Month: August 2006

Delegates' Report: Community Update and Fair Public Transport Fares

Posted on by alex

Thank you, I will be tabling my written report but there are three items I wish to expand upon in further detail:

The first is Maroondah’s Scoot Wheel N Move initiative, which included a community update on Friday the 18th of August. Scoot Wheel N Move consists of three programs including an information booklet, mobility improvements to Eastland and an Accessibility Expo. These three programs aim to improve the awareness of accessibility issues surrounding forms of personal transport such as wheelchairs and motorised scooters. Scoot Wheel N Move operates in partnership with the community and I am pleased to state that all three programs are progressing extremely well. The Accessibility Expo, which is scheduled for December, is looking particularly impressive, as it will contain not just accessibility equipment suppliers but also a number of information sessions on mobility issues.

I also wish to take this opportunity to congratulate the Heatherdale Community Action Group on its recent incorporation and the holding of its first Annual General Meeting. I look forward to ongoing contact with the Group and its newly appointed committee.

The final element I wish to report on is the Eastern Transport Coalition and its meeting on the 17th of August. The ETC is a coalition of seven outer eastern councils including Maroondah that are united in demanding better public transport for the outer east.

While public transport service improvements are urgently required it is also necessary to look at the pricing structure to ensure that public transport is competitive with car travel. With the existence of zone three serving the sole purpose of taxing outer eastern public transport users councils are united in the call for reform of public transport fares.

The arbitrary nature of zones two and three means that Hurstbridge, which located in zone two, is located further away from the CBD than Ringwood or even Belgrave which in zone three.

This baseless boundary that places Ringwood in zone three is inconsistent with aims to encourage public transport usage within the Ringwood Transit City. Furthermore the fact that zone two ends at Heatherdale results in costly traffic congestion through the centre of Ringwood as people choose to park at Heatherdale Station (zone two). This results in unnatural and unnecessary demand for parking and adversely impacts the amenity of Heatherdale simply due to arbitrary zone boundaries.

This issue is in alignment with Maroondah’s Integrated Transport Strategy, which identified the need to adjust the zone three boundary, given the disincentive this creates for public transport travel and the financial burden it places on Maroondah residents.

For example as highlighted in Maroondah’s Integrated Transport Strategy a yearly public transport costs almost $2000 and zone three places an additional burden on eastern Melbourne that is not shared by the western and northern suburbs.

The Eastern Transport Coalition will be mounting a campaign on this issue over the coming months.

An Update on Scoot Wheel 'N' Move

Posted on by alex

Scoot Wheel ‘N’ Move is an initiative of Maroondah City Council to raise awareness of accessibility issues surrounding wheelchairs and motorised scooters. Scoot Wheel ‘N’ Move which is a partnership between members of the community and Maroondah City Council is organising three projects including an information booklet, mobility improvements within Eastland and an accessibility expo.

Today a progress report was provided for the general community on all three of the programs with council actively discussing potential mobility improvements to Eastland and other shopping areas.

The Accessibility Expo is scheduled for Tuesday the 5th of December at Federation Estate and will include a wealth of information on mobility within Maroondah including the usage of motorised scooters and wheelchairs.

Eastern Transport Coalition – Advocating for fair public transport fares

Posted on by alex

The Eastern Transport Coalition is a coalition of seven outer eastern councils that are united in demanding better public transport for the outer east.

While service improvements are urgently required it is also necessary to look at the pricing structure of public transport to ensure that it is competitive with car travel. With the existence of zone three serving the sole purpose of taxing outer eastern public transport users councils are united in the call for reform of public transport fares.

The arbitrary nature of zones two and three means that Hurstbridge, which located in zone two, is located further away from the CBD than Belgrave which in zone three. Likewise the baseless boundary which places Ringwood in zone three is inconsistent with aims to encourage public transport usage within the Ringwood Transit City and causes costly traffic congestion through the centre of Ringwood as people choose to park at Heatherdale Station (zone two) resulting in unnatural and unnecessary demand for parking simply due to arbitrary zone boundaries.

Rather than simply ignoring issues relating to the price of public transport fares the State Government must commit to reforming zone boundaries and deliver fair public transport fares.

MAV Transport and Infrastructure Advisory Group – Local Area Access Programs

Posted on by alex

The Municipal Association of Victoria’s (MAV) Transport and Infrastructure Advisory Group consists of councillors and representatives from Victoria’s councils to gain an insight into the transport and infrastructure needs across Melbourne and Victoria.

Today’s meeting including a presentation from the Department of Infrastructure (DOI) on funding available for Local Area Access Programs and the latest incarnation of TravelSmart.  The Local Area Access Program provides the opportunity for councils to request funding for infrastructure works that strengthen walking and community participation within a municipality.

During this meeting I raised the issues surrounding the lack of pedestrian guidelines during roadside construction works as mentioned during Maroondah’s Disability Forum. The MAV as the collective voice for local government in Victoria will pursue these issues further.

