Archive for February, 2008

Parent Support Network: Launch of Coloured Emotions

Published by Alex Makin on Thursday 28th of February, 2008

The Parent Support Network Eastern Region, provides support for carers, parents and families that have children with a disability. The group provides this support through providing access to support groups, advocacy support, art therapy groups, activities and a quarterly newsletter.

This evening I attended the launch of Coloured Emotions an art exhibition which was the result of an art therapy group through the Parent Support Network. The Art Therapy program allowed these carers to express their emotion through art in a supportive environment.

The artwork demonstrated the stress and challenges involved in caring for a child with a disability and the need for peer support. The raw emotion conveyed the many issues faced by the participants, including the uncertainty surrounding funding for such groups. ‘I want the funding bodies to see this and see the need for groups within the community to stop isolation’, was one of the quotes provided by an artist in the exhibition and it is clear we need a greater level of support in our community for people with disabilities and their carers.

Maroondah Council is currently reviewing its Disability Plan and will commence a workshop in mid to late March to seek community input into this plan.

For more information on the Parent Support Network please visit www.psn-emr.com.au.

Media Release: ETC seeks budget commitments from Federal and State Governments

Published by Alex Makin on Wednesday 27th of February, 2008

In submissions to the State and Federal Governments the ETC has sought co-operation to tackle one of the most significant contributors to rising greenhouse gases and rising petrol prices - private transport.

Cr Mick Van De Vreede, ETC Chairperson said that the seven councils wanted to see the funding criteria for AusLink changed to allow the $3+billion a year funding program to fund urban public transport.

“If we are going to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases we emit and help families avoid the rising petrol prices we need to increase the availability of public transport now. A long term plan to reduce climate change requires a long term plan for the expansion of public transport.”

“In the east this means four broad key projects;

• Heavy rail connections to Doncaster and Rowville
• Duplication or triplication on the Belgrave, Lilydale and Dandenong lines
• Completion and implementation of bus service reviews
• Improvement of passenger amenity through state of the art transport interchanges in Ringwood and Box Hill

Without immediate action to deliver on these projects residents in the outer east will be unable to do their bit to reduce climate change.”

Councillor Alex Makin represents Maroondah City Council on the Eastern Transport Coalition.

“The Eastern Transport Coalition is calling for the funding criteria for the Federal AusLink program to allow funds to develop urban public transport - and in particular in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne,” said Cr Makin.

“State and Federal Governments must work cooperatively to deliver the public transport improvements necessary to ensure the economic, social and environmental sustainability of our suburbs. The ETC’s budget submissions are a call to action for Melbourne’s public transport system.”

Maroondah Journal: Cr stripped of duties ‘hurts community’

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 26th of February, 2008

Divisions within Maroondah City Council are clearly apparent with four councillors (Les Willmott, Peter Gurr, Tony Dib and Natalie Thomas) continuing to deny Cr. Jo-anne Taylor from council’s committee appointments.

The Maroondah Journal has reported on this abhorrent act and the lack of debate that surrounded the motion to review:

Cr Alex Makin called for a review of Cr Taylor’s committee list for the council’s first meeting this year. Last Monday, the council maintained its decision to revoke Cr Taylor’s role on five committees

It is unfortunate that some councillors have denigrated Maroondah City Council through launching blatant personal attacks against other councillors and denying them the ability to represent council on committees.

Cr Makin said it was a “blatant personal attack on the councillor”.

The motion to review sought to reverse the decision made at last year’s council meeting to remove Cr. Jo-anne Taylor from representing council on the Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Well-being committee, Road Safe - Melbourne Eastern Ranges and the Municipal Association of Victoria.

Unfortunately the gang of four, consisting of Les Willmott, Peter Gurr, Tony Dib and Natalie Thomas, used their numbers to block this motion and any corresponding debate.

“I always saw the role of being a councillor as one where we build and support our communities so that we nurture a municipality that is filled with, as the new council slogan suggests, community lifestyle and opportunity.”

This action, led by those four councillors has confirmed that Maroondah City Council is currently divided, with several councillors more intent on protecting their own self interests and attacking others, than caring for the communities they are supposed to represent.

“The actions to strip Cr Taylor from the council’s delegated committees and boards results in the exact opposite. It simply tears down our communities as it denies them the opportunity through Cr Taylor to represent their concerns.”

I can only hope that the gang of four will represent Maroondah on these committees with as much vigour and passion as Cr. Jo-anne Taylor holds for her community.

The full transcript of the speech I delivered in support of the motion to review is as follows:

(Read more…)

Maroondah Journal: Council backs current set-up

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 26th of February, 2008

The Victorian Electoral Commission is currently undertaking a representation review into the ward structure and number of councillors within Maroondah.

The Maroondah Journal has reported on this review, amid the official council submission calling for the retention of the status quo:

Maroondah councillors have urged the electoral commission to retain seven councillors in seven wards. Cr Alex Makin disagrees.

Council’s submission was on the agenda for February’s council meeting and was passed five to two, with myself and Cr. Maureen Naylor voting against the council’s defence of the status quo.

“I am not in favour of the council’s current representation. If it continues down the path of having seven I think it ward boundaries will continue to be confusing for the public. What we need is a simple ward structure”.

The current ward structure within Maroondah divides a number of communities making it difficult for community members to ascertain who their ward councillor is. As an example, it is quite common for me to receive calls from Ringwood residents living in Clocktower Ward since the current structure divides Ringwood.

Cr Makin said he would advocate for three wards and three councillors on the basis it was consistent with what the community desired.

Consultation undertaken by Maroondah City Council, through a series of workshops, confirmed that the community favoured reform through a structure with three wards electing three councillors each. It is disappointing that the council has chosen to disregard the views of the community simply to try and protect the status quo.

Furthermore the current ward boundaries perpetuate a division between Ringwood and Croydon rather than ensuring that council decisions are made with a holistic approach. It is time for the ward structure to be modified to reflect a cohesive Maroondah community.

Given that Council has chosen to ignore the community I will be authoring an individual submission to the Victorian Electoral Commission’s review into Maroondah. Submissions are due by the 4th of March.

Maroondah Journal: One and all urged to roll up their sleeves

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 26th of February, 2008

Clean Up Australia Day will be held on Sunday the 2nd of March, with Ringwood Lake, HE Parker Reserve and the Dandenong Creek being nominated sites in Maroondah. The Maroondah Journal has reported on the call for volunteers.

Maroondah councillor Alex Makin urged residents to join the clean-up.

Volunteers are welcome for Clean Up Australia Day and should bring sturdy footwear, gloves, sunscreen and a hat.

“The Maroondah community gets behind Clean Up Australia Day every year, and we value the many volunteers who keep coming back to help clean up our parks, reserves and roadsides. It would be great to see new faces this year, helping to make our community even more enjoyable to live in - you’ll be warmly welcomed.”

Nominated sites are:

• Dandenong Creek footbridge, at the end of Marlborough Road, 9 am - 12 noon
• HE Parker Reserve, Heathmont 10 am - 12 noon
• Ringwood Lake, 10 am - 12 noon
• Ringwood Lake Scout Hall, Bedford Park, 11:30 am - 1 pm.