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 Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission report into traffic congestion was releases today, along with the State Government’s response to its recommendations.
The report, which was covered in The Age, has painted a dire picture for Melbourne’s worsening traffic congestion and its recommendations, which included much needed rail extensions and better bus services, rightfully called on the Government to take immediate action in tackling this situation.
Public Transport Users Association president Alex Makin said the report revealed holes in the Government’s transport policy. “There’s a need pointed out by the commission to accelerate bus and train projects, but the Government rests on its laurels saying these issues have been addressed in last year’s transport plan,” Mr Makin said.
The State Government can no longer afford to ignore Melbourne’s worsening traffic congestion. Melbourne requires expansion of the rail network in line with urban growth, logical extensions to the tram network and vastly improved bus services. It is only through providing real transport choice, in the form of being able to catch public transport, that the Government can mitigate rising traffic congestion.
Comments (4)
Channel 7: Report on worsening traffic conditions , Maroondah Journal: Brumby urged to act on transport , MAV Transport and Infrastructure Advisory Group - March 2007 , Media Release: Report vindicates public transport campaign , 2007 Rail Infrastructure Summit
Category: Sustainable Transport
Maroondah City Council in conjunction with Sustainability Victoria will collect potentially dangerous, unwanted and old household products for free on Saturday 24 March.
Councillor Alex Makin said too many avoidable poisonings happen around the family home, and the cause is often left over weedkiller or paintstripper stored either in the home or in the garden shed.
“This free chemical collection service is a great opportunity to clean out those unwanted household chemicals and poisonous materials that are lurking in the garage, garden shed, bathroom cabinet, kitchen cupboards or laundry. Simply bring them to Council’s Depot on Saturday 24 March,” said Cr Makin.
Items which can be collected include unwanted paints, old batteries and gas cylinders, as well as insecticides, photographic chemicals, brake fluids, pool chemicals, poisonous household and garden products.
The collected materials will be treated and then recycled or disposed of safely by the specialist team.
People can bring in as many items as they wish, however, 20-litre size containers are the maximum accepted.
Putting unused chemicals in the rubbish bin is illegal and dangerous as they go to landfill where they can cause significant environmental problems. Tipping them down stormwater drains causes pollution of our waterways and it’s illegal to put them down the sink or toilet.
“All you have to do on Saturday 24 March is safely and securely load your chemicals into the car, drive to Council’s Depot and wait in your car until the collectors come and take the chemicals from you,” said Cr Makin.
For everyone’s safety, please avoid smoking on site, switch off car engines while unloading and make sure children and pets stay in the car.
“Council’s Depot can only accept chemicals on this Household Chemical Collection Day, and cannot take chemicals on any other day. So, be sure to take advantage of this opportunity to safely dispose of those unwanted chemicals,” said Cr Makin.
Householders can deposit their unwanted household chemicals at Maroondah City Council Operations Depot , 24-28 Lincoln Road, Croydon on Saturday 24 March 2007 from 8am to 4pm.
| 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.
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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
