Tag: cooperative

Central Activities District Mayors and the Lord Mayor of Melbourne sign Memorandum of Understanding

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Ringwood is one of six Central Activities Districts across Melbourne, whereby Ringwood was identified as an urban centre that would experience a diverse range of housing, employment and community facilities. Ringwood, like the other identified Central Activities Districts of Frankston, Dandenong, Box Hill, Broadmeadows and Footscray, requires cooperation and a shared vision between all levels of government.

Throughout this year I have been working with my Mayoral counterparts in Frankston, Greater Dandenong, Whitehorse, Hume and Maribyrnong to ensure a collective voice for the Central Activities Districts to ensure that State and Federal Governments provide an ongoing commitment and implementation plan for each of these centres.

Alex with the Mayors of Melbourne's Central Activities Districts and the Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne
Alex with the Mayors of Melbourne's Central Activities Districts and the Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne

While each Central Activities District has its own strengths it is important that we work cooperatively to secure commitments for each urban centre. In this regard, the six Mayors have also involved Robert Doyle, as the Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne to ensure that there the role of Melbourne’s CBD is taken into account.

This morning each of the Mayors and the Lord Mayor met at Frankston to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that establishes the common objectives for this grouping of Councils. This grouping is unique given that it involves Councils that are facing like issues, rather than traditional alliances with have tended to be focused on geographic areas.

Alex with the Mayors of Melbourne's Central Activities Districts and the Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne
Alex with the Mayors of Melbourne's Central Activities Districts and the Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne

One of the most rewarding aspects of being Mayor this year has been the strengthening of partnerships between Maroondah and other Councils. This new grouping of Mayors from the Central Activities Districts and the Lord Mayor of Melbourne will become pivotal in ensuring that the Central Activities Districts and the visions held by the respective Councils are shared at a State and Federal level.

Introducing Di Morrissey for Eastern Regional Libraries

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Eastern Regional Libraries is a cooperative formed between the Cities of Maroondah, Knox and the Shire of Yarra Ranges and operates libraries within these council areas.

In addition to delivering library services, Eastern Regional Libraries holds ongoing community events introducing literary functions throughout each of the municipalities. This morning I had the pleasure of introducing renowned author Di Morrressey who spoke at the Karralyka Centre about her background and her career as an author.

Di discussed her life growing up in remote New South Wales, as well as her travels and introduction into television and the media. Throughout Di’s life she maintained a passion for writing and this developed into a career as an author, with Di focusing on Australian based stories.

Both Ringwood and Croydon Libraries are major libraries within Melbourne and it is great to see authors supporting literature within Maroondah.

Maroondah Leader: United stand on issues

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Throughout this year I have been focused on working cooperatively as a region to provide a regional perspective on issues and challenges facing Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

As Mayor, I have been working with the Mayors of Knox, Manningham, Whitehorse and the Shire of Yarra Ranges to deliver a cohesive approach to advocacy and priorities. An agreement for regional cooperation, has been signed between these councils and the Maroondah Leader has reported on this pledge:

Maroondah Mayor said the pact put the council in a better position to tackle issues affecting the region, such as transport and housing.

“Our aim is ensure that all levels of government are well aware of the issues we face in the eastern suburbs,” Cr Makin said.

The agreement, which is a first for Victoria, will deliver a collective voice for regional issues, through working together on activities that have common interest throughout the region.

Media Release: Council signs an Agreement of Mutual Support

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Maroondah City Council Mayor Alex Makin has joined five eastern council Mayors in signing an Agreement for Mutual Support in an effort to provide a stronger voice for the region.

Councillor Makin said the agreement would deliver a cohesive approach to issues facing the region.

“Having the support of our surrounding Councils will mean that Maroondah is better placed to tackle issues which affect our region, including public transport and community facilities,” Cr Makin said.

“Our aim is to ensure that all levels of government are well aware of the collective issues facing Councils and communities in the eastern suburbs. Maroondah Council has already been working cooperatively with our neighbouring councils and I look forward to this continuning into the future,” Cr Makin said.

The Mayors of the municipalities of Whitehorse, Knox, Manningham and Yarra Ranges also signed the agreement.
The agreement for mutual support commits the councils, where consistent and in accordance with each council’s adopted policy or position, to:

  • Lend support of the Council’s activities as considered appropriate in matters of common interest or mutual benefit
  • Be mindful of and take up opportunities to include other councils in activities that can provide economic, social and environmental benefit across the municipal boundaries
  • Work cooperatively and pro-actively to provide a collective voice for the region in matters where a collective voice will give greater weight to regional issues and solutions
  • Not replicate the activities of existing bodies, forums or like associations that already provide a collective voice for the councils covered by the agreement.

“This agreement will strengthen the partnerships that already exist between the five Councils and ensure that we work collectively to deliver outcomes for our communities,” Cr. Makin concluded.

The signing took place on Wednesday 22 September at the Art Space at Box Hill Town Hall, 1022 Whitehorse Road.

– ENDS –

Maroondah signs Agreement of Mutual Support with Eastern Councils

Posted on by alex

One of the areas that has been lacking in local government has been cooperation across councils to work pro-actively as a region.   While there are some regional groupings in existence, there is a need for a more focused and proactive level of cooperation across the region.

This afternoon I joined my counterparts in Knox, Manningham, Whitehorse and the Shire of Yarra Ranges to sign an agreement of mutual support, which means that the five councils will work cooperatively on areas that have been identified as a priorities across the region.

The agreement aims to:

  • Lend support of the Council’s activities as considered appropriate in matters of common interest or mutual benefit
  • Be mindful of and take up opportunities to include other councils in activities that can provide economic, social and environmental benefit across the municipal boundaries
  • Work cooperatively and pro-actively to provide a collective voice for the region in matters where a collective voice will give greater weight to regional issues and solutions
  • Not replicate the activities of existing bodies, forums or like associations that already provide a collective voice for the councils covered by the agreement.
Alex with the Mayors of Manningham, Knox, Yarra Ranges and Whitehorse signing an agreement of mutual support
Alex with the Mayors of Manningham, Knox, Yarra Ranges and Whitehorse signing an agreement of mutual support

The structure of the agreement ensures that the member Councils will work cooperatively and not duplicate the efforts of other bodies, ensuring that it will be focused on making a difference towards the region. Initial priorities include advocacy for public transport improvements and regional facilities, whereby that the councils work together to deliver the best possible outcomes for the community. For example, each of the five member councils have provided letters of support in regard the proposed Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure Centre, reflecting its significance to the region.

The signing of this agreement signals a more collaborative approach between the Cities of Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Whitehorse and the Shire of Yarra Ranges, ensuring that we work together to achieve collective results for the eastern region.

Opening the new Maroondah Handicrafts Store

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Maroondah Handicrafts, is a not-for-profit cooperative that was formed in 1975 to provide an opportunity to bring people together with a common interest in making handicrafts. The group established a shop in Ringwood East and has been trading for over thirty years.

This afternoon I was invited to launch Maroondah Handicrafts new store in Heathmont, located at Shop 3, 95 Bedford Road. The organisation is entirely volunteer operated and donates its profits back to the community, including groups like Scope Ringwood, the St Stephen’s Community Living Centre and the Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau.

Maroondah Handicrafts has a range of excellent wares and I encourage the community to support the organisation and in turn other groups within our community. Maroondah Handicrafts is located at Shop 3, 95 Bedford Road in Heathmont.