Tag: eastland

Overwhelming support for the upgrade of Ringwood Station

Posted on by alex

The community has overwhelmingly supported Maroondah City Council’s campaign calling for the upgrade of Ringwood Station, with several residents devoting their time to secure signatures for Council’s petition.

The petition was circulated through community groups and several residents have encouraged neighbours and family to sign the petition. In addition, residents Dawn Oliffe and Margaret Stevens both volunteered their time to collect signatures at Ringwood Station and Eastland.

Margaret handing over signed copies of the Ringwood Station petition to Alex to submit via Council. Margaret spent the week at Eastland Shopping Centre supporting the petition and asking members of the community to sign the petition.
Margaret handing over signed copies of the Ringwood Station petition to Alex to submit via Council. Margaret spent the week at Eastland Shopping Centre supporting the petition and asking members of the community to sign the petition.

Margaret secured a stall at Eastland, where she spent the week encouraging community members to support the petition. During this time several hundred signatures were collected with a strong interest in the petition and I would like to thank Margaret, Dawn and the many members of our community that are supporting the petition and Council’s advocacy campaign.

This afternoon I accepted Margaret’s completed petitions on behalf of Maroondah City Council and thanked her for her commitment and time in supporting this campaign. Margaret is a well regarded accessibility advocate, who has first-hand experience with the access difficulties at Ringwood Station.

Media Release: Ringwood Station petition well supported

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Maroondah City Council’s petition calling on all state political parties to commit to a redevelopment of Ringwood Station in the next term of government has received generous support from the community.

Maroondah Mayor Alex Makin said to date more than 150 people had signed the petition, some choosing to leave comments on Council’s website.

“It has been great to hear how strongly the community feel about the need for an upgrade to the station. Last week Council released a video on our website which highlights the difficulties people who rely on a mobility device have in accessing the station,” Cr Makin said.

“The amount of community support our campaign has received to date speaks for itself. People are fed up with the current state of the station and are willing to speak out to campaign for change,” Cr Makin said.

“I urge those who haven’t already signed the petition to visit one of Council’s service centres or website and support our campaign. The more community support we can generate the greater the impact it will have when we present the petition to the political parties,” Cr Makin said.

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

“Every time I walk up or down this station I wonder how people with disabilities, pregnant women or mums with prams get up and down the walkway to go over the tracks. It’s a big worry, and I feel unsafe walking there and nothing is even wrong with me.” Georgia, Mount Evelyn

“Ringwood Station needs to be more user friendly for all Maroondah residents. More and more residents are relying on Ringwood Station than ever before. It is time to invest.” Emily, Ringwood.

“This is discrimination, clear and simple.” Aidan, Bayswater North

“I use Ringwood Station daily for commuting to work in the city and the Ringwood Station is a joke….. The ramps are quite steep and falling over on icy conditions is not uncommon, I have done it a couple of times. We need action fast.” Sandy, Ringwood.

“The sooner the better, waited too long,” Ringwood East couple

“I have a 19-year-old intellectually and physically disabled daughter. It is IMPOSSIBLE for us to use Ringwood Station due to the appalling lack of disabled facilities. Is it not part of the State Disability Plan to ensure ALL Government sites have disabled access? Surely the Department of Transport is remiss in its responsibility to ensure that Ringwood Station (as a major transport hub) is accessible for all people, not just the able bodied. Karen, Ringwood East.

“It is appalling that people who use public transport should be subjected to an unsafe and intimidating environment at their local station. Ringwood Station is an anachronism that the Government should be ashamed of, and improve if it has any sense of social conscious.” Nick

Go online to watch the video, to complete an online submission or to download a copy of the petition:
Maroondah Council website – www.maroondah.vic.gov.au
Maroondah Youth Services website www.maroondahyouthservices.com.au

To sign the petition or find out more about the campaign:
Visit one of Council’s service centres:
City Offices Service Centre
Braeside Avenue, Ringwood

Eastland Service Centre
Level 2, Eastland Shopping Centre, Ringwood
Croydon Service Centre
Civic Square, Croydon

Visit one of Council’s facilities:
Arrabri Community Centre
Allambanan Drive, Bayswater North.

Croydon Library
Civic Square, Mount Dandenong Road, Croydon.

Karralyka Centre
Mines Road, Ringwood.

Maroondah Federation Estate
Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood.

Ringwood Library
4 Ringwood Street Mall, Ringwood
(Adjacent to Eastland Shopping Centre).

Wyreena Community Arts Centre
13-23 Hull Road, Croydon.

– ENDS –

Media Release: Video highlights Ringwood Station inadequacies

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Maroondah City Council has stepped up the Ringwood Station advocacy campaign launching an online video highlighting major accessibility issues at the station.

