mooneeBUG

MooneeBUG Newsletter (Jan 2024)

Moonee Valley CIty Council, mooneeBUG, Newsletter, , Leave a comment

Happy New Year

Hi Everyone, My name is David (That’s me in the yellow) I’ve been living in Footscray, Essendon, and now Moonee Ponds for about five years and I love the area, but know that we have to shape our world to better and I hope you can help! (Or just open this email!)

MooneeBUG Meeting

I wanted to kick-off the year with a meeting at the Union Hotel in Ascot Vale at 7PM on Tuesday 6th February for those that are interested to discuss plans for the year, ways we can partner with council, vicroads, and other stakeholders, and potential projects to champion.

Please let me know by reply or hit attending on Facebook.

Facebook Page / Group and Mailing List Confirmation

For those that have been a member of the mailing list before this year, please fill out this form to let us know whether you live or work in the valley – this enables us to confidently say our membership represents X number of local residents. People outside the Moonee Valley area are still most welcome!

Please Like our Facebook Page and Join our Facebook Group

My ask: Help grow our profile (and leverage) making sure you like our page, and then forwarding this email to someone else that cycles in Moonee Valley!

BikeSpot

BikeSpot is a way to get meaningful data about dangerous, unsafe, or unsuitable cycling facilities. There are only two weeks remaining for for BikeSpot, and it is really easy to add spots on the map.

My ask: To help advocate for better cycling facilities, please find the time to add 5 spots (good or bad) on the map. Maybe the narrow bike path, the pothole, or the shared path with a dead-end.

Travancore Park Upgrade

mooneeBUG Leave a comment

Moonee Valley City Council resolved in late 2012 to build a new shared path in Travancore Park, Flemington.

This project was delayed due to the uncertainty of the East West Link project and more recently by the ongoing CityLink Tulla Widening works.

Council are pleased to announce that the shared path will be built in the coming months

Council will construct a new 3 metre wide separate concrete path with a centre line marking. This path, which will run along the edge of the Moonee Ponds Creek at the top of the embankment, will separate cyclists from walkers in Travancore Park.

Council will undertake several other improvements as part of the project:

  • Replace the existing chain mesh fence with a safer post and rail chain mesh fence.
  • Install a new barrier fence between the new shared path and the steep creek embankment for cyclist safety.
  • Create a new path link between Myrnong Crescent and the new shared path.
  • Realign the southern end of the internal path to allow more space between path users and dogs.
  • Relocate seating at the playground to a more shaded location.
  • Install an additional water fountain and relocate the existing drinking fountain and dog bowl to a more central location in the park.
  • Undertake tree planting and revegetation works.

While tree removal has been minimised in the design as much as possible, the shared path must be 3 metres wide – with no obstacles within 1 metre of either side – in order to meet standards which ensure rider safety and clear site lines. Council plans to replace trees that have to be removed with advanced native tree stock, and with species which are appropriate for rider safety, as well as for screening and habitat.

Travancore Park is an important area of open space and it was imperative to develop an outcome that is the right long-term decision for all park users. Council developed the final shared path alignment through an extensive stakeholder and community consultation process, including public meetings and ‘walkshops’ on site, as well as advice from an external reference group made up of local residents and organisations.

Council anticipate that works will commence in the next two months.

Western Ring Road Shared Path Closure.

mooneeBUG Leave a comment

VicRoads is managing a project to extend the noise walls on the Western Ring Road in Gowanbrae and Glenroy

They have closed the Western Ring Shared Path between Linacre Crescent bridge (Melway 6 D 12) and Gowanbrae Drive (Melway 16 A 3)

A detour route is in place using the Moonee Ponds Creek Shared Path under the Western Ring Road (Melway 6 E 11) to the bridge across to Adelaide Boulevard (Mel 16 D 2), along Primula Boulevard into Lanark Way, and Gowanbrae Drive.

This detour will apply for about three months when a shorter detour via Bush Mews (Mel 16 C 1) and Gowanbrae Drive will be in operation

Moonee Ponds Creek Shared Path Closure and Detour

mooneeBUG Leave a comment

Lend Lease is undertaking civil works for Transurban (CityLink) to construct a strengthening collar for the first pillar north of Racecourse Road.

This will involve excavation of the area to expose the pile cap below.

Due to the close proximity of the works, the shared path will be closed between Mt Alexander and Racecourse Roads for the duration of the works.

 

A detour will be in place around Boundary and Racecourse Roads with access available to the Flemington Bridge train station.

Temporary fencing will be erected with traffic controllers redirecting pedestrians/cyclists.

