Have your say - Rocket Science 2015

We are starting to plan the sessions for 2015. Up until June the sessions will continue to focus on the Community Plan but after that?

Maybe you have some ideas of who you you'd like to listen to or what you'd like to hear about?

What do you think of our ideas? These are all really feasible ideas - things that could happen. Tick the ones you'd like to see or make your own suggestion

David Holmgren - resilience, lifeboat civilization ... Lynne Kelly - What do ancient earthworks have to do with memory? Bob Kitch - local geothermal energy  Mens Sheddism - Barry Golding and our Men's Shed Julia Gillard - What topic would she choose? Bushfire Safety - Joan Webster (OAM) Kathy McGowan - Independent Indi Yackandadah community owned enterprises

Tracks and trails - session summary

NEWSTEAD ROCKET SCIENCE - TRAILS & PATHWAYSDIG CAFE OCTOBER 19TH, 2014

Session notes

Presenters: 
Mayor-elect Christine Henderson - Chair of Council’s Walking and Cycling Strategy Advisory Committee.
Leila Macadam - Waterways & Floodplain Officer, North Central Catchment Management Authority - Bendigo.

A lively, friendly discussion with plenty of suggestions and ideas to progress the #4 Priority identified in Newstead Community Plan - 
Establishing a connected network of walking and bike paths and trails between Newstead and surrounding towns, using existing easements and bushland areas.
Newstead People Doing It For Themselves

OUTCOMES:
Working Group for Newstead  formed and tasked with the investigation of and proposals for Trails and Walking Paths in Newstead. To Identify landowners, community representative and council staff who can work together on developing Newstead  links to the Goldfields Track. 
Members: Peter Skilbeck, Jenny Dyer, Maritsa Gronda, Dave Stratton.
Readily apparent that those in attendance were passionate about this topic, already using local tracks and routes that are mostly unmapped, little known and poorly signposted. Local knowledge of forest tracks and roads currently in use, linking Newstead to Maldon to be identified as potential routes, mapped and signposted,  leaflets, GPS Apps. Existing trails require less maintenance. Once signposted become a Council responsibility. Alternative Camino-style distinctive  logo route markers suggested. Trails and Walking Tracks offer recreational needs and provide economic returns.

Newstead walking tracks and cycle trails to be identified and promoted as an attractive side loop for the 100,000 plus visitors per annum expected to use the GoldFields Track. Goldfields Track links Mt Buninyong and Ballarat to Bendigo via Mount Alexander’s recently approved mountain bike track near The Oaks. Huge tourism potential for traders, accommodation providers.
Active Newstead Circular Loop walking trail to be identified within Newstead - open up and improve pedestrian access to the Loddon River Bank area. Healthy exercise of walking to be promoted with destination, distance indicators for locals and visitors. Similar to the loop walking tracks in Bendigo, Bridgewater and around Lake Wendouree Ballarat.
Jason Taylor, Director for Sustainable Development and Ben Grounds unable to attend but offered to discuss outcomes of our discussions. Proposal to invite them for a site visit once potential routes for tracks, paths, trails identified.

DISCUSSION TOPICS:
Newstead Castlemaine Link via Guildford as outlined in Newstead Community Plan - Pulled -  too expensive, a logistical nightmare - repairs to  infrastructure required for pedestrian, cyclists safety. Only when the track is ‘dead’ taken up/out would such a rail trail be considered by Vicrail as in Bright, Warburton. Still campaigners for Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo Rail Link.

Clr Henderson provided background to Walking and Cycling Strategy & explained terms such as walking trails and wayfinding.
Council’s  Walking and Cycling Reporting Framework 2014 Document 
An action plan for organising Council’s response to its recently adopted “Walking & Cycling Strategy”  The adoption of this Strategy and Reporting Framework  document signals Council’s commitment to work with communities such as Newstead to develop walking paths and trails.

