Copy
Infrastructure Victoria report, Moreland Council talks Garbage, community initiatives for hard times and new tall towers on the way…
View this email in your browser

Brunswick Residents Network Newsletter,
August 2021

Breakthrough in transport mode shift

Can't afford a car? Worried about catching a virus on a tram? This new initiative, fresh from the research labs, may be just the thing for you . . . 

Moreland Council talks garbage

In response to a State Government plan, Moreland Council is moving towards a new system of garbage collection, separating waste, food and garden organics (FOGO), recycling and glass. They’re seeking your views on a shift that will come into operation next year.
 
Under the plan, the weekly collection of garbage (red and dark green bins) and recycling (yellow bin) will be reduced to a fortnightly service. The collection of green and food waste (light green bins) will be ramped up to once a week. A fourth purple-top bin for glass and bottles will be added, to be collected monthly.
 
You can comment on the new draft policy and proposed service at council's Conversations Moreland website, before Sunday 5 September. Have your say on the range of issues: do you have enough space to easily store four bins? how will you remember which bins to put out each week? can we be assured that the separated bins will actually go to recycling centres? is a privatised service the best way to use our rates?

More broadly, should Council try to educate residents about reducing garbage, and encourage traders to supply more goods without packaging?   

Brunswick by numbers

Most of us have just completed the 2021 Census form, gathering data on changes in population, services, wealth and inequality in our community.
 
We’ll have to wait a bit for the latest census results, but the Australian Bureau of Statistics has a useful website with past data. To see how Brunswick fares against other areas in Melbourne, you can compare two suburban or regional areas for a range of social and economic indicators. Here's a few comparisons between different parts of our suburb: 
You can compare a whole range of information at: 

  • Australian Bureau of Statistics Region summary: Brunswick
  • Australian Bureau of Statistics Region summary: Brunswick East
  • Australian Bureau of Statistics Region summary: Brunswick West

Feature article:
Infrastructure for the next 30 years

The State government authority Infrastructure Victoria (IV) has just released a mammoth strategy report, with proposals for infrastructure investment over the next three decades. With 94 recommendations, the report proposes infrastructure development with a total capital cost of approximately $100 billion over 30 years.

If you’re concerned about changes in Brunswick – on transport, open space, climate adaptation or housing affordability – this big picture strategy outlines budget priorities that will set the framework for local government responses for years to come. We haven’t had time to analyse the full report, but here’s a few initial themes: 
 
Growth agenda
 
The IV report suggests that Melbourne’s population will continue to grow over the next three decades, placing pressure on housing, transport and services. As The Age reports: “Infrastructure Victoria’s 30-year blueprint says the state’s population will be 10.8 million by 2051, up from about 6.6 million today. Population growth, as well as planning in the next 30 years, will also need to address climate change.”
 
Growth will boom in Melbourne’s middle corridor suburbs (Casey, Hume, Whittlesea etc) but IV predicts less growth is set to occur in Melbourne’s inner areas. When compared with pre-pandemic forecasts, the City will see a 3.6 per cent drop in expected growth. But the CBD will continue to be home to the majority of new jobs created. Those still commuting to the city will travel longer distances, requiring better transport connections to the city (NB many of those road and rail corridors from the north and northwest run through Brunswick!). 

Moreland Council’s take
 
Last February, Moreland Council made a submission to IV, commenting on the draft of the 30-Year Infrastructure Strategy.
 
It’s fascinating to read the views of Moreland Council staff on diverse topics: from zero emissions vehicles to 7-star energy-rated new homes, gas-free housing estates, improved recycling, public transport accessibility and the reallocation of road space towards priority transport modes (as BRN is about to launch our survey report on walking in Brunswick, we were pleased to see the commitment that “Moreland is committed to supporting walking as a form of transport in its own right.”). 

Housing stock
 
With another 4 million people living in the state, there’s a need for massive investment in housing stock – especially public and social housing (Infrastructure Victoria wants 4.5 per cent of all homes to be social housing, in line with the national average, up from just 3.2 per cent in Victoria at present).
 
In its 30-year blueprint, IV said the state needed to build an extra 3,900 to 4,900 homes every year for the next 10 years. The state’s ageing and rundown public housing should also be rapidly redeveloped within the next 10 years at an additional cost of $1.5 billion to $2 billion, on top of the Andrews government’s existing $5.3 billion investment commitment from 2020 to build 12,000 homes. 

