July 2010

2010 North Ringwood Senior Citizens Annual General Meeting

Posted on 27 July 2010 by alex

The North RIngwood Senior Citizens are based at Norwood Park along Warrandyte Road and is one of several groups that utilises these facilities on a shared basis. The North Ringwood Senior Citizens is one of three senior-based groups, that provides a range of activities to encourage social inclusion and active lifestyles.

This afternoon I attended the Annual General Meeting of the North Ringwood Senior Citizens, where I was asked to officiate proceedings for the election of officeholders for the 2010-2011 Year. While some groups have faced difficulties in maintaining interest, it is fantastic to see ongoing community involvement with the North Ringwood Senior Citizens, including the confirming of an active and enthusiastic committee.

The North Ringwood Senior Citizens have already planned a series of activities for the remainder of the year, including trips and social events. Details on the group are available within the Maroondah Community Guide.

Tour of the Casey Recreation and Aquatic Centre

Posted on 26 July 2010 by alex

The Casey Recreation and Aquatic Centre is located in Cranbourne East and was opened in 2009 at a cost of $38 million. The Centre is a multi-purpose facility and provides a range of health and fitness services, including a gym, warm water pool and saunas. In addition, the centre has a range of aquatic facilities to meet the needs of all age groups, including water play areas and a 50 metre pool.

This evening Councillors undertook a tour of the Casey Recreation and Aquatic Centre to compare the facility to the proposed Aquatic and Leisure Centre for Ringwood. Encouragingly, the Casey Recreation and Aquatic Centre has exceeded patronage expectations and is returning a surplus to Council while also providing a range of recreation opportunities for the community.

The tour of the Casey facility provides an opportunity to learn from recent projects and to ensure that the proposed centre for Ringwood meets the needs of our community.

Mullum Mullum Cultural Heritage Trail – National Green Jobs Corps Team

Posted on 23 July 2010 by alex

The Mullum Mullum Cultural Heritage Trail is located between Warrandyte Road and Highland Avenue and is part of the Mullum Creek Trail, which provides a remnant bush trail along the Creek, through Ringwood and Croydon.

The Cultural Heritage Trail includes interpretative signage, identifying the remnant bush and the significance the valley had for the Wurunjderi, the first inhabitants of what is now the City of Maroondah. The trail also features carvings of native fauna, as well as garden beds that include some of the native plants used by the Wurundjeri.

Alex speaking with members of the Green Corps Team along the Mullum Mullum Trail

This afternoon I was invited to be part of the launch of the National Green Jobs Corps for the Mullum Mullum Cultural Heritage Trail. The project involves 16 young people, aged between 17 and 24, for a six-month duration. The participants will undertake revegetation and signange works along the trail, between the Mullum Mullum Reserve and upstream to Oban Road.

The project aims to provide both employment and educational pathways for its participants and is a partnership between several organisations including:

Mission Australia,
Maroondah City Council,
Melbourne Water,
Waterwatch Melbourne,
Swinburne TAFE,
Mullum Mullum Creek Bushcare Group,
CRISP Community Nursery
and the Platypus Conservancy.

Alex with participants of the Mullum Green Corps Team

The work undertaken by the participants will deliver significant benefits to the local community and the Mullum Mullum Cultural Heritage Trail, as well as providing valuable employment skills and training in modules from the Certificate II Conservation and Land Management.

It is fantastic to see so many organisations coming together to improve not only the amenity of our natural bush trails but also to provide new skills and opportunities for younger people that have experienced unemployment.

Give Our Streets the Green Light

Posted on 23 July 2010 by alex

Maroondah residents are being asked to sign an online petition, Give Our Streets the Green Light, to lobby the government to fund a changeover to energy-efficient street lighting.

In Maroondah the upfront costs of replacing more than 5500 mercury vapour globes currently lighting Maroondah’s streets is about $2million.

The goal is to reduce Council’s greenhouse emissions and create a sustainable and more energy-efficient future:

By changing all local road street lights from the mercury vapour 80W lamps to a more energy efficient lighting it would not only benefit the environment but it would save on electricity costs.
Council estimates that 36% of its green house gas emissions and 39% of its electricity costs are generated by street lighting,
Electricity is predominately generated by burning brown coal which results in significant greenhouse gases.

Alex launching Maroondah City Council's Give Our Streets the Green Light Campaign

The Give Our Streets the Green Light campaign aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 78,000 tonnes over the life of the lights. That equates to about 31.2 billion black balloons or 341,917 cars off the road for a year.

