Tag: community facilities

Combined Meeting for Central Activities Districts

Posted on by alex

The State Government’s Planning at 5 Million Policy envisaged a network of Central Activities Districts throughout Metropolitan Melbourne, with these centres offering a range of employment, housing and community facilities.

These Central Activities Districts include:

  • Box Hill,
  • Broadmeadows,
  • Dandenong,
  • Footscray,
  • Frankston
  • and Ringwood.

While Local Government has largely supported this direction through developing masterplans to create a vision for these areas, there is a need for a State Government to assist in the implementation. This afternoon I joined the Mayors of Melbourne’s five other Central Activities District to discuss our priorities and a common approach to advocacy.

These six Central Activities Districts are required to provide a sustainable population and employment base for Metropolitan Melbourne. The ongoing cooperation between the Mayors and Councils of each Central Activities District will assist in underlining the importance of these centres to future of Melbourne.

Maroondah Leader: Bike path in state of limbo

Posted on by alex

The provision of sustainable forms of transport, such as public transport and cycling, is required to ensure alternatives to car travel, thereby mitigating traffic congestion and reducing greenhouse emissions.

Whitehorse Cyclists have launched a proposal for Box Hill to Ringwood cycling trail adjacent to the existing rail corridor. This would provide a safe and direct cycling route connecting the Box Hill and Ringwood Central Activities Districts, connecting the two municipalities to jobs and community facilities.

The Maroondah Leader has reported on the launch of the proposal:

Maroondah Mayor Alex Makin said the council also backed the plan, and wanted to work with Whitehorse Council, and the state and federal governments on the project.

Maroondah Council welcomes the proposal as this is a project that aims to strengthen the linkages between Box Hill and Ringwood. For further details on the Box Hill to Ringwood Rail Trail Project please visit www.bhrrt.org.

Sharing cuisine with Maroondah’s Sudanese Community

Posted on by alex

In recent years the City of Maroondah has become home to refugees from Sudan, who have settled into the municipality to start a life within Australia. This evening, Maroondah’s Sudanese community prepared a traditional Sudanese meal to share with the Maroondah community, with the aim of bringing bring people together and to discuss common challenges facing people in the municipality.

Like many people within our community, Maroondah’s Sudanese population is finding it challenging to secure housing and employment opportunities and there is a need for all levels of government to work together in providing a diverse range of employment and housing options.

As the Mayor of Maroondah, I have assisted in the Sudanese community in establishing a dialogue with Central Ringwood Community Centre, with the aim of providing a meeting space for their community and thus encourage civic participation within the municipality.

While solutions to housing and employment focus on State and Federal Governments, local government can support this through delivering on a vision for the municipality. For example, the Ringwood Central Activities District aims to create a diverse range of employment opportunities and this will need to be reinforced through a range of housing types and community facilities.

I welcome Maroondah’s Sudanese community and thank them for the meal they have shared with the Maroondah community. The food, included lamb and cous cous with members explaining the different range of cuisines that exist within Sudan.

Media Release: Glen Park picnic a success

Posted on by alex

Maroondah residents braved the windy weather on Saturday to take part in the Picnic in the Park event at Glen Park Community Centre.

Maroondah Mayor Alex Makin, who attended the event with Arrabri ward councillors Tony Dib, Paul Macdonald and Natalie Thomas, said it was pleasing to see so many residents enjoying the community facilities.

“The Picnic in the Park events are just one of the many Council events aimed at encouraging residents to come together and enjoy what Maroondah has to offer,” Cr Makin said.

“Residents took the opportunity to meet their ward councillors while enjoying the free sausage sizzle and family activities,” Cr Makin said.

“This event was even more special as it marked the completion of six months of redevelopment works at Glen Park Community Centre,” Cr Makin said.

“The centre has been totally redeveloped and it is now even more accessible and user friendly,” Cr Makin said.

“A new pavilion has also been built on the site, complete with change rooms, storage, a disabled toilet and a kiosk. The new building will better service the sporting clubs that call Glen Park home,” Cr Makin said.

“Works on a new accessible playground on the site will also begin shortly,” Cr Makin said.

“One of the activities at the Picnic in the Park event was for visitors to design their own painted tile which will then be used in the paths around the play space,” Cr Makin said.

“The path will be a colourful and practical work of art for visitors to admire each time they visit Glen Park,” Cr Makin said.

The community centre redevelopment was funded by a $450,000 grant from the Department of Human Services. A $50,000 grant from the Department of Planning and Community Development was used for modernisation works. The pavilion was funded by the Federal Government at the cost of $500,000. The play space is a jointly funded project by Maroondah City Council and the State Government.

Speaking to the Ringwood Heritage Seniors

Posted on by alex

The Ringwood Heritage Seniors are based at Maroodah Federation Estate and meet on a regular basis, providing a range of activities and speakers.