Beyond new construction of housing, there’s a proposal for a state-backed large-scale retrofit program, to renew and/or retrofit all old social housing (whether public or community housing) for thermal comfort, with associated health, utility cost and emissions saving benefits. 
 
However there are issues about relocating public housing tenants during refits like the recent changes at Gronn Place in Brunswick West. In their submission, Moreland Council has told Infrastructure Victoria that “relocation to facilitate renewal can place additional strain on scarce social housing supply. Such relocation also has adverse impacts on residents, due to the disruption of strong social and mutual aid networks.”
 
Moving around Melbourne
 
Last January, Infrastructure Victoria published a major report on 'Transporting Melbourne’s Recovery' as we move beyond lockdown.
 
This report predicted a significant shift away from public transport during the post-pandemic transition, with increases in the number of private vehicles on the road network. It states that “without further policy intervention, the assumed COVID Normal level of working from home is not enough to offset congestion impacts for Inner Metro.”
 
Looking at the short-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the report predicted that increased vehicle traffic in inner Melbourne could reduce average vehicle speeds by 20% to 30%, compared with pre-COVID levels. The report’s predictions are now borne out by new studies: in March 2021, traffic on Punt Road was recording travel times longer than those recorded pre-pandemic.
 
One important response is that the IV report emphasises the need to invest in cycling and pedestrian infrastructure: “an increase of over 142,000 cycling trips each day to, from and within Inner Metro, when combined with greater walking trips, results in a reduction of 40,000 delay hours for Inner Metro road congestion” (See our story, below, on the battle over bike lanes in Moreland’s north-west ward).
 
The 'Transporting Melbourne’s Recovery' report argues: “Overcoming the challenges of a return to travel and guiding Victoria’s recovery means that policymakers must manage the constraints of the transport system through a wide lens to guard against unintended consequences. This means exploring options like workplace policies and safe public transport travel regulation, pricing mechanisms, greater collaboration between all levels of government and business, in addition to enhancing infrastructure service levels.”
 
Public transport investment
 
The latest IV report discusses a major proposal to Reconfigure the City Loop with two new train tunnels. These CBD changes would result in the Upfield rail line avoiding much of the loop and going direct through Southern Cross and Flinders Street to Glen Waverley and Alamein. The report proposes extending the Upfield line north to Wallan, with “full separation of the Craigieburn and Wallan [Upfield] lines – no longer sharing the same City Loop track – would allow better frequency, higher capacity and improved reliability.” V/Line services from Shepparton would then use the Upfield tracks instead of the Craigieburn tracks - freeing up space for more suburban services on an already over-crowded line. 
 
For public transport nerds, the ‘Melbourne on Transit’ blog has done a detailed analysis of what’s proposed in the new 2021-2051 plan. 
 
The blog argues: “Victoria's Infrastructure Strategy is good (sometimes very good) on some things like rail network planning, tram simplification, off-peak service improvements, top tier bus network reform, road charging and parking pricing. Although I think it should have been even stronger on the service aspects with specific frequency targets and recommendations to remove 'pinch points' where infrastructure constraints either prevents high frequency service (where desired), compromises reliability or slows travel (particular for buses)….However the infrastructure bias of the strategy is clear when there is no equivalent analysis for service uplifts including routes, frequencies and operating costs of suggested off-peak service upgrades and the 'next generation buses'.” 

Parklands: community vs developers

Princes Park site re-sold
 
Property developers Mirvac have spent a reported $40 million to purchase a major development site at 699 Park Street, Brunswick. The 6,496 square metre site overlooks Princes Park, with frontages on Sydney and Brunswick Roads. The land was put up for sale by developers JWLand after they failed to obtain a planning permit in a process that began in 2017.
 
In the February 2020 edition of the Brunswick Residents Network newsletter, we reported on JWLand’s plans for a major apartment complex at 699 Park Street (just south of Brunswick Road on the border of Moreland and the City of Melbourne). At the time, the developers were before VCAT seeking a planning permit to allow the demolition of a heritage building and construction of 255 apartments and a retail space.
 