!!! Map for Newstead appears to be missing from hardcopy of Walking and Cycling Strategy Document.  & Mt Alexander Shire’s PDF http://www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Page/Download.asp?name=WALKING_AND_CYCLING_STRATEGY_2010_-_2020


This document ranks Council Priorities for Footpath, Cycling, and Trail  Projects
Priorities for Footpath Projects:
Council Budget for footpaths $220, 000 2014/15
 Newstead has :
 #2 Lyons St (Pyrenees Highway) Codrington St to Peel St - school frontage.
 #3 Codrington/Canrobert/Panmure Streets, Lyons to Lyons.
 Location, design & width, of these footpaths linking the school with new Pavilion in Panmure Street to be discussed with Clr. Michael Redden. Footpaths need to suited to wheelchairs, prams, mobility walkers to ensure access for all residents.
Other priorities for Newstead ranked #19 and unlikely to be actioned for some years.

Bike Lane Projects:
# 2 Castlemaine to Newstead - Install signage on cycling route.
#3 Maldon to Newstead  - Install signage on cycling route
#12 Newstead - Lyons St (Pyrenees Hwy), Codrington to Layard (res)
#15 Newstead to Guildford - Install signage on cycling route

Trail Projects:
#4 Newstead - Connect both sides of town (two options being  explored)

Infrastructure Planning & Maintenance 
Work with Community Groups:
Work with local cyclists and/or cycling groups to conduct an audit of the ‘Known Cycling Routes’ to assess quality. 

NCCMA - Leila Macadam Waterways and Floodplain Officer
Spoke favourably of our community’s desire to enhance access to the Loddon River bank area.
The Loddon flows in a flood corridor and any pathway design must comply with Melbourne Water Guidelines. Limit to the number of river crossings which pose a flood risk. 
Extract from email :
Camille White, our Floodplain Manager, is pretty straightforward with regards to planning for paths etc. see general guiding principles below:

1.       Pretty happy for the paths to go wherever within the river corridor/levee corridor as long as they remain on the banks and don’t encroach into the river bed.
2.       Any paths crossing the levee should follow a slow incline up the levee, in a more parallel direction to the top of the levee bank rather than leading perpendicularly up the levee on a steep angle. The levee is Council’s asset to any interaction of paths and levees should be discussed with them to ensure it maintains its structural integrity.
3.       Any crossings over the river must be bridges. These bridges must sit above the 1 in 10 year ARI flood level. The design is likely to be fairly similar for most locations along the river in the corridor so shouldn’t impact your path design too much, except that cost will likely limit the number of crossings that you choose to go with.
4.       The path will necessarily lie within the flood extent. Paths should be designed such that when a flood event is occurring, where the path first encounters the flood extent a pedestrian/cyclist should be able to enter water up to 400 mm deep on a path that is no steeper than 1 in 8 m/m. Designing for this ensures that users get the ‘warning’ of the deep water and realise not to continue with the path into other more dangerously flooded territory.

So the advice from the CMA is that you should feel confident to develop up path/trail/infrastructure concepts with the group, just ensure that they are not too steep near the river and that you minimise the number of crossings. Then when you get to the more ‘detailed design’ phase you should send through the plans and we can provide specific guidance on the modifying the design of some areas to meet item (4) above about flooding and set bridge deck levels.

Newstead Cairn Curran Gateway  
Access to the Loddon River - a lively discussion on issues such as:  - 3 metre  easement, access rights, regulations, public liability insurance, role of regulators - Goulbourn Murray Water, Parks Victoria. Council staff input needed to establish list of  private ownership leaseholders.

Goldfields Track
Peter Skilbeck provided insights into the construction and history of the Goldfields Track and the enormous tourism potential and economic benefits it delivers to our area. Comprised of different sections over varying terrain not all suited to wheelchair access.
Icon Track for Mountain Bike Riding to be announced next week.
 60-1000 visitors expected to use the new 34 km mountain bike tracks on Mount Alexander.
Website for Ride/Walk Goldfields track to be developed .
www.goldfieldstrack.com.au
Presents  a  “ fantastic opportunity to have links to Newstead” for economic benefits and tourism potential, accommodation providers.
Enthusiasm delivers results - 

Successful volunteering - report on session

NEWSTEAD ROCKET SCIENCE # 6 SUCCESSFUL VOLUNTEERINGNewstead Pavilion, November 16th 2.30 - 5pm.

