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 Maroondah Snippets, is a youth film festival that was developed by young people in conjunction with Maroondah’s Youth Services Team. The award ceremony, held at the cinemas at Ringwood Hoyts, showcased the six short films and provided an opportunity to speak to each of the entrants.
Winners under each of the categories were:
This marked Maroondah’s first Youth Film Festival but with strong community interest it is hoped to make Snippets an annual event to showcase the many multimedia and cinematographic skills of our youth.
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2008 Snippets Youth Short Film Festival , Media Release: Calling on Maroondah’s young film makers , Delegates’ report: Engaging our youth and people with disabilities , Maroondah Photographic Competition Awards , 2008 Young Leaders Program Presentation Night
Category: Community Engagement, Maroondah
Today’s MAV Transport and Infrastructure Advisory Group meeting included a further presentation in regard to the East-West Needs Assessment (otherwise known as the Eddington Study). The presenters spoke about the study scope and that it will include an examination of the rail and public transport needs for the western suburbs.
The final report from the East-West Needs Assessment will be due around May next year and is likely to include a number of recommendations for Melbourne’s overall infrastructure needs.
The advisory group was also updated on the recent motion to the MAV board, which will allow the MAV to develop a research paper investigating federal involvement in urban public transport and the current taxation disincentives for public transport usage. This research paper will be developed in conjunction with other transport coalitions and will serve as a framework for the MAV’s position on the issue.
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MAV Meeting of Transport Coalitions , MAV Transport and Infrastructure Advisory Group - March 2007 , MAV Transport and Infrastructure Group - first meeting for 2007 , MAV TIAG first meeting for 2008 , MAV TIAG meeting - increasing collaboration across local government
Category: Maroondah, Sustainable Transport
This afternoon I attended a CEDA lunch featuring a presentation from Howard Ronaldson, the Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure (DOI). The Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) is an independent think tank, which aims to promote the economic development of Australia in a sustainable and socially balanced way.
As part of its series of topics critical to the success of Victoria, CEDA organised the lunch presentation as an opportunity to explore the infrastructure issues facing Melbourne and Victoria. As Secretary of the DOI, Howard Ronaldson, has responsibility for ports, as well as the road and rail network.
Howard’s presentation largely included content from the State Government’s Meeting Our Transport Challenges, but did discuss the need for further integration between transport and planning particularly given the goals of Melbourne 2030 in encouraging public transport usage and the development of activity centres.
After the presentation I discussed the needs of Ringwood and Maroondah directly with Howard as an opportunity to reiterate the need for State Government action over Ringwood Station, particularly given that major projects, such as the new town centre, are likely to be delayed until a commitment to the redevelopment is made.
I also discussed the need for more frequent services beyond Ringwood, given Ringwood’s status as transit city and the high proportion of trips taken between Ringwood and Croydon, as well as from further east. The Belgrave and Lilydale lines currently have just a half-hourly service beyond Ringwood from 10am to 4pm during weekdays, despite the fact that services operate on a 20 minute frequency on weekends.
Given the desire to help shift peak hour travel demand to other times of the day and that more frequent services are clearly possible, it seems absurd that the State Government has not acted to provide at least a 20 minute frequency along the Belgrave / Lilydale line during weekdays.
Hopefully, progress will be made on these issues now that they have been raised directly with the Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure.
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Eastern Transport Coalition: Bus tour with the coordinator general of Infrastructure , Maroondah Journal: Boost trains, users urge , Eastern Transport Coalition Public Transport Summit , MAV Transport and Infrastructure Advisory Group - Local Area Access Programs , Moving Maroondah - Sustainable Transport in Maroondah
Category: Maroondah, Sustainable Transport
Today I attended a forum as part of the discussion surrounding 40 years of citizens where to next? Today’s discussion focused around a number of key themes, including citizenship, governance, business development, justice, education and health.
The morning began with a Ministerial Address by the newly appointed Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Richard Wynne. While the Minister referred to the leadership role local government needs to provide, little was spoken about the leadership required from the State Government. Most disappointing was the Minister’s abrupt departure at the conclusion of his speech.
While a number of local councillors were present at the two-day event, there was a complete absence of State Government MPs or Ministerial advisors.
The forum provided a useful insight into the issues facing Indigenous Australians, particularly in discussing the need to engage the business community and to ensure that our health and educational systems are mindful of Indigenous Australia. As a council, we need to explore our practices to help engage with Indigenous Australians and to serve as a conduit between different levels of government and community organisations.
| Tuesday, 18 September 2007 | ||
| 5:00 pm | to | 10:00 pm |
| Wednesday, 19 September 2007 | ||
| 8:30 am | to | 4:30 pm |
The 40th Years as “Citizens” Where to Next? forum has been organised by the Mullum Mullim Indigenous Gathering Place to provide an opportunity the discuss the next steps for reconciliation and to ensure an equitable society for all Australians. Topics that will be covered include the concept of citizenship, governance, respect, identity, health and justice.
In addition, I will be part of an “on the couch” discussion panel that will discuss these topics and the outcome of the preceding reconciliation workshops.
The forum is being held at the Hawthorn Town Hall, 385 Burwood Road, Hawthorn (corner Glenferrie Road). For further information please visit www.mmigp.org.au.
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
