[1] About Cr. Alex Makin

Councillor for Loughnan’s Hill Ward in Maroondah City Council.

I was elected onto Maroondah Council in November 2005, with a campaign focused on the following:

• Preventing inappropriate development;
• Stronger anti-graffiti measures;
• Increased community consultation and engagement;
• Improved accessibility for all residents;
• Strengthening sporting and cultural facilities within Maroondah;
• Greater public transport, environmental advocacy and urban sustainability.

Alex Makin as a Proven Community Advocate

I was a founding member of the Ringwood Transit City Community Coalition (RTCCC), a non-profit and voluntary organisation which aimed to strengthen community participation and stimulate open and honest discussion in regard to the Ringwood Transit City project.

Within this role I authored a number of [2] community submissions, including reports into topics such as Community Participation and Integrated Transport, as well as, speaking publicly on issues such as inappropriate development and green open space.

I was also the founder of the Public Transport Users Association ([3] PTUA) Outer East Branch where my lobbying efforts raised awareness of public transport issues in eastern Melbourne and helped ensure increased funding for bus services within Melbourne’s outer east. Similarly I, along with other community advocates, have campaigned heavily for the upgrade of Ringwood Station resulting in State Government proposals to upgrade the station.

Founded in 1976, the Public Transport Users Association is the recognised consumer organization representing passengers of public transport. The [3] PTUA is a non-profit, voluntary organisation with no political affiliation, which lobbies governments and public transport authorities in the interest of all users of public transport.

In addition, I was also a foundation member of the [3] PTUA’s South East Branch and served as Vice-President of the association, which included the responsibility for state-wide media and attending high-level delegations. I left the [3] PTUA in September 2007 to concentrate on strengthening community engagement and transport advocacy in our middle and outer suburbs.

I am actively involved in advocating for accessibility improvements and a higher standard of community engagement and assisted with [4] Maroondah’s Accessibility Expo as well as the forum [5] Good Access = Good Business.

Alex Makin as a Community Member

I have a background in Marketing and IT and have worked within a variety of commercial organisations ranging from IT companies, marketing organisations and business consulting firms. [6] I am currently employed with mycause, a company that facilitates online fundraising for charities, community groups and non-profit organisations. I also have a keen interest in theatre, the arts and urban sustainability and have [7] spoken at a number of forums and conferences on the topic of sustainability, transport and planning.

Furthermore, I enjoy constructive and open dialogue with a number of local councils and Members of Parliament ensuring that I can deliver positive outcomes for our community. The successful lobbying for the [8] removal of zone three fares, demonstrates my ability to work cooperatively with other councils and State Parliamentarians to deliver positive results for the community.

I am also a committee member for the Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau and North Ringwood Community House and am also the Treasurer for the Croydon Conservation Society.

Council Committees and Delegations

For 2008 I am the designated Maroondah City Council representative on the following committees:

• [9] Eastern Transport Coalition;
• [10] Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing;
• Maroondah Tourism and Heritage Advisory Board;
• Melbourne 2030 Councillor Reference Group;
• MAV Transport and Infrastructure Advisory Group.

Contacting Alex Makin

As a Councillor for the City of Maroondah I welcome your feedback.

My contact details are as follows:

E-mail: [11] alex.makin@maroondah.vic.gov.au
Phone: 0408 311 645
Fax: (03) 9870 8202

You can also [12] subscribe to updates for this website to keep informed in regard to my activities and my work on behalf of the residents and ratepayers of Loughnan’s Hill Ward and the overall Maroondah Community.