Tag: Attendance Reports

Maroondah Journal: Experience needed

Posted on by alex

The Maroondah Journal this week included a letter from Carol Hunter on behalf of the Maroondah Residents and Ratepayers Association in regard to my decision to nominate for the position of Mayor.

The letter is included below:

IT has been suggested in the Journal (November 13) that a younger person should be mayor.
While the opinions of young people should be heard and considered, they lack the life skills and experience to properly appreciate and understand the needs of a community whose ages range up to more than 100.
Also, it requires someone whose interest and comments are not apparently limited to the issue of public transport, which is a state government, not a council responsibility.
While councils can and should present the community’s concerns to all levels of government it is more effective for the council as a whole to do so, not individual councillors.

Carol Hunter
Maroondah Residents and Ratepayers Association

While the Maroondah Residents and Ratepayers Association refused to specifically name me within the letter, it is clear that as Maroondah’s youngest councillor and someone who is passionate about sustainability, that I am the target of these ill informed comments.

While public transport advocacy is an issue that I have and will continue to be involved in, it is incorrect to assert that this is my only interest. Representatives of the Maroondah Residents and Ratepayers Association, including Carol Hunter, attend council meetings and would have heard me speak about a diverse range of topics through my delegates’ reports and in regard to council motions.

As an example, I spoke about the following as part of my delegates’ report tabled at the council meeting held on the 19th of November:

  • Enjoying Planned Retirement’s Art and Craft Exhibition
  • October’s Eastern Transport Coalition Meeting
  • Maroondah’s Forum for People with Disability and Carers
  • Meeting with Eastland Centre Management to discuss accessibility and sustainability issues
  • October’s Melbourne 2030 Councillor Reference Group meeting
  • EV’s FReeZA program
  • Campaign Enable

I will be writing a letter to the editor to challenge these remarks and the denigration of younger people within our community.

Maroondah Journal: Two throw hat in ring for city's top job

Posted on by alex

The Maroondah election for the City of Maroondah will be held on Wednesday the 5th of December. The Maroondah Journal has reported on the current status of the mayoral race, including my intent to run as a candidate:

The race for Maroondah Council’s top job is heating up with two councillors vying for the mayoral position. Alex Makin and Tony Dib have expressed interest in becoming mayor.

As the councillor for Loughnan’s Hill Ward I have worked continuously on behalf of my constituents and the wider Maroondah community. The level of work I have undertaken in council is demonstrated by my monthly delegates’ reports which highlight the variety of functions I undertake as a councillor.

Cr Makin has flagged his desire for the mayoralty, citing the need for a younger voice as his reason for standing. “I believe Maroondah needs a younger voice at the helm of council. We need to look at new ways to engage our community and ensure that we genuinely represent our constituents”.

While Maroondah has made great strides over the past several years in regard to community engagement and sustainability, the council needs to become a leader in representing the concerns of the community, particularly in regard to accessibility and improving our overall level of sustainability.

Maroondah, particularly the Ringwood Transit City and Croydon Town Centre, will experience significant changes over the next few years. It is critical that we provide the foundations necessary to ensure a positive outcome for our community.

Councillors Maureen Naylor and Jo-anne Tayor said they would support Cr Makin.

I would like to thank Jo-anne and Maureen for their support in this campaign. It is great to have this level of public support from two of my colleagues, particularly two councillors who are extremely dedicated in their service to the community.

The mayor is officially sworn in Wednesday the 5th of December, I would like to thank members of the community for encouraging me to run as a mayoral contender.

Delegates' Report: Improving our urban sustainability through the Eastern Transport Coalition

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There were a number of significant events that occurred over the past month and I would like to use this opportunity to brief both council and the wider community:

On the 20th of July the Eastern Transport Coalition, which consists of Melbourne’s seven eastern councils, organised a bus tour for Meredith Sussex the Coordinator-General of Infrastructure. Meredith is responsible for coordinating the areas of planning and transport on behalf of the State Government. Given the urban revitalisation and consolidation that is occurring in the eastern suburbs, it was imperative that Meredith saw the region firsthand to understand the issues facing the seven councils, including Maroondah.

