Tag: bus

Maroondah Leader: Going public

Posted on by alex

One of my first acts as the Mayor of Maroondah was to refuse the mayoral car.

I have been undertaking my council duties utilising a range of transport options, including public transport and walking. I believe it is imperative that we continue to encourage the use of sustainable forms of transport.

The Maroondah Leader has reported the decision to refuse the mayoral car:

Maroondah’s new mayor has vowed to ditch the mayoral car and use public transport instead.

“I’ll be taking the train and the bus and we’re going to have the mayoral Metcard, or the mayoral Myki depending as to when they introduce it.” Cr Makin said. “Given that I am a resident in the centre an area where we are encouraging people to use sustainable forms of transport, I want to lead by example.”

The usage and provision of public transport is vital to transformation of Ringwood into a vibrant, accessible and sustainable urban centre. The usage of public transport must be encouraged to enhance the mobility of Maroondah, through mitigating traffic congestion and improving social inclusiveness.

Cr Makin said he had not driven for years but got around his ward and performed his council duties successfully using public transport and walking.

While the centres of Ringwood and Croydon are relatively well-served by public transport, there is a need for further improvements to bus services to provide an alternative to driving to stations, as well as more frequent rail services during off-peak times.

Maroondah’s first Generation X mayor, aged 29, said he would focus on the environment and social inclusion. He invited constituents to contact him on Twitter, Facebook, his website or the phone.

As a council it is imperative that we are open to input and provide a range of methods to encourage discussion with our community. The Internet provides new methods of encouraging community participation and we should be at the forefront of using these tools to encourage dialogue and discussion.

As the mayor I will be continuing to regularly update my blog, as well as posting updates on Facebook and Twitter. I encourage members of the community to contact me so that we can continue making a difference in Maroondah.

In his inaugural speech on December 2, Cr Makin said the recent burning of the Ringwood Miners’ Cottage should prompt a public discussion on values to create “a civic pride that collectively demonstrates that such malicious destruction will not be tolerated”.

As a municipality it is imperative that we discuss the values shared by our community and work to reduce apathy and encourage civic participation. Acts like the destruction of the Miners Cottage should not be tolerated or accepted by our community and we need to create pride within our community to prevent such acts from occurring.

Cr Makin named priorities as the central Ringwood redevelopment, more venues for community organisations and access for people with disabilities.

The redevelopment of Ringwood provides a once in a generational opportunity to ensure that we get things right for Ringwood and to create an inclusive, accessible and sustainable urban centre. Pivotal to this will be the creation of community space where we can ensure that organisations can meet the needs of our community.

I hope that over the course of the next year I and my council colleagues will be able to achieve these goals.

Please continue visiting my website or follow me on Facebook and Twitter to discuss your visions for the City of Maroondah.

Ringwood Chamber of Commerce – 2009 End of Year Function

Posted on by alex

The Ringwood Chamber of Commerce aims to represent the business community within Ringwood and organises regular meetings for its members.

Tonight’s occasion was the final chamber meeting for 2009 and included discussion around the former Ringwood Market site, as well as an update on works for Ringwood Station, which are expected to begin from the middle of the year.

These developments, along with progress within the Eastland site should mark an exciting year as Ringwood begins its transformation into a vibrant urban centre.

In addition, VicRoads is undertaking consultation over Maroondah Highway, with consideration being given for the removal of clearways between Ringwood Street and Warrandyte Road. This would enable additional car parking to benefit shops along the Highway, as well as provide bicycle lanes and better access for buses.

Traders within the inner city are actively campaigning against clearways, given the detriment it has on shopping strips. The removal of clearways along Maroondah Highway and the encouragement of sustainable forms of transport will assist in revitalising the shops along Maroondah Highway.

In addition, this will also provide accessibility improvements for people with disabilities through making it easier to access Ringwood Station and its commercial district.

The VicRoads consultation concludes on the 1st of February, Maroondah Council will be supporting efforts that assist in the revitalisation of this part of Ringwood.

Maroondah Journal: Residents have crucial role, says new mayor

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One of my priorities as the Mayor for the next twelve months is to encourage community participation. The Maroondah Journal has reported on these aims:

Maroondah’s new mayor has called on the community to become more involved in its own future. Cr Alex Makin, who was elected mayor at a special meeting last Wednesday, said that far too often residents waited until something directly impacted them to become involved.

