Month: August 2010

Meeting with the Mayors of Knox, Manningham, Whitehorse and the Yarra Ranges

Posted on by alex

The City of Maroondah is one of several Councils located within Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and it is imperative that we work collaboratively to best represent the needs of our community.

Issues such as transport, planning and community facilities are common concerns across these Councils and the ability to deliver positive solutions is enhanced if we work together. This evening, we continued our previous discussions, where I met with my counterparts within Knox, Manningham, Whitehorse and the Yarra Ranges to discuss shared priorities across the region.

It is encouraging that each of the Mayors recognises the significance of Maroondah’s vision, particularly in regard to the Ringwood Central Activities Districts. For example, letters of support will be provided from each of these councils to encourage State funding assistance for the proposed Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure Centre. The ad-hoc planning of community infrastructure that was far too evident in the past is not sustainable and it is critical that a regional view is taken into account.

It is encouraging that these Mayors and their respective Councils appreciate the vision undertaken by the City of Maroondah to provide regional facilities that strengthens the eastern region through providing facilities to residents of Maroondah and beyond.

Maroondah Bizconnect Business Breakfast -Denso Automotive Systems Australia

Posted on by alex

Maroondah City Council holds regular business breakfasts designed to encourage networking and knowledge leadership amongst businesses within the community.

This morning’s breakfast included a presentation from Denso Automotive Systems Australia (formerly Australian Automotive Air), one of the nation’s largest automotive manufacturers, who discussed their unique just-in-time systems to ensure maximum efficiency with their operations.

Maroondah’s next business breakfast is held during Maroondah Business Week. Details on all of the Maroondah Business Week events are available at www.bizmaroondah.com.au.

The speech I delivered at the opening of the Business Breakfast is available within this post:

Continue reading “Maroondah Bizconnect Business Breakfast -Denso Automotive Systems Australia”

Media Release: Community invited to Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure information expo

Posted on by alex

As Council continues the development for the proposed Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure facility, the community is invited to an information expo at Eastland on Thursday 26 August from 1pm to 8pm.

Maroondah Mayor, Councillor Alex Makin invites the Maroondah community to come along to the information expo which will showcase how the proposed new facility could provide exciting aquatic and leisure activities for all members of the Maroondah community.

“The information expo will give the community an opportunity to view a range of information and images in relation to the proposed facility, including detailed plans and elevations,” Cr Makin said.

“From young children to our seniors, the facility will be fully accessible for all,” said Cr Alex Makin.

“With a warm water pool; dedicated learn to swim pool; 50 metre pool; and extensive water play and large indoor water slides, the facility aims to offer exciting aquatic activities for everyone,” Cr Makin said.

“The facility proposes to have diving facilities which will provide unique dry driving training for the State, as well as FINA standard 10 metre diving tower and pool,” Cr Makin said.

“With strong support from Diving Australia, Diving Victoria and Ringwood Diving Club, it is expected that this new facility will become the State Diving Centre,” Cr Makin said.

“These bodies recognise the need for new training and competition facilities and have the results on the board in terms of past, present and future diving athletes,” said Cr Makin.

“I recently met a group of young divers who were former members of the Ringwood Diving Club and have now been selected to represent Australia at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi,” Cr Makin said.

“It makes me proud to know they began their sporting careers in Maroondah and excited to consider the possibilities this new centre could offer future athletes,” Cr Makin said.

The proposed facility would also feature an extensive gymnasium with multipurpose exercise rooms and a wellness centre.

It will be a valuable opportunity for the public to chat to the experts; meet representatives from swimming, diving and other aquatic sports; and provide feedback on the proposed facility.

– ENDS –

The Future of Volunteering – Strengthening Communities Through Volunteering

Posted on by alex

The Future of Volunteering – Strengthening Communities Through Volunteering, is a conference organised in partnership between Boroondara Volunteer Resource Centre, Monash Volunteer Resource Centre and Eastern Volunteers.

The conference follows from the Community Conference organised last year by Eastern Volunteers, with an emphasis on strengthening communities and enhancing the ability of community based organisations in being able to attract and retain volunteers.

I was one of the speakers for the workshops that were held during the afternoon, where I discussed the potential of technology, including social media, in recruiting and maintaining volunteer involvement within an organisation. Community based organisations need to be able to communicate directly with the community and technology provides an opportunity for this to occur.

The Conference was attended by over 150 participants from a range of community based organisations, providing the ability to learn new skills to strengthen community based volunteering.

Delegates’ Report: Thanking our volunteers, supporting cultural diversity and youth and reducing greenhouse emissions

Posted on by alex

On the 31st of July I attended an evening hosted by Maroondah’s Sudanese Community, where they shared traditional Southern Sudanese cuisine with the wider Maroondah municipality. Maroondah is home to almost 200 people from Sudan who share similar aspirations, in regard to employment and housing, like many other members of our community.

The food included lamb and cous cous combined with traditional Southern Sudanese cooking and ingredients and it is great to see all members of our community welcoming each other into Maroondah. Our municipality consists of people from a range of backgrounds and cultures and it is diversity that enriches our community and provides opportunities.

I congratulate the Sudanese community for bringing Maroondah’s communities together for the meal and for sharing their aspirations within the municipality.

On the 4th of August I had the pleasure of hosting the Community Volunteers Luncheon, providing an opportunity to acknowledge the work undertaken by the many volunteers within our community. Maroondah is fortunate to have many people committed to volunteering and working together to improve the wellbeing and amenity of our municipality.

The Community Volunteers Luncheon is Maroondah’s way of acknowledging and thanking the efforts of our volunteers and I would like to congratulate the many people who devote their time, energy and resources into improving our community.

On the 5th of August I attended a meeting organised by Common Equity Housing Limited (CEHL), the managers of the affordable housing cooperative in Larissa Avenue, Ringwood. The meeting provided an opportunity to meet prospective tenants of the development and to discuss Council’s plans for the Ringwood Central Activities District and the need for a State Government commitment towards Ringwood Station. It was great to see such enthusiasm towards the vision for Ringwood from the participants at the meeting. While Council was understandably concerned over the State Government’s removal of Council’s planning powers over the development, it is critical that we now work towards ensuring that the tenants of the development are a part of our community and able to partake in the same opportunities that we are all able to enjoy within Maroondah.

On the 6th of August I attended the launch of the Eastern Alliance for Greenhouse Action’s Solar Hot Water Program. The Eastern Alliance for Greenhouse Action is formed through six Councils within Eastern Melbourne, including Boroondara, Whitehorse, Maroondah, Yarra Ranges, Knox and Monash. The program will provide assistance in reducing household greenhouse emissions through solar hot water systems. An information session is scheduled for Thursday the 9th of September at 11am at Maroondah Federation Estate in Ringwood, where members of our community can learn more about this program.

I’ll be tabling the rest of my report.

Ringwood Croquet Club – Opening of 2010 Croquet Season

Posted on by alex

The Ringwood Croquet Club is located in Greenwood Avenue and forms part of the Jubilee Park Sporting Precinct in Ringwood. Like many other sporting clubs, the Ringwood Croquet Club has invested in upgrades to its grounds to reduce watering requirements.

This morning I was invited to launch the 2010 Croquet Season and participated in several rounds of croquet with the members. Maroondah is fortunate to be able to offer a range of sporting opportunities for our residents and it is great to see the ongoing interest and participation in croquet.

2010 Annual General Meeting for Heathmont Inter Church Help

Posted on by alex

Heathmont Inter Church Help is a combined ministry of several churches in Heathmont, including the Anglican, Baptist, Presbyterian and Uniting Churches, which work together to provide relief services for some of the most vulnerable members of our community. This evening I joined Cr. Natalie Thomas in attending the 2010 Annual General Meeting, where the officebearers for the next twelve months were nominated and members could discuss the past twelve months

Tonight’s annual meeting highlighted the ongoing need for emergency relief, in the form of food, travel assistance and support. In addition, the Heathmont Inter Church Help operates an Op Shop providing a range of clothes and an opportunity to raise funds to complement the emergency relief services provided by the organisation.

Heathmont Inter Church Help is supported through volunteers who ensure that our most vulnerable members of our community are able receive food and assistance when needed.

Meeting with Central Activity District Mayors

Posted on by alex

This afternoon the Mayors of Melbourne’s six Central Activity Districts; Dandenong, Frankston, Footscray, Hume, Maroondah and Whitehorse discussed the need for increased dialogue between each Council. The Central Activities Districts are six urban centres, that have been nominated for intensification and mixed use development, providing a range of housing, employment and community opportunities.

While senior Council Officers have regular discussions across these Councils, there has been little interaction between respective Mayors despite each municipality experiencing similar challenges in regard to public transport infrastructure and long-term commitments to the Central Activities Districts.

Today’s meeting served as an introduction and will be followed by further discussions on how the six Councils can work cooperatively to ensure the best outcomes for each Central Activities District.

Combined Meeting for Central Activities Districts

Posted on by alex

The State Government’s Planning at 5 Million Policy envisaged a network of Central Activities Districts throughout Metropolitan Melbourne, with these centres offering a range of employment, housing and community facilities.

These Central Activities Districts include:

  • Box Hill,
  • Broadmeadows,
  • Dandenong,
  • Footscray,
  • Frankston
  • and Ringwood.

While Local Government has largely supported this direction through developing masterplans to create a vision for these areas, there is a need for a State Government to assist in the implementation. This afternoon I joined the Mayors of Melbourne’s five other Central Activities District to discuss our priorities and a common approach to advocacy.

These six Central Activities Districts are required to provide a sustainable population and employment base for Metropolitan Melbourne. The ongoing cooperation between the Mayors and Councils of each Central Activities District will assist in underlining the importance of these centres to future of Melbourne.

Speaking to Grade Three and Four Students at Heathmont East Primary

Posted on by alex

This morning I was invited to speak to approximately 100 grade three and four students at Heathmont East Primary, located in Louis Street, near Canterbury Road in Heathmont.

One of the roles of being Mayor is to explain how Councils function and to discuss the role of being a Councillor and Mayor. This morning I spoke about the ward structure of Maroondah and helped clarify the responsibilities of local councils, compared to State and Federal governments.

I also spoke about growing up in Heathmont, where I was a student of Marlborough Primary, a school in close proximity to Heathmont East. It was great to see the students taking part in the discussion and asking many questions, ranging from the services Council provides to how decisions are made by Councillors.

Australia’s system of governance, with Local, State and Federal Governments, can seem overtly complex at times and it was great to provide an opportunity to discuss the role of Council and the importance of our local community.