Month: February 2006

VLGA Changes and Challenges Program

Posted on by alex

Over the last two days I attended the Victorian Local Governance Association’s (VLGA) Changes and Challenges Program.

This program, which included lectures from many renowned experts, provided an overview of Melbourne 2030 as well as information on the planning process, including methods of community participation.

The program provided invaluable information on how the planning system works and the association between State and Local Governments in regard to planning matters, I would recommend that all new councillors attend this free two day seminar.

Get on Track! Transport and Liveability: The Path to a Sustainable Victoria

Posted on by alex

The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) combined with Environment Victoria (EV), Friends of the Earth (FOE) and the Victorian Council of Social Services (VCOSS) have formed the Coalition for People’s Transport. The Coalition for People’s Transport is an alliance of community, social justice, environment, local government, disability and transport user groups and is committed to sustainable and equitable transport across Melbourne.

The launch of the Coalition for People’s Transport Get on Track! campaign occurred in Rowville amid renewed calls for the State Government to Get on Track and increase the investment into public transport.

The Coalition has released its own version of the Transport and Liveability to demand immediate public transport improvements from the State Government. This statement discusses some of the keys factors that will determine the liveability of Melbourne in the future.

MAV Melbourne 2030 Councillor Reference Group

Posted on by alex

Today as part of my delegated duties for Maroondah City Council I attended the Municipal Association of Victoria Melbourne 2030 Councillor Reference Group. The councillor reference group provides a forum to receive updates from State Government decisions and reviews that will affect local government as well as provide updates on Melbourne 2030.

The first meeting for 2006 focused on the planning permit streamlining process currently being undertaken by the State Government. The review is designed to investigate the streamlining of the planning permit process.

For further information visit the Department of Sustainability of Environment (DSE) website.

Southern Rocycling: operating hours

Posted on by alex

The continued disruptions caused by Southern Rocycling and the ill effects for residents has been raised in Parliament by Peter Lockwood, Member for Bayswater:

Mr LOCKWOOD (Bayswater) — I grieve this morning for residents who live in and around Heatherdale Road in Ringwood and Mitcham and their ongoing dispute with a local company, Southern Rocycling. The residents have formed the Heatherdale Road action group, ably led by Elwynne Kift and Dennis Burley. Southern Rocycling is a metal recycling company.

The nature of the dispute relates to noise and dust; what the residents call an horrendous barrage of noise and dust at all hours of the day and night. This has been going on for quite a few months, in fact the best part of a year. The residents are getting quite good support now from the local councils of Whitehorse and Maroondah, and their newly elected City of Maroondah councillor, Alex Makin, has taken the issue on board and is fighting hard for his local residents.

The residents see this as environmental vandalism. They have no problem with the business being in their area, but they do not want the endless noise and dust problems that seem to accompany the processing. They do not see why the business cannot operate within reasonable hours and let them get their sleep at night.

It becomes quite an issue when people cannot sleep night after night; so much so that they get out on their own in the wee hours of the morning taking photographs of the actions of the company in order to provoke authorities into doing something. Maroondah council is the appropriate authority in this case. Given that it is in an industrial zone, the activities of the company are quite okay; it is just the hours and the fact that the residential amenity needs to be protected.

Walking School Bus Petition

Posted on by alex

At the first council meeting for 2006 I presented a petition on behalf of residents calling for the restoration of funding for Walking School Bus.

I personally support the program and the aims of reducing traffic near schools and encouraging children to walk in a safe and friendly environment.

Reducing the number of cars on our road during school hours will help protect the safety of school children and avoid the constant traffic jams that occur during school hours. Furthermore with cases of obesity on the increase it is imperative that activites such as walking are encouraged.

I will keep residents informed on the progress of this petition. A report will need to prepared for council to re-consider the Walking School Bus program.

Maroondah Council approves action against Southern Rocycling

Posted on by alex

I am pleased to announce that at its first meeting of the year that I, and fellow councillors of Maroondah City Council, resolved to approve the criminal prosecution of Southern Rocycling over its delivery of pig iron steel in January 2006.

I realise that this noise has caused great distress to many residents and I would like to thank everyone that contacted me about these concerns. The official adoption of this motion seeking prosecution against Southern Rocycling will ensure a hearing before the Magistrate’s Court.

Prosecution will be sought for alleged breaches of the Health Act 1958 and as well as a separate prosecution under the Planning & Environment Act 1987 for Southern Rocycling’s alleged breaches of the Maroondah Planning Scheme.

I will provide further details once the hearing dates have been confirmed.

The Age: City car plan hits heavy traffic

Posted on by alex

Melbourne City Council has announced the release its draft transport strategy which will give priority to public transport and walking.

As reported in The Age the strategy recommends cutting speed limits to 40 km/h in the CBD and reducing road space for private cars to make way for cyclists and pedestrians.

Initiatives include:

  • containing the provision of new long term commuter parking spaces in the CBD;
  • calling for reduced off-peak charge on toll roads such as City link to spread peak hour demand;
  • calling for bus only lanes on Queen and Lonsdale Streets;
  • continued promotion of the successful TravelSmart and Green Travel Plans program;
  • offering city residents discounted public transport fares in return for relinquishing parking permits;
  • discounted public transport fares for city shoppers;
  • calling for infrastructure improvements to the City Loop rail tunnel such as signaling upgrades to improve capacity;
  • calling for a new Doncaster railway line;
  • protecting the municipality’s northern suburbs from the impact of increased traffic caused by the opening of Eastlink;
  • working with neighboring councils to ensure integrated transport routes and traffic management measures;
  • continue to work with transport operators to ensure that major events are well served with public transport services;
  • creating a city pedestrian network plan and opening up more laneways to pedestrian traffic;
  • allocating more road space to pedestrians and cyclists by installing wide pavements and bicycle lanes;
  • more end-of-trip bicycle facilities around the city;
  • giving trams priority at city intersections and creating tram only road lanes to improve the speed of service;
  • lowering city speed limits to 40kmh to improve pedestrian safety;
  • calling on Victoria Police and the State Government for better enforcement of road rules to target the behaviour of both cyclists and drivers;
  • further improvements to the connectivity of Melbourne’s cycling network;
  • reducing parking congestion in residential areas;
  • changes to the planning scheme to promote sustainable travel in new buildings and developments;
  • dedicated freight only rail lines for The of Port Melbourne;
  • buffer zones around freight handling areas to protect residential amenity; and
  • changes to building regulations to improve noise control.

Public Transport Users Association spokesman Alex Makin congratulated the council for its dramatic change of heart.