Session notes

Presenter: Helen Yorston, Manager - Bendigo Volunteer Resource Centre
14 people attended. A most positive and information packed session.
Helen discussed a range of issues supported by documentation on display and handed out = *
Key points:
 Variety of Resources available from Bendigo Volunteer Resource Centre in print form distributed . Need to be available to all - RTC Reference Library?
*Dealing with Difficult People; *What is Volunteer Burnout? *Volunteer Guide booklet

Bendigo Volunteer Resource Centre 12 years in operation, extends into Mount Alexander Shire and prepared to link directly with Newstead.  Able to match volunteers to community organisations in Newstead that are registered with BVRC. Will assist with preparation of a brochure for Newstead to promote volunteer opportunities here. 
          * Organisational Registration Form.

 SAVVI - Skilled Adept Versed Volunteer Instructors. Retired professionals operate from BVRC offer their extensive experience and skills, good contacts, networks. Provide  Community mentoring & Support Program, advice, and stay engaged in their community. Individuals and not for profit - strategic, business plans, legal support, IT resourcing. David Wright SAAVI Team Co-ordinator  (Bendigo) explained the services offered by members and the opportunity for other retired professionals to volunteer their skills, expertise, regardless of their location.  * SAAVI brochure

All community groups should aim for Best Practice. BVRC offers support, advice, mentors, templates. * Essential Volunteering Policies and Procedures

Rights and Responsibilities for Volunteers. What are their duties? Who is their supervisor? Induction procedure necessary. Privacy, confidentiality respected but organisation or supervisor needs to be aware of any health issues. Supply water, safety equipment duty of care as for any paid worker.* Volunteer Rights & Responsibilities. * Volunteer Guide : Your guide to why and how you can volunteer, and your rights and responsibilities. * Why are Position descriptions important?

Police Check and Working with Children process - much discussion on streamlining. Politicians need to be lobbied to cut cost, delays of red tape. Why is a volunteer required to do separate Check for each organisation they are involved in - especially in a town as small as Newstead?  One central registering body in town simpler. * Police Checks and Working with Children Checks - Fast Facts.

Risk Management  - some forms essential - each building needs a checklist. Incident Reports required. Insurance - Public Liability is for public only, not  members or volunteers. Personal Risk Insurance for volunteers (similar to workcover) necessary - seek out competitive rates via BVRC. ( Community Information Centre has cheap rates). Example of golf club member injured on a working bee not covered by any insurance as he was a volunteer when injured. Essential to have volunteers sign on and off duty for proper coverage. 


Newstead 2021 
Auspices 8 grants. “happens organically” Governance issues. Acts as a facilitator, repository with legal responsibility.

Centrelink Registered Groups
Discussion on 55+ unemployed who can work 15 hours as volunteer with a community organisation that is registered with Centrelink, and not need to look for work. Does Newstead have a list of those organisations recognised by Centrelink? Could Newstead be missing out on these voluntary work hours? A role for RTC rather than Newstead 2021? 
*Volunteering Guidelines Brochure (individuals receiving Centrelink benefits)


Welcome Kit
How to reach people?
Annual Insert  listing Community organisations in Echo could be revived
Ask What do new residents want to know? Maldon has a newcomers kit with 31 inserts - huge task to assemble and keep current
Ambassadors for Newstead. Welcome to Newstead greeting.
 How can each of us help newcomers to settle in?
Students could be recruited to create a kit
Ice breaker sessions, Monthly socials,  Meet & Greet, Community Lunch, Pool bbqs, schedule for different age groups, working, retired, families, singles etc.
Share your passion, refer others to those who do know a group or activity they could join
Help find out who they can connect with
Kits to be made available to everyone to share with newcomers
Pool already produces a welcome brochure for their activities
Word of Mouth best way to reach others

Recruitment of Volunteers
We are time poor and all lead busy lives, especially baby boomers who may be caring for young and elderly relatives and wanting to travel as well.
Role of Volunteers - 5 points
Skills required
How often
Guidelines

