Revitalising Boronia

Before entering Parliament, Jackson was a member of Victoria Police where he served on the frontline and as a Police Prosecutor.

Jackson decided from a very young age that, no matter what job he had, he was going to give back to the community, make a positive difference and fight for people who faced hardships like his own family’s. This is what prompted him to run for Parliament.

The priorities Jackson has for his community have stemmed from his personal childhood experiences of exposure to family violence, substance abuse and out-of-home care. Supporting hospitals, schools, grassroots clubs, and delivering local road and public transport projects, are also top priorities.

Jackson's vision for Victoria’s future is that we constantly strive to ensure a better quality of life and fairness for all. He wants our state to continue to lead the nation on climate action and build the infrastructure Victorians need, creating well-paying jobs.

The areas of public policy that he is most passionate about include mental health and family violence, sustainability, jobs and education.

Bruce Dobson is Chief Executive Officer of Knox City Council.

Prior to Knox he served in senior executive roles at the City of Boroondara and City of Darebin across portfolios including corporate services, environment and infrastructure, customer experience and business transformation.

He is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Fiona has worked in the education sector and is passionate about engaging young people in education, training or employment.

She is the current CEO of the Outer Eastern Local Learning and Employment Network (OELLEN).

OELLEN develops partnerships between education, industry and the local community to assist students to make a successful and engaging transition from secondary schooling to post school options.

Michael Smith is the CEO of Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) and has been leading the organisation since 2004.

In this time, the service has grown and developed to better serve the region’s communities with strategic priorities of addressing family violence, seniors’ rights, cultural diversity and young people, as well as developing partnerships in these areas.

Debbie McLaughlin has extensive experience working in the Community Services Sector with both Government and Non-Government organisations.

Previous employers have included the Victorian Government Department of Human Services, working as a Child Youth and Family Services Worker before moving onto Swinburne University of Technology in 2006.

Since being at Swinburne, Debbie has worked across many areas including VCAL and Community Services where she is the A/Director Department of Health, Science and Community.

Mel Spencer is the co-founder and Executive Officer of Different Journeys which provides peer support and social connections for autistic individuals and their families.

She is a passionate advocate for ensuring that the voice of hidden disabilities are given considerations.

Matthew is the Principal of Boronia K-12 College. He has been at the school for five years and has worked at schools within the city of Knox for over a decade, both as a teacher and a leader. Matthew is driven to provide equity in education and is committed to providing opportunities for the local community.

Having lived in Boronia for 27 years, Alpa is very much part of its community and is both a resident and a business owner. Alpa runs a successful café where she provides a safe and welcoming place for her customers.

She spent 12 years as head of the design team in the Exhibition Building sector, she has managed major stakeholder accounts such as Lockheed Martin, Rolls Royce, Baxter Healthcare and ABB to name a few.

Alpa also created her jewellery brand ‘Heirloom’ showcasing some of her work at Swahili Fashion Week in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania and RAW Natural Born Artists show at the Emporium Catwalk in Melbourne.

She is also the founder of MYNDGYM, which hosts events with inspirational speakers to give the women in her community a safe space.

Tom is a Cinema Pioneer, having a lifetime involvement in cinemas across Victoria.  He has managed many major multiplexes and Drive-In Cinemas, and now owns Metro Cinemas Boronia.

Metro Cinemas Boronia is privately owned and operated by Tom and his family. His involvement with the site goes back to the opening of the complex in 1976 and running it successfully for Village Roadshow in 1985.

His daughter Ellie manages the cinemas with him, and they are strongly focused on delivering a community orientated, friendly, and affordable cinema, where locals feel safe and welcome. The cinema has been a large supporter of local charities and fundraisers.

Tom has seen many changes in the area and looks forward to working toward a very bright future for Boronia in the near future.

Joseph Cullen is the Chief Executive at Eastern Regional Libraries. Joseph joined Eastern Regional Libraries in 2005. He is currently Deputy Chair of the Adult, Community and Further Education Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council.

Joseph has previously served as Public Libraries Victoria Network President, as well as in Local Government as Chief Executive Officer at both East Gippsland Shire and South Gippsland Shire.

Joseph is a passionate advocate for highlighting the importance of libraries as anchor points within our communities and is committed to the Eastern Regional Libraries' strategic vision of 'Literacy and access for all – no one left behind!'.

Penny Robinson is the Centre Manager of Knox Infolink, an Emergency Relief and Community Information Resource Centre for the City of Knox.

Penny has 20 years’ experience in community development work. For 16 years this was based in an international setting, establishing, and supporting disability inclusive projects across Asia and Africa. Most recently Penny established the Boronia Community Breakfast Program. A program that provides a soft entry for vulnerable people to access assistance, build community linkages and contribute their skills to strengthen the Boronia area.