Maroondah Mayor Alex Makin said the video highlighted the shocking state of the station.

“The video really shows how bad the station is and how inaccessible it is for those who rely on wheelchairs or scooters as a mode of transport. Viewers will be able to see what these people go through every time they use Ringwood Station,” Cr Makin said.

“I have met with and spoken to many people in the past few weeks and they have all expressed their fear of using the station because of the accessibility issues,” Cr Makin said.

“In one case the ramps were so steep that the rear support wheels on their wheelchair lifted two or three centimetres off the ground while going down the ramps. Others cannot stop on the ramps because the brakes are not strong enough to cope with the inappropriate gradient,” Cr Makin said.

“These cases just highlight the station’s inadequacies and shows the personal impact it is having because it is not compliant with the State Government’s own Disability Discrimination Act. It is time that Ringwood Station receives the upgrade it deserves,” Cr Makin said.

“Since the start of the advocacy campaign, the amount of support and feedback Council has received has been phenomenal. This is something that the people of Maroondah feel strongly about, and Council has listened to their concerns and is doing everything possible to ensure our concerns are heard,” Cr Makin said.

Maroondah City Council is conducting a petition calling on all state political parties to commit to an upgrade of Ringwood Station within the term of the next government.

The video will be available via Maroondah City Council’s website from Tuesday September 13.

Go online to watch the video, to complete an online submission or to download a copy of the petition:
Maroondah Council website – www.maroondah.vic.gov.au
Maroondah Youth Services website www.maroondahyouthservices.com.au

To sign the petition:

Visit one of Council’s service centres:
City Offices Service Centre
Braeside Avenue, Ringwood

Eastland Service Centre
Level 2, Eastland Shopping Centre, Ringwood

Croydon Service Centre
Civic Square, Croydon

Visit one of Council’s facilities:
Arrabri Community Centre
Allambanan Drive, Bayswater North.

Croydon Library
Civic Square, Mount Dandenong Road, Croydon.

Karralyka Centre
Mines Road, Ringwood.

Maroondah Federation Estate
Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood.

Ringwood Library
4 Ringwood Street Mall, Ringwood
(Adjacent to Eastland Shopping Centre).

Wyreena Community Arts Centre
13-23 Hull Road, Croydon.

– ENDS –

Signing the Ringwood Station Petition

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The ongoing need for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station is a major priority for the Maroondah community and Council will be advocating very strongly to secure funding through the State Election in November.

The steep ramps at Ringwood Station do not meet disability compliance standards and the station itself does not provide the amenities required to encourage public transport usage.

It is critical that Council secures a commitment so that Ringwood Station is transformed into an accessible, integrated and safe transport interchange.

The Maroondah community has waited for far too long for a safe, accessible transit interchange. The current layout of the station fails disability compliance standards – meaning it is difficult to access for people with a disability, the elderly and parents with prams.

Alex Makin adding the first signature to Maroondah City Council's petition for the redevelopment and upgrade of Ringwood Station.
Alex Makin adding the first signature to Maroondah City Council's petition for the redevelopment and upgrade of Ringwood Station.

This morning Council launched a petition calling on all political parties to commit to the redevelopment and upgrade of Ringwood Station. As the Mayor of Maroondah, I had the honour of being the first to sign the petition and I look forward joining with the community as we advocate for a safe, integrated and accessible transit interchange.

Please visit www.maroondah.vic.gov.au/StationAdvocacy.aspx to complete the online petition, or visit Council’s Customer Services at Braeside Avenue, Ringwood Eastland or the Croydon Civic Centre.

Media Release: Maroondah Business Week bookings now open

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The Maroondah Business Week 2010 brochure is now available, detailing the range of workshops, seminars and networking sessions open to business owners and operators who wish to participate in this year’s Maroondah Business Week activities.

Maroondah Councillor Alex Makin said anyone considering attending the range of networking and information sessions during Maroondah Business Week should decide what they would like to attend, and book early.

“We have introduced closing dates for our key events, so it is more important than ever that people get their tickets early,” Cr Makin said.

“There are a lot of opportunities for business owners and operators wanting to network with other local businesses, or learn new strategies to improve your business. Maroondah Business Week 2010 should not be missed,” said Cr Makin.

“Running from Monday 4 October to Friday 8 October, Maroondah Business Week covers everything you could want to know about doing business successfully in this city,” Cr Makin said.

Maroondah Business Week 2010 highlights include three guest speakers who will entertain and move you with their wealth of experience in life and in business:

Former Melbourne Football Club player David Schwarz will speak at the NAB Business Breakfast on 6 October at the Karralyka Centre from 7am until 9am.

