Tag: councillor

Upcoming Council Elections

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Thank you to the many individuals and community organisations that have shared their time over the past seven years. It has been an absolute honour to represent the Loughnan’s HIll Ward and the Mullum Wards in the City of Maroondah.

We accomplished a lot over these years, including new investment in community infrastructure, a focus on public transport advocacy and a Council that responds to needs in the community. During my time as Mayor I reversed twelve years of budget deficits and improved the accountability of Councils by encouraging debate and discussion during Council meetings.

I was the first elected Councillor to regularly maintain a blog, documenting my Council activities and to engage communities through social media. I provided a range of contact options to ensure that constituents were able to easily make contact with an elected representative.

After seven years I will not be renominating at the upcoming Council elections. I would like to thank the many people who have offered support and encouragement for providing the opportunity to respond to their concerns.

We have a great seven years together but it now time for me to focus on my career and other pursuits. I like the people of Loughnan’s Hill Ward and the Mullum Ward for the opportunity to serve as their elected representative.

Discussing experiences as a Councillor for the MAV Stand for Council Campaign

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Being an elected Councillor requires an ongoing time commitment coupled with an understanding of good governance and the ability to respond to community feedback. Victorian council elections will be held at the end of October in all local councils with the exception of Brimbank City Council.

The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) provides introductory sessions for prospective council candidates to assist in understanding the role and responsibilities of local government. The sessions include an overview from a neighbouring Council Chief Executive Officer and Councillor to discuss the role of council officers and elected representatives.

This evening I was invited to speak at the information session held at Knox City Council to provide an overview of my experiences in local government and advice on conducting council campaigns. The session provided an opportunity for candidates to discuss the operations of a Council and the role that Councillors undertake within the community. In particular I was able to provide an overview of governance structures for Council to assist candidates in understanding how Councillors can deliver results for the community.

I attended a similar information session in 2005 when I first stood for local government in Maroondah and found that the discussion was useful in gaining an insight into councils. Candidates should be advised to learn about local government and its decision making processes to ensure that they can become effective representatives for their community.

Media Release: Funding assisting for flood victims

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Maroondah residents damaged in the January and February floods may be eligible for financial support as part of the 2011 Victorian Floods Disaster Relief Fund.

Councillor Alex Makin said the funding was established to assist residents to repair flood-damaged homes and replace household goods.

“The Damage to House and Contents Gift is open to a range of households including owner occupied, tenants, boarders and sole residential asset owners,” Cr Makin said.

“The gift is structured in two stages. Stage one is an initial payment of $1000 to assist with immediate costs facing households with significant damage to their flood-affected houses,” Cr Makin said.

“Stage two is a further payment to assist with the replacement of household contents and towards the repair and restoration of homes which have been more severely damaged. The amount residents will receive for this payment will depend on the number of eligible applicants and the amount available in the fund,” Cr Makin said.

“A single application form is used to determine who is eligible for the payments, as some applicants may only be eligible for one of the payments, depending on their circumstances,” Cr Makin said.

“As well as completing the application form residents will need to provide supporting documentation regarding the extent of damage to their house and contents and sign a statutory declaration,” Cr Makin said.

All applications must be submitted before 1 July 2011.

To determine if you are eligible for funding assistance contact the Floods Disaster Relief Fund on 1800 180 213, email vicfloodsfund@dhs.vic.gov.au or visit www.dhs.vic.gov.au/floodappeal to download the application form and fact sheets.

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Maroondah Partners in Community Wellbeing Committee – First meeting for 2011

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The Maroondah Partners in Community Wellbeing Committee is a delegated committee of Council that includes two Councillors and a number of external organisations, including EACH, Eastern Volunteers, the Outer East Primary Care Partnership, Women’s Health East and other health and education providers.

The Committee meets on a quarterly basis, with Council representation consisting of myself and Cr Ann Fraser. The Committee oversees the implementation of Council’s Community Wellbeing Plan, which aims to improve health and wellbeing within Maroondah through working in partnership with other key organisations.

Today’s meeting reviewed Council’s internal progress towards implementing actions within the plan. This ensures that the various Council departments are working towards progressing the plan and delivering upon its outcomes.

The Community Wellbeing Plan is renewed every four years and as such it is imperative that progress is measured to consider its success. Progress has been positive and it is encouraging to see outcomes being achieved.

Media Release: Change your clock, change your smoke alarm battery

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Maroondah City Council would like to remind residents that daylight saving time will end on Sunday 3 April.

Councillor Alex Makin said the end of daylight saving time meant two things – an extra hour of sleep, and remembering to make sure your smoke alarm battery is working properly.

