Tag: energy conservation

Maroondah Journal: City cool on climate change

Posted on by alex

Maroondah Council is currently considering its budget for the 2008 to 2009 financial year with expectations that the council will commit to reducing greenhouse emissions. Unfortunately much to the dissatisfaction of the community, council’s draft budget fails to provide funding to reduce greenhouse emissions.

The Maroondah Journal has reported on my attempts to further refine the budget prior to it being considered by council.

Cr Alex Makin opposed the release of the draft budget, saying it was incomplete.

While the proposed council budget has solid foundations it is currently incomplete since it does not allocate any new funds to improving our environmental sustainability and reducing greenhouse emissions. Council’s emissions are continuing to increase despite pledging to reduce emissions by 20% before the year 2010.

He said the council should release funding similar to the $1.05 million allocated to environmental sustainability in its 2007-08 budget.

Maroondah Council demonstrated leadership when it allocated over a million dollars to water sustainability and reducing its water usage. Similar measures are required in regard to energy usage to provide economic, social and environmental sustainability for future generations.

I call on my colleagues to not forget the need to honour our greenhouse reduction targets and to demonstrate ongoing leadership in the issue of environmental sustainability.

The proposed Council Budget is currently available for public comment. I urge the community to submit its thoughts and to demand that council meets and exceeds its greenhouse reduction commitments.

For further information please visit www.maroondah.vic.gov.au.

Residents' Meeting in Ringwood

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I regularly hold meetings to discuss issues that are a concern to the residents within Loughnan’s Hill Ward. This evening I spoke to several residents located within the Ringwood Transit City area to discuss issues relevant to the local area.

Resident meetings provide an opportunity to hear first-hand the concerns that people have about their local neighbourhood. Issues discussed included footpaths, new developments and the condition of Ringwood Station. Footpath construction is already mandatory for new developments within the Ringwood Transit City and the recently adopted Amendment C58 will further strengthen council’s focus on sustainable developments through improvements to water and energy conservation.

It is hoped that the State Government will support the revitalisation of Ringwood by committing to the redevelopment of Ringwood Station. The station currently fails accessibility standards and is perceived to be unsafe, this redevelopment is required to ensure the future success of Ringwood.

Resident meetings provide a fantastic opportunity to hear and address local concerns and I would like to thank the residents who provided their time this evening.

Tour of CERES Community Environment Park

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CERES (Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies) was founded in 1981 as a four hectare community environment park located in Brunswick East near the Merri Creek. Over time the site has grown to include an animal farm, community gardens, cafe, walking trails as well as exhibits on energy, water and transport sustainability.

Alex Makin outside the CERES community environment garden

This afternoon I attended a tour of CERES, organised in conjunction with local residents, the Croydon Conservation Society and the North Ringwood Community House to learn about the project and to identify the potential for a similar scheme within Maroondah.

The tour, which coincidentally was conducted by a local Maroondah resident, provided a history of CERES, as well as understanding of the community garden and exhibits. CERES has progressed rapidly over the past twenty years, due to a strong partnership with the local council, community groups and businesses. Today, CERES is largely self-sufficient with a $5 million turnover, while promoting social equity and sound environmental practices.

CERES conducts a number of educational programs, including incursions and excursions for schools and other tour groups. The site is visited by over 330,000 people per annum with approximately 15,00 student visits. A partnership has been established by North Ringwood Community House, Eastern Volunteers Resource Centre, Park Orchards Community House, as well as Maroondah and Manningham Councils to investigate the potential of a similar project in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

The tour was most informative and provided an opportunity to see first-hand the benefits of a community environment park. While replicating a similar project in Maroondah may take some time it would certainly provide immense benefits to Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

Media Release: Go green at Maroondah Festival

Posted on by alex

A Sustainability Expo to help Maroondah residents ‘go green’ is the latest addition to the Maroondah Festival to be held at Croydon Park on Sunday February 17.

Councillor Alex Makin said the Sustainability Expo is designed to encourage the community to incorporate environmentally sustainable methods into their daily lives.

“The Expo will feature workshops from Enviro Craft which aims to raise environmental awareness through education and hands on experiences,” said Cr Makin.

“Visitors to the festival can have some fun learning to make flags, musical instruments, and fashion accessories from recycled and reused materials that would normally go to landfill,” said Cr Makin.

“There will also be lots of information and environmentally friendly products and services on show, which can be used to conserve resources around the home,” said Cr Makin.

The popular Maroondah Festival Business Expos return again this year with the Lifestyle Expo featuring everything from cosmetics and skincare to photography and professional business advice. The Yarra Valley Nissan Auto Expo is a must see for car buffs and rev-heads alike. And if you are building, buying, renovating or after some home decorating ideas, make a note to visit the RESI Home Loans Homemaker Expo.

