Tag: community advocacy

Maroondah Journal: Move on the cards as users outgrow house

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North Ringwood Community House, located at the rear of the Holy Spirit Primary School at 120 Oban Road Ringwood North requires a new location so that it can expand its services and continue to meet the needs of the community.

The Maroondah Journal has reported on its successful application to the State Government for $25,000 to commence a feasibility study into identifying a preferred site.

Combined with a council grant of $5,000 the funding marks the first step towards North Ringwood Community House achieving its objective of creating an accessible and sustainable community centre in Ringwood North.

Cr Alex Makin said the community house needed to be relocated to better meet the needs of the Ringwood North community in an accessible and prominent location.

North Ringwood Community House is not situated on council owned land, which limits its access to grants. In addition, the house is unable to expand to meet increasing demand and its location lacks street frontage making it difficult for the community to access.

“The North Ringwood Community House is the only community house within Maroondah that is not located on council land [and] this has limited the house’s ability to apply for grants. As a result, the house has outgrown its current location and the buildings do not meet current accessibility standards.”

The feasibility study is a critical step in achieving the vision of a new community centre for Ringwood North. The funding provided through the State Government has enabled the house to begin this process.

Cr Makin praised the State Government for recognising the importance of the house to the Maroondah community.

The study is expected to be completed by early next year and will identify a preferred location for North Ringwood Community and the potential for co-location with other community organisations.

Maroondah Journal: Budget fails to impress critics

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The State Government Budget was released last Tuesday and the Maroondah Journal has reported on the ramifications for Maroondah.

The State Government has delivered on its $39 million commitment towards the Ringwood Transport Interchange. While this funding is certainly welcome and will assist in improving bus, pedestrian, cyclist and taxi access to the Station it fails to deliver on the much needed redevelopment of Ringwood Station itself.

Cr Alex Makin welcomed the $39 million for the redevelopment of the Ringwood station forecourt and bus interchange, but said the Government had “not been forthcoming with funding for the second stage of the project”, such as the redevelopment of the station itself.

The announcement of this funding will mean that works will finally commence on the Ringwood Station forecourt, including measures to improve pedestrian access across Maroondah Highway. While these measures will improve access to the station, the current funding neglects to improve Ringwood Station, which currently fails disability compliance standards.

It is now hoped that the State Government will recognise the dire need for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station in next year’s State Budget, once it begins the works on the Station forecourt and bus interchange.

Maroondah Disability Action Group and Scoot Wheel n Move Joint Meeting

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This morning the Maroondah Disability Action Group (also known as the Disability Action Group Eastern Region) and Scoot Wheel n Move held a joint meeting with the Victorian Taxi Directorate.

The meeting allowed members from the two groups to raise issues they have had with taxis directly with the State Government’s regulator for the taxi industry.

One of the most common complaints was the lengthy waiting time in ordering a wheelchair accessible taxi and it is hoped that plans to provide an additional 330 maxi-taxis will assist in reducing these excessive delays.

The taxi booking system is also expected to improve with pre-ordered taxis becoming more responsive to customer requests.

Many participants also cited concerns over the poor handling of complaints and the Directorate outlined its complaint handling system. Any passenger with concerns over a taxi or driver are advised to contact the Victorian Taxi Directorate who is obligated to pursue complaints about the service.

The joint meeting demonstrates the cooperation that exists between the many groups focused on accessibility within Maroondah. While the two groups may have a differing focus, there are many common areas of interest.

Maroondah Leader: Council wants fast-track for station upgrade

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The Maroondah Leader has reported on the need for the full redevelopment of Ringwood Station to be included within the upcoming 2009-2010 Budget.

Cr Alex Makin said the station upgrade would be a “catalyst for the transformation of Ringwood. We need the State Government to back up the commitment it made late last year.”

While the State Government committed $39 million for the redevelopment of the Ringwood station forecourt and bus interchange, this funding will not alter the station itself or improve accessibility for train users.

“It will stimulate local economic activity, create jobs within the region and encourage inclusion since the project would create a station that is accessible.”

The redevelopment of Ringwood Station would stimulate economic activity not just to Maroondah but throughout the outer eastern suburbs.

Furthermore, a commitment towards the station would demonstrate that the State Government has confidence in its policies for Ringwood and would therefore encourage further development to transform Ringwood into a vibrant ubran centre.

“Now is the ideal time for the Government to commit to the project in its entirety.”

A commitment towards infrastructure projects such as creating an accessible, inclusive and easy to use Ringwood Station and interchange would demonstrate a commitment to Maroondah and the regional economy.

The State Budget is due in early May.

Eastern Ranges Retirees – discussing transport advocacy for Melbourne's outer east

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The Eastern Ranges Retirees is a seniors group based at Maroondah Federation Estate and encompassing members from Maroondah, Knox and the Shire of Yarra Ranges.

This morning I was invited to speak at a meeting of the Eastern Ranges Retirees in regard to public transport advocacy and the need for community involvement in seeking public transport improvements.