“Checking the health of smoke alarm batteries at the beginning and end of daylight saving has become a bi-annual tradition,” Cr Makin said.

“Even if the alarm is hardwired into the electricity supply, residents still need to check the back-up battery. Quite often when a fire takes hold, the power goes off,” Cr Makin said.

“You should also check smoke detectors are in the right position, usually on the hallway ceiling near bedrooms. This will give them the best opportunity to do their job by detecting smoke before it reaches those who are asleep,” Cr Makin said.

“For only a few dollars, keeping smoke alarms in good working order is the cheapest insurance for families and property,” Cr Makin said.

The end of daylight saving means clocks should be wound back one hour before 2am.

– ENDS –

Media Release: Get to know your Mullum Ward Councillors

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People living in Mullum Ward will have an opportunity to mingle with their local councillors during the first Maroondah Picnic in the Park event for 2011.

The event provides an opportunity to have a chat with your friendly Mullum Ward Councillors Ann Fraser, Nora Lamont and Alex Makin at Maroondah Federation Estate on Saturday 26 February.

“The Picnic in the Park is a fantastic concept which allows us, as ward councillors, to meet members of the community face-to-face and discuss all sorts of things,” Cr Fraser said.

“People can come along and have a chat about whatever is on their minds. It doesn’t have to have anything to do with Council matters,” Cr Fraser said.

“We encourage all Mullum residents to come along to the event and share with us their views on the area, and what they love about living in Maroondah,” Cr Makin said.

“An event like this is a perfect opportunity to speak face to face with a councillor and have your questions answered and your concerns addressed,” Cr Makin said.

“These picnics are a good chance for everyone to get to know each other on a different level, and find out more about the services offered by Council,” Cr Lamont said.

“The event coincides with the 10th anniversary celebrations of Maroondah Federation Estate, so residents will also be able to join in the festivities which include demonstrations from community groups, artists talks and fun activities for the kids,” Cr Lamont said.

Mullum Ward is located on the western side of Maroondah and includes most of Ringwood and Ringwood North, half of Ringwood East, and a small part of Croydon and Heathmont.

Head along to Maroondah Federation Estate on Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood, between 12noon and 4pm on Saturday 26 February to be part of the Picnic in the Park event.

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Maroondah City Council meeting

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Maroondah City Council officially meets on a monthly basis from 7.30 pm at the Council Chambers at the Maroondah Civic Centre in Braeside Avenue, Ringwood.

The public is welcome to attend and there is an opportunity to submit a question to be answered at council meetings or to speak directly with councillors and council staff after the meeting.

The Mayor chairs the council proceedings and copies of the agenda are available from the Maroondah City Council website prior to the meeting.

If you wish to submit a formal question at a council meeting, please download the form for Public Question Time from the Maroondah City Council Website.

Maroondah Movement for Reconciliation – 10th anniversary luncheon

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The Maroondah Movement for Reconciliation is a community group that was formed in 2000 to promote reconciliation and social inclusion within Maroondah. The group has been instrumental in promoting the importance of reconciliation and an understanding of indigenous culture.

This afternoon I attended the 10th anniversary luncheon of Maroondah Movement for Reconciliation, which provided an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the group, including cultural awareness programs, film evenings and indigenous flag raising ceremonies. As Mayor I was invited to speak on these achievements, where I acknowledged the dedication of former Councillor Jo-anne Taylor, who championed reconciliation within Council.

In 2008, Maroondah City Council agreed to permanently fly the Indigenous Flag at the Council Civic Centres in Ringwood and Croydon. Furthermore Council’s commitment to reconciliation was strengthened throughout this year during my time as Mayor, through the inclusion of the acknowledgement of country at all Council functions and at all Council meetings.

Local government has a key responsibility in promoting social inclusion and establishing a sense of community. Reconciliation promotes an understanding of indigenous culture and helps create an inclusive community. Maroondah Movement for Reconciliation should be proud of its achievements over the past ten years and for continuing to promote reconciliation within our community.

Media Release: Maroondah Festival bigger and better than ever

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This year’s Maroondah Festival was a huge success, with seven hours of entertainment enjoyed by the Maroondah community on Sunday 7 November at Town Park in Croydon.

Maroondah Mayor Councillor Alex Makin said the threat of stormy weather wasn’t enough to the keep more than 30,000 people from attending the 21st Maroondah Festival. In fact the sun was shining for most of the day.

“The Maroondah Festival is one of the eastern suburbs’ largest free community events and this is due to the community spirit that brings out all that is good about Maroondah on this wonderful day,” Cr Makin said.

