Month: February 2008

Maroondah Journal: Seniors all steamed up over theft of barbecue

Posted on by alex

The Maroondah Journal has reported on the callous theft of Enjoying Planned Retirement’s barbecue. The barbecue was dedicated to Ron Ginger, a former President and extremely dedicated EPR member, and included a commemorative plaque in recognition of his contribution.

Cr Alex Makin said the theft was disappointing. “It was a gift in memory of a now deceased member. I urge the person, or persons, who stole the barbecue to return it to its rightful owner”.

EPR is an extremely active club and provides a range of activities for Maroondah’s seniors, the barbecue was used extensively by the group and it deserves to be returned to its owners.

Delegates' Report: 2008 has begun

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Thank you, there are several events that I wish to comment upon to keep council and the community informed.

On the 24th of January I attended the first Eastern Transport Coalition meeting for 2008 as the delegated Maroondah representative. This meeting included a workshop to determine the ETC’s priorities for this year. The ETC has had a tremendous success over the past few years and Maroondah has been front and centre in the advocacy for public transport improvements. In 2006 the ETC successfully advocated for the abolition of zone three, saving outer eastern residents, including people in Maroondah up to a $1000 per annum. Last year the ETC was focused on the need for federal funding of urban public transport. While the Federal Government still has not accepted its role in the provision of urban public transport infrastructure; the calls for national leadership in urban sustainability are growing stronger, with the ETC joined by other transport and planning groups, the business community and the local governments across Australia.

This year the ETC will be focusing on both the Federal and State Governments, particularly since the Ringwood to Frankston SmartBus will begin operating in late March. This improvement, which will provide a fast, frequent and direct service between Ringwood, Knox, Dandenong and Frankston provides the ideal foundation for further public transport improvements.

The need for federal leadership in urban sustainability was recently conveyed in a recent Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) discussion on national priorities for transport. This forum, which was also attended by Cr. Naylor, expressed the need for a national transport strategy that encompasses people and freight across all modes, including public transport.

As the two well renowned speakers explained, Australia is currently unsustainable with the continued major road building not being economically viable or environmentally prudent. If Australia is serious about meeting greenhouse reduction targets we need Federal leadership to curb rising pollution due to the transport sector, the fastest growing source of greenhouse emissions.

On, the 12th of February I was invited to Enjoying Planned Retirement’s bocce afternoon. EPR organises a number of activities and provides bocce and a barbecue at Norwood Park in Ringwood North, every second and fourth Tuesday from January through to March. Unfortunately the occasion was marred by the theft of EPR’s barbecue. It is dismaying that someone would choose to steal from one of our community groups, particularly since the barbecue was dedicated to Ron Ginger, a former President and committed EPR member who unfortunately passed away a few years ago. While EPR, in their typical jovial fashion, made the best of the afternoon it is disappointing that this theft occurred.

On a lighter note, I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the many community stall holders and the dedicated council staff at Sunday’s Maroondah Festival. I did not receive a single negative comment about this year’s festival and council staff must be commended for organising such an awesome event.

Maroondah Tourism and Heritage Advisory Board

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The Maroondah Tourism and Heritage Advisory Board meets every two months to discuss matters relating to the culture and heritage of Maroondah. The advisory board includes members of the community, including representatives from the Ringwood and Croydon Historical Societies as well as members interested in Maroondah’s culture and heritage.

Items for discussions this year include augmenting Maroondah’s existing website with content to provide a tourism and heritage focus.

I am one of three councillor delegates on the Maroondah Tourism and Heritage Advisory Board for 2008.

Attending the 2008 Maroondah Festival

Posted on by alex

This afternoon, after my presentation at the Sustainable Living Festival, I attended the 2008 Maroondah Festival to visit the many community groups that were on display. Fortunately the weather was slightly cooler than last year’s 40 degree heat and community groups were located at the forefront of the festival.

The Youth Stage was also well patronised with acts such as The Living End keeping crowds entertained. The community groups and the many volunteers and staff that contributed to the festival must be congratulated for their efforts.

Activating Communities: Communities for Public Transport at the Sustainable Living Festival

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Melbourne’s Sustainable Living Festival, held at Federation Square, is Victoria’s premiere festival celebrating and promoting urban sustainability.

As part of the proceedings, I delivered a presentation on the aims of Communities for Public Transport and the need for grassroots advocacy for public transport improvements. Ultimately a lack of public transport affects local communities, through failure to deliver the necessary infrastructure to ensure urban sustainability.

The lack of public transport infrastructure within the growth areas of Melbourne, such as South Morang, Werribee, Cranbourne and Pakenham, is a major concern since until these areas are provided with the necessary public transport improvements, Mellbourne will always face a losing battle in regard to sustainability.

It is inexcusable for the State Govenrment to deprive growth areas of public transport, given the widely acknowledged costs of congestion, social isolation and greenhouse emissions. A lack of public transport ultimately affects all of Melbourne, with cars from the outer suburbs flooding inner city roads. As a result local communities right across Melbourne need to find their voice to ensure action from all levels of government.

CEDA Transport Infrastructure: National Priorities

Posted on by alex

In between my new role at Mycause, I attended a Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) discussion on transport infrastructure.

The program included two guest speakers, Eric Keys, Principal of the consultants Booz Allen Hamilton and Nick Dimopoloulos, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Transport Commission. Both speakers discussed the need for an integrated and national approach to transport through federal leadership in the creation of a strategy that looks across all transport modes and incorporates freight and passenger movements with a nationwide perspective.

