Summary
I reported on two National Tree Day events: a community planting of 3,000 native trees, shrubs and ground covers at Koolamara Waters Reserve, and the Knox business event, both contributing to our target of 30 per cent tree cover by 2050. I also noted the Knox Raiders finals wins, Scoresby Football Netball Club's centenary, an ABC Radio interview on EV charging, and an Eastern Region Group meeting with the state opposition.
Transcript
Edited from the meeting's auto-generated captions.
Thank you, Mayor. And yes, likewise, I've attended a couple of National Tree Day events in Knox. Yesterday we were down at Koolamara Waters Reserve, Councillor Baker and I, and 3,000 native trees, shrubs and ground covers were planted by a really enthusiastic bunch. It was a wonderful family-friendly vibe. It was nice to meet and chat to so many of our environmental and wildlife groups: Gardens for Wildlife, Friends of Koolunga, Friends of Dandenong Creek, Friends of Blind Creek Billabong, to name a few. And it was good to see a big contingent from the Heany Park Scout Group, who turned out in numbers, and of course so many local families and green thumbs generally. And it would be remiss not to mention the amazing barbecue that the Rotary Club of Ferntree Gully put on. They are among the best in the business at the sausage sizzle, which was really popular with the crowd.
And on the 18th of July we had the Knox business National Tree Day event. I think there was about 200 people. Lots of businesses in Knox supported a big group of staff to turn out. Cummins in Scoresby, on Ferntree Gully Road, sent I think half their workforce. It was wonderful to see the networking, the discussion, a really good vibe as we all did our bit to contribute to our effort to achieve 30 per cent tree cover in Knox by 2050, which is one of the key objectives of our climate response plan and our recently endorsed biodiversity resilience strategy.
On Saturday night just gone, I attended the State Basketball Centre in Wantirna South to see the Knox Raiders double header. Knox prevailed in both the finals. The women beat local arch rivals the Dandenong Rangers, and the men beat the Eltham Wildcats, and it was a loud local crowd. Free general admission tickets down there for the Knox Raiders quite often. So, always a great night of sporting entertainment.
And on the sporting theme, I'd just give a plug to the Scoresby Football and Netball Club. The football club is celebrating its 100-year centenary this Saturday, the 2nd of August. They're having a heritage round and encouraging past players, volunteers, supporters and members to get down to the club. It's going to be a big game for the Magpies. And I look forward to seeing everyone down at the club this Saturday to join in the centenary celebrations.
Friday the 11th of July, I chatted with Warwick Long on ABC Radio about our new approach to EV charging infrastructure, which seems to be getting some interest from other municipalities.
On Monday, 30th of June, I attended an ERG meeting at the Maroondah City Council with members of the leadership team of the state opposition, along with our CEO. So it was a good opportunity to meet and talk to Brad Battin and David Davis and the state opposition leadership team about Knox and ERG issues, and contribute to some of the thinking that's going into the state election platform for next year. Community safety and housing and planning were some of the issues that we spent a lot of time discussing.
I do have a report that relates to my attendance at ALGA, but I will save that for a later agenda item. But thank you, Mayor.