This afternoon I spoke with the Ringwood Heritage Seniors and discussed Council’s plans for the revitalisation of Ringwood, including the proposed redevelopment of the Ringwood Aquatic Centre.

There is a need for new community facilities to meet the needs of residents within Maroondah. As an example, the Aquatic Centre has reached the end of its functional life and is clearly not meeting the needs of the community, as evidenced by declining patronage.

Modern Aquatic Centres are multi-purpose facilities, with the gym and wellness centre components complementing the water facilities. In addition, the facilities will enhance the sporting precinct in Jubilee Park and offer a range of facilities for the Maroondah community.

Several of the members are frequent users of the existing Ringwood Aquatic Centre and are looking forward to the improvements.

In addition, the members cited concerns over the lack of a State Government commitment towards accessibility improvements at Ringwood Station. The vision for the revitalisation of Ringwood requires cooperation between all levels of government and it is imperative that the State Government supports this shared future through a commitment to fully redevelop Ringwood Station into an accessible, integrated and safe transport interchange.

Maroondah City Council adopts 2010/2011 Budget

Posted on by alex

Unlike other levels of government, local councils are required to place their draft budgets on exhibition to enable comment from the public, prior to the budget being formally considered by Council. This evening Council formally discussed the 2010/2011 Budget, with Councillors resolving to adopt the budget as per the draft that was released last month.

Adopting a budget is never an easy decision and unfortunately Maroondah City Council has been operating with a deficit for twelve out of the past 14 years, including a staggering loss of over $8 million in the 1998/1999 financial year and $1.8 million in the 2004/2005 year. Like any organisation, delivering consecutive losses is not sustainable and diminishes the ability to invest in infrastructure to meet current and future needs.

Maroondah has long required community groups to demonstrate financial sustainability and Council should follow this same advice. As a Council there is a need to deliver operational surpluses to enable investment in community infrastructure and much needed facilities, but this is only possible if Council operates with financial stability.

As a consequence Council had to make the difficult decision of increasing rates by 9.8%, or approximately $1.88 per week, to provide a sustainable foundation for the City of the Maroondah. While this may appear to be large increase in percentage terms, Maroondah has the seventh lowest rates when compared with Victoria’s 79 councils. Furthermore, a review of operations will be undertaken over the 2010/2011 financial year to control cost pressures into the future.

Importantly, the 2010/2011 Budget reverses almost a decade and a half of Council living beyond its means by restoring financial stability, through delivering an operational surplus from the 2012/13 financial year. As a result Council will be in a position to invest in much needed community facilities and will reduce pressures on rates in future years.

The first facility to be improved is the Ringwood Aquatic Centre, which has reached the end of its functional life and as a consequence has faced declining patronage and rising maintenance costs. The 2010/2011 Budget facilitates the construction of a new multi-purpose Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure Centre to be operational by the end of 2013. The Budget supports this vision through the funding of detailed design work and community consultation for the proposed facility, which equates to 1.1% of the overall rating strategy.

The adoption of the 2010/2011 Budget has not been an easy decision and it has been one of the most stressful experiences during my time as Mayor. Ultimately its adoption was the right choice to make, as it ensures a sustainable future for the City of Maroondah by delivering a Council that can live within its means while investing in much needed community infrastructure.. I applaud the five of my Council colleagues who supported the Budget, particularly since it will reduce rating pressures in future years, resulting in lower costs and better facilities for our community.

2010 Australian Council of Local Government

Posted on by alex

The Australian Council of Local Government (ACLG) was formed in 2008 by the Commonwealth Government to create and establish a dialogue between Federal and Local Governments.  The sessions were held over the Thursday and Friday whereby Mayors and Shire Presidents are invited to speak directly to Senior Members of the Federal Government.

I had the opportunity to discuss Maroondah’s priorities with several Ministers and advisors within the Commonwealth Government and discussed Council’s vision for the municipality.   There is a need for Maroondah to deliver new community facilities and all levels of government need to work together to achieve these outcomes.

The Australian Council of Local Government is a useful forum to demonstrate the importance of local government and the need for ongoing partnerships and collaboration between the Commonwealth and individual Councils.  The ongoing commitment towards the forum should be commended, as well as the focus on collaboration and working together.

Media Release: Look out for your Community Guide

Posted on by alex

The 2010/2011 Maroondah Community Guide has been delivered to residents in Maroondah over the past week.

Maroondah’s Mayor, Councillor Alex Makin, encouraged community members to make use of this excellent resource.

“The Maroondah City Council Community Guide is updated each year and contains an enormous amount of useful contact information on Council and community services,” Cr Makin said.

The first part of the guide details the many services and facilities provided by Council, as well as including information about elected representatives.

The second half of the guide has a comprehensive list of community organisations and services within Maroondah, including hobby groups, sporting clubs, disability services and local schools.