The RACV Community Expo is the place to see the largest gathering of Maroondah’s many social and support groups in one spot. Experience the diversity and talents of local performers with a day of live entertainment at the Community Stage and support the work of community organisations by buying a drink, snack or lunch at the DENSO Australia Community Food Court.

“The Kids Korner is the must-do activity for youngsters at the festival. The kids will love a day’s worth of on stage entertainment along with a petting zoo, a live educational reptile display by Snakebusters, face painting, rides and a special cow milking and butter making workshop,” said Cr Makin.

Local businesses and craft market holders are invited to participate in the Maroondah Festival as business exhibitors and craft site holders. Sites are limited and are filling quickly, so contact the Maroondah Festival office to secure your site.

For more information contact the Maroondah Festival office on 9294 5604.

2007 in review: standing up for the community

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As we enter the final year of this current council term, it is important to reflect on the last twelve months so as to shape the priorities for 2008:

Improving Accessibility

Improving Sustainability

Advocating for Sustainable Transport

Standing up for the community

Over the course of this year I plan on continuing to stand up for the community, including through my involvement in the Committees of Management for the Maroondah Citizens’ Advice Bureau and North Ringwood Community House. I am also Maroondah’s representative on the Eastern Transport Coalition and am continuing my involvement to the Maroondah Tourism and Heritage Advisory Board. I should also be continuing as chair of the Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee, although this will be dependent on the outcome of the notice to review that I issued for February’s council meeting.

It is critical that Maroondah becomes a leader in sustainability and accessibility. The vision for the Ringwood Transit City and Croydon Activity Centre will result in changes that will remain with us for at least 20 or 30 years. It is imperative that we get things right from the very beginning, so as not to repeat past mistakes.

I would like to thank the many people who have contacted me during 2007 to discuss issues within Maroondah. It is your calls and emails that provide me the opportunity to stand up for the community.

Thank you to everyone who has helped make Maroondah a better municipality throughout 2007.

Cr. Alex Makin

Councillor for Loughnan’s Hill Ward
City of Maroondah

ICLEI Breakfast Briefing

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ICLEI, formerly the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives but now known as ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, is a world wide association of local governments focusing on promoting and encouraging sustainability.

This morning I attended an ICLEI breakfast briefing, which included an update of ICLEI activities. The organisation includes a number of Australian local governments, including the City of Maroondah. ICLEI includes the Cities for Climate Protection program, which focuses on water initiatives, energy conservation and other measures of sustainability, such as sustainable transport.

The briefing provided an update on sustainability initiatives being undertaken by local councils within Australia. Councils across the country are investing significantly in water and energy conservation to improve environmental sustainability. Actions included implementing water tanks, reducing water usage and installing low emission lighting, reducing greenhouse emissions and undertaking solar and wind power technology.

Environmental sustainability will remain a significant challenge, but it is an area where local government needs to demonstrate leadership.

Maroondah Environment Workshop: Climate Change and the Community

Posted on by alex

Maroondah’s first environment workshop ‘All About Climate Change’ provided an introduction to the issues and challenges caused by climate change, as well as exploring potential solutions.

The workshop had a strong attendance and proved to be successful in discussing climate change. Tonight’s event served as the first part of this workshop and the second part, to be held next Tuesday evening, will examine potential solutions to climate change that can be undertaken at a local level.

I would like to thank members of the community who took the time to attend tonight’s workshop. A strong community response demonstrates that climate change is an issue within our community and one which requires a response from council.

It is anticipated that further climate change and environment events will be held throughout 2008 to ensure that Maroondah embraces urban sustainability.

As part of the proceedings, I had the pleasure of opening the workshop. Please continue reading this post to view a copy of the speech I delivered:

Continue reading “Maroondah Environment Workshop: Climate Change and the Community”

Environment Workshop: Combating Climate Change

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Combating Climate Change is the second of two workshops organised by Maroondah City Council to explore the issue of climate change.

While the first workshop provided an introduction to the issue of climate change, this workshop will offer practical advice on what people can do at home to save energy and reduce their ecological footprint.

The workshop will be held at Maroondah City Council offices, Braeside Avenue, Ringwood (Melways 50 A7), or bus route 670 along Maroondah Highway (call Metlink on 131 638 for timetable information).

Places are limited to 80 for each workshop so please register your attendance by Tuesday the 20th of November.

For further information or to register your place, please call Maroondah City Council 9298 4261.

Media Release: Find out what climate change is all about

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Heard about climate change but not sure how you make a difference?

Then come along to Maroondah City Council’s free workshops on Climate Change and Energy Efficiency during November.

Councillor Alex Makin said the first workshop, All About Climate Change focuses on