eastern metropolitan region Archives

Media Release: Final call for commitment for Ringwood Station upgrade

Posted on 18 November 2010 by alex

Maroondah City Council has issued a final call to all political parties to commit to the redevelopment of Ringwood Station into a safe, accessible and integrated transport interchange.

“Both the Greens and Liberal parties have listened to the concerns expressed by the Maroondah community regarding the urgent need to upgrade Ringwood Station within the term of the next government, but unfortunately the call has fallen on deaf ears with the current State Government.”

“While Council received a commitment in 2008 from Labor to fund the development of the Ringwood bus interchange and other improvements around the station, to date we have had no commitment to fund the upgrade of Ringwood Station itself,” said Cr Makin.

“We now wait in hope that the Labor party will follow its parliamentary colleagues, listen to the Maroondah community and commit to an upgrade,” said Cr Makin.

“Council has worked closely with the Maroondah community on a high profile advocacy campaign to highlight the urgent need for the funding commitment, as well as a commitment of starting date,” said Cr Makin.

“The campaign called for all major political parties to commit to an upgrade of Ringwood Station within the term of the next government. The Greens and Liberals listened to our community’s concerns and are now on board, we continue to await a commitment from the Labor party,” Cr Makin said.

“Council’s campaign has received enormous community support with a Ringwood Station upgrade petition receiving almost 3000 signatures,” Cr Makin said.

“The strong community support for the campaign has secured a commitment from two out of three major state political parties. It is extremely disappointing to note that the Labor Party not only continues to ignore the Maroondah community but ignores the need to fund the missing piece of its own Central Activities District,” Cr Makin said.

“The feedback I have received from people during the course of the campaign is that people want a station which is safe, accessible and integrated,” Cr Makin said.

“I will be presenting a copy of the petition, with all signatures and comments to both the Greens and Liberals in an acknowledgement of their support to the Maroondah community,” said Cr Makin.

“I will also be delivering a copy of the petition to Mr Brian Tee, Parliamentary Secretary on Public Transport, and Maroondah’s representative for the Eastern Metropolitan Region of the State Legislative Council,” said Cr Makin.

“The petition containing the almost 3000 signatures and comments will surely provide a weighty reminder to the Parliamentary Secretary and his colleagues in the Victorian Labor Party to sit up and take notice of the Maroondah community,” said Cr Makin.

Some of the comments posted on Council’s online petition:

“This station urgently needs an upgrade due to the increasing older population, to assist in making the train more accessible. It is very difficult for the elderly to manage stairs etc and updating the station would hopefully make it more secure for travellers. Older people don’t want to travel for this reason, it limits their freedom.”

“No one feels safe at this station. Our worries should not be ignored.”

“The upgrade is urgently needed if it wants to attract future residents. It’s needed to keep the existing travel users safe and secure. What happened to the Government’s duty of care. What happened to the Government’s responsibilty to Maroondah residents?”

“The current state of Ringwood Station is unacceptable. It is clearly not safe for the community- particularly those who are vulnerable ie pregnant women, elderly, disabled, mothers with prams- and its complete redevelopment should be the government’s highest priority.”

“This is an issue of great importance and ought to be a priority on the agenda for state political parties. Ringwood has been very much left behind and the upgrade would not only assist with the mobility of disabled commuters but will also make the area safer for all commuters.”

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Media Release: Help cards tackle issue of family violence

Posted on 13 October 2010 by alex

As part of Community Safety Month Maroondah City Council has joined forces with other Councils in the eastern metropolitan region to address the growing concern of domestic violence.

Maroondah Councillor Alex Makin said later this month Eastern Region Family Violence Help Cards would be distributed in the hope of better supporting victims of family violence.

“The support cards are designed to support families experiencing any form of family violence. The gender specific cards provide definitions, tips for dealing with situations and helpful contact information for services locally and across the Eastern Region,” Cr Makin said.

“The wallet size cards will be distributed across the region and will provide details on how people can discretely seek support if they are experiencing any form of family violence,” Cr Makin said.

“By uniting with the other Councils in the eastern region we are showing a clear and consistent message that family violence is not okay,” Cr Makin said.

The cards will be launched on October 28 in Nunawading.

“The launch will feature some key note speakers including White Ribbon Day Ambassador Nick Mazzarella, family violence survivor Robyn O’Sullivan and Victoria Police Eastern Region Assistant Commissioner Wendy Steendam,” Cr Makin said.

“The Doncare SasSing Choir (Survivors and Supporter’s Sing), made up of woman who have escaped family violence or those who support the cause will also perform,” Cr Makin said.

The Eastern Region Family Violence Help Cards will be launched on October 28, from 2-4pm in the Warratah Room, Whitehorse Centre, 379-397 Whitehorse Rd, Nunawading.

