Month: January 2007

Herald-Sun: Delays are off the rails

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During January, as people return to work and international events such as the Australian Open are hosted in Melbourne, rail passengers have had to endure some of the worst levels of rail services across the metropolitan rail network, with one in 25 services being cancelled and a number of severe delays.

The Sunday Herald-Sun has reported on the ongoing litany of excuses provided by Connex as it continually fails to lift its languishing performance standards:

Connex blames weather, brake problems, vandalism and drivers being required on trains beyond the Middleborough Rd rail underpass project at Box Hill.

Unfortunately there appears to be little relief in sight, as passengers and tourists reliant on Melbourne’s public transport system, need to contend with both summer timetable cutbacks and a poor level of service.

Public Transport Users’ Association spokesman Alex Makin said Connex and the State Government were short-changing commuters.

“It has been an ongoing saga on reliability,” he said. “Connex seems to pick one excuse after the other.”

Ultimately the State Government must take responsibility for the failings of Connex and for failing to ensure that adequate backup systems (such as backup trains and backup communication systems) are available during times of disruption.

The State Government neglect is demonstrated by the fact that the backup system for Metrol, the central control centre for Melbourne’s rail network, was salvaged for spare parts due to the archaic nature of the existing system.

The Age: City of lost, delayed trains

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The Sunday Age has exposed the extent of the State Government’s neglect of Melbourne’s rail network, over the failure to replace the aging Metrol communication system with a system that can ensure safe and efficient movement of Melbourne’s trains.

MELBOURNE’S rail operator Connex can pinpoint the location of trains on as little as 10 per cent of its network, The Sunday Age has found.

The 25 year old Metrol system, provides visibility for little more than Melbourne’s city loop, meaning that the rest of Melbourne’s rail network is dependent on even older and less-efficient signalling and radio technologies.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) called for an overhaul of the suburban rail system after a passenger train crashed into a stationary V/Line train at the then Spencer Street Station in February 2003.

The former Minister for Transport Peter Batchelor scrapped an promised upgrade of Metrol in 2003, only to relaunch the promise of an upgrade last year.

Commuter groups say an upgrade could double the number of suburban trains using city stations in peak hours. The failure to do so slows trains on a network that averages 87 delays a day, they say.

A comprehensive and holistic signalling and communications upgrade through the replacement of Metrol with a metropolitan wide system would provide an instant capacity boost along Melbourne’s rail network, without the need for costly infrastructure such as the proposed third track to Dandenong.

Public Transport Users Association spokesman Alex Makin said the current “archaic” system “can’t track where most of the trains go”. Now, suburban trains needed two to three minutes “headway”. With a fully computerised and integrated system, Mr Makin said, “you would be able to operate with a 60-second headway like what generally happens in Perth and Sydney. This would effectively allow twice as many trains during peak hour”.

While the Victorian State Government would rather mismanage public transport projects, ALP Government’s in both Western Australia and New South Wales have dramatically upgraded their metropolitan rail signalling systems.

The fact that Melbourne is still reliant of a 25 year old communications system is further evidence that the former Minister for Transport did little other than neglect the public transport portfolio. The State Government is running of out of excuses to rectify these mistakes.

Media Release: Summer Timetables Lack Consistency

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Due to an oddity in the former National Bus contracts, Maroondah residents are particularly hard-hit by summer timetables that result in half services being cut back to an hour:

MEDIA RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
Wednesday, 17 January 2007

Summer Timetables lack Consistency

The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has called for a permanent end to Summer’ service cutbacks and consistent timetables throughout the summer period.

“There is currently no consistency between the summer timetables used on the train and tram network and the summer timetables used for buses”, said PTUA Vice-President Alex Makin. “In addition the detrimental service cutbacks experienced on buses means that an already poor service becomes, in effect, unusable.”

While other bus operators generally operate a summer holiday timetable on just Christmas Day, Ventura owned National Bus Company, the main operator within Maroondah, operates a Summer Holiday Timetable for most of January, due to differing contractual standards.

