Tag: disability compliance

Accessibility groups discussing public transport issues

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The Disability Action Group Eastern Region (DAGER) is a community based group focused on improving accessibility within Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, including the City of Maroondah.  The group meets on a monthly basis and often has guest speakers at its meetings.  This morning the group held a combined meeting with Scoot Wheel n Move, a community group which is focused on the needs of people with mobility aids, to discuss public transport issues relevant to Maroondah and the broader eastern region.

The meeting included presentations from Brian Tee, the Parliamentary Secretary for Public Transport, as well as representatives from Metro.  Brian spoke about the Government’s Victorian Transport Plan, as well as the bus reviews, where he outlined some of the network wide improvements that are planned for Melbourne’s public transport system.  In particular, the Ringwood to Frankston SmartBus will be extended from Ringwood from 2011 to provide another orbital route across Melbourne’s northern and eastern suburbs, similar to the recently upgraded orbital services from Box Hill and Nunawading.  Other improvements include extending route 670, along Maroondah Highway, to Swinburne University in Lilydale, as well as more frequent services which are due to begin in July.

While these upgrades are definitely welcomed, there are still further improvements required for the Maroondah community, including the need for commitment to the long-term recommendations in the bus service reviews.  These improvements include new and more frequent services and it is imperative that the Government commits to their implementation.

In addition there is the need for a commitment to the complete redevelopment of Ringwood Station, with many members of the group sharing their adverse experiences with Ringwoood Station.  The steep and narrow ramps at the Station fail disability compliance standards making it difficult to access for people with disabilities and mobility aids.  This lack of access hampers the ability to create a sustainable and inclusive urban centre and it is imperative that the State Government fully commit to the redevelopment of the Station.

The combined meeting between the Disability Action Group Eastern Region and Scoot Wheel n Move demonstrates the passion and strength that exists within Maroondah for an inclusive and accessible community.  Both groups meet on a monthly basis and have proved to be strong advocates for creating a more inclusive municipality.

Maroondah Leader: Ignored yet again

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One of the key priorities for the Maroondah City Council and our community is the complete redevelopment of Ringwood Station so that it becomes a safe, accessible and integrated transport interchange.  While the State Government is planning to begin works on the bus interchange and station forecourt in July, no commitment has been received for the redevelopment of the station itself.

The Maroondah Leader has reported on Ringwood Station being ignored in the State Government Budget that was unveiled last week.

Maroondah Mayor Alex Makin said the council was disappointed the railway station, which does not comply with disability standards was ignored.

“The council views the redevelopment of the station as our top community advocacy priority,” Cr Makin said.  “It is a central vision as part of the Ringwood central activities district, and we’ll be calling on all political parties to commit to this before the station election.”

Ringwood Station currently fails disability compliance standards with some residents resorting to the use of a bus service to Box Hill, which takes an hour to complete its journey, just to avoid the steep, dark and narrow ramps at Ringwood Station.  It is clear that Ringwood Station is in need of a complete redevelopment and Council will be advocating strongly for a commitment for a safe, accessible and integrated transport interchange in the lead up to the State Election.

Speaking at the PTUA Outer East Branch meeting

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The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) was founded in 1976 and advocates for public transport improvements across Melbourne and Victoria.  The organisation has two branches, one located in Geelong and the other covering the Outer East of Melbourne.

The PTUA Outer East Branch was founded in 200, where I was one of its founding members and the initial branch convenor.  While I left the PTUA in 2007, the Outer East Branch has continued to grow and this evening I was invited to speak to the members to discuss public transport issues within Maroondah and the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

The top priority for Maroondah is securing a commitment for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station, which currently fails disability compliance standards and lacks integration with bus, pedestrian and cycling facilities. The Council will be calling on all political parties to commit to the redevelopment of the Station, so as to complement the works that will be undertaken for the bus interchange.

In addition, there is also a need to accelerate the implementation of the bus service reviews.  While the review into the bus routes serving Maroondah, Knox and the Yarra Ranges was recently released, timeframes have not been provided for the implementation of the longer-term recommendations.

Public transport improvements are essential in improving the amenity and wellbeing of Maroondah, through reducing greenhouse emissions, improving accessibility and mitigating traffic congestion.

42nd Annual General Meeting for the Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau

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The Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau has offices in Ringwood and Croydon within Maroondah, where they provide referral services and emergency relief.  The organisation is operated largely through volunteers, who need to complete a training course before they can provide assistance to people in need of their services.

This afternoon the Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau held its 42nd Annual General Meeting, electing committee members for the upcoming year and to provide an overview of changes within the organisation over the past twelve months.  Like many community organisations, the Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau has had to adapt to changing community needs and as a result has focused on developing a range of policies to outline roles and responsibilities.

