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 Age has exposed the decrepit state of Melbourne’s rail tracks, amid ongoing negligence by both Connex and the State Government in maintaining Melbourne’s physical rail infrastructure:
DANGEROUS tracks and poor maintenance on some of Melbourne’s busiest suburban rail lines are forcing trains to run at speeds as slow as 30 km/h, increasing journey times for frustrated commuters.
While Connex is responsible for track maintenance under its franchise agreements, the State Government has failed to hold Connex accountable for the deteriorating state of the rail network.
Speed restrictions are in place because of the condition of tracks on the busy Sydenham, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines. Under its franchise agreement with the State Government, Connex is responsible for maintaining them.
The poor state of maintainence as well as a failure to reflect the capabilities of Melbourne’s train fleet result in slow rail speeds.
Public Transport Users Association vice-president Alex Makin said Melbourne had the slowest rail system in Australia.
“Melbourne’s rail speeds have not altered since the Tait trains (the “Red Rattlers”) were introduced in 1919. This is despite the fact that the modern train fleets have superior acceleration and braking,” he said.
Melbourne’s slow speeds are caused by the fact that rail timetables have not been adjusted to reflect the capability of the modern train fleet and this compounded by a lack of adequate track maintenance. This latest revelation further demonstrates the need for an accountable public transport authority that maintains and coordinates Melbourne’s public transport system.
Melbourne’s public transport network can no longer afford the State Government hiding behind Connex to avoid taking responsibility.
Leave a comment
The Age: Schools add to rail squeeze , The Age: A Dad’s Army of shunted carriages called up in crisis , 3AW with Derryn Hinch: Discussing Melbourne’s public transport neglect , ABC 774: Discussing Melbourne rail woes , Herald-Sun: Delays are off the rails
Category: Sustainable Transport
| Monday, 26 February 2007 | ||
| 4:30 pm | to | 5:30 pm |
| Monday, 26 March 2007 | ||
| 4:30 pm | to | 5:30 pm |
| Monday, 23 April 2007 | ||
| 4:30 pm | to | 5:30 pm |
| Monday, 28 May 2007 | ||
| 4:30 pm | to | 5:30 pm |
| Monday, 25 June 2007 | ||
| 4:30 pm | to | 5:30 pm |
| Monday, 23 July 2007 | ||
| 4:30 pm | to | 5:30 pm |
| Monday, 27 August 2007 | ||
| 4:30 pm | to | 5:30 pm |
| Monday, 24 September 2007 | ||
| 4:30 pm | to | 5:30 pm |
| Monday, 22 October 2007 | ||
| 4:30 pm | to | 5:30 pm |
| Monday, 26 November 2007 | ||
| 4:30 pm | to | 5:30 pm |
The Maroondah Citizens’ Advice Bureau began in 1967 with the founding of the Ringwood Advisory Service and became the Maroondah Citizens’ Advice Bureau Inc. following council amalgamations in 1996.
The Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau provides crucial support for some of Maroondah’s most vulnerable residents through providing advice, food assistance and referral services through a largely volunteer based organisation.
The Committee of Management meets on a monthly basis to discuss the direction of the organisation and to enact policies and other requirements. I have been a committee member of the Citizens’ Advice Bureau since mid 2006.
Leave a comment
Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau meeting , Maroondah Citizens’ Advice Bureau end of year function , Maroondah Citizen’s Advice Bureau 40th Anniversary , Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau , Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau special general meeting
Category: Events and Functions, Maroondah
| Wednesday, 14 February 2007 | ||
| 7:30 pm | to | 9:30 pm |
| Wednesday, 14 March 2007 | ||
| 7:30 pm | to | 9:30 pm |
| Wednesday, 11 April 2007 | ||
| 7:30 pm | to | 9:30 pm |
| Wednesday, 9 May 2007 | ||
| 7:30 pm | to | 9:30 pm |
| Wednesday, 13 June 2007 | ||
| 7:30 pm | to | 9:30 pm |
| Wednesday, 11 July 2007 | ||
| 7:30 pm | to | 9:30 pm |
| Wednesday, 8 August 2007 | ||
| 7:30 pm | to | 9:30 pm |
| Wednesday, 12 September 2007 | ||
| 7:30 pm | to | 9:30 pm |
| Wednesday, 10 October 2007 | ||
| 7:30 pm | to | 9:30 pm |
| Wednesday, 14 November 2007 | ||
| 7:30 pm | to | 9:30 pm |
The Heatherdale Community Action Group (HCAG) represents the needs of the Heatherdale community within Maroondah and Whitehorse. Since Heatherdale is divided between the two municipalities (the boundary being Heatherdale Road) an ongoing community presence is necessary to ensure dialogue between the two councils in regard to the needs of the Heatherdale community.
Since my ward borders Whitehorse and the encompasses the Heatherdale community I regularly attend the Heatherdale Community Action Group meetings to ensure that their needs are represented throughout council.
The Heatherdale Community Action Group meets from 7:30pm on the second Wednesday of each month at the Manhattan Hotel, corner Canterbury and Heatherdale Roads, Heatherdale.
Leave a comment
Heatherdale Community Action Group - keeping the community informed , Heatherdale Community Action Group meeting , 2007 AGM for Heatherdale Community Action Group , Heatherdale Community Action Group (HCAG) End of Year Celebrations for 2006 , Heatherdale Road Action Group
Category: Events and Functions, Maroondah
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
