Despite the financial difficulties many businesses are experiencing due to the pandemic, the Hobsons Bay City Council is determined to push ahead with its planned rate increase.  The proposed average rate increase across Hobsons Bay is 2%, but it is 3.89% for commercial properties (e.g. shops, cafes and other small businesses) and 8.78% for Industrial properties.  Rates for petrochemical properties is proposed to increase by 1.14%.

Local shops, cafes and other small businesses and local industry are really hurting, as are their staff.  Increasing rates to these local businesses at this time is irresponsible and not in the spirit of council supporting local business and jobs.  The pandemic has sent many to the wall, and those that survived the first lockdown and first three months until reopening are again affected by the second lockdown.  Many will be lucky to survive.

The disgraced former Minister for Local Government, Adem Somyurek announced the rate cap for Victorian councils in December 2019 – well before the pandemic.  Life and the Australian economic climate is very different now, and the country is in recession with negative growth.  Rates should not be increasing at this time.

The council budget provides an operational surplus of $25.3 million for the year for 2020-21.  This is a surplus increase of $1.107 million compared to 2019-20.

Whilst the average general rate increase is 2 per cent as mentioned above, total rate income is expected to increase by 2.69 per cent, due to waste service charges and supplementary growth, raising total rates and charges for 2020-21 to $114.452 million.

COVID-19 Community Support Package

The council administration will argue that the COVID-19 Community Support Package will ensure local businesses are supported during this time, and that 150% of the increase in rates will go back to the community.  Let’s have a look at what this package includes:

(a) program to support local connections ($100,000);
(b) incentives to use Council venues including the Williamstown Town Hall and Altona Theatre ($132,000);
(c) waiver of summer sports ground rentals ($72,000);
(d) strategic planning support for sports clubs to resume training and competition ($60,000);
(e) sports pavilion cleaning program ($20,000);
(f) ‘loan to own’ iPads program at the libraries ($60,000);
(g) an additional $500,000 to the existing Annual Community Grants Programs (Community groups, organisations and clubs, not businesses);
(h) rebates for the 2020-21 food registration ($595,000), public health fees ($63,000), and footpath trading permit fees ($150,000);
(i) extending the waiver of paid parking in Nelson Place until 31 December 2020 (customers of businesses located at Williamstown Beach will also be provided dedicated permits for free parking during this period) ($520,000);
(j) rent relief in Council owned property ($210,000);
(j) town planning rebates ($177,000); and
(k) rolling out a business precinct support campaign ($250,000).

These arguably provide little support to traders.  Waiver of paid parking fees in Williamstown, for example, reduces the income to council, but that was impacted by the pandemic anyway.  Further, none of that money is going to local businesses.  Commercial property owners are being required to reduct rent to tenants, so even that so called “rent relief” of $210,000 is not anything not being expected of other owners of commercial buildings and is only going to assist council’s tenants.  Doing things like not charging for footpath trading permit fees and public health fees is the least the council can do to support local business.

Out of the whole $3 million support package, only a small portion is actually going to support local businesses.

Hobsons Bay Financial Hardship Policy 2020.

The council is also rightly improving its Financial Hardship Policy to enable residential ratepayers, businesses, sporting clubs and community groups to get assistance from their rates, waste charges, fees, user charges and interest in the form of a deferral, discount, waiver or refund.  Only the council CEO can authorise a waiver or refund of money paid to/ or payable to Council including rates, interest, rent, fees and charges.  Waivers or refunds are limited to a cumulative total value of $10,000 or of 12 months rates value, whichever is the lesser amount, for each applicant, and no more than waiver or refund application can be approved for any individual, club, association or business.

The assessment process is supposed to be simple, but Council will necessarily consider all matters in its deliberations, and may seek applicable supporting information to be provided including: company records, bank statements, financial records or assessments, employment documentation, Centrelink and/or taxation information and a Financial Counselling report.

The policy states that consideration of a waiver can only occur if all financial information has been disclosed to Council with supporting documentation as requested. Council will also require the concurrence and validation of the circumstances by a qualified financial counsellor.

As you can see, this policy necessarily requires a significant degree of oversight by the council, and a commensurate degree of work for the applicant to complete the application, provide the necessary documentation and submit themselves to a financial counselling report.

It seems to me that more local businesses will be seeking deferrals, discounts, waivers or refunds if their rates are increased by 4% at this very difficult time.  In my view it would be preferable for the council NOT to increase rates and charges on local businesses, and to provide this support anyway.

