June 2010

2010 Changeover Evening for the Rotary Club of Ringwood

Posted on 25 June 2010 by alex

The Rotary Club of Ringwood is one of two Rotary Clubs based in Maroondah and this evening I attended the Club’s Changeover Dinner. I have been a member of the Rotary Club of Ringwood since 2008 and each year Rotary Clubs hold a changeover event to commemorate the appointment of the new Club President.

The Changeover Dinner provides an opportunity to reflect on the activities of the past year, including the involvement of the Club in supporting Maroondah’s emerging communities. The Rotary Club of Ringwood assisted with Harmony Day and the launch of Refugee Week, as well as supporting other events throughout the year. These community events demonstrates the Club’s commitment Service Above Self, which is a foundation principle of Rotary.

For further information on the Rotary Club of Ringwood please visit www.ringwoodrotary.org.au.

Media Release: Maroondah asks – Where is our transport policy?

Posted on 24 June 2010 by alex

A sixty metre long petition demanding the Victorian Government revisit its transport policy was today presented to the Victorian Government.

Mayors and Councillors from Maroondah and six other Melbourne’s eastern suburban Councils – who represent about a quarter of Melbourne’s population – gathered on the Parliaments steps today to send a message to the Victorian Government that transport needs in the east are not being met.

Presenting the monster petition to the Minister for Transport, Martin Pakula, Eastern Transport Coalition Chairperson Cr Samantha Dunn said that Eastern suburbs residents have been neglected by Government for too long.

“It’s time this government looked seriously at providing sustainable transport options right across Melbourne rather than focussing on a few key electorates,” Cr Dunn said.

“The Eastern Transport Coalition represents seven councils in the East whose residents are crying out for more public transport. The petition we’re presenting today has over 13,000 signatures, each one of them a demand of Government to end the neglect,” she said.

Maroondah Mayor Cr Alex Makin said that the level of concern in Maroondah regarding public transport had been increasing for some time.

“Maroondah residents want public transport improvements. They are crying out for a solution and for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station into an integrated and accessible transit interchange. This is why The City of Maroondah signed up to the ETC in the first place,” Cr Makin said.

Cr Dunn said that the ETC petition called on Victorian Government to address the significant gaps in the provision of and planning for public transport in Greater Dandenong, Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Monash, Whitehorse, and Yarra Ranges.

The petition seeks commitments from the Government to modify the plan to include:

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

Cr Dunn said that there was still time for this government to make a commitment to Melbourne’s east.

“This election year provides a perfect opportunity for this government to show that it is listening to the million or so residents east of Warrigal road who are forced to drive their cars to work because they have few viable alternatives,” Cr Dunn said.

Cr Dunn thanked the Minister for Transport for receiving the petition.

“We’re pleased that all sides of Parliament are interested in our issues. Now it’s important that today’s gesture from the Victorian Government results in action,” she said.

– ENDS –

Presenting the Eastern Transport Coalition’s Monster Petition

Posted on 24 June 2010 by alex

The Eastern Transport Coalition consists of Melbourne’s seven eastern councils and advocates for public transport improvements across Melbourne and the region. The monster petition was formed to demonstrate community support for public transport improvements and was held at each of the member Councils, including Maroondah, where it was featured at last year’s Maroondah Festival.

Alex with the Eastern Trasnport Coalition's Monster Petition

This afternoon I accompanied Mayors and members of the Eastern Transport Coalition to formally present the petition to Martin Pakula, the Minster for Public Transport. In addition, the petition was also accepted by Terry Mulder, the Shadow Minister for Transport, as well as Greg Barbers, the Greens spokesperson on public transport.

The petition calls for public transport improvements across Eastern Melbourne including:

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

Now that the petition has been presented, it is incumbent on all political parties to respond to the need for public transport improvements. Residents across Melbourne’s eastern region are clearly calling on the State Government to deliver improvements to public transport, including an accessible and integrated transport interchange at Ringwood, as well as more frequent and more reliable services.

Media Release: Council encourages debate and interaction at Meetings

Posted on 23 June 2010 by alex

At its meeting on Monday 21 June, Maroondah City Council resolved to change a Local Law ensuring future meetings are more interactive and engaging.

Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Alex Makin said that Councillors collectively workshopped the changes over a period of time.

The proposed Local Law (Local Law 9) will replace the current Local Law 7 that regulates meeting procedures at Council Meetings.

“These changes will improve the opportunity for debate and demonstrate Council’s overwhelming support for open, accessible and accountable Local Government,” said Cr Makin.

“Maroondah City Council has always prided itself on listening to the community and these changes will make that even easier to do so by promoting debate and allowing Councillors to present displays and explanations on agenda items,” Cr Makin said.

“One of the most significant changes will be that residents will be able to hear Ward reports from their representative Councillors, ensuring they are across new developments or projects” said Cr Makin.

More information on the recommendation to the change to Local Law 7 can be found on the City of Maroondah website at www.maroondah.vic.gov.au or at Council Service Centres.

Council meetings are open to the public. The next meeting is scheduled for 7.30pm on Monday 19 July at Council Chambers, Braeside Avenue Ringwood.

