Posts related to 'media comments'

Maroondah Journal: Councillor answers the call

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

Any resident, community group, ratepayer or business that has contacted me over the past three years, will have noticed that I promptly return calls and do not abruptly rush people who make the effort to contact me about their concerns.

Unfortunately one of the other candidates running in Mullum Ward has decided to attack me over my council mobile phone usage. This candidate has no connection with the community and is instead relying on the preferences of dummy candidates to help her get elected.

“My bill is typically higher than the others because it shows the volume of work I do for the council,” Cr Makin said. “I also get back to people who leave messages. There are a lot of councillors who don’t return calls and as a result I get a lot of frustrated people calling me.”

I use a separate mobile for personal use and my personal mobile phone, 0409 136 213, is the number I am using during the election period to ensure that council equipment is not being used for electoral purposes. In addition, since I have always been employed within small business, I do not have the luxury of using work phones for council purposes.

Many of Maroondah’s residents are reluctant to ring mobiles and often I will provide the opportunity for people; such as pensioners, senior citizens and people with disabilities, the option of calling them back so that they do not face the burden of mobile call costs.

Councillors need to be accessible to the community and take the time to listen to people. Baseless attacks by candidates who have a lack of community involvement, unfortunately demonstrates yet another low within this council election.

Maroondah Journal: ‘Get tough’ on noise breach

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

Alongside the redevelopment of Ringwood Station, the relocation of North Ringwood Community House and the need for greater sustainability and accessibility, is the issue of ongoing noise violations that spoils the amenity of residents along and near Heatherdale Road.

The Maroondah Journal has reported on the ongoing action against CMA Recycling (Victoria) over amenity and noise violations. Maroondah has applied for an enforcement order at VCAT to comply with council’s planning scheme and the EPA has confirmed that CMA is in breach of acceptable noise limits.

Incumbent councillor Alex Makin said he had put pressure on CMA with two successful prosecutions under the Health Act and making the EPA aware of the issues. “I certainly agree that the council needs greater powers to enforce compliance of CMA so I will be pushing the council to change the planning definition of CMA’s activities so we can enforce conditions on the site.”

While the article quoted a number of other candidates, all of whom wanted greater powers but failed to state how they would address the problems experienced by Heatherdale residents.

Over the past three years I been have making a difference for the Heatherdale community through the two successful prosecutions against amenity breaching and further action to hold rogue operators accountable for their actions.

Maroondah Leader: Push for Maroondah to go carbon neutral

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 28th of October, 2008

The Maroondah Sustainability Strategy has reached draft status and was endorsed for public exhibition at the last Council meeting. Public comments and submissions can be made about the strategy up to the 1st of December, whereby this feedback will be considered when the policy is finalised at a future council meeting.

The Maroondah Sustainability Strategy will guide the council’s approach to energy, water, transport and resource usage for the next four years and it is therefore critical that the document sets proactive environmental targets.

The Maroondah Leader has reported on the Draft Strategy, including its carbon neutral target of 2020:

Cr Alex Makin, who also voted to support the draft plan, said the council should set an interim target to ensure it reached its 2020 goal.

Currently there are no interim targets to measure council’s progress towards reaching carbon neutrality. While I personally believe that the target should potentially be brought forward to 2012, it is also imperative that interim goals are established to guide council budgets and to measure progress towards becoming carbon neutral.

Back in the year 2000 the then council set a target of reducing energy consumption by 20% by the year 2010. Unfortunately due to the lack of interim targets this was largely forgotten until public pressure along with myself, Jo-anne Taylor and Maureen forced the council to recommit to this goal.

It is therefore essential that any carbon neutral target includes appropriate interim goals to measure progress and keep council accountable for its performance in meeting this objective.

Maroondah Journal: Advocates want certainty over disability-friendly station upgrade

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 7th of October, 2008

While the Ringwood station forecourt and bus interchange has received funding, The Maroondah Journal has reported on the growing concern over the omission of funding for accessibility improvements as part of this project.

Cr Alex Makin last week expressed concern over the failure to fund accessibility improvements. “Their commitment is only half complete and further funding is required.”

While $39 million has been allocated to works associated with the forecourt of Ringwood Station and the bus interchange, no funding has been announced to upgrade the station itself and details over walkability improvements remain vague.

“This announcement will provide improvements to the station forecourt and bus interchange but it must be accompanied by pedestrian improvements across Maroondah Highway and upgrades to the station itself, so that it meets accessibility standards.”

Ringwood Station currently fails accessibility standards as defined under the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination (DDA) Act of 1992. It is critical that the State Government augments their recent announcement with further funding to ensure that accessibility improvements proceed simultaneously with the other works.

Maroondah Leader: Station receives no funding from upgrade

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 30th of September, 2008

While the State Government has announced $39 million for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station interchange, the station itself has missed out on a commitment. The Maroondah Leader has reported on these concerns:

Maroondah councillor Alex Makin said it would not address the “crux of the problem” - the physical condition of Ringwood Station.

“They are addressing the cosmetic side of the precinct but people will continue to struggle day in and day out with those ramps,” Cr Makin said.

The announcement has indicated that the State Government will providing $39 million of funding over three years in the 2009/10 State Budget for the redevelopment of the bus interchange and station forecourt.

“Ringwood cannot be an economic and employment hub if it remains difficult to access by public transport. I’m concerned that this announcement may make it difficult to get further funding for the station redevelopment.”

Ringwood Station currently fails disability compliance standards making it difficult for people with disabilities to access Ringwood and the employment, community and recreational opportunities it provides. It is extremely disappointing that the State Government will not address these concerns.

I will be continuing to advocate for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station so that we can have an inclusive urban centre that can be accessed by all members of our community.