Archive for December, 2007

Final Eastern Transport Coalition meeting for 2007

Published by Alex Makin on Thursday 20th of December, 2007

The Eastern Transport Coalition has had a number of successes over the course of this year, including the removal of zone three in March, further bus upgrades and train timetable improvements along the Dandenong line.

Tonight’s meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on 2007 and to begin discussions around the priorities for 2008. The Eastern Transport Coalition will be issuing a submission in regard to the recently announced Liveability Inquiry from the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission (VCEC) and will be seeking discussions with the incoming Rudd Government to ensure that there is federal leadership to enhance the sustainability of our cities.

Next year will be crucial in the campaign for sustainable transport in the outer suburbs, with the results of the Eddington Inquiry due in March. The outcome of this study will determine whether the State Government, now led under John Brumby, is serious about the need to enhance public transport in our suburbs.

Rising petrol prices and the need to reduce greenhouse emissions demonstrate the need for public transport improvements. It is time for both Federal and State Governments to stop the blame game to deliver the infrastructure necessary to ensure the economic, social and environmental sustainability of Melbourne and its outer suburbs.

Eastern Transport Coalition meeting

Published by Alex Makin on Wednesday 19th of December, 2007

Thursday, 24 January 2008
6:30 pm	to	9:00 pm
Thursday, 21 February 2008
6:30 pm	to	9:00 pm
Thursday, 20 March 2008
6:30 pm	to	9:00 pm
Thursday, 17 April 2008
6:30 pm	to	9:00 pm
Thursday, 15 May 2008
6:30 pm	to	9:00 pm
Thursday, 19 June 2008
6:30 pm	to	9:00 pm
Thursday, 17 July 2008
6:30 pm	to	9:00 pm
Thursday, 21 August 2008
6:30 pm	to	9:00 pm
Thursday, 18 September 2008
6:30 pm	to	9:00 pm
Thursday, 16 October 2008
6:30 pm	to	9:00 pm
Thursday, 18 December 2008
6:30 pm	to	9:00 pm

The Eastern Transport Coalition consists of seven outer eastern metropolitan councils (Maroondah, Knox, Whitehorse, Yarra Ranges, Manningham, Monash and Greater Dandenong) and is a regional based advocacy group that lobbies for better public transport in Melbourne’s outer east.

The Eastern Transport Coalition meets on a monthly basis to discuss the transport priorities of the region and to further its advocacy for public transport. I have been Maroondah’s delegated representative on the Eastern Transport Coalition since my election in November 2005 and have been re-appointed as the delegate for 2008.

For more information on the Eastern Transport Coalition please visit www.etc.org.au.

Maroondah Journal: Cr stripped of committee roles ‘won’t apologise’

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 18th of December, 2007

The Maroondah Journal has reported on the events that transpired at the council meeting held on the 10th of December.

Councillors are appointed as delegates to council committees and these positions were decided at this council meeting. Unfortunately the committee positions, which were moved by Cr. Peter Gurr, completely excluded Cr. Jo-anne Taylor.

It is disappointing that Cr. Peter Gurr, has chosen to end the year with a personal attack on Cr. Jo-anne Taylor, despite the fact that she is an incredibly dedicated and community minded representative.

Cr. Alex Makin said it had been “nothing but a blatant personal attack on one councillor”. He said he wanted the committee list reviewed for the council’s first meeting next year.

While Cr. Taylor and Cr. Maureen Naylor and myself spoke against the motion proposed by Cr. Gurr, the exclusion of Cr. Taylor was unfortunately adopted with the support of Cr. Les Willmott (who also spoke in support Cr. Gurr’s motion), Cr. Natalie Thomas and the current mayor Cr. Tony Dib.

Given this blatant attack on Cr. Taylor, I have submitted Maroondah’s first ever notice to review to seek amendments to the following committee delegations:

• Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Well-being Committee
• Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV)
• Roadsafe - Melbourne Eastern Ranges Inc.
• Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee
• Eastern Regional Housing Group

A notice to review has the potential to rescind a part of a council decision through having the matter re-heard at the next council meeting. This means that the positions on the aforementioned committees will be re-considered at the next council meeting which is to be held on the 18th of February.

“This hopefully gives an opportunity for some of the councillors to re-evaluate their behaviour and come in with a positive outlook”.

I trust that my council colleagues will choose to begin the new year with a positive approach and a desire to work with all of their colleagues. It is a shame that Cr. Gurr, a person that I have normally respected, has chosen to personally attack his colleagues rather than work constructively for the betterment of the Maroondah community. It is also surprising that Cr. Natalie Thomas has blindly decided to support the exclusion of Cr. Taylor, despite never actually speaking in favour of any motion in the open chamber.

Cr. Taylor regularly attended her delegated appointments and her specialised knowledge in areas such as emergency management means that she has a significant contribution to make within these committees and the wider community.

The community suffers while there is continued infighting in council. The notice to review to be held in February will determine whether some of my colleagues are on council for the right reasons.

Media Release: Rudd Government can end blame game in public transport

Published by Alex Makin on Sunday 16th of December, 2007

The Metropolitan Transport Forum (MTF) and Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC), jointly representing 26 Melbourne Councils, have asked the Rudd Federal Government, to contribute to funding major urban public transport infrastructure projects.

Both organisations also called on the Victorian Government to seek changes to Auslink to allow funding of public transport.

Cr Jackie Fristacky, MTF Deputy Chair and Cr Alex Makin, Acting Chairperson of the ETC, said there is broad agreement on the need for the Commonwealth to resume funding public transport, in the same manner as it does roads.

“The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) recently resolved that it will continue to campaign forfederal funding of urban transport systems, a position supported by both the MTF and ETC.

“The new Rudd government has a policy supporting Commonwealth funding; the Federal ALP platform states:

“ensure that Australians have access to adequate transport services by providing appropriate financial assistance to State governments to improve and extend public transport systems in urban areas.”

“The Victorian Government advocated in 2006, for Auslink to include urban public transport.

“With a consensus that we need to take strong action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we are urging the new government to implement this policy and do what the last Federal ALP Government did, fund urban public transport.

“There are many projects in Victoria that require substantial capital investment and which would deliver large benefits in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, congestion and prohibitive costs of transport for struggling families.

“The Victorian Government could seek Commonwealth contribution to any one of a number of projects; examples being,

• Rail to Doncaster
• Rail to South Morang
• Rail to Rowville
• Rail to Torquay

“We look forward to the end of the blame game in public transport,” Cr Fristacky and Cr Makin concluded.

For more information or comment:

Cr. Alex Makin (ETC) Mobile: 0408 311 645
Cr Jackie M Fristacky (MTF) Mobile: 0412 597 794

Maroondah Citizens’ Advice Bureau end of year function

Published by Alex Makin on Friday 14th of December, 2007

The Maroondah Citizens’ Advice Bureau provides crucial support for some of Maroondah’s most vulnerable residents through providing advice, food assistance and referral services through a largely volunteer based organisation.

Today’s function provided an opportunity to thank the volunteers, staff and committee of management that assist in delivering the services provided by the Maroondah Citizens’ Advice Bureau. Volunteers contribute significantly to the organisation, through providing advice to clients and undertaking a mandatory course to provide the skills required to fulfill this role.

I have been part of the Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau Committee of Management since 2006 and have had a particular interest in raising the community awareness of the organisation.