*Recruiting Volunteers - Fast Facts.  * Creating an Engaging Advert

Potential volunteers wary of being tied down, burden of taking on a task, others feel they don’t have anything to offer, lack skills, confidence. Encourage them to try out for a specified time.
Break up task, role into small parts. Small projects
Have FUN!
Traditionally volunteers given jobs no one else wants. 
Don’t waste or bore volunteers - they need to be appreciated, satisfied, feel that they are achieving something, making a contribution, feel involved. * Involving Volunteers :  the Principles


Valuing Volunteers
5th December International Volunteers Day. 
*International Day of People with Disability (UN) Wednesday December 3 - Volunteer Opportunities brochure - Bendigo
May National Volunteers Month - Annual
Acknowledge, Celebrate and Thank Volunteers
Bendigo paper has 5 hot roles for Volunteers - each issue different, specific, creative.
Community Hero - Bendigo Advertiser regular feature

*Fundraising for your Community Group.
Thanks to Newstead Pavilion for a pleasant setting for Rocket Science Session #6. All who attended gained new information 

Successful Volunteering - with Helen Yorston

Link to the Conversation  - Post by email

Newstead Pavilion Sunday November 16, 2014 at 2.30pm.

The series of Rocket Science sessions supported financially by Mount Alexander Shire continues - this is the 6th session that looks at an issue that was rated 6th in the top ten raised in the Newstead Community Plan. 

Support for Volunteers and Community Groups.

More than 40 active and diverse community groups operate in  Newstead -  all rely on volunteers.

• How do we recruit, train, support and empower our willing, unpaid workers?
• Can  Newstead  continue to rely on volunteers as our population ages and our lifestyles become ever more busy?
• What can we do to encourage and welcome newcomers to be more involved in our vibrant little community?

The Presenter/Facilitator is Helen Yorston, Manager of Bendigo Volunteers Resource Centre.

Helen will help us tackle issues such as: 

• What support structures are needed  for supporting, retaining volunteers
• Implementing essential guidelines & Best Practice
• Clear position descriptions and outline of tasks
• Burnout
• Why volunteers move on

Come along to the Newstead Pavilion (Newstead Oval in Panmure Street) to join the discussion on Volunteers and Community on November 16th, 2014. 2.30pm Free Cake!

Extract from Top 10 Priorities identified in Newstead Community Plan

6. Establishing a “Support and Sustain our Volunteers” initiative for volunteers and community groups

Background:

Newstead has some 40 plus active and diverse community groups and a high level of volunteerism. Our demographic profile shows an aging population. Sustaining the current levels of volunteerism will require specific support and strategies. Alongside this, we are experiencing some growth with new housing and residents and community members are keen to explore ways to involve and engage new residents to Newstead, especially as the population grows.

Newstead 2021 was established as an umbrella group to support the many projects that arose from the 2008 summit.

Current Status:

Newstead 2021 and the Rural Transaction Centre auspice community groups and activities, allowing small projects or activities to get under way without the need for incorporation or organisational legalities.

A Volunteer Register for identifying community needs and offers, and a Newcomers Kit were both discussed during the community planning process.

Next Steps:

Support the role of N2021, the RTC and other groups in auspicing commmunity projects

Seek support for a local community volunteer support worker, to assist in grant seeking, developing a volunteer register, sustaining volunteers and improving community group functions

Develop a “Support and Sustain our Volunteers” proposal which focuses on succession, leadership and mentoring and governance, and seek backing from MAS, state and federal government, philanthropic and corporate bodies.

How are we doing? This is what we said to the N2021 AGM

Newstead Rocket Science – Back on track

The successful Strengthening Our Community Mt Alexander Shire grant application has prompted the revival of the once-famous Rocket Science series.

In the first instance the Small Town Big Ideas series of sessions will consider the top 10 priorities identified in the Newstead Community Plan. Then, from May 2015 sessions will focus on matters of a more general interest – Community Conversations on things that matter

In July 2014 Bronwyn Smith and David Stratton assumed responsibility for Rocket Science and the web address http://www.newsteadrocketscience.net now leads to the blog that is the centre of all Rocket Science activity. There has been a significant increase in the online engagement available for Rocket Science conversations.