While there is understandably an emphasis on infrastructure improvements within the growth areas of Melbourne, there is the risk that the outer east will continue to miss out on much needed public transport improvements.

Projects such as the redevelopment of Ringwood Station, track improvements along the Belgrave and Lilydale lines, new rail lines and tram extensions as well as further bus improvements are urgently required for Melbourne’s outer east.

Community groups have a critical role to play in encouraging governments to invest in public transport improvements. The bus service reviews represent an opportunity for the community to advocate for service frequency and operating span improvements to the bus network and submissions have recently been extended to Friday the 3rd of April.

In regard to infrastructure improvements there is a need for ongoing community advocacy to ensure that projects such as the redevelopment of Ringwood Station are delivered. Ringwood Station currently fails disability access standards, with many people choosing to avoid using the station due to this difficulty.

It is clear that the funding commitment for the station redevelopment must be expanded to ensure the creation of a Station that is safe and accessible and integrated through pedestrian, bus and bicycle facilities.

VLGA: Discussing advocacy within local government

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VLGA: Discussing advocacy within local government

The Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) is a peak body for councillors, local government and community leaders with an emphasis on governance and sustainability.

As the Deputy Chair of the Eastern Transport Coalition I was invited to speak at the VLGA’s Essential Mayors Weekend, a conference designed to assist newly elected mayors throughout their mayoral term.

The topic was ‘kicking above our weight’ with an emphasis on advocacy within local government. Three organisations formed part of a panel discussion, including the Eastern Transport Coalition, the White Ribbon Day and Regional Cities Victoria.

My presentation covered the background of the Eastern Transport Coalition and the diverse geography and demographic that it covers.

I discussed the importance of policies and procedures to ensure that transparency, such as providing ample time is provided for feedback. The composition of the ETC is also a contributor to its success whereby each council provides an elected councillor and council officer. Council officers provide the day-to-day support for the group as well as undertake research and submission development and it is therefore important that both council officers and councillors are actively involved within the organisation.

I also mentioned the need for a united approach and the strength in advocating as part of a region, since this prevents other tiers of government from trying to divide local governments. This also ensures that projects are viewed in a regional context whereby the benefits are demonstrated across local government areas thus making it easier to advocate to other tiers of government.

I presented the removal of zone three as a case study that demonstrated a number of critical success factors, including a united stance on the issue, a strong presence within the media, proactive advocacy with election candidates and the need to engage all sides of politics. Zone three fares were abolished in March 2007 after there was bi-partisan support for its removal during the 2006 State Election.

While each organisation had a different emphasis a number of common success factors emerged including the need for unity, a positive engagement with the media and constructive advocacy across the political spectrum.

Ambleside Tours 10th Anniversary

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Ambleside Tours, based in Heathmont, provides holidays and day tours for people with disabilities. Each trip includes drivers, carers and other helpers to ensure that assistance is available if required.

Ambleside Tours, which began as a day trip for three people with disabilities, has grown over the 10 years to provide a range of travel destinations for all people of all abilities. Ambleside Tours promotes the abilities of each individual and its senior management are heavily involved with community advocacy for people with disabilities.

It is great to see business success stories such as Ambleside Tours, particularly when they assist people that are often marginalised within our communities. Businesses like Ambleside Tours help ensure social inclusion so that all people in our community can participate in recreational opportunities.

Rotary Club of Ringwood – establishing regional partnerships

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The Rotary of Ringwood, is one of the many Rotary clubs within Australia and part of Rotary International which comprises of 1.2 million members worldwide.

Today’s meeting discussed the potential to establish a community partnership with the Rotary Club of Kaninva, located in the Shire of West Wimmera, to provide assistance to this drought affected region. The project would be modelled on the successful Boroondara Cares program which provides support for within the Moira Shire located along the Murray River in Northern Victoria.

Officebearers of the Rotary Club of Ringwood will be travelling to Kaniva in early December to discuss the project in further detail and to witness the effects of drought within this part of regional Victoria.

Following this visit, the Rotary Club of Ringwood will formulate a strategy to provide relief and lasting community partnerships with Kaniva and the Western Wimmera.

Service Above Self is one of the key tenants of Rotary and this project certainly has the potential to create strong community partnerships and contribute to the wellbeing of regional Victoria.

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.

Scoot Wheel n Move October 2008 meeting

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This morning I attended the October meeting of Scoot Wheel n Move, a group that aims to improve mobility and accessibility for people with mobility aids.

Eastern Access Community Health (EACH) is now the auspice for the Scoot Wheel n Move so that the group can operate with some autonomy to council. This enables Scoot Wheel n Move to openly discuss council’s priorities and to advocate for accessibility improvements.

The group’s priority continues to be the redevelopment of Ringwood Station into an accessible and safe transit interchange, as well as ensuring an accessible town centre. Work on the redevelopment of Ringwood will commence next year and it is imperative that we create an accessible and sustainable urban centre to ensure an inclusive society.

Groups like Scoot Wheel n Move have the expertise and first-hand experience to appraise proposals to ensure that they do achieve a vision of accessibility and inclusiveness.