Archive for February 13th, 2008

Media Release: Visit one of these sites for Clean Up Australia Day

Published by Alex Makin on Wednesday 13th of February, 2008

Spend an hour or two at one of the registered Clean Up Australia Day sites in the City of Maroondah and help to ‘Clean up Maroondah’ on Clean Up Australia Day, Sunday 2 March.

Councillor Alex Makin said Council and community coordinators would gladly welcome extra pairs of hands on the day.

“Maroondah City Council has nominated the HE Parker Reserve in Heathmont as the clean up site for residents who wish to help make their local environment more attractive on Clean Up Australia Day,” said Cr Makin.

“If you’re able to help, then we will look forward to seeing you between 10.00 and 12noon,” said Cr Makin. “Volunteers can then stay for a barbeque and fun family ‘Know your parks’ afternoon.”

“Helpers are asked to maximise their safety when participating by wearing sturdy footwear, gloves, sunscreen and a hat and by bringing refreshments and a rubbish bag or bucket,” said Cr Makin.

The community can meet Council officers at HE Parker Reserve, Heathmont Road, Heathmont (Melways Map 64 C2) at the cricket pavilion.

Other community registered clean up sites open to the public are:

• Ringwood Lake (Melways Map 49 J8). Meet at the pergola in the middle of the lake bridge from 10.00am to 12noon.
• Ringwood Lake. Meet at the Scout Hall in Bedford Park (Melways Map 49 J8) from 11.30am to 1pm.
• Dandenong Creek. Meet at the footbridge at the end of Marlborough Road, Heathmont (Melways Map 63 H3) from 9am to 12noon.

Please check the Clean Up Australia website for more registered locations prior to Clean Up Australia Day. Alternatively, groups can register their own site on the Clean Up Australia website.

“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,” said Cr Makin.

Students and teachers can also become involved in Schools Clean Up Day on Friday 29 February or employees can join Business Clean Up Day on Tuesday 26 February.

For further information or to register your involvement call either Clean Up Australia on 1800 282 329 or Council’s Strategic Planning & Sustainability Unit on 1300 88 22 33.

Visit the Clean Up Australia website at www.cleanup.com.au.

First Heatherdale Community Action Group meeting for 2008

Published by Alex Makin on Wednesday 13th of February, 2008

Tonight I attended the first Heatherdale Community Action Group meeting for 2008. The action group represents the residents and businesses along Heatherdale Road, a community which is split between the two municipalities of Maroondah and Whitehorse.

The guest speaker for tonight’s meeting was Matthew Guy, the Shadow Minister for Planning. Matthew listened intently to the concerns of the community particularly in regard to the deficiencies that currently exist under State legislation. In particular there is a need to strengthen the Environmental Protection Authority, so that they act upon the noise, dust and amenity complaints that are being received.

The EPA has wider scope to investigate these matters than local councils. While Maroondah has sought two successful prosecutions in regard to noise issues, the EPA is able to investigate these matters and seek genuinely punitive measures. Unfortunately the current Helath Act prevents councils from fining a company more than a $1000 a day for matters that are declared a nuisance. The EPA does not have such limitations and must finally take an interest in this matter. It is unfortunate that when the EPA did act, it awarded Manningham Council the fines that were successfully levied against Southern Rocycling, despite the fact that Maroondah City Council had attempted to work closely with the EPA in regard to these amenity issues.

Planning scheme definitions were also discussed, since this is a matter that directly affects Heatherdale Road. Currently a waste transfer facility does not require a permit within an industrial zone and this hampers the enforcement of effective hours of operation. This is in contrast to a recycling facility, which does require a permit and hence allows councils to impose suitable conditions on these operations. The State planning scheme definitions must be reviewed so that councils are able to protect the amenity of the local community.

The State Government has stated it will review both the Health Act and the defintions defined in the Planning and Environment Act. Unfortunately both initiatives seem to have stalled, Matthew Guy as the Shadow Minister for Planning can assist in ensuring that the State Government honours this commitment.

Heatherdale Community Action Group meeting

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 5th of February, 2008

Wednesday, 13 February 2008
7:30 pm	to	9:30 pm
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
7:30 pm	to	9:30 pm
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
7:30 pm	to	9:30 pm
Wednesday, 14 May 2008
7:30 pm	to	9:30 pm
Wednesday, 11 June 2008
7:30 pm	to	9:30 pm
Wednesday, 13 August 2008
7:30 pm	to	9:30 pm
Wednesday, 10 September 2008
7:30 pm	to	9:30 pm
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
7:30 pm	to	9:30 pm
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
7:30 pm	to	9:30 pm

The Heatherdale Community Action Group exists to preserve, protect and enhance the amenity of Heatherdale Road and neighbouring areas. Heatherdale is in a unique situation where the locality is divided between Maroondah (the eastern side of Heatherdale Road) and Whitehorse (the western side of Heatherdale Road).

The Action Group is able to provide a voice for Heatherdale resdients to ensure that the two councils are aware of their concerns. I have been a regular participant at the meetings both prior to the election and since being elected in 2005.

The Heatherdale Community Action Group often includes an impressive range of speakers covering topics such as planning, transport, the environment as well as health and safety issues.