As the Maroondah delegate on the Eastern Transport Coalition, I discussed the council’s vision for Maroondah, with a particular emphasis on the Ringwood Transit City and Croydon Activity Centre. We stressed the need for further bus improvements, particularly along main thoroughfares such as Maroondah Highway, Canterbury Road, Dorset and Wonga Roads to ensure that our community is provided with transport choice. We also highlighted the need for rail frequency improvements, where currently people must wait up to half an hour to catch a train between Ringwood and Croydon during a weekday, despite the fact that services are more frequent, with a twenty minute interval, on weekends.

We also discussed the need to upgrade Ringwood Station and for improvements along the pedestrian crossing at Maroondah Highway.

I will be tabling the factsheet compiled by Maroondah’s Sustainability Department, which explained Council’s direction and highlighted the issues requiring active involvement from the State Government.

The tour provided a welcomed opportunity to explore these issues firsthand and I would like to thank Meredith for her time.

On the 12th of August I attended a meeting organised by the Maroondah Climate Change Action Group and supported by Maroondah City Council. The meeting, which explored the issues surrounding climate change, was well attended and demonstrated the partnership that can exist between the community and council. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Maroondah’s Sustainability Department for providing logistical support for this function and hope that this will be the first of many instances of where we as a council support such groups in exploring environmental issues.

Lastly, on the 14th and 15th of August, as part of a delegation from the Eastern Transport Coalition, I flew to Canberra to discuss public transport issues with Federal Parliamentarians and to meet other stakeholder groups such as the Australasian Railways Association and the Australian Local Government Association.

Despite the dramas experienced at Melbourne Airport, where our 8.25 am flight did not depart until 11.10 am, the trip was extremely productive, once we finally arrived in Canberra.

Australia remains the only OECD nation, that is the only Westernised nation, where the Federal Government has no involvement in urban public transport. This is despite the recent Sustainable Cities Inquiry of 2005, which was based on a vision for Australian cities to be vibrant and healthy and concluded that a coordinated and concerted action plan, through leadership from the Federal Government, was currently missing in regard to our cities.

There is an economic, social and environmental case for Federal involvement in urban public transport and the ALGA motions brought forward in tonight’s agenda expand upon these elements.

In particular, however, is the issue of good governance and accountability and I would like to take this opportunity to clarify the stance of the Eastern Transport Coalition.

Cost-shifting from the State Government is a major source of frustration and increases costs to local government and our community. Since we experience this burden firsthand we are not about to try and shift State responsibilities to the Federal government. What we are calling for is Federal involvement to keep State Governments accountable. Federal involvement in urban public transport would help ensure that the State Government lives up to its pledge of improving public transport and finally delivers on previously made promises, such as the third track to Ringwood which was promised by the current State Labor Government since its election in 1999.

Federal leadership would further the infrastructure investment within our region and boost our the wellbeing of our community, the same way that the offer for matched federal funding for the then Scoresby Freeway ensured that it was on the State Government agenda.

The Eastern Transport Coalition is not about to shift costs and responsibilities to the Federal Government, what we are calling for is better governance and Federal leadership on this issue to ensure greater sustainability and the economic wellbeing of the eastern suburbs.

The trip to Canberra provided an opportunity to explore these issues with Parliamentarians and there is definite potential to explore suitable models for Federal leadership in creating Sustainable Cities. Federal leadership and involvement in such issues will ensure greater accountability and ensure that State Governments are not able to simply forget about their responsibilities for urban sustainability and public transport.

I will be tabling my written report that the trip to Canberra as well as the Eastern Transport Coalition’s report on the feasibility of federal funding for urban public transport.

Delegates' report: Community meeting at Maidstone

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On the 12th and 13th of June I attended the third Future for Local Government Summit which was convened by the Municipal of Association of Victoria.