As I wrote in April, if we’re all in this together, why is the council’s budget immune?  Why are they not willing to take some of the pain the community is feeling?  The council still expects a significant surplus despite the pandemic, and is forecasting annual growth.  This is from the council budget:

What Can You Do to Help?

It is important local businesses, their staff and people who support them lodge submissions to the council explaining the impact of the pandemic and the proposed increased in rates, and the little relief provided by the support package to businesses.  Mention the difficulty and challenges in applying for relief and how it’s appreciated but that as proud business owners you  want to avoid having to apply for rate deferrals, reductions, waivers or refunds from the council.  A rate discount – and definitely not increasing rates – is what you, your business and your staff need.

To lodge a submission:
(a) Visit https://participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/2020-21-budget.  All the budget documentation is provided on this page.
(b) Prepare your budget submission explaining your situation and the importance of the council not increasing rates to businesses.
(c) Lodge your submission by 5pm, Friday 24 July 2020.

Please consider speaking in support of your submission to the council.  If you are willing to do this – and I really encourage you to do this – then please mention it in your submission.

Submissions should be sent to:

Andrew McLeod
Director of Corporate Services
Hobsons Bay City Council
Email:  amcleod@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

You can also make your submission via the above page, and I also welcome you to send me a copy of your submission – tbriffa@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

I support the retention and upgrade of the existing kindergartens in Altona and Seaholme.  They are wonderful kindergartens that serve our community well and are much loved by many of us.  Sadly, council has previously resolved to build an “Early Years Hub” in Altona and to make it viable they closed the Altona West Kindergarten last year (while I was not part of the council).  Now council officers have recommended that we close a further two kindergartens in Altona – the Altona Kindergarten on Blyth St and the Somers Parade Kindergarten.  Here was the recommendation from the council officers:

The community’s response was wonderful, and within days the kindergartens had met with me and obtained 848 signatures on a petition and a joint letter to the council.  It was also great to see so many parents and concerned residents attend the council meeting to show their opposition to the council officer recommendation to close the kindergartens.

Families at the Council Meeting where the recommendation to close two local kindergartens was debated.

I was pleased to put up an alternate motion at the meeting which was as follows:

As you can see, my motion to consider this matter on 12 September following a further report was accepted, but not my attempt to not engage a builder for the Hub.  The CEO explained we can seek a builder via tender but we still have the option not to award the tender to anyone.

The future of the kindergartens is sadly still not secure.  I encourage families and the local community to support our local kindergartens and to get in touch with them about ways you can support the campaign to save them.

June 22, 2017 10:52 am
by  Goya Dmytryshchak

Two Altona kindergartens have won a reprieve after Hobsons Bay council delayed a decision on their closure.

Close to 100 protesters, some holding signs saying “Save Altona’s kinders”, attended last week’s council meeting at which the issue was being heard for the third time.

A council officer’s report recommended that Altona Kindergarten and Somers Parade Kindergarten be closed due to a new hub being built at Altona P-9 College.

Cr Tony Briffa tabled a petition with 848 signatures and a joint letter signed by committee of management heads of both kindergartens, pleading for them to remain open.

The petition stated in part: “These kinders have been part of the community for more than 50 years. They exceed national quality standards, are financially viable and are loved by the community and our children.”

Cr Michael Grech told last week’s meeting it was important to keep community kindergartens.

“I went to Russell Court kinder in Altona Meadows and, funnily enough, so did my wife,” he said.

“This year we were lucky enough to have our three-year-old son follow in our footsteps. At the moment, we can only get him in one day a week due to demand. I feel by destroying our centres, we are destroying our communities.”

The state government has contributed $1.6 million for a new early-years hub to be built on the Altona P-9 College site, with the council to contribute about $5.6 million. The hub would have 198 places.

Last week’s meeting heard that it would cost $3.8 million to upgrade the existing kindergartens.

The council voted to consider a further report on early years services in Altona and Seaholme and the matters raised in the petition and joint letter at its September 12 meeting.

July 4, 2017 2:00 pm
by  Goya Dmytryshchak

Budget passed but hub could spell end for kinders JULY 4, 2017 2:00 PM BY GOYA DMYTRYSHCHAK

Hobsons Bay council has adopted its annual budget, despite concern that allocating $4.59million to build an Altona early years hub will seal the fate of local kindergartens.

The budget includes more than $34million on capital works, $118million on operational expenditure and an average rate increase of 2 per cent.

It includes $7.4million for open space, $6.7million for roads, $3.8million for footpaths and bike paths, $2.7million for plant and equipment and $11.4million for buildings, with the hub being the most expensive project.

