Posts related to 'walking'

Maroondah Climate Change Action Group - Questions regarding climate change

Published by Alex Makin on Wednesday 5th of November, 2008

The Maroondah Climate Change Action Group has sent a questionnaire to all council candidates to confirm their views on climate change. The questions and my responses were as follows:

1. Do you support Maroondah Council:-
a. becoming carbon neutral by 2012?
1a. Yes, I do support council becoming carbon neutral by 2012 but it is critical that council achieves this target through reducing its energy usage and not by merely offsetting its emissions.

b. informing residents and businesses of practical ways to reduce their carbon footprint
b. I certainly agree that council needs to be an environmental leader and educate the community on steps to reduce carbon emissions and increase urban sustainability. I also believe that council must lead by example through using public transport, cycling and walking rather than its car fleet.

2. In what ways do you see the Maroondah Council supporting environmental sustainability?
2. Council needs to undertake community education programs while also reducing its own emissions. Council needs to supplement its energy fund so that it can meet a 2012 target and also reduce its dependence on car based transport. Councils such as Knox provide council Metcards to encourage public transport usage, given that Maroondah is better served by public transport than Knox it could be easily be done here.

Likewise Council needs to advocate for better public transport to build on the removal of zone three fares, through campaigning for an accessible and safe Ringwood Station and better bus services.

Footpaths and cycling paths are also required to encourage walking and cycling.

Likewise council needs to ensure a higher standard of development that meets urban sustainability guidelines. This is particularly important given the Eastland redevelopment.

3. How highly do you place the priority of climate change as an issue to be dealt with by the Maroondah Council?
3. I view climate change and sustainability, alongside accountability and accessibility, as the top three priorities for council. I have been a long committed environmental and public transport advocate and I certainly plan to continue this.

4. Are you attending the Eastern Region Climate Forum on the 18th Nov?
4. Yes I will be attending the forum.

Maroondah Business Week 2008 - Sustain and Grow your Business

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 21st of October, 2008

Monday, 27 October 2008
9:30 am	to	2:00 pm
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
10:00 am	to	5:00 pm
Wednesday, 29 October 2008
7:00 am	to	7:30 pm
Thursday, 30 October 2008
9:00 am	to	11:00 am
6:00 pm	to	9:00 pm
Friday, 31 October 2008
9:00 am	to	11:00 am
5:30 pm	to	7:30 pm

Maroondah Business Week will run from from October 27-31 with the theme of Grow and Sustain Your Business.

Highlights include presentations from Sigrid Thornton at the Eastland Women in Business Lunch to be held on Monday the 27th of October, David Parkin at the NAB Business Breakfast on Wednesday the 29th of October and Jen Harwood who is returning to hold a business networking event.

Topics include access to finance, getting started in small business, time management skills and developing a web presence. An information session will also be held on transforming walkers into shoppers, an important topic given the effects that rising petrol prices have had in encouraging sustainable transport, such as walking.

Business Week concludes with the QIC Cocktail Function on Friday the 31st of October, which will welcome new businesses and celebrate businesses that have been operating for more than 30 years within Maroondah.

For more information on Maroondah Business Week please visit www.bizmaroondah.com.au

Maroondah Movement for Reconciliation Meeting

Published by Alex Makin on Monday 13th of October, 2008

This evening, after a meeting at Maroondah Council, Cr. Jo-anne Taylor and I attended a Maroondah Movement for Reconciliation (MMR) meeting.

Maroondah Movement for Reconciliation is one of two local groups that aim to raise awareness about Indigenous communities and culture. Tonight’s meeting included a presentation from the Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place to discuss the aims of the organisation.

The Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place is committed to the social, cultural and economic development of the Indigenous community. The Gathering Place operates on a community house based model and provides early childhood, youth, elderly, women’s and men’s programs.

The Gathering Place has recently leased a building at 47 Patterson Street in Ringwood East. In 2004 Wurundjeri Elder, Aunty Joy Murphy-Wandin named the property and its community Djerrnong, which means “many feet walking together”.

The name describes the journey that this community is undertaking to purchase Djerrnong to provide a permanent meeting place for Indigenous communities and to promote cultural understanding and respect.

For further details on the Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place please visit www.mmigp.org.au.

Media Release: Enjoy a walk to fitness

Published by Alex Makin on Wednesday 24th of September, 2008

During the month of October, Maroondah City Council is encouraging the community to get out and get active during the annual Walking to Fitness month.

Councillor Alex Makin said this initiative targets all Maroondah residents, providing a calendar of walks throughout the month that caters for a wide range of interests and capabilities.

“A range of different walks are on offer throughout the month, including pram walks, bush walks, historical walks, and all-abilities walks,” said Cr Makin.

“Walking is a safe, cheap and easy way to get exercise and a great way to get to know members of your local community as well as the Maroondah area,” said Cr Makin.

People who walk regularly tend to feel more confident, happy and relaxed. They also control their weight better, have stronger bones and greater flexibility, have lower blood pressure and reduce the risk factors for developing heart disease and diabetes.

Copies of the schedule of walks can be obtained from Council’s Service Centres or Ringwood and Croydon libraries.

The schedule of walks can also be found online at Council’s website www.maroondah.vic.gov.au

“If you’d like to explore Maroondah further on foot or by bicycle, then there are two booklets, produced by Council, that offer plenty of suggestions and advice,” said Cr Makin.

Maroondah’s Parks and Paths brochure has a large scale map detailing walking and cycling paths throughout the city, with information on parks and facilities along the way.

Maroondah’s Walks and Trails brochure has information on twelve specific walks and trails throughout the city, providing information on level of difficulty, access, distance and time, as well as facilities and detailed walking maps.

Both brochures are available from Council’s Service Centres or call Council on 1300 88 22 33 or visit www.maroondah.vic.gov.au.

Heatherdale Community Action Group: 2008 AGM

Published by Alex Makin on Wednesday 10th of September, 2008

Tonight marked the second Annual General Meeting for the Heatherdale Community Action Group (HCAG). The group, aims to enhance and protect the amenity Heatherdale, a locality that is split between Maroondah and Whitehorse Councils.

One of the most pressing issues is the ongoing noise complaints within the Heatherdale area. In this regard Maroondah Council has led two successful prosecutions in regard to noise issues and the EPA has issued a pollution abatement notice to CMA Recycling (Victoria) and is also aware of air quality concerns.

The action group has also been successful in establishing an ongoing interest in the Heatherdale community and has held two barbeques at Heatherdale Station, including one to mark the 50th anniversary of the station’s opening. The group collaborated with Connex and Invicta Bus Services to organise the event, which included primary school students singing happy birthday to the station.

In addition Maroondah Council is undertaking works at the Heatherdale Reserve, near the Dandenong Creek, in consultation with members of HCAG. These works will help improve the Dandenong Creek Trail and provide additional walking and cycling paths for the community.

It is great to see the Heatherdale Community Action Group continuing strongly a year after its incorporation. The group has successfully engaged its community and helped achieve positive changes for Heatherdale.