Tag: bus interchange

Maroondah Leader: Ignored yet again

Posted on by alex

One of the key priorities for the Maroondah City Council and our community is the complete redevelopment of Ringwood Station so that it becomes a safe, accessible and integrated transport interchange.  While the State Government is planning to begin works on the bus interchange and station forecourt in July, no commitment has been received for the redevelopment of the station itself.

The Maroondah Leader has reported on Ringwood Station being ignored in the State Government Budget that was unveiled last week.

Maroondah Mayor Alex Makin said the council was disappointed the railway station, which does not comply with disability standards was ignored.

“The council views the redevelopment of the station as our top community advocacy priority,” Cr Makin said.  “It is a central vision as part of the Ringwood central activities district, and we’ll be calling on all political parties to commit to this before the station election.”

Ringwood Station currently fails disability compliance standards with some residents resorting to the use of a bus service to Box Hill, which takes an hour to complete its journey, just to avoid the steep, dark and narrow ramps at Ringwood Station.  It is clear that Ringwood Station is in need of a complete redevelopment and Council will be advocating strongly for a commitment for a safe, accessible and integrated transport interchange in the lead up to the State Election.

State Government 2010-2011 Budget Breakfast

Posted on by alex

The State Budget was delivered on Tuesday, and while several funding streams have been announced, including further funds for sporting and community facilities, there little new initiatives allocated specifically to projects within Maroondah.

The Budget Breakfast has hosted by James Merlino, the Member for Monbulk and the Minster for Sport, Recreation, Youth Affairs and Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs, with the Treasurer John Lenders providing an overview on the Budget.

One of the most disappointing aspects of the Budget was the lack of further funding towards the redevelopment of Ringwood Station. The Treasurer spoke extensively about how the State Government is implementing its various plans and while this is certainly positive, it is disappointing that there is not a long-term plan involving the Central Activity Districts across Melbourne.

I asked the Treasurer a question requesting that the Government deliver a plan for Melbourne’s Central Activities District, which would provide confidence and investment certainty within these areas. While Councils, like Maroondah, can deliver Masterplans and Precinct Plans to envisage the desired character of the area, there is a need for State Government investment to provide much needed infrastructure for the designated Central Activity Districts.

The top priority for Ringwood is the complete redevelopment of Ringwood Station, a project that thus far has not been identified in the State Government’s Transport Plan or its planning initiatives. While the State Government has committed #39 million to the redevelopment of the bus interchange and station forecourt this will not resolve the fundamental issue of accessibility and the lack of passenger amenities.

Maroondah Council and the community support the transformation into Ringwood as a Central Activity District, it is now time for the State Government to demonstrate its commitment towards this vision through funding the complete redevelopment of Ringwood Station so it becomes an accessible, integrated and safe transport interchange.

Maroondah Leader: Council hopes Ringwood station cash is on track

Posted on by alex

The State Government will release its budget on the 4th of May, whereby it will be hoped that funding towards the complete redevelopment of Ringwood Station will be committed.

The Maroondah Leader has reported on the desired redevelopment of Ringwood Station, which is Maroondah’s number one priority for State Government funding.

Maroondah Mayor Alex Makin said that with work expecting to start on the $39.1 million bus interchange and town centre facelift in the next few months, now was the time to act.

“The council is asking that stage two of the redevelopment be funded so it can be done concurrently, instead of having two distinct projects,” he said.

While works on the redevelopment of the bus interchange and station forecourt are expected to begin this July, the current funding excludes the Station itself, meaning that Ringwood Station will still not meet accessibility standards.  It is essential that funding is committed for the complete redevelopment of Ringwood Station so that Maroondah is provided with a safe, accessible and integrated transport interchange.

The City of Maroondah is calling on the State Government to pledge the required funding for the complete redevelopment of Ringwood Station.

Speaking at the PTUA Outer East Branch meeting

Posted on by alex

The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) was founded in 1976 and advocates for public transport improvements across Melbourne and Victoria.  The organisation has two branches, one located in Geelong and the other covering the Outer East of Melbourne.

The PTUA Outer East Branch was founded in 200, where I was one of its founding members and the initial branch convenor.  While I left the PTUA in 2007, the Outer East Branch has continued to grow and this evening I was invited to speak to the members to discuss public transport issues within Maroondah and the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

The top priority for Maroondah is securing a commitment for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station, which currently fails disability compliance standards and lacks integration with bus, pedestrian and cycling facilities. The Council will be calling on all political parties to commit to the redevelopment of the Station, so as to complement the works that will be undertaken for the bus interchange.

In addition, there is also a need to accelerate the implementation of the bus service reviews.  While the review into the bus routes serving Maroondah, Knox and the Yarra Ranges was recently released, timeframes have not been provided for the implementation of the longer-term recommendations.

Public transport improvements are essential in improving the amenity and wellbeing of Maroondah, through reducing greenhouse emissions, improving accessibility and mitigating traffic congestion.

42nd Annual General Meeting for the Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau

Posted on by alex

The Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau has offices in Ringwood and Croydon within Maroondah, where they provide referral services and emergency relief.  The organisation is operated largely through volunteers, who need to complete a training course before they can provide assistance to people in need of their services.

This afternoon the Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau held its 42nd Annual General Meeting, electing committee members for the upcoming year and to provide an overview of changes within the organisation over the past twelve months.  Like many community organisations, the Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau has had to adapt to changing community needs and as a result has focused on developing a range of policies to outline roles and responsibilities.

I re-nominated as a committee member at the AGM and was invited to discuss current issues within Maroondah,   including the redevelopment of Eastland, the former Ringwood Market site and Ringwood Station.  Works on the Station forecourt and bus interchange are expected to begin towards the middle of this year and will help in improving the appearance of the Station.  These works however will not resolve the issue surround the lack of disability compliance standards for Ringwood Station and further funding is required to ensure the creation of a safe, accessible and integrated transport interchange.

Priorities for the Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau include an upgrade of their computer systems to improve connectivity between the two offices and ensure that information is maintained and up-to-date.  The Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau requires additional volunteers, please visit www.mcab.org.au for further information.

Speaking to the Croydon Stroke Support Group

Posted on by alex

The Croydon Stroke Support Group is a peer support group for people with stroke and their carers.  The group meets on a weekly basis from 10.30 until midday each Thursday at the Heathmont Community Living Centre.

This morning I was invited as the group’s guest speaker, where I discussed the plans for the Ringwood Central Activities District, including the proposed redevelopment of Eastland the former Ringwood Market site.  Ringwood Station was also discussed, with many members commenting on the condition of the station and the difficulties due to its lack of disability compliance standards.

Ringwood Station has been a common discussion point with all community groups I have met during my time as Mayor.  It is clear that the redevelopment of Ringwood Station is a priority for members of the Maroondah community.  The current funding will improve the bus interchange and station forecourt, but a further commitment is required to ensure the delivery of a safe, integrated and accessible transport interchange.

The community clearly sees the redevelopment of Ringwood Station as a priority and this is a view shared by Maroondah City Council.  The Council, like members of our community, will be calling for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station as a commitment within the 2010 State Election.