Linking with our community
CityLink Neighbourhood Connections - Key Results for 2010
CityLink's new community program, Neighbourhood Connections, is making a difference in the Moonee Ponds and Flemington neighbourhoods. The program is designed to help these diverse groups form a connection with their communities and the Moonee Ponds Creek, which winds its way through their neighbourhoods and runs adjacent to CityLink.
Over the past year the program has delivered over 25 community events including school and community educational days, planted over 6000 plants and removed large amounts of rubbish from the local Moonee Ponds Creek environment.
In line with Neighbourhood Connection's objective of bringing neighbourhoods together, these events attracted almost 2000 participants and built partnerships with 55 Government and community organisations.
Notably, Neighbourhood Connections activities attracted considerable extra resources to the local community, generating $47,000 worth of volunteer time and $9,005 worth of Government Grants.
These achievements are due in no small part to the dedication, considered direction and passion of our effervescent champion, Bronwyn Riddell (pictured above).
Bronwyn has been delivering hands-on environmental and sustainable education programs for over 35 years. She has spent the past year working with CityLink to develop events that bring communities together to improve the local surroundings.
Major events have included 'CityLink Planting Day' and 'Clean-Up Day', both held in conjunction with Clean up Australia and National Tree Day. Other events included school presentations, community festivals, senior's week walks, zoo visits and walking groups, all established upon the foundation of linking Melbourne communities.
Bronwyn has also initiated the popular Family Day Out program, tailored to the women and children of our neighbouring municipalities. The program was designed to provide this particular community group with access to new, family friendly environments and helps to build relationships within the group.
One of the outings CityLink attended involved a bus trip to Geelong's Playspace located within the Botanic Gardens. Every child, including those with physical disabilities, played on swings, enjoyed a BBQ and was able to develop friendships within a peaceful, enjoyable setting.
The New Year's program has been developed to ensure CityLink continues to engage its surrounding communities, build relationships within these groups and improve the local creek environment.
Under Bronwyn's stewardship, the Neighbourhood Creek Connections program is sure to continue delivering a consistent level of results.
The past year has seen CityLink's community program achieve the following noteworthy results:
Key Achievements for 2009/2010:
| Total | ||
| Plants planted | 6000 | |
| Total people involved in programs or presentations 2009/2010 | 1846 | |
| Volunteers at planting and cleanup days | 636 | |
| Volunteer Investment Rate @ $25 (Port Phillip& Western Catchment Management Authority) |
636 x 3hrs = 1908 hr | $47 700.00 |
| Grants /Sponsorship Melbourne Water Community Grant City West Water Eid Festival CSL /Landcare Gift Giving Program Friends of Royal Park |
$5005 $1000 $3000 |
$9,005.00 |
| Value added to original investment | $66,245.00 |
Neighbourhood Connections has proudly partnered with the following organisations:
- Australian Federal Police
- City of Melbourne
- City West Water
- CityLink/Transurban
- Debney Meadows Primary School
- Dept of Human Services - Office of Housing
- Dept of Planning and Community Development
- Dept of Sustainability and Environment
- Doutta Galla Community Health Services
- Environment Victoria
- Essendon Football Club
- Fawkner Community Centre
- Flemington Community Centre
- Flemington Kensington Community Legal Centre
- Jesuit Social Services
- Koori Heritage Trust
- New Hope Migrant and Refugee Centre
- Melbourne Water
- Moonee Valley City Council
- Moreland City Council
- North Melbourne Library
- North Melbourne Football Club
- Landcare
- Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union (LHMU)
- Parks Victoria
- SERCO
- The Venny
- The Meadows Primary School
- Urban Communities
- Victorian Multicultural Commission
- Victorian Police
- Victorian Co-operative on Children's Services for Ethnic Group (VICSEG)
- Waterwatch
- YMCA Victoria
The following community groups:
- African Women Network
- Australia Oromo Community Association Victoria
- Friends of Moonee Ponds Creek
- Friends of Royal Park
- Flemington Soccer Group
- Family Food
- Fawkner Heart Foundation Walking Group
- Hararian Women's Group
- Indo Chinese Refugee Association
- Kayyo Women's Group
- Pan African Community
- Rotary Club of North Melbourne
- Somalia Women's Development Assoc
- Sudanese Women's Group
- Kensington Public Tenants Association
- Kensington Community Recreation Centre
- Kensington Neighbourhood House
- United Somalia Women Organization
- Victorian Federation of Chinese Associations Kensington Chinese Friendship Association
- Victorian Mobile Landcare Group
- 78 Seniors Club
CityLink Neighbourhood Connections - Planting Day
CityLink Neighborhood Connections, in partnership with Melbourne Water and Friends of Moonee Ponds Creek, hosted a tree planting day for families on Sunday 23rd May, as part of its ongoing commitment to improving the surrounding environment. The day provided CityLink’s neighbouring communities with an opportunity to become involved in the Creek environment whilst celebrating cultural diversity.