“Since all metropolitan bus contracts will be renewed this is year it is imperative that the State Government removes the use of detrimental summer holiday timetables”, said Mr. Makin. “Current arrangements simply make it difficult for Maroondah residents to use public transport.”

While Melbourne’s train and tram network also operate on an altered timetable, generally only peak hour services are affected. The summer bus timetable experienced in Maroondah on National Bus routes roughly cuts off-peak services by 50%, meaning that a 30-minute service becomes hourly.

“While demand for travel to educational facilities and employment may decrease over the summer period, demand for recreational travel, particularly for students on holidays, increases. Cutbacks to already poor bus services simply creates social isolation and hampers the ability for students to seek part-time work or to enjoy their summer holidays”, concluded Mr. Makin.

About the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA):
Founded in 1976, the PTUA is the recognised consumer organisation representing passengers of public transport. The PTUA is a non-profit, voluntary organisation with no political affiliation, which lobbies governments and public transport authorities in the interest of all users of public transport.

ALL MEDIA COMMENTS: ALEX MAKIN ON 0409 136 213
– ENDS –

Media Release: A Bonus for Businesses

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A number of fundamental business elements all working in unison is the key to a successful company, and many would agree that an enthusiastic team of employees who know how to sell is also an imperative ingredient for such success.

Maroondah City Council is kicking off 2007’s business training workshops with a great session, Hiring Sales People Who Can Sell on Tuesday 6 February.

Councillor Alex Makin said the training workshops offer a great forum for business people to pick up new ideas while networking with their peers.

“The New Year brings exciting presenters with a vast range of specialised topics and advice. Our workshops are not only for new business owners, experienced business people can also benefit greatly,” said Cr Makin.

“This training session will be led by Sue Barrett, a successful and accomplished business owner. Sue will give insight into important questions such as ‘How many sales can be made?’ ‘How soon will it happen?’ and ‘How much will it cost to get that performance out of them?’,” said Cr Makin.

Sue began her own business, Barrett Services, in 1995. The company now leads research into effective sales performance within Australia.

“A proud member of the Business Women’s Hall of Fame, Sue is also a winner of a Telstra & Victorian Government Small Business Award. She has also been a finalist in the 1998 and 2001 Telstra Business Women of the Year Awards,” said Cr Makin.

The cost to attend Hiring Sales People Who Can Sell is $20 per person. The session will run from 9am to 11am with morning tea provided at the Maroondah City Council’s Economic Development offices, located at 43 Ringwood Street, Ringwood.

To make a booking visit www.bizmaroondah.com.au or contact Council’s Economic Development Team on 9298 4320.

2007 Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee

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The Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee includes representation from a number of different service agencies to improve the collaboration and networking amongst organisations involved in the health and safety of the Maroondah community.

There are two councillors included on the committee. For the 2007 year the councillor representatives are Cr. Jo-anne Taylor and myself.

2007 Maroondah Tourism and Heritage Advisory Board

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The Maroondah Tourism and Heritage Advisory Board serves to promote the culture and heritage of Maroondah. The board meets every two months and includes members from the community to serve as an advisory board on the matters relating to tourism, culture and heritage.

I am one of four councillor delegates on the Maroondah Tourism and Heritage Advisory Board for 2007.

Opening the Ringwood Art Society 40th Anniversary: Artist of the Year Exhibition

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Tonight I had the pleasure of opening the Ringwood Art Society Artist of the Year Exhibition. My opening was as follows:

It gives me great pleasure to open The Ringwood Art Society’s Artist of the Year Exhibition.

With over 260 members, the Society is well regarded as one of Victoria’s largest art societies. Maroondah Council recognizes the important contribution the Ringwood Art Society makes to the vibrancy and culture of Maroondah and we are absolutely delighted to present the work of its talented members, here at our very own Maroondah Art Gallery.