Councillors Tony Briffa and Michael Grech said while they supported the overall budget, the funding allocation for a new hub on the Altona P-9 College site meant supporting the closure of Altona and Seaholme kindergartens.

Cr Briffa told last week’s council meeting that the hub and the future of the kindergartens were intertwined.

“They are inextricably linked and we are making an allocation of $4.59million for a hub that is going to make local kindergartens unviable, so that is definitely my consideration,” Cr Briffa said.

Cr Grech asked if the previous council, which did not include himself or Cr Briffa, had known local kinders would be closed when it voted in favour of a new hub.

“When council resolved on the 26th of April, 2016, to construct a hub, were council fully informed that in order to make a hub viable, kindergartens would have to be closed?”

Community wellbeing director Peter Hunt replied that the councillors had been briefed a number of times.

“I think we had three fortnights in a row when we had briefings to the council so the councillors were well aware of the challenges posed by a small catchment and an oversupply of places.”

Cr Briffa moved a budget amendment to allocate but not use the money for the hub until the future of the kindergartens was decided, but this only gained support from Cr Grech.

The council meeting heard that a report on kinders in the precinct would come to the council in September and a contract to build the hub was expected to be awarded in October.

Hobsons Bay council has adopted its annual budget, despite concern that allocating $4.59million to build an Altona early years hub will seal the fate of local kindergartens.

The budget includes more than $34million on capital works, $118million on operational expenditure and an average rate increase of 2 per cent. It includes $7.4million for open space, $6.7million for roads, $3.8million for footpaths and bike paths, $2.7million for plant and equipment and $11.4million for buildings, with the hub being the most expensive project.

Councillors Tony Briffa and Michael Grech said while they supported the overall budget, the funding allocation for a new hub on the Altona P-9 College site meant supporting the closure of Altona and Seaholme kindergartens.

Cr Briffa told last week’s council meeting that the hub and the future of the kindergartens were intertwined. “They are inextricably linked and we are making an allocation of $4.59million for a hub that is going to make local kindergartens unviable, so that is definitely my consideration,” Cr Briffa said.

Cr Grech asked if the previous council, which did not include himself or Cr Briffa, had known local kinders would be closed when it voted in favour of a new hub. “When council resolved on the 26th of April, 2016, to construct a hub, were council fully informed that in order to make a hub viable, kindergartens would have to be closed?” Community wellbeing director Peter Hunt replied that the councillors had been briefed a number of times. “I think we had three fortnights in a row when we had briefings to the council so the councillors were well aware of the challenges posed by a small catchment and an oversupply of places.”

Cr Briffa moved a budget amendment to allocate but not use the money for the hub until the future of the kindergartens was decided, but this only gained support from Cr Grech.

The council meeting heard that a report on kinders in the precinct would come to the council in September and a contract to build the hub was expected to be awarded in October.

As a Councillor, Deputy Mayor and Mayor, my main focus was to give the community a voice and to provide leadership to the council and community.  I often spoke about integrity, values, openness and transparency, but rather than just speak about them, I made sure I walked the walk.

As a Councillor it is important that all my actions and decisions are open and transparent.  I am pleased to have therefore introduced the following policies to the Hobsons Bay City Council:

(a) Council meetings are recorded and podcast on the council website within 24 hours;

(b) Councillor expenses are regularly made publicly available on the council website; and

(c) Matters are only considered in camera when absolutely necessary, and even then they are to be reviewed and made public once the reason for the confidentiality no longer applies.

I was very disappointed with a number of decisions made by the council behind closed doors and without any community consultation.  Incredibly most of the other councillors – including those who talk about “values” and “integrity” – were happy to support that process.  I will always speak out in support of what is right and what is in the best interests of our community. 

As a Councillor I also ensured I regularly consulted with the community and informed the community what I was doing via twitter, facebook, this website and my regular email newsletter “Community Update”.  I was also regularly available to meet with local community groups, individuals and business owners/operators.

Vote for me as per my how to vote cardif you want this level of representation, openness, transparency, integrity and communication.

