Tag: community infrastructure

Development in Maroondah – Business Networking Event

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Maroondah City Council holds regular events for the business community to provide information on Council’s policies and future trends. This evening we hosted an information session on the Ringwood Central Activities District to provide an update on plans for the revitalisation of Ringwood.

As the Mayor of Maroondah, I introduced the session and provided an overview of some of the projects council is initiating within Ringwood to support the Central Activities District.

The session was supported by the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) and included Prue Digby, the Deputy Secretary (Planning and Local Government) of DPCD, who provided the State Government context in regard to activity centres.

Frank Dixon, Maroondah’s CEO and Phil Turner, the Director of City Development, both spoke at the session to discuss Maroondah’s involvement in the Central Activities District, including the preliminary plans for the redevelopment of the Ringwood Aquatic Centre, into a multifaceted leisure facility, as well as the Ringwood Library redevelopment, which will coincide with the Eastland redevelopment.

It is imperative that Maroondah delivers community infrastructure that reinforces Ringwood’s status as a Central Activities District and complements the redevelopment of Ringwood as a sustainable and accessible urban centre.

Federal Government 2010-2011 Budget Breakfast

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This morning I attended the Federal Government’s Budget Breakfast, where the recent Federal Budget was presented by the Treasurer Wayne Swan.  The Treasurer outlined the economic conditions within Australia, as well as discussing the outcomes from the recent Henry Review into Taxation.

One of the initiatives through the economic stimulus package was the investment in community infrastructure, through partnerships with Local Government.  The redevelopment of the Ringwood Soccer Pavilion is an example of this program and demonstrates the outcomes that can be achieved when multiple levels of Governments work together.

I asked a question in regard to the need for an ongoing program of infrastructure funding that should be available for local government projects.  While the Treasurer did not provide a definitive answer, he did suggest that further announcements would be forthcoming in this regard.

It is imperative that all levels of Government work together to provide the best possible facilities for the community and Council will be discussing projects, such as the redevelopment of the Ringwood Aquatic Centre, with the Federal Government.

Speaking to participants at the Young Leaders Program

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The Maroondah Young Leaders program is a week-long intensive program that aims to increase confidence and leadership skills for up to thirty local Year 10 students.

Key topics covered in the program include:

  • Communication skills
  • Public speaking
  • Leadership
  • Assertiveness
  • Self awareness
  • Project management
  • Group processes
  • Confidence building
  • Conflict resolution

This afternoon I was invited to speak with the participants of the young leaders program, during a session where they discussed community projects and the role of Council.  As the current Mayor I discussed the Council decision making process, including the need for each Councillor’s opinion to be valued and appreciated.

I outlined the role of Mayor and Councillors, including the structure of wards and elections within the City of Maroondah.  Council’s priorities for the upcoming year include community infrastructure, as well as advancing the the revitalisation of Ringwood. One of the core roles of local government is to advocate on behalf of its residents.  The lack of public transport, as well as  the condition of Ringwood Station, were major concerns expressed by the participants of the young leaders program.

The students also discussed current projects being undertaken within the municipality, including the redevelopment of  Soccer facilities at Jubilee Park in Ringwood and the need for additional youth facilities within Ringwood.  In this regard, I discussed the importance of Jubilee Park as a major sporting and recreation precinct in Ringwood and mentioned that youth facilities will be developed in conjunction with the redevelopment of Ringwood as a Central Activities District.

The Young Leaders Program demonstrates that younger people in Maroondah are engaged and active members of our community.  The Young Leaders program concludes this Friday, where I will be presenting certificates to each of the participants.

Media Release: Ringwood Soccer Multipurpose Pavilion on the way

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Work is now under way on a $3.5 million redevelopment of Ringwood Soccer Stadium in Jubilee Park.

Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Alex Makin, said site preparation had begun and construction work would be visible over the next month or so.

“Council has been working for some time on plans to redevelop the Ringwood Soccer Stadium, which is part of the Jubilee Park sports complex in Ringwood,” Cr Makin said.

“This major project has seen the demolition of the old Ringwood soccer facilities to make way for the construction of a modern, multipurpose shared sports pavilion for the entire community to enjoy,” Cr Makin said.