The face to face conversations at the monthly sessions are proceded, and followed by, conversations on Facebook with a separate page devoted to each topic. The conversations are public, regardless of Facebook membership but participation requires a Facebook account. The blog offers directions for setting up an anonymous, Zero Friends Facebook (ZFF) just for this purpose.

The blog also acts as a “signpost” leading to the growing collection of conversations.

So far there have been sessions about four of the ten plan priorities:

• Planning for a liveable Newstead (# 8)– Trevor Budge - rural and regional planning expert
• A major renewal of street trees within the town precinct (#5) – Flynn Hart - Landscape Architect
• Refurbishing and revitalising the Newstead Station as an arts precinct (#1) – Ella Hinkley - Arts Officer Banyule City Council
• Creating a pedestrian bridge across the Loddon River to connect both sides of town (#2) – Michael Redden – Newstead Councillor and Mayor

Sessions are in an advanced stage of planning for October and November:

• Establishing a connected network of walking and bike paths and trails between Newstead and surrounding towns (#4) – Christine Henderson – Councillor and Chair of Shire Walking & Cycling Advisory Committee
• Establishing a “Support and Sustain our Volunteers” initiative for volunteers and community groups (#6) -- Helen Yorston - Manager Bendigo Volunteer Resource Centre

The remaining four topics will be the basis for sessions between February and May 2015.

A Final Summing Up & Review Session is proposed to assess progress and any further activity to implement Newstead Community Plan Priorities.

Newstead Community - Community - Facebook Page set up on November 21, 2012 was  renamed after the completion of the Newstead Community Plan

" but being together here on this page has become an essential part, amongst others, of the experience of living in Newstead."

The Newstead Community Facebook Page has 159 Likes (October 16th), the item on forthcoming Rocket Science Session - Trails & Pathways has reached 71 people! 

An item posted (October 2, 2014) Re the sign in old Petrol Station window "Petrol not far off" reached 317 people so far ! The lack of access to fuel in Newstead, though not rated in the Top 10,  was a significant issue raised during the consultation process and on the Planning Day itself.

The support of Welshman's Reef Winery, the Newstead Echo and guest speakers/facilitators is much appreciated. Their  willingness to support and be involved in our   Rocket Science Sessions is essential to the successful formula developed for engaging with the Newstead community.  

Newstead Trails and Pathways - with Christine Henderson

Link to the Conversation  - Post by email

Dig Cafe Sunday October 26th 2014 at 3.30pm.

The series of Rocket Science sessions supported financially by Mount Alexander Shire continues - this is the fifth session that looks at an issue that was in the top ten raised in the Community Plan.

Walking/cycling tracks were the fourth priority in the Newstead Community Plan. 

Walk or cycle to Dig Cafe in the centre of town for a discussion on footpaths, walkways, trails, cycle tracks in and around Newstead.

 It is perfect timing for Newstead to start talking and working as Council has already committed to upgrading footpaths in parts of Newstead. More can be done now that Council last month (September) endorsed the "Walking and Cycling Strategy 2010-2020" which sets out a strategic approach for Council to increase and improve walking and cycling activities in the Mount Alexander Shire over the next decade.

Huge potential exists for Newstead to provide safe and healthy outdoor recreation options as more people look to exercise, walk, ride and explore in our local area with maps and pamphlets & well signposted walking routes in and around town. The tourism and economic benefits are obvious. 

Council has just approved the Castlemaine to Maldon Trail so Newstead could be linked via existing Muckleford Forest tracks.

Newstead could also be promoted as the Gateway to Cairn Curran with a safe offroad path out from town.

Bring along or share online your favourite walks and bike routes. 

Extract from Top 10 Priorities in Newstead Community Plan

4. Establishing a connected network of walking and bike paths and trails between Newstead and surrounding towns, using existing easements and bushland areas

 Background:

Newstead is ideally located to take advantage of the surrounding river and bushland and to promote walking and cycling within and without the township. The idea of paths connecting with surrounding towns – Guildford, Maldon, Castlemaine – as well as more locally, along the river and between the west and east side of town, via off-road routes, accessible and safe for all, was strongly supported during the community planning process. The proposed Railway Arts Precinct and Pedestrian Bridge form key links in the proposed trail network. Benefits include enhanced community connections, health and fitness and possibilities for tourism and economic development.

