Archive for July, 2007

Public Transport Users Association Southeast Branch Meeting

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 31st of July, 2007

Tuesday, 5 June 2007
7:00 pm	to	8:30 pm
Tuesday, 3 July 2007
7:00 pm	to	8:30 pm
Tuesday, 7 August 2007
7:00 pm	to	8:30 pm
Tuesday, 4 September 2007
7:00 pm	to	8:30 pm

The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) Southeast Branch meets on the first Tuesday of each month to discuss public transport issues relevant to southeastern Melbourne.

The branch aims to provide a local and vocal presence representing the public transport needs of the fast growing southeastern suburbs. Recent successes include new cleaning and maintenance standards for Dandenong Station, improvements to Noble Park Station and more frequent bus services.

The branch meets at at the Greater Dandenong Council offices (397-405 Springvale Road, Springvale) from 7:00 pm and is within walking distance of Springvale Station and the route 888/889 SmartBus. Attendance is open to all southeastern residents.

Croydon Conservation Society Film Night: An Inconvenient Truth and the End of Suburbia

Published by Alex Makin on Thursday 28th of June, 2007

Urban sustainability and the environment have continued to remain at the forefront of the Maroondah community with the Croydon Conservation Society holding a film night, showcasing Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth and the End of Suburbia.

An Inconvenient Truth is a documentary surrounding former US Vice-President Al Gore’s presentation on climate change. Through the presentation Al Gore explores the impact of climate change on ocean levels, the polar ice caps and the migration trends and habitat of wildlife. In particular Al Gore stresses the need for immediate action to curb greenhouse emissions and draws a comparison between the worldwide action that resulted in the agreement to phase out CFCs. The phasing out of CFCs came into force in 1989 through the Montreal Treaty of 1987 and has often been hailed as one of the most successful international treaties in regard to its commitment and implementation.

It is interesting to note that at the time there was much controversy surrounding the effects of CFCs and the needs for a treaty, a situation that appears to have repeated itself in regard to climate change and the Kyoto treaty.

The second documentary, The End of Suburbia explores Peak Oil and the ramifications that rising petrol prices and the end of cheap fuel will have on suburbia. Peak Oil, where the supply of oil is unable to cater to rising demand, has risen in prominence within Australia due largely to overall trend of rising petrol prices. In particular the film explores why alternative fuels cannot simply substitute the current dependence on oil meaning that sustainable forms of transport such as public transport will be need to be improved. Hydrogen is a net energy loser (since it consumes more energy in its production than it actually provides) and biodiesels, such as ethanol, would currently require all agriculture land currently used for food production to be diverted to fuel production, obviously leaving a chronic shortfall in food sources. Evidence of this is already seen within a number of developing countries that have experienced rising food prices due to the increase of biodiesel production at the expense of food production.

While debate may still surround climate change and peak oil, the discussion is shifting from one of doubt to one of questioning the magnitude of when these events will occur. In this regard it seems imperative to begin mitigating the risks associated with both climate change and peak oil.

2007 Maroondah Staff Recognition Function

Published by Alex Makin on Wednesday 27th of June, 2007

Maroondah’s Staff Recognition Function provides the opportunity to commend long-serving staff on achieving 10, 20 and 30 year milestones of dedication through working at the City of Maroondah or its former incarnations of the Ringwood or Croydon City Councils.

Tonight’s function acknowledged a number of employees who have achieved these milestones through their tireless work as part of Maroondah City Council.

Peak Oil, Petrol Prices and Climate Change Conference

Published by Alex Makin on Wednesday 27th of June, 2007

Peak Oil and the impacts of climate change have risen in prominence this week with both the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) and a coalition of community groups led by the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) organising conferences on these issues.

I attended the Peak Oil, Petrol Prices and Climate Change conference which was organised by the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA), Environment Victoria and the Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) and held at the DOI Theatrette at Nauru House.

Peak Oil, whereby the supply of oil is unable to meet demand, was first theorised by Marion King Hubbert in 1956. Despite the constant crticisms throughout the reminder of Hubbert’s career, he successfully predicted the peaking of US domestic oil supplies. On a world-wide scale peak oil it is predicted that peak oil will occur somewhere between 2010 and 2020, the exact figure being difficult to determine due to the uncertainty surrounding the actual level of oil reserves within the Middle East.

The conference attracted prominent speakers such as Professor Peter Newman, one of Australia’s leading urban transport academics, Dr. Jago Dodson, who investigated the vulnerability of Australia’s cities in responding to rising petrol prices and Dr. Ian McPhail the Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability, who recently highlighted the State Government’s poor performance in regard to public transport and land use planning.

Regardless of the actual date of peak oil, it is clear that petrol prices are continuing to rise due to the demand for oil from countries such as India and China. Rising petrol prices place an increased financial burden on car dependent households, such as those located in Melbourne’s outer suburbs. These suburbs are dependent on car travel largely due to State Government neglect in providing fast, frequent and readily available public transport.

While Maroondah Council’s 2007/2008 Budget approved the hiring of a new full-time Transport and Sustainability Officer and the recently adopted Pedestrian Strategy will assist in focusing council on improving and increasing the level of walking within the municipality, we are still lacking any clear leadership from the State Government towards improving public transport.

Media Release: Community grant assists the Ringwood Spiders

Published by Alex Makin on Wednesday 27th of June, 2007

It’s winter, it’s footy season and football teams everywhere are out there kicking goals trying to achieve the ultimate prize.

But, for one football team in Maroondah, the ultimate prize is simply getting together each week and enjoying a good game of footy, no matter the score.

“The Ringwood Spiders football club (formerly the Ringwood Blues) began in 1992, and for fifteen years they’ve provided an opportunity for people with an intellectual disability to enjoy the camaraderie and sheer joy of playing footy,” said Councillor Alex Makin.

“Based at Jubilee Park, the Ringwood Spiders play on a regular basis as part of the state-wide Football Integration Development Association (FIDA) league, which includes teams from right across Victoria,” said Cr Makin.

“Council is very pleased to be able to provide funding assistance through the annual Community Grants program to assist the Ringwood Spiders with their activities - the latest match was against Moonee Ponds on Sunday 1 July at Jubilee Park, and the players were the winners,” said Cr Makin.

“The matches always attract a large crowd of local people, including members of our community who are living in assisted residential homes nearby. It becomes a big social event, one that the spectators can relate to easily and one where they can relax and simply enjoy themselves,” said Cr Makin.

“This is what Council’s Community Grants program is all about, providing funding to assist community organisations to develop and increase opportunities that increase access for Maroondah residents who have limited options due to special needs, low income, social isolation or ethnic background,” said Cr Makin.

Applications for Community Grants can be made from April each year, with applications closing in June.

For more information on Community Grants please contact Council on 1300 88 22 33 or visit the website at www.maroondah.vic.gov.au.