At this stage, they are looking at commencing preliminary works from Monday 30th Jan – 6th Feb 2017 with construction scheduled for the 10th – 14th March 2017.

Working hours will be from ~09:00-17:00.

Traffic management will be removed for after hours and set up the morning of each working day.

Temporary fencing will be repositioned to reopen the shared pathway outside of working hours.

Why Should I Vote For You – Part 2

mooneeBUG Leave a comment

Moonee Valley Council Elections 2016

Candidate Responses – Rosehill and Myrnong Ward

Continuing from the previous post, here are the responses we received from Rosehill and Myrnong candidates.

My E-mail to the candidates

Hi,
I am a regular cyclist and Moonee Valley Resident. Over the past four years the council seems to have dropped the ball on bicycle related issues. The construction of the Mt. Alexander Road  bicycle lane seems to vanished into the bureaucratic labyrinth that is VicRoads and the Cragieburn Line bicycle route? Who knows? 
These were the two major developments in the Walking and Cycling Strategy 2012 that were initiated around the time of the 2012 Council Elections and neither has been completed. Now I don’t like to sound like a whinger, but I reckon projects like this should easily be completed within four years. As a result, I feel totally let down by the current group of councillors. So what I’d like to know is, if you are elected, are you prepared to commit to completing these two projects and other overdue cycling infrastructure in the next four years?
Regards,
Tim Goldby.

 

Rosehill Candidates

John Sipek

Hi Timothy

In the Rosehill Ward we have bike tracks that are not connected I would like to see them completed so residents in my Ward could ride their bikes along the River all the way to the CBD

Thanks and Regards

John Sipek JP. Adv Dip Bus Mgt. MAICD.

Andrew Gunther

Hi Tim

I’m an occasional weekend cyclist only, and probably could do more, living just 100 metres from the bicycle & pedestrian tunnel between St Bernards College and the Maribyrnong River bicycle paths.As the 2012 Strategy was formally adopted, the only thing missing since have been the regular and sufficient annual budget allocations to make it happen. I think Council should allocate funds to complete adopted strategies (unless there’s been some supervening reason for not implementing them, or doing so in a modified form). It would help the Strategy (and to give councillors “cover” to justify budget allocations to such Strategy works ahead of other worthwhile things) if some of Moonee Valley’s cyclists put in short submissions at draft Budget preparation and exhibition time (March/April), urging funds for the Strategy, and requesting to speak at the (required) public hearing (May/June).
If I’m elected I’d be happy to assist with that process, so the Strategy does not get “lost” among all the other demands. If I’m not elected I’d have to put in my own submission!
Regards
Andrew Gunter

Samantha Byrne

Hi Tim, 

Lovely to hear from you. It’s great to hear from keen cyclists- my husband used to ride for Brunswick in his junior days and still rides socially, so I am well aware and a big supporter of improving bike lanes.
I am having a meeting about another issue with Ben Carroll this afternoon (who is Niddrie MP and regular bike rider) -would you like me to follow up with him to see where it’s at? It’s disappointing to see so much money going in to plans and then never followed through with. 
In answer to you question, if elected  I can follow it up and keep you regularly informed of where it is up to. I would advocate for its completion. I would love to say that I can guareentee that it will happen, but I don’t want to make promises when realistically councillors are only a 1/9 vote- but I will do my best and vote in favour of it.
Hopefully that helps, happy to answer any further questions.
Kindest regards,
Sam

Ted Hatzakortzian

Hello Tim,

Thank you so much for your concern and what you would like to see changed. I definitely agree with your view point and having a young family and a joy for bike riding myself, I definitely want to see this change put in place. I ensure you I will definitely advocate to see this change put forward and to have well maintained bike paths available for cyclists. I really appreciate you bringing this concern forward and if elected will push this point.Please contact me if you have any further points to make.

Thank you again.

Kind regards

Ted

Rosemary McKenzie

Hi Timothy,

To date I haven’t been able to determine what stage these projects are at, and whether either capital works expenditure or Vic Roads funding has been allocated.  However, I will commit to a review of the Walking & Cycling Strategy with a view to getting it back on track, as it is an integral part of living in a sustainable environment, something that the Council are supposed to be committed to.  (I might add with all the reading I have done there are a number of strategies for projects around the municipality that seem to have come to a grinding halt).  I will keep trying to find out more information for you on this.

Regards,

Rosemary

 

Myrnong Candidates

Jack Giles

Hi Timothy,

The Greens are committed to increasing all forms of sustainable transport across Moonee Valley, to assist with lowering our carbon footprint, building healthier communities and removing congestion from our streets.