“On behalf of Council and the festival organisers, I would like to thank our sponsors, including major sponsor Ringwood Honda, exhibitors, performers, site holders and Council staff for their commitment and support in making this day such a great success,” Cr Makin said.

“It was very pleasing to see that crowd numbers were very high, with the local community enjoying the many activities and events available all day. This annual free event has become an integral part of Maroondah’s identity. I know many people look forward to this event and I am proud to say that it just keeps getting better every year,” Cr Makin said.

Many of Council’s services and facilities were represented at the festival, including the proposed Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure Centre.

“The expo gave festival visitors an opportunity to find out more about the proposed facility which includes the proposed state diving centre. The centre would provide Ringwood Diving Club and other diving clubs with a state-of-the-art training facility,” Cr Makin said.

“Leisure experts, representatives from Ringwood Diving Club and Council representatives were on hand at the festival to answer any questions people had about the proposed facility,” Cr Makin said.

“We had hundreds of people through the expo viewing the images and concept plans of the proposed facilities, with many taking the time to fill-out feedback forms on their thoughts of the proposed facility,” Cr Makin said.

“Next to the proposed Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure Centre expo Ringwood Diving Club members had their own interactive display at the festival, complete with divers performing on a portable springboard, mini trampoline and kinder dive activities,” Cr Makin said.

“Four time Olympic diver Jenny Donnet visited both the Ringwood Diving Club and Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure Centre displays during the festival. Jenny, a local Ringwood resident, was extremely supportive of the proposed facility saying diving clubs, elite and developing divers would benefit greatly from having access to the proposed dry diving training facility and the FINA standard 10 metre diving tower and pool,” Cr Makin said.

Jenny also took the time to fill out a feedback form, commenting that the proposed facility would “change the face of diving” in Australia.

“The proposed state diving centre is still subject to significant state and federal government funding, but with state-of-the-art facilities like these we could see more and more Victorian-based divers competing at an international level,” Cr Makin said.

Festival visitors also used the opportunity to sign Council’s petition calling for an upgrade to Ringwood Station in the term of the next government.

“We have secured a commitment from the Liberal party and Greens to upgrade Ringwood Station within the term of the next government and Council is now awaiting on a commitment from the Labor Party to the upgrade of Ringwood Station,” Cr Makin said.

“To date Council has collected close to 3000 signatures on the petition. We thank the community for their support and urge those who haven’t yet signed the petition to do so via council’s website or at a Service Centre,” Cr Makin said.

Some of the exciting features of the 2010 Maroondah Festival included:

  • Kids Kingdom was packed with free rides, interactive games and craft activities.
  • Anaconda Fun and Fitness Arena with activities, organised games, interactive workshops and demonstrations presented by local sporting clubs. There was also the 7.3 metre climbing pinnacle, tennis serve radar and Panna Football competition.
  • Bankwest Main stage arena featured a feast of musical performances from some of Melbourne’s finest artists including Electric Empire.
  • The Sustainability Area offered workshops hosted by Channel 31’s garden guru Vasili Kanidiadis.
  • Denso Community Expo showcased the many community groups and service providers in Maroondah. The expo included a community stage which featured performances by local groups.

“Maroondah Festival was a great day out for all the family. Planning is already under way to make sure next year’s event is even bigger and better,” Cr Makin said.

The Maroondah Festival was proudly presented by Maroondah City Council and sponsored by Ringwood Honda.

– ENDS –

November Broadcast on 98.1 Radio Eastern FM

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Radio Eastern is a community based organisation located at Wyreena Community Arts Centre, that broadcasts on 98.1 FM.

Each month Councillors are invited to participate in an on-air interview on 98.1 FM and this morning I discussed upcoming Council activities, as well as reflected on the year as Mayor. During the interview I highlighted the governance reforms that were undertaken this year, including the encouragement of debate and discussion in the Chamber and presentations through deputations to Council. This ensures that decisions are being made in an open and transparent nature and ensures that community groups and individuals can make formal presentations to Council.

In relation to upcoming events I discussed the the Maroondah Festival, which will be held on Sunday the 7th of November. The Festival is Maroondah’s largest event, featuring community organisations, interactive displays, music and stage performances, including dedicated areas for community, business, sustainability, fitness and a youth precinct.

I also reminded the community that nominations for Maroondah’s Australia Day Awards close on Friday the 19th of November. The Australia Day Awards provide an opportunity to recognize prominent Maroondah citizens and community events.

Details on the Maroondah Festival and the Australia Day Awards are available from the Council website at www.maroondah.vic.gov.au.