Brunswick Labor.net

 Last night, I attended a fundraiser for Enver Erdogan, one of Labor's exciting young candidates in the North West Ward.

I have known Enver for a number of years and he is a committed young progressive. He has cut his teeth on university politics, has been heavilly involved in state and federal campaigns, and is a lifelong Moreland resident.

When Enver talks about a fresh approach, it isn't just a form of words - its part of his nature. He has a solid, grounded, passion for working people. His father is a long time union activist, and Enver, as an economics graduate, understands the importance of work and dignity to the working class.

Carlo Carli MP, spoke at the gathering and spoke about the importance of grassroots politics to working people. He told us it was about whether kids will be able to play cricket or soccer this year, whether seniors can cook their meals at the senior citizens club, or whether families can save on their groceries bills by having enough water to grow vegies at home.

This is the politics that Labor stands for. And its the politics that Enver will bring to council.

So if your a voter in Oak Park, Pascoe Vale, Glenroy or Hadield, Enver Erdogan is a candidate you should consider voting for.

 Mr CARLI (Brunswick) — This Friday I will be attending the presentation night for the Brunswick Zebras junior soccer club, the largest soccer club in my electorate and certainly the largest soccer club in the Moreland area. It is a big occasion for a really successful junior soccer club. It was founded in 1947, when Italian immigrants founded the Juventus club. However, over time the club broke away from the senior club and specialised in juniors — and it is increasingly focusing on girls and women.

Council is considering spending tens of millions of dollars on a new sports hub on industrial land adjacent to Clifton Park.

 This may lead to the relocation of existing sporting clubs to the proposed new location. What will be the effect on your local community if this occurs?

Moreland Council has prepared a draft Brunswick Structure Plan to guide the development of Brunswick over the next 22 years. The structure plan includes the picture below.

What are the implications of buying more land and spending these resources for sport in Brunswick, and the make up of Gillon, Clifton and Brunswick Parks?

Moreland City Council is holding a series of community meetings and opportunities for people to express their views about the redevelopment of the Brunswick Baths on:

A stall will also be set up at Barkly Square Shopping Centre to provide the opportunity to discuss views with the planning team on;

Babies and young families, home buyers and services are the big winners in the 2008-09 State Budget, Carlo Carli, Member for Brunswick said today.

“New figures released today show we are in the middle of a baby boom,” Mr. Carli said.

“Over 73,700 births recorded last year – the highest since 1971 and we are rolling out initiatives to make sure families have the services they need for their children.”

The Melbourne and Olympic Parks Amendment Bill is being debated in Parliament. The Bill makes some changes to facilitate the construction of Melbourne's Rectangular Stadium next to the current Olympic Park and will be used by Football and Rugby.

In periods of adversity communities pull together, and that is exactly what has been happening in Moreland amongst the 12 soccer clubs in the area. Those clubs have now established the Moreland football forum. Over the summer only four soccer pitches were being watered, and basically a number of clubs did not have any facilities, any grounds or any training areas. The teams and the clubs came together and started to share grounds and support each other in a period of adversity. They are also providing a unified voice to deal with the council to ensure that there is a contingency plan for watering next season that will sustain the various clubs.

The clubs are numerous. There are 12 clubs in the Moreland area.

I did a little estimate and found that there are 149 teams, with something around 2500 players; the vast majority are juniors; women and girls are the fastest growing component, which is growing at an exponential rate; and there is also all the growth that followed the World Cup and the success of the Socceroos.

The 12 clubs have set aside their sporting rivalries to work together in a common cause. They are working together in a time of adversity to ensure the viability and sustainability of world football in the Moreland area. I congratulate all 12 clubs for their willingness to work together.

Melbourne’s north could be home to a new premier league football facility with funding for a new study. Carlo Carli MP announced details of a ground breaking study into football (soccer) facilities across the north west region of metropolitan Melbourne at the football forum - a meeting of Moreland based football clubs at Dunstan Reserve in Brunswick West.

$60,000 has been provided by the State Government to enable Moreland, Moonee Valley and Hume Councils to consider and adopt a regional approach for the provision of premier league football facilities (soccer) in the north-west region of Melbourne.