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Launch of the Redevelopment of Glen Park Community Centre

Posted on 10 July 2010 by alex

Glen Park Community Centre is located in Glen Park Road in Bayswater North and has strong emphasis on community development, as well as providing courses for the local community. The Community Centre was recently redeveloped, through a partnership between Glen Park and SCOPE, to provide an accessible facility that can provide an inclusive environment for all people within our community.

Alex with the Arrabri Ward Councillors; Tony Dib, Paul Macdonald and Natalie Thomas along with Shaune Leane, MLC and Mike Symon, Member for Deakin, at the re-opening of the Glen Park Community Centre

This morning Glen Park Community Centre Council held a Picnic in the Park to celebrate the redevelopment of Glen Park Community Centre, as well with other recent improvements, including the redeveloped Sports Pavilion and the new Men’s Shed. Further improvements, such as a new play space will be completed later this year.

In addition, I was invited to launch the redeveloped Glen Park Community Centre and the speech I delivered is included in this post:
Continue reading “Launch of the Redevelopment of Glen Park Community Centre”

Ringwood Clocktower Probus Club – 3rd Birthday Celebrations

Posted on 19 May 2010 by alex

The Ringwood Clocktower Probus Club meets on the third Wednesday of each month at the Ringwood RSL. The Club is one of Maroondah’s newer Probus Clubs and this afternoon I joined members in celebrating its third birthday.

Alex with members of the Ringwood Clocktower Probus Club

The Ringwood Clocktower Probus Club has a strong emphasis on social activities and has an active photography group, which had several of their photographs on display. One of the exhibitions provided a comparison of Melbourne through photographs taken fifty years ago and today, reflecting on the changes that have taken place over this time.

As part of the proceedings I spoke to the members where I congratulated them on the formation of the Club and for having such a strong and active membership. I also discussed Council’s vision for the future, including the redevelopment of Ringwood Aquatic Centre, into a modern facility that includes water and wellbeing components. The redeveloped facility will better cater to the needs of the Maroondah community through providing a facility that will offer a range of recreational activities.

Alex with Jan Kronberg, MLC for Eastern Metropolitan Region and members at the Ringwood Clocktower Probus Third Birthday

Probus Clubs provide a range of activities for their members and it is encouraging to see the Ringwood Clocktower Probus Club flourishing after three years. Importantly many of its members are also active in a number of other community organisations demonstrating the volunteering spirit that exists within Probus.

Alex drawing the raffle for the Ringwood Clocktower Probus Club

Media Release: Size and Timing of Landfill Levy Opposed

Posted on 31 March 2010 by alex

The Eastern Region Mayors Group (ERMG) has written to Premier John Brumby urging the state government to reconsider the magnitude and timing of their recent announcement increasing landfill levies from 2010 and beyond.

Knox Mayor Councillor Joe Cossari said the Mayors of the eastern metropolitan region are deeply concerned about this announcement as it could have significant impact on Councils’ 2010/2011 budgets.

“Councils put a great deal of effort into preparing long-term financial plans to assist responsible planning and management. Significant financial burdens imposed at such short notice greatly impact the ability of Councils to deliver prudent and responsible financial management,” Cr Cossari said.

Councils are in the process of finalising draft budgets for 2010/2011 and are about to take them out to the community for consultation as required by the Local Government Act (1989).

Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Alex Makin, said an increase in landfill levies will impact on rates and charges in 2010/2011.

“Council can confirm that the any increase to landfill levies would need to be accounted for in Maroondah’s 2010/2011 Budget,” Cr Makin said.

“This would likely be covered by a rise in overall municipal rates and charges,” Cr Makin said.

“The exact rise has not yet been determined because of the number of variables coming into play when forming the Budget. However, we should be prepared for an additional rate rise if the State Government is successful in increasing landfill levies,” Cr Makin said.

Cr Cossari said the ERMG supported the increased recycling opportunities that would be created by the levy increase.

“However, we have advised Mr Brumby that there has been no consultation with Councils about this decision, which is most disappointing given that Councils are expected to collect the increased levies as well as implement various components of the program,” Cr Cossari said.

The magnitude and timing of the increase in landfill levies is expected to have a major and critical impact on 2010/2011 Council budgets resulting in significant last minute increases in Council rates and gate fees at Council transfer stations.

“Initial assessments indicate that in some municipalities there will be a need to increase rates by more than one per cent in 2010/2011 to offset the increase, together with significant increases in gate charges at transfer stations,” Cr Cossari said.

The increase in landfill levies for 2010/2011 from $9 per tonne to $30 tonne represents a massive increase of 233% in one year alone.

“The Mayors feel that Councils are being used as a state collection agency and are fearful that they will face the brunt of community backlash for the costs to comply with state decisions,” Cr Cossari said.

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