Since retiring from the Melbourne Football Club after 11 years, David has pursued an active media career, co-hosting the sports radio program The Home Run and was a part of Channel 7’s AFL commentary team, but his reputation was tainted after revealing his had lost more than $4 million through gambling.

In 2007, the reformed gambler was appointed the Responsible Gambling Ambassador of the Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group.

“By speaking about his experiences on and off the field, David will provide an insight into how he overcame his inner demons and transformed them into new opportunities,” Cr Makin said.

Peter Alexander, best known for his range of sleepwear, will share his secrets of success at the RACV Business Insurance Networking Event from 5.30pm to 7.30pm on 7 October at the Karralyka Centre.

Peter is a true entrepreneur, launching his range of sleepwear as a single man working from his living room table. His name is now recognised around the globe and at the height of success his business profits were growing at up to 40 per cent a year.

“At the age of 24 Peter made the tough decision to go out on his own. While the start up phase was difficult he overcame everything that was thrown at him. There is no doubt that Peter has a wealth of information to share about establishing brand loyalty,” Cr Makin said.

Then you can join author and model Tara Moss at the Eastland Business Lunch from noon to 2pm on Friday 8 October at the Karralyka Centre.

Tara had her first novel published at the age of 24, and has since become the number one crime writer in Australia. As a model she has graced the covers of more than 30 magazines.

“Tara lives her life by the motto ‘life is too short to live the same day twice’ and I think that is something we could all take on board. So why not come along and gain an insight into how to transform your passions into a successful career,” Cr Makin said.

The vast majority of business opportunities are found through networking, so bring along plenty of business cards and a willingness to connect with like-minded business people and meet some of Maroondah’s most influential and ‘up and coming’ business professionals.

Bookings can now be made for all events and workshops.

Further information on the complete range of activities during Maroondah Business Week 2010 can be found in the brochure available at all Council Service Centres, or by visiting www.bizmaroondah.com.au

– ENDS –

Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure Centre Information Expo

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While the existing Ringwood Aquatic Centre, located in Greenwood Avenue Ringwood, was converted to an indoor facilities in the mid 1980s, the indoor 50 metre pool and associated infrastructure is approximately 40 years of age and nearing the end of its useful life.

In addition, the Aquatic Centre, due to its age is delivering an increasing loss to Council making it a burden on ratepayers. The Centre lacks gym and fitness facilities that complement modern aquatic centres and has consequently seen declining patronage, in sharp contrast to neighbouring facilities.

Maroondah City Council included detailed design work to consider a replacement of the Ringwood Aquatic Centre, through a modern facility that would expand the unique diving and swimming elements of the facility, as well as including gym, fitness and creche components.

This afternoon Council held an information expo at Eastland to discuss the project with the wider community and to gather community feedback on the proposed designs. Over 200 people attended the session with many discussing the need for the new Centre and the possibilities it provides for Maroondah and Ringwood.

Council has a clear commitment to deliver community infrastructure and it is clear that the community appreciates the need to replace the existing facility, with one that will meet the needs of Maroondah over the next 40 years and beyond.

Council will be holding further information expos, including one at the existing Centre and at the Maroondah Festival.

Maroondah Bizconnect Business Breakfast -Denso Automotive Systems Australia

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Maroondah City Council holds regular business breakfasts designed to encourage networking and knowledge leadership amongst businesses within the community.

This morning’s breakfast included a presentation from Denso Automotive Systems Australia (formerly Australian Automotive Air), one of the nation’s largest automotive manufacturers, who discussed their unique just-in-time systems to ensure maximum efficiency with their operations.

Maroondah’s next business breakfast is held during Maroondah Business Week. Details on all of the Maroondah Business Week events are available at www.bizmaroondah.com.au.

The speech I delivered at the opening of the Business Breakfast is available within this post:

Continue reading “Maroondah Bizconnect Business Breakfast -Denso Automotive Systems Australia”

Media Release: Community invited to Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure information expo

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As Council continues the development for the proposed Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure facility, the community is invited to an information expo at Eastland on Thursday 26 August from 1pm to 8pm.

Maroondah Mayor, Councillor Alex Makin invites the Maroondah community to come along to the information expo which will showcase how the proposed new facility could provide exciting aquatic and leisure activities for all members of the Maroondah community.

“The information expo will give the community an opportunity to view a range of information and images in relation to the proposed facility, including detailed plans and elevations,” Cr Makin said.

“From young children to our seniors, the facility will be fully accessible for all,” said Cr Alex Makin.

“With a warm water pool; dedicated learn to swim pool; 50 metre pool; and extensive water play and large indoor water slides, the facility aims to offer exciting aquatic activities for everyone,” Cr Makin said.

