Tag: community concerns

Media Release: North Ringwood Community House Feasibility Study to Commence

Posted on by alex

Alex Makin, the Councillor for the Mullum Ward is delighted that funding for the feasibility study into a new location for North Ringwood Community House (NRCH) will commence following a successful grant application from the State Government.

“I congratulate the State Government for approving the community house’s application for $25,000 to commence the feasibility study”, Cr. Alex Makin said. “This funding, combined with the $5000 contribution from Maroondah City Council will enable the house to begin planning for a new location and a sustainable future.”

North Ringwood Community House, located at 120 Oban Road, Ringwood North, is the only community house in Maroondah that is not situated on Council land. This hampers the ability of the house to access capital works funding, resulting in an ongoing maintenance backlog. North Ringwood Community House is the only community house in Maroondah that has obtained status as a Registered Training Organisation and provides TAFE accredited courses, as well as subjects on computers, arts, languages and fitness.

“North Ringwood Community House provides an essential service for the community through encouraging social inclusion and delivering lifelong education. The announcement of this successful application means that the vision of a new community centre for Ringwood North is now one step closer to reality. I look forward to continuing my involvement with the house as we work together to make this vision a reality” Cr. Makin concluded.

ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES: ALEX MAKIN ON 0408 311 645
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Launch of the Outer East Community Food Access Research

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The Outer East Community Food Access Research Project, was a report commissioned through the Primary Care Partnerships and nutrition networks and examined the proximity to fresh and nutritious food to residents living in Maroondah, Knox and the Shire of Yarra Ranges.

While Maroondah is generally well provisioned with access to fresh food, through supermarkets, green grocers, delicatessens and other outlets, there are considerable differences between the prices that are charged for fresh food between each suburb and locality.

This has an impact on residents being able to purchase nutritious food, relative to other needs such as clothing and shelter. The report found that some residents within the community were eating less so as to afford other necessities, such as accommodation.

The launch of the report provides further insight into the health and wellbeing of the Maroondah community and is timely given that Council is currently reviewing its Community Wellbeing Plan.

North Ringwood Community House 2009 Committee of Management meeting

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The North Ringwood Community House, located at 120 Oban Road, Ringwood North, is a community owned and managed centre which provides a diverse range of courses and educational opportunities for our community.

One of the strengths of the house is the provision of accredited TAFE courses within a supportive, friendly and nurturing environment. The community house also provides a creche and occasional care.

The Committee of Management oversees the development of the community house and establishes a strategic direction for the facility. I have been a member of the committee since 2007.

The main priority for the committee and staff is to find a new location so that the community house can continue to provide a range of courses and services for the local community.

Maroondah Journal: Budget fails to impress critics

Posted on by alex

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.

Announcement of the Second Local Area Bus Review Workshops

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The Department of Transport has announced a series of second workshops in regard to the review of bus services within the Cities of Knox, Maroondah and the Shire of Yarra Ranges.

The second series of workshops aims to seek community feedback on the draft bus service improvement plan, which has been developed following the workshop consultations in February and March.

The agenda is as follows:

  • Report-back on the responses received from the stakeholder and community input received
  • Presentation of the revised bus services plan
  • Input from participants to determine the prioritisation of proposed changes

While workshops are scheduled throughout the region, a session will be held in Ringwood on Monday the 22nd of June from 6:30 to 9:30 pm.

These workshops provide an opportunity for the Maroondah community to discuss the need for improved services. I strongly recommend that Maroondah residents attend to ensure that their concerns are heard by the State Government.

MAV Eastern Region Reception

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The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) is the peak body representing local government within the State and comprises of a board consisting of councillors elected by their peers. The MAV divides Victoria into regions, with the councils within each region electing a regional representative.

The City of Maroondah is part of the MAV’s Eastern Region and the regional delegate being Cr. Geoff Gough from the City of Manningham. This evening Cr. Gough organised a reception at the City of Manningham to encourage networking between the member councils.

The City of Maroondah has a number of motions which it is sponsoring at the upcoming MAV Conference, including calls to ensure consistent rates of depreciation across the sector, support for reducing greenhouse emissions and calling on the State Government to increase funding for the FReeZA program so that local government can continue to encourage youth participation and provide employment pathways within this music focused program.

Councils within Melbourne’s eastern region should share similar goals in seeking to reduce greenhouse emissions, support financial stability and encourage social inclusion.

Heatherdale Community Action Group meeting 2009

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The Heatherdale Community Action Group exists to preserve, protect and enhance the amenity of Heatherdale Road and neighbouring areas. Heatherdale is in a unique situation where the locality is divided between Maroondah (the eastern side of Heatherdale Road) and Whitehorse (the western side of Heatherdale Road).

The Action Group is able to provide a voice for Heatherdale residents to ensure that the two councils are aware of their concerns.

The Heatherdale Community Action Group often includes an impressive range of speakers covering topics such as planning, transport, the environment as well as health and safety issues.

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.

North Ringwood Community House – 2008 End of Year Luncheon

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This afternoon North Ringwood Community House held its end of year function to acknowledge the contributions made by staff, tutors, committee members and volunteers.

In 2009 it is anticipated that planning work will begin in finding a new location for the community house. The community house will be applying for a State Government grant early in the new year to undertake a feasibility study to identify a suitable location and accommodate further growth for the house.

Community houses assist in creating inclusive communities by providing a range of courses in a friendly atmosphere. In addition North Ringwood Community House is the only community house in Maroondah that provided TAFE accredited courses in areas such as palliative care and disability services.

I am looking forward to assisting the house so that it can continue to serve our community in an accessible and inclusive environment.