Current Status:

• MAS Council has committed $800,000 towards a bike and walking path from Newstead (starting at the Newstead Railway Station) to Castlemaine via Guildford, alongside the rail line route. The Council has also established a Trails Advisory Committee as part of their 2010 – 2020 Walking and Cycling Strategy, to improve and increase this activity in the Shire.

NB This proposal has been ruled out due to excessive costs of safety railings on wooden structures - bridges etc.(September 2014)

        

Next steps:

• Get a group of interested locals together to define local township and intra town walking, bike riding and safe connections linking to the extensive network of tracks in the surrounding bushland areas, eg Muckleford Forest, Loddon River,
• Ensure local knowledge and input into MAS Trails Advisory Group and that Newstead’s needs are represented, including access and safety issues
• Create and update guide maps for local walking and cycling trails and opportunities for unobtrusive interpretive signage along routes

The Newstead Footbridge - with Michael Redden

Link to the conversation - Post by email

The series of Rocket Science sessions supported financially by Mount Alexander Shire continues - this is the fourth session that looks at an issue that was in the top ten raised in the Community Plan.

A footbridge across the Loddon was very near the top of the list. A crossing for cyclists, prams, walkers and wheelchairs that was safer, quieter and drew the "two halves" our town more closely together. In most people's minds this was something near to the current "flying fox" that amounted to an extension to Canrobert Street that brought the walker to the Creswick Road intersection with the Daylesford Road.

Something like this? 60m long footbridge at Charlton  $350,000

This idea has been well-adopted by the Shire - to the point where the plans for the new pavilion included the "Canrobert Street extension" and a $50,000 study has taken place looking at the broad outlines of such a project. Roughly speaking the study concluded that a 500m long bridge would be required in order to cross the floodplain and safely survive a 100 year flood.

Is this a good idea?
If so, what would it look like?
Could something be added more cheaply to the road bridge that would to some extent achieve the same ends?

Michael Redden, Newstead Councillor and Mayor, will convene and facilitate the discussion. Ben Grounds, Shire infrastructure manager, who has detailed knowledge of the study will be in the audience as will Peter Moloney who was engineer of Newstead Shire 20 years ago.

The Newstead Arts Hub - with Ella Hinkley

Ella Hinkley - August Rocket Science presenter

Continue the conversation Post comment by email 

The transformation of Newstead railway station into an Arts Hub will be the focus of Rocket Science at Welshmans Reef Winery on Sunday 31st August. Time 3:30 pm as usual. Free cake, wine and coffee courtesy of the Shire's supporting grant.

The presenter will be Ella Hinkley, Banyule Council's Arts Officer. Ella is an arts manager, creative producer and artist with over 20 years experience working in creative industries. Most recently, Ella has established a community arts space in Ivanhoe, worked in partnership with local Indigenous residents to create an Aboriginal gathering place in Heidelberg West and programmed a range of successful community festivals for locals.

She will talk, quite briefly, about the business of community art and seed a conversation that has to be had.

Many Newsteadians spoke out in the Community Plan about putting our beautiful Railway Station to good use. An application to VicTrack Community Vacant Use (CVU) program set out how the station could be transformed into a vibrant Arts Hub.

CVU is funded to renovate selected stations (check out Talbot) and lease them back to community groups. Newstead's application was successful and Mount Alexander Shire has eventually agreed to be the leaseholder and sub-lease to a community arts organisation.

What will that organisation look like? How will it manage itself? What, to use current language, will be "The Business Model"? How will the, perhaps conflicting, needs of artistic temperament and financial reality be managed?

Renewing our street trees with Flynn Hart

Continue the conversation

The role and value of trees in Newstead’s streets will be addressed at a Rocket Science talk at the Welshmans Reef Winery on Sunday, July 27th.

Landscape architect Flynn Hart will be the key speaker when the talk kicks off at 3.30pm.

