Tag: consultation

Media Release: Council motions supported at MAV State Meeting

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Six out of the eight motions tabled by Maroondah City Council were carried at the 26 May Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) State Council meeting.

The successful motions related to improving information technology for customer service, general valuations, unfunded superannuation liability, road reserves owned by VicRoads, Tax deductibility for election expenses and building and planning fees.

Councillor Alex Makin, Council’s representative on the MAV, said the State Council Meeting provided an opportunity for each member council in Victoria to submit motions which have significance on a state level for all Victorian municipalities.

“The motions presented are viewed as being of significance across the Victorian Local Government sector, including the Maroondah community,” Cr Makin said.

“Council has a proven record of leading the way in highlighting issues faced by the Victorian Local Government sector. This is reflected by the favourable response to previous motions submitted by Maroondah and passed, often with unanimous support, at the MAV State Council Meeting,” Cr Makin said.

“At its meeting of Monday 18 April, Council approved eight motions to be submitted to the MAV State Council meeting which was held on Thursday 26 May,” Cr Makin said.

“The motions were developed by Council following interaction with the community in the form of various forums, consultation and strategies,” Cr Makin said.

Of the eight motions presented by Council, six were carried.

The motions carried included:

  • That the MAV State Council calls of the State Government to remove the requirement for Local Government to have superannuation cash backed, given the inconsistency between the three tiers of government and given that both state and federal governments carry these amounts on their balance sheets as unfunded liabilities.
  • That the Municipal Association Of Victoria State Council calls on the State government to extend the frequency of general valuations from two to three years.
  • That the MAV State Council calls on the State Government to abolish the prescribed Statutory Annual Increments for both planning and building fees and enable Councils to set their own fees.
  • That the MAV State Council calls on VicRoads to review current funding allocated for the maintenance of arterial roads and associated infrastructure, roadsides and central medians, and if necessary advocate for increased levels of funding.
  • That the MAV convene a working party comprising of Councillors and Information Technology Officers to explore the technological opportunities to provide a one stop shop customer service approach for Local Government communities.
  • That the MAV State Council writes to the Australian Tax Office seeking an urgent review of the current ceiling of $1000 for election expenses that can be claimed by candidates for Council elections.

– ENDS –

North Ringwood Community House Annual General Meeting for 2011

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North Ringwood Community House is located at 120 Oban Road in Ringwood North and is the only community house in Maroondah that provides accredited training through courses offering Certificate III and Certificate IV accreditation.

North Ringwood Community House is the only community house not located on Council land, hampering the ability to seek grants for extensions and new developments.

Today’s Annual General Meeting provided an update on the relocation of North Ringwood Community House, with Council adopting in December last year to fund a masterplan for Quambee Reserve through the 2011/2012 Council Budget. This masterplan will include extensive consultation with North Ringwood Community House, Quambee Reserve and residents to ensure the best range of facilities for the community.

The guest speaker was Russ Haines the President of the Ringwood Historical Society who discussed the progress of the group’s history of Ringwood North.

I offered to return to the Committee of Management for North Ringwood Community House to assist the House in its activities over the course of this year.

North Ringwood Community House continues to experience strong growth in its courses reinforcing the need for a new home for this community facility.

Media Release: Funding pledge for North Ringwood Community House

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Following an extensive study of options, Maroondah City Council has agreed to set aside space at Quambee Reserve as the future location for the North Ringwood Community House, subject to further consultation.

Council will provide $20,000 in the 2011/12 Budget towards the development of a master plan to further investigate a proposed relocation of the House to Quambee Reserve.

Maroondah Mayor Councillor Alex Makin said the community house has outgrown the current premises at the rear of Holy Spirit Parish in Oban Road.

“Council and the Department of Planning and Community Development funded a Relocation Feasibility Study which found that the current premises were aged, undersized, poorly situated, had no disability access and had traffic and parking issues,” Cr Makin said.

“Council investigated several sites in the North Ringwood areas, identifying Quambee Reserve as the most appropriate venue for the House to relocate,” Cr Makin said.

“Council will provide $20,000 in the 2011/12 Budget for the development of a master plan which will include consultation with Community House staff, user groups and local residents as well as traffic and parking assessments, a design scope of the facility requirements and further design works,” Cr Makin said.

