Month: July 2009

Learning and Reconciliation Maroondah – Annual General Meeting

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Learning and Reconciliation Maroondah is one of two community based organisations promoting understanding and reconciliation with Indigenous Australians.

This afternoon I attended a luncheon to acknowledge the dedication of Ann Longridge, who served as convenor of the group for the past six years. Ann along with Learning and Reconciliation Maroondah has assisted in promoting the need for reconciliation within our community and ensuring that Council adopts policies that promote understanding and opportunities for Indigenous Australians.

Perhaps one of the most successful aspects of the group was its ability to demonstrate that reconciliation is relevant within all sections of our community. Members of Learning and Reconciliation Maroondah are also members of groups promoting the environment, accessibility, community houses and many other community organisations.

While the luncheon was a cause to reflect on the group, members of Learning and Reconciliation Maroondah subsequently voted to wind up the group after its twelve years of service. While it is a sad event for any group to cease existence the fact that so many different organisations are now involved with Reconciliation demonstrates the many achievements of Learning and Reconciliation Maroondah.

In addition, Maroondah Movement for Reconciliation still exists within Maroondah and will provide a group dedicated to this important cause.

Policy Workshop for the Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau

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This afternoon I facilitated a workshop for the Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau to develop policies to assist the organisation in delivering its services to the community.

The Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau was formed through the merging of the Ringwood and Croydon offices in 1996 but began as the Ringwood Advisory Service in 1967. The organisation provides emergency relief, as well as advice and referral services on a free and impartial basis.

A policy consists of a statement of purpose and broad guidelines to identify desired outcomes. Once adopted procedures are developed that ensure compliance to the outcomes specified in the policy.

Policy formulation is one of the responsibilities of a committee of management and are designed to provide clear expectations and improve the accountability of an organisation. While policy formulation is a committee responsibility it is important that volunteers and staff have input into policies, to ensure that their opinions are taken into account.

Today’s policy workshop provided volunteers and staff with the ability to discuss the currently prepared policies and to ensure that their aims reflect the organisation. Participants were encouraged to discuss their thoughts and to provide input into how the policies would assist in the delivery of the services provided by Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau.

The input from the workshop will be incorporated into the policies and they will be taken to the next Committee of Management meeting for final adoption and consideration. Copies of the policies will be available at both offices to ensure that volunteers and staff are aware of their existence and content.

Policy formulation is an ongoing challenge for organisations and yet they are required to ensure consistency and good governance. Policy development can be a positive experience if discussion is encouraged.

Eastern Transport Coalition – planning for the monster petition launch

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The Eastern Transport Coalition represents over one million residents across Melbourne’s seven outer eastern councils. One of the priorities for this group is to demonstrate the widespread community support for public transport improvements.

One of the major initiatives is the launch of a ‘monster petition’ to demonstrate this community support and to call on the State Government to improve public transport within the eastern suburbs.

The petition, which will be launched next week, will seek a commitment from the Government for the following:

  1. A full and public feasibility study for a heavy rail line to Rowville,
  2. A full and public feasibility study for a heavy rail line to Doncaster,
  3. A greater commitment to the extension of the Metro rail tunnel from Domain to Caulfield,
  4. A full and public feasibility study for an increase in capacity on the Belgrave/Lilydale and Glen Waverley lines,
  5. Improved facilities for passengers, particularly at interchanges located in central activity districts – Ringwood, Dandenong and Box Hill,
  6. Fully accessible public transport facilities and vehicles

These six improvements will deliver the necessary infrastructure for Melbourne’s outer east and mitigate rising traffic congestion, as well as improve the accessibility and sustainability of our communities.

The monster petition will be rotated between the member councils and will be present at Maroondah City Council during the month of November.

Funding annoucement for the Ringwood Lake to Creek Project

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This afternoon the State Government announced $750,000 funding for the Ringwood Lake to Creek Trail, which will link bicycle and shared use paths from the Mullum Mullum Creek through to the Ringwood Lake.

The project which will be delivered in partnership with Maroondah City Council will improve the pedestrian and cycling networks along Larissa Avenue. The existing powerlines will be replaced with underground power, improving the amenity and aesthetics of the street.

In addition water urban sensitive design will be utilised to improve the quality of water entering our stormwater systems and reflect the history of the former Sandy Creek, which flowed through the area.