These summits are designed to help pave the way for local government within the 21st century.

I have prepared a written report for this summit which I will table with my delegates’ report.

Lastly, I would like to report on a public meeting held last Friday in regard to the park located at 47a Maidstone Street in Ringwood. The meeting organised with the assistance of the local community allowed me the opportunity to hear first hand the concerns over the proposal to sell this park. Despite the icy cold weather the meeting exceed all expectations with over 60 residents bracing the fierce weather to ensure to that they were able to voice their thoughts on this proposal.

The residents also provided a petition with over 150 signatories objecting to this proposal. I have lodged this petition as an objection to the proposed sale of the park at Maidstone Street.

I would like to commend Heidi Victoria, the Member for Bayswater and the local community, in particular Beverly Yen and Patricia Reidy for organising the meeting. It provided a crucial opportunity to hear concerns first-hand and to address the issues that were raised.

Delegates' Report: Examples of Leadership and Passion

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On the 29th of April until the 1st of May I attended the Local Government Managers Association Conference in Hobart. The conference was themed the Power to make a difference and the Passion to lead and this was reinforced through the focal points of People, Process and Place, to reflect the foundations of local government.

The conference covered the challenges facing local government including skills shortages, the need for triple bottom line sustainability and pressures such as cost shifting from other layers of government. Case studies were presented to highlight best practice examples and to reinforce the need for passion and leadership within local government.

I have prepared a written report outlining the conference, which I will be tabling with my report.

The passion to lead and the power to make a difference rings true within local government as well as the broader community and this has been seen through a number of examples in the previous month.

On the 7th of May I attended the Maroondah Environment Forum, this forum which attracted over 150 attendees demonstrated the passion our community has for the environment and our council staff, through the Planning and Sustainability Department, must be congratulated for delivering such an excellent forum. A number of broad topics were raised at the forum including, water, energy, biodiversity and transport and it was great to see such a wide section of our community being able to have a say and raise the issues that are important to them. As a council we must lead by example and recognise the importance the community has for our natural environment.

Groups such as the Croydon Conservation Society and the newly formed Maroondah Climate Change Action Group must also be congratulated for their leadership in distributing fliers and posters of the meeting. The environment forum showed the power that can be created through the community and council working together and I trust that this will mark the continuation of further collaboration between us as a council and the community groups and individuals that have a passion for the environment.

Leadership comes in many forms and on the 11th of May I had the pleasure of attending the Youth Volunteer Recognition Function. This event held in the youth space known as EV’s and prepared by the council’s Youth Services Team provides an opportunity to congratulate the many young volunteers that dedicate their time and service to the community. These people are filled with passion and are becoming leaders in creating a better society. I hope that their efforts will serve as inspiration to future volunteers.

There have been many examples of passion and leadership throughout the past month and there are many more examples throughout our community.

Delegates' report: Water conservation and community advocacy

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A pressing theme that has emerged over the events I attended in the previous month has been that of the environment and in particular the need for water conservation.

On the 23rd of March I attended the SaveWater Awards, convened by the SaveWater alliance, a non-profit association which includes membership from our water authorities and government agencies. The purpose of the SaveWater Awards, as its name suggests, is to encourage water conservation within government, private enterprise and the wider community and it was great to see many examples of innovation and a strong commitment to conserving water.

In particular the local government category has shown a number of examples that we can follow and Hume City Council must be congratulated for winning the local government category of the awards. Hume City Council is set to save more than 70 mega litres of drinkable water per year through the use of recycled water, water tanks and drought resistance turf. Kingston and Monash City Councils, the two other finalists in the category, have also introduced a number of water saving initiatives and combined the three councils a total 82 mega litres of drinking water is being saved.

This is the equivalent to 33 Olympic sized swimming pools and it demonstrates some of the proactive examples that are occurring in local government. It is also sets a high standard and in fact I would very much like to see Maroondah City Council as a potential finalist for next year’s awards. I will be tabling the Clearwater Awards publication.