Penny is passionate about inclusion and the benefits for the community when everyone can contribute.

A successful health service Executive with over 20 years of experience working in the hospital & health care industry.

I am a strong leader with demonstrated achievements in change management, strategic and service planning, operational planning, system redesign, process improvement, full business case development, performance reporting and monitoring, policy development and project management.

Supporting my work is a solid foundation in data analytics and focus on service improvement.

I am a skilled professional with a Master of Psychology in Health Psychology and Professional Certificate in Health Systems Management and is a graduate of the Women and Leadership Australia Advanced Leadership Program and Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Majella Beagley is the Business Practice Manager for Boronia Medical Centre and Boronia Psychology and also a Company Director of Cypress Health Specialist Centre.

In these roles, Majella oversees all aspects of business development and day to day management of these 3 practices.

She is a member of The Australian Association of Practice Managers (AAPM) and was a finalist in the Victorian Practice Manager of the year in 2016. In 2020 she was recipient of the AAPM scholarship for Victoria.

Objectives:

• Preserve, celebrate and promote Boronia as a wonderful place to live due to its leafy, green setting among the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges
• Protect the village feel and greenery amid any structural changes through the centre.

Objectives:

• Attract a wider range of businesses to Boronia, focusing on its affordability, and green/leafy amenity in the Eastern Metro Region
• Promote the range of education, training and employment opportunities that link skilled workers to local (including new) businesses.

Objectives:

• Address perceptions that Boronia is unsafe by transforming and enlivening underutilised areas across the centre
• Promote enhanced community connectedness and encourage more people to be in the centre more often, and for longer
• Promote a feeling of safety and welcome, by ensuring people of all abilities can navigate the centre easily, and have access to the things they need
• Identify and enhance places within the town centre that can be the focal point for a civic heart (e.g., the train station).

Objectives:

• Uncover and showcase all the unique activity happening in Boronia, currently hidden behind main streets
• Strengthen connectivity between the train station precinct and the surrounding activity centre
• Enhance legibility, pedestrian and cycle paths throughout  the centre to help people of all abilities better navigate and experience all that the Boronia centre has to offer.

The project will upgrade Chandler Park lighting to the sports field to ensure both training and match activities can occur.

The current site only has two light poles instead of the necessary four to accommodate training and matches. The existing lighting level is 50% of the required level.

The Suburban Revitalisation program is providing $150,000 in funding for the project, which is anticipated to be completed in mid-to-late 2024. The project is being delivered in partnership with Knox City Council.

The project will deliver community inclusion events with local businesses and services to create a way for neurodiverse people to have fuller inclusion as Boronia citizens (15.7% of children in Knox are developmentally vulnerable).

The project will deliver a selection of events for neurodivergent and autistic people and youth, in partnership with Swinburne University, and capacity building to Swinburne Uni Students by working with neurodiverse people and carers.

The Suburban Revitalisation program is providing $50,000 in funding for the project, which is anticipated to be completed in mid-to-late 2023. The project is being delivered in partnership with Different Journeys.

This is a 12‐month placemaking and retail activation program that will engage traders and deliver arts, cultural and economic development projects. There will be a physical presence (shopfront) in the Boronia Activity Centre that will allow businesses to easily access advice and programs delivered across the 12-month period and allow for promotion of Boronia Revitalisation projects.

The project will deliver at least six Trader Meetings (Bi-monthly), six Event Activations, and additional projects aimed at growing visitation to Boronia and continuing to improve the visual amenity of the streetscape such as further murals etc following consultation with businesses.

The Suburban Revitalisation program is providing $395,000 in funding for the project, which is anticipated to be completed in late 2023. The project is being delivered in partnership with Knox City Council.

The Boronia Revitalisation Minor Grants Program fund will support not-for-profit and community organisations to contribute to the ongoing revitalisation of Boronia.

The program will provide grants of up to $5,000 for community organisations to buy equipment that will help the organisation to support greater social connection and participation in the Boronia community.

This is the second round of a program conducted in 2021 that successfully supported 18 not-for-profit and community organisations. The Government’s Living Local Community Grants program was inspired by the original version of this program.

This program will be administered by the Department on behalf of the Boronia Revitalisation Board, at the request of the SRB and the Council.

Applications for this program closed on Wednesday 17 May 2023.

Visit Boronia Revitalisation Minor Grants Program to find out more.

The first and second stage of streetscape renewal works along Erica Avenue will deliver public realm improvements through landscaping, new street furniture and paving.

The works along Erica Avenue, between Boronia Road and Chandler Road, will also enhance pedestrian and cyclist accessibility, including better connections to the Boronia Train Station. The resulting improved streetscape will create a more vibrant and pleasant public realm, providing opportunities for outdoor dining and other daytime and evening activities and in turn, improving visitation and pride of place.