Unfortunately funding has not yet been announced for the installation of a pedestrian crossing along Maroondah Highway to provide a safe point to cross the Highway between the new path and Ringwood Lake. This crossing is required to complete the Lake to Creek Project and improve access to the recreational amenities within Ringwood Lake. It is hoped that once the Lake to Creek Project is complete that the importance of this crossing will be realised and delivered by VicRoads.

Construction on the Lake to Creek Project, is expected to begin early next year and will include the installation of underground powerlines along Larissa Avenue. This project will improve the amenity of the area and encourage walking and cycling through Ringwood and I welcome the announcement of this funding.

Ringwood Chamber of Commerce – 2009 AGM

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The Ringwood Chamber of Commerce exists to represent the needs of the Ringwood business community and tonight the organisation held its annual general meeting to elect committee members for the next twelve months.

Given the current economic uncertainty, the Ringwood Chamber of Commerce, with the support of Maroondah City Council, launched the Business – Local to Local initiative. This program aims to encourage business and the community to support our local commerce and employment.

Council has recently released its Commercial Precinct Plan for the Ringwood Central Activities District. This plan will establish a direction for developments along Maroondah Highway and Ringwood’s commercial precinct to ensure consistency and improved urban amenity. The Commercial Precinct Plan complements other policies, which aim to improve the walkability and accessibility of Ringwood.

Ringwood must become a vibrant and sustainable urban centre, that has a mixture of businesses and an environment that encourages walking and sustainable transport.

The Climate Project – Australia

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The Climate Project is a not-for-profit organisation founded by former Vice President Al Gore. The project aims to train volunteers to deliver presentations on Climate Change and the need for an environmentally sustainable future.

This evening The Climate Project was officially launched under the auspice of the Australian Conservation Foundation through a dinner at the National Gallery of Victoria. Al Gore spoke about the need for political will to ensure that governments commit to greenhouse reduction targets and support global initiatives to mitigate dangerous climate change.

While there is understandably a focus on the Federal Government and the need to commit to greenhouse reduction targets, it is worth recognising that all levels of government have a role in promoting environmental sustainability.

As an example, State Governments, have a key role in providing public transport improvements, which will help reduce greenhouse emissions in the transport sector, the fastest growing source of emissions. At a local government level, councils including Maroondah, have established greenhouse reduction targets and are providing workshops on sustainability, as well as grants to community organisations to implement water and energy sustainability initiatives.

In a country like Australia, that has three levels of government, issues like climate change need to be viewed holistically so that all levels work cooperatively to improve our environmental sustainability. Organisations like The Climate Project should assist in conveying the need for a cooperative and strong approach across our three levels of government so that we can work together to mitigate climate change.

Ringwood Football Club – 50th Anniversary at Jubilee Park

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The Ringwood Football Club has had a long association with Ringwood and was originally based at East Ringwood Reserve before relocating to Ringwood Reserve in 1930. Ringwood Reserve was donated to then Lillydale Shire Council by the Grant family in 1915 and is now occupied by Eastland Shopping Centre.

In 1959, Ringwood Football Club relocated to Jubilee Park, which was acquired by the Ringwood Council from the Sanders family in the 1940s. Following the development of Eastland, Jubilee Park was upgraded to become Ringwood’s premiere sporting precinct, providing a prominent home for the Ringwood Football Club and other sporting groups.

Today the Ringwood Football Club held a gala luncheon for life members, past players, supporters and members to commemorate the 50th anniversary of this move to Jubilee Park.

Ringwood Football Club is committed to strengthening its off-field and on-field performance and has established strong links with the community, including support for the Ringwood Spiders, which utilises the club’s training facilities and clubrooms.

This strong sense of community was evident at the gala luncheon and while Ringwood may have lost to South Croydon, there is much optimism for the club’s future.

The Footmen Club – July Luncheon with Eastern Volunteers

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The Footmen Club is a local community service club that raises money to support those in need in the local community. The club holds bi-monthly luncheons, as well as an annual Golf Day fundraising event.

This afternoon’s speaker was the General Manager of Eastern Volunteers, who spoke about the ongoing growth of the organisation and the campaign to purchase its own premises to ensure ongoing service delivery.

Eastern Volunteers were founded in 1976, the same year as the Footmen Club and has seen ongoing growth since its inception. Today, Eastern Volunteers has almost 20 staff and over 100 volunteers who assist in service delivery and administration.