As a Councillor I was very active in the local community to ensure I was able to represent and advocate for the community as well-informed as possible.  The following is a list of some of my activities in a 11 month period on council (not including Council meetings, briefings, meetings with Council’s CEO and Directors, etc):

Newport Senior Citizens Group;
Altona Gate Shopping Centre Management;
Brooklyn Resident Action Group;
Hobsons Bay Men’s Shed;
Noordenne Residents Group;
Italian Social Club, Altona North;
Delegation of traders from Hudsons Road, Spotswood;
Joseph’s Corner;
Individual residents on a range of issues such as upgrades to local reserves;
Mayor of Cairns and visited Cairns Regional Council  (Self paid);
Victoria Police, Youth Services and Hobsons Bay Blue Light Disco;
Hobsons Bay Residents Association;
Bendigo Bank;
Altona City Theatre;
Jill Hennessy MP;
Seaholme Primary School;
Youth Services regarding possible Blue Light Disco in Altona;
Hobsons Bay Maltese Association;
Spotswood Traders;
Westbourne Grammar’s Annual Concert;
Altona Historical Homestead open day;
Powercor Buloke Business Excellence Awards Gala Presentation;
GLBTIQ Advisory Committee Meeting;
Mobile Customer Service Program, Pier Street Altona;
Williamstown High School Centenary Theatre Fund;
Dinner with the Altona Fishing and Angling Club;
Launch of the “Say ‘No’ to Homophobia” campaign at Parliament House;
Unveiled the new mosaic artwork at Somers Parade Kindergarten;
Spoke at Hobsons Bay Youth Forum 2012;
Held Environment Day as part of Mayoral Program;
Welcome Ceremony for 2012 Anjo Students at Bayside P-12;
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development DVD Launch;
Joseph’s Corner Thank You Luncheon;
All Aboard Club’s 75th Celebration;
Arabic Women’s Pre Ramadan Conference;
Association of Bayside of Municipalities;
Customer Service Mobile Program in Williamstown;
Complete Family Care Re-Opening;
Youth Leadership Graduation Ceremony;
Mobile Customer Service Program, Altona Gate;
National Tree Day (Altona North and Altona Meadows);
Celebrations Altona;
Spoke at NAIDOC Week Raising of the Flag Ceremony;
Spoke at the Victorian Multi Cultural Conference;
Spoke at the Anjo, Japan Student Welcome Reception;
Spoke at the Laverton Time Capsule Event;
Spoke at the Hobsons Bay Early Years Conference;
Visited Yarrabah Council, Cairns;
Chaired Citizenship Ceremonies;
Altona City Soccer Club;
Williamstown Chamber of Commerce;
Hobsons Bay Maltese Association;
Supt Peter Bull from the North Western Metro Region;
Youth Citizen of the Year;
Men’s Shed Open Day;
TS Voyager Annual Unit Assessment (Williamstown);
ALGA Conference;
Crashendo group rehearsal at Laverton P-12 College;
Hobsons Bay interagency networking meeting;
Lions Club of Altona Changeover dinner;
Spoke at the Brooklyn Federation Trail Celebration;
Spoke at Refugee Week Celebrations;
Spoke at the Crashendo Concert at Laverton P-12 College;
Presented awards at the Hobsons Bay Meals on Wheels Celebration;
Chaired Junior School Council;
Visited Cooraminta Kindergarten, Laverton;
Newport Islamic Group;
Brooklyn Residents Action Group;
Lois Joel Arts Centre;
Point Cook Action Group;
Maltese Bocci Club;
Melbourne Queer Film Festival;
Williamstown Visitor Information Centre;
South Kingsville Community Centre – Cooking with all Abilities;
St Martin de Porres Primary School in Laverton;
Parents of Children with a Disability;
Maltese Association of Hobsons Bay Mother’s Day Lunch;
Finnish Friendly Visiting Service 15 Year Anniversary Celebration;
Tour of the Sea Shepherd in Williamstown;
Mobile Customer Service Program in Spotswood;
Official Opening of the Williamstown Cricket Ground;
Yooralla UCAN Event as part of Governor General’s visit;
Brooklyn Residents Reference Group;
Altona Loop Action Group Meeting;
Street SmART Art Auction in Laverton;
Spoke at the Pixel 8 Awards;
Spoke at the Art in Public Places Wrap Up/Awards Night;
Spoke at the Altona North Children’s Centre 20th Birthday Celebration;