Whether someone believes in the notion of climate change is irrelevant, the fact is that long term trends are showing an ever increasing bleak picture for Melbourne’s water supplies and the onus is on us to lead by example.

The good news is that in some areas Maroondah City Council is playing its part, since on the 30th of March I had the pleasure of participating in training session conducted on the use of rainwater gardens hosted at Maroondah’s council offices.

The training session was conducted by Clearwater, a non-profit organisation hosted and supported by Melbourne Water, and covered the potential benefits of using rainwater gardens to improve the quality of stormwater run-off by collecting excess rainwater run-off. What was great about this session is the fact that this is an area where Maroondah is leading by example.

Maroondah has recently installed its own rain garden at the lower carpark in front of Karralyka, due to design of rain gardens, the water runoff nourishes these gardens and also helps improve the quality of stormwater. This is one example of where Maroondah is taking initiative in water conservation.

Being proactive on water conservation and other environmental issues will have the support of the community and it is with community support that we can truly help shape positive change.

The last item I wish to raise is an example of where community support helps further an issue of concern and that is the issue of Maroondah’s stance in seeking a review of current gaming and planning legislation.

The Croydon Conservation Society issued correspondence citing their concern with the current gaming and planning legislation and the powers of VCAT. While the reply received from the Department of Justice does little other than provide excuses it does demonstrate the steps the community and community groups will undertake to assist council in its own efforts.

I will tabling the remainder of my delegates report.

Delegates' report: Student aspirations and future sustainability

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On the 8th of March I attended the launch of a Swinburne University of Technology commissioned report entitled ‘are we fostering enterprising young people?’, which benchmarked student aspirations within the outer east. Innovation and enterprise are the key drivers are key economic drivers for economic prosperity and it is therefore imperative that these skills are encouraged and fostered within our community.

Unfortunately it would appear that these aspirations are largely not being met within the eastern region. This is uncovered within the report, which showed there a significant gap between high school students wishing to commence further education and those that are actually undertake such education.

Likewise there were significant gaps between students wishing to seek employment within the eastern region and those that were actually able to fulfil this aspiration. The report highlights a number challenges in fostering and retaining enterprising youth within our region and I will be tabling a summary of the Swinburne findings with my delegates’ report.

On the 4th of March I attended a public rally organised by SCOOP and I would like to commend SCOOP for their ongoing advocacy in regard to the Croydon Memorial Pool. The public rally, which included a march of support for the outdoor pool, was extremely well attended and well-organised and included cooperation with the local police to ensure that all traffic and pedestrians issues were addressed.

I attended Croydon Conservation Society AGM on the 15th March. The Croydon Conservation Society has been in existence for over 40 years and is Maroondah’s leading conservation society.

The AGM featured a guest on water policy from the Department of Human Services who spoke about the potential adverse health risks that must be managed as we attempt source alternative water supplies due to our dwindling reservoirs.

It is quite clear that there is a severe gap in the current State Government framework that regulates alternative water supplies such as recycled water, storm water and bore water and it is imperative that this is rectified to ensure that as a council we are not being hamstrung by a lack of State Government guidelines in investigating and implementing alternative water supplies.

I will be tabling the rest of my report with a copy of the Swinburne University findings.

Delegates' report: Welcome to 2007

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I would like to begin by thanking the community groups that invited me to their end of year functions. While it may seem like such a long ago it is always good to have an opportunity to reflect on the previous year to ensure the very best for 2007.

As we enter 2007 a number of significant events have already begun and I would like to echo Cr. Gurr’s comments in regard to the success of the the Maroondah Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony.

February often marks the month that meetings officially begin and already I have attended the first meeting of the Eastern Transport Coalition, where I am pleased to say that Cr. Mick van de Vreede has been reappointed as chair of the group by unanimous vote. The Eastern Transport Coalition had considerable success last year, particularly in ensuring the removal of zone three public transport fares, which will take effect from March this year and I am certain that this success will continue throughout 2007.