The community has a critical role in helping shape the priorities of council through contacting their elected Councillors and attending council meetings. This ensures that council is accountable to the public and is reflecting the views of the wider community.

He said residents’ role was much broader and included the right and opportunity to hold the council accountable at all times.

“Some may think voting in council elections is the only way for them to participate, but civic responsibility can extend to being a vital presence when council conducts its business.”

Civic involvement will lead to a higher level of participation within our community and help convey a sense of values for the City of Maroondah.

He also called on the community to reflect on its values and to work to impart them on others to prevent “tragic” acts of vandalism, such as the burning down of the Ringwood Miners Cottage last month.

As a council we must focus on the long-term sustainability of Maroondah and our community. The decisions we will be making during this term of council, including the redevelopment of Council and our community facilities, will continue to be felt well into the future.

It was humbling to be in a position where I could help shape the future of the area where I have lived since he was two.
“We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to ensure we get things right with the transformation of Ringwood into a vibrant, sustainable and accessible urban centre.” Cr Makin said.

Please continue visiting my website or follow me on Facebook and Twitter to discuss your visions for the City of Maroondah.

Eastern FM – Interview with the Mayor

Posted on by alex

My first official Mayoral duty was an interview with Eastern FM at their studios based at the Wyreena Arts Centre.

Eastern FM broadcasts on 98.1 FM and has a monthly radio segment scheduled for the first Friday of month, where interviews are conducted with one of the Councillors.  As the newly elected Mayor I was invited to attend the the December interview and to discuss my vision for the oncoming year.

Topics included the need to encourage community participation, through a conversation of the values shared by the Maroondah community.   Council has already begun working towards this through the Maroondah Community Wellbeing Plan but there is a need to keep the community engaged in this discussion.

I also spoke about the need for further work on Ringwood Station to ensure an accessible and integrated transport interchange that encourages sustainable forms of transport and serves as the catalyst for the transformation of Ringwood.

As the Mayor I will not be using the Mayoral Car so as to demonstrate that public transport is a viable form within our municipality.   While further public transport improvements, such as more frequent buses and train services, are required to further encourage sustainable transport within Maroondah, I believe I will be able to undertake  my Mayoral duties using public transport.

As the Mayor of Maroondah I welcome community discussion and debate.  Please contact me on alex.makin@maroondah.vic.gov.au if you would like to discuss life within the City of Maroondah.

Media Release: Local artists Moving into central Ringwood

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A staggering response has been received to Council’s call for artists to exhibit works in the vacant shop windows of central Ringwood as part of an exciting new art project.

The Moving project aims to transform these shop windows into works of art as Ringwood makes its transformation into a vibrant Central Activities District (CAD).

Councillor Alex Makin said 54 entries had been received by artists eager to exhibit and produce a work reflecting the theme of change in Ringwood.

“This massive show of interest means there will now be more than one set of artworks exhibited during the coming months,” Cr Makin said.

“The first exhibition will feature the works of 14 artists and will be gradually installed throughout central Ringwood in November,” Cr Makin said.

“It’s expected than a second exhibition of another 14 works will go on display some time in the new year,” Cr Makin said.

“The enormous response reflects the health of the arts community in Maroondah and the interest generated by the changes about to take place in central Ringwood,” Cr Makin said.

“The Moving art installation aims to ensure these vacant shop fronts become eye-catching attractions while development work begins in the area,” Cr Makin said.

The $40,000 project, funded by the Department of Planning and Community Development and managed by Council, aims to improve the amenity of the area in the lead-up to major works in central Ringwood. Exhibition space in the shop windows has been provided by QIC.

Background on Ringwood Central Activities District

The State Government has committed $39 million to transform Ringwood into a CAD. Funding will go towards construction of a new town square on the station side of Maroondah Highway, improved safety and amenity works around the highway, a new bus interchange, and other works to foster investment opportunities.

“This will ensure the Maroondah community will soon enjoy a completely revitalised Ringwood town centre – one that offers a modern, attractive and pedestrian friendly community space,” Cr Makin said.

“The works will provide an upgraded Maroondah Highway and reinstate its role as Ringwood’s main street,” Cr Makin said.