VCAT issued an interim ruling in April 2019, including a big hint that the developers would get a permit of they rejigged their plans. But the revised plans didn’t meet VCAT’s concerns and the Tribunal knocked back their multi-tower project. The final ruling in April 2020 noted: “The issue of an interim order, as observed by the applicant, is infrequently given by the Tribunal and is seen as a valued opportunity to address issues of concern. As set out in these reasons, there are multiple matters we find have not been satisfactorily addressed in the Amended Plans for the development. These matters cannot appropriately be addressed by permit conditions. In these circumstances, we determine that a permit should not be granted.” 

Fast forward to this month – Mirvac has snapped up the site with plans to expand its pipeline of apartment projects in inner Melbourne. According to the Australian Financial Review, “Mirvac hopes to launch the project midway through next year, taking advantage of a shift in the owner-occupier apartment market since the pandemic began, evident in other Mirvac projects, as buyers take up larger three- and four-bedroom units in greater numbers.” This new acquisition follows Mirvac’s purchase of land opposite Gilpin Park in Albert Street, Brunswick for a multi-tower project that’s just been rejected by Council (see story below).  

No towers for Brunswick parklands
 
At their July Planning meeting, Moreland councillors rejected the proposal from Mirvac for the construction of two 10 storey buildings and one single storey building at 395-411 Albert Street, Brunswick (In last month’s newsletter, you can find full details of the two major projects from Mirvac and Stockland in this stretch of Albert Street, near Clifton and Gilpin parks).
 
There were 221 community objections to the project, and councillors unanimously agreed that the permit application should be refused because of: 

  • Unacceptable height and visual bulk to Clifton Park and Albert Street
  • Inconsistency with built form requirements and design objectives of DDO26
  • Unreasonable impact on the development potential of adjacent sites in the precinct
  • Car parking reduction will unreasonably impact on street car parking 

However the developers have already listed their application with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), and the case will be fought out in coming months.
 
After the decision, Cr. James Conlan noted: “The series of 10-storey towers are surrounded by single storey, heritage homes, Brunswick’s precious parks and some light industry. These towers are going to look ridiculous and stick out like sore thumbs. They’ll also overshadow the park and completely dominate the surrounding built form. The reason council was forced to consider an application for 10 storeys last night is because the Labor's state Planning Minister rezoned the site a few years ago. Council began a Planning Scheme Amendment process to rezone the land from industrial to mixed use, aiming for a 4-storey height maximum. Minister Wynne then intervened, took the process out of council's hands, and rewrote the rules himself, creating an 8-storey 'discretionary' height limit.”
 
In response to both these projects, residents have organised as the Brunswick Parklands Sustainable Development group, and have launched a campaign to “Scale it Down - Protect Brunswick Parks.”

They’ve prepared a petition to Moreland City Councillors, VCAT and Victorian Government Planning Minister Richard Wynne, calling on them to:
 
1. Reject plans for 10 and 8 storey developments in the middle of the Central Brunswick Parklands (395 and 429 Albert St, respectively) 
2. Ensure that any future developments within the immediate vicinity of Brunswick Parklands are limited to 4 storeys.
3. Assess the suitability of any future development in the immediate vicinity of the Central Brunswick Parklands in terms of the impact on the 'green' environment including flora and fauna, park usage and the surrounding residential needs.
4. Respect the current Moreland Council's community consultation process 'What is your vision for the Brunswick Central Parklands?', which aims to inform 10-year planning for the connected parks.
 
More information:

Join supporters here: 

Affordable housing for Sydney Road (perhaps)
 
At their Planning meeting on 28 July, Moreland councillors approved but amended a proposal for the development of a multi-storey building at 541 Sydney Road, Coburg, just north of Bell Street (Planning application MPS/2020/793).
 
The vacant site was previously occupied by the former Commonwealth Dyers Association plant. Owned by Development Victoria (the Victorian Government’s development arm), the site was advertised for sale in 2019 as an ‘Activity Centre’, prioritised for affordable housing, car-free transport and integrated mixed-use developments.  

However the current developer’s proposal is for “a 12 storey building and roof terrace containing dwellings, offices, use of the land for retail premises.” The application will now go to VCAT for a ruling.

Councillors agreed to support the proposal at VCAT with a number of ESD and noise restrictions and less height: “The overall height of the building reduced by the removal of levels 8 and 9.” Council says the owner must also make available at least 50 dwellings within the development for affordable or social housing - let's see what VCAT rules!

