Maribyrnong City Council

Attention business owners in Maribyrnong – you now have access to valuable resources designed to help you save energy and reduce operational costs. Simple steps like setting your thermostat to sensible limits (18-20°C during winter, 23-25°C during summer) and ensuring systems are switched off outside work hours can make a big difference in your energy bills. Discover more about how the Business Energy Tips program can help you optimise your energy use and improve efficiency, visit: https://lnkd.in/gdnwKv_5

Council's long-standing partnership with Victoria University (VU), has been celebrated with the renewed signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Last week, Mayor, Cr Cuc Lam joined VU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor External Relations and Partnerships, the Hon. Wade Noonan to formalise our comprehensive partnership until late 2028. The current MoU has been the driver of many notable achievements over the past 10 years – from increased education and employment opportunities, investment in smart city technologies, to advocacy for the construction of the new Footscray Hospital to name a few. Our shared commitment to improving health, environmental, and social outcomes has enabled us to better deliver for our community. This renewed MoU will further advance our partnership to continue uplifting communities in the West.

For Men’s Mental Health Week, Council is highlighting a new report by the Preventing Violence Together partnership – Working Dads: Towards Equal Care. The report shares the experiences of 155 working dads in Melbourne’s west and sheds light on the challenges and aspirations of dads in balancing work and caregiving responsibilities. The report discusses the importance of workplaces supporting men as caregivers. When fathers take an equal share of parental leave, it leads to better mental health outcomes for families and in workplaces. The Working Dads: Towards Equal Care Report found: • Almost 1 in 2 dads surveyed experienced barriers to accessing Parental Leave – 66% of these reported barriers were ‘workplace culture’ barriers that reinforced traditional rigid gendered norms. • 7 in 10 dads said that their workplace offered flexible work policies, however, just as many reported barriers to accessing these – 91% of these barriers were ‘workplace culture’ barriers. Working Dads: Towards Equal Care report offers 18 actions for workplaces to address gendered issues in workplace cultures and bridge the gap between policy and practice. Find out more at https://lnkd.in/guFH79z4

Council commenced National Reconciliation Week on Monday with a traditional Smoking Ceremony to assist in cleansing the area and people of bad spirits, and to promote protection and wellbeing of visitors. The ceremony included a Welcome to Country and a yarning circle led by local First Nations Peoples. Council has also hosted First Nations Themed Story Times throughout the week to enhance and enrich our community's understanding and appreciation of Indigenous culture. A screening of the powerful documentary ‘In My Blood It Runs’ will be held on Saturday at Braybrook Library, from 12-1.30pm. Council’s vision for reconciliation involves the entire Maribyrnong community positively engaging and celebrating the histories and cultures of our Traditional Custodians, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Boon Wurrung Bunurong Peoples of the Kulin Nation, and all First Nations Peoples of our community. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/g8XdNC25

Work is underway on creating Maribyrnong’s newest green space as part of the multi-million dollar redevelopment of the heritage Footscray Town Hall and new civic administration building on Hyde Street. Shade, seating, and a focus on soft surfaces and cultural and Indigenous history will all feature reflecting the elements our community said they wanted to see. The new park will provide a central focus for the new Civic Precinct and Community Hub which is also taking shape with the structural work to support the new façade on the now in place and cladding underway. Works on the interior of the Town Hall also continue to ensure historical aspects are preserved and integrated seamlessly with the new administration building. Works are scheduled for completion before the end of the year. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/ggfT8R8S

Council’s Henry Turner South Reserve Pavilion redevelopment received a special commendation from Parks and Leisure Victoria at the Community Facility of the Year Awards. The recognition highlights Council’s commitment to community engagement, sustainability, and innovation in creating accessible and inclusive spaces for all. Read more about the commendation and the Henry Turner South Reserve Pavillion at https://lnkd.in/gizKNgm3

Tonight we received a gold medal in the Australasian Reporting Awards for our 2022/23 Annual Report - that’s eight gold medals in a row! The award was collected by Mayor Cr Cuc Lam and CEO Celia Haddock on behalf of Council. Only 22 gold medals were awarded to local government of the 75 awarded this year - a testament to a collaborative effort across the entire organisation to deliver and report on the previous 12 months activity. Congratulations to all involved!

Are you one of the 9,000 businesses operating in the City of Maribyrnong? Council is developing a business support plan for 2024/2025 and we need you to help shape the support plan to assist the business community. Provide your feedback via our survey before it closes on Sunday 5 May. To take the survey, visit: https://lnkd.in/gnVKFN5c

Just a reminder that the next ‘Women in Business’ event will take place on next Tuesday, 30 April at Campground Kitchen in Braybrook. Hosted by Jules Brooke from She’s the Boss, this event is the perfect opportunity for you to mingle and meet with a room full of like-minded businesswomen. You never know who you might meet – the possibilities are endless for collaborations and referrals! For more information and to register, visit: https://lnkd.in/gnzqUY6q

We are currently recruiting for a dynamic and experienced individual to join us as Chair of the Maribyrnong Community Recovery Committee.   Established in April 2023, the Community Recovery Committee has been instrumental in advising Council on recovery issues, barriers and needs after the Maribyrnong River Flood in October 2022.   As Chair, you will lead meetings, foster inclusive discussions where everyone's voice is valued, and ensure that unresolved issues are addressed in future sessions.   If you're passionate about making a positive impact and want to learn more about this role, check out https://lnkd.in/gpGuy2Xh