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Monthly Meetings
The Heatherdale Community Action Group meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm, at the Heatherdale Recreation & Bowls Club, 114 Heatherdale Road, Mitcham.
The next meeting for 2025 is:
- 11 June
“In a democracy, every citizen, regardless of his interest in politics, ‘holds office’; every one of us is in a position of responsibility; and, in the final analysis, the kind of government we get depends upon how we fulfill those responsibilities. We, the people, are the boss, and we will get the kind of political leadership, be it good or bad, that we demand and deserve.”
Profiles in Courage, John F Kennedy
Planning and Activity Centres News
Latest Update: 21 April 2025
Read the latest news on planning, the Ringwood Activity Centre and all Activity Centres.
News
Please note - News prior to January 2022 is now available on the Archives pages.
19 April 2025
Charter 29’s submission to the Select Committee on VPP amendments
Charter 29 has published their submission to the Victorian Parliament Select Committee on the recent amendments to the Victorian Planning Provisions.
Read more > Community Conversations > Planning19 April 2025
Whitehorse Council response to HCAG feedback on the 2025/26 Annual Budget
Whitehorse Council has responded to community feedback given by HCAG on the 2025/26 Annual Budget.
Read more > Council Notices19 April 2025
Misinformation and disinformation
The Museum of Australia Democracy at Old Parliament House has some short but useful guides on misinformation and disinformation.
Read more > How to spot and respond to misinformation and disinformation
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Read more > What is the difference between misinformation and disinformation?
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25 March 2025
Consultation … what consultation?
Read more > Community Conversations > All Activity Centres18 March 2025
Melbourne’s tree canopy
Read more > Community Conversations > All Activity Centres25 February 2025
Good news and …
Various media outlets have reported the Victorian State Goverment has revised its plans for the Ringwood Activity Centre.
Significantly, that part of the catchment area in the Whitehorse LGA west of Heatherdale Road has been totally removed. Additionally, a large part of the catchment area at the eastern boundary in Ringwood has been removed, along with two smaller areas to the south.
15 December 2024
Planning Democracy Convenor’s Report No. 46 & Charter 29 Report
The Honourable Kelvin Thompson summarises actions taken by various groups regarding the Victorian Government’s high-rise activity centre proposals. He also references a report by Charter 29, a group of Melbourne design and planning professionals.
9 December 2024
Bayside Forum on Victorian Planning Reforms
Bayside City Council are holding a Community Forum on the Victorian Government’s proposed planning reforms.
The forum will be held on 18 December 2024, 6:00pm – 8:00pm, at Sandy By the Bay, Trevor Barker Oval, Sandringham.
4 December 2024
Melbourne – a “fourth-rate city”?
The ABC reports a leading urban planner is critical of zoning changes planned for Melbourne.
“We’ll lose much of what attracts people to Melbourne and makes Melbourne a liveable city.”
Read more > Leading planner warns planned zoning changes will make Melbourne a ‘fourth-rate city’
2 December 2024
Urgent action required!
Liveable Moonee Valley is another community group concerned about the proposed Activity Centres and the lack of community consultation. HCAG members are asked to support their current campaign to pressure the Planning Minister by emailing Labour MPs.
1 December 2024
Malvern Planning Forum
Dr Monique Ryan, Independent Member for Kooyong, is hosting a “Community Forum: Housing and Planning” TOMORROW evening, Monday December 2, 6:30pm – 8:00pm, in the Banquet Hall, Malvern Town Hall.
“We will discuss Australia’s current housing and planning challenges and opportunities, and will address the Victorian government’s proposed changes to planning, including the nine designated Activity Zones in the electorate of Kooyong.”
Read more and registration > Community Form: Housing and Planning (external website)
29 November 2024
Brighton Planning Forum
This Community Forum will be hosted by Georgie Crozier, a Member of the Legislative Council and Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council.
Proposals for “catchment” areas around activity centres will affect neighbourhoods all across Melbourne.
29 November 2024
Ward Councillors updated following elections
HCAG acknowledges the important contribution to the community of all departing Councillors in both the Cities of Maroondah and Whitehorse, and wishes them well for their future pathways, endeavours and contributions to any organisation they become involved in.
We further welcome all newly elected councillors and look forward to working constructively with them to advance the wellbeing and liveability of the community for all residents and ratepayers.