“The facility proposes to have diving facilities which will provide unique dry driving training for the State, as well as FINA standard 10 metre diving tower and pool,” Cr Makin said.

“With strong support from Diving Australia, Diving Victoria and Ringwood Diving Club, it is expected that this new facility will become the State Diving Centre,” Cr Makin said.

“These bodies recognise the need for new training and competition facilities and have the results on the board in terms of past, present and future diving athletes,” said Cr Makin.

“I recently met a group of young divers who were former members of the Ringwood Diving Club and have now been selected to represent Australia at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi,” Cr Makin said.

“It makes me proud to know they began their sporting careers in Maroondah and excited to consider the possibilities this new centre could offer future athletes,” Cr Makin said.

The proposed facility would also feature an extensive gymnasium with multipurpose exercise rooms and a wellness centre.

It will be a valuable opportunity for the public to chat to the experts; meet representatives from swimming, diving and other aquatic sports; and provide feedback on the proposed facility.

– ENDS –

Media Release: Top marks for happy snappers

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JUDGES in the annual Maroondah City Council’s Photo Competition had their work cut out for them this year with more than 70 photographers entering 121 photographs.

The winners were announced by Maroondah Mayor Alex Makin at a special ceremony on Thursday night at Maroondah Federation Estate.

“It was always going to be difficult judging what is a variety of subjects and a high standard of works,” Cr Makin said.  “This year the entries featured everything from some of Maroondah best known landmarks to our native flora and fauna.”

First place in the open section (18 years and older) was awarded to Roger Frost, for his piece Under the Gum Trees, which captured the contrasting scenes of the Mullum Mullum Valley and the EastLink tunnels. Mr Frost won a $300 gift voucher courtesy of Croydon Camera House.

Second place went to Ciaran Magee for her piece Quiet Autumn, which shows a tranquil moment outside Ringwood Library. She won three Hoyts Eastland La Premiere double passes.

The intermediate section (13 to 17 years) was won by Stephanie Lillis, for Reflections in the Lake, a striking piece showing the beauty of Ringwood Lake at night. She was awarded a $200 gift voucher courtesy of Croydon Camera House.

Second place was awarded to Stephanie Lamb, for Friends and fun, which shows a group of friends enjoying each other’s company. She won four movie passes and a La Premiere double pass courtesy of Hoyts Eastland.

The junior section (12 and under) was won by Courtney Blythe, for Don’t Think I Should be Sitting Here. She won a $100 gift voucher courtesy of Croydon Camera House.

Mia Sango won four Hoyts Eastland movie passes for her second placed entry, Little Brother Drawing.

The Mayoral Encouragement Award was awarded to Marryl Vaughan for Shimmering Reeds. She won a $200 Eastland shopping voucher.

Cr Makin said he chose the photograph because of its creativity and use of colour.

“I thought it was a wonderful piece, it had so many artistic elements and captured the reflection and the contrasting colours of the sky and the lake perfectly.”

Cr Makin said the competition had really highlighted the photographic skills of the community.

“We have received some superb shots from all ages in the community,” Cr Makin said.  “I encourage everyone to visit the exhibition and see the creative works of our residents on display. While they you there don’t forget to visit the J.A. Turner room to see selected works from the Maroondah City Council Art Collection. On display are pieces from acclaimed artists Larry Jenkins, Gayle Maddigan, Kate James, Konrad Winkler and Jill Orr.”

The Maroondah City Council Photographic Exhibition is open until July 24 at the Maroondah Art Gallery, Maroondah Federation Estate, Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm and Saturday 12pm – 4pm. Details: 9298 4545.

The event is sponsored by Croydon Camera House, Hoyts Cinemas Eastland, Maroondah Journal and Eastland Shopping Centre.

– ENDS –

Maroondah Photographic Competition Awards Evening

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The Maroondah Photographic Competition is an annual event open to all residents, employees and visitors of Maroondah. The competition showcases the photographic talents of the community and highlights landmarks and features within the municipality.

Entrants are able to submit two A4 sized photographs for the competition, which are displayed at an exhibition at The Maroondah Art Gallery at Maroondah Federation Estate. There are three categories for the competition, including junior (up to age twelve), intermediate (13 to 17 years) and open (all ages).

This year’s competition saw 121 entries and this this evening I had the pleasure of launching the exhibition and announcing the winners for each category, including the Mayors Encouragement Award.

Alex with the winners of the 2010 Maroondah Photographic Competition
Alex with the winners of the 2010 Maroondah Photographic Competition

All submitted photographs will be on exhibition until the 24th of July at the Maroondah Art Gallery.

The speech I delivered, including the awards recipients for the evening, is available within this post:
Continue reading “Maroondah Photographic Competition Awards Evening”