Greening Brunswick


Trees for Brunswick West 
 
In the midst of the latest lockdown, Moreland Council has delayed plans to plant canopy trees in the middle of the road in Guthrie, Cohuna and Mincha Streets in Brunswick West (these three streets run north to south between Union Street and Ormond Road). 

The width of these roads and lack of overhead services provides an ideal opportunity for canopy tree planting. Moreland Council proposed options such as Smooth-barked Apple Myrtle (Angophora costata), Spotted Gum (Corymbia maculate) and Pin Oak (Quercus palustris), but there is a need for more discussion with locals to address their concerns, as forty people have signed a petition opposing the planting of trees in Mincha Street. 
 
If you’re a resident of one of these streets, or if they are on your regular walking or riding route, you can still call Council on 8311 4371 to organise a time that suits you to discuss this project, or email openspace@moreland.vic.gov.au
It’s hoped that Moreland Council will continue its extensive tree planting operations around the municipality. For many years, canopy cover in Moreland declined as new housing, backyard extensions and barren streetscapes replaced gardens and parkland. It’s been slowly rebuilding over the last decade, although new mapping shows Moreland’s tree canopy coverage was only 10.75 per cent of land in the municipality in 2019.

In the latest BRN survey on walking in Brunswick, a key resident demand to Moreland Council was to plant more shady trees – we'll be launching the full survey report soon, so watch out for the date of our post-lockdown event!
 
A Park for all ages?
 
The saga of Garrong Park in Brunswick shows that Moreland Council still struggles to establish an effective system of consultation and engagement with local communities – especially because the “community” always involves a variety of people with different needs, interests and aspirations. 
 
Early consultations amongst park users, children and people who live near the newly created open space stressed that redesign of this new pocket park should incorporate “accessible play for children of all ages and abilities.” Despite this, there has been a long-running dispute over the type of play equipment in a new pocket park, causing significant dispute between and amongst residents and park users. 
 
A consultant report presented to Moreland Council this month notes that there are “serious concerns and perceptions of process and uncultivated in environment in which neighbours are wary and mistrustful of each other and of Council. Both supporters of the current playground and those seeking change were upset about the way in which decisions had been reached over the past few iterations of the play space.” 
 
The report also notes: “For others, the voice and needs of local children was being ignored and in a manner that had been very opaque. Concept plans, with children’s input, had been developed and installed, only to be removed without notice or explanation, leading to a cynicism about community engagement amongst young people… It cannot be overstated: these deteriorating neighbourhood cohesion issues are the most improper important findings of this report.” 
In love with Melbourne's trees?
 
In the old days, if you fell in love with a tree, you used to carve your initials in the bark. Now, for all you tree huggers, there are thousands of trees in the CBD that can be contacted via email. Here's the story of what happens when you connect nature with the internet. 
Climate adaptation
 
The State government says: “Climate change threatens the resilience of the built environment, the integrity of its assets and its ability to provide reliable services.” In response, under the Climate Change Act 2017, the State government is developing a series of seven Adaptation Plans, to promote greater resilience in the Built Environment. 
 
They’ve drafted plans for seven areas or ‘systems’: Primary Production, Built Environment, Education and Training, Health and Human Services, Transport, Natural Environment, and the Water Cycle.
 
You can find out more about the plans at: 

Transport, bikes and parking


Are parklets and extended dining spaces worth the effort?
 
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Moreland Council has been supporting local businesses by promoting a mixed kerbside of cafe dining and bike parking, alongside normal car parking spaces. Are these Extended Outdoor Dining spaces working?
 
In the City of Melbourne, a study by Urbis found that 75% of participating businesses generated at least $1,642 per week of expenditure at their premises from their Extended Outdoor Dining spaces.  Moreland’s bike lane battle
 
Brunswick Residents Network has long called for more investment in transport infrastructure, to enable motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and public transport users to move around more safely and smoothly. So it’s disappointing to see the battle over bike lanes being played out in Moreland’s northern wards.
 
During the lockdown, Moreland Council installed "pop up" (i.e. temporary) separated bicycle lanes in Kent Road and Northumberland Road in Pascoe Vale, as part of a package of measures to support walking and cycling in response to COVID-19. Kent Road was adapted with a stretch of around 300 metres of separated bike lanes on each side of the road.
 
Despite this, a number of motorists in Pascoe Vale opposed the temporary measure, due to the removal of parking spaces and narrowing of the roadway for cars. Some drivers had to yield, slalom and negotiate along the road – standard practice in narrower Brunswick streets, but quite a change in northern wards where streets are often wider!
 