Pledge your support by signing an online submission at www.greenlightourstreets.org.au or by sending a letter to your local Member of Parliament.

Discussing Federal Involvement within Central Activities Districts

Posted on 22 July 2010 by alex

The Cities of Whitehorse and Frankston, like the City of Maroondah, each have an identified Central Activities District, namely Box Hill, Frankston and Ringwood respectively.

These locations, which are in close proximity to rail stations, have been identified as sites for urban revitalisation, including higher densities and mixed use development. The aim is to provide increased housing, employment and community opportunities within these localities and thus provide more facilities closer to people’s home.

While the policy direction is set by the State Government, local councils are often required to implement policies to support these aims, including structure plans and precinct plans that determine future vision for these centres. The role of the Federal Government in supporting our cities, is an area that is yet to be fully explored.

The Commonwealth Government established the Major Cities Unit to explore the role of our cities in a national context and this afternoon myself and the Mayors of Whitehorse and Frankston discussed the importance of the Central Activities Districts within this framework.

While the Major Cities Unit will be consulting local government, it is imperative that the Central Activities Districts are treated uniquely, given the additional need for infrastructure and investment within these centres.

It is encouraging that the Federal Government is exploring how it can help shape our cities to deliver economic, social and environmental benefits. It is imperative that this work continues given that Australia is among the few countries in the world that lacks a federal perspective on the role and function of our cities.

Discussing the Transport Inegration Act

Posted on 22 July 2010 by alex

The Transport Integration Act aims to provide an integrated framework to assist in the planning and delivery of Victoria’s transport networks. The Act took effect on the 1st of July and aims to ensure that all decisions affecting the transport system support the same consistent objectives.

This morning I attended a presentation on the Act jointly convened by Tim Pallas, the Minister for Roads and Jim Betts, Secretary for the Department of Transport. The presentation covered the objectives of the Act and the framework in which the transport system will be operating within.

While the Legislation is certainly an improvement, it is still too early to be able to assess its impact on Victoria’s transport system. The framework should in theory elevate the importance of transport projects, like the redevelopment of Ringwood Station, which would deliver an integrated transport network through public transport, walking and cycling.

Ultimately the effectiveness of Legislation rests in its implementation and it is imperative that the State Government and its respective agencies support a sustainable and integrated transport network within Melbourne and Victoria.

Ministerial visit to the Ringwood Aquatic Centre Co-generation plant

Posted on 21 July 2010 by alex

This afternoon I joined Peter Garrett, the Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts, as well as Mike Symon, the Federal Member for Deakin, in observing the new co-generation plant at Ringwood Aquatic Centre.

The co-generation plant was jointly funded through a $250,000 Federal Government grant complementing Council funding of $200,000. The plant includes two 70kW gas generators, which creates enough electricity to run the centre and to maintain heating for the pools at the Ringwood Aquatic Centre.

Alex with Peter Garrett, the Minister for Environment Protection and Mike Symon, Member for Deakin, at the opening of the Ringwood Aquatic Centre co-generation plant

The co-generation plant will be stored off-site during the construction of the proposed multi-purpose Ringwood Leisure and Aquatic Centre and will be returned to the site once the new facility is operational.

The speech I delivered during the visit is included within this post:

Continue reading “Ministerial visit to the Ringwood Aquatic Centre Co-generation plant”

Media Release: Lighting the way to a greener future

Posted on 21 July 2010 by alex

Maroondah residents are being asked to sign an online campaign, Give Our Streets the Green Light, to lobby the government to fund a changeover to energy-efficient street lighting.

Council has joined the Municipal Association of Victoria and other Victorian councils to lobby the state and commonwealth governments to fund the changeover to new energy-efficient globes.

In Maroondah the upfront costs of replacing more than 5500 mercury vapour globes currently lighting Maroondah’s streets is about $2million.

Maroondah Mayor Councillor Alex Makin said the goal was to reduce Council’s greenhouse gas emissions and create a greener more energy-efficient future.

“By changing all local road street lights from the mercury vapour 80W lamps to a more energy efficient lighting it would not only benefit the environment but it would save on electricity costs.

“Council estimates that 36 per cent of its green house gas emissions and 39 per cent of its electricity costs are generated by street lighting,” Cr Makin said.

“Electricity is predominately generated by burning brown coal which results in significant green house gases,” Cr Makin said.

“By making the change we can reduce our carbon footprint and work towards mitigating the effects of climate change,” Cr Makin said.

“The sooner the change over, the sooner we start making a difference,” Cr Makin said.

Maroondah Council has been a strong advocate for the campaign, moving a motion at the Australian Local Government Association’s National General Assembly in June calling on the campaign to be adopted as an issue of national significance.

The Give Our Streets the Green Light campaign, organised by the Municipal Association of Victoria, aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 78,000 tonne over the life of the lights. That equates to about 31.2 billion black balloons or 341,917 cars off the road for a year.

Residents can pledge their support by signing an online submission www.greenlightourstreets.org.au or by sending a letter to their local Member of Parliament.

Media Release: Maroondah Interfaith Network gets a funding boost

Posted on 21 July 2010 by alex

Maroondah City Council has welcomed an $8800 Victorian Multicultural Commission grant which will assist the Maroondah Interfaith Network with its leadership training and education programs.

Maroondah Mayor Councillor Alex Makin accepted the grant last Wednesday.

“Since the Maroondah Interfaith Network was established in November 2009 it has grown to include more than 35 leaders from a range of faiths,” Cr Makin said.

“The $8800 grant will assist the network to launch a leadership training program which will target the areas of conflict resolution, project management and media relations,” Cr Makin said.

“Participants will be able to attend training sessions and neighbouring municipal interfaith networks will be encouraged to assist as mentors,” Cr Makin said.

“The funding will also allow the Interfaith Network to be more actively involved in the coordination and participation of events that promote tolerance and celebrate the diversity of faiths in Maroondah like faith-based seminars and conversation cafes,” Cr Makin said.

The Maroondah Interfaith Network aims to bring together diverse faith and cultural groups to promote community harmony, education and awareness of racial and religious diversity. It also hopes to increase understanding of varied faiths and cultures among the wider community.

– ENDS –

Media Release: Community satisfaction results are in

Posted on 21 July 2010 by alex

The State Government’s 2010 Community Satisfaction Survey results have been announced and it’s great news for Maroondah.

The Survey is conducted by an independent research group for the Department of Planning and Community Development. This is the thirteenth annual Community Satisfaction Survey and results are used to measure how Victorian residents rate the performance of their local governments.

The random phone interview survey was conducted during February and March, with a minimum of 350 Maroondah residents asked to rate Council’s performance.

“Maroondah City Council’s overall results are excellent,” Mayor, Councillor Alex Makin said.

“The survey is an important measurement tool in gauging Council’s progress towards the goals stated in Maroondah 2025 and Council’s mission.

“It is one of many processes by which Council elicits important community feedback to ensure its activities are well targeted, performing efficiently and are relevant to the community,” Cr Makin said.

“Maroondah City Council was rated on par with the median result recorded for the group of “like” inner metropolitan Councils. In terms of overall performance, 84 percent of respondents rated Council’s performance as excellent, adequate or good with only four percent of respondents indicating Council’s performance needed a lot of improvement. Seventeen percent thought it had improved and 71 percent thought it had stayed the same,” said Cr Makin said.

“Community satisfaction with Council’s performance in eight of the specific performance areas remained unchanged, but we have seen a marked improvement in the scoring for recreational facilities,” Cr Makin said.

“We have also seen significant positive change in the delivery of health and human services,” Cr Makin said.

“The survey results for recreational facilities have reinforced what we in Maroondah have known for a long time – our municipality is home to a wealth of top class sporting and leisure opportunities,” Cr Makin said.

“Ninety-three per cent of residents scored Maroondah’s recreational facilities as excellent, good or adequate, with seven per cent indicating that Council’s performance in this area needed improvement,” Cr Makin said.

“The delivery of health and human services in Maroondah also received a solid response, with 88 per cent of respondents scoring Council’s performance as excellent, good or adequate,” Cr Makin said.

“And although there are areas where residents desire further improvement, Maroondah did relatively well compared to other councils in its group for traffic management and local roads and footpaths,” Cr Makin said.

Traffic Management and parking facilities were well above the respective median. (Maroondah scored 61 compared with the Group median of 57)
Customer Contact was slightly above the respective medium. (Maroondah scored 74 compared to the Group median of 73)
Town Planning Policy and Approvals were equal with the Group median of 57.
Local Roads and Footpaths and Advocacy Enforcement of Local Laws and Appearance of Public Areas were all just under the median.

Community Engagement and Waste Management were areas that the survey indicated had a need for improvement.

“This survey provides valuable feedback and assists Council to prioritise its resources. To ensure that continued improvement occurs, these areas will receive attention,” said Cr Makin said.

“However, I am very pleased with the ratings and believe this reflects our commitment to community partnership and is a reward for our efforts,” said Cr Makin.

– ENDS –