Category: General

General Items

Maroondah Leader: Most like Council

Posted on by alex

Each year the State Government undertakes a survey measuring community satisfaction levels across each local government within Victoria. The survey, which was distributed through the State Government in February and March, asks 350 residents their thoughts on their relevant council.

The surveys measure community satisfaction across a number of different Council areas and were tabled at the July Council meeting. Council will use this information to assist in identifying areas of improvement, such as advocacy, which is an area Council needs to enhance.

One of Maroondah’s strengths is its recreational facilities, as well as health and human services, where Maroondah has consecutively scored highly as reflected through these results. The proposed new Maroondah Leisure and Aquatic Centre will further enhance the municipality’s performance in this area.

The Maroondah Leader has reported on the outcomes of the community satisfaction survey:

Mayor Alex Makin said the results for recreational facilities showed the city had a “wealth of top-class sporting and leisure opportunities”. He said he was pleased with the ratings, which generally remained unchanged, but that the council would use the feedback to prioritise resources.

One of the areas requiring improvement is advocacy and Council will be embarking on a significant campaign seeking a commitment towards the complete redevelopment of Ringwood Station in a safe, integrated and accessible transport interchange.

Tour of the Casey Recreation and Aquatic Centre

Posted on 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.

Ministerial visit to the Ringwood Aquatic Centre Co-generation plant

Posted on 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
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:

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Launch of the Victorian Early Intervention Pilot Program

Posted on by alex

The Victorian Early Intervention Pilot Program (VEIPP) is a youth alcohol diversion program, aimed to assist younger people at risk of alcohol abuse.

The program is a pilot project between Victorian Police, Department of Health, Eastern Access Community Health and Turning Point Alcohol and counselling and diversion programs to prevent ongoing criminal convictions.

The City of Maroondah was chosen as the location for the pilot program due to alarming trends that have emerged with teen drinking within the municipality. While these trends are concerning, it is encouraging that the Police and other organisations are taking a proactive role in trying to reverse these trends.

This morning I accompanied Kieran Walshe, Deputy Commissioner of Victoria Police and Dr Karleen Edwards, Executive Director, Mental Health, Drugs and Regions Division of the Department of Health, in launching the Victorian Early Intervention Pilot Program.

The speech delivered during the proceeds is included within this post:

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Maroondah Leader: Maroondah a low-rating council

Posted on by alex

The Municipal of Victoria (MAV) is the peak body representing local government and recently compiled the results of Council rates and the impact is has on residents.

As reported through the Maroondah Leader, Maroondah has the seventh lowest rates and charges in Victoria and returning the budget to surplus will reduce rating pressures in future years:

Mayor Alex Makin said the rate increase was needed to reduce the council’s deficit, and delaying the hike would only cause more pain next year.

“The important element of this budget is about getting back into the black, Cr Makin said. “We need to rectify 14 years of a council living beyond its means.”

The Council budget will produce an operational surplus from the 2012-2013 financial year meaning that Council will be financially stable and able to re-invest in community infrastructure.

Cr Makin said Maroondah had the lowest rates compared with municipalities of 90,000 to 120,000 people

Creating a financial sustainable Council means provides to ability to invest in community infrastructure while creating downward pressures on rates within future years. Maroondah City Council, like any business or household needs to live within its means and the 2010/2011 Budget will ensure financial stability for coming years.

June BizConnect Business Breakfast

Posted on 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”

Croydon RSL Women’s Auxiliary 63rd Birthday

Posted on by alex

This afternoon I attended the 63rd birthday celebrations for the Women’s Auxiliary of the Croydon RSL sub-branch. The Women’s Auxiliary is an integral part of the Croydon RSL sub-branch and it was great to see so many members from both the auxiliary and the sub-branch supporting the celebrations.

The celebrations included an opportunity to reflect on the history of the Auxiliary and the support it has offered to the sub-branch. The Croydon RSL sub-branch prides itself on a strong community focus and this is evident through groups like its Women’s Auxiliary.

History of the Shrine at Ringwood Library

Posted on by alex

The Shrine of Remembrance Travelling Exhibition is a mobile exhibit that provides a history of the Shrine, featuring information panels, archival photographs and audiovisual material. The exhibit traces the Shrine’s history from concept to construction, as well as its role as a commemorative and interactive learning space.

Alex at the launch of the Exhibition on the Shrine of Remembrance, held at the Ringwood Library.
Alex at the launch of the Exhibition on the Shrine of Remembrance, held at the Ringwood Library.

This morning I was invited to launch the Travelling Exhibition at its first day at Ringwood Library.  I was joined by Denis Baguley the CEO of the History of the Shrine Travelling Exhibition where we discussed the importance of the Shrine and its history within Victoria.

The staff at Eastern Regional Libraries should be commended for bringing the exhibition into Maroondah, where it will be available at Ringwood Library until the 30th of June.

MAV State Council Meeting – May 2010

Posted on by alex

The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) is the peak body representing local government across Victoria and advocates on behalf of the sector.  The MAV holds two State Council meetings each year, where motions are debated to influence the policies and activities of the organisation.

As the current Mayor I am also Maroondah’s MAV representative, meaning that I represent the views of the municipality at the State Council meetings.

Maroondah submitted several motions to be debated at the State Council, including calling on the State Government to provide a centralised support service to provide assistance in regard to Councillor Workcover and Conflict of Interest provisions.  In addition Maroondah initiated a motion calling on the roll-out of energy efficient lighting across Victoria and expressed concern over the lack of consultation in regard to the increases in the State Government Landfill levy.

Each of these motions were successful and will help shape the policies and actions of the Municipal Association of Victoria.  The next State Council meeting is planned for late October.

Launching The Vault – Community Drop In Centre

Posted on by alex

The Vault is a community based Drop In Centre located in Ringwood and is operated through the Activate Church..  The centre has an emphasis on younger people and aims to create a safe and friendly community space with a range activities.

As the Mayor of Maroondah I had the pleasure of officially opening The Vault, where I acknowledged the partnerships that have been formed with Council, the community, businesses and the Police to assist in providing a safer environment for Ringwood.

Alex officially opening The Vault - Community Drop In Centre in Ringwood
Alex officially opening The Vault - Community Drop In Centre in Ringwood

The Vault gains its name from being located within the building of a former bank, whereby hours of work were undertaken to create a friendly and safe atmosphere for participants. The activities will be run entirely through volunteers and plans are already underway to expand the services provided through the Vault, including food relief and Internet access.

The Vault officially opens from 10am on Tuesday the 27th of April and is located in the Melbourne Street Mall in Ringwood, opposite Ringwood Station.