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.
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Tonight’s meeting of the Eastern Transport Coalition included a presentation from John Stone, project officer at GAMUT, the Australian Centre for the Governance and Management of Urban Transport.
John spoke about the case for Federal funding of public transport and the need for the Commonwealth to provide such funding in return for operational reforms at a State level. In Victoria such reforms should include the creation of a holistic statutory authority that is responsible for both roads and public transport. This would end the imbalance that exists between VicRoads and the Public Transport Division in the Department of Infrastructure (DOI) by ensuring that all transport projects are assessed equally. Furthermore reforms should include operational measures such as ensuring that buses connect with rail services, so as to provide an integrated transport system that functions as one network.
Requiring such reforms in return for federal funding would ensure that the Commonwealth would receive maximum return for its investment and would prevent waste at a state level. The fact that states such as Western Australia and Queensland have been able to invest in new rail lines after undertaking departmental reform demonstrates that rail extensions can be provided efficiently and economically.
Issues such as congestion and greenhouse emissions, are a national issue and it therefore requires a nationwide response through federal investment in urban public transport infrastructure. Federal involvement would not shift blame from State to Federal Governments but would instead provide accountability and ensure that State Governments would honour their commitments.
The Eastern Transport Coalition will be preparing a discussion paper to advance the campaign for federal involvement in urban public transport.
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Eastern Transport Coalition June 2007 meeting , Talking to voters about public transport this Federal Election , Media Release: Rudd Government can end blame game in public transport , Eastern Transport Coalition: November meeting , Final Eastern Transport Coalition meeting for 2007
Category: Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC), Maroondah, Sustainable Transport, Urban Sustainability
The Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee has resumed for 2008 and provides an opportunity to discuss projects that will enhance life within Maroondah.
Items discussed this morning included the Bayswater North Renewal Project and the cooperation that exists between Victoria Police and Connex to prevent rock throwing incidents from occurring. Council’s education and support for newly arrived migrants was also discussed and there are plans to extend this program so that it includes knowledge about public transport. Council will be seeking cooperation with Metlink, Connex and bus operators, such as Invicta, to assist in this project.
Safety around Ringwood was also discussed and the Police will be regularly patrolling the area. Council’s youth services team will also be working with younger people to improve the amenity around the Ringwood Skatepark.
The committee adopted a recommendation calling on council to pursue the Federal Government over funding for security cameras around Ringwood. A federal election promise was made by the former Federal Member for Deakin and I do hope that the new member will commit to the installation of cameras to improve the safety of central Ringwood.
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Maroondah Journal: Safety boost as police push for cameras in Ringwood , Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee - final meeting for 2008 , Final Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee for 2007 , Maroondah Partners Health, Safety and Wellbeing committee , Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee
Category: Accessibility, Maroondah, Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee, Sustainable Transport, Urban Sustainability
| Thursday, 13 March 2008 | ||
| 9:00 am | to | 10:30 am |
| Tuesday, 20 May 2008 | ||
| 9:30 am | to | 11:00 am |
| Tuesday, 15 July 2008 | ||
| 9:30 am | to | 11:00 am |
| Tuesday, 16 September 2008 | ||
| 9:30 am | to | 11:00 am |
| Tuesday, 18 November 2008 | ||
| 9:30 am | to | 11:00 am |
The Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee provides an opportunity to address issues relating to the safety of the Maroondah community. The committee includes representation from council, as well as external agencies and service providers, including the Department of Human Services, Victoria Police, Connex and Eastern Volunteers, providing a wealth of knowledge in the health and wellbeing of our community.
There are two councillors included on the committee. For the 2008 year the councillor representatives are Cr. Peter Gurr and myself. I will be chairing the committee throughout 2008.
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Final Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee for 2007 , Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee - defining the wellbeing of Maroondah , Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee - final meeting for 2008 , Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee , 2007 Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee
Category: Events and Functions, Maroondah, Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee, Urban Sustainability
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
