Council has endorsed its 2021/2022 Annual Report, highlighting Council's accomplishments and activities throughout the past financial year.
The Annual Report 2021/2022 is Council's most comprehensive report to the community. It provides detailed information about Council's progress in meeting strategic goals and community expectations, which are outlined in the Council Plan 2021-2025 and based on the community vision in Maroondah 2040: Our future together.
Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Mike Symon, said the report captures the achievements and financial management of Council for the 2021/2022 financial year in delivering a variety of services to the community.
"Council is proud to endorse the Annual Report 2021/2022, as it demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the Maroondah community and reflects the breadth of Council's achievements and activities over the past 12 months," Cr Symon said.
"Our Annual Report confirms that we are making significant progress and continuing to deliver a range of services, projects, strategies, action plans, community initiatives, grants, events, consultations and programs, all while working with and for our community to ensure that Maroondah continues to be a vibrant, thriving place to live and work."
Key achievements 2021/22
- Completing a new Maroondah Liveability, Wellbeing and Resilience Strategy 2021-2031, a Maroondah Heritage Action Plan; Maroondah Positive Ageing Framework and Action Plan 2021-25; Gender Equality Action Plan; and a Domestic Animal Management Plan 2021-25.
- Supporting our community through the ongoing pandemic by implementing actions and outcomes from the Maroondah COVID-19 Recovery Plan.
- Ensuring our 2021/2022 Budget and Long-Term Financial Strategy continued to be based on sound financial management and best practice.
- Completing the final stage of the Ringwood Metropolitan Activity Centre Masterplan in December 2021. The masterplan will guide land use, development and investment in central Ringwood over the next 15 years.
- Working with key stakeholders, user groups and the community to develop plans to transform the Croydon Community Wellbeing Precinct and bring together services, programs and activities for people of all ages and abilities.
- Advocating to the Victorian Government and the Australian Government for residents and securing over $11 million for a range of significant projects that will benefit the Maroondah community.
- Collaborating with regional partners, such as the Eastern Regional Group of Councils, to advocate for shared services and resources to support our municipalities.
- Advocated for the removal of level crossings, with three projects (Bedford Road in Ringwood; Coolstore Road and Dublin Road in Ringwood East) all underway.
Other highlights
- Begun a review of general amenity local law 11 that addresses public safety.
- Started to implement the 11 new Child Safe Standards.
- Promoted men's mental and physical health as part of Men's Health Week.
- Redeveloped Tarralla Kindergarten and Maternal and Child Health, and Ringwood East Maternal and Child Health Centre.
- Supported the community to re-engage with Maroondah Leisure facilities and physical activity during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
- Delivered improvements to sporting and multipurpose facilities at Proclamation Park, Cheong Park, Ainslie Park, Dorset Recreation Reserve and Springfield Park.
- Worked in partnership to support young people facing barriers to employment.
- Provided subsidised use of cultural facilities for local arts and cultural groups and creative practitioners.
- Encouraged participation in the Great Southern BioBlitz and City Nature Challenge citizen science events to connect people with nature.
- Undertaken pond and dam rehabilitation works at Yarrunga Reserve and Warranwood Reserve.
- Studied the Eastfield Road, Railway Avenue and Morinda Street intersection in Ringwood East to identify potential safety improvements.
- Worked in partnership to commence delivery of the Tarralla Creek Stormwater Harvesting Scheme.
- Implemented a new GenConnect social inclusion program that involves bringing older people to the Maroondah Occasional Care service to socialise and interact with children.
- Launched a new-look Maroondah Leisure website and a new Perfect Gym app that enables Maroondah Leisure members to manage their memberships and activity.