Spoke at the International Day Against Homophobia (City of Port Phillip);
Raised HBCC’s Rainbow Flag for IDAHO;
Chaired Junior School Council;
LGMA National Congress;
Altona Hockey Club;
Mobil CEO;
Toyota CEO;
Evolve re: Port Phillip Woollen Mills;
Williamstown Chamber of Commerce;
Inside Edge regarding Altona Facilities Feasibility;
Otway Partners regarding Precinct 15;
Jill Hennessy, MLA for Altona;
Members of the Hobsons Bay Community Fund;
Residents to discuss 99 Queen Street;
Mobile Customer Service Program – Aviation Road, Laverton;
Altona Lions Market;
Hobsons Bay Community Fund Meeting;
Fell Reserve, Seaholme Consultation meeting;
Meeting regarding Spotswood Pub;
Official Re-Opening of The Rex Theatre, Charlton;
Woods Street Art Space;
Community Grants Committee meeting;
MAV Councillor Development Weekend;
Presented and spoke at the Hobsons Bay Young Citizen of the Year Awards;
Participated in the Rainbow Family Forum Session;
Participated in the ‘Meet Your GLBTIQ Neighbours’ session in Wyndham;
Visited Altona Meadows Primary School;
Visited the Williamstown Cricket Ground and Williamstown Library;
Visited the Williamstown Senior Citizens Club;
Judged Art in Public Places;
Joy FM Radio Spot;
Hobsons Bay Libraries;
Ron Walker (Evolve) re: Port Phillip Woollen Mills;
Friends of Williamstown & Newport Libraries Summer Writing Awards Night;
Signcraft CEO;
The Project (Ch 10);
Burbank Homes CEO;
Newport Traders Association;
Hobsons Bay Community Bank Defibrillator for Life Project Launch;
Sisters of Saint Joseph;
Buloke Shire Visit;
Andrew Elsbury MLC;
Hobsons Bay Altona Garden Club;
Newport Mosque with Victoria Police;
Mayor of Wyndham;
Westgate Entertainment Centre;
Australian Paralympics Olympic Committee Member;
Joy FM Radio Interview;
Relay for Life in Altona;
Australian Coastal Councils Conference;
Men’s Shed Meeting;
Disability Committee Forum as part of Mayoral Program;
Western Suburbs Disability Advisory Forum;
Official opening of Seabrook Community Centre & Kindergarten;
Francis Sullivan Kindergarten Fundraising Event;
Williamstown Rotary Club Meeting;
VECCI’s Business Leaders information session;
Japanese Consulate General’s memorial ceremony for the anniversary of Japanese Earthquake victims;
Altona Beach Festival;
Chaired Junior School Council;
Inspected the Williamstown Town Hall works;
Presented Food Safety Awards;
Launched Art in Public Places;
Judged the Mayor’s Choice Award (part of Altona Beach Festival) at Louis Joel Arts Centre;
Media Launch at Logan’s Reserve for WiFi as part of Mayoral Program;
Lead West;
Qenos;
Moonee Valley Traffic School;
Migrant Resource Centre;
Compustore;
“Every Australian Counts”;
Evolve;
Able Engineering;
Arabic Women’s Group;
Scienceworks;
Salvation Army;
Altona Little Athletics;
SKM Recycling;
PAZ Group;
St John’s Ambulance;
Minister for Planning, Matthew Guy MP;
BAE Systems;
Emergency relief and food security project at St Stephens, Williamstown;
Commemorative Service in honour of the Darwin Bombing Victims;
Altona Cricket Club’s 50th Anniversary Dinner;
Launch of the National Year of Reading;
Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week event by the Lions Club of Altona and the Police Community Consultative Committee;
Official reopening of the Williamstown Uniting Church;
Lions Club of Altona 1000th Meeting;
Wyndham City Council Mayor;
Disability Advisory Committee;
Williamstown Chamber of Commerce and the manager of Arts, Events and Tourism;
Residents from the Noordenne Estate, Seaholme and representatives from the Altona City Soccer Club;
Save Williamstown Group and senior Planning Department personnel;
Herald Sun;
Movies by the Bay;
Dog’s Breakfast;
Summer Sounds concert;
Mobile Customer Service Program;
Australia Day Breakfast and Citizenship Ceremony;
Australia Day celebration;
Go West events:
Spoil Yourself Wellbeing Workshop;
Sailing Day (Altona Yacht Club);
Croquet; and
Stories from the city, stories from the sea.

