Posts related to 'Accessibility'

Media Release: Creating better connections

Published by Alex Makin on Wednesday 23rd of July, 2008

Maroondah City Council has developed the draft Principal Pedestrian Network to give priority and consideration to the improvement and provision of quality footpaths throughout the municipality.

Councillor Alex Makin says the draft Principal Pedestrian Network is a key recommendation from Council’s Maroondah Pedestrian Strategy adopted in June 2007.

“Council recognises that walking plays an important role in encouraging people’s participation in their community, and the development of the Principal Pedestrian Network will go a long way to improving walking options through local neighbourhoods,” said Cr Makin.

“The aim of the Principal Pedestrian Network is to establish the principal pathway networks throughout Maroondah with a view to identifying the missing links. This will enable council to improve accessibility through providing at least one footpath along all roads that are considered part of the network,” said Cr Makin.

“The completion of the Principal Pedestrian Network will enhance access to public transport, community services, shopping precincts, and sport and recreational facilities by providing better connecting footpaths. This will assist in creating an accessible municipality and make walking a convenient and appealing transport choice,” said Cr Makin.

“Council is now seeking feedback on the draft Principal Pedestrian Network to ensure that it is meeting community needs. I would encourage interested members of the community to take the time to view the plans and provide comment,” said Cr Makin.

A copy of the draft Principal Pedestrian Network is available from www.maroondah.vic.gov.au.

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Delegates’ Report: Support services, musical talents, advancing reconciliation and planning for Community Safety Week

Published by Alex Makin on Monday 21st of July, 2008

On the 20th of June I had the pleasure of attending Hope City Mission’s Charity Auction Evening. Hope City Mission, based in Croydon South provides assistance to people in need within our community. The mission does this by not only providing emergency relief in the form of food and clothing but by also focusing on the wellbeing of individuals. Through this focus on wellbeing and empowering change the Mission provides pamper days and extravaganza days, which provide haircuts and a chance to socialise and restore community connectedness. I also had the pleasure of seeing the Mission’s Pamper Day in action, last Friday on the 18th of July and I saw firsthand the benefits this service provides to some of our most vulnerable community members.

Individual wellbeing is just as important as food and clothing and Hope City achieves its Mission through broadening its focus on empowerment.

On the 4th of July the Eastern Transport Coalition held its Public Transport Summit, entitled it’s ‘Time to Move On’, that is time to move away from car dependence and the crippling cost that petrol is having on our families and towards public transport improvements. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many members of the Maroondah community who attended the summit and supported my presentation on the need for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station and the importance of the Ringwood Transit City as a regional centre.

The redevelopment of Ringwood Station is critical to ensuring the revitalisation of Ringwood. The current station fails accessibility standards and is perceived to be unsafe, with Ringwood Station consistently being perceived as one of the most unsafe locations within Maroondah. Coupled with traffic calming along Maroondah Highway, pedestrians which total approximately 10,000 per day would be able to conveniently travel between the transport interchange and the residential/commercial precincts of Ringwood.

The Eastern Transport Coalition has recognised Ringwood’s importance as a regional centre and as a council we must support our neighbouring municipalities in calling for greater investment in public transport. There is strength in Maroondah being part of a concerted regional push, whereby one million residents across the eastern suburbs, recognise the importance in redeveloping Ringwood Station. Let us hope that the State Government heeds this call and delivers this essential upgrade to the station.

On the 11th of July I attended the Maroondah NAIDOC week celebrations which commemorated council’s permanent flying of the Aboriginal flag and I would like to congratulate the many community groups, the Indigenous networks and the Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place for attending the ceremony.

The theme for this year’s NAIDOC week is ‘Advance Australia Fair?’ It is important to note that the organisers intended this theme as a question, since it is a timely reminder of the health, education and wellbeing inequities that exist between non-Indigenous and Indigenous Australia. Council’s Reconciliation Plan, which is included on tonight’s agenda will hopefully assist in bridging this gap and ensure that we as local government are working towards reconciliation.