Tonight’s exhibition is especially significant, as it marks the Society’s 40th year of operation. Since its establishment in 1966, the continuing strength of the Society is a clear testament to the dedication of its members and management committee. As both an arts organization and a ‘not for profit’ body, the Society’s capacity to service its members through its art classes and outdoor painting excursions is extremely impressive and it reflects the ongoing passion, dedication and commitment of all those involved.

Maroondah has an immense cultural offering and while many people often go to the inner suburbs of Melbourne to seek art and culture, they can find great cultural value, great artists and great exhibitions here in Maroondah. The longevity of the Ringwood Art Society is a true reflection of just how much culture and artistic pride exists within our very own City of Maroondah.

The Artist of the Year exhibition features work by approximately twenty selected artists, each represented by an outdoor scene, a still life and portrait work. Produced in an array of mediums, including oil, acrylic, watercolour and pencil, the works reveal the breadth of talent to be found in the Ringwood Art Society. To mention just one example of outstanding artistic achievement, we look no further than the work of the 2005 Artist of the Year, Barbara Beasley Southgate. Her work, ‘Country Life, Daylesford’ is a striking pastel scene, which is on show at the entrance of the main gallery space. Since its development in the 15th Century, pastel has been especially favored by artists; nonetheless, it requires a considerable degree of patience and mastery, as we see in Barbara’s landscape scene.

Members of the Ringwood Art Society are eligible to cast their vote for the Artist of the Year, based on the three works submitted by each entrant, as well as voting for the Most Popular Painting. Members of the public are also eligible to cast their vote in the people’s choice award. Voting slips and ballot boxes can be found at the Gallery counter and winners will be announced at the Society’s annual general meeting, which is scheduled for next month in February.

Before I open the exhibition I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Heidi Victoria, Member for Bayswater and Jan Kronberg, Member for Eastern Metropolitan Region.

2007 Maroondah Festival

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The Maroondah Festival is an annual community event with numerous attractions including a lifestyle precinct, youth precinct, a community expo and a large gourmet food area.

The 2007 Maroondah Festival will be held on Sunday the 18th of February from 10am to 5pm at Croydon Park.

For more information please visit www.maroondahfestival.com.

Ringwood Art Society 40th Anniversary Artist of the Year – Maroondah Federation Estate

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The Ringwood Society was formed in 1966 and is well regarded as one of Victoria’s oldest art societies. The Artist of the Year Exhibition is an annual event organised by the Ringwood Arts Society and hosted by Maroondah Federation Estate.

This year marks the Ringwood Art Society’s 40th anniversary, and the Artist of the Year Exhibition will be held at the Maroondah Art Gallery from 12 to 20 January.

For further details: Maroondah Federation Estate, 32 Greenwood Avenue Ringwood or contact 9298 4545.

Media Release: Ringwood Art Society celebrates 40th anniversary

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The Ringwood Art Society 40th Anniversary Artist of the Year Exhibition will be held at the Maroondah Art Gallery from 12 to 20 January.

Councillor Alex Makin said the exhibition will feature works by up to forty outstanding artists from the Ringwood Art Society.

“Established in 1966, the Ringwood Art Society is celebrating its 40th anniversary and with nearly 260 members, the Society is one of Melbourne’s oldest and largest artistic organisations,” said Cr Makin.

The Ringwood Art Society is a community ‘not for profit’ organisation and all administration and duties associated with the Society are carried out voluntarily by their members.

“To learn more about the Ringwood Art Society, or if you are interested in purchasing works, visit the Maroondah Art Gallery at Maroondah Federation Estate, during the exhibition period,” said Cr Makin.

The Ringwood Art Society 40th Anniversary Artist of the Year exhibition opens on Friday 12 January at 7.30pm.

Maroondah Art Gallery is located at Maroondah Federation Estate, 32 Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood. Opening hours are Tuesday to Friday, from 10am to 4pm and Saturday from 12pm to 4pm. For further details telephone 9298 4545.