Community Planning
The Newham Community Action Plan
A plan to deliver benefits for all Newham and District residents.
In November 2007, a public meeting in the Newham Mechanics Hall drew an enthusiastic crowd of 56 local residents to discuss the welfare, future, and concerns of our town and surrounding district. Organised by the Macedon Ranges Shire Council, the meeting identified five issues as priorities for the community. A committee was formed to develop these priorities into a Community Action Plan – a document that sets out our goals and introduces some strategies to achieve them. We also added a sixth priority – to establish a working process that will ‘make it happen’.
Six ways to improve Newham
1. A path between Newham & Woodend, via Hanging Rock
The bridge recently built on Romsey Road near the Calder Freeway connects to the path that follows Five Mile Creek through Woodend. The proposal seeks to extend this path to Hanging Rock and Newham. This is an extremely complicated and costly proposal, with many issues to be addressed. Much hard behind-the-scenes work has been done on this over the last 18 months. A report has now been prepared and is now with Council. We are awaiting their decision on whether to commit the Shire to the next stage. Download Report
2. Redevelop Newham Mechanics Hall
Substantial redevelopment over the last year has made enormous improvements to the Hall, including a new supper/meeting room, kitchen, storeroom and toilet block, as well as an upgraded parking area. Plans for continuing improvement of the surrounds are ongoing.
The Hall and nearby Wesley Park are fortunate in that they already have very supportive groups. The role of the Community Planning Group has been and is to support the existing bodies in their work of raising funds and implementing plans.
3. Protect and enhance our local environment
We can conserve the rural nature of the Newham District by helping existing bodies such as Landcare and Friends of Hanging Rock to prepare a district flora plan; to continue development of vegetation and wildlife corridors between Mt Macedon, Hanging Rock and the Cobaws; to encourage sustainable farming and land-use practices; and to protect and improve water quality in our creeks and riparian environment.
4. Develop a partnership between the community and Newham Primary School
The Primary School is Newham's biggest asset. It has many facilities and resources that could be useful to members of the community who are not currently connected to it.
With new school buildings completed in 2009, NCPG has supported and facilitated a number of events to encourage community access to school equipment, recreational facilities, adult education and early childhood services. A working party is examining the possibility of constructing a multi-purpose tennis court on school grounds with a view to establishing the precinct as a hub for community activities.
5. Maintain small village environs
Planning controls for Newham have the potential to be the biggest single factor affecting the properties of local residents. All recent surveys have indicated a strong community preference to preserve the rural character of the town. NCPG is working with the council to establish appropriate planning controls/zoning for the village and adjacent land and, in 2009, hosted an information evening with council planners to improve community understanding in this area.
More recently, NCPG has submitted proposals to MRSC for a number of streetscape improvements. These proposals were assembled after wide community consultation. Projects are ongoing and we invite all members of the community to provide input.
Streetscape Projects:
Landscaping of intersection – traffic island revegitation, 'native garden' and street tree planting on CFA corner, post-and-rail fence for CFA carpark.
Wesley Park – Dry-stone wall features and post-and-rail fence, two-plate community barbecue, new picnic tables, information board.
We are also investigating the possibility of a dry-stone wall for the general store corner, with a featured 'NEWHAM' engraving.
6. Manage the Community Action Plan
NCPG volunteers meet monthly and consult regularly with Shire officers, local organisations and residents. Members of the group are actively at work on each of the community's nominated priorities.
Much of the group's attention is directed to providing opportunities for members of the community to come together to exchange ideas and points of view. We have organised a number of public meetings, as well as informal get-togethers like 'Social@the Hall'. We assist in the organisation and promotion of community events like the Sustainability Expo and the Mechanics Institute's grand re-opening.
NCPG is responsible for establishing the Newham Arrow and newham.vic.au as means of providing consistent, reliable information for residents.
NCPG Members
Hilary Roberts (Chair)
Carolyn Robb
John Luckock
Christine Sullivan
Frances Spain
Roy Martin
Teresa Buchanan
Stephen Mitchell
Lauraine Luckock
Kathryn Nicholson
Andrew Nicolas
Nicholas Massie
Contact
ncpg@newham.vic.au
Hilary Roberts 5427 0795