Tag: bizmaroondah

Media Release: Key planning documents on public exhibition

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The community has the chance to give feedback on two key planning documents that will contribute toward Ringwood’s evolution into the Central Activities District and regional centre for Melbourne’s outer east.

The Ringwood Commercial Precinct Plan and the Ringwood North West Residential Precinct Plan provide the framework for achieving some of the goals set out in the Melbourne 2030 Update: Melbourne @ 5 million. This policy update responds to higher-than-anticipated population growth and requires a change to the structure of metropolitan Melbourne from its reliance on one major centre towards multiple major centres to reduce congestion and maintain Melbourne’s liveability.

Councillor Alex Makin said the precinct plans would ensure that all applicable future development would be undertaken in a manner consistent with the objectives of the Ringwood Transit City Urban Design Masterplan and Melbourne 2030 Update. Cr Makin said they would also provide a higher level of certainty for future outcomes to the local community and to developers.

“Both precincts were identified in the Ringwood Transit City Urban Design Masterplan as requiring additional planning work to stimulate appropriate development and to enable the provision of the necessary infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing city,” Cr Makin said.

“Potential currently exists to upgrade the image and presentation of Maroondah Highway and allow for a new regime of frontage showroom buildings and landscape treatments that can project a sense of pride along the route. This potential is harnessed by the Ringwood Commercial Precinct Plan,” Cr Makin said.

The Commercial Precinct is one of several precincts within the Ringwood Central Activities District area and is bound by Heatherdale Road to the west, Bond Street to the north, Mt Dandenong Road to the east and the Belgrave/Lilydale rail line to the south.

“The Commercial Precinct is considered important because of its location and role as a gateway between Melbourne’s Central Business District and the Yarra Valley,” Cr Makin said.

The Ringwood North West Residential Precinct has been identified as an area to accommodate a substantial level of change in the coming years.

“It will be one of very few locations in the outer east to develop higher density housing,” Cr Makin said.

This precinct comprises all residential land encompassed by Bond Street, New Street, Ringwood Street, the Ringwood Bypass and Eastlink. It also takes in the western side of Ringwood Street, north of Bond Street.

Both precinct plans are on exhibition until Friday 7 August. The plans are available for public inspection during office hours at the following locations:

Council Service Centres:

  • Braeside Avenue Service Centre, Ringwood
  • Eastland Service Centre, Level 2 Eastland Shopping Centre, Ringwood
  • Civic Square Shopping Centre, Civic Square, Croydon

Libraries:

  • Croydon Library, Civic Square, Croydon
  • Ringwood Library, Ringwood Plaza, Ringwood

Online:

Submissions can be made in writing until Friday 7 August and sent to:

Mr Phil Turner
Director City Development
Maroondah City Council
PO Box 156
Ringwood 3134

Submissions must be made in writing, stating the submitter’s name, address and daytime phone number, and including views on the precinct plan the submitter wishes to be put before Council. All submissions are public documents.

For more information phone Council on 1300 88 22 33.

The Economy and You – Maroondah Business Lunch

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Maroondah Council holds regular business events to discuss topics relevant to the business community and to encourage networking among the many businesses situated within the municipality.

Today’s business lunch held at the Karralyka Centre, featured Matthew Hassan, Westpac’s Chief Economist, who discussed the latest economic trends amid the continuing global economic uncertainty.

Matthew discussed the global situation including the potential for a further deterioration in global economic growth. While China continues to still experience positive growth its output has been halved and there are signs of further deterioration within the United States.

Matthew did however state that while Australia may experience negative economic growth, Australia is relatively fortunate and is unlikely to see a level of deterioration along the magnitude experienced within other parts of the world.

The discussion should assist Maroondah’s business community in planning during these uncertain economic times. For further information on Maroondah’s business events please visit www.bizmaroondah.com.au.

Opening of the Westpac Business Centre

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Amid the other events of Maroondah Business Week, the Westpac Business Centre in Ringwood held its official opening launch this evening. The opening of the Business Centre demonstrates a confidence in Ringwood, which is much welcomed particularly amid the ongoing economic uncertainty.

The launch included a presentation from Simon Hammond from the Belong Group, a marketing firm that aims to align meaning with marketing through articulating what a business stands for, ensuring that people want to be part of it and having brands that can be discovered and experienced.

The business world like other aspects of society is attempting to reconnect with people to re-establish purpose and meaning. Politics and council is no different and I certainly believe I have assisted in reconnecting communities and making people’s voices heard leading to better decisions and outcomes.

2008 Maroondah Business Breakfast with David Parkin

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The annual Maroondah Business Week breakfast is one of the premiere events of the week, with this year’s event including premiership-winning footballer and coach David Parkin as the keynote speaker.

David spoke about his experience with teams, drawing on his time within the AFL and the need for genuine appraisals and performance reviews to ensure success. Teams need to move in the same direction and while individual members should utilise their key strengths they need to ensure that they work collectively for the benefit of the team.

David cited three key statements to evaluate someone’s contribution including:

  • Can I still make a difference?
  • Do I still have a passion to make a difference?
  • Am I still respected by those that I serve?

In evaluating David’s comments I couldn’t help but think of council and the current divisions which are preventing the municipality from reaching its full potential. While people like myself and Jo-anne have the passion, desire and respect to ensure that we are making a difference, it is unfortunate that the gang of four are preoccupied by their egos, rather than community outcomes.

