Tag: eastern suburbs

Heatherdale Community Action Group – 2010 Annual General Meeting

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The Heatherdale Community Action Group was formed as a residents based group to preserve and enhance the amenity of Heatherdale, a locality located within the municipalities of Whitehorse and Maroondah.

This evening I attended the Annual General Meeting of the Heatherdale Community Action Group, where committee members were elected for the upcoming year. In addition, the evening featured a presentation from EACH a community based health provider located within the eastern region of Melbourne and beyond.

EACH, which was formally known as Eastern Access Community Health, has grown extensively since its formation over 30 years ago and now includes over 600 staff who deliver a range of health and community support services. In addition to its active presence in Maroondah, Knox and the Shire of Yarra Ranges, EACH also covers most of Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, as well as having a presence in regional Victoria and Western Sydney.

EACH has a focus on preventive health and provides services covering dental care, mental health, disability assistance, gambling assistance, counselling and career assistance. For further information on EACH please visit www.each.com.au.

Launch of the Eastern Alliance of Greenhouse Action solar hot water program

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This morning I joined the Mayors of Knox, Whitehorse and the Shire of Yarra Ranges to launch a bulk buy solar hot water program for the residents in the eastern suburbs facilitated through the Eastern Alliance of Greenhouse Action (EAGA).

The Eastern Alliance of Greenhouse Action was formed two years ago through the Councils of Knox, Whitehorse, Boroondara, Monash, Maroondah and the Yarra Ranges to deliver programs that reduce greenhouse emissions for their respective residents.

The alliance has chosen Green Project as the preferred supplier of solar hot water systems, and will also offer free advice and a range of products including Solar PV, free home sustainability assessments, and free installation of eco-light bulbs to make it easier for residents to reduce their power bills.

A number of information sessions will be held to introduce the program to residents. The session to be held in Maroondah will be on Thursday 9 September, from 11am to 12pm, at Maroondah Federation Estate, 32 Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood.

To register your interest in the program or to attend an information session call 1800 899 330 or register online: www.greenproject.com.au/eaga-ses/

Media Release: Maroondah asks – Where is our transport policy?

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A sixty metre long petition demanding the Victorian Government revisit its transport policy was today presented to the Victorian Government.

Mayors and Councillors from Maroondah and six other Melbourne’s eastern suburban Councils – who represent about a quarter of Melbourne’s population – gathered on the Parliaments steps today to send a message to the Victorian Government that transport needs in the east are not being met.

Presenting the monster petition to the Minister for Transport, Martin Pakula, Eastern Transport Coalition Chairperson Cr Samantha Dunn said that Eastern suburbs residents have been neglected by Government for too long.

“It’s time this government looked seriously at providing sustainable transport options right across Melbourne rather than focussing on a few key electorates,” Cr Dunn said.

“The Eastern Transport Coalition represents seven councils in the East whose residents are crying out for more public transport. The petition we’re presenting today has over 13,000 signatures, each one of them a demand of Government to end the neglect,” she said.

Maroondah Mayor Cr Alex Makin said that the level of concern in Maroondah regarding public transport had been increasing for some time.

“Maroondah residents want public transport improvements. They are crying out for a solution and for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station into an integrated and accessible transit interchange. This is why The City of Maroondah signed up to the ETC in the first place,” Cr Makin said.

Cr Dunn said that the ETC petition called on Victorian Government to address the significant gaps in the provision of and planning for public transport in Greater Dandenong, Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Monash, Whitehorse, and Yarra Ranges.

The petition seeks commitments from the Government to modify the plan to include:

  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

Cr Dunn said that there was still time for this government to make a commitment to Melbourne’s east.

“This election year provides a perfect opportunity for this government to show that it is listening to the million or so residents east of Warrigal road who are forced to drive their cars to work because they have few viable alternatives,” Cr Dunn said.

Cr Dunn thanked the Minister for Transport for receiving the petition.

“We’re pleased that all sides of Parliament are interested in our issues. Now it’s important that today’s gesture from the Victorian Government results in action,” she said.

– ENDS –

Maroondah Leader: Call for new rail action

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The Maroondah Leader this week ran a feature on the plans for the Ringwood Central Activities District, outlining the plans for the transformation of Ringwood into a vibrant, accessible and sustainable urban centre.

Ultimately this vision require cooperation across all levels of Government and the redevelopment of Ringwood Station is one area where a State Government commitment is urgently required:

“Council has invested heavily in footpaths in Ringwood and plans to invest heavily in community facilities,  we need the redeveloped Ringwood Station to complement this and the central activities district,” Cr Makin said.  “If we want Ringwood CAD to become the regional centre for the eastern suburbs, we need the station to be replaced.”

Ringwood Station currently fails disability compliance standards making it difficult to use by our community.  It is imperative that all political parties commit to the redevelopment of Ringwood Station to deliver a safe, integrated and accessible transport interchange that will serve as a catalyst for Ringwood’s revitalisation into a .

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.

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.

Maroondah Leader: Stink over bid to raise landfill levy

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The State Government charges a landfill levy, which applies to municipal, commercial and industrial and prescribed industrial wastes that are deposited onto licensed facilities in Victoria. The State Government recently announced an increase in the levy from $9 to $30 per tonne, which will have an adverse financial effect on local government, since councils provide waste management services on behalf of their respective communities.

The Maroondah Leader has reported on this increase and the ramifications it will have for Maroondah City Council.

Last week, Maroondah Mayor Alex Makin, said the plans to increase landfill levies would result in higher council rates for residents.

“Council can confirm that the increase to landfill levies would need to be accounted for in Maroondah’s annual budget,” he said. “This would likely be covered by a rise in overall municipal rates and charges.”

The Mayors and CEOs of councils across the Eastern Suburbs met on Thursday the 25th of March, whereby the Councils unanimously questioned the timing and magnitude of the levy.

While the levy is used to promote recycling and the sustainable use of resources, there was very little consultation across local government, despite the cost it will have for Councils and the community.

While I can certainly appreciate the Government’s intent in encouraging sustainable waste management, it is imperative that all levels of government operate cooperatively to ensure the best outcomes for the community, as such sufficient consultation should have been undertaken with local government and the community.

Eastern Football League: 2010 Season Launch

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The Eastern Football League (EFL) is based in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, stretching from Balwyn through to Noble Park. The League consists of 43 teams total across four divisions.

This evening I attended the launch of the EFL’s 2010 season launch, which provided an overview of the League and the Clubs within the competition. The EFL consists of 12 First Division Clubs, 10 in Second Division, 10 in Third Division and 11 in Fourth Division, with the season commencing from the 10th of April.

Maroondah has several clubs competing within the Eastern Football League, including four in Division One; Norwood, East Ringwood, Croydon and South Croydon.  Ringwood Football Club competes in Division Two, while North Ringwood and Heathmont are in Divisions Three and Four respectively.