Archive for September, 2008

Maroondah Leader: Station receives no funding from upgrade

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 30th of September, 2008

While the State Government has announced $39 million for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station interchange, the station itself has missed out on a commitment. The Maroondah Leader has reported on these concerns:

Maroondah councillor Alex Makin said it would not address the “crux of the problem” - the physical condition of Ringwood Station.

“They are addressing the cosmetic side of the precinct but people will continue to struggle day in and day out with those ramps,” Cr Makin said.

The announcement has indicated that the State Government will providing $39 million of funding over three years in the 2009/10 State Budget for the redevelopment of the bus interchange and station forecourt.

“Ringwood cannot be an economic and employment hub if it remains difficult to access by public transport. I’m concerned that this announcement may make it difficult to get further funding for the station redevelopment.”

Ringwood Station currently fails disability compliance standards making it difficult for people with disabilities to access Ringwood and the employment, community and recreational opportunities it provides. It is extremely disappointing that the State Government will not address these concerns.

I will be continuing to advocate for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station so that we can have an inclusive urban centre that can be accessed by all members of our community.

Maroondah Journal: $39m budget for city revitalisation

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 30th of September, 2008

The Maroondah Journal has reported on the the State Government’s announcement of $39 million for Ringwood Station beginning in the 2009/10 State Budget.

Eastern Transport Coalition spokesman and Maroondah Councillor Alex Makin said the funding was “half-complete” and failed to cover improvements to accessibility.

“The steep gradients of the ramps at Ringwood station means it fails disability-compliance standards.”

While it is encouraging that the State Government is finally delivering tangible funding to Ringwood, it is disappointing that the station itself will not be improved. This means that further advocacy is required to ensure that the Government commits to delivering an accessible transport interchange to create an inclusive public transport system for Ringwood and Maroondah.

I will continue to advocate for improvements to Ringwood Station to ensure that the State Government delivers this commitment.

Ecosmart Solarsmart Workshop

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 30th of September, 2008

This evening I attended Ecosmart’s Solarmart Workshop, an information session organised through Maroondah Council to discuss solar technology and reducing greenhouse emissions.

The workshop provided an overview of solar technology and the need for alternatives to coal electricity generation, which is a major contributor to greenhouse emissions. Standard coal-fired plants emit 915 g/kWh over their lifecycle and should carbon capture and storage ever become viable this will still produce 200 g/kWh in emissions.

While rebates are available for the purchase of solar panels, it is clear that this program needs to be extended so that it can be applied to more than just 1kW of renewable energy. Improvements to the rebate scheme would encourage households to purchase enough solar panels to cover their electricity needs, reducing dependence on coal and improving sustainability.

Council is currently committed to a 20% reduction in greenhouse emissions by 2010. I will be seeking further reductions so that council can demonstrate leadership in environmental sustainability and reduce its environmental impact.

Ringwood Bowls Club 2008/09 Season Launch

Published by Alex Makin on Friday 26th of September, 2008

Tonight I attended the Ringwood Bowls Club 2008/09 season launch, held in the club function room at Loughnan Road in Ringwood.

The Ringwood Bowls Club has a long and proud history within Ringwood and was founded in 1929, originally at Miles Avenue in Ringwood. The club moved to its current site in 1997, which currently consists of a clubhouse, two grass greens and one artificial green.

The club is committed to a sustainable future and I assisted the club in applying for grants to Federal, State and local Government to assist in funding water tanks and retention systems to water the two grass greens.

The cooperation between Federal, State and Local governments has been encouraging and each application was approved. The club has commenced work on the installation of the water tanks and it will mean that the Ringwood Bowls Club will be able to utilise rainwater to maintain its greens.

The Ringwood Bowls Club must be congratulated for committing itself to a sustainable future and being the first lawn bowls club to retrofit water saving initiatives.

I wish the club the very best for the 2008/09 season. For further details on the Ringwood Bowls Club please visit www.ringwoodbowls.asn.au

or attend their next Try Bowls Day on Sunday the 26th of October.

Media Release: ETC releases short term public transport project list

Published by Alex Makin on Thursday 25th of September, 2008

The Eastern Transport Coalition has delivered a plan on behalf of one million eastern suburban residents direct to the Premier of Victoria in response to a request made by John Brumby and Public Transport Minister Lyn Kosky at a recent community cabinet meeting held at Ringwood

The submission highlights a wide range of short term projects that will help public transport deprived residents increase their public transport options and usage.

Cr Mick Van De Vreede said that the first submission concentrated on a number of large critical projects but that the Premier and Public Transport Minister were also interested in a range of smaller projects for consideration in the development of the Metropolitan Transport Plan.

“We know that in the eastern suburbs three out of five people would consider getting out of their cars if they had decent public transport options.

“Public transport usage in the majority of local municipalities is very low, at around 3 to 7 per cent compared with a much higher rate in other parts of Melbourne. This makes it clear that we need a generational step up in public transport.”

“The State Government needs to deliver public transport improvements so that families in the outer suburbs are provided with the choice to catch frequent, readily available and accessible public transport services”, Alex Makin Maroondah’s representative on the Eastern Transport Coalition said. “The Government must commit to these short-term priorities, including the much needed redevelopment of Ringwood Station into an accessible transport interchange, frequency improvements on the rail lines beyond Ringwood and substantial bus improvements.”

“If the State Government includes our short, medium and long term projects in the Metropolitan Transport Plan then we will eventually have all the public transport options we need to dramatically reduce congestion, to protect our families from rising fuel prices and to negate rising greenhouse gas emissions,” Cr Van De Vreede concluded.

The ETC’s plan which is available at www.etc.org.au includes the following suggestions;

• Upgrades to major public transport interchanges with an initial focus on Transit Cities such as Ringwood and Dandenong.
• Increased off peak frequency on Belgrave / Lilydale lines
• The immediate undertaking of full feasibility studies for Rail to Rowville and Doncaster and the duplication of the Belgrave/Lilydale rail lines.
• Bringing forward the SmartBus network so that it is complete by the end of 2009
• Bus routes into new and existing estates, including Warranwood and Canterbury Road between Ringwood and Box Hill
• Tram 75 extended to Knox City and Tram 48 extended to Doncaster
• Bus priority measures along Springvale Road, Stud Road, Cheltenham Road, Wellington Road, Doncaster Road, Hoddle Street and within the CBD
• Immediate extension of free early bird tickets to buses and trams

For media inquiries please contact Alex Makin on 0408 311 645

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