Cr Lana Formoso, Mayor - Noble Park North Ward (Council News Article April 2024)

Since 2009 Council has organised the Take a Swing for Charity Golf Day.

Supported by corporate sponsors the event raises money for local charities and has directly helped thousands of local residents through 17 different organisations. This year the day set a target of $50,000 (to reach $700,000 over the lifetime of the event).

One of the greatest parts of my role as Mayor of this city is to be able to work alongside council and charities doing incredible work for our community. One such charity is Cornerstone who have been serving our community for over 30 years. They are the recipients of this year's fundraising and will use the money to build a new multi-purpose space. This space will enable Cornerstone to increase their weekly operations and support more people. Cornerstone Centre operates at Unit 1, 31 James St, Dandenong, offering meals and food parcels to anyone in need. Phone 0481 186 323 or email [email protected].

The storm events that ripped through Greater Dandenong in mid-February caused some catastrophic damage, leaving residents and businesses without power. Volunteers at Greater Dandenong State Emergency Service, which I'm a proud member of, responded to over 365 requests for assistance from residents with trees on roads, cars and buildings. With support from the CFA all requests were attended to within three days. I'm excited to work with the State Government and others to build a fit for purpose emergency management building in Keysborough to house volunteers from CFA and SES under one roof.

Council and I have been tirelessly advocating with the Department of Transport and Planning to produce a well-advanced design for traffic signals and much needed pedestrian crossing facilities at the intersection of Stud and McFees roads. We've been calling for a safer pedestrian crossing here for many years, and I want to reassure the community I will continue having this very important conversation with our Federal and State governments to resolve the serious safety issues along this notorious stretch of road.

You can contact me via email at [email protected] or phone 0435 530 536.