Eastern Volunteers fulfils two roles within the community, the first being transport services for the frail aged and people with disabilities and the second being volunteer recruitment and training.

One of the distinguishing features of Eastern Volunteers is its emphasis on governance and it certainly is one of the most professional organisations that I have been involved with. This emphasis on good governance assists in service delivery and performance monitoring, ensuring that clients receive the best service possible from the organisation.

Media Release: Key planning documents on public exhibition

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The community has the chance to give feedback on two key planning documents that will contribute toward Ringwood’s evolution into the Central Activities District and regional centre for Melbourne’s outer east.

The Ringwood Commercial Precinct Plan and the Ringwood North West Residential Precinct Plan provide the framework for achieving some of the goals set out in the Melbourne 2030 Update: Melbourne @ 5 million. This policy update responds to higher-than-anticipated population growth and requires a change to the structure of metropolitan Melbourne from its reliance on one major centre towards multiple major centres to reduce congestion and maintain Melbourne’s liveability.

Councillor Alex Makin said the precinct plans would ensure that all applicable future development would be undertaken in a manner consistent with the objectives of the Ringwood Transit City Urban Design Masterplan and Melbourne 2030 Update. Cr Makin said they would also provide a higher level of certainty for future outcomes to the local community and to developers.

“Both precincts were identified in the Ringwood Transit City Urban Design Masterplan as requiring additional planning work to stimulate appropriate development and to enable the provision of the necessary infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing city,” Cr Makin said.

“Potential currently exists to upgrade the image and presentation of Maroondah Highway and allow for a new regime of frontage showroom buildings and landscape treatments that can project a sense of pride along the route. This potential is harnessed by the Ringwood Commercial Precinct Plan,” Cr Makin said.

The Commercial Precinct is one of several precincts within the Ringwood Central Activities District area and is bound by Heatherdale Road to the west, Bond Street to the north, Mt Dandenong Road to the east and the Belgrave/Lilydale rail line to the south.

“The Commercial Precinct is considered important because of its location and role as a gateway between Melbourne’s Central Business District and the Yarra Valley,” Cr Makin said.

The Ringwood North West Residential Precinct has been identified as an area to accommodate a substantial level of change in the coming years.

“It will be one of very few locations in the outer east to develop higher density housing,” Cr Makin said.

This precinct comprises all residential land encompassed by Bond Street, New Street, Ringwood Street, the Ringwood Bypass and Eastlink. It also takes in the western side of Ringwood Street, north of Bond Street.

Both precinct plans are on exhibition until Friday 7 August. The plans are available for public inspection during office hours at the following locations:

Council Service Centres:

  • Braeside Avenue Service Centre, Ringwood
  • Eastland Service Centre, Level 2 Eastland Shopping Centre, Ringwood
  • Civic Square Shopping Centre, Civic Square, Croydon

Libraries:

  • Croydon Library, Civic Square, Croydon
  • Ringwood Library, Ringwood Plaza, Ringwood

Online:

Submissions can be made in writing until Friday 7 August and sent to:

Mr Phil Turner
Director City Development
Maroondah City Council
PO Box 156
Ringwood 3134

Submissions must be made in writing, stating the submitter’s name, address and daytime phone number, and including views on the precinct plan the submitter wishes to be put before Council. All submissions are public documents.

For more information phone Council on 1300 88 22 33.

Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committe – Reporting on the Community Wellbeing Plan

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The genesis of the the Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee was to oversee the implementation Council’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing Plan. This plan which established the health, safety and wellbeing priorities for the municipality is currently being updated and rewritten as the Community Wellbeing Plan.

During this process the Committee has fulfilled a role in highlighting health, safety and wellbeing issues within Maroondah and works in partnership with external agencies such as Eastern Access Community Health, the Primary Care Partnerships and Victoria Police.

While wellbeing is an all encompassing term designed to incorporate health and safety, it is important that specific concerns are still highlighted and addressed by the committee and its members.

As a result the committee now receives updates from Maroondah’s two safety committees. These committees were formed to address safety concerns within central Ringwood and Croydon and to ensure a cooperative approach between council, traders and services such as Victoria Police.

This provides greater insight into safety initiatives and will help provide an holistic and practical approach to concerns within Maroondah.