The Suburban Revitalisation program is providing $1,000,000 in funding for both stages of works, which is anticipated to be completed in late 2023. The project is being delivered in partnership with Knox City Council.

The project commissioned 5 large-scale murals on sites across Boronia. These murals have benefit local residents, traders, and visitors of Boronia. The murals have increased the beauty and character of the village precinct, will prevent further vandalism in highly trafficked areas and improve perceptions of safety.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $150,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Knox City Council.

The project will deliver beautification works and amenity improvements to Lupton Way, including a parklet, solar lighting, potential public art opportunities, painted surface treatments and improved integration with 255 and 257 Dorset Road.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $250,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Knox City Council.

The project introduced creative elements and upgraded the pedestrian laneways and arcades that connect the key village retail precincts in Boronia based on the outcomes of an audit and engagement with the local community.

Benefits include enhanced pedestrian connectivity, improved perceptions of safety, business activation and increased footfall and increased engagement with local stakeholders in renewal activities in Boronia.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $150,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Knox City Council.

500 energy inefficient lights will be upgraded to LED lights on major roads in Boronia, including the main roads within the commercial core and activity centre. This will address local concerns of poor amenity and perceptions of safety after dark, which was cited in the draft Boronia Renewal Strategy.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $100,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Knox City Council.

My Generation addressed ageism and discrimination through a range of intergenerational activities. This brought together younger and older community members to create a collaborative series of artworks while a documentary film was created to capture the interactions, the art process  and promote healthy intergenerational relationships.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $140,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with the Eastern Community Legal Centre and local partner organisations.

The program supported disadvantaged young people (7 – 17 years old) in Boronia who are at risk of disengaging from the community through a one-to-one mentoring program. Local volunteers were engaged and trained as Mentors and paired with a young mentee, with the purpose of building positive connections by partaking in a range of relationship building activities.

By providing positive adult role models, the program will assist in addressing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including reducing social isolation in youth; helping to build a stronger, more inclusive community; and improving disengaged youth's chance of remaining in school and giving back to their community.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $50,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters Australia.

This project will deliver upgrades to the “look” of the Eastern Access Community Health (EACH) Boronia Road building in Boronia, through the addition of a community garden space and 24/7 food pantry, more windows to allow ‘eyes on the street’ and more amenity and natural light, as well as improved facades through the use of natural materials. Not only will this make the building more welcoming, but it will also solidify the EACH Boronia facility’s role as a community hub and support further informal and formal engagement with the local community.

The Suburban Revitalisation program is providing $100,000 in funding for the project, which is anticipated to be completed in mid-to-late 2023. The project is being delivered in partnership with EACH.

A Wayfinding and Branding Strategy was developed to address issues with movement and connectivity in the Boronia Activity Centre. When implemented, the primary aim of the strategy will be to identify and encourage walking and cycling by displaying travel times and distances between key services and destinations. These works will improve connections, as well as encouraging and supporting active transit.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $60,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Knox City Council.

The project delivered a range of peer-support programs for neurodiverse young people and their families/carers, in partnership with Swinburne University and local Boronia businesses. Benefits include local business revitalisation and community development, as well as participation and capacity building for neurodiverse young people and their families/carers.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $32,809 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Different Journeys.

This program delivered a community grant program allowing 18 not-for-profit and community organisations located in Boronia to apply for grants of up to $5,000, towards the purchase of small electric appliances or technical equipment needed to support community programs and contribute to Boronia's ongoing revitalisation.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $50,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Knox City Council.

Concept designs for the Green Spine Corridor along Genista Avenue, Chandler Road and part of Tormore Reserve will be developed. This work responds to a key priority in the Boronia Renewal Strategy and following the subsequent detailed design stage, will support the delivery of active transport connections and enhanced sustainable travel infrastructure for locals.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $120,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Knox City Council.

Pop-up event spaces will be created at the Boronia Mall forecourt and 'Play Park 257'  (257 Dorset Road), with a program of events over a number of weekends in April and May, including a series of activities for children and families. The project will activate public spaces, increase visitation and foster community involvement.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $200,000 in funding for the project, which has now been completed. The project was delivered in partnership with Knox City Council.

Two rounds of co-contribution grants of up to $5,000 to eligible local businesses to increase the visual appeal of their shopfronts.

More appealing shopfronts will contribute to the beautification of the activity centre, enhance amenity and increase patronage and visitation.

The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $50,000 in funding for the first round, which was completed in May 2022. An additional $100,000 in funding was provided for the second round, which was completed in September 2022. The project was delivered in partnership with Knox City Council.