A total of eleven candidates have nominated for the Mullum Ward and it is clear that a number of these candidates are standing due to a desire by some of the other councillors to oust Jo-anne and myself.

While some of the other councillors appear concerned by the new ward structure, Jo-anne and I are working as a team in our bid to be re-elected. Over the past three years Jo-anne has been incredibly supportive and I strongly believe that a united team is exactly what Maroondah needs to ensure a sustainable, accessible and accountable future.

2008 Eastland Women in Business Lunch with Sigrid Thornton

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Maroondah Business Week is an annual event designed to assist Maroondah based businesses through providing information and networking opportunities.

The women in business lunch returned in 2008 with actress Sigrid Thornton who spoke about her experiences in acting, business and community work. Sigrid spoke about the need to remain focused while maintaining a sense of balance to ensure that other priorities are not compromised.

With the lunch coinciding with Pink Ribbon Day, Sigrid discussed her involvement in The Great Walk to Beijing on behalf of the Olivia Newton-John Foundation, as well as other charitable causes including her advocacy work to strengthen the Australian arts.

Alex with guest speaker Sigrid Thornton at the 2008 Eastland Women in Business Lunch

Maroondah Business Week continues until Friday the 31st of October for further information please visit www.bizmaroondah.com.au

Maroondah Business Week 2008 – Sustain and Grow your Business

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Maroondah Business Week will run from from October 27-31 with the theme of Grow and Sustain Your Business.

Highlights include presentations from Sigrid Thornton at the Eastland Women in Business Lunch to be held on Monday the 27th of October, David Parkin at the NAB Business Breakfast on Wednesday the 29th of October and Jen Harwood who is returning to hold a business networking event.

Topics include access to finance, getting started in small business, time management skills and developing a web presence. An information session will also be held on transforming walkers into shoppers, an important topic given the effects that rising petrol prices have had in encouraging sustainable transport, such as walking.

Business Week concludes with the QIC Cocktail Function on Friday the 31st of October, which will welcome new businesses and celebrate businesses that have been operating for more than 30 years within Maroondah.

For more information on Maroondah Business Week please visit www.bizmaroondah.com.au

Further interviews for the Maroondah Business Expansion and Retention Program

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This afternoon I accompanied Maroondah’s Economic Development team for another interview as part of Maroondah’s Business Expansion and Retention Program. The project aims to identify the key challenges facing businesses and to reinforce links between the business company and council.

The business we interviewed today was a large manufacturer and as such the issues facing this company were quite distinct to the challenges experienced by smaller manufacturers. Key challenges facing the company included the global economy and competition from developing countries, particularly in regard to research and development and labor.

Regardless of the size of the businesses being interviewed, it appears that in most cases employees tend to live fairly locally to their employer. This demonstrates that immense potential exists through initiatives such as the Ringwood Transit City, which aim to further provide lifestyle and employment opportunities to local Maroondah residents.

For more information on the programs available for business within Maroondah please visit www.bizmaroondah.com.au.

Continuing the Maroondah Business Expansion and Retention Program

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This afternoon I accompanied Maroondah’s Economic Development team to interview another business as part of the Business Expansion and Retention Program.

The program aims to gather qualitative data into current business conditions and to determine ways in which Maroondah can further assist the business community. While it would appear that businesses are quite optimistic about the future there is some concern given the uncertain economic climate.

Common themes include issues relating to the differing regulations across state boundaries and the need to further streamline and harmonise state legislation. Likewise there is a need for consistency with local government requirements.

A report compiling the information gathered through this program will be released as part of Maroondah Business Week in October.

For more information on the programs available for businesses please visit www.bizmaroondah.com.au.

Maroondah Business Expansion and Retention Program

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Loughnan’s Hill Ward, which includes the commercial and retail centre of Ringwood, as well as the industrial areas along Heatherdale and Canterbury Road, includes a diverse range of businesses that provide goods and services to our community.

It is important for any municipality to have a strong business sector so that we can provide local employment and opportunities for our community. The Maroondah Business Expansion and Retention Program aims to interview individual business owners and managers to discuss the challenges facing their businesses.

This afternoon I accompanied Maroondah’s Economic Development Team as we interviewed two businesses to discuss the challenges they face and opportunities for the future. While the business community is largely optimistic about future growth there are concerns about finding people with the right skills for their business. Maroondah provides a range of workshops to assist businesses in expanding their knowledge in areas such as the Internet, sustainability and occupational health and safety.

For more information on the programs available for businesses please visit www.bizmaroondah.com.au.

Maroondah HomeBiz April 2008 Meeting

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Maroondah HomeBiz is a non-profit organisation which aims to foster the development and growth of home-based businesses. The number of home and small businesses continues to increase and networks like Maroondah HomeBiz provide a supportive environment for these business owners by providing regular meetings and networking opportunities.

This evening’s meeting included a presentation from Dr. Louise Mahler from the Art of Business. Louise spoke about the importance of voice and expression during face-to-face meetings and telephone conversations with the aim of assisting participants in recognising the importance of posture and vocal tones.

Louise led an informative and entertaining session that provided useful advice for when conversing either on the telephone or in person. Maroondah HomeBiz meets on a monthly basis and has an array of interesting and entertaining speakers.

For more information please visit www.homebiz.org.au.