“North Ringwood Community House is an important community hub which provides a range of activities for various groups and individuals within the Maroondah community. Council will continue to work with the House’s Committee of Management to ensure that it can continue to meet the changing needs of our community,” Cr Makin said.

North Ringwood Community House Manager Sue McDermott said all those involved with the House were absolutely thrilled with Council’s decision.

“This decision will ensure we will have a future after a long period of uncertainty. I thank the Mayor and Councillors for their support throughout this process,” she said.

– ENDS –

Presentation on the Strategic Direction of VCAT

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The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) is part of Victoria’s legal system and hears a number of civil matters including planning appeals, which comprise 6% of the tribunals workload.

This morning Justice Ian Ross, President of VCAT, visited Maroondah City Council to discuss the strategic direction of the tribunal. Ian discussed VCAT’s approach to planning and suggested improvements that would assist Councils in being able to be fairly represented during hearings, including a right of reply to reaffirm decisions. Currently VCAT hears all matters in King Street in the CBD and Justice Ross suggested that VCAT could explore a presence in suburban locations, to make it easier for people to attend hearings.

It is encouraging that VCAT is developing a strategic plan that includes consultation with stakeholders and aims to improve the response time of decisions.

Ultimately improvements to the planning system requires action from the State Government. Currently either applicants or objectors can appeal a planning decision to VCAT, where they disagree with the decision made by a Council. This has the effect of eroding local government and State Government legislation should be amended to respect the decisions made by councils, where the outcome was consistent with planning policies.

MAV State Council Meeting – May 2010

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The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) is the peak body representing local government across Victoria and advocates on behalf of the sector.  The MAV holds two State Council meetings each year, where motions are debated to influence the policies and activities of the organisation.

As the current Mayor I am also Maroondah’s MAV representative, meaning that I represent the views of the municipality at the State Council meetings.

Maroondah submitted several motions to be debated at the State Council, including calling on the State Government to provide a centralised support service to provide assistance in regard to Councillor Workcover and Conflict of Interest provisions.  In addition Maroondah initiated a motion calling on the roll-out of energy efficient lighting across Victoria and expressed concern over the lack of consultation in regard to the increases in the State Government Landfill levy.

Each of these motions were successful and will help shape the policies and actions of the Municipal Association of Victoria.  The next State Council meeting is planned for late October.

Media Release: Mullum Mullum Reserve fencing application approved

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Council has this week granted conditional approval for the construction of a permanent fence along the length of the Mullum Mullum Road frontage of Mullum Mullum Reserve in North Ringwood.

The application by Norwood Football Club to construct the fence was approved during Monday night’s (24 May) Council meeting.

The club cited a number of factors in support of their application, including the additional safety a fence would provide for park users – particularly small children – and their ability to collect gate fees during home games.

Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Alex Makin, said there had been much community interest in the fence proposal and the conditions imposed aimed to address the most common concerns identified.

“In making this decision Council has taken into account the feedback received during several consultation periods and is confident that the conditions imposed will lead to a satisfactory outcome,” Cr Makin said.

“The fence will be 1.2 metres in height and designed to blend into the Mullum Mullum Reserve surrounds. It will be made of black PVC coated chain mesh and will be more aesthetic than the current yellow temporary fence used during Norwood Football Club home games,” Cr Makin said.

Among conditions attached to the planning approval is that Norwood Football Club bear the cost of fence construction, that match day entry fees be voluntary, and that a gate management plan be developed.

Council will work in conjunction with the football club to determine the exact location of the fence.

– ENDS –

Maroondah Young Leaders Presentation Evening

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The Maroondah Young Leaders is a week-long program held at the EVs Youth Centre in Croydon and involves up to thirty local year 10 students..  The program aims to develop confidence and leadership skills, with the students  selected in consultation with teachers from the participating schools.

This evening I officially congratulated the students for their successful completion of the program.  The Young Leaders program provides life-long skills, including working with groups, public speaking and confidence, which are useful in educational, recreational, employment and community pursuits.

The presentation evening includes a performance organised by the participants, where they showcase the skills they have learnt during the week.

In addition, several of the students will be participating in the Community Action Project, which is where the participants complete a project that aims to be of assistance to the wider community.  Last year’s group completed a video highlighting bullying, which was well received by schools within Maroondah.  Discussions and planning for the Community Action Project will begin in a few weeks and is coordinated through the Maroondah Youth Services Team based at the EVs Youth Centre.

The speech I delivered at the presentation evening is available within this post:

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