Five River Gum trees were ceremonially planted by Minister for Planning, Justin Madden, Federal Member for Wills, Kelvin Thomson MP, Mayor of Moonee Valley, Cr Shirley Cornish, Wurundjeri Elder, Ian Hunter and CityLink General Manager, Danny Elia. The trees were planted as a symbolic link between the traditional and contemporary cultures of the local community. Over 300 smaller shrubs and ground coverings were also planted around the ornamental pond by community members and Transurban staff.
Wurundjeri Elder, Ian Hunter, conducted the ‘Welcome to Country’ Smoking Ceremony to mark the beginning of a strong community connection with the Moonee Ponds Creek and the greater environment, followed by a fantastic performance from the Minua Gidij Murra Dancers and a rendition of a Koorie song, sung by the Debney Meadows Primary School choir.
Moonee Valley City Council, Rotary North Melbourne, Landcare, Moonee Valley Police, LHMU, Kaayo Oromo Women’s Group and the United Somalia Women’s Organisation, Doutta Gala Community Health, Jesuit Social Services and members of surrounding communities all provided their support on the day to ensure it was a huge success.
A big thank you to Citylink Neighbourhood Connections program coordinator, Bronwyn Riddell. Once again Bronwyn provided the neighbouring communities with a chance to engage with their local environment whilst sharing the traditions of their diverse cultures.
United Somalia Women’s Organisation painting Henna designs
Landcare volunteers being prepped for the planting of 300 smaller shrubs and
ground covers
River Gums ready to be planted
CityLink Crossings & Moonee Valley Council Art Project - Evans Street overpass, Moonee Ponds
Melbourne-based studio Everfresh has transformed the internal tunnel walls of a bridge crossing over Moonee Ponds Creek from a dilapidated walkway into an iconic, underground, street-artwork.
The overpass is part of CityLink's infrastructure and crosses over Moonee Ponds Creek. The site was identified jointly with Moonee Valley Council as one that needed urgent attention given its disrepair.
The project, commissioned and coordinated by CityLink, is the latest in a number of community arts projects to improve the popular creek trail which is used by cyclists and pedestrians on a daily basis.
CityLink General Manager Danny Elia believes the benefits of the project are twofold.
"We're really keen to recognise the rich indigenous history and culture in the area, as well as giving the local residents something nice to look at as they use the area with their children and families".
The artists have depicted a dual theme of land and water, inspired by the creek and its surroundings.
The Everfresh team is a well respected collective within the street-art culture and many Melbournians may recognise their work around the city.
The photo below reflects the state of the Evans Street overpass before the art project. 
New images painted on the tunnel walls. For more photos, click here.
Click here to read the Moonee Valley Leader article, from the 5th of April.
Introducing CityLink Neighbourhood Connections!
CityLink Neighbourhood Connections Project
Bronwyn Riddell has made remarkable progress as the program coordinator of Citylink Neighbourhood Connections.
Since July 2009, Bronwyn Riddell has organised over 17 events on behalf of CityLink’s new community program, aimed at bringing members of the municipalities of Melbourne, Moonee Valley, Moreland and Hume together.
The activities help these diverse groups form a connection with both their communities and the Moonee Ponds Creek, which winds its way through their neighbourhoods.
This new program focuses on school students, the elderly, those with disabilities and people from non-English speaking backgrounds.
Planting days, school presentations, community festivals, senior’s week walks and zoo visits, walking groups, family days out and Clean up Australia Day are among some of the valuable experiences the CityLink Neighbourhood Connections program has offered these communities over the last 6 months.
CityLink General Manager, Danny Elia, has received some thoughtful words from various members of the community, reinforcing CityLink’s belief in the benefits of a community program of this scale.
