Image above: 2012-2016 Councillors
Cr Jim Parke, Cr Heinz Kreutz, Cr Steve Hurd (L to R: top step) Cr Jane Addis, Cr Jack Wegman, Cr Philip Mallis, Cr Phillip Healey (L to R: middle step) Cr Judith Voce, Cr Kevin Chow, Mayor Councillor Coral Ross (L to R: bottom step)
Eat, Play, Love Boroondara
Steeped in a rich history, Boroondara has long been famous for its leafy streets, premier parks and vibrant shopping strips, as well as its iconic Kew Traffic School, Camberwell trash and treasure market, and the Camberwell Fresh Food market, which turns 85 this year.
But what is often lesser known is that the region has established itself as a progressive and respected education hub, recreation hub and now, emerging arts and cultural hub.
The City of Boroondara is home to a population of around 170,000 diverse, dynamic, vocal and educated residents. It is one of the most populous local governments in Victoria. With a quarter of the population born overseas, residents are from more than 150 countries and speak over 120 languages.
While we have the second largest population of people aged 85 years and over, with 3.7% of people needing assistance with daily living tasks, the city continues to attract youth and families to the area. Almost a quarter of the population in Boroondara are aged between 0 and 19 years, with many taking advantage of the high standard universities and schools in the region.
A respected hub
Education
Boroondara is the school capital of Australia. It has 58 primary, secondary and special education schools, as well as Swinburne University, Swinburne TAFE, a University of Melbourne campus and two Universities of the Third Age. Residents can also do short courses or obtain certified or pre-accredited training in a vast array of subjects, at a choice of 10 community centres.
Recreation
Last year five recreation centres attracted a staggering two and a half million visitors, not including the council’s popular Boroondara Tennis Centre, Boroondara Skate and BMX Park, Macleay Park Netball Courts, Freeway Public Golf Course and the Kew Traffic School.
Arts and Culture
Council recently unveiled a $17 million arts and culture hub following the transformation of the old Hawthorn Town to bring to life a stunning theatre and gallery space, shops and cafés. Over this year we will be funding more than $2.4 million to keep this space alive and planted firmly on the arts and cultural map of Greater Melbourne, as well as continuing to support our flagship Community Cultural Centre, the Kew Court House, literary events, our music eisteddfod, civic art collection and a host of other colourful cultural events.
More than rates, roads and rubbish
As well as managing rates, roads and rubbish, council also provides over 150 facilities and services such as libraries, parks and gardens, childcare, sports and leisure facilities as well as providing support to groups like international students, people with a disability, those with English as a Second Language, the elderly, traders, schools, Universities and community groups.
The City boasts rich bio-diversity of rare flora and fauna, has approximately 600 hectares of open space, 58km of on-road cycling paths and over 200 parks and gardens.
Our Council ethos
Our vision is to continue building a vibrant and inclusive community with an outstanding quality of life. In delivering on this commitment, our central role is to listen to the needs and aspirations of our community – we listen, they talk, we act! This is key in our mission to provide services, facilities, support and advocacy to enable our community to further its sense of place and connection in a City which is a great place to live, work and play.
Image below: Mayor Councillor Coral Ross, Nov 2013 – Nov 2014