Essendon Bowls Club, together with Airport West Football Club and Strathmore Bowls Club, are going solar. Essendon Bowls Club’s 20 kilowatt system is expected to cut around $6,000 each year from the club’s energy bills and save 39 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year – that’s the equivalent of taking around nine cars off the road. Able Australia’s holiday program for local children with disabilities, provides accessible and affordable activities for children who might otherwise be unable to participate. Playback Productions, a local theatre company based in Avondale Heights, staged a children’s production of Beauty and the Beast (as seen on the cover of this issue of Valley View), giving 36 young budding actors invaluable theatre experience and a chance to shine on the Clocktower Centre stage! Planning news in brief Settler’s cottage on the move Council is moving forward with work to preserve the historical ‘settler’s cottage’ formerly located at 1070 Mt Alexander Road, Essendon. The timber cottage, which was relocated to Council's depot in May so it can be restored, is an important part of Moonee Valley's history and has potential regional importance stemming from the gold rush era. Council took the decision in December to relocate and restore the cottage, which had been approved to be demolished as part of a new development. We have developed a Conservation Management Plan to guide the cottage restoration. It identifies the works necessary to conserve the heritage values of the cottage, as well as principles to guide the selection of a future permanent home. Once restoration is complete, options for a permanent location and use for the cottage will be taken to a future Council Meeting. For more information call Strategic Planning on 9243 8888. Essendon Junction Structure Plan In November Council adopted the Essendon Junction Structure Plan, a long-term document to guide future development and infrastructure improvements within the Essendon Junction Activity Centre, and we're now starting to implement the structure plan’s actions. A key action is to undertake a State Government process, called a planning scheme amendment, to add controls into the Moonee Valley Planning Scheme which will guide the built form and land use of new development within the activity centre.
Branch and pruning dates will continue into early to mid-June for those residents whose usual waste collection days are Thursday or Friday. If your day is Thursday, your branch and pruning collection start date is 6 June. Or 13 June for Friday. Place your bundled items out on the nature strip on the Sunday night before your collection week. Your items will be collected sometime during that week. Parts of your old televisions, computers, printers or other electronic waste can be recycled at the Moonee Valley Transfer Station through TechCollect. Visit You must replace your 9 volt battery smoke alarm each year at the end of daylight saving. The MFB reminds people to: Change your clock, change your smoke alarm battery. Working smoke alarms are compulsory in every home. All smoke alarms should be tested every month. It was wonderful to see so many community members at the Keilor East RSL Anzac Day march and service. The work of the RSL ensures the sacrifices of our soldiers, sailors and airmen live on in our memories. Ward Duty: Buckley Ward Deputy Mayor, Cr Paul Giuliano Portfolio: Urban Design, Open Space and Assets Phone: 0423 699 646 In March, we officially opened the new Aberfeldie Park Pavilion, a multi-use facility for local sport and recreation groups, including Essendon Maribyrnong Park Ladies Cricket Club and Essendon Auskick. The upgrade includes two unisex change rooms, umpires’ room, medical room, social space and kitchen facilities. The future of the Alf Pearce Reserve dog off-lead area will be decided at an upcoming Council meeting. A section of the reserve has been temporarily fenced off for dogs to exercise and play off-lead. Council asked the community whether they support a permanent fenced area for dogs via a survey. For more information, visit . The 1 Shot photo workshop and challenge, which ran for the month of March allowed 13 to 19 year olds to showcase and explore their creativity. Photographs submitted reflected positive relationships, feeling good and being safe, inspired by Council’s “Thrive” strategy for young people. Congratulations to all participants and first prize winner Oliver Clayton. Thank you to the library staff, Youth Services team and Essendon Camera Club for organising the event. Cr Jan Chantry Portfolio: Arts and Culture Phone: 0411 704 625