Posts related to 'policy'

Maroondah Sustainability Strategy Workshop

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 11th of November, 2008

This evening I attended a workshop to discuss Maroondah’s Sustainability Strategy which is currently available for public comment.

The Strategy serves to provide a policy framework to improve water and energy conservation, as well as reduce resource usage and to educate both council and the community on the importance of sustainability.

The Strategy will be accompanied by an annual action plan, which will include specific council activities to implement the goals within the plan. The Strategy is expected to be considered by the new council in early 2009 once community feedback has been considered.

It is critical that Maroondah becomes an environmental leader to address climate change. To provide your comments on the document please visit www.maroondah.vic.gov.au.

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.

Media Release: Ringwood Station announcement only half-complete

Published by Alex Makin on Thursday 25th of September, 2008

MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
Thursday, 25 September 2008

Station Announcement only half-complete

Alex Makin, Councillor for Loughnan’s Hill Ward and public transport advocate, has welcomed the $39 million State Government announcement for Ringwood Station but expressed concern over the failure to fund accessibility improvements

“After years of public pressure and campaigning the State Government has finally delivered $39 million to begin the redevelopment of Ringwood Station”, Cr. Makin said. “While the State Government deserves congratulations for this belated announcement, their commitment is only half complete and further funding is required.”

Ringwood has been identified as a Transit City under the State Government’s Melbourne 2030 planning framework. The transit city policy aims to create urban centres with diverse housing and employment opportunities, interlinked by frequent and efficient public transport services.

“This announcement will provide improvements to the station forecourt and bus interchange and it must be accompanied by pedestrian improvements across Maroondah Highway”, Cr. Makin said. “It is extremely disappointing that the current funding will not provide accessibility implements for Ringwood Station itself.”

“The steep gradient of the ramps at Ringwood Station means it fails disability compliance standards. It is critical that further funding is announced so that people of all ages and abilities can partake in our community. I will continue to campaign for an accessible Ringwood Station to ensure that we can create an inclusive and sustainable community”, Cr. Makin concluded.

About Alex Makin:
Alex Makin was elected in November 2005 as the Councillor for Loughnan’s Hill ward in the City of Maroondah. Alex is focused on accessibility, sustainability, public transport, planning and community engagement.

ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES: CR. ALEX MAKIN ON 0408 311 645

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Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee - defining the wellbeing of Maroondah

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 16th of September, 2008

The Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee comprises of internal council staff and external agencies to develop strategies and implement actions to improve the wellbeing of Maroondah.

The group’s current priorities include council’s new Community Wellbeing Plan. This plan, which is expected to be finalised in mid 2009, will set council’s priorities for the wellbeing, health and safety of Maroondah and will operate in partnership with agencies such as Victoria Police, the Department of Education, the Department of Health and community based organisations such as Eastern Volunteers and indigenous groups.

Earlier this month council conducted consultation sessions with service providers, such as carers networks, community houses and health agencies and today’s meeting provided an opportunity for the committee to provide its feedback.

The committee defined wellbeing as good health with social and cultural connectedness underpinned by a supportive and safe community.

This definition assisted the committee in identifying a number of issues that adversely affect the wellbeing of the Maroondah community. These issues were categorised into the broad categories of transport (inducing accessibility), housing, safety and social isolation and were identified as priority areas by the group.

The input from today’s meeting will assist council is preparing the Maroondah Community Wellbeing Plan and identifying potential partnerships to assist in its implementation.

The next and final meeting for 2008 will be held on Tuesday the 18th of November.

Maroondah Leader: Out to give access a push-along

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 19th of August, 2008

The Maroondah Disability Action Group aims to provide a community led voice for people with disabilities and will advocate for greater inclusion and accessibility to all levels of government.

The recent formation of the group has been covered by the Maroondah Leader, where group spokesperson Margaret Stevens stated that one of the immediate priorities is to comment on Maroondah’s Disability Policy and Action Plan.

Cr Alex Makin said the group’s formation showed how important accessibility was in Maroondah. He said he looked forward to working with members to improve bus routes and Ringwood railway station.

The Maroondah Disability Policy and Action Plan is currently in draft status and was released for public exhibition at Monday’s council meeting. This provides an opportunity for community feedback to ensure that the document achieves its vision of an inclusion municipality.

Maroondah has one of the highest proportions of people with disabilities within the state of Victoria and it is therefore important that council is at the forefront of creating an accessible and inclusive municipality. The Maroondah Disability Action Group as a community based advocacy group will help ensure that council remains accountable to people with disabilities.

The Maroondah Draft Disability Policy and Action Plan is available from the Maroondah Council website. Comments are required by Tuesday the 16th of September.