Posts related to 'connex'

Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee - final meeting for 2008

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 18th of November, 2008

This morning marked the final meeting of the bi-monthly Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee for 2008. The committee includes council and a number of external bodies, including Victoria Police, Connex, Department of Human Services, Outer East Primary Care Partnerships and the Department of Education, to implement a collaborative approach to enhancing the health, safety and wellbeing of Maroondah.

Today’s meeting examined food security within the eastern region, exploring the effects of rising food costs and the level of access to nutritious food. While Maroondah may be relatively well served with supermarkets and fresh food outlets, there are some pockets where there is a lack of access, particularly for people without access to a car.

The rising cost of living has also had an impact, particularly for people on fixed incomes, such as pensions, who are sacrificing food so that they can pay for other living expenses, such as rent, electricity and water.

The Primary Care Partnerships will be finalising a report on their findings in regard to food security with the aim of alerting governments to the food security difficulties experienced within the eastern region.

An update was also provided in regard to the Maroondah Community Wellbeing Plan, where the feedback provided by service providers is currently being considered. Community engagement and discussion over the plan will begin early to mid next year to provide an opportunity for widespread public comment.

I would like to thank the members and organisations who have been a part of the committee over the past three years and also to Cr. Jo-anne Taylor who was the previous chair.

Heatherdale Community Action Group: 2008 AGM

Published by Alex Makin on Wednesday 10th of September, 2008

Tonight marked the second Annual General Meeting for the Heatherdale Community Action Group (HCAG). The group, aims to enhance and protect the amenity Heatherdale, a locality that is split between Maroondah and Whitehorse Councils.

One of the most pressing issues is the ongoing noise complaints within the Heatherdale area. In this regard Maroondah Council has led two successful prosecutions in regard to noise issues and the EPA has issued a pollution abatement notice to CMA Recycling (Victoria) and is also aware of air quality concerns.

The action group has also been successful in establishing an ongoing interest in the Heatherdale community and has held two barbeques at Heatherdale Station, including one to mark the 50th anniversary of the station’s opening. The group collaborated with Connex and Invicta Bus Services to organise the event, which included primary school students singing happy birthday to the station.

In addition Maroondah Council is undertaking works at the Heatherdale Reserve, near the Dandenong Creek, in consultation with members of HCAG. These works will help improve the Dandenong Creek Trail and provide additional walking and cycling paths for the community.

It is great to see the Heatherdale Community Action Group continuing strongly a year after its incorporation. The group has successfully engaged its community and helped achieve positive changes for Heatherdale.

Maroondah Journal: People with disabilities can have their say

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 22nd of July, 2008

The upcoming Forum for People with Disabilities and Carers provides an opportunity to discuss accessibility issues within Maroondah and also provides an opportunity to speak to service providers, such as Invicta Bus Company and Connex.

The Maroondah Journal has reported on the upcoming forum to assist in publicising the event:

Cr Alex Makin said the People with Disabilities and Carers event aimed to ensure people with a disability had plenty of available opportunities to take part in an active community life.

The forum will also provide feedback on the workshops held earlier this year and provide consultation on Maroondah’s Disability Policy and Action Plan. This policy will underpin Maroondah’s approach to accessibility over the next four years.

“This forum will build upon the community feedback received at our workshop earlier this year. This feedback will assist the council to remain responsive to community needs.”

The Forum for People with Disabilities and Carers will be held from 10am on Tuesday the 5th of August at Maroondah Federation Estate.

Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee - discussing Council’s new wellbeing plan

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 15th of July, 2008

While the Premier and Cabinet descended upon Maroondah as part of their ‘Community Cabinet’ — and left without an announcement towards the redevelopment of Ringwood Station, I was chairing Maroondah’s Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee to discuss council’s direction in community wellbeing.

Today’s Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee discussed the charter of the existing group and began gathering input into council’s new Community Wellbeing Plan. This plan will replace the former Health, Safety and Wellbeing Plan and will encompass a broader perspective on issues facing our community.

The Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee is one of the groups overseeing the plan and a number of workshops will be held to gather input from the committee and the broader community. Workshops will be conducted during August and September and will provide an opportunity for community service providers to provide guidance into the plan. This consultation will broadly involve four themes including the built environment, the natural environment, the environment environment and the social, cultural and health environment.

The Community Wellbeing Plan is expected to be finalised in mid 2009 and will guide council’s approach to a number of health, safety and wellbeing issues within our community.

Community Safety Week, which is planned for October was also discussed at today’s meeting and a separate meeting will be established to plan activities for the week. Connex is particularly interested in holding education sessions around safety at rail stations to ensure that people stand behind the yellow line and are mindful of ensuring that the needs for people with disabilities are respected.

The next Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee is scheduled for the 16th of September and will provide further updates on the formation of the Community Wellbeing Plan.

First Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee for 2008

Published by Alex Makin on Thursday 13th of March, 2008

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.