Saturday 3 November 2012

Congratulations to Jane Addis, Councillor for Maling Ward

I came third (out of 6 candidates) in the election for Maling Ward with 18% of the primary vote.

Jane Addis (an independent) was elected with a very strong vote. I am happy that voters elected her over one of the two (undeclared) Liberal candidates - Scott Samson and Stephen Spring.

Congratulations Jane.

It is great that Maling Ward has a female Councillor, with another two women (Coral Ross, re-elected & Judith Voce) elected. Boroondara Council now has a better gender balance.

I look forward to the new Council supporting and taking action on improved cycling infrastructure and sustainability and supporting local community groups such as the Friends of South Surrey Park.

Tuesday 23 October 2012

Developer abandon plans for Camberwell Station development

The plans for a high rise development at Camberwell Station have been abandoned by the developer.  This is a good outcome following the community campaign against inappropriate development of the station.

The Progress Leader published this letter from me about the outcome.


It is good to see that community activism helped torpedo the multistory development planned at Camberwell station. 

Hopefully a better low-scale development can now be planned that improves amenity of the station for train travellers, preserves the station's heritage values and provides a public plaza to benefit the local community.


Thursday 18 October 2012

I have enjoyed my campaign for Maling Ward, its up to the voters now

I have enjoyed my campaign for Maling Ward.  It has been a pleasure to meet many residents, groups and traders in Maling Ward and across the City of Boroondara.


With six candidates running it is very much an open race so your vote will be very important.

I ask for your vote (1) if if you would like a fresh and capable Councillor for Maling Ward on Boroondara Council. 

I am genuine independent candidate as I am not a member of any political party. I will be able to represent all residents of Maling Ward free from the constraints that a political party might apply.

In the end, its not about me, its about you.  Your vote will help elect the next Councillor.  My prime responsibility will be to represent your views and issues on Boroondara Council.

The number one issue that residents raised with me has been protecting our heritage and streetscapes from inappropriate development.  Here is what I said about this in the Boroondara Review.

What is the most pressing matter facing Boroondara? 

Many people are greatly concerned inappropriate development is destroying many residential streets and shopping centres. We have lost fine heritage buildings.

How do you propose Council better address this issue?

I will consult widely to ensure resident views on local development proposals and protection of our heritage are represented to council and taken into account during planning decisions.

I look forward to representing you and Maling Ward  if I am elected. I commit to putting a 100% effort to do so.

Remember, your ballot must be received (by post) by 6pm on Friday 26 October.,


Monday 15 October 2012

On my bike and in poll position!

The Boroondara Review, a local newspaper, has just published an article and one of the reasons I am standing for Council - the provision of safer shared pedestrian and cycling infrastructure to create a better network throughout Boroondara.

Peter Campbell cycling on Rathmines Road. Photo: Stephen McKenzie

Boroondara Council has a key role for advocating for the provision of infrastructure. If elected, I will pursue the opportunity to provide a safe family-friendly shared pedestrian and bike trial through Boroondara connecting Hawthorn and Box Hill.
Most residents of Maling Ward I have spoken to during this campaign really want a safe trail for bikes and pedestrians along this route for local trips and tot connect with the Anniversary and Main Yarra Trails.
I am participating in the Ride to Work Day this Wednesday 17/10 and having breakfast at the Hawthorn Velodrome in Boroondara.  I hope to see you there.
Links

Friday 12 October 2012

I spoke at the local Falun Dafa forum in Balwyn


I was invited by Lucy Lieu from Falun Dafa (also called Falun Gong) to participate in a public forum in Balwyn for candidates across Boroondara to meet local Falun Dafa members.  This is one of the very few chances I have had to speak at a public event and meet local residents in a forum in the run up to the Boroondara Council elections.

Falun Dafa is an advanced self-cultivation practice based on Zhen that espouses the admirable principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance.

I spoke my first words of Mandarin - Dàjiā hǎo (welcome).

I provided an overview of my background and life in Boroondara, then briefly covered several issues in Maling Ward and across Boroondara such as inappropriate development, improving public transport, a plan for the Hawthorn to Box Hill shared trail and the delivery of important local community services.

I had a couple of excellent questions.  I was asked why international students cannot get a student concession card for public transport and have to pay full fare.  I said I thought that this was not appropriate and that Boroondara Council should advocate to the Victorian Government for international students to get concession cards.

Another resident asked if train services could be increased to Canterbury Station.  I replied that there are too few trains stopping at East Camberwell, Canterbury and Chatham stations in Maling Ward, and that I thought is was appropriate for Boroondara Council to also advocate to the Victorian Government for increased services.  You can sometimes wait up to 20 minutes between trains during peak hours.  There should be a service every 10 minutes during busy periods, and every 30 minutes on weekends and during off peak periods.

After the formalities we shared a nice afternoon tea and chatted further about local issues.

It was a pleasure to see so many people interested in local issues and opportunities throughout Boroondara.

Sunday 30 September 2012

A busy working bee at South Surrey Park

We had a busy working bee at South Surrey Park today planting behind the fence near the playground in Verdun Street.  Adrian Hotchin from Boroondara Council supplied the plants and the equipment, we supplied morning tea and some helpers


See also: Working bee on Sunday 30 September near Verdun St Playground

Saturday 29 September 2012

Out and about in Maling Ward

Today I visited some fine local cafes and did some door knocking to meet some residents of Maling Ward.  I visited Mick at Cafe Biscotti next to South Surrey Park, who told me that Council is planning to extend a garden bed on the footpath.  Some drivers have come out of Through Road opposite and mounted the footpath here thinking it is a road.  Mick has suggested a handrail along the kerbside to prevent this.  There is a need for more consultation here.