On the 12th of July I had an afternoon of music, firstly with Enjoying Planned Retirement’s Hidden Talents concert. Where EPR’s unveiled the diverse singing, comedy and music talents of its expansive membership. EPR states that they are ‘recycled teenagers’ although I don’t think my teenage years were ever that fun! I would like to congratulate EPR on yet another fun filled event and look forward to the next Hidden Talents concert in September.

That evening I attended the Ringwood Eisteddfod, marking its 54th year of showcasing the immense musical talent that exists within our community. I would like to commend the many people involved in organising and performing within the Eisteddfod.

While the Premier Cabinet held a community cabinet session in Karralyka on the 15th of July, I was busy chairing the Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee. With the year half over it is encouraging the see the continuation of the strong networking that exists within the committee with a number of agencies and organisations, such as Connex and the Department of Education, assisting council in undertaking activities for Community Safety Week in October. Do watch this space for details on the council activities for Community Safety Week.

Media Release: Opportunity to discuss accessibility issues in Maroondah

Published by Alex Makin on Wednesday 16th of July, 2008

Tuesday, 5 August 2008
10:00 am	to	12:00 pm

Maroondah City Council is holding a forum for people with disabilities and their carers on Tuesday 5 August at Maroondah Federation Estate.

Councillor Alex Makin encourages people with a disability, and Maroondah based carers, to attend the forum and participate in a morning of information sharing.

“Council is committed to ensuring that people with a disability have plenty of opportunities available to them so that all people can fully participate in community life,” said Cr Makin.

“This forum will build upon the community feedback received at our workshop earlier this year. This feedback will assist council in strengthening the forum and ensure that it remains responsive to community needs,” said Cr Makin.

“I wholeheartedly encourage our community to attend the forum and take the opportunity to have their opinions and ideas heard. Together we can ensure that Maroondah becomes an accessible municipality that provides opportunities for all people within our community,” concluded Cr Makin.

The Maroondah Forum for People with Disabilities and Carers starts at 10.00am and concludes at 12.00noon on Tuesday 5 August at Room 1, Maroondah Federation Estate, 32 Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood.

Please RSVP by Wednesday 29 July by calling Gail on 9298 4275 or email gail.mcdaniel@maroondah.vic.gov.au

Maroondah Federation Estate is in close proximity to Ringwood Station and free car parking is available. The venue is fully accessible for people with mobility aids. If you have any support or other requirements please advise when confirming your attendance.

Inaugural meeting of the Disability Action Group

Published by Alex Makin on Monday 7th of July, 2008

This morning I was invited to attend the inaugural meeting of the Disability Action Group, which aims to provide a voice for people with disabilities within Maroondah and the eastern region.

The group while new, already has a number of priorities, including lobbying for accessibility improvements and the redevelopment of Ringwood Station as well as ensuring that the Ringwood Town Centre will become fully accessible. Furthermore the group aims to educate the broader community as to the importance of accessibility within our community.

The group is currently refining its aims and objectives to ensure a productive approach to tackling accessibility issues with a subsequent meeting scheduled for next month.

Scoot Wheel n Move - discussing the workshop findings

Published by Alex Makin on Friday 27th of June, 2008

Today’s Scoot Wheel n Move meeting discussed the future direction of the group, including the possibility of involving Eastern Access Community Health (EACH) as an auspice for the group.

While Scoot Wheel n Move has operated under the umbrella of Maroondah City Council, increased autonomy would strengthen the group’s ability to advocate for accessibility improvements, particularly in regard to Ringwood Station and the redevelopment of Eastland.

Scoot Wheel n Move has had tremendous success in previous years, through the establishment of a recharge program providing recharge points for motorised mobility aids, a mobility booklet and hosting a forum to discuss mobility issues within Maroondah. It is critical that this success continues so that we can further improve accessibility within Maroondah to provide a safe and comfortable environment for people with disabilities.

Eastern Access Community Health will present at the next meeting of Scoot Wheel n Move to discuss its ideas and vision for the group.