhoe Aquatic and Fitness Centre. We continue to improve Banyule’s sporting grounds and clubrooms, including a $1 million upgrade at Simms Road Oval in Montmorency. Kindergartens are being built, playgrounds replaced and off-lead dog parks installed. Our fabulous shared trail network continues to be upgraded across the City.

We also look to strengthen our local business centres by encouraging local investment and creating community hubs. We rejuvenate streetscapes and help promote investment activity in shopping centres, which all helps to attract new businesses and shoppers, as well as increase local employment.

A lasting legacy -

I am proud to be part of a committed team that is every day looking to improve the quality of life for those that call Banyule home. Whether it is the establishment of a community garden that becomes a neighbourhood focal point, or seeing the joy that regional play spaces bring to local families, there are many flow-on effects from building and investing in community places.

It is my hope that Banyule Council continues to create a City that brings out the best in its people, and allows them to reach their potential as well as inspire the next generation of residents.

Images below:

Grand Parade 2014
Mayor Cr Craig Langdon
Banyule shared trail
Kids ArtyFarty Fest 2013
Australia Day 2014
Bell Street Mall Lunar New Year’s 2013
Banyule Flats Reserve
Chelmsworth Park stormwater harvesting
Amos from Babarrbunin Beek