Council Initiatives

This year we will be undertaking detailed landscape plans to improve the streetscapes, create better public spaces and identify locations for new street trees, garden beds, rubbish/recycle bins and more seating for Plenty Road and High Street, Preston (between Dundas Street and Bell Street). These detailed design plans will allow Council implement the changes over several years starting in 2015/2016.

To help us understand what kind of experience the community want to have in their public environment, a design brainstorm session was held on Wednesday 10 December at Budda Thai.  Participants engaged in very enthusiastic conversations around the future look and feel of the JUMP precinct. Street trees species, seating materials, preferred paving and public art themes were discussed throughout the evening. Some residents who were unable make it to the session, contributed their ideas via an online visual noticeboard. You can find a copy of the workshop minutes here.

All of these creative suggestions will now be used to inform the design concepts of the public spaces of the precinct which will be released for further community input during February/March 2015.

Please contact us if you wish to get involved.

Junction Urban Master Plan 

Further Information 

Public Realm 
Ph: 8470 8381
Email: publicrealm@darebin.vic.gov.au

Accordingly, in 2014 Darebin Council was the first Victorian Council to undertake a dynamic new participatory budgeting process, A Citizen's Jury of 31 randomly selected community members reflecting Darebin's diverse population profile decided: How should we best spend $2 million to improve our community through the use of infrastructure funding?

The wider community was invited to submit their ideas for the Jury to consider. Council unanimously approved the Jury's recommendations in September 2014.

Quick facts in relation to Darebin's Participatory Budgeting process can be found here - Quick Facts

The Citizen's Jury 'The Verdict' recommended the following projects:

	Funding for 2014/15	Proposed Funding for 2015/16
East Preston Neighbourhood House	$100,000	$765,000
Exercise equipment in the parks	$300,000
Upgrade to KP Hardiman Reserve	$30,000
Darebin Pop-up Piazza	$100,000
Outdoor Multi-purpose Sports Courts	$300,000
Development of Croxton School Bike Path	$30,000
All Nations Park Activation	$140,000	$235,000
Contribution to community Gardens		Savings from above

Do you have Local solutions to Local issues that Council may not have considered that you would like to see funding in the 2015/16 budget? As a resident, ratepayer, local business or community member we value your local knowledge and your insight into what matters in Darebin. To find out more about how to submit your idea visit the Local Solutions to Local Issues.

Resources:

If you would like to undertake your own Citizen's Jury, the following resources may assist:

• Timelines and Resources
• Invitation to join the jury
• Invitation to Darebin's community to submit ideas
• Participant Pack
• Witness Guide
• Observer Code of Conduct
• Council report - Citizen's Jury recommendations

The Reservoir Activity Centre now has an adopted Streetscape Masterplan. This 10 year plan will guide streetscape improvements supporting pedestrian friendly streets, more public spaces, new street trees and garden beds and improved cycling facilities. You can view a summary of the projects here. 

• Reservoir Structure Plan 2012-2030
• Reservoir Streetscape Master Plan
• Reservoir Streetscape Master Plan Key Projects Identification Map

The new tram stops have a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists between the passenger waiting area and trams. Cyclists are required to stop behind the tram when it stops to allow passengers to get on and off the tram safely.

Background
The project covered a 6.8 kilometre corridor reaching from Westgarth Street (Northcote) up to Albert Street (Reservoir). It involved upgrading tram stops and making major changes to the road environment to make tram travel along this route quicker and easier.

The project aimed to give pedestrians more priority in key strip shopping and activity centres, improving pedestrian safety and mobility, and visual amenity to make the area more vibrant and attractive.

Next Stages
Implementation of Stage 2 of the project is subject to funding received by State Government.

Further Information
Tram Route 86 Corridor Project Project Summary

The Hub will include two 33-place kindergarten rooms, two maternal child and health consulting rooms and multi-use family meeting spaces. Environmentally sustainable design elements are integral to the design of the Hub. The Hub is due for completion in late 2014, in readiness for occupation commencing 2015.

Background
At the Council meeting of 19 August 2013, Council resolved to award a contract for the construction of the new Keon Park Children’s Hub to ADCO Constructions (Vic) Pty Ltd. The State of Victoria under the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s capital funding initiative has contributed $1.5 million towards the construction of the hub to promote and assist the establishment of early childhood services facilities in the community.

Since commencing on site in October 2013, construction works have continued in a steady and positive pace. Extreme heat days have impacted on the works program however the project remains on schedule for completion in late 2014.

Next Stages
Construction works will intensify over the coming months as the many various building trades start with the internal works.

Pictured: Artist's impression of Keon Park Children’s Hub exterior view of North East Carpark.