If you want a hard working Councillor, vote for Tony Briffa in accordance with my How to Vote card.

Last November the council made an unfortunate decision while I was overseas.  It decided in a meeting closed to the public and without any community consultation to outsource the management of the two council-run childcare centres in Hobsons Bay (Altona Meadows and Altona North).  Council management also failed to consult with staff.  Incredibly, this motion was supported by all councillors present.

I have opposed this decision and the process from the outset and am very pleased I successfully moved a resolution in the council last night to abandon that process and start again, complete with consultation with staff, affected families and other stakeholders.

I am very grateful to the families, staff and union organisers that attended the council meeting last night, and to Cr Luba Grigorovitch who has supported my moves to reverse the council decision since early December.

Here is some of what I had to say in the council chambers last night:

“This motion is put forward to the council in the interests of supporting open dialogue with the community we represent and being accountable to them. It is also intended to provide proper, open, consultative dialogue with our invaluable staff. It is only fair that we adhere to the principles of natural justice and democracy and give people affected by a potential decision about childcare the opportunity to be heard in relation to the importance of childcare and why services are better under a council-run system.

I think it’s important the council acknowledge and understand why workers – by far predominantly women – are undervalued and why there is a 20% disparity between the Council award and what childcare workers are paid by private companies. Rather than supporting a system that devalues women, I would like to think our council would support them and advocate for equality. It’s timely that we are considering an Advocacy Policy in the council tonight because we all realize that advocacy is an important role for the council.

As a council we must abide by the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act. This, to me, includes the right of equal remuneration for work of equal value. A right that is embodied in various international instruments, and which many Australian women do not enjoy – even in 2014. On average women earn less than men for work of equal or comparable value. This inequity has adverse social and economic consequences.

This motion is about families, mothers, single parents, staff at the childcare centres (most are women), and the values and principles of the council. As a council we uphold values of equality and respect. Our values are not about money (although we are, of course, a financially sustainable and responsible council).

On that basis, and in the interest of openness, transparency, accountability and democracy, I am happy to move this motion and ask all councillors for their support.”

Lots of local events in Melbourne’s West this summer!

Melbourne’s west is the place to be this summer, so no matter where you live be sure to come and enjoy the events the local councils are supporting!

• Movies by the Bay – Altona and Williamstown (every Friday in January 2014)
• Free Dog’s Breakfast (Saturday 4 January 2014)
• Wildlife Display (13 – 17 January 2014)
• Midsumma comes to Melbourne’s West – Go West!  (12 January 12 to 2 February 2014)
• Australia Day in Altona (Sunday 26 January 2014)
• Summer Sounds in Altona and Williamstown (every Sunday in February)

See below for more details.

Free Movies by the Bay

Outdoor cinema returns to Hobsons Bay at two waterfront locations. Enjoy great films under the stars at this popular free family event series. Bring your own picnic or stop at a local restaurant/cafe/take away shop before the screening and enjoy a delicious dinner.

Logan Reserve, Pier Street, Altona

• Friday, 3rd January Despicable Me 2 (PG)
• Friday, 17th January Smurfs 2 (G)
• Friday, 31st January Turbo (G)

Commonwealth Reserve, Nelson Place, Williamstown

• Friday, 10th January Iron Man 3 (M)
• Friday, 24th January Red Dog (PG)

Free Dog’s Breakfast!

Free breakfast for dogs and their owners.  Special guests include the Snake Bus, local vets offering discounted microchipping, and The Connies.
Altona Doggy Beach – Altona Road, Seaholme Saturday 4th January from 8.30am to 10.30am.

Wildlife Displays

Get up close to snakes, frogs, lizards and stick insects!
Altona North Community Library (13-15 January) and Altona Library (16-17 January)

and more – see attached flyer for details.

Midsumma comes to Melbourne’s West – Go West!

GoWest collectively brings together local organisations and artists supporting and representing the GLBTIQ (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer) communities in the western region of Melbourne. Whether you live or work in the west, or have been looking for an excuse to visit and explore, everyone is invited to celebrate the rich diversity of our community.

Hobsons Bay City Council proudly supports the GLBTIQ community and has been a officially celebrating Midsumma with GOWEST since 2009.

Go West events include:

