Month: February 2007

MAV Transport and Infrastructure Group (Federal Funding) – first meeting for 2007

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The MAV’s Transport and Infrastructure Advisory Group (TIAG) consists of councillors and council officers who are preparing a response to the infrastructure needs of Victoria within the context of this year’s Federal Election.

To enable this process the group is focusing on three specific areas, of which federal funding for sustainable transport is one of these categories. Only a national framework on urban sustainability will ensure that the improvement of the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of our cities.

Australia remains the only OECD nation where the Federal Government does not provide funding for public transport.

Federal Government programs, such as AusLink, which provide matching funding for road projects, need to be expanded in scope to include urban public transport infrastructure to ensure a holistic approach to the transport needs of our cities. Ensuring matching funding for such projects would also prevent State Governments from simply trying to shift their responsibilities onto the Federal Government.

Melbourne 2030 Urban Planning Reference Group

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The Melbourne 2030 Urban Planning Reference Group (formerly known as the Melbourne 2030 Councillor Reference Group) is a group consisting of Councillors and Council Officers that is developing a local government wide approach for the Melbourne 2030 audit.

Given that Melbourne 2030 has wide reaching ramifications for local councils it is imperative that the local government sector is actively involved in the audit process to provide a fair assessment of the progress of Melbourne 2030 against its stated objectives.

Currently the State Government has shifted too much of the burden onto local government, resulting in increased costs to councils, such as the time and money required to create structure plans for activity centres. The State Government must complement these activities through ensuring that it provides targeted investment for activity centres, such as funding the much needed redevelopment of Ringwood Station.

Media Release: Learn how to make worms useful

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Maroondah City Council is offering residents the opportunity to get up close and personal with an active worm farm, in order to learn how to manage one of these useful composting tools in their own home.

Councillor Alex Makin invites the community to a free worm farming and composting workshop on Saturday 3 March at Arrabri Community House, Bayswater North.

“This interactive workshop will let you touch and smell composting materials, show how an active worm farm works, and for a real hands on challenge you can even sort the worms from the worm castings!”said Cr Makin.

“The workshop will also provide participants with a range of tools and information to successfully set up and maintain their own compost bin or worm farm at home,” said Cr Makin.

The workshop is ideal for residents considering setting up a compost bin or worm farm, as well as for those who are already operating a composting system but would like some advice or ideas on maintaining healthy and effective systems.

“In Maroondah approximately half the waste of average households sent to landfill is organic. By learning how to compost and manage a worm farm, this waste can be removed from landfill and successfully reused in the garden at home,” said Cr Makin.

Home composting helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improves soil quality and provides excellent organic fertiliser for our gardens.

The workshop will be held on Saturday 3 March from 10am to 12pm at Arrabri Community House, Allambanan Drive, Bayswater North (Melways map 65 B1).

To register for this exciting free workshop please call Katie from EnviroCom on 9703 5214.

Heatherdale Community Action Group – first meeting for 2007

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The Heatherdale Community Action Group has resumed meeting for 2007 amid further civic disobedience from Southern Rocycling.

Maroondah City Council is pursuing these matters as well as conducting ongoing monitoring of Heatherdale Road. Southern Rocycling is facing court action on the 8th of March in regard to violations under the Health Act and Planning and Environment Act, furthermore the EPA is proceeding with a hearing currently scheduled for the 14th of March.

I urge the Heatherdale community to contact me should they be concerned about the activities of Southern Rocycling.

Maroondah Journal: On deaf ears

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Southern Rocycling has proceeded with concrete works on a residential block at 61 Heatherdale Road, which is leased from SPI PowerNet.

The Maroondah Journal has investigated these actions, amid Southern Rocycling disregarding abatement notices to cease the concreting works.

Loughnan’s Hill War Councillor Alex Makin said Southern Rocycling had to learn to cooperate with the community and follow the council’s guidelines.

He said the company could not do anything with the land as it was zoned residential.

Maroondah City Council has issued planning notices requiring Southern Rocycling to remove the concrete within 14 days. Failure to comply leaves open the possibility of further legal action against the company.

Ringwood Chamber of Commerce first meeting for 2007

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Tonight the Ringwood Chamber of Commerce held its first meeting for 2007. The meeting included an update from Maroondah City Council on projects such as the Ringwood Transit City and a presentation from New Water, a company based in Ringwood, which manufactures and installs products that reuse grey water, reducing household water consumption.

Unfortunately the adoption of water recycling is made difficult due to the lack of a clear regulatory framework. There are currently at least five authorities within Victoria that are required to be involved in the approval of water recycling systems and this differs between each state.

Given the need to conserve water it is imperative that there is consistency between regulations and a clear framework for the accreditation of acceptable technologies.

First Croydon Conservation Society meeting for 2007

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The Croydon Conservation Society (CCS) is Maroondah’s pre-eminent environmental and conservation society, covering issues such as urban sustainability, planning issues, graffiti management and the natural environment. I attended tonight’s committee meeting to gain an understanding of the issues relevant to the CCS in 2007.

The Croydon Conservation Society committee meets on a monthly basis to discuss planning, environmental and sustainability issues within Maroondah. For more information please visit http://home.vicnet.net.au/~croycons/.

Something for everyone at Maroondah Festival

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Excitement is building with just under a week to go before Croydon Park comes alive with a myriad of live entertainment and activities at the 2007 Maroondah Festival.

Councillor Alex Makin said this year’s Festival on Sunday 18 February is set to be bigger and better than ever.

“Maroondah Festival is a great day out for every member of the family. From live music to sports demonstrations, thrill rides to lifestyle and business exhibitions – there’s something for everyone to enjoy,” said Cr Makin.

“Be sure to visit the Eastland Main Stage where the entertainment begins from 10.00am,” said Cr Makin.

“Children can enjoy a live show of the children’s movie Over The Hedge, following the antics of the charismatic racoon, AJ, as he and his friends travel into suburbia in search of food,” said Cr Makin.

Also performing on the Eastland Main Stage will be Justin Murphy of Melbourne rock band Heavenscent, all-girl group Charmz, Code One Police Band, Croydon Concert Band, Swing Patrol, Maroondah Secondary College Band and The All In Line Dancers.

“At Kids Korner, families will find a whole area just for children, with entertainment, interactive activities, pony rides, an animal farm, amusement rides, entertainment and lots of yummy food,” said Cr Makin.

The Youth Precinct can be found on Springfield Park, and will be one of the most happening parts of the Festival. The Youth Stage will be rocked between 11.00am and 3.40pm by Redrum, The Scene Conspiracy, Beyond Mine, Forgiven Rival, Juliets End and Closure in Moscow. The headline act will take to the stage at 4.00pm. Described as one of the most exciting bands today, The Getaway Plan will close out a fabulous day of young music talent.

Over 80 businesses will be represented as part of the Health, Sport and Leisure Expo, Garden and Environment Expo, Lifestyle Expo, Homemaker Expo and the Gourmet Food Area.

“The local market area will also have a variety of handmade jewellery, clothing, toys, pottery, and trinkets for sale,” said Cr Makin.

The Maroondah Festival will be held on Sunday 18 February from 10am to 5pm. The fun day for all the family is at Croydon Park, Mt Dandenong Road, Croydon.

A free park and ride Festival shuttle bus service will operate from Eastfield Park in Eastfield Road, Croydon to the Festival site. Buses will run from 10am to 6pm and the trip only takes 5 minutes.

Find full program details by visiting www.maroondahfestival.com or contact the Maroondah City Council Festival hotline on 9294 5604.

– ENDS –

PTUA Southeast Branch sets the agenda for 2007

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The first Tuesday of February marked the first meeting of the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) South East for 2007.

The South East Branch is now a recognised branch of the PTUA with June Whitton appointed as a convenor. Being recognised as a formal branch the PTUA South East will be able to forge its own identity and clearly represents the needs and priorities of Melbourne’s south eastern residents.

Prominent among these priorities will be a campaign to restore staff to Noble Park and Hallam Stations and to improve rail and bus services within Melbourne’s fast growing south east. Public transport services are inadequate for current needs let alone to meet the projected growth that is to occur within this region of Melbourne.

The PTUA South East Branch will ensure that Melbourne’s south has a local and vocal presence in ensuring that much needed public transport services are delivered to this fast growing region.

Channel 7: Report on worsening traffic conditions

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This evening I was on Channel Seven news commenting on the need for public transport improvements to mitigate Melbourne’s worsening traffic congestion.

[flv]http://www.alexmakin.com.au/videos/20070226-ch7-traffic.flv[/flv]

Melbourne will continue to experience worsening traffic congestion until the State Government finally provides real transport choice in the form of frequent, readily available, reliable and safe public transport. Rail lines to South Morang, Rowville and Doncaster are urgently required as is upgraded bus services that are coordinated with Melbourne’s rail and tram networks.