Media Release: Monster petition to be presented to Parliament

Posted on 23 June 2010 by alex

The Eastern Transport Coalition’s (ETC) ‘monster petition’ will be presented on Thursday 24 June at 1.00pm on the steps of Parliament House.

The petition has travelled throughout Melbourne’s eastern region since 21 July 2009 and has been hosted by each of the seven members of the ETC – the municipalities of Maroondah, Monash, Whitehorse, Dandenong, Manningham, Knox and Yarra Ranges.

It has collected approximately 13,000 signatures from various Council offices, shopping centres, train stations, universities, community festivals and markets.

Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Alex Makin, said the petition called on the State Government to modify the Victorian Transport Plan to improve public transport in the eastern region.

“Public transport is an important issue for many people throughout Maroondah and beyond, so it’s vital that any gaps in its provision and planning are addressed,” Cr Makin said.

The petition will seek commitments from the State Government to modify the Victorian Transport Plan to include:

Improved facilities for passengers, particularly at interchanges located in Central Activities Districts – including Ringwood, Dandenong and Box Hill.
A full and public feasibility study for an increase in capacity on the Belgrave/Lilydale and Glen Waverley lines.
A full and public feasibility study for a heavy rail line to Rowville.
A full and public feasibility study for a heavy rail line to Doncaster.
Fully accessible public transport facilities and vehicles.

The ETC advocates for sustainable and liveable transport services to reduce the level of car dependency to secure the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of Melbourne’s outer east.

Media Release: Council staff celebrate milestone achievements

Posted on 23 June 2010 by alex

Long-serving members of Maroondah City Council staff will be honoured at a special celebratory reception at the Karralyka Centre, Mines Road, Ringwood on Wednesday 30 June.

Mayor of Maroondah Councillor Alex Makin said the Staff Milestones evening celebrates the dedicated service of 58 Council employees over 10 and 20 years.

Thirty-five staff have achieved 10 years of service, 22 achieved 20 years and one staff member has achieved 30 years of service.

“Service milestones are something that should be recognised and celebrated and at Maroondah we are proud to have staff who have served their community over a long period of time,” said Cr Makin.

“One of the strengths of any organisation is having continuity of staff – those who ‘know the ropes’ and have a sense of history and overview to draw on,” said Cr Makin.

The large number of service areas represented in the Service Milestones included Executive Support, Parks and Works, Neighbourhood Services, Children’s Services, Financial Services, Karralyka, Public Health and Major Leisure Facilities.

Staff members will be congratulated by Maroondah’s CEO, Frank Dixon and Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Alex Makin who will present letters under seal from Council.

– ENDS –

Media Release: Main Street mosaics add a splash of colour

Posted on 23 June 2010 by alex

A collection of unique mosaic pavers designed by local VCAL students from Swinburne TAFE were unveiled by Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Alex Makin on Tuesday 22 June.

Funded by a Maroondah Council Arts and Cultural Grant and a brainchild of Croydon Main St Traders Association, the mosaics will be placed at the northern end of Main Street at the corner of Coolstore Road and Main Street.

Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Alex Makin said that the students worked closely with a local community artist to create the colourful mosaics that will help to beautify Main Street, Croydon.

“What started out as a project to encourage students to respect cultural works while enhancing their self esteem has turned in to an art piece that can be appreciated by the whole community,” Cr Makin said.

“This is the second collection of mosaic pavers that have been laid in Main Street, with the first patch laid in February this year,” said Cr Makin.

The mosaics are laid onto individual concrete pavers that were constructed by the building department students at Swinburne Tafe.

– ENDS –

June BizConnect Business Breakfast

Posted on 23 June 2010 by alex

The BizConnect Business Breakfast is a Maroondah City Council initiative designed to connect local businesses and to share knowledge and skills. This morning’s speaker was from Destination Melbourne who discussed the growing $2.6 billion market generated through tourism opportunities from visiting friends and relatives.

The friends and relatives tourism market is the largest segment of visitors into Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and provides economic benefits for local businesses. While Maroondah may not be seen as a traditional tourist destination, it does have a strong component of tourism generated through friends and relatives and the speaker outlined the need for businesses to target this growing segment.

As the Mayor of Maroondah I had the pleasure of introducing the June BizConnect Business Breakfast and the speech I delivered is included within this post:

Continue reading “June BizConnect Business Breakfast”

Maroondah Leader: Call for new rail action

Posted on 22 June 2010 by alex

The Maroondah Leader this week ran a feature on the plans for the Ringwood Central Activities District, outlining the plans for the transformation of Ringwood into a vibrant, accessible and sustainable urban centre.

Ultimately this vision require cooperation across all levels of Government and the redevelopment of Ringwood Station is one area where a State Government commitment is urgently required:

“Council has invested heavily in footpaths in Ringwood and plans to invest heavily in community facilities, we need the redeveloped Ringwood Station to complement this and the central activities district,” Cr Makin said. “If we want Ringwood CAD to become the regional centre for the eastern suburbs, we need the station to be replaced.”

Ringwood Station currently fails disability compliance standards making it difficult to use by our community. It is imperative that all political parties commit to the redevelopment of Ringwood Station to deliver a safe, integrated and accessible transport interchange that will serve as a catalyst for Ringwood’s revitalisation into a .