• Intersexion Documentary Screening (documentary about intersex people) – 13 January
• WESTANDPROUD (Community construction of an official rainbow crossing) – 15 January
• How I found my NICHE (Speakers will share their insights about LGBTIQ communities) – 16 January
• Radicalism (Artists and activists from across Australia examine radicalism, resistance and defiance associated with questions of gender and sexuality) – 17 January to 23 February
• Ghosts of the Old City Williamstown (Explore Williamstown’s secret spooky haunts) – 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 and 31 February and 1 and 2 February)
• Rainbow Party (Youth party at the Youth Resource Centre in Hoppers Crossing) – 17 January
• Author Talk ‘f2m: the boy within’ (Author discusses her book about transmen) – 18 January
• Just Dance (dance based fitness class for young people followed by a bbq and fun activities) – 18 January
• Wyndham Arvo Tea (share a cuppa rainbow style and celebrate Midsumma in Wyndham – yummy food, inflatable art, music etc) – 18 January
• AIDS Memorial Quilt Making Weekend (help create a quilt in memory of a loved one) – 18-19 January
• Free Sailing Day (Crew up or kick back on land and enjoy live music and drinks with fellow GLBTIQ sailors and landlubbers) – 19 January
• A Perfect Midsumma Afternoon (Enjoy a perfect mid summa afternoon with friends, a G&T and croquet – very civilised!) – 19 January
• Rainbow Families Bedtime Story Time (enjoy a special evening story time to celebrate diverse families.  Wear your pyjamas, bring your teddies and enjoy being with other queer families) – 20 January
• LGBTIQ Equality Initiatives in Local Government (learn about what local government is doing for our GLBTIQ community and discuss ways we can improve) – 23 January
• Queer as Anything: Open Mic in the West (Interested in trying stand up or another type of 5 to 7 minute performance?) 24 January
• Finucane & Smith’s Caravan Burlesque… Goes West! (Burlesque at it’s best) – 24, 25 and 31 January, and 1 February.
• One Day Camp-Fest (Enjoy local music in Footscray with your friends) – 27 January
• Team Melbourne Midsumma Sports Day 2014 (try your hand at a range of different sports and activities including dancing, tennis, volleyball, running, swimming and much more) – 1 February
• Out at Twighlight (enjoy an afternoon of free entertainment in Sunshine featuring the Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Youth Chorus) – 1 February
• PRIDE MARCH (march with other western suburbs GLBTIQ people as part of the Go West group!) – 2 February
• NO H8 Campaign Australia (the infamous marriage equality campaign comes down under for the first time – and to Newport!) – 15 February

For more details of the events and to book tickets (even for free events), please visit – http://midsumma.org.au/program/gowest

Australia Day in Altona

Are you looking for something to do on Australia Day? Why not come to Altona with your family and friends to soak up all that Altona has to offer including:

– Outdoor market
– Cobb & Co Coach Rides
– Camel rides
– Roving entertainment
– Free children’s activities (face painting, sand art etc)
– Altona Homestead Australiana Exhibition with music & food
– Devonshire Tea in the park (Country Women’s Association)
– Great Aussie Sausage Sizzle
– Live music all day (2 stages)
– Great outdoor cafes
– Aussie Car Display
– Fireworks at 9pm

Proudly supported by the Hobsons Bay City Council and organised by the Altona Village Traders Association.

Altona Beach, Sunday 26th January from 11am to 9pm.

Summer Sounds – every Sunday in February!

We have lots more free and fun things to do in Altona and Williamstown over summer!  The council proudly presents our annual Summer Sounds series at Logan Reserve, Altona (across the road from the pier) and Commonwealth Reserve, Williamstown. We have something for everyone, including Swing, Jazz, Blues, Folk, Funk, Rock, Soul and Country!

All these events are FREE, so bring your family and friends, a picnic, rug and deck chairs and enjoy! We also have lots of lovely cafes and restaurants nearby.

I am pleased to announce Manja and I were married in Dunedin, New Zealand on 27 September 2013.  Sadly we were unable to marry in Australia as the law here requires marriage to be “between a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others”.  It is difficult for someone born both male and female (like me) to fit such a narrow and outdated definition.  Thankfully, being intersex is not an impediment to marriage in a number of countries now, including New Zealand!

Our wedding was beautiful and the people of Dunedin made us extremely welcome.  I would like to thank everyone that helped make our day so special.

The National Institute for Challenging Homophobia Education (NICHE) recently created a wonderful animation about my life as an intersex person as part of their “Your Story” campaign.  They have previously made animations for gay, lesbian and transgender stories.

To see the animation, click here: – Tony Briffa’s experiences as an intersex person

Thank you to Daniel Witthaus, Kenton Penley Miller and Jonathan Duffy for a great project.  http://thatssogay.com.au/yourstory/

The video is also available in German – http://www.stern.de/panorama/comic-portraet-eines-intersexuellen-die-bewegende-geschichte-von-tony-briffa-2067135.html

The Altona Beach Festival will not be run next year as a result of a decision made by the council last night (moved by Cr Peter Hemphill and seconded by Cr Sandra Wilson). I would have been happy for the council to fully organise and resource the festival, but I was the only councillor to oppose the motion.

The council decision means a community group can seek funding of up to $10,000 to run a festival. It can’t see that happening. We allocated around $40,000 to the festival last year when I was mayor.

I would like to thank the Altona Village Traders Association, Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre and the many community groups that supported the Altona Beach Festival over the last three years. I know it was a lot of work but it was a resounding success. I appreciate your effort and support.

