Archive for February 21st, 2008

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.

Eastern Transport Coalition February 2008 meeting

Published by Alex Makin on Thursday 21st of February, 2008

Tonight’s Eastern Transport Coalition meeting focused on developing an action plan based upon the strategic direction established at the January meeting.

The major facet of this action plan, will be the hosting of a public transport summit later this year to explore the public transport issues faced within Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. While the State Government has invested in projects such as EastLink, it has failed to simultaneously invest in much needed public transport improvements.

Melbourne’s eastern suburbs need to be provided with transport choice, to ensure liveable communities that are able to provide economic, social and environmental sustainability. There is a stark contrast between road and public transport investment, with EastLink, consisting of 40km of new road construction, being completed within three years, while the Stud Road SmartBus, a mere upgrade of bus frequencies, operating spans and bus lanes, also required a three year timeframe.

Given that the State Government views SmartBus (a combination of bus priority treatments and service improvements) as a priority, it is surprising that a three year timeframe is required for their completion. It is clear that the State Government must drastically improve the speed in which it implements public transport improvements.

This year, with the much anticipated Eddington Inquiry into Melbourne’s transport needs, will determine the sincerity of the State Government’s commitment to public transport. The ETC will continue to hold the State Government accountable to ensure that public transport is a viable transport mode for Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

Melbourne 2030 Reference Group

Published by Alex Makin on Thursday 14th of February, 2008

Thursday, 21 February 2008
10:00 amto12:00 pm
Thursday, 24 April 2008
10:00 amto12:00 pm
Thursday, 12 June 2008
10:00 amto12:00 pm
Thursday, 21 August 2008
10:00 amto12:00 pm
Thursday, 30 October 2008
10:00 amto12:00 pm
Thursday, 11 December 2008
10:00 amto12:00 pm

The Melbourne 2030 Reference Group provides a forum for councils to discuss the State Government’s Melbourne 2030 planning policy and its ramifications for local government. The group has focused on activity centre development, public transport and sustainability to ensure that local councils are empowered and supported by the State Government in the aim of creating sustainable communities.

Ultimately the State Government must lead by example and implement its own planning policies. Ringwood, where Maroondah Council has been advocating for an upgrade of Ringwood Station, is an example of where State Government commitment is required to ensure the creation of a vibrant and sustainable urban community. While Maroondah has been strengthening its planning schemes to encourage sustainable urban design, these efforts will be difficult without a newly redeveloped Ringwood Station or a stronger statewide emphasis on accessible and sustainable urban design.

The Melbourne 2030 Reference Group provides an avenue to discuss these concerns and to seek improvements into the implementation of Melbourne 2030. I have been Maroondah’s delegated representative to this committee since being elected in November 2005.

Eastern Transport Coalition meeting

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

Thursday, 24 January 2008
6:30 pmto9:00 pm
Thursday, 21 February 2008
6:30 pmto9:00 pm
Thursday, 20 March 2008
6:30 pmto9:00 pm
Thursday, 17 April 2008
6:30 pmto9:00 pm
Thursday, 15 May 2008
6:30 pmto9:00 pm
Thursday, 19 June 2008
6:30 pmto9:00 pm
Thursday, 17 July 2008
6:30 pmto9:00 pm
Thursday, 21 August 2008
6:30 pmto9:00 pm
Thursday, 18 September 2008
6:30 pmto9:00 pm
Thursday, 16 October 2008
6:30 pmto9:00 pm
Thursday, 18 December 2008
6:30 pmto9:00 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.

About Alex Makin

Alex Makin is a candidate for Mullum Ward in Maroondah City Council. Alex has been a councillor since 2005, representing ratepayers, businesses, community groups and residents.

I aim to provide an active voice for the community and welcome any thoughts you may have in regard to life and business in Maroondah.

Phone: (03) 9812 2337 or 0409 136 213
Email: alex@alexmakin.com.au

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Images

Alex with Tom a football player for the Ringwood Spiders Alex with the outer eastern mayors calling on the major political parties to attend the Eastern Transport Coalition public transport summit Alex launching Brush Strokes Art Exhibition at Federation Estate Alex launching Communities for Public Transport Alex at the Maroondah Hospital Recognition and Awards Ceremony Alex Makin with the inaugural members of the Maroondah Disability Action Group Alex with family members Alex launching Brush Strokes Art Exhibition at Federation Alex speaking about the need for better public transport in the outer eastern suburbs.