Month: June 2008

Public Transport Summit – It's Time to Move On

Posted on by alex

You are invited to attend a Public Transport Summit on Friday 4 July at Manningham City Council Offices, Doncaster.

Hosted by the Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC), the Summit will draw together local residents, leaders and transport advocates to discuss improving public transport in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

Keynote speaker will be Professor Peter Newman, Professor of Sustainability, Curtin University. Professor Newman is a renowned West Australian academic and planner who is credited with coining the term ‘automobile dependence’ — an expression describing the creation of cities reliant on cars.

The Summit will also hear from Professor Graham Currie, Monash University Chair of Public Transport and Peter Daly, Chief Engineer from the RACV.

In addition I will be speaking about the role of Ringwood and its importance as an accessible regional centre which requires a comprehensive public transport system complete with the redevelopment of Ringwood Station and duplications along the Belgrave and Lilydale rail lines.

For further details and to RSVP please visit the ETC public transport summit web site.

EastLink Open Day

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After the Ringwood Spiders Game I attended the EastLink Open Day and walked through both of the tunnels. While there is no doubt that EastLink is an impressive project, it is a shame that the Government neglected the opportunity to substantially invest in public transport as part of the road project.

It is common practice in Perth to build new rail lines in tandem with freeway projects, providing an integrated approach and transport choice for the community. While the EastLink project will provide a continuous cycling and walking trail, public transport improvements were limited to amenity and car parking upgrades to stations such as Heatherdale.

In an era of rising petrol prices the role and need for public transport is only going to increase. It therefore makes sense to invest in public transport in tandem with road projects. Projects such as the redevelopment of Ringwood Station as well as rail extensions should and could have been part of the EastLink project scope.

Fortunately one glaring omission from the original project scope will be rectified. A pedestrian bridge across Maroondah Highway linking the shared trail will be built in the coming months. This will enhance the safety of pedestrians and cyclists using the shared path since they will be able to avoid crossing the busy Maroondah Highway interchange and several sets of traffic lights.

Ringwood Spiders Sponsors Gala Day

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This morning the Ringwood Spiders, a football club for people with disabilities, played Parkside from Alphington on the Spiders’ home ground at Jubilee Park in Ringwood. While Parkside may have won the game, the match was extremely close and the Spiders played some great football.

Certificate acknowledging sponsorship of the Ringwood Spiders

Today’s match also included a Gala Day for sponsors of the team and it was great to hear that every player has a sponsor through the current football season. The $150 sponsorship provides an opportunity to not only financially assist the club but also raises awareness of the Ringwood Spiders. While the Ringwood Spiders receive some money through Maroondah City Council the club does not receive funds from the football league or other organisations.

I am sponsoring half back Tom Raisebeck, a new player for this season who played some great football with his team mates. It is great to see the team building up its skills and becoming a formidable force within the league.

Alex with Ringwood Spiders half back Tom Raisebeck

Alex with Adam a football player for the Ringwood Spiders

Just three rounds remain in the 2008 FIDA season and the Spiders have two remaining home games, Sunday the 29th of June and Sunday the 27th of July.

The Launch of Youth Voice

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Youth Voice aims to develop a working group sourced from Maroondah schools and community groups to produce a Youth Magazine and provide a voice for students and younger people within Maroondah.

The project was launched at Ringwood Secondary College through an online interactive forum which allowed schools across Victoria to participate. A number of topics were discussed through the forum, including discussion around VCAL and VCE, cyber safety and the Ringwood Transit City and the redevelopment for Ringwood.

The launch also provided an opportunity to explore the Australian Technical College, which is located at Ringwood Secondary. The college provides practical skills development for students seeking a trade vocational career.

The forums, which were conducted via online chatroom functionality, provided an opportunity to receive input from younger people in regard to their vision for Ringwood. A number of younger people cited the need for increased entertainment and public transport, as well as sharing concerns about Ringwood Station. The discussion generated from these students will assist in planning for the future of Ringwood with Council and Queensland Investment Corporation (the owners of Eastland) both participating in the forums.

The Youth Magazine will provide an ongoing mechanism to demonstrate the positive contribution that younger people make. The publication will also encourage participation within our community through strengthening connections and highlighting issues relevant to younger people.

Media Release: Sharing our roads

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Cycling is growing in popularity for environmental, health and cost saving reasons, with on and off road cycling lanes and paths increasing throughout metropolitan Melbourne.

Councillor Alex Makin said Council supports and encourages the use of sustainable modes of transport, which include walking, cycling and using public transport.

“The responsibility for the installation of bicycle lanes is shared between VicRoads for bike lanes on main roads, and local councils for bike lanes and routes on local roads,” said Cr Makin.

“There has been a real shift in focus regarding the use of bicycles on our roads, and Council has prepared a number of action plans to ensure the development of a high quality network of on-road bicycle lanes in Maroondah,” said Cr Makin.

“By expanding and integrating on-road bike lanes and paths we make it easier, more enjoyable and safer for everyone to ride a bike,” said Cr Makin. “However, to assist motorists and cyclists in the better use of these on-road bicycle lanes, there are some simple rules that need to be followed.”

“The first thing that needs to be highlighted, is that bicycles are legal vehicles, and are entitled to safe travel on our roads,” said Cr Makin. “Then it is essential that motorists understand that designated on-road bicycle lanes mean just that – they are there for the use of cyclists only.”