At the August Council meeting, Cr Oscar Yildiz moved a resolution calling for this cycling infrastructure to be removed immediately, just three months after it was installed. However this motion was not successful, and an amended resolution was adopted by seven councillors as a compromise solution. The new resolution directed Council staff to look at options for a consolidated (two way) separated bike lane on the south side of Kent Street, leaving the north side with parking and undisturbed access to the Pascoe Vale Medical Centre.
 
Council will now receive a report at its September meeting showing the pros and cons of alternative design options, including a bi-directional lane, a shared path and other design tweaks.
 
BRN believes Moreland Council should continue to support new infrastructure to separate different types of vehicles (cars, trams and cycles) and improve health and safety. And before we get the usual correspondence comparing the yuppie cyclists of Brunswick and the honest working folk of the north, take a look at the evidence. 
 
A 2020 study from Monash University found that “while there was variation in interest in bike riding across an entire [Melbourne] metropolitan region and across population groups, interest was high across all areas and demographics. Our results show the potential for substantial increases in cycling participation, but only when high-quality cycling infrastructure is provided” (emphasis added).
 
The study notes that cycling is more important as transport to those on lower incomes: “a higher proportion of participants in the lower income groups ($1 - $20,799/year and $20,800 -$41,599/year) rode a bike more for transport, and a greater proportion rode four or more days per week than any other income groups.”

North or south, east or west, people should be able to cycle safely, and all evidence suggests separated bike lanes are a key part of this this process.    Do cyclists or motorists have deeper pockets?
 
As we’ve seen with debates over parking and bike lanes in Sydney Road, some traders are opposed to reduction of car parking in mixed use areas, fearing economic damage to their business through loss of convenient access. There is, however, a lot of evidence that - in appropriate areas - economic benefits may be achieved by replacing car parking with bike parking.
 
One 2010 study in Lygon Street, Carlton found that car users averaged more overall spending per hour than bike riders. However, the small area of public space required for bike parking means that each square metre allocated to bike parking generated $31 per hour, compared to $6 generated for each square metre used for a car parking space.  A range of international studies indicate that replacing on-street parking with a bike lane and bike parking has little to no detrimental impact on local business, and in many cases might even increase business. While cyclists tend to spend less per shopping trip than drivers, they also tend to make more trips, pumping more total money into the local economy over time. Based on this sort of evidence, we think it’s time for Moreland councillors, the Department of Transport and the State Government to finally implement a plan to fix Sydney Road, by shifting parking, installing bike lanes and prioritising public transport.
 
History Corner: Fatal death of cyclist – in 1905
 
The first recorded fatal accident involving a motor car in Victoria resulted in the death of a cyclist. A drapery salesman was killed when his bicycle collided with a car driven by a wealthy grazier on the edge of the city in January 1905. 
 
John Schauble has detailed the accident in a great article in the June 2021 edition of the Victorian Historical Journal: “The accident opened community divisions between those who embraced the ‘newfangled’ motor car and others worried that they were rapidly taking over the streets of Melbourne. The collision was also a symbolic one between labour and capital. The crash had an immediate impact on the debate on road laws around the use of motor vehicles. It was also a tragic early skirmish in an ‘undeclared war’ between cyclists and motorists that has lasted more than a century.”
 
On 24 August 1905, the first pedestrian to be struck and killed by a car was Thomas Hall, 47, an iron foundry worker. Hall was killed as he crossed the intersection of Nicholson and Gertrude Streets in Fitzroy.

Driver of the vehicle was Macpherson Robertson, prominent Melbourne manufacturer and owner of the MacRobertson’s confectionery empire – later to produce the Cherry Ripe (introduced in 1924) and  Freddo Frog (1930) – who was the founding donor of Mac Robertson Girls High School.
 
John Schauble: “Young Men in a Hurry – How a Cyclist’s Death Defined Early Motoring in Victoria”, Victorian Historical Journal, Volume 92, Number 1, June 2021

Crossing the border
 
Someone sent us a photo showing the way that different municipalities in Melbourne treat cyclists. In this age of misinformation, we checked the location through detailed photo analysis. We can now confirm this image shows the border between Belgium and the Netherlands, not the boundary between the Cities of Yarra and Moreland….
 
