Archive for March 6th, 2007

Maroondah Leader: no promise on track

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 6th of March, 2007

Despite Ringwood’s status as a Transit City and support from both the community and Maroondah Council to transform Ringwood into a vibrant urban community, the State Government has continued to drag its feet in providing the funding necessary for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station.

Maroondah councillor Alex Makin said the Government should “put its money where its mouth is”, back its Melbourne 2030 planning blueprint with a genuine funding commitment and provide “a catalyst for private investment”.

The Minister for Planning, Justin Madden, toured Ringwood on the 21st of February but failed to provide any indication as to whether Ringwood Station would receive funding for the upgrade.

“Year in and year out we have been told Ringwood station is on the agenda, but we have not received funding,” Cr Makin said.

The full redevelopment of Ringwood Station, which would probably cost around $40 million would serve as a catalyst for further investment in Ringwood. The Station, which is currently perceived to be unsafe and fails disability compliance requirements, requires an urgent overhaul and would demonstrate that the State Government is serious about its Melbourne 2030 metropolitan strategy and the goal of encouraging public transport usage and urban development within activity centres.

“Until the State Government provides a signal that it is prepared to invest in Ringwood, we are just going to wait around for private investment.”

The upcoming State Budget will be a key litmus test for Melbourne 2030 and the Government’s supposed commitment to the Transit Cities program. The Ringwood community is quickly losing patience with the State Government’s continued failure to deliver the necessary upgrade to Ringwood Station.

Maroondah Journal: Preserve pool

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 6th of March, 2007

The Maroondah Journal has reported on the successful march and the show of support by the community in seeking to retain and upgrade the Croydon Memorial Pool.

Maroondah councillors Jo-anne Taylor and Alex Makin attended the march, expressing their hopes of seeing a new facility built on the site.

Cr Makin said the pool had reached a new chapter.

While Maroondah Council has resolved to retain the outdoor pool, there is still the need to solicit the funding necessary to ensure that that much needed upgrades are provided.

“To me the issue of the Croydon pool is also about governance as it as about listening to the community and respecting the results of a petition with 11,000 signatories.”

The Maroondah community has clearly expressed its desire for the retention of the outdoor pool and it is imperative that the Council reflects this view.

“While the council has resolved to save the pool, steps still need to be taken to secure funding to upgrade and enhance the pool.”

The immediate priority includes repairs to the return channel to prevent leaks from the pool, as well as resolving a number of potential occupational health and safety issues. The prioritisation of these items should allow for the pool to be operational while funding is sourced for a comprehensive upgrade.

I would like to once again SCOOP on organising the march and for the continued vigilance over the Croydon Pool.