Read more > Ward Councillors15 October 2024
HCAG’s submission to VPA’s Ringwood MAC plan
Read more > Community Conversations > Ringwood Activity Centre17 September 2024
Important update on Ringwood Activity Centre from Cr Prue Cutts
HCAG encourages you to become familiar with the Draft Ringwood Activity Centre plan
available at Engage Victoria > Ringwood Activity Centre.
16 September 2024
Ringwood Activity Centre catchment – what’s the story?
1 September 2024
Ringwood Activity Centre
Have your say on proposed significant changes to the central Ringwood area and surrounds.
The Ringwood Metropolitan Activity Centre Masterplan developed by Maroondah City Council in 2018 includes a proposal for building heights to range from 4 to 20 storeys.
The Victorian Planning Authority is now reviewing this plan and has designated a “catchment” area encircling the Activity Centre and extending west of Heatherdale Road.
Feedback is open until Sunday 29 September.
4 August 2024
The Future for Victoria
The State government is inviting Victorians to provide feedback on the “Plan for Victoria”.
Read more > The Future for Victoria5 June 2024
From The Saturday Paper, May 18, 2024
“The acting auditor-general is considering an investigation into contracts awarded to a private firm following complications over a tech upgrade for the Meals on Wheels service. By Rick Morton.“
Read more > The consulting firm and the Meals on Wheels millions
17 May 2024
A proposed election timeline for the 2024 Local Government General Elections has been published.
Read more > Proposed election timeline
1 April 2024
On 1 February 2024, EPA Tasmania issued an Environment Protection Notice to Recycal regarding their Rocherlea, Tasmania, recycling facility. According to Hobart’s The Mercury newspaper, Recycal appealed the notice through the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, however, the appeal was refused.
“The EPA issued an Environment Protection Notice to Recycal Pty Ltd on 1 February 2024 requiring it to control the risk of offsite movement of shredder floc dust by:
o Immediately ceasing production of shredder floc
o Immediately ceasing processing of shredder floc
o Removing or covering all shredder floc on the Rocherlea site” (Fact Sheet – Recycal Rocherlea – Regulation, EPA Tasmania)
Read the EPN and related Fact Sheet here (scroll the windows) or download (see below).
28 March 2024
Ecocycle, part of the “Recycal family”, is investing $30M to build a lithium battery recycling plant in Campbellfield, Victoria.
27 March 2024
Whitehorse Council is inviting interested persons to tell “us your ideas to help shape Council’s major long-term community, health, assets and financial plans.”
Read more > Council Notices9 February 2024
Event by Central Ringwood Community Centre
Read more > Events > Other13 October 2023
9 September 2023
Positive Ageing in Whitehorse Survey
Whitehorse Council is expanding its Positive Ageing service and wants your feedback.
Read more > Council Notices6 September 2023
Whitehorse 2023 Community Satisfaction Survey
The report of Whitehorse Council’s 2023 Community Satisfaction Survey is now available.
Read more > Council Notices29 August 2023
Operation Sandon and its impact on Local Government
The Operation Sandon special report, if adopted, will have very serious ramifications for the operation and nature of Local Government in Victoria.
Read more > Operation Sandon5 August 2023
HCAG AGM 13 September 2023
19 June 2023
Presentation to HCAG 17 May 2023 by EPA
Read more > Monthly Meetings
28 April 2023
Have Your Say to the EPA
HCAG invites you to a forum with the EPA on Wednesday 17 May 2023.
Read more > Forums
26 December 2022
Beware of Remote Access Scams
An important factsheet on the risk of remote access scams, as reported in Issue 2 | 2022 of the “Over Sixty” newspaper.
6 October 2022
Whitehorse Council – Davy Lane Reserve Opportunities
Whitehorse Council invites people to join further discussions about the future use of open space at Davy Lane Reserve.
Read more > Council Notices
25 August 2022
RMAC issues arising from the North East Link
HCAG advocacy for addressing Ringwood Metropolitan Activity Centre (RMAC) issues arising from the North East Link.
Read more > HCAG Commentary
18 July 2022
Classes & Events – Strathdon House and Orchard Precinct
There are some great classes and events at Strathdon House and Orchard Precinct over the next few months.
Read more > Council Notices
18 April 2022
Growing Pains – Melbourne’s population dilemma
Read more > HCAG Commentary14 April 2022
Presentation to HCAG 13 April 2022 by Steve Kozlowski, CEO of Maroondah City Council
Read more > Monthly Meetings19 March 2022
Biggest Morning Tea at Heatherdale Rec & Bowls Club – 19 May 2022
Read more > Events > Other4 February 2022
