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.
The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) as the collective voice for the 79 local councils in Victoria is calling for sector-wide reform of local government, with the aim of improving community engagement and regional collaboration, in an attempt to secure more equitable funding arrangements from the State and Federal Governments.
In 2003 David Hawker, MP for Wannon (in Victoria) chaired a Federal Parliamentary inquiry into instances of cost shifting between local, state and federal governments. The completed report officially called Rates & Taxes: A Fair Share for Responsible Local Government, but commonly known as the Hawker Inquiry, found that local government was increasingly the victim of cost shifting particularly from State Governments.
As a result the Hawker Inquiry recommended the signing of an Inter-Governmental Agreement with the aim of preventing further instances of cost shifting. In April 2006 the Inter-Governmental Agreement was signed between Federal, State and Local Governments providing local councils a rare opportunity to seek redress to the current imbalance of costs and revenue that exists.
Today I attended a briefing organised by the MAV in its pursuit of furthering the Inter-Governmental Agreement.
Progressing the opportunity presented by the Inter-Governmental Agreement will require local government to identify its core services and to recognise which tier of government is best able to deliver the service expected by the community. For example, in relation to graffiti the State Government would be the best tier to coordinate policy response and monitoring with the empowerment of local government to eradicate and document reported graffiti.
The Inter-Governmental Agreement will only succeed if all tiers of government have the maturity to seek better outcomes for the community. Unfortunately the State Government has typically been the worst culprit in regard to cost shifting and there is little indication that this will change in the near future.
Local Government, has for example, has become involved in kindergartens, aged care facilities and public transport simply due to a reluctance from the State Government to provide adequate investment in such areas. Unfortunately when the State Government uses the word ‘partnership’, such as in the case of school crossing supervisors or walking school bus, it appears to simply be a mechanism to eventually cost shift services onto another tier of government.
Local Government is at the crossroads and is poised to secure a better outcome for the community if it pledges to enhance community facilitation and education on the benefits of widespread reform. The community needs to become actively engaged so that the wider community can map out of the future of their neighbourhoods and recognise which tier of government is responsible for providing the improvements that they seek.
In a great display of the sense of community shared by Maroondah residents Maroondah City Council has been overwhelmed by the number of people that have responded to our recent call for volunteers.
It is therefore fitting that Maroondah extended the following opportunity to thank all people that have come forward to offer their time towards volunteering:
Maroondah City Council recently put out the call for volunteers to drive a group of older ladies to their regular exercise class at Ringwood Aquatic Centre.
Councillor Alex Makin said the community response was overwhelming.
“I would like to sincerely thank each and every person who read the article and responded - this strong display of community is truly wonderful,” said Cr Makin.
“The first week the call out appeared in the local papers, Council received enough volunteers to create a roster for the position. This week, four volunteers had a practice run of the 12 seater bus, and passed with flying colours,” said Cr Makin.
“The group of ladies who rely on Council’s bus to get them to a regular exercise class at the Ringwood Aquatic Centre are ecstatic knowing that their program will continue,” said Cr Makin.
“It is wonderful that we are stilling receiving calls and these generous people have been offered volunteer positions with our aged services team to assist our frail and elderly residents,” said Cr Makin.
“We can never have too many volunteers and we are still looking for people who can assist with Council’s Meals on Wheels service,” said Cr Makin.
“The Meals on Wheels program is more than just delivering meals. Our wonderful volunteers also provide much needed social contact for the recipients, spending time talking, catching up on news, sharing stories and building ongoing relationships. This crucial social contact decreases isolation and assists in monitoring the health and well being of our older residents,” said Cr Makin.
“Our Meals on Wheels driver volunteers receive reimbursement for the use of their vehicles, which assists with the cost of petrol and general running of the vehicle,” said Cr Makin.
“Volunteering is such rewarding work and very flexible! If you can spare a few hours a week, fortnight or month I would strongly encourage you to contact Council and find out more about how you can get involved,” said Cr Makin.
“I sincerely thank our current and new volunteers and hope that people will continue to overwhelm council with their sense of giving back to the community,” said Cr Makin.
So why not become a volunteer and help others in your local area, meet new people and discover the joy that comes from giving something back to the community?
For further details or to register your interest please call 1300 88 22 33.
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Media Release: Do you have a few hours to spare? , Media Release: Celebrate International Volunteers Day and become a volunteer , Maroondah Leader: Bus driver sought for program , Volunteer Recognition Function 2008 , Eastern Volunteers Resource Centre : Launch of Kia Carnival
Category: Maroondah, Media Releases
The Friends of BJ Hubbard Reserve consists of local residents who help maintain and look after BJ Hubbard Reserve in Ringwood North.
As part of Maroondah’s community grants program the Friends of BJ Hubbard organised an information panel complete with two carved timber posts that depict the bird, plant and animal life within the reserve.
This afternoon I was invited to view the posts which aim to educate the local community about the local flora and fauna living in the Reserve.
This is just one example of council’s cultural development grants at work. Other applications of the grants include funding of a Southern Sudanese Women’s and Children’s Dance Group to provide a social link for recent immigrants from Sudan.
Application forms for Maroondah’s Cultural Development Grants are available at a council service centre or from the Internet at www.maroondah.vic.gov.au.
The deadline for Cultural Development Grant applications is 5pm on Monday 25 September.
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Media Release: Community grant assists the Ringwood Spiders , Friends of Kolkata , Media Release: Get into Maroondah’s FReeZA and chill out , Heatherdale Community Action Group - discussing Heatherdale Reserve , Media Release: Musical chills abound at Maroondah’s FReeZA
Category: Maroondah
Today I attended the launch of the refurbished Ringwood Library. While the works were relatively minor such as the rearrangement of the information desk, improvements to lighting and the creation of additional seated areas will transform Ringwood Library into a place to browse, read and relax rather than a mere place to borrow books.
The transformation of libraries into was is known as the ‘third place’, that is a place to relax and spend time in other than work or home, will renew interest in library facilities and transform them into spaces for the whole of the community to enjoy. Live music from local bands is expected to be a regular feature of the library.
Further work is planned for Ringwood Library including the possibility of opening the garden courtyard over summer months.
The Maroondah Journal has reported on the delays experienced by thousands rail commuters due to the delay in completing works for EastLink.
Public Transport Users Association spokesman Alex Makin said there was chaos at Ringwood Station and people lining the platforms.
“There were literally people who could not move off the station platform, there were thousands of people everywhere.”
Given that Connex was not at fault the State Government has a responsibility to provide adequate compensation to rail passengers.
The PTUA has called on the State Government to compensate all passengers by refunding the cost of their tickets.
Unfortunately the State Government has failed to act in the best interests of rail passengers through simply shifting the blame and avoiding responsibility.
The State Government has delivered another slap in the face to public transport users.
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