I re-nominated as a committee member at the AGM and was invited to discuss current issues within Maroondah,   including the redevelopment of Eastland, the former Ringwood Market site and Ringwood Station.  Works on the Station forecourt and bus interchange are expected to begin towards the middle of this year and will help in improving the appearance of the Station.  These works however will not resolve the issue surround the lack of disability compliance standards for Ringwood Station and further funding is required to ensure the creation of a safe, accessible and integrated transport interchange.

Priorities for the Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau include an upgrade of their computer systems to improve connectivity between the two offices and ensure that information is maintained and up-to-date.  The Maroondah Citizens Advice Bureau requires additional volunteers, please visit www.mcab.org.au for further information.

Speaking to the Croydon Stroke Support Group

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The Croydon Stroke Support Group is a peer support group for people with stroke and their carers.  The group meets on a weekly basis from 10.30 until midday each Thursday at the Heathmont Community Living Centre.

This morning I was invited as the group’s guest speaker, where I discussed the plans for the Ringwood Central Activities District, including the proposed redevelopment of Eastland the former Ringwood Market site.  Ringwood Station was also discussed, with many members commenting on the condition of the station and the difficulties due to its lack of disability compliance standards.

Ringwood Station has been a common discussion point with all community groups I have met during my time as Mayor.  It is clear that the redevelopment of Ringwood Station is a priority for members of the Maroondah community.  The current funding will improve the bus interchange and station forecourt, but a further commitment is required to ensure the delivery of a safe, integrated and accessible transport interchange.

The community clearly sees the redevelopment of Ringwood Station as a priority and this is a view shared by Maroondah City Council.  The Council, like members of our community, will be calling for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station as a commitment within the 2010 State Election.

Maroondah Leader: Going backwards

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The Melbourne Transport Forum (MTF), is a grouping of local Councils and community organisations, involved in advocating for public transport improvements.

The MTF has launched a series of online polls through its pt4me2 campaign, which aims to highlight public transport issues across Metropolitan Melbourne. The first of these surveys, aims to gauge community views on rail stations, with respondents choosing the worst stations in Melbourne.

With 4000 respondents to the survey, Ringwood has been rated as the second worst rail station within Metropolitan Melbourne, second only to Richmond, which serves as a busy junction for Melbourne’s eastern and south-eastern rail network.

The Maroondah Leader has reported on the results of the survey and the implications for Ringwood Station:

Maroondah Mayor Alex Makin said the station’s low ranking was not a surprise.

“It is well known that the station is not disability discrimination act compliant,” Cr Makin said. “What is surprising is how poorly regarded it is to all of Melbourne.”

Many respondents stated that Ringwood Station is difficult to access and perceived to be unsafe.  The steepness of the ramps at Ringwood Station means that it fails disability compliance standards.  Furthermore the Station fails to function as an integrated transport interchange, through difficult pedestrian, bus and bicycle access.

“When you compare how many people must pass through Richmond compared to Ringwood it shows just how severe issues at the Station are.”

While the State Government has committed to redevelop the bus interchange there has been no funding announcement towards the essential redevelopment of the Station itself.  Ringwood, as a Central Activities District, and junction to the Belgrave and Lilydale rail lines, needs a transit interchange that is safe, accessible and integrated with pedestrian, bicycle, rail and bus facilities.

Maroondah Journal: Drive is on for major boost to trains, buses

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The Eastern Transport Coalition’s “monster petition” was launched this morning at Monash University. The petition has six key requests calling the State Government to improve public transport infrastructure across the region:

  1. A full and public feasibility study for a heavy rail line to Rowville,
  2. A full and public feasibility study for a heavy rail line to Doncaster,
  3. A greater commitment to the extension of the Metro rail tunnel from Domain to Caulfield,
  4. A full and public feasibility study for an increase in capacity on the Belgrave/Lilydale and Glen Waverley lines,
  5. Improved facilities for passengers, particularly at interchanges located in central activity districts – Ringwood, Dandenong and Box Hill,
  6. Fully accessible public transport facilities and vehicles

Maroondah Council’s representative on the coalition, Cr Alex Makin, called on the Government to finish the Ringwood Station upgrade.

These requests include the much needed upgrade of Ringwood Station to ensure that Ringwood is provided with a safe, accessible and easy to access transport interchange.

“The State Government through its budget has committed $39million towards an upgrade of the Ringwood central activities district but that funding excludes the physical station itself.

While the State Government has committed funding for the Ringwood bus interchange and station forecourt, works to the station itself are currently not part of this project scope.

“Ringwood railway station currently fails disability compliance standards because its ramps are narrow and very hard to access. It’s also difficult to access for mums with prams and students with heavy backpacks.”