“The new pavilion – to be known as the Ringwood Soccer Multipurpose Pavilion – will feature male and female change facilities, associated car parking and lighting,” Cr Makin said.

“Various male and female sports codes will be catered for and the pavilion also includes a boxing gymnasium. These facilities will complement the new, all-weather synthetic surface playing field following the completion of the building works,” Cr Makin said.

Council and Sport & Recreation Victoria have provided funding of $650,000 for the all-weather synthetic surface to be installed on-site. This is in addition to $2.9 million Federal Government grant under the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program – Strategic Projects.

“This is great news for the Ringwood City Soccer Club, and for the Maroondah community as a whole,” Cr Makin said.

“Council is delighted that work is progressing as planned on a modern facility that will serve the community for many years to come,” Cr Makin said.

Construction of the Ringwood Soccer Multipurpose Pavilion is expected to be complete in December 2010.

– ENDS –

Maroondah Journal: Right off the bat, extra cash for reserve

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Heathmont Reserve is home to the Heathmont Baseball Club, Heathmont Baptist Cricket Club and Gujarati Association Cricket Club and will receive $821,000 to build two new changerooms, a kitchen, a viewing area and accessibility improvements for people with a disability.

The project while largely funded through Maroondah City Council, will receive $240,000 from the Federal Government through the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.

Maroondah Mayor Alex Makin confirmed a $575,000 commitment from the council to make the project a reality.  Cr Makin said the works would make the reserve more inclusive and accessible to the wider community.

“What this translates into for the community is the development of a multi-purpose facility that will help expand social and sports participation for families, female teams and people with a disability.”

The contribution of Federal funding demonstrates the partnerships that can be developed when several levels of government work together for the benefit of the community.

Media Release: Boost for sustainability at Ringwood Aquatic Centre

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Council expects to deliver more than $60,000 in electricity savings and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 917 tonnes a year through the operation of a
new energy production system at Ringwood Aquatic Centre (RAC).

The gas fired cogeneration system, delivered to the centre last Thursday, converts heat produced by two gas fired engines into usable energy to warm pool water and generate electricity for the facility.

Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Alex Makin, said the system was great news for the environment.

“This initiative is part of Council’s ongoing efforts to reduce its carbon footprint toward the goal of carbon neutrality by 2020,” Cr Makin said.

“The $376,000 project is co-funded by the Federal Government through its Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program ($250,000) and Council ($126,000),” Cr Makin said.

“This project will lead to significant energy savings and a large reduction in greenhouse gas emissions at RAC,” Cr Makin said.

“Once it’s up and running this February, the system will join the range of Council’s sustainability initiatives in place throughout the municipality,” Cr Makin said.

“An example of two of the larger sustainability projects completed last year was the installation of an innovative filtration system at Croydon Memorial Pool and a backwash water recycling system at Croydon Leisure and Aquatic Centre, which is expected to save a combined seven million litres of water per annum,” Cr Makin said.

“Council will continue to implement environmentally sustainable initiatives at its facilities in a bid to cut resource use and reduce greenhouse emissions,” Cr Makin said.

Media Release: New look Ringwood Soccer Stadium on the way

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Demolition work has begun at Ringwood Soccer Stadium, paving the way for a $3.5 million redevelopment of the Jubilee Park site.

Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Alex Makin said demolition works began on Tuesday 8 December, marking the first tangible step towards the completion of the eight-month project.

“Council has been working for some time on plans to redevelop the Ringwood Soccer Stadium, part of the Jubilee Park sports complex in Ringwood,” Cr Makin said.

“This major project will see the demolition of the old Ringwood soccer facilities to make way for the construction of a modern, multipurpose shared sports pavilion for the entire community to enjoy,” Cr Makin said.

“The new pavilion will feature male and female change facilities, associated car parking, grandstand and lighting,” Cr Makin said.

“The new pavilion will cater for various male and female sports codes and includes a boxing gymnasium. These facilities will complement the new all-weather synthetic surface playing field, to be completed after the building works are finished,” Cr Makin said.

Funding of $650,000 for the new all weather synthetic surface will be provided by Council and Sport & Recreation Victoria. The Federal Government has provided a $2.9 million grant for the project as part of the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program – Strategic Projects.

“This is great news for the Ringwood City Soccer Club, and for the Maroondah community as a whole,” Cr Makin said.