As per our transport policy for Moonee Valley, we want to fast track the expansion of Moonee Valley’s bicycle network to make it safe, connected, convenient and direct. The two projects you have mentioned would fall into this category, and I agree that more focus and funds needs to be allocated to sustainable transport in the municipality.

It is disappointing they were not completed in the previous Council term, and if elected, I would find out more from Council officers and other stakeholders about the reasons, so we can work out how to get the projects back on track, pardon the pun.Our transport policy and full policy platform is available on our website.

Thanks,

Jack Giles

Greens candidate, Myrnong Ward, Moonee Valley City Council

Robert Cricco

Hi Tim, 
Whilst I’m not over the specifics of these projects as a general rule, anything I can do to reduce the impacts on our roads, be it bike tracks or putting pressure on state government to improve public transport links, then I’m all for it. I hope this is of help Tim. If you like you can give me a call to discuss this in more detail.
Regards,
Robert Cricco

Tony De Fazio

Hello Tim
thank you for emailing me with your enquiry.
We share a common pursuit of cycling. I have participated in many cycling events and cycle our roads and pathways and we have a long way to go to bring them up to a safe and serviceable standard. I am at a disadvantage not knowing the full circumstances as to why the Moonee valley cycling projects you have cited have not been completed. However let me assure you as a current manager in another eastern council I am aware and able to navigate through council processes, systems, policies and practices and can ask the right questions and challenge the status quo. I would like to say yes I could commit, however I think you would appreciate I could not do it alone and would need the support of other councillors and officers. I have the leadership communication and negotiation skills to be able to lead and pursue your enquiry if elected.
I will commit to act as your voice at the council table in pursuing your issue
Kind regards Tony 

Tony De Fazio

Tony.defazio55@gmail.com

Miriam Gillis

Hi Tim
I have reviewed the MVCC Walking and Cycling strategy 2012-2022 which was adopted  by council in June 2012. I was Deputy Mayor in 2012 and supported the adoption of this strategy, it is disappointing that the two major developments you mention have not been implemented . 
It is no excuse but it is a ten year strategy and I commit to you that if I am elected as your councillor I will make sure that in the next four years the strategy is completed as promised. 
Regards
Miriam Gillis

Nicole Marshall

Hi Tim
Thanks for the email and apologies for the delay in responding. 
Re the Mt Road bike lane, from the last information I received, this is still sitting with VicRoads despite follow up. 
In relation to the Craigieburn shimmy, some of that work has already been done and more is to come shortly – the design for the pedestrian/cyclist refuge at Kent St has finally been completed (it proved more complex from a design point of view than initially expected) and construction should begin shortly. Also, works on Queens Avenue should also be beginning over the next few months (again, from my understanding, the engineers has to finalise some design issues). Some other parts of that project are still to come, particularly the crossing point at Maribyrnong Road – there has been preliminary work done but more work needs to be done with VicRoads and PTV (to work out the best point, how to make it safe in light of the Ascot Vale Rd/Maribyrnong Rd light sequence and the trams).
One thing I thought I’d mention – if you’re interested in cycling and transport more generally, you may wish to apply to join Council’s Integrated Transport Committee. This is a committee made up of Moonee Valley residents, Councillors and officers – we meet a few times a year and the Committee provides advice and guidance to Council on transport related issues. Let me know if you’d like more details.
Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any queries.
kind regards
Nicole

Cam Nation

Afternoon Tim,
 
Thanks for your email. The Cragieburn Line bicycle route has had a number of measures rolled out, and I believe they are currently preparing the Queens Avenue section of the route. I know the simpler measures (such as sharrows on the roads etc) where installed pretty quickly, however I do agree that the other measures have dragged on. I have experienced a similar scenario with our Local Area Traffic Management Studies – where approved works stay on the shelf for up to three years – and at our last meeting of Council before entering caretaker period I had officers present us with a finite timeline of when all the works will be completed. The same needs to be done for the Cragieburn cycling corridor.
 In regards to other projects, Council has started to undertake consultation to fix the aging boardwalk down the end of Montague Street (along the Moonee Ponds Creek), and in particular looking at measures to provide a safer surface to cycle on, and remove the two blind corners on the path.
 In regards to the Mt Alexander Road bicycle lane – in all honesty I actually was one of the Councillors who voted against the project, based on the need to maintain three lanes of traffic on that section of Mt Alexander Road in both directions. As such, I haven’t followed that project as closely.
 Council does have an Integrated Transport Committee, although it seems like there isn’t a lot of progress when it comes to these big ticket items. If returned I will definitely secure finite timelines for these projects, and ensure they are allocated funds (in full in next years budget).
Once again thanks for your email, and please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.
Kind Regards,
Cam