The Monster Petition will be spending a month at each member council and will visit Maroondah during November.

Maroondah Journal: No rail cash – funding uncertainty for station upgrade

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One of the most important community issues within Maroondah is the much needed redevelopment of Ringwood Station. The station fails disability compliance standards and is perceived to be unsafe by the wider community.

While the State Government has committed $39 million over four years to redevelop the Station forecourt and bus interchange, the current funding omits any works to the station itself.

The Maroondah Journal has reported on the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Ringwood due to the lack of a full funding commitment towards Ringwood Station.

Cr Alex Makin said the station’s update was a critical part of the Ringwood Central Activity District Project. He described the station as an eyesore and in urgent need of attention.

Ringwood has been designated as Central Activity District by the State Government, meaning it is supposed to be a priority for urban revitalisation and transport projects.

“The upgrade is required to ensure an accessible and safe means of public transport for the community. It fails in regard to safety requirements and fails disability standards thus preventing people with a disability from using the station.”

Ringwood Station currently fails disability standards, as designed by the Commonwealth Government’s Disability Discrimination Act of 1992, which established guidelines for the width and gradients of ramps and accessways.

This means that efforts to encourage sustainable transport and inclusiveness within Ringwood are hampered due to the fact that Ringwood Station does not meet these standards.

Cr Makin said Ringwood was one of the busiest stations outside Melbourne’s CBD, adding that there was “all the more reason for it to be upgraded.”

Ringwood is a major transport hub of regional significance within Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. The station serves as the junction of the Belgave and Lilydale lines and provides access to the community facilities within Ringwood.

The full redevelopment of Ringwood Station is needed to ensure that the vision of a vibrant future for Ringwood can succeed.

Maroondah Combined Probus Club

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Probus Clubs, which are initiated through the support of a local Rotary club, provides an organisation for retired or semi-retired community members.

The Maroondah Combined Probus Club is one of the largest within the municipality and meets at the Ringwood RSL. The club organises a range of speakers to cater to the diverse interests of its members.

This morning I was invited to speak to the Combined Probus Club members to discuss the vision for Ringwood, as well as the need for public transport improvements.

I discussed the plans for the redevelopment of Eastland, which will result in the creation of a new town square and park, to assist in restoring a sense of community into Ringwood. I also spoke about the current plans for the Ringwood Station and the need for further funding so that the station itself can be redeveloped into an accessible, safe and integrated transport facility.

While work is expected to commence on the station forecourt and bus interchange during the course of next year, there is still need for a State Government commitment to redevelop the station itself. Ringwood Station currently fails disability compliance standards and as a result the station is not accessible and is in fact avoided by many people in our community.

The redevelopment of Eastland is also expected to commence next year and I spoke about the transformation of Ringwood into a vibrant urban centre. While this development will bring positive changes to Ringwood, there is a need to ensure that community facilities are enhanced to meet the growing needs of our municipality.

I have requested that council undertake a management plan for Jubilee Park so that we can develop a vision and strategy for the sporting clubs within the municipality. Likewise, there is a need for similar strategies in regard to community space, cultural facilities and green open space.

The town centre within the middle of Ringwood will be complemented by a park and play equipment in Nelson Street, providing additional open space for the community and catering to the young families that are moving into Ringwood.

Public transport improvements, such as the Ringwood to Frankston SmartBus have enhanced the mobility of our community and I discussed the need for further improvements to provide transport choice for our residents.

More frequent, accessible and readily available public transport services will provide our community with alternatives to car travel and I congratulated the Probus Club for its strong interest in public transport and attendance at the bus review workshops that were held in February.

2009-2010 State Budget Breakfast

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This morning I attended the 2009-2010 State Government’s budget breakfast, hosted by the James Merlino, Member for Monbulk and the Minister for Sports, Recreation and Youth Affairs, as well as Tammy Lobato the Member for Gembrook.

The breakfast included a presentation from the Treasurer John Lenders, who spoke about the challenges facing Victoria in coming years and the initiatives announced within the Budget.

The State Government has announced and budgeted for the $39 million redevelopment of the Ringwood Station forecourt and bus interchange. Unfortunately the State Government has not been forthcoming with funding for the second stage of this project, which would presumably include the redevelopment of the station itself, so that it would comply with disability compliance and provide passenger conveniences on the main platforms.

While the first stage of the project will certainly assist in improving the image of Ringwood Station, it is imperative that the State Government promptly provides funding for the second stage.

Several public transport improvements are expected over the next year, including further bus improvements and additional trains. It is hoped that this Budget marks the beginning of a real emphasis on public transport to mitigate traffic congestion and provide a sustainable and accessible form of travel.