Posts related to 'state government'

Victorian Transport Infrastructure Summit 2008

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

This afternoon I was invited to participate within a panel discussion for the 2008 Victorian Transport Infrastructure Summit. This year’s summit had an emphasis on sustainable transport and the need for a coordinated approach from all levels of government.

As the Deputy Chair of the Eastern Transport Coalition, I discussed our recent survey results which demonstrated that residents within the eastern suburbs overwhelmingly support the call for better public transport.

In addition over two-thirds of respondents believed that governments were not giving sufficient priority to the provision of public transport. In support of this view, the majority of people stated they would use public transport if it were adequately provided.

The message from Eastern Melbourne is clear - the one million residents of Melbourne’s outer eastern suburbs want governments of all levels to work cooperatively to provide better public transport.

• View the slides I presented at the Victorian Transport Infrastructure Summit.

Maroondah Journal: Ringwood Station upgrade a hot issue

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

The Maroondah Journal, as part of its election coverage has examined the issues relevant to the new Mullum Ward.

Cr Alex Makin said the Government commitments must go further to ensure accessible public transport. “The ramps at Ringwood Station fail disability compliance standards,” he said.

While the State Government announced $39 million to redevelop the station forecourt and bus interchange, it has failed to deliver the funding necessary to create an accessible station that can be used by all people within our community.

Advocacy for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station so it becomes a safe and accessible transport interchange is one of my priorities over the next four years. In addition the relocation of North Ringwood Community House, Ringwood Aquatic Centre and improving the accountability and sustainability of council are also my priorities should I be re-elected.

We need to continue making a difference and ensure that Maroondah becomes an accessible and sustainable municipality.

Delegates’ Report: celebrating our history, supporting our sporting clubs, cultural events, volunteers and community houses

Published by Alex Makin on Monday 20th of October, 2008

On the 23rd of September I attended the Ringwood Historical Society’s AGM. The Society meets each month at Federation Estate with the aim of preserving our heritage for the future. The society has developed extensive archives over its 50 year history and is one of the oldest historical society’s within the eastern suburbs.

In fact the Ringwood Historical Society celebrates its 50th birthday this month and I encourage the community to attend its 50th birthday celebrations on the 28th of October from 8pm at Federation Estate.

On the 26th of September I attended the Ringwood Bowls Club Season Launch. The occasion marked the beginning of the bowls season and also coincided with their water sustainability project.

Ringwood Bowls Club has been part of Ringwood’s history since 1929 and its current membership and executive are determined to ensure that it has a sustainable future. The bowls club has embarked on a project to install water tanks and rainwater retention systems to water its two grass greens. The club is in fact the first bowling green to retrofit its facilities for water sustainability.

It was encouraging to see all levels of government work together to achieve this outcome. A combination of Federal, State and council grants have assisted in providing the funding for this project to be undertaken. I congratulate the club on its foresight and its commitment to a sustainable future.

From the 3rd to the 5th of October I attended a number of events as part of the Maroondah Writers and Readers Festival. As some of you may recall, I’ve spoken previously about the Festival steering committee, and as a member of this committee it was great to see the positive public reception and involvement in the festival. We had a steering committee meeting this morning and Eastern Regional Libraries, as well as the community members were all amazed at the success of this inaugural event. Next year the festival will probably comprise of a series of events to cover a range of writing genres and to build on some of the community partnerships that were formed during this event. I am sure that details will be forthcoming once they are available and the events are organised.

I would like to thank the many people that attended events during the weekend and also to the hardworking people that were involved in preparing and organising the festival.

On the 8th of October I attended the Eastern Volunteers AGM with Cr. Jo-anne Taylor. Eastern Volunteers provides volunteer recruitment and transport services for the frail aged and people with disabilities. Eastern Volunteers is based in Ringwood and it is amazing to see how much they have grown since their inception in 1976. The organisation is currently renting a premises in New Street, Ringwood and its current priority is to purchase accommodation that will ensure it has a sustainable future in the longer-term.

Eastern Volunteers has established a building fund to assist with this project and will be embarking on a process to raise the funds necessary. All donations made to the Building Fund are tax deductible.

On the 10th of October I had the pleasure of opening Enjoying Planned Retirement’s annual Art and Craft Festival, along with Cr. Jo-anne Taylor. The festival, now its third year, provides an appropriate conclusion to the Maroondah Seniors Festival, as it is celebrates the many talents of Marondah’s seniors. EPR is an incredibly active organisation and the support and activities they provide for members is amazing.

Lastly, this morning and at quite a few times over the past month I have met with North Ringwood Community House to assist in their grant application for funding into a feasibility study to identify a new location for the services the community house provides. I am pleased to say that work on the application is advancing rapidly and we will be submitting the application to State Government shortly.

Community houses facilitate social connectedness and North Ringwood Community House, as a Registered Training Organisation also provides TAFE accredited courses to assist in providing new skills for the community. The house after 30 years has outgrown its current location and premises and this grant will begin the process in finding a new site.

I would like to thank the staff members who have assisted in the house with information and also to Cr. Jo-anne Taylor for writing a letter of support for this application.

Glen Park Community Centre - Celebration for the cafe

Published by Alex Makin on Friday 17th of October, 2008

Glen Park Community Centre, based in Bayswater North, has been operating a volunteer run cafe to encourage community participation and development. The cafe provides a welcoming atmosphere and volunteer opportunities, particularly for people with disabilities or people who are socially isolated or experience mental illnesses.

While community houses receive State Government funding to assist in delivering courses and training, community development work does not receive this assistance. As a result there is a shortfall in funding that is jeopardising the future of the cafe.

The cafe was able to operate until mid October and today Glen Park organised a public meeting so that members of the Glen Park community could speak about their personal experience with the cafe and the benefits that this community meeting place provides.

In true Glen Park spirit today’s meeting was not to commiserate the closure of the cafe but to celebrate the opportunities it has provided.

Glen Park is seeking a combination of Local, State, Federal and community funding to enusre that its vital community development activities can continue. For further information on Glen Park please visit www.glenparkcc.com.au.

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.