“I just wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you so much for giving us this wonderful time for the African community, especially women and children.” Sainaib Sheikh.
Sainaib and other members of the African communities in Moonee Valley enjoyed a fantastic family day out at Geelong’s Playspace in January. The children were treated to a big sausage sizzle and hours of play time in one seriously fun playground, complete with electronic animal sounds, disabled swings and secret tree houses.
Mr. Elia is always a willing participant in family orientated events. “I like to think we take our responsibility to our local communities seriously. Our road is often the backyard setting for many of the community members who participate in CityLink Neighbourhood Connections” he said, “and we particularly like schemes where our staff can take an active role.
Sainab Sheikhat, President of African Women's Network and Somalia Women's
Development Association with Danny Elia and Bronwyn Riddell at Geelong's
Playspace.
Bronwyn and elderly members of the Chinese Community at the Seniors Week
walk – Participants enjoyed a talk from indigenous ranger John, and tasted
bush tucker.
Bronwyn Riddell (far right) is presented with a Kookaburra Multicultural Award
from Parks Victoria recently for her work in the local community.
CITYLINK COMMUNITY PROGRAM
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Our Community Relations Projects
As a Transurban asset, CityLink takes its ongoing responsibility to operate in a safe and sustainable manner seriously. We work to minimise our environmental impact and give back to the communities in which we operates.
One of the ways CityLink invests in its local communities is by supporting projects that deliver social or environmental benefits to its neighbouring municipalities.
CityLink seeks and invites sponsorship proposals across two broad categories:
• Environment – projects that enhance or protect the environment in areas within which Transurban operates and in which Transurban and CityLink staff can take an active role.
• Community – projects that support the amenity, economic development or well-being of communities in areas within which Transurban operates and that our people can take an active role and interest in.
Some of our recent community projects include:
CityLink School Support Program
Since 2002, the CityLink School Support Program has provided the 10 schools within 600 metres of the CityLink corridor with financial support for the well-being of young people.
The annual grants have allowed students to participate in activities that build resilience, self-esteem and well-being. Some of the initiatives include a breakfast program for those who miss this meal at home, an arts program and the expansion of a science group to include a gardening club.
Individual schools have discretion on how the money is spent, meaning they can assist families that may not otherwise be able to afford school camps, excursions or medical fees.
Spring Planting Day
An Aboriginal artefacts display, African cooking and henna painting were among the fun activities at the City of Melbourne’s annual Spring Planting Day at Royal Park on Sunday October 13, 2009.
Transurban representative, Selby-Lynn Nicholas, says the cultural diversity of the day was fantastic, with one of her personal highlights “watching a little Somalian boy learn to play the didgeridoo”.
Everyone pitched in to plant seedlings and native plants along MacArthur Road and The Avenue. The focus of the day was to enhance the local habitat for native birds and insects, and help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Our Neighbourhood Creek Connections organiser Bronwyn Riddell also represented Transurban on the day – in fact she was responsible for bringing together many of the participating communities.
Napier Street Studios
CityLink partnered with Yarra City Council after the success of a Community Arts Project carried out in 2005, where a Youth Services Program run by the council gave young artists the opportunity to create a mural on a prominent CityLink noise wall. The wall was prone to graffiti attacks – which almost completely fell away once the mural was created.
More importantly – CityLink recognised the contribution the project had made to the young artists, who worked with mentors and got some real life experience in all elements of creating a public piece. When it heard the Napier Studios program had lost its major sponsor and was in danger of being cancelled, it was quick to act. Recognising the importance of the program to one of CityLink’s neighbouring communities, we began talks with the City of Yarra and became the program’s major sponsor for 2006, 2007 and in to 2008.
Among its four project works in 2007, Napier Street Studios painted a mural near the climbing walls in Burnley. The artwork reflected the nearby Herring Island and enhanced what is quickly becoming a valuable community space.
Napier Studios aims to create opportunities for emerging artists, promote health and well-being while enhancing social connectedness and youth participation, as well as proving training opportunities to increase the skill levels of young people in order to enhance their future employment opportunities. Working with public spaces, the program also helps to enhance the local community through improving the visual amenities.
PAST PROJECTS
Energy Breakthrough
CityLink Creek Connections
Kicking On
Drains for Our Creek
Kildonan Community Garden