Month: May 2006

Maroondah Leader: Tolls certain after Libs do backflip

Posted on by alex

The Maroondah Leader has reported that tolls are now a certainty on EastLink given that the State Opposition, Victorian Liberal Party has dropped its unsustainable ‘half-tolls’ policy.

Ted Baillieu should be congratulated for scrapping an unsustainable and costly policy:

He said subsidising tolls for the first six years after EastLink opened was a short-term solution to a long-term problem.

“We want to address these issues (of roads and public transport),” Mr Baillieu said. “The reality is we are looking forward.”

The removal of the half-tolls policy provides the Opposition with the opportunity to focus on resolving the public transport issues facing eastern Melbourne and to commit itself to actually funding the many broken public transport promises left by the Bracks Government:

Public Transport Users Association spokesman Alex Makin said the State Government had broken commitments to public transport and the Opposition could provide a “viable alternative” by supporting public transport projects such as upgrading Ringwood railway station and extending bus and tram services.

“With petrol prices continuing to increase it’s widely appreciated that public transport has to improve,” Mr Makin said.

Given that petrol prices are continually increasing the State Opposition must pledge to deliver the public transport promises that were so readily broken by the Bracks Government.

Ringwood Skate Park

Posted on by alex

Work is progressing on the Ringwood Skate Park, with the first turning of the sod held today. The Ringwood Skate Park to be built along Seymour Street near the Ringwood Market will provide skating and BMX entertainment and will a welcomed addition to the heart of Ringwood.

With the Skate Park being located close to public transport and local shops the youth of Maroondah will finally have an accessible and centrally located area for entertainment. Construction of the Ringwood Skate Park is expected to be complete by the end of July.

UPDATE: The Ringwood Skate Park was officially opened on the 2nd of September 2006

Eastern Volunteers Resource Centre: National Volunteers Week

Posted on by alex

This morning I had the pleasure of attending the Eastern Volunteers Resource Centre (EVRC) National Volunteer Week celebrations held at Federation Estate in Ringwood.

The Eastern Volunteers Resource Centre was formed in 1976 and is a non-profit organisation which provides training to volunteers and support for people in need within Maroondah and Whitehorse and the Yarra Ranges.

It was wonderful to see in excess of thirty volunteers partaking and enjoying the festivities. The importance of volunteers within our community can never be underestimated. While one-off events like the Commonwealth Games may highlight the enormous contribution made by volunteers it is the continued efforts and contributions of ongoing volunteers that make a long-lasting improvement to our community.

Many organisations and managing committees speak of the difficulty in recruiting new volunteers which can create significant difficulties in ensuring their continued growth and provision of services. It is imperative that as a community we involve ourselves within our society and relish the opportunity to volunteer our time and services for worthy causes.

The EVRC will shortly be celebrating its 30th birthday and while the next 30 years will no doubt present many challenges it will be the strength of the organisation and its volunteers that will see it continue forward.

For more information on the Eastern Volunteers Resource Centre (EVRC) please visit www.easternvolunteers.org.au.

The Age: Libs told to do better

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Amid news of a new leader for the Victorian Liberal Party, the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has challenged the State Opposition to focus on the issue of sustainable transport instead of condemning Melbourne to unsustainable and costly car dependence.

The Age has reported on the PTUA’s call for these policies to be revised:

Association spokesman Alex Makin said the Liberals must revise transport commitments and drop ideas such as half tolls on EastLink and more road tunnels.

Since entering government in 1999 the Bracks Government has delivered very little for public transport. Despite making endless promises towards train and tram extensions and much needed bus improvements, very little has actually been delivered.

The Bracks Government has broken or radically diminished many of its’ promises. It is therefore up to the Opposition to provide a genuine alternative.

Continue reading “The Age: Libs told to do better”

Maroondah Journal: MP hints at upgrade

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Residents of Maroondah are continuing to wait in anticipation over a potential state government announcement in regard to the re-development of Ringwood Station.

The Maroondah Journal has reported that local Bayswater MP, Peter Lockwood is urging residents to ‘watch this space’ although no announcement has been forthcoming.

Public Transport Users Association spokesman and Maroondah councillor Alex Makin said it was time the Government “œstopped talking and started acting.”

While the State Government has provided $197 million towards the Dandenong Transit City, the Ringwood Transit City remains almost in a state of paralysis while the community waits to see whether the State Government will actually pledge to redevelop Ringwood Station by 2008.

“The government has leaked out information about Dandenong but remains silent over Ringwood. Residents have a right to be concerned.”

“The Government seems to be turning a blind eye to us time and time again.”

With the Transport and Liveability Statement expected in mid May it is imperative that the State Government pledges to redevelop Ringwood Station by 2008. The current station fails disability access requirements and is perceived to be dark and unsafe.

It is time for State Government action and a commitment towards the Ringwood Transit City.