The plan is to continue to support a number of other activities in Altona such as Summer Sounds, Movies by the Bay, and Australia Day in Altona (all have been supported by the council financially anyway), while Williamstown seem to be getting more and more events. It’s obvious this new council is more focused on the eastern side of the municipality. I will continue to fight for Altona, Altona Meadows, Altona North, Brooklyn, Seabrook and Seaholme.

The council meeting tonight was held at the South Kingsville Community Centre.  Some of the local issues I raised and/or were considered included:

– Altona Beach cleaning and use of the collected seaweed;

– Air quality issues in Brooklyn (and getting the Department of Health to get actively involved in resolving the issues there);

– Public Transport – especially public transport in the Altona Loop (ie Altona, Seaholme and Westona Stations);

– Blackshaws Road Shops – convening a meeting with traders to discuss safety, parking and amenity issues;

– Brooklyn Community Representative Group – the council confirmed its commitment to the BCRG;

– W.L.J Croft Reserve – naming oval 1 the “Morris G. McDonald Oval”;

– Hobsons Bay Sport and Game Fishing Club – renewing the lease for their council-owned building; and

– Women’s Advisory Committee – appointing the new members of the Women’s Advisory Committee for the next two years.

PLEASE HELP OPPOSE THE TOXIC SOIL FACILITY IN ALTONA

Despite significant community and council concerns about plans for a permanent toxic soil facility in Altona, VCAT approved the facility last week with the full support of the EPA.  When built, this facility will truck in contaminated soil from around Victoria into Altona for treatment.  Our area already has issues with dust, so  we are very concerned about the impact this facility will have on our health and amenity.

I have opposed this application for the last 4 years and am extremely disappointed by VCAT’s decision which was allowed to happen by successive State Governments as they refused council requests to establish clear policies about where facilities like this should be located.  Clearly politicians don’t understand facilities like this should not be permanently located near homes – and on the doorstep of the largest growing residential area in Australia.  It doesn’t make sense.

I thank the thousands of residents that signed petitions by the Hobsons Bay Residents Association to oppose this facility.  I am sorry we weren’t able to stop it.

The full VCAT decision can be accessed here:

P677 2012 P1723 2011 Innova Soil Technology v Hobsons Bay CC

What can you do to help oppose this facility?

I think it is fair to say we have little chance of preventing this facility going ahead now, so we need to focus our energies on ensuring a monitoring station is set up to the south of the facility, that it is managed independently, and that the results are made public on a regular basis.  To ensure this happens, I urge you to write to our local Members of Parliament and the Minister for Planning.  I will put a template letter on this page in the coming days.

Please keep in touch.  It’s best to keep visiting this website and/or visiting my official facebook page to keep up to date with what is going on – www.facebook.com/CrTonyBriffa

Jill Hennessey MLA
Member for Altona District (includes Altona, Altona Meadows, Laverton & Seabrook)
Address: Suite 603, Level 1, 2 Main Street, Point Cook Town Centre, Point Cook VIC 3030
Phone: (03) 9395 0221
Fax: (03) 9395 3061
Email: jill.hennessy@parliament.vic.gov.au

Bernie Finn MLC
Member of Western Metropolitan Region
Address: 277 Hampshire Road, Sunshine 3020
Phone: (03) 9312 1212
Fax: (03) 9312 4598
Email: bernie.finn@parliament.vic.gov.au

Andrew Elsbury MLC

Member of Western Metropolitan Region
Address: Shop 1, 662 Old Calder Highway, Keilor 3036
Phone: (03) 9331 7644
Fax: (03) 9331 7430
Email: andrew.elsbury@parliament.vic.gov.au

Colleen Hartland MLC
Member of Western Metropolitan Region
Address: 75 Victoria Street, Seddon VIC 3011
Phone: (03) 9689 6373
Fax: (03) 9689 6227
Email: colleen.hartland@parliament.vic.gov.au

Mr Khalil Eideh MLC

Member of Western Metropolitan Region
Address: Suite 2, 80 Carmody Drive, Cairnlea VIC 3023
Phone: (03) 99363 1644
Fax: (03) 9363 1766
Email: khalil.eideh@parliament.vic.gov.au

Hon Matthew Guy MP
Minister for Planning
Phone:  (03) 9938 5990
Email:  matthew.guy@parliament.vic.gov.au

Julia Gillard MP

Member for Lalor
Address:  Shop 2, 36 Synnot Street  Werribee  VIC  3030
Phone:  (03) 9742 5800
Fax:  (03) 9741 6213