“We will also see an upgrade to the public transport facilities, which will ensure the provision of a safe, high quality space for public transport users and other members of the community. At the same time it will make public transport a key focus for the Ringwood town centre,” Cr Makin said.

Ringwood has been classified as a CAD under 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.

Speaking at the Kerrabee Club

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The Kerrabee Club, located in Croydon, is a Planned Activity Group for the frail aged and people with disabilities. The Club is operated by the City of Maroondah and is available for eligible recipients of Home and Community Care (HACC).

This morning I was invited to speak to the Kerrabee Club about my role as a Councillor for Maroondah City Council. I discussed the plans for Ringwood and the need for the complete redevelopment of Ringwood Station to ensure that it is an accessible, integrated and easy to use transport interchange.

I spoke briefly about my background with public transport advocacy including the need for further improvements to bus services. A number of the attendees of the Club do not drive, meaning that accessible and frequent public transport is essential to ensure mobility and maintain socially connected within society.

The Kerrabee Club provides activities to enhance the emotional and social wellbeing of its participants, as well as providing respite for carers. For further information on the Kerrabee Club please visit www.maroondah.vic.gov.au/PlannedActivityGroups.aspx

Delegates' Report: Advocating for public transport improvements and an update on the Ringwood Spiders

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On the 18th of June and the 16th of July I attended the Eastern Transport Coalition, as Maroondah’s delegate to the committee. The Eastern Transport Coalition is a regional body, that consists of Melbourne’s seven outer eastern councils and this includes the City of Maroondah.

One of the priorities for the group is to engage with the wider community and provide advocacy for the needed public transport improvements within the region. As part of this program, the Eastern Transport Coalition will be launching a regional petition, which will be circulated throughout the member councils and the wider community.

The Petition will be launched tomorrow and I would like to thank our Mayor for confirming his attendance at this important event.

The petition is calling for much needed public transport infrastructure improvements and has six key requests including several which are relevant to Maroondah:

  • A full and public feasibility study for an increase in capacity on the Belgrave/Lilydale and Glen Waverley lines,
  • Improved facilities for passengers, particularly at interchanges located in central activity districts – Ringwood, Dandenong and Box Hill,
  • Fully accessible public transport facilities and vehicles

Among those requests is the need for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station into a safe, accessible and integrated transport interchange, recognising the regional importance of Ringwood to Melbourne’s outer eastern suburbs.

On the 22nd of June I attended the second series of workshops for the review of Maroondah’s bus network. These workshops are an initiative of the State Government and aim to make recommendations to improve the configuration of bus routes, their frequencies and service spans.

It is encouraging that the network recommended for Maroondah consists of largely positive proposals, including the need for more direct and frequent services. While the final report still needs to be prepared, it was somewhat disappointing that details were vague in regard to the implementation of the recommendations.

This is an issue the Eastern Transport Coalition will be following in coming months to call on the Government to commit to the timely implementation of the bus route reviews, particularly since parts of the reviews conducted in other regions of Melbourne have already received commitments.

On the 28th of June I attended the Ringwood Spiders Home Game against Parkside. The Ringwood Spiders are a football club for people with disabilities and is supported by the Ringwood Football Club at Jubilee Park. The game coincided with the Ringwood Spiders Sponsorship Day Afternoon and it was great to see the team playing some of its best football all year.

The Spiders had a tremendous victory against their competition and the development of the team over the season was clearly evident. What is always amazing about the Spiders is their focus on providing a sense of community and opportunities. This was reinforced by the player who was awarded the Best Player of the Match and who spoke about what the Spiders meant to him and how it helped him realise his potential.

The Ringwood Spiders now sit at the top of the division ladder and are playing their next home game on Sunday the 26th of July from 11am at Jubilee Park in Ringwood.

Maroondah Journal: No rail cash – funding uncertainty for station upgrade

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One of the most important community issues within Maroondah is the much needed redevelopment of Ringwood Station. The station fails disability compliance standards and is perceived to be unsafe by the wider community.

While the State Government has committed $39 million over four years to redevelop the Station forecourt and bus interchange, the current funding omits any works to the station itself.

The Maroondah Journal has reported on the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Ringwood due to the lack of a full funding commitment towards Ringwood Station.

Cr Alex Makin said the station’s update was a critical part of the Ringwood Central Activity District Project. He described the station as an eyesore and in urgent need of attention.