Flynn is a practicing landscape architect and sessional lecturer at RMIT University School of Architecture and Design. He grew up in Newstead and recently moved to Castlemaine after many years in Melbourne.

His company, Pollen Studio, designs public and open spaces including children’s playgrounds, community gardens and other open spaces.

While not an arborist, Flynn is keenly aware of the role and value of trees in streetscapes.

"Trees are incredibly valuable assets for communities. Just imagine Melbourne’s Royal Parade without its magnificent trees. It would be a completely different experience, one that sadly threatens to be all too common as our climate continues to change. Without street trees these vital public spaces are an impoverished experience."

"Newstead without its elm trees would be similar," Rocket Science Series II co-convenor Genevieve Barlow said. "The old elms have graced the town for decades, providing shade in summer, colour in autumn, stark beauty in winter and a tranquil presence all year round."

Renewing Newstead’s street trees is a key priority in the town’s community plan which was completed and presented to Mount Alexander Shire Council last year.

Council responded to this priority by highlighting its development of a shire-wide street tree policy and said Newstead’s own community audit of its street trees could be considered in its annual budget allocation for street tree renewal.

"We understand the budgetary and other limits facing council so we are very keen to help move this critical project along by working in partnership with council staff to ensure we continue our forebears’ wonderful legacy of providing shade and beauty for this town’s residents and visitors for decades to come," Genevieve said.

"We have also invited council’s street tree planner along to our Rocket Science session to give us some insight on the street tree planning process and how council decides what trees to plant where and what plans are already in place for street tree plantings in Newstead. We see this as a key opportunity to inform our community on this process and invite residents and others to come along to be part of the discussion on July 27."

Rocket Science talks are informal, information sharing forums to educate and inspire. The first series began in 2008. The current series is funded by Mount Alexander Shire with a ‘Strengthening Our Community’ grant.

Details: Genevieve Barlow 0427 762 633

“Rocket Science” – Series 2 … back by popular demand

Can we shape our town?
with Trevor Budge

Welshman’s Reef Winery, Newstead

Sunday 22^nd June at 3:30pm
Coffee and wine available!

Trevor will address what it takes to design a community friendly town and the need for an overall vision. He will tell us how good design and planning for private and public property helps engender a spirit of care and humanity in a changing climate.

Trevor Budge is a leading voice in regional and rural planning. He is currently an Associate Professor (Professional Practice) at La Trobe University and holds the full time position as Manager of Strategy at the City of Greater Bendigo. He is a former co-ordinator of the rural and regional planning undergraduate and postgraduate courses at La Trobe University, and a former adjunct professor at RMIT. He also holds the position of a Visiting Professor in the Town and Country Planning Program at the University of Moratuwa in Sri Lanka. In 2011 he was awarded an AM - Member in the General Division in the Order of Australia ‘for service to town planning, particularly the development of regional and rural communities in Victoria, and to education’. He has been awarded a Life Fellowship and Lifetime Achievement Award from the Planning Institute of Australia. He was Victorian President of the Institute for three years. He chaired the Institute’s National Education Committee for six years, which is responsible for the national accreditation of courses and has a long running involvement with the Institute’s Planning for Health Program. He is a Board Member of Victoria Walks, which is sponsored by VicHealth and a member of the Victorian Food Alliance Advisory Council. He has played a leading role in establishing the Planning Institute’s six-year Post Tsunami project in Sri Lanka. FDor six years he was a Ministerial Appointee on the Victorian Catchment management Council.

He has a BA with majors in Geography and History, a Diploma of Education, a Diploma of Town and Country Planning, and an MA by research in Town Planning. He has worked for State government departments, regional planning bodies and local government and he conducted his own consulting business for 16 years.  He established Victoria’s first courses in urban and regional planning offered outside a metropolitan setting and secured national accreditation for them by the Planning Institute of Australia.

This series is designed to explore and prompt debate about how we might achieve the goals outlined in Newstead’s Community Plan. It has been funded by Mount Alexander Shire’s Strengthening our Community Grants Program.

Further details, contact Genevieve Barlow 0427 762633, David Stratton 0428 310825, Geoff Park 0418 138632