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 Maroondah community.
Your comments and thoughts are welcomed and encouraged.
Maroondah’s Disability Forum operates on a quarterly basis to allow Council to gather input on accessibility issues within the City of Maroondah and to report on the progress on resolving such issues.
July’s meeting included a presentation from Eastern Recreation Leisure Services which works with sporting clubs to ensure an inclusive sporting program to cater for all people as well as providing an information service to allow people with disabilities to locate and access sport and recreation services and facilities.
At the previous forum concerns were raised in regard to the lack of accessible access during path and road constructions. This issue has been pursued through both the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) and Standards Australia. As a result HREOC has published a list of frequently asked questions in regard to alternative paths of travel during construction works, which is available from www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/faq/Access/access.html.
The meeting also provided an update on the Scoot Wheel ‘N’ Move program which is looking at improving access within Eastland as well as publishing an information booklet and the holding of an expo on mobility issues scheduled for the 5th of December. Scoot Wheel ‘N’ Move aims to identify access issues and find solutions relevant to motorised scooter and electric wheel users in Maroondah.
The next Disability Forum is scheduled for Monday the 30th of October from 10 am to 12 noon at the Ringwood RSL.
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Maroondah Forum for People with Disabilities and Carers - Final Meeting for 2006 , Media Release: Expo for mobility in Maroondah , An Update on Scoot Wheel ‘N’ Move , ALGA and the Maroondah Mobility Expo: Empowering the Community , Maroondah Mobility Expo demonstrates community interest in accessibility
Category: Accessibility, Maroondah
The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) is the peak representative and lobbying body for Victoria’s 79 councils and is the official voice of local government within Victoria.
Given the MAV’s status as a peak body, the State Government’s Melbourne 2030 planning framework has received considerable attention given that a five-year review of Melbourne 2030 is planned for 2007.
The discussion forum was held to provide local government with an opportunity to discuss a cohesive approach towards this review with the aim of lobbying the State Government to improve Melbourne 2030 as part of the review and implementation process.
Throughout the discussion there was a clear consensus for a detailed implementation plan to accompany Melbourne 2030, a concern that has been echoed by various organisations including the Planning Institute of Australia, Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) and Save Our Suburbs (SOS). Additionally there was concern over the government’s failure to integrate transport and land use planning with participants strongly disapproving the State Government’s lacklustre Transport and Liveability Statement.
It is imperative that the State Government responds to the concerns raised by local government through the review of Melbourne 2030. Melbourne 2030 has added significant financial costs for councils and yet the State Government has failed to demonstrate clear leadership in areas such as integrating transport and land use planning.
Melbourne 2030 requires a fast, frequent and readily available public transport network it is clear that local government expects the State Government to deliver more than just rhetoric.
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MAV Melbourne 2030 Councillor Reference Group: Discussing the Melbourne 2030 audit process , Maroondah Journal: Transport plan ‘not enough’ , Eastern Transport Coalition - Strengthening our aims and objectives , Meeting Our Transport Challenges - The Media Verdict , MAV Transport and Infrastructure Advisory Group - May 2007 meeting
Category: Maroondah
Tonight I attended the July meeting of the Ringwood Historical Society which featured a pictorial overview of the development that has occurred along Main Street Ringwood with a specific emphasis on the area between Ringwood Street and Warrandyte Road.
Extensive work was undertaken by the Ringwood Historical Society in collating and researching the photographs and images to present a pictorial history that covered the years between 1890 to 1970.
In 1882 the steam railway was extended from Camberwell to Lilydale and a station with a station being constructed at Ringwood. With the construction of the railway a township began to form opposite the station with a particular focus on the lots that would later be bound by Warrandyte Road and Ringwood Street.
Among the most impressive buildings was the former Ringwood Town Hall which featured as a major community and civic venue. This grand and historic building was tragically demolished in 1970 at a time when such heritage was undervalued by society. One cannot help but question the wisdom in demolishing a building that conveyed such a sense of history and pride.
In realising Ringwood’s future it is crucial to appreciate its history and to learn from past experiences.
This area of Ringwood is receiving a renewed focus with the continued advocacy for the much needed redevelopment of Ringwood Station and the desire to improve and encourage walking and other forms of sustainable transport. Previously many years ago the town centre of Ringwood provided the very objectives that we are now aspiring to achieve.
For more information on the Ringwood Historical Society please visit www.rhs.org.au.
In 1999 the then Bracks Opposition pledged to construct a third track from Box Hill to Mitcham with the promise of delivering ‘flier trains’ to provide express services from Ringwood. This promise was again reiterated for the 2002 State Election but has subsequently been quickly forgotten by the State Government.
The Maroondah Journal has again investigated the broken promise over the third track to Ringwood:
Provision for a third rail line to Ringwood has been incorporated into major capital works in Ringwood and Box Hill, but the State Government says it is not a priority and will not commit to the project.
The much criticised Transport and Liveability Statement dubbed Meeting Our Transport Challenges confirmed that the Bracks Government has failed eastern suburban residents by omitting any rail improvements for the Ringwood and Belgrave/Lilydale lines for the next 25 years.
Public Transport Users Association spokesman Alex Makin said he held no hope for a third rail line being built in the next 25 years.
“The Transport and Liveability study omitted the third rail line in its entirety.”
There are more economical and easier means to provide regular express services from Ringwood without the need for the third rail line. The use of passing loops located at Mitcham, track improvements near Ringwood and upgraded signalling would provide the capacity for regular express services without the cost of the third track.
“If the Government did their job properly, they could get away without a third track.”
Unfortunately the Government appears intent to neglect the needs of outer eastern rail users while unnecessarily spending up to a billion dollars on triplication for the Dandenong line.
The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) is the peak representative and lobbying body for Victoria’s 79 councils and is the official voice of local government within Victoria.
The MAV has been particularly focused on community engagement and governance to ensure that the community is actively engaged in council decisions. To provide a glimpse of similar projects internationally the MAV organised a workshop convened by Joe Goldman from AmericaSpeaks, an eleven year old non-profit US based organisation that seeks to engage citizens in local democracy.
The workshop covered the usage of technology to improve access to governments and councils as well as the types of workshops and forums that are available to engage the community. It is imperative that the community is engaged from the onset to ensure that decisions can truly be influenced by public opinion rather than merely asking for comment once decisions have been made.
Given the changes that are expected to occur within the Ringwood as part of the Transit Cities program it is impetrative that the community is provided with the opportunity for ongoing discussion and participation regarding the future of Ringwood.
Direct and meaningful community engagement and not just consultation is required to ensure that the community and council alike share a cohesive and strong vision for the future.
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The Power of Community Engagement , Maroondah Environment Workshop: Climate Change and the Community , MAV Graffiti Prevention and Strategy Workshop , Ringwood Residents - We Want to be Heard! , Local Groups Form United Transit City Community Coalition
Category: Community Engagement, Maroondah
Alex Makin is a candidate for Mullum Ward in Maroondah City Council. Alex has been a councillor since 2005, representing ratepayers, businesses, community groups and residents.
I aim to provide an active voice for the community and welcome any thoughts you may have in regard to life and business in Maroondah.
Phone: (03) 9812 2337 or 0409 136 213
Email: alex@alexmakin.com.au
