My Internet Journal is designed to provide details on my work as a councillor for the City of Maroondah and also my involvement within a variety of community organisations.
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.
The Maroondah principal pedestrian network has reached draft status and was placed on public exhibition at the council meeting held on the 21st of July, This means that the community can now comment on the document and identify any additional parts of Maroondah that require footpaths.
The Maroondah Journal has reported on the document and the opportunity to further refine the network through community submissions:
Cr Alex Makin said walking played an important role in encouraging people’s participation in the community. “The principal pedestrian network will go a long way to improving walking options through local neighbourhoods for Maroondah residents.”
The principal pedestrian network aims to identify the locations within Maroondah that require footpaths. The areas that have been identified include streets that link public transport stops, schools, shopping precincts, health centres, as well as sporting and community facilities.
Once the final plan is adopted, council will implement a funding program to construct footpaths in these areas to assist in encouraging walking as a sustainable and accessible form of transport.
Copies of the principal pedestrian network are available from customer service centres or the Maroondah City Council website.
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Maroondah Leader: Council walks the walk , Media Release: Creating better connections , Maroondah Journal: Footpath strategy on display , Walking school bus end of year function , Maroondah Journal: People power - residents may reclaim roads, shopping strip
Category: Accessibility, Community Engagement, Maroondah, Sustainable Transport, Urban Sustainability
The precinct plans for the Ringwood Town Centre were passed at this evening’s council meeting. The passing of these plans will establish a clear framework for the future development of the Ringwood Town Centre and as such will facilitate investment and employment growth within Ringwood.
The plans, which broadly cover the area bound by Ringwood Street, Warrandyte Road, Maroondah Highway and Plaza Centre Way (also known as the Bond Street extension), will attract a variety of land uses (including retail, civic commercial and residential) and will assist in creating a sense of community and pride for Ringwood.
In particular the plans will include a new Town Square for Ringwood and allow for easier pedestrian access between Ringwood Station and the retail precinct of Ringwood and improve the overall amenity and walkability of Ringwood.
Given the significance of the precinct plans, there was a widespread effort to encourage community involvement and submissions. I am encouraged by the fact that 14 submissions were received, all of which were generally supportive of the concepts identified within the precinct plans.
The relatively high volume of submissions demonstrates wider community involvement within the Ringwood Transit City project and the overall supportive tone highlights a shared vision for the future of Ringwood and the Ringwood Transit City project.
I encourage the community to continue its involvement in the Ringwood Transit City project; the success in creating a vibrant town centre will depend largely on ongoing community engagement.
Tonight’s council meeting also marked the last meeting for 2006. I look forward to further representing as we enter the new year and beyond.
Councillor for Loughnan’s Hill Ward in Maroondah City Council.
It has been a great honour and privilege to have served as your elected councillor since 2005 and I would like to thank you for the opportunity you have given me to be your elected councillor, over the past three years.
I am now seeking your support to be elected as a councillor for the Mullum Ward.
I have been working to ensure that I am making a difference to the Maroondah community.
I am committed to achieving an accessible and sustainable municipality supported by an accountable council that actively engages the community.
Through my time on council I have successfully advocated for a reduction in council’s greenhouse emissions and secured $1 million for water sustainability projects to reduce council’s water consumption and protect the many sporting grounds within Maroondah.
I have also increased funding levels for accessibility works and secured upgrades to Karralyka and other council buildings to ensure that they can be utilised by all people in our community. Through my involvement in council I have supported the ReCharge Program, which encourages local businesses (including Eastland) to provide recharge facilities for motorised mobility aids.
I have prevented inappropriate development and stopped council from selling our public parks, as well as supporting the re-opening of the Croydon Outdoor Memorial Pool.
I have successfully advocated for better public transport and have secured a number of bus improvements. I have continued to campaign for the much needed redevelopment of Ringwood Station so that we can have an accessible and safe interchange.
I am an active participant in many community groups including the Rotary Club of Ringwood and am a committee member for the Croydon Conservation Society, Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau, North Ringwood Community House and Eastern Volunteers.
If elected I will not take your vote for granted and will continue making a difference within Maroondah.
In particular I will advocate for further public transport improvements, to secure the redevelopment of Ringwood Station and bus improvements. I will also work to achieve an accessible, inclusive and sustainable Ringwood Town Centre to ensure that Ringwood becomes a vibrant suburb for people of all ages and mobility.
I will also work towards achieving a new community centre for Ringwood North and further improvements to the sustainability and accessibility of council.
My website and blog will continue to be updated to ensure that I am explaining the activities that I undertake as an elected councillor and to remain accountable to the community
I was a founding member of the Ringwood Transit City Community Coalition (RTCCC), a non-profit and voluntary organisation which aimed to strengthen community participation and stimulate open and honest discussion in regard to the Ringwood Transit City project.
Within this role I authored a number of community submissions, including reports into topics such as Community Participation and Integrated Transport, as well as, speaking publicly on issues such as inappropriate development and green open space.
I was also the founder of the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) Outer East Branch where my advocacy efforts raised awareness of public transport issues in eastern Melbourne and helped ensure increased funding for bus services within Melbourne’s outer east. Similarly I, along with other community advocates, have campaigned heavily for the upgrade of Ringwood Station resulting in State Government proposals to upgrade the station.
Founded in 1976, the Public Transport Users Association is the recognised consumer organization representing passengers of public transport. The PTUA is a non-profit, voluntary organisation with no political affiliation, which lobbies governments and public transport authorities in the interest of all users of public transport.
In addition, I was also a foundation member of the PTUA’s South East Branch and served as Vice-President of the association, which included the responsibility for state-wide media and attending high-level delegations. I left the PTUA in September 2007 to concentrate on strengthening community engagement and transport advocacy in our middle and outer suburbs.
I am actively involved in advocating for accessibility improvements and a higher standard of community engagement and assisted with Maroondah’s Accessibility Expo as well as the forum Good Access = Good Business.
I have a background in Marketing and IT and have worked within a variety of commercial organisations ranging from IT companies, marketing organisations and business consulting firms. I also have a keen interest in theatre, the arts and urban sustainability and have spoken at a number of forums and conferences on the topic of sustainability, transport and planning.
Furthermore, I enjoy constructive and open dialogue with a number of local councils and Members of Parliament ensuring that I can deliver positive outcomes for our community. The successful lobbying for the removal of zone three fares, demonstrates my ability to work cooperatively with other councils and State Parliamentarians to deliver positive results for the community.
I am an active member of the following community based organisations:
For 2008 I am the designated Maroondah City Council representative on the following committees:
As a Councillor for the City of Maroondah I welcome your feedback.
My contact details are as follows:
E-mail: alex@alexmakin.com.au
Phone: 0409 136 213
Fax: (03) 9870 8202
You can also subscribe to updates for this website to keep informed in regard to my activities and my work on behalf of the residents and ratepayers of Loughnan’s Hill Ward and the overall Maroondah Community.
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
