As a long-time resident of Boroondara, I am honoured and delighted to be elected Mayor of this much-loved city for the next 12 months. I look forward to working with our community and my fellow Councillors to make it an even better place to live, work and visit.
Looking back across Council’s achievements for 2023, it is clear much has been accomplished that we can build on in the coming year. The first stage of the new Canterbury Community Precinct was opened in March, with stage 2 well underway. We completed upgrades for Through Road Early Learning and Fordham Avenue Kindergarten in Camberwell, and Rowen Street Kindergarten in Glen Iris. We upgraded the Y Street Community Services building in Ashburton, the Anderson Park Community Hub in Hawthorn East, the Lewin Reserve Pavilion in Glen Iris, and refurbished the North Balwyn Seniors Centre.
Council endorsed an updated Housing Strategy that will help us plan for the next 15 years, and significant progress was made on the Maling Road Place Plan and the draft Camberwell Junction and Glenferrie Place Plans.
These initiatives sit alongside the day-to-day work of maintaining roads, footpaths and parks, collecting waste and recycling, providing community and library services, and arts and cultural events, including Summer in the Park and the Seniors Film Festival.
These achievements highlight the range of Council’s work in and for our community. I am proud of what we do. In my role as Mayor over the next year, I hope to meet many more of you and to hear what you love about living here, and what you think we could do better.
With Christmas upon us, I wish you a happy festive season with loved ones and a relaxing summer ahead. We all have much to look forward to in 2024.
Cr Lisa Hollingsworth
Mayor of Boroondara
