Tonight’s annual general meeting of the the Croydon Conservation Society marks its 45th year of community service.

The Croydon Conservation Society (CCS) was formed in 1964 by residents who acted to protect eucalyptus trees near Croydon Railway Station, which were going to be removed to make way for a service station.

The group began as the the Croydon Tree Preservation Society and later renamed itself to the Croydon Conservation Society to better encompass its aims as a broader environmental group.

Highlights over the past year include the construction of a new website, which enables the CCS to email latest news to its membership and the continuation of its annual film nights designed to both educate and entertain the community in regard to environmental issues.

I had served as Treasurer of the CCS over the past twelve months and was pleased to deliver a surplus over the course of the year. While costs such as insurance continue to rise, the CCS is in a healthy financial situation. In particular costs such as its newsletter production will reduce in future years due to the new website functionality.

Unfortunately due to changes in the Local Government Act I have been required to resign as Treasurer and therefore did not seek re-nomination at the AGM.

These legislative changes mean that if a Councillor is a committee member of an organisation they cannot vote or discuss issues of direct relevance to that organisation. Given that sustainability is a personal interest of mine, this could potentially jeopardise my ability to strengthen council’s approach to the environment.

It is a shame that these changes to the Local Government Act have the perverse implication of reducing a councillor’s involvement within the community. While I may no longer be a committee member of the CCS, I will certainly continue to attend their meetings and maintain my strong stance for improving the environmental sustainability of Maroondah.

The CCS faces a number of challenges as it enters its 45th year, primarily in developing new activities to engage the community. I trust that the CCS will continue to be a prominent voice within the community.