“You’ll find the Community Guide is well worth a look, with plenty of handy information. Keep it close to hand as an easy reference to local services, community facilities and agencies for the entire year,” Cr Makin said.

Residents who are new to Maroondah will receive the Community Guide as part of Council’s New Residents’ welcome kits.

Copies of the Maroondah Community Guide are also available from Council’s service centres at Braeside Avenue, Ringwood; Eastland Shopping Centre; and Civic Square, Croydon.

The Community Guide is also available online at www.maroondah.vic.gov.au where you can find the most up-to-date community listings and information.

“While the Community Guide is printed annually, the online community listing can be updated by organisations at any time throughout the year. Help us keep the information current by updating your organisation’s details online,” Cr Makin said.

Information can be updated online at www.maroondah.vic.gov.au or by phoning 1300 88 22 33.

– ENDS –

Media Release: Golf course upgrade tees off at Dorset

Posted on by alex

A major upgrade to Dorset Golf Course has been completed in a partnership between the Commonwealth Government and Maroondah City Council.

Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Alex Makin welcomed the new facilities at the official launch on Tuesday 8 June.

“This project, which is a partnership between Maroondah City Council and the Federal Government includes new community facilities, a golf shop and practice facilities,” said Cr Makin.

“The project was made possible thanks to a $295,000 grant from the Federal Government under the Department of Infrastructure’s Community Infrastructure Program, and a $56,000 contribution from Council,” said Cr Makin.

“The works will enhance the experience of those who use Dorset Golf Course, with an accessible entry to the building, all-access amenities, and an increase in the size of the community meeting room, with improved community facilities,” said Cr Makin.

“The old driving range has been renovated and remodelled providing improved practice bays and hitting nets,” said Cr Makin.

“Additionally, the works have included the installation of water harvesting from the roof into a water tank, which in turn is connected to the toilet facilities for flushing,” said Cr Makin.

“Adding to the environmental credentials of the upgraded building will be the installation of a series of solar panels to generate electricity for on- site use,” said Cr Makin.

“Maroondah is home to many top class sporting facilities. The upgrade works to be undertaken at Dorset Golf Course are a great example of the commitment of Council to continue providing high quality recreation opportunities for the community’s enjoyment,” said Cr Makin.

Dorset Golf Course is owned and operated by Maroondah City Council and is one of six major leisure facilities offering leisure and recreational opportunities to the Maroondah, and wider, community.

Nestled at the foot of the magnificent Dandenong Ranges, Dorset Golf Course was built in the early 1980s and opened to the public in 1983. Golfers can enjoy a picturesque par 69 course, over 5000 metres in length, with practice green and nets.

For more information on Dorset Golf Course or the other five major leisure facilities visit www.maroondahleisure.com.au.

– ENDS –

Discussing Maroondah’s Draft Budget on Eastern FM

Posted on by alex

Radio Eastern 98.1 FM is a community based station based at Wyreena Community Arts Centre and covers the municipalities of Maroondah, Knox and Yarra Ranges. The station interviews Councillors from Maroondah City Council on the first Friday of each month and the segment is used to discuss Council activities.

This morning I was interviewed in regard to the Council Budget, where I provided some context behind the 2010-2011 Draft Budget. Unlike State and Federal Governments which simply deliver their finalised budgets in May, Councils are required to undertake consultation in regard to draft budgets.

As a result, Council held a special meeting of Council on the 12th May, where Councillors adopted the Draft Budget by placing it on public exhibition, whereby written submissions can be made until 5pm on Tuesday the 15th of June.

In addition, submitters have the option of speaking about their submission in front of a panel of Council comprising of Cr. Nora Lamont, Cr. Rob Steane and myself that will meet at 7pm on Wednesday the 23rd of June.

The 2010-2011 Draft Budget with the accompanying four year Council Plan proposes a vision for Maroondah, where Council provides a new standard of community facilities, complemented with a return to an operational surplus within two years. Maroondah City Council has consecutively delivered an operational deficit and this situation cannot continue if we want to be in a position where we can deliver the best results for our community.

One of the new initiatives proposed in the Draft Budget is a new Regional Leisure and Aquatic Centre for Ringwood. The 2010-2011 Draft Budget proposes to undertake detailed design work, including community consultation, to ascertain the composition of this facility. This detailed design work, equates to 1.1% of the overall rate figure of 9.8%.

The detailed design work will ensure that the community consultation that is undertaken by Council will deliver tangible results and ensure that the proposed aquatic centre meets the needs of the community.

Council will be considering all submissions prior to the finalisation of the Council Budget, which will be held at a special meeting of council on Monday the 28th of June.

For further details on Maroondah’s Draft 2010-2011 Draft Budget please visit www.maroondah.vic.gov.au.