President Margaret presented Honorary Membership to City of Melville Mayor Katie Mair
Our guest speaker, the Mayor of the City of Melville, Katie Mair, stepped in at very short notice to talk to us about lots of things which are happening through the city.
Katie had to cover many points of interest in a short time and touched upon the city supporting community ideas through a simplified grants program.
Grants are separated by brackets of funds requested – either $200 to $1000 or $1000 to $10,000.
They are awarded on the basis of broad community benefits and must be healthy, safe, inclusive and sustainable.
Another initiative is six installations of Christmas lights across Melville to promote residents’ enjoyment of their public spaces and providing another way to spend time with their families and neighbours.
A big ticket item for the MCC is Moreau Mews and the new public space at Esplanade Park. The costs are justified owing to the number of people in that square kilometre area. There are 4000 residents living there now, but in the next few years, the number will grow to 10,000.
MCC is duty bound to provide adequate community space where people can socialise and so far there are several facilities in place which include barbecues and public toilets.
Another big spend item is the ageing Melville Recreation Centre. The MCC is heavily invested in providing and improving recreation areas. In order to develop the recreation centre and future proof the sports oval behind it, council is chasing $60 million in funding. The State Government has been approached.
In other council concerns, the Gunbower Jetty has been closed, with a community survey asking if it should be retained, repaired or replaced.
The Heathcote Lowerlands renewal plan is a project close to Katie’s heart and she is proud that with endorsement from the traditional owners, council has completed stages 1 and 2 comprising pathways, artworks and landscaping. The bill to date is $9 million with a $2.3 million grant from Lotterywest. In response to public requests, Katie would like to see a flight of stairs connecting the Lowerlands to Heathcote built and that would be at a cost of $1 million. Rotary is encouraged to make a donation so this work can be completed before the Bicentenary of the city.
Another key function of the council is Planning for Growth under the Land Planning Scheme 6. Future planning must embrace the different characteristics of the City of Melville and find a balance. There is the opportunity of 24,000 more homes to be built which more than satisfies the State Government quota.
Katie is mindful that a lot of funding goes to sporting groups, but other residents have different interests. The city’s five libraries attract huge attendance which is more than the average number. The new council chambers will also include a library, museum, arts centre, events space and a café/restaurant. It will cost $60 million with funding from the State Government and Lotterywest.
Council is also mindful of day trippers to the city, who may visit Garden City Shopping Centre, Point Walter, Heathcote or the RAAFA Museum. These places of interest must present well.
The City of Melville sponsors the art awards at the council offices with a prize of $10,000. These are popular with artists and the public alike and attract high quality pieces.
Katie applauded Melville Security which has attended 18,000 jobs any time of the day or night since its inception.
Her final point was a call out to public opinion if a big tree fated to be cut down on private land must be approved by council first.
There was so much more Katie could have discussed but she ran out of time. Gordon squeezed in a quick question and asked her how she finds the time to attend so many events in the city and work with so many different groups.
Katie’s short answer was: “A diary. I have a very scheduled life.” But it was said with a big smile and there was no doubt that Katie loves her job.
