Posts related to 'Maroondah'

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.

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.

Media Release: Climate change assistance for the elderly

Published by Alex Makin on Wednesday 2nd of July, 2008

Maroondah City Council is offering elderly residents the opportunity to change their light bulbs for free so they can reduce greenhouse emissions and save money on electricity bills.

Councillor Alex Makin said the initiative is a joint Council and Government initiative with funding assistance from the State Government.

“Council will assist eligible residents who are 80 years of age or over to exchange and install energy efficient fluorescent light bulbs to replace their existing incandescent bulbs,” said Cr Makin.

“Not only will this make a difference by reducing greenhouse emissions, but it will have the added benefit of reducing the resident’s electricity bill. Eligible residents will be able to save money and also save the environment.” said Cr Makin.

“This free initiative is open for the next twelve months, so I encourage residents who meet the eligibility criteria, or if you have a family member who does, to contact Council for further information. With rising electricity bills and the need for action on climate change I encourage all eligible residents to apply,” concluded Cr Makin.

Residents are eligible if they are 80 years of age or over, and meet the Home and Community Care (HACC) eligibility criteria.

For further information please contact Council’s Aged and Disability Services team on 9298 4389.

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.