Archive for March 4th, 2008

VEC Preliminary Submission - Achieving a cohesive Maroondah community

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 4th of March, 2008

Given that Maroondah City Council has failed to reflect the community’s views in its submission to the Victorian Electoral Commission I have authored my own individual submission recommending multi-member wards, as supported by the community.

It is unfortunate that some councillors in Maroondah have chosen to disregard the community’s view and decided to put their own self interests above the needs of the municipality. The City of Maroondah, with its current single-member wards, has divided our community with suburbs such as Ringwood being separated into differing wards. Likewise, the divisions between Ringwood and Croydon, a situation perpetuated by the current ward boundaries, has prevented a cohesive and united Maroondah.

A restructure of Maroondah so that it consists of three council wards electing three councillors each would remove the arbitrary divisions that currently exist within Maroondah. Three wards would ensure easily identifiable ward boundaries and would combine broad communities of interest leading to a higher standard of representation and community involvement.

The proposed structure outlined in my submission would lead to stronger governance and a higher standard of representation within the City of Maroondah and would be consistent with the VEC’s approach to nearby municipalities that share similar populations to Maroondah. Lastly, this structure would be robust enough to maintain its relevancy over the next eight years and beyond.

The VEC’s preliminary review aims to propose preferred options for Maroondah and is due on the 1st of April. Following this report there will be a round of further community consultation and submissions including a public hearing.

• View preliminary submission to the Victorian Electoral Commission’s representation review for the City of Maroondah

Maroondah Journal: Bus review to connect with ‘non-users’

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 4th of March, 2008

Over the duration of this year the State Government is planning to undertake a series of bus service reviews and as such the Eastern Transport Commission will be commissioning work to determine the reasons deterring people from using public transport.

Some of these reasons, such as infrequent services, poor operating spans and confusing bus routes, are well-known within the eastern suburbs, but comprehensive research will assist the Eastern Transport Coalition’s efforts in lobbying for public transport improvements.

Cr Alex Makin said frequency and a lack of weekend and evening services were major problems in Maroondah.

Even though there have been some recent changes, the frequency and operating span of bus services on popular routes such as the 670 along Maroondah Highway still need further improvements. In addition, there is still a lack of evening services particularly on weekends.

The ETC was hopeful of a successful outcome. “It is the first time in four decades bus services have been seriously looked at.”

The review into bus routes is definitely welcome and it is hoped that the State Govenrment will take this opportunity to improve services within Maroondah and beyond. In particular there is a need for a bus service along Mount Dandenong Road, connecting Ringwood with Karralyka, Maroondah Hospital and Croydon along a direct route. Furthermore services within the north of Maroondah, such as Warranwood, are also lacking.

The State Government’s review into Maroondah’s bus services is expected to begin in the latter part of this year.

Maroondah Leader: Review to push the boundary

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 4th of March, 2008

The Maroondah Leader has reported on Maroondah’s submission to the representation review being undertaken by the Victorian Electoral Commission where the majority of councillors chose to ignore the wishes of the community:

The submission was discussed at the last council meeting when councilors Alex Makin and Maureen Naylor chose to vote against the proposals.

Maroondah City Council held a series of workshops last November in order to gauge public opinion. It is unfortunate that some councillors chose to disregard the community’s input when it did not suit their own aims.

Cr Makin said the recommendations were “contrary to the findings” of public consultation which favoured a multi-member three structure with nine councillors.

The community consultation which included workshops and feedback submissions showed a clear preference towards reforming Maroondah City Council’s ward structures and representation.

“Council has failed to use the opportunity to improve representation within Maroondah,” Cr Makin said.

Preliminary submission to the Victorian Electoral Commission’s representation review into the City of Maroondah closes today. The findings are scheduled to be released on the 1st of April.