I next visited Peter at Wilson & Walsh in Maling Road, where you can get the best home made sausage rolls with salad in Melbourne, and great coffee.


A father was helping his young son cycle near the proposed route of the Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail - a family-friendly shared pedestrian and bike path that could connect Surrey Hills to Box Hill and back to Camberwell and Hawthorn.


Some children were cycling on the safety of Canterbury Sportsground off Guildford Road.


The bike lane on Mont Albert Road looks good, but doesn't work well when cars park in it as they frequently do.  I don't think this is safe for children to ride on.


Finally, I had a nice lunch and coffee at the Red Brick Cafe in Mont Albert Road.  Local cafes are very popular with residents for coffee, snacks and meals.



Some residents invited me in for a chat and a coffee.  Most were very supportive of the Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail.   Some raised concerns about Council removing native flowering gums from nearby streets.  Some were concerned about increased rates and noted that property values had decreased recently in the area from the height of the recent boom.  Concerns about inappropriate development and loss of heritage homes was again mentioned by many residents.

I had a nice time, and made it home before the storms came through.

Sunday 9 September 2012

Peter Campbell for Maling Ward in Boroondara in 2012

I am running for Maling Ward for the upcoming postal election for Boroondara.

As a long-term Surrey Hills resident, I greatly value our tree-lined streets, parks and gardens, recreational facilities, cultural activities and diversity.  You can read more about me here.

If elected I will work to:

Protect and improve our environment
  • Initiatives to increase recycling, save water, promote energy efficiency and reduce our carbon emissions 
  • Retain significant trees during renovations and re-building 
  • Protect and improve our public parks and open spaces 
Surrey Gardens. Photo: Peter Campbell, Wikipedia

Ensure appropriate urban development and protect our local heritage
  • Make our delightful strip shopping centres more pedestrian-friendly and promote our small businesses in Maling Ward 
  • Preserve and re-use iconic buildings 
  • Protect the heritage values and character of our suburbs  [more information]
Improve local transport
Support our community
  • Provide more kindergarten and child care facilities to meet our growing demand 
  • Provide vital services that allow older people to remain at home in comfort 
  • Encourage and support local festivals to build and strengthen our community spirit
  • Provide more activities and events for young people
Maling Road street party. Photo: Peter Campbell

Maling Road street party. Photo: Peter Campbell

If you have any questions or you would like to have a chat, please contact me on 0409 417 504 or malingward@gmail.com

Friday 7 September 2012

Protecting our local heritage

Protecting our local heritage in Maling Ward and across the City of Boroondara is as a major concern of local residents.  Many residents have contacted me about this issue, citing the demolition of fine period homes to make way of the construction of inappropriate large-scale mansions or multi-occupancy dwellings.

We are losing our architectural heritage and ruining our streetscapes.  Many established trees and gardens are lost too and replaced with buildings and paved areas.

A period home overlooked by a large modern house in Maling Ward. Photo supplied by local resident.

Another example was the secret and rapid demolition of the wonderful old Surrey Hills Post Office in Canterbury Road by a developer with Council apparently unaware until it was too late.

I will consult widely with the local community to ensure residents views on this matter are represented to Council and taken into account when planning decisions are made.

I commit to:
  • Opposing inappropriate urban development that destroys or dwarfs heritage homes.
  • Ensuring that significant trees are protected.
If we lose our heritage due to bad planning decisions we cannot get it back.

Thursday 6 September 2012

My talk on the Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail at the SHNC AGM

I was invited to speak on behalf of the Boroondara Bicycle Users Group about the Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail at the Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre (SHNC) Annual General Meeting on 5 September 2011.

The SHNC has three cycling groups that do regular rides around Boroondara, from short social rides up to 70km trips across and out of Melbourne.

The Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail is a proposal for a family friendly safe cycling and pedestrian route that would connect many schools and activity centres through the middle of Boroondara in an east-west direction.



I emphasised that there is a chronic lack of a safe cycling route east-west through Boroondara.   A route that connects the Yarra, West Hawthorn, Glenferrie Road, Auburn Road shopping centre, Camberwell Junction, Maling Road, Union Road shops through to Box Hill could be used for a variety of local trips.

It would also be great for children who are learning to ride, and for families who like to ride on a route free from cars.

Cycling with my daughter Chloe along the Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail Route

There were over 50 people at the AGM, many of who cycle regularly.  All were keen to use sections of this route.

The City of Boroondara has added this route to their Bicycle Strategy, but much of the route following the train line to Box Hills is controlled by the Victorian State Government via VicTrack and VicRoads.  So far, the Victorian Government has been unwilling to develop this route, despite support from Finance Minster and member for Box Hill Robert Clark (for the portion of the route in his electorate).

If elected to Maling Ward, I will advocate to and work with the Victorian Government to realise the fantastic opportunity that this route offers to local residents.

You can also read my submission to the Bicycle Network Victoria survey of candidates here]

More information


Our house won Sustainable Homes Gold Award in Boroondara

The September edition of the Boroondara Bulletin has an article about our Surrey Hills house renovation winning the 2011 Boroondara Sustainable Homes Gold Award.  Lena's Permaculture Garden got a Special Commendation.



It was great to see so many inspiring house and garden projects in Boroondara.  We were very pleased to win the award for our renovation that was completed in 2001. We decided to do everything we could to reduce our "environmental footprint" and

You can download a copy of the Boroondara Bulletin [here] (PDF)

You can find more information about our house and garden here: Surrey Hills house - Greenlivingpedia