Posts related to 'environment'

Heatherdale Community Action Group - keeping the community informed

Published by Alex Makin on Wednesday 13th of August, 2008

The Heatherdale Community Action Group exists to represent the businesses and residents within Heatherdale, a locality that is divided between Maroondah and Whitehorse, due to Heatherdale Road being the municipal boundary.

Tonight’s meeting provided an opportunity to update the community on steps Maroondah Council and other agencies are taking to enhance the amenity of the area. In particular the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has issued a Pollution Abatement Notice (PAN) to CMA Recycling (Victoria) in regard to breaches of noise limits.

The issuing of this notice means that the company is required to undertake an assessment of noise emitted from the site as well as implement measures to abate the noise so that further breaches do not occur. The notice issued by the EPA is available on their website.

It is encouraging that the EPA is taking this matter seriously and cooperating with both Whitehorse and Maroondah Councils. As the ward councillor, I will continue to ensure that I am making a difference to the Heatherdale community.

Media Release: Green thumbs used for National Tree Day

Published by Alex Makin on Wednesday 30th of July, 2008

In support of National Tree Day, held on Sunday 27 July, Maroondah City Council staff brought their green thumbs to work and planted 250 trees.

Councillor Alex Makin said National Tree Day is one of Australia’s largest community tree planting event, with over 290,000 volunteers taking part last year.

“Community tree planting took place on Sunday 27 July at four sites throughout Maroondah, and Council staff did their bit at Croydon Town Park at lunchtime on Tuesday 29 July,” said Cr Makin.

“Maroondah City Council plants 30,000 trees and shrubs every year, and if you combine the number of trees in public and private land, you’ll find there are more than 500,000 trees in Maroondah,” said Cr Makin.

“There are numerous reasons why we need trees, not least that they are the earth’s lungs, inhaling carbon dioxide and removing greenhouse gas from the atmosphere then exhaling oxygen for humans to breathe,” said Cr Makin

“In addition, trees provide habitat and food for the many different species of wildlife that we are fortunate to enjoy in Maroondah,” said Cr Makin.

Council staff planted Eucalyptus radiata and cephlacapa as well as Dianella and Lomandra grasses in an area 200 square metres of Town Park in Croydon, to improve and extend the natural bush in the western end of the park.

- ENDS -

Maroondah Leader: Council walks the walk

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 29th of July, 2008

In 2006 Maroondah City adopted its first Integrated Transport Strategy, this document highlighted the need for a pedestrian strategy, which was completed by council last year. Following from this strategy, council has now produced the principal pedestrian network, which indicates the streets that require footpaths within Maroondah.

The principal pedestrian network is now available for public comment and the Maroondah Leader has reported on the opportunity for public comment:

Cr Alex Makin said the plan would identify “missing links” to ensure all roads considered part of the network had at least one footpath. He said walking played an important role in encouraging participation in the community.

The construction of new footpaths to link shops, schools, hospitals, public transport stops and community facilities, would improve the accessibility and sustainability of Maroondah by encouraging walking and making our streets safer for people with mobility aids.

“The development of the network will go along way to improving walking options through local neighbourhoods,” Cr Makin said.

It is clear that the Maroondah community values sustainability and wants footpaths to ensure that walking is an option within our community. The community response in regard to council’s attempt to sell a laneway in Great Ryrie Street, which linked residents in Heathmont Road to bus stops for routes 670 and 367, demonstrates that the community expects council to deliver improvements to the pedestrian network.

Cr Makin said there had been a “lot of community anger” about the council’s plan to sell off the land. He said it was “ironic” that the council discussed selling off a walkway at the same meeting where its walkable communities plan was adopted.

It is important to preserve walking paths that assist in linking our community and encouraging sustainable transport. I would like to thank the residents that assisted in efforts to preserve this path and demonstrating that the community expects council to create a sustainable and safe environment that encourages and supports walking.

Ringwood Rotary - discussing Help for Wildlife

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

Ringwood Rotary is part of the worldwide Rotary International and is one of the 50 clubs that form District 9810, which covers eastern and southeastern Melbourne. Tonight’s guest speaker was Dense, the founder of Help for Wildlife, who spoke about the organisation and its many volunteers.

Help for Wildlife is a volunteer organisation that cares for wildlife in distress and responds to incidents such as car accidents, bushfires, floods, oil spills and other emergencies where wildlife is in danger. The organisation is volunteer based and is funded through memberships and donations since it does not receive any funding by the State Government.

The organisation also undertakes policy development and is currently working with the Department of Sustainability and Environment to develop a set of protocols to improve the response provided to wildlife that is in distress or in need of care. Help for Wildlife also aims to establish a Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre which will provide longer term care for injured wildlife and assist in educating the community on how to care for Australia’s unique wildlife.

To report any injured wildlife, Help for Wildlife can be contacted on 0417 380 687 or visit www.helpforwildlife.com

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.