Information is available from VicRoads regarding the relevant road rules for both cyclists and motorists, with information on the use of on-road bicycle lanes including:

Motorists are allowed to use bike lanes, but for no more than 50 metres, and only:

  • where necessary to pass a vehicle turning right,
  • to enter or leave a side street,
  • to enter another traffic lane or parking space,
  • where stopping or parking is allowed.

Cyclists are required to use on-road bike lanes where they are provided, unless it is impracticable to do so.

“For the benefit of all road users, it is important that there be mutual respect and consideration for the relevant road rules for motorists and cyclists,” said Cr Makin.

More information on using bicycle lanes is available from VicRoads at www.vicroads.vic.gov.au and Bicycle Victoria at www.bv.com.au or contact Bicycle Information Service on 1300 133 979.

Information and a map detailing bicycle paths and on-road lanes throughout Maroondah is available from Council’s Service Centres or online at Posted in Environment, Maroondah, Media Releases, Sustainable Transport, Urban SustainabilityTagged , , , , , , , , , Leave a Comment on Media Release: Sharing our roads

Maroondah Journal: Optimism on transit city funds

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Amid ongoing community anger over the government’s failure to announce funding for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station, the Maroondah Journal has reported on the growing rumours suggesting that an announcement may be delivered by the end of this year.

The State Government is expected to release its response to Sir Rod Eddington’s Inquiry into Melbourne’s transport needs by the end of this year. While the Eddington Inquiry looked solely at the travel needs of Melbourne within the inner eastern and western suburbs, the government will need to provide a whole of Melbourne focus.

Cr Alex Makin said there was an opportunity for the Governemnt to make a commitment to Ringwood.

Given that Eddington recognised the importance of Transit Cities there is an opportunity for the Government to rectify its neglect of the Ringwood Transit City. In particular the station redevelopment would ensure an integrated approach to the creation of a new accessible new town centre.

“There will most likely be a big injection of funds into transport as part of the Eddington Report. There certainly has been further discussion between council and government since the budget. I would be surprised if nothing came out of this.”

The Ringwood Transit City is a project of regional importance and is required to improve the transport choice and urban sustainability of Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. It is critical that the Government delivers funding to demonstrate a commitment to Melbourne’s outer east.

Maroondah Journal: Govt petitioned on key bus link

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The State Government’s review into bus services provides an opportunity to rectify gaps in the network, such as Canterbury Road. While there is a bus route that operates between Lilydale and Ringwood along Canterbury Road there is no service between Ringwood and Box Hill leaving residents without adequate public transport.

The Maroondah Journal has reported on a petition that was recently tabled in State Parliament calling on the Government to provide a new bus service linking Box Hill and Ringwood via Canterbury Road.

Eastern Transport Coalition spokesman Alex Makin said Canterbury Road was a gap in the network.

Canterbury Road, between Box Hill and Ringwood, includes a number of community facilities, shopping precincts and residential areas.

“It is the longest stretch of arterial road that lacks a continuous bus service. Linking the road would connect residents to the Maroondah Indoor Sports Centre, Ringwood Aquatic Centre and Maroondah Federation Estate.”

The City of Whitehorse is currently going through the State Government’s bus service review process with Maroondah’s review expected either later this year or early 2009. The State Government needs to demonstrate that this process will provide better public transport through improving service standards and rectifying gaps in the network, such as Canterbury Road.

Meeting for the Maroondah Crime Writers Festival

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This morning I attended the steering group meeting for the Maroondah Crime Writers Festival. The festival is a partnership between Eastern Regional Libraries and Maroondah City Council and was a successful recipient of Council’s Arts and Cultural Grants.

The Maroondah Crime Writers Festival will be held between the 3rd and 5th of October and will include workshops, discussion forums and a chance to meet a number of prominent authors. The steering group is currently seeking business sponsors to assist in the funding and preparation of the event.

A program of events and finalisation of details will be unveiled in coming months…

For further details please visit www.erl.vic.gov.au/crimewriters/festival.htm

Mitcham Rotary Reconciliation Week Concert

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This afternoon I attended the Mitcham Rotary Club’s Reconciliation Week concert featuring singer and songwriter Archie Roach. Mitcham Rotary hosted the concert to fund Rotary Scholarships to train Indigenous medical professionals and also to raise money towards providing solar power for community centres in East Timor.

Archie Roach sang a number of his songs, including several that were included on the soundtrack to Liyarn Ngarn. The concert provided a further opportunity to reflect on Reconciliation Week and to hear the talent of Archie Roach live in a locally held concert.

Mitcham Rotary, and its president Sharon Partridge, need to be congratulated for hosting such a successful event and for raising funds for two extremely worthwhile causes.

Maroondah Writers and Readers Festival Steering Group

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The Maroondah Writers and Readers Festival will be held between the 3rd and 5th of October and will include workshops, discussion forums and a chance to meet a number of prominent authors.

A steering group involving Maroondah City Council, Eastern Regional Libraries and community members are organising the festival. Given my interest in the arts I have been attending the steering group meetings to provide assistance and liaison between the group and council.

For further details please visit www.erl.vic.gov.au/crimewriters/festival.htm