My Internet Journal is designed to provide details on my role as a Councillor for the City of Maroondah and my involvement within a variety of community organizations.
You can also subscribe to updates to stay informed in regard to community and council activities and how I am making a difference for the Mullum Ward and the Maroondah community.
Your comments and thoughts are welcomed and encouraged.
Over the last two days I attended the Victorian Local Governance Association’s (VLGA) Changes and Challenges Program.
This program, which included lectures from many renowned experts, provided an overview of Melbourne 2030 as well as information on the planning process, including methods of community participation.
The program provided invaluable information on how the planning system works and the association between State and Local Governments in regard to planning matters, I would recommend that all new councillors attend this free two day seminar.
Category: Maroondah
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) combined with Environment Victoria (EV), Friends of the Earth (FOE) and the Victorian Council of Social Services (VCOSS) have formed the Coalition for People’s Transport. The Coalition for People’s Transport is an alliance of community, social justice, environment, local government, disability and transport user groups and is committed to sustainable and equitable transport across Melbourne.
The launch of the Coalition for People’s Transport Get on Track! campaign occurred in Rowville amid renewed calls for the State Government to Get on Track and increase the investment into public transport.
The Coalition has released its own version of the Transport and Liveability to demand immediate public transport improvements from the State Government. This statement discusses some of the keys factors that will determine the liveability of Melbourne in the future.
Today as part of my delegated duties for Maroondah City Council I attended the Municipal Association of Victoria Melbourne 2030 Councillor Reference Group. The councillor reference group provides a forum to receive updates from State Government decisions and reviews that will affect local government as well as provide updates on Melbourne 2030.
The first meeting for 2006 focused on the planning permit streamlining process currently being undertaken by the State Government. The review is designed to investigate the streamlining of the planning permit process.
For further information visit the Department of Sustainability of Environment (DSE) website.
Category: Environment,Maroondah,Urban Sustainability
The continued disruptions caused by Southern Rocycling and the ill effects for residents has been raised in Parliament by Peter Lockwood, Member for Bayswater:
Mr LOCKWOOD (Bayswater) – I grieve this morning for residents who live in and around Heatherdale Road in Ringwood and Mitcham and their ongoing dispute with a local company, Southern Rocycling. The residents have formed the Heatherdale Road action group, ably led by Elwynne Kift and Dennis Burley. Southern Rocycling is a metal recycling company.
The nature of the dispute relates to noise and dust; what the residents call an horrendous barrage of noise and dust at all hours of the day and night. This has been going on for quite a few months, in fact the best part of a year. The residents are getting quite good support now from the local councils of Whitehorse and Maroondah, and their newly elected City of Maroondah councillor, Alex Makin, has taken the issue on board and is fighting hard for his local residents.
The residents see this as environmental vandalism. They have no problem with the business being in their area, but they do not want the endless noise and dust problems that seem to accompany the processing. They do not see why the business cannot operate within reasonable hours and let them get their sleep at night.
It becomes quite an issue when people cannot sleep night after night; so much so that they get out on their own in the wee hours of the morning taking photographs of the actions of the company in order to provoke authorities into doing something. Maroondah council is the appropriate authority in this case. Given that it is in an industrial zone, the activities of the company are quite okay; it is just the hours and the fact that the residential amenity needs to be protected.
At the first council meeting for 2006 I presented a petition on behalf of residents calling for the restoration of funding for Walking School Bus.
I personally support the program and the aims of reducing traffic near schools and encouraging children to walk in a safe and friendly environment.
Reducing the number of cars on our road during school hours will help protect the safety of school children and avoid the constant traffic jams that occur during school hours. Furthermore with cases of obesity on the increase it is imperative that activites such as walking are encouraged.
I will keep residents informed on the progress of this petition. A report will need to prepared for council to re-consider the Walking School Bus program.
I am pleased to announce that at its first meeting of the year that I, and fellow councillors of Maroondah City Council, resolved to approve the criminal prosecution of Southern Rocycling over its delivery of pig iron steel in January 2006.
I realise that this noise has caused great distress to many residents and I would like to thank everyone that contacted me about these concerns. The official adoption of this motion seeking prosecution against Southern Rocycling will ensure a hearing before the Magistrate’s Court.
Prosecution will be sought for alleged breaches of the Health Act 1958 and as well as a separate prosecution under the Planning & Environment Act 1987 for Southern Rocycling’s alleged breaches of the Maroondah Planning Scheme.
I will provide further details once the hearing dates have been confirmed.
Category: Environment,Maroondah
Melbourne City Council has announced the release its draft transport strategy which will give priority to public transport and walking.
As reported in The Age the strategy recommends cutting speed limits to 40 km/h in the CBD and reducing road space for private cars to make way for cyclists and pedestrians.
Initiatives include:
Public Transport Users Association spokesman Alex Makin congratulated the council for its dramatic change of heart.
Category: Sustainable Transport
Alex Makin is a councillor for the Mullum Ward in the City of Maroondah. Alex has been a councillor since 2005, representing ratepayers, businesses, community groups and residents.
I aim to continue making a difference and welcome any thoughts you may have in regard to life, community and business in Maroondah.
Phone: (03) 9870 8202 or 0408 311 645
Email: alex@alexmakin.com.au