Ringwood has been designated as Central Activity District by the State Government, meaning it is supposed to be a priority for urban revitalisation and transport projects.

“The upgrade is required to ensure an accessible and safe means of public transport for the community. It fails in regard to safety requirements and fails disability standards thus preventing people with a disability from using the station.”

Ringwood Station currently fails disability standards, as designed by the Commonwealth Government’s Disability Discrimination Act of 1992, which established guidelines for the width and gradients of ramps and accessways.

This means that efforts to encourage sustainable transport and inclusiveness within Ringwood are hampered due to the fact that Ringwood Station does not meet these standards.

Cr Makin said Ringwood was one of the busiest stations outside Melbourne’s CBD, adding that there was “all the more reason for it to be upgraded.”

Ringwood is a major transport hub of regional significance within Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. The station serves as the junction of the Belgave and Lilydale lines and provides access to the community facilities within Ringwood.

The full redevelopment of Ringwood Station is needed to ensure that the vision of a vibrant future for Ringwood can succeed.

Review of Bus Services – Second Community Workshop

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The State Government is undertaking a series of bus service reviews across Metropolitan Melbourne and is currently reviewing services within Maroondah, Knox and the Yarra Ranges.

These reviews consist of two community workshops, the first which was held back in February and provided an opportunity for participants to raise their concerns. Issues that were discussed included the need for additional routes to cover gaps in network coverage, as well as the need for more frequent and longer running services.

Tonight’s workshop provided an opportunity to respond to the first draft of recommendations that will be made into the bus network covering Maroondah, Knox and the Shire of Yarra Ranges.

The recommendations were largely positive and included a number of improvements from the written submission I made to the bus review process.

These improvements included a proposed new bus service along Canterbury Road from Camberwell through to Ringwood, a new bus service along Mount Dandenong Road providing accessible and direct access to Karralyka and Maroondah Hospital and improving the directness of routes to make it easier for people to use public transport.

Unfortunately, there was an omission of new services for the Warranwood area and some of the changes for Ringwood North, which included a telebus service operating in a loop to Ringwood Station needs further refinement to provide better connectivity and to ensure quick travel times.

In addition, there was a lack of detail over service frequency and operating span improvements, although there was the recognition that more frequent services were required particularly along main roads such as Maroondah Highway.

Overall the recommendations were largely positive, although these initiatives will only come to fruition if government funding is forthcoming.

The review of bus services has been a positive initiative and it would be a shame if funding was not made available to use this opportunity and demonstrate a serious commitment to providing fast, frequent and readily available bus services across Melbourne and its outer suburbs.

Eastern Transport Coalition – the bus network and transport inquiries

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Tonight’s Eastern Transport Coalition meeting included a presentation from the Bus Association of Victoria outlining the increasing patronage experienced on Melbourne’s bus routes.

It is of little surprise that the more frequent routes have attracted higher patronage, with Melbourne’s SmartBus routes experiencing ongoing and strong growth. For example, the Ringwood to Frankston SmartBus (route 901) has experienced rapid patronage growth, as has route 903 from Mordialloc to Altona. These improvements result in reducing the number of cars on our roads, mitigating traffic congestion and greenhouse emissions, while also improving social inclusion.

The SmartBus network demonstrates how Melbourne’s bus routes should operate and there is a dire need for further improvements across the bus network.

The current bus review process for Maroondah, Knox and the Yarra Ranges will identify required improvements and it is imperative that these findings are funded and implemented.

The State Government must follow through with the funding required to implement the bus service reviews and help deliver a sustainable and inclusive transport system.

It is in this regard that the Eastern Transport Coalition is calling on Members of Parliament to initiate an Inquiry into Melbourne’s public transport system.

While the Victorian Legislative Council has resolved to undertake an inquiry into the factors leading to and causes of failures in the provision of metropolitan and V/Line train services, there is a need for a broader inquiry examining Melbourne’s entire public transport system.

A broader inquiry would explore the disconnect that exists between Melbourne’s public transport modes and investigate the systemic failures in delivering a public transport system that would promote transport choice through being competitive with private vehicle travel.

The Eastern Transport Coalition will be issuing a letter to local Members of Parliament requesting their support for this inquiry.

The redevelopment of Ringwood Station, accessibility improvements and more frequent and readily services are among the priorities for the Eastern Transport Coalition and will be included within this letter.