 

Community action


Friday food delivery continues
 
Congratulations to Afshan Mantoo and the members of the Muslim Women’s Council of Victoria, for their fantastic efforts to feed the masses each Friday. Throughout past lockdowns, this volunteer team has prepared free meals and food packs for the many people who are doing it tough during the pandemic, including refugees and asylum seekers, the unemployed and vulnerable, and a range of people facing tough times. (Photo: Penny Stephens, Age) The food service started again during the latest lockdown in July but on 22 August, the women suspended the hot meals because of COVID restrictions. Despite this, they’re still preparing food packs and groceries for distribution to those in need: “Grocery packs will be ready for collection between 12:30 and 1pm on Friday. In Sha Allah we hope to resume cooking when it is safe to do so and we will update the community.”  The Karma ran over my dogma…
 
Brunswick Residents Network believes that sharing information is a political act. We think it’s vital for residents to build community by sharing news and perspectives about our locality. So we’ve often wondered about the restrictions on the type of information that you could post on the Brunswick Good Karma Network (BGKN) Facebook group. The culture of good vibes and positive postings in the Good Karma Network led to strict online moderation, with guidelines that banned “political, religious or inflammatory commentary.”
 
Now the BGKN Facebook site has bitten the dust – at least for the moment – after accusations of ‘toxic positivity’ (something this newsletter has never been criticised for!). The Age reports that “some group members had taken issue with the moderators deleting posts about crimes in Brunswick, allegations about a racist assault and the outing of a resident as an alleged neo-Nazi.”
 
It’s sad to see this turmoil within the Good Karma Network. With more than 23,000 members, BGKN has been a great resource (even though on occasions, moderators refused to allow BRN to post items about our community campaigns or surveys).
 
Meanwhile, the alternative Brunswick Fairly Good Karma Network is continuing, with the proviso: “Unlike the official ‘Good Karma Networks’, in this group anything goes within reason. Feel free to mention your business or make offers, but don't spam too outrageously" (though some members are currently tediously testing the boundaries.) "The moderator/s are easy going and experienced, we will try to keep things happy here, without telling you what you can and can't talk about.”  Trouble at CERES
 
Ceres fireA 40-year old bluestone building at CERES environment park, used as a volunteer and park infrastructure centre, was burnt down on Wednesday 4 August at around 8.30pm. Historic documents and photos have been lost in the fire, and the structure has now been demolished for safety reasons.
 
Fire Rescue Victoria’s specialist fire investigators and Victoria Police are investigating the cause, though police have not yet confirmed if this was a case of arson. There have been several unexplained attacks on CERES this year, most recently when the heritage-breed hens in the community-run chook collective were killed.   In some better news, the redevelopment of the CERES community gardens and community chook areas has commenced after six years of protracted and occasionally contentious planning and consultation.
 
CERES management has recently taken over the running of the community gardens and has employed a coordinator to work with gardeners for the next couple of years.
 
The new gardens will feature three large, stand alone fenced gardens and are designed to be safe, accessible and foster community spirit. All existing fences and cages will be removed and there will be a small increase in available plots for new members -  the current waiting list is in the hundreds.
 
CERES has taken a financial hit during the pandemic, with restriction on activities such as school group tours. So you can support CERES by going to visit, buying some groceries or a plant, and having a play at the fabulous new playground. Or make a donation – https://ceres.org.au/donate/
 
Social Justice Funds for COVID and Community
 
The Inner North Community COVID-19 Disaster Relief Fund is a great local initiative for these tough times. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to create challenges, and local community groups are continuing to step up to provide help for others. The fund contributes towards emergency relief support for families, as well as Rapid Response grants to not-for-profit community groups, so they can respond to the pandemic in flexible and creative ways.
 
The Inner North Community Foundation has small grants for local groups that have big impact in Darebin, Moreland and Yarra. The Foundation manages philanthropic dollars to provide funds "for local projects that create prosperous, connected, and cohesive communities in Melbourne’s Inner North". It is an independent philanthropic body and is governed by a volunteer board consisting of people with strong connections in the three municipalities.  You are warmly invited to celebrate another new initiative from the Foundation: the launch of the Bakers Dozen Social Justice Fund, a new flagship fund. The Bakers Dozen is about being generous – providing 13 loaves instead of 12:
 
The official launch of the Bakers Dozen Social Justice Fund will be held at Brunswick Town Hall on Thursday 16 September (though check closer to the day to see if the ceremony has moved online).
 
WHAT: Launch of the Bakers Dozen Social Justice Fund
WHEN: Thursday 16 September, 2021. 4.30pm - 6:30pm
WHERE: Brunswick Town Hall, 233 Sydney Road, Brunswick (or online if lockdown continues)
INFO: https://www.innernorthfoundation.org.au/bakers-dozen/
CONTACT: Ben Rodgers at brodgers@innernorthfoundation.org.au

Kulcha Korna


Mural magic
 
If you’re wandering along the Upfield shared path, check out the great mural running for thirty metres along the northern wall of the Brunswick Baths.
 
The hand painted mural features joggers, dogs, skateboarders and other active people who’ve stepped out of lockdown for their daily spin! Artist Stephen Baker has done other great urban murals, such as one on the facade of the Fitzroy Pool, entitled ‘Pool Parade’. Poet wins gong
 
Brunswick’s Kevin Brophy has been honoured with a Member of the Order of Australia award for his life’s work teaching and championing poetry and writing. He won the gong for “significant service to tertiary education, and to creative writing.”
 
Check out this profile of Kevin AM from the wonderful community news team at Brunswick Voice Brunswick stars in ABC's Pine Gap doco

ABC TV's Compass program recently featured Peace Pilgrims, a short documentary which follows the story of a group of peace activists who trespassed onto Pine Gap in 2016. It also looks into the history of civil disobedience and resistance to Pine Gap. The film-maker is Brunswick's John Hughes; interviewees include long-time Brunswick resident and expert on foreign military bases, Professor Richard Tanter.

Brunswick Residents Network needs your help

We'd love some help from readers with technical skills in:
  • Modifying (and demystifying) our Mailchimp templates
  • Working out how a smooth transfer for our newsletter from Mailchimp to a Wordpress post
  • Please email us at brunswickresidentsnetwork@gmail.com

Moreland Council stuff


Regular Council meetings – held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month –  are normally held at: Council Chamber, Moreland Civic Centre, 90 Bell Street, Coburg.

Dates advertised for the rest of 2021 are:
  • 8 September (almost certainly online). 
  • 13 October
  • 10 November 
  • 15 November - Mayoral Election
  • 8 December
Meeting details are available on the Council website
 
Council meetings can be watched online, either live, or later – you can find details here along with the agenda for the next Council meeting when it's posted on the Friday before the monthly meeting. You can register there to receive an alert when the agenda is posted. Recent meetings have also been live-streamed on the Council Facebook page.

Email us!


Please note our email address:  brunswickresidentsnetwork@gmail.com. And write to tell us what you think of the newsletter. We love feedback. 

If you are able to offer some time to volunteer to help organise our campaigns, and support our work, please get in contact. Our work includes organising meetings, leafleting and letter boxing, graphic design and publicity, and research; on planning, greening Brunswick and traffic management. [Wondering why this email comes to you from nfip@optusnet.com.au? Our Mailchimp email service doesn't like a gmail sender's address, so we use a member's address. Add this address your contacts so our emails don't get filed as spam, but don't write to it)

Contacts for our local councillors

Mark Riley (Deputy Mayor)
Mobile: 0499 807044
Email: mriley@moreland.vic.gov.au

Lambros Tapinos
Mobile: 0433 419 075
Email: ltapinos@moreland.vic.gov.au

James Conlan 
Mobile: 0409 279 335
Email: JConlan@moreland.vic.gov.au

MAILING LIST AND FURTHER INFORMATION

Welcome to new readers! To contact organisers of the Brunswick Residents’ Network, or to offer help with future activities, please email brunswickresidentsnetwork@gmail.com. (This gmail is our preferred address, rather than replying to this email). Thanks to those who have contributed to this edition.

Please forward this e-letter to other Moreland neighbours who’d like a say in the way their community is changing. It's easy to sign on, or edit your details to include your interests - just go to http://eepurl.com/VX4a9.

For meeting details, survey and newsletter archives, go to: http://brunswickresidents.wordpress.com

Check out our Facebook page for a range of lively discussions: Brunswick Residents Network. Help us reach more people by liking our page, commenting, forwarding this newsletter, and tweeting it using the links below.
Share
Tweet
Forward
Copyright © 2021 Brunswick Residents Network, All rights reserved.


unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences 

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp