Category: Partners in Community Wellbeing Committee

Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee returns for 2009

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The Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing committee meets on a bi-monthly basis to discuss projects and initiatives that deliver a positive impact to life within Maroondah.

This primary objective for the committee over the course of 2009 is to finalise the Maroondah Wellbeing Plan, a strategic document that will guide Maroondah’s priorities over the next four years.

Today’s meeting discussed community consultation for the plan, which will include surveys within the next edition of Maroondah Focus as well as via the council website. More in depth consultation will be available through sessions that will be held within Ringwood and Croydon.

The response to the devastating bushfires was also discussed, with Maroondah having a formal Memorandum of Understanding with the Shire of Yarra Ranges. This enables Maroondah to send staff to the Shire of Yarra Ranges to provide emergency assistance. In addition council has donated $25,000 to the bushfire appeal and each councillor has also contributed $1,000 to provide further assistance.

The Maroondah Wellbeing Plan is intended to be ready for council adoption by the end of this year and will be accompanied by a yearly action plan. The composition of the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee and potential sub-committees will be guided by the newly developed plan.

Maroondah Partners Health, Safety and Wellbeing committee

Posted on by alex

The Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee provides an opportunity to address issues relating to the safety of the Maroondah community. The committee includes representation from council, as well as external agencies and service providers, including the Department of Human Services, Victoria Police, Connex and Eastern Volunteers, providing a wealth of knowledge in projects required to improve the safety, health and wellbeing of our community.

There are three councillors included on the committee. For the 2009 year the councillor representatives are Cr. Nora Lamont, Cr Rob Steane and myself. I will be chairing the committee throughout 2009.

Eastern Transport Coalition Presentation on Train and Tram Refranchising

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As the Deputy Chair of the Eastern Transport Coalition I was invited to present the ETC’s views on the re-franchising arrangements for the rail and tram network. The presentation provided an opportunity to highlight the needs of Melbourne’s outer suburban residents and opportunities that can be pursued through the new franchise arrangements for more a frequent, reliable and accessible public transport system.

The Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC) as a regional body representing one million residents within its seven outer eastern councils is well positioned to understand the requirements of its communities and to demonstrate the need for efficient public transport operations.

The survey data compiled by the Australian Research Group for the ETC clearly demonstrates that residents of Melbourne’s outer east would be more than willing to use public transport if services are frequent, readily available and easy to understand.

In particular the ETC believes that there is considerable scope to improve off-peak and interpeak services, as a way of shifting travel demand and mitigate worsening overcrowding during peak times. Frequency of service is a key driver to attracting passengers onto public transport at times other than peak periods. Likewise there should also be the opportunity for express services outside the traditional peak periods.

More frequent services will also assist in delivering a more reliable system since it will assist in more evenly distributing demand across the network. Likewise all rail lines should operate at a consistent service frequency and operating span to provide consistency across the network.

While bus services are outside the scope of the train and tram re-franchising proposals there is a need to improve coordination across the entire public transport system, as such the new franchising arrangements must trigger a review of connecting bus services whenever there is a modification of rail and tram timetables. Bus services generally require at least a three month lead-time to implement changes and ample time is provided so that all modes can operate in a coordinated manner.

Accessibility is also a critical factor with the State Government failing to meet targets for disability compliance on the rail network. There would be a considerable opportunity to provide the franchisee with the scope to redevelop nominated stations in exchange for commercial rights. This would provide the operator with an incentive to modernise Melbourne’s rail stations through the creation of mixed use transit hubs and also ensure higher cleanliness and safety standards.

Likewise it is also critical that the new franchise arrangements include scope to extend the rail network, such as the much needed rail extensions to Rowville and Doncaster and the tram extensions that are required to Knox and Doncaster Hill.

Local Government both individually and collectively as a region would welcome the opportunity to engage the new rail and tram operators so that services meet the needs of our community. As an example, we have actively engaged Connex through the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee, which has led to the reduction of vandalism along Maroondah’s rail network. Public transport is critical to the mobility of our communities and local government should be actively engaged over initiatives and timetable changes.

The new franchise arrangements for the train and tram network will begin on the 1st of December of this year. It is imperative that the new agreements assist in delivering a service that meets the needs of our community.

Eastern Volunteers – end of year function

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This evening Eastern Volunteers hosted its end of year function, bringing together staff, volunteers and the board of management to celebrate their success in providing volunteer recruitment services and transport for the frail aged and people with disabilities.

Organisations like Eastern Volunteers assist in creating an inclusive community through encouraging volunteerism and providing mobility for people that would otherwise be isolated.

Eastern Volunteers has formed a number of partnerships, including the Seniors Register in conjunction with Maroondah City Council and the Maroondah Police. The Seniors Register provides regular phone contact for senior citizens and a safety audit of people’s homes to ensure that participants are safe and connected with their community.

The Seniors Register began through discussions held between members of the Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee and demonstrates the strength of partnerships in improving the wellbeing of our community.

I will be continuing as one of three council delegates for the Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee within 2009.

Eastern Volunteers Brainstorming Session

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After this morning’s Eastern Volunteers board meeting I was invited to attend a brainstorming session involving staff, volunteers and the voluntary board of management. The session aimed to explore new ideas to assist Eastern Volunteers in diversifying its funding sources.

The discussion explored potential annual events, grant applications, sponsorship and potential business opportunities and the ideas generated will be formally examined by the organisation.

As a provider of transport services for the aged and people with disabilities and a referral service for volunteers across Maroodah, Whitehorse and the Yarra Ranges, Eastern Volunteers provides a critical service for our community by encouraging social inclusion.

In particular the organisation has a goal of raising $500,000 to purchase new premises to ensure the continued growth and development of the organisation and the ideas that were discussed this afternoon will assist in achieving this objective.

Women's Health East Annual General Meeting

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Located at 28 Warrandyte Road in Ringwood, Women’s Health East is a community based women’s health agency. The organisation aims to lead, promote and supports health initiatives for women within Melbourne’s eastern region.

Today’s annual general meeting discussed the Health Promotion Plan, which identified the key priorities over the next three years. The plan includes a focus on violence against women, reproductive health and mental health and wellbeing.

Women’s Health East has an emphasis on advocacy, as well as health promotion and the organisation’s first factsheet assists in both of these aims. The factsheet, which is on violence against women, identifies the reported cases of violence and ongoing concerns over the under-reporting of such crimes.

Local government has the potential to promote health and wellbeing and encourage gender equity. As a candidate in the council elections I recently signed my commitment to the Action Plan for Women’s Health 2008-2012 and Council’s Community Wellbeing Plan will be able to assist in implementing these aims.

Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee – final meeting for 2008

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This morning marked the final meeting of the bi-monthly Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee for 2008. The committee includes council and a number of external bodies, including Victoria Police, Connex, Department of Human Services, Outer East Primary Care Partnerships and the Department of Education, to implement a collaborative approach to enhancing the health, safety and wellbeing of Maroondah.

Today’s meeting examined food security within the eastern region, exploring the effects of rising food costs and the level of access to nutritious food. While Maroondah may be relatively well served with supermarkets and fresh food outlets, there are some pockets where there is a lack of access, particularly for people without access to a car.

The rising cost of living has also had an impact, particularly for people on fixed incomes, such as pensions, who are sacrificing food so that they can pay for other living expenses, such as rent, electricity and water.

The Primary Care Partnerships will be finalising a report on their findings in regard to food security with the aim of alerting governments to the food security difficulties experienced within the eastern region.

An update was also provided in regard to the Maroondah Community Wellbeing Plan, where the feedback provided by service providers is currently being considered. Community engagement and discussion over the plan will begin early to mid next year to provide an opportunity for widespread public comment.

I would like to thank the members and organisations who have been a part of the committee over the past three years and also to Cr. Jo-anne Taylor who was the previous chair.

Eastern Access Community Health 2008 AGM

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Eastern Access Community Health (EACH) is a community based organisation that delivers an holistic approach to community health and support services across Melbourne’s eastern region, including Boroondara, Manningham, Whitehorse, Monash, Maroondah, Knox and the Yarra Ranges. EACH provides a range of community health services, including counselling, disability support services, respite care, assistance for gamblers and is also a registered training organisation.

Tonight’s annual general meeting provided an opportunity for the board and management team to discuss the taxation rulings that threatened the Donation Gift Recipient (DGR) and Public Benevolent Institution (PBI) status of Eastern Access Community Health. The loss of this status would restrict the organisation’s capacity to attract donations and would result in adverse tax treatment, including the loss of Fringe Benefit Tax exemptions.

Given the adverse ramifications of the taxation rulings it has been proposed that EACH be constituted as a company limited by guarantee. This would assist in meeting these challenges and allow EACH to continue to expand its services in community health provision.

The guest speaker was human rights advocate Julian Gardiner, who spoke about the need to break down the systemic human rights inequities that exist within society and perpetuate disadvantage. Inclusive communities, where human rights are respected, assist in removing disadvantage through ensuring that everyone is able to participate. Julian discussed how a lack of access into buildings or a lack transport choice can limit social inclusion and as a result entrench disadvantage.

Organisations like EACH, through their holistic approach to community health, contribute to reducing this disadvantage to create an inclusive community with opportunities for all people. For further information on Eastern Community Health please visit www.each.com.au.

Safe, Well and Connected: Action Plan for Women's Health 2008-2012

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Today I confirmed my commitment to the health and wellbeing of Maroondah through signing a commitment to the Action Plan for Women’s Health.

As a councillor and current chair of the Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee I am committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our community to help create a healthy, inclusive and connected municipality.

There are significant opportunities to involve Maroondah in wellbeing initiatives, given that the council is currently undertaking a new Community Wellbeing Plan. This document which will govern other council policies will guide Maroondah’s approach to the health and wellbeing of its residents.

It is important that all sections of our community are included within the plan so that council can take an holistic approach to the wellbeing of its residents and ensure that we can achieve an accessible and inclusive municipality.

View a copy of the signed commitment to the Action Plan for Women’s Health 2008-2012.

Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee – defining the wellbeing of Maroondah

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The Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee comprises of internal council staff and external agencies to develop strategies and implement actions to improve the wellbeing of Maroondah.

The group’s current priorities include council’s new Community Wellbeing Plan. This plan, which is expected to be finalised in mid 2009, will set council’s priorities for the wellbeing, health and safety of Maroondah and will operate in partnership with agencies such as Victoria Police, the Department of Education, the Department of Health and community based organisations such as Eastern Volunteers and indigenous groups.

Earlier this month council conducted consultation sessions with service providers, such as carers networks, community houses and health agencies and today’s meeting provided an opportunity for the committee to provide its feedback.

The committee defined wellbeing as good health with social and cultural connectedness underpinned by a supportive and safe community.

This definition assisted the committee in identifying a number of issues that adversely affect the wellbeing of the Maroondah community. These issues were categorised into the broad categories of transport (inducing accessibility), housing, safety and social isolation and were identified as priority areas by the group.

The input from today’s meeting will assist council is preparing the Maroondah Community Wellbeing Plan and identifying potential partnerships to assist in its implementation.

The next and final meeting for 2008 will be held on Tuesday the 18th of November.