Posts related to 'sustainable communities'

Eastern Region Climate Forum

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

Mitigating climate change and improving our urban sustainability must be a priority for all levels of government. This evening, the Eastern Region Climate Network, comprising of individuals and groups within Knox, Maroondah, Whitehorse and the Yarra Ranges, organised the Eastern Region Climate Forum, to discuss climate change and the need for action.

The Forum was held in Ringwood and included presentations from Dr. David Spratt the author of Climate Code Red: the case for emergency action and Matthew Wright from Beyond Zero Emissions. Tim Forcey, a member of the Sandringham Climate Action Group served as MC for the evening.

The importance of climate change has been recognised by levels of our political system, with the Governor of Victoria Professor David de Kretser acknowleding that ‘There is no doubt in my mind that this is the greatest problem confronting mankind at this time…a state of emergency.’

Dr. Spratt spoke about the growing evidence that conclusively demonstrates that action of climate change is required now to prevent the melting of Arctic ice caps and the Himalayan glaciers, which provides 40% of Asia’s fresh water supplies. On a per capita basis, Australia is currently one of the world’s largest sources of greenhouse emissions reinforcing the need for leadership.

While Australia is now a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, it included a unique Australian clause, which allowed the reduction of land clearing to be factored into the emissions target. In reality Australia’s emissions are actually 8% above the 1990 Kyoto targets.

Matthew Wright discussed solutions to mitigating climate change with research finding that 25% of actions that would reduce emissions would in fact be cost positive. This would be due to increasing efficiencies, such as harnessing solar and wind power, as well as reducing dependence on oil, through improving public transport. The savings produced by these initiatives would then provide a funding source for further greenhouse reductions.

Local government clearly has a role in reducing greenhouse emissions to ensure environmental, social and economic sustainability. As an example, many of the actions within council’s energy fund will become cost positive within three years. This not only reduces greenhouse emissions but will also provide a saving for ratepayers.

Given the importance of climate change it was disappointing that there so few candidates at the forum. In the Mullum Ward, only Jo-anne Taylor, Peter Feeney, Adam Pepper and myself attended the entire evening. One does need to question the sincerity and genuineness of candidates who fail to attend a forum on such an important issue.

I am committed to reducing council’s greenhouse emissions and achieving a carbon neutral target. I am also in favour of interim targets to measure council’s progress towards this goal and to ensure that council is actually reducing emissions, rather than merely offsetting and shifting the burden.

All levels of government need to act in regard to climate change and we need a council that is committed to making a difference to our sustainability.

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.

Ecosmart Solarsmart Workshop

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

This evening I attended Ecosmart’s Solarmart Workshop, an information session organised through Maroondah Council to discuss solar technology and reducing greenhouse emissions.

The workshop provided an overview of solar technology and the need for alternatives to coal electricity generation, which is a major contributor to greenhouse emissions. Standard coal-fired plants emit 915 g/kWh over their lifecycle and should carbon capture and storage ever become viable this will still produce 200 g/kWh in emissions.

While rebates are available for the purchase of solar panels, it is clear that this program needs to be extended so that it can be applied to more than just 1kW of renewable energy. Improvements to the rebate scheme would encourage households to purchase enough solar panels to cover their electricity needs, reducing dependence on coal and improving sustainability.

Council is currently committed to a 20% reduction in greenhouse emissions by 2010. I will be seeking further reductions so that council can demonstrate leadership in environmental sustainability and reduce its environmental impact.

Ringwood Bowls Club 2008/09 Season Launch

Published by Alex Makin on Friday 26th of September, 2008

Tonight I attended the Ringwood Bowls Club 2008/09 season launch, held in the club function room at Loughnan Road in Ringwood.

The Ringwood Bowls Club has a long and proud history within Ringwood and was founded in 1929, originally at Miles Avenue in Ringwood. The club moved to its current site in 1997, which currently consists of a clubhouse, two grass greens and one artificial green.

The club is committed to a sustainable future and I assisted the club in applying for grants to Federal, State and local Government to assist in funding water tanks and retention systems to water the two grass greens.

The cooperation between Federal, State and Local governments has been encouraging and each application was approved. The club has commenced work on the installation of the water tanks and it will mean that the Ringwood Bowls Club will be able to utilise rainwater to maintain its greens.

The Ringwood Bowls Club must be congratulated for committing itself to a sustainable future and being the first lawn bowls club to retrofit water saving initiatives.

I wish the club the very best for the 2008/09 season. For further details on the Ringwood Bowls Club please visit www.ringwoodbowls.asn.au

or attend their next Try Bowls Day on Sunday the 26th of October.

Media Release: ETC releases short term public transport project list

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

The Eastern Transport Coalition has delivered a plan on behalf of one million eastern suburban residents direct to the Premier of Victoria in response to a request made by John Brumby and Public Transport Minister Lyn Kosky at a recent community cabinet meeting held at Ringwood

The submission highlights a wide range of short term projects that will help public transport deprived residents increase their public transport options and usage.

Cr Mick Van De Vreede said that the first submission concentrated on a number of large critical projects but that the Premier and Public Transport Minister were also interested in a range of smaller projects for consideration in the development of the Metropolitan Transport Plan.

“We know that in the eastern suburbs three out of five people would consider getting out of their cars if they had decent public transport options.

“Public transport usage in the majority of local municipalities is very low, at around 3 to 7 per cent compared with a much higher rate in other parts of Melbourne. This makes it clear that we need a generational step up in public transport.”

“The State Government needs to deliver public transport improvements so that families in the outer suburbs are provided with the choice to catch frequent, readily available and accessible public transport services”, Alex Makin Maroondah’s representative on the Eastern Transport Coalition said. “The Government must commit to these short-term priorities, including the much needed redevelopment of Ringwood Station into an accessible transport interchange, frequency improvements on the rail lines beyond Ringwood and substantial bus improvements.”

“If the State Government includes our short, medium and long term projects in the Metropolitan Transport Plan then we will eventually have all the public transport options we need to dramatically reduce congestion, to protect our families from rising fuel prices and to negate rising greenhouse gas emissions,” Cr Van De Vreede concluded.

The ETC’s plan which is available at www.etc.org.au includes the following suggestions;

• Upgrades to major public transport interchanges with an initial focus on Transit Cities such as Ringwood and Dandenong.
• Increased off peak frequency on Belgrave / Lilydale lines
• The immediate undertaking of full feasibility studies for Rail to Rowville and Doncaster and the duplication of the Belgrave/Lilydale rail lines.
• Bringing forward the SmartBus network so that it is complete by the end of 2009
• Bus routes into new and existing estates, including Warranwood and Canterbury Road between Ringwood and Box Hill
• Tram 75 extended to Knox City and Tram 48 extended to Doncaster
• Bus priority measures along Springvale Road, Stud Road, Cheltenham Road, Wellington Road, Doncaster Road, Hoddle Street and within the CBD
• Immediate extension of free early bird tickets to buses and trams

For media inquiries please contact Alex Makin on 0408 311 645

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