There are a number of important events this year, including the State Government’s audit of Melbourne 2030 an area of interest to both the Eastern Transport Coalition and The Municipal Association of Victoria’s Urban Reference Planning Group. Strategies involving consolidation and higher urban amenity will only be achieved if the State Government invests in much-needed infrastructure and service improvements, particularly in areas such as public transport. It is hoped that the audit process will provide an honest review of Melbourne 2030 so that we can learn from what has worked and what hasn’t.

2007 will certainly be an interesting and challenging year and I will be tabling the rest of my written report.

Website improvements

Posted on by alex

I have revamped the design this website to further aid the aim of providing openness and transparency in my role as a councillor for the City of Maroondah.

The new design includes streamlined access to the main areas of this website, including latest news items and articles situated within my Internet Journal, such as the council delegates’ reports. The navigational and informational content of this site has been split into two separate columns providing easier access to these components.

I have also added the facility to view upcoming events providing easy access to events of relevance to the City of Maroondah. The events section of this site will provide information on upcoming council meetings and other events.

As always I appreciate your feedback, in regard to my web site and my duties as a Councillor for the City of Maroondah. My email address is alex@alexmakin.com.au.

Thanking you,

Alex Makin

ALGA and the Maroondah Mobility Expo: Empowering the Community

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I will be tabling my report but would like to elaborate further on two items, those being the National General Assembly of Local Government and the Maroondah Mobility Expo.

From the 26th through to the 30th of November I along with Cr. Gurr and Cr. Willmott participated in the National General Assembly of local government in Canberra. The National General Assembly convened by the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) allows councils to raise issues within a national context., allowing ALGA to make representation on behalf of local councils to the Federal Government.

In this regard I am particularly pleased that Maroondah’s motion in relation to sustainable transport was passed by the general assembly. This will empower ALGA to advocate for federal involvement in sustainable transport.

I will be tabling a written report, which provides further details on the conference. View the written report on the 2006 National Assembly of ALGA

On the 5th of December I was invited by the Scoot Wheel ‘N’ Move to officially launch and MC the proceedings of Maroondah’s first mobility expo.

The expo provided a full day program that included:

  • Free scooter and wheelchair safety checks;
  • Trials of a low-floor bus;
  • Information sessions on topics such as:
  • Accessing public transport safely;
  • Road rules for motorised scooters and pedestrians;
  • Advice from occupational therapists;
  • Scooter etiquette to ensure safe usage of motorised scooters and wheelchairs;

The expo, which attracted over 250 attendees, was an overwhelming success and demonstrates the results that can be achieved with strong community partnerships.

The expo coincided with the launch of the booklet, Maintaining Your Mobility in Maroondah, which contains valuable tips and etiquette on using mobility aids with Maroondah.

Both the expo and the booklet were only possible due to the strong partnerships that exist between Maroondah City Council and the Maroondah’s Scoot Wheel ‘N’ Move Working Group.

The Scoot Wheel N Move working group comprises of local residents who are passionate volunteers and dedicated to improving mobility within Maroondah. The empowerment of the Scoot Wheel N Move and the strong cooperation with Maroondah resulted in the mobility expo exceeding all expectations.

The community members of the Scoot Wheel ‘N’ Move working and staff from Maroondah City Council, in particular Katie Goodrope Maroondah’s MetroAccess and Trisha Matthes, must be congratulated on working tirelessly to ensure the success of the expo.

The Mobility Expo coincided with the International Day for People with Disabilities and it was therefore fitting that the aim of the expo was to help ensure that all members of the Maroondah community could participate confidently and fully in society.

Given the positive it is clear that the Mobility Expo succeeded in its aim of empowering people within Maroondah. The success of the Expo and Scoot Wheel ‘N’ Move provides a framework to ensure further engagement and empowerment of our community.