Archive for November, 2007

ALGA National General Assembly 2007

Published by Alex Makin on Friday 30th of November, 2007

The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) is the peak body representing all local councils across Australia at a Federal level. ALGA serves as a national-wide peak body and is the national equivalent of the state-based peak bodies such as the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV).

The annual National General Assembly, which was held in Darwin, provides an opportunity for member councils to discuss motions of national significance to establish the direction of AGLA in terms of influencing national government policies.

This year Maroondah proposed two motions for consideration at the assembly. The two motions were as follows:

• That this National General Assembly call on the Federal Government to recognise the importance of public transport, provide specific funding for upgrading facilities, infrastructure and systems
• That the National General Assembly seek a commitment by the Federal Government to review, as a matter of urgency, the practicality and equity associated with the current funding arrangements for the National Immunisation program - Australian Childhood Register as these impact on the provision of services by Local Government.

Both motions were successful and will result in ALGA advocating for policy changes with the incoming Federal Government.

Local Government is predominately responsible for providing immunisation services but cost shifting is becoming an increasing issue with service agreements not adequately reflecting the cost of delivering the service. While local councils do not object to delivering the service, it is reasonable to expect an equitable arrangement to cover the cost of the service.

In regard to public transport, the motion demonstrates that local government across Australia stands united in calling for federal leadership in examining funding models for involvement in public transport. This motion expands upon the successful motion that was adopted last year at the 2006 National General Assembly:

• That the National General Assembly calls on the Commonwealth Government to adopt the transport recommendations as outlined in the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Environment and Heritage - Sustainable Cities Report (September 2005).

While the motion last year established a direction for ALGA, it was now timely to specify exactly what local government was requesting, namely federal funding of urban public transport infrastructure.

Issues such as the rising costs associated with traffic congestion and greenhouse emissions have national repercussions and it is therefore appropriate that the federal government be involved in solutions, such as the provision of public transport infrastructure, to assist in mitigating these concerns.

The purpose of this approach is not to shift blame from State to Federal Governments, but rather to improve governance and to ensure a national perspective on transport. This in turn can help shape State Government priorities to ensure that much needed public transport infrastructure is delivered.

The National General Assembly also included a number of speakers at the accompanying conference. Speakers included futurist Richard Neville, who spoke about the challenges facing Australia and the need for action and foresight in mitigating detrimental environmental effects.

Environmental issues were also discussed by Professor Tim Flannery, who spoke extensively about the need for action in reducing greenhouse emissions. This is the case given that the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has shown significant increases in Carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide within the atmosphere. Local government can lead by example in reducing greenhouse emissions and promoting the need for action to both the community and other levels of government.

ICLEI Breakfast Briefing

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 27th of November, 2007

ICLEI, formerly the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives but now known as ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, is a world wide association of local governments focusing on promoting and encouraging sustainability.

This morning I attended an ICLEI breakfast briefing, which included an update of ICLEI activities. The organisation includes a number of Australian local governments, including the City of Maroondah. ICLEI includes the Cities for Climate Protection program, which focuses on water initiatives, energy conservation and other measures of sustainability, such as sustainable transport.

The briefing provided an update on sustainability initiatives being undertaken by local councils within Australia. Councils across the country are investing significantly in water and energy conservation to improve environmental sustainability. Actions included implementing water tanks, reducing water usage and installing low emission lighting, reducing greenhouse emissions and undertaking solar and wind power technology.

Environmental sustainability will remain a significant challenge, but it is an area where local government needs to demonstrate leadership.

Maroondah Journal: Experience needed

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 27th of November, 2007

The Maroondah Journal this week included a letter from Carol Hunter on behalf of the Maroondah Residents and Ratepayers Association in regard to my decision to nominate for the position of Mayor.

The letter is included below:

IT has been suggested in the Journal (November 13) that a younger person should be mayor.
While the opinions of young people should be heard and considered, they lack the life skills and experience to properly appreciate and understand the needs of a community whose ages range up to more than 100.
Also, it requires someone whose interest and comments are not apparently limited to the issue of public transport, which is a state government, not a council responsibility.
While councils can and should present the community’s concerns to all levels of government it is more effective for the council as a whole to do so, not individual councillors.

Carol Hunter
Maroondah Residents and Ratepayers Association

While the Maroondah Residents and Ratepayers Association refused to specifically name me within the letter, it is clear that as Maroondah’s youngest councillor and someone who is passionate about sustainability, that I am the target of these ill informed comments.

While public transport advocacy is an issue that I have and will continue to be involved in, it is incorrect to assert that this is my only interest. Representatives of the Maroondah Residents and Ratepayers Association, including Carol Hunter, attend council meetings and would have heard me speak about a diverse range of topics through my delegates’ reports and in regard to council motions.

As an example, I spoke about the following as part of my delegates’ report tabled at the council meeting held on the 19th of November:

• Enjoying Planned Retirement’s Art and Craft Exhibition
• October’s Eastern Transport Coalition Meeting
• Maroondah’s Forum for People with Disability and Carers
• Meeting with Eastland Centre Management to discuss accessibility and sustainability issues
• October’s Melbourne 2030 Councillor Reference Group meeting
• EV’s FReeZA program
• Campaign Enable

I will be writing a letter to the editor to challenge these remarks and the denigration of younger people within our community.

Enjoying Planned Retirement Spotlighters Performance 2007

Published by Alex Makin on Friday 23rd of November, 2007

This evening I attended the opening night of Spotlighters, a musical drama group from Enjoying Planning Retirement.

Spotlighters, is one of the over 45 activities organised by Enjoying Planned Retirement and provides an opportunity for members to be part of an amateur musical theatre production. All facets of the performance from the cast, crew, costume and stage design, lighting and sound effects are undertaken by volunteers.

EPR’s Spotlighters perform an annual performance to showcase the many talents of its members. It was great to see a performance of such high calibre and I look forwarding to seeing the Spotlighters perform again in 2008.

The talent and dedication of Spotlighers is reflective of the fun and energy that is part of Enjoying Planned Retirement, a group for retirees and senior citizens, based in Norwood Hall in Ringwood North.

Maroondah Journal: Disabled could swing election, activists warn

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 20th of November, 2007

The Maroondah Journal has reported on the successful launch of Campaign Enable with its key theme of equal access for all.

More than 20 disability campaigners met outside Eastland shopping centre, Ringwood wearing “I have a disability and I vote” T-shirts as part of Campaign Enable.

Campaign Enable, which is being organised, managed and conducted by people with a disability, through the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations, aims to achieve three key goals in the context of the Federal election:

• Financial help for people with a disability looking for work or trying to keep a job.
• The development of a National Disability Employment Strategy.
• The introduction of an Access to Premises Standard.

Maroondah councillor Alex Makin said the campaign sought to make it possible for everyone to take full part in society. This is not a campaign about special treatment - it is a campaign about ensuring that everyone has equal access and inclusiveness within society.

Accessibility issues needs to be addressed so that all people in the community can fully participate in society. While some of these issues can be addressed at a local and state level, there is also the need for Federal leadership to ensure equal access for all.