JANE AGIRTAN INDEPENDENT

In early 2019, Kingston Council invited me to participate in Ward Committee Program and provide council with high-level advice, feedback and discussion on the delivery of Council plans for Kingston. This includes feedback on Council projects, policy initiatives and issues impacting the local community. The committees also provide an important link in Council’s consultation process.

As a Chartered Accountant and business adviser I thoroughly enjoyed problem solving and collaborating with diverse group of residents from all walks of life and have continued my advocacy using insights gained during the program, enhanced understanding of council strategic direction, various long term plans and most importantly, budgets during the pandemic and post conclusion of Ward Committees program in 2020.

Over the years, I was involved in various grassroots campaigns most recently advocating on behalf of Parkdale and Mentone residents for beach clean up and maintenance after severe weather this July.

My family and I are mindful about our health being intrinsically linked to how healthy our environment is – personally, I see microplastics as a real issue as they are increasingly present in our water supply, seafood and even processed foods like tofu and plant-based products.

We consume on average, an equivalent of a credit card annually and I find this statistic mind boggling, provided so many of us are raising young children and want them to be healthy.

Below is the picture of our local beach – despite entire climate change departments and millions each LGA spends on initiatives to “control” climate it turns out, neither open spaces nor local councilor was aware of appalling beach conditions but nevertheless, escalated my request to appropriate department who were prompt to answer my questions and address the issue.

Big thanks to Parkdale locals who voiced their concerns in PoP Facebook group ( People of Parkdale)

As residents might be aware Mordialloc Creek drains a large portion of the Dandenong Catchment.  Council works hard to ensure those upstream are aware of the downstream impacts of litter entering our stormwater and drainage systems.

Beach cleaning schedule for the winter off-peak season is beach raking service. However, residents can contact council and request additional services as conditions dictate.

Additional clearing was arranged following the recent wild weather and my request to council as well as small yet dedicated group of locals known as Parkdale Beach Patrol who arrange monthly clean up.

In emergency events, Council follows  Municipal Emergency Management Plan. However the weather experienced so far this winter has not triggered a declared emergency event.  

In addition to the catchment wide work Council undertakes, they also work closely with Tangaroa Blue Foundation, Sustainability Victoria and the EPA to reduce microplastics and nurdles (small, lentil-sized pieces of plastic that are the building blocks for most plastic products) from entering our stormwater system and eventually the Bay.