While the Federal Government has created Infrastructure Australia to examine transport bottlenecks, there is still a failure to recognise the need for federal leadership in regard to public transport infrastructure. This despite the economic and inflationary repercussions of congestion, the negative impacts on housing affordability due to a lack of infrastructure and the greenhouse emissions caused by car dependency.

A national transport strategy followed by the availability of Federal funding for public transport infrastructure is urgently required to ensure the future sustainability of not just our local communities but of the entire country.

Online fundraising for charities through Mycause

Posted on by alex

One of the challenges of being a local Councillor is the need to balance a career with council duties. While in terms of time commitment the role may lean itself to a full-time position, the reality is that the current council allowances are insufficient without being augmented by another income.

This is particularly challenging for younger councillors who are often at the beginning of their careers and need to juggle work and council commitments. Unfortunately this appears to be one of the reasons why younger people are severely underrepresented within local government.

I have recently accepted a marketing position at MyCause to assist in establishing partnerships with the non-profit sector and to raise community awareness about on-line fundraising and charitable events.

The Internet presents a number of opportunities for the community and non-profit sector, through allowing these organisations to directly reach people through the use of websites, emails and other technologies. While over two-thirds of Australians have some form of Internet access, Australian organisations have been relatively slow in realising the potential of the Internet, particularly when compared to European countries or the US.

This role at Mycause will allow me to merge my marketing career with my interest in the non-profit and community sectors. For more information on Mycause please visit www.mycause.com.au.

Croydon Conservation Society first meeting for 2008

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The Croydon Conservation Society (CCS) has resumed its committee meetings for 2008. Tonight’s meeting discussed urban sustainability and the recent tour of the CERES environment park. The CCS is one of Maroondah’s most renowned conservation groups and its input into Amendment C58, which covered the Ringwood Transit City, has helped strengthen Maroondah’s ability to encourage urban sustainability.

Amendment C58 allows Council to encourage sustainable water, energy and transport designs, reducing the carbon footprint of new developments and thus improving the urban sustainability of the Ringwood Transit City.

The Croydon Conservation Society meets every second Tuesday in Croydon. For further details please visit http://home.vicnet.net.au/~croycons.

Melbourne 2030 Reference Group

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The Melbourne 2030 Reference Group provides a forum for councils to discuss the State Government’s Melbourne 2030 planning policy and its ramifications for local government. The group has focused on activity centre development, public transport and sustainability to ensure that local councils are empowered and supported by the State Government in the aim of creating sustainable communities.

Ultimately the State Government must lead by example and implement its own planning policies. Ringwood, where Maroondah Council has been advocating for an upgrade of Ringwood Station, is an example of where State Government commitment is required to ensure the creation of a vibrant and sustainable urban community. While Maroondah has been strengthening its planning schemes to encourage sustainable urban design, these efforts will be difficult without a newly redeveloped Ringwood Station or a stronger statewide emphasis on accessible and sustainable urban design.

The Melbourne 2030 Reference Group provides an avenue to discuss these concerns and to seek improvements into the implementation of Melbourne 2030. I have been Maroondah’s delegated representative to this committee since being elected in November 2005.

Media Release: Visit one of these sites for Clean Up Australia Day

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Spend an hour or two at one of the registered Clean Up Australia Day sites in the City of Maroondah and help to ‘Clean up Maroondah’ on Clean Up Australia Day, Sunday 2 March.

Councillor Alex Makin said Council and community coordinators would gladly welcome extra pairs of hands on the day.

“Maroondah City Council has nominated the HE Parker Reserve in Heathmont as the clean up site for residents who wish to help make their local environment more attractive on Clean Up Australia Day,” said Cr Makin.

“If you’re able to help, then we will look forward to seeing you between 10.00 and 12noon,” said Cr Makin. “Volunteers can then stay for a barbeque and fun family ‘Know your parks’ afternoon.”

“Helpers are asked to maximise their safety when participating by wearing sturdy footwear, gloves, sunscreen and a hat and by bringing refreshments and a rubbish bag or bucket,” said Cr Makin.

The community can meet Council officers at HE Parker Reserve, Heathmont Road, Heathmont (Melways Map 64 C2) at the cricket pavilion.

Other community registered clean up sites open to the public are:

  • Ringwood Lake (Melways Map 49 J8). Meet at the pergola in the middle of the lake bridge from 10.00am to 12noon.
  • Ringwood Lake. Meet at the Scout Hall in Bedford Park (Melways Map 49 J8) from 11.30am to 1pm.
  • Dandenong Creek. Meet at the footbridge at the end of Marlborough Road, Heathmont (Melways Map 63 H3) from 9am to 12noon.

Please check the Clean Up Australia website for more registered locations prior to Clean Up Australia Day. Alternatively, groups can register their own site on the Clean Up Australia website.

“The Maroondah community gets behind Clean Up Australia Day every year and we value the many volunteers who keep coming back to help clean up our parks, reserves and roadsides. It would be great to see new faces this year helping to make our community even more enjoyable to live in – you’ll be warmly welcomed,” said Cr Makin.

Students and teachers can also become involved in Schools Clean Up Day on Friday 29 February or employees can join Business Clean Up Day on Tuesday 26 February.

For further information or to register your involvement call either Clean Up Australia on 1800 282 329 or Council’s Strategic Planning & Sustainability Unit on 1300 88 22 33.

Visit the Clean Up Australia website at www.cleanup.com.au.