South East Transport Forum

Posted on by alex

Tonight I was invited to speak at a Transport Forum organised by candidates from the Liberal Party covering the electorates of Carrum, Bentleigh, Mordialloc, Clayton and Frankston in Melbourne’s south east.

My presentation covered the failings of the Bracks Government’s Transport and Liveability Statement and the ramifications this holds for Melbourne’s south east. People living in suburbs located beyond the tram and train network are simply being treated as second class citizens that must make do with bus services that fail to operate to the same level of service provided by Melbourne’s tram network.

Bus services across Melbourne require urgent reform so that all main roads throughout Melbourne are provided with a level of service and frequency that matches the tram network, frequency improvements also make it easier to ensure coordination with bus and train services.

Ultimately people cannot use public transport if no services are readily available. Melbourne’s outer suburbs and the south east deserve a level of service that operates at a 15 minute service frequency and through to midnight seven days a week.

With rising petrol prices the Victorian Opposition has an opportunity to deliver real public transport improvements such as reforming the bus network so that it operates as a coordinated component of Melbourne’s public transport system and not just as a collection of isolated routes.

The Bracks Government still has the opportunity to honour its past election promises such as the previously made pledge to deliver more express and off-peak services on the Frankston line. Unfortunately the Bracks Government has so far chosen to use each subsequent transport plan as a way of avoiding real improvements and reneging on previous commitments.

Melbourne’s south east is demanding better public transport and it is imperative for the financial and economic security of Melbourne that an alternative to car dependence is finally delivered.

Stop Montrose Quarry Expansion AGM

Posted on by alex

Stop Montrose Quarry Expansion is a non-profit community organisation that was formed in 2004 in response to stop the continued expansion of the Boral Montrose Quarry. The expansion of the quarry would mean further adverse health, amenity and noise impacts to residents and businesses that are close proximity to the site.

I was invited to speak and conduct the formal proceedings for the group’s AGM where I spoke about my community involvement within the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) as well my time as an elected councillor in prompting the use of the Health Act in relation to Southern Rocycling.

There is no greater reward that being able to empower a communityand I hope that STOP achieve great success over the next year.

Ringwood Croquet Club – Running of the First Hoop

Posted on by alex

Today marked the official opening of 2006-2007 Croquet Season for the Ringwood Croquet Club and upon invitation I was invited to run the first hoop and to speak to croquet club members.

Croquet traces its origins back to Ireland in the 1830s (source Wikipedia) and Maroondah is fortunate to have a croquet club located at Jubilee Park in Ringwood.  The Ringwood Croquet Club, which was formed in 1931, is still continuing strongly amid the celebrations of their 75th anniversary.

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a ward councillor is the ability to meet and speak to a wide variety of groups. While croquet has a lower profile than other sports such as football or cricket there is a keen community keen interest in the sport particularly in regard to the level of skill and strategy that is required.

I am certain that club members will have an enjoyable 2006-2007 season of Croquet.

Maroondah Young Leaders Presentation Night

Posted on by alex

The Maroondah Young Leaders provides leadership and personal development training for approximately 30 Year 10 students with the aim of developing confidence, leadership, team building skills for the participants.

Tonight I attended the Young Leaders Presentation Night, which includes speeches and short skits given by the course participants who spoke about the skills they learnt throughout the program. The students who all spoke with passion as well as the feedback provided by parents and teachers alike highlighted the immense benefits of the confidence-building program.

The participants of the Young Leaders Program must be commended for their participation and I wish them all the best as they enter VCE and beyond.

August meeting of the Croydon Conservation Society (CCS)

Posted on by alex

The Croydon Conservation Society (CCS) is Maroondah’s pre-eminent conservation society and encompasses a broad scope that seeks to protect and enhance the environment and amenity of Maroondah.

The Croydon Conservation Society for example has been actively involved in issues relating to graffiti within Maroondah and has submitted a number of comments and recommendations in regard to Maroondah’s draft illegal graffiti policy.

Tonight I attended the Croydon Conservation Society’s August general meeting to ensure I remain informed about environmental and amenity issues raised by the Society. A number of topics were discussed including the need to strengthen the protection of Maroondah’s sites of biological significance and the usage of chemicals in spraying weeds.

For further information on the Croydon Conservation Society please visit home.vicnet.net.au/~croycons.

MAV Melbourne 2030 Councillor Reference Group

Posted on by alex

The Melbourne 2030 Councillor Reference Group organised under the auspices of the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) provides the opportunity for councillors to collate and voice issues in relation to Melbourne 2030, the State Government’s Planning Framework and metropolitan strategy for the next 24 years.

Given the recently held Melbourne 2030 discussion forum the reference group focused on the feedback provided which will be collated to form a list of actions required for election commitments in the upcoming state election.

The MAV as the peak organisation representing local government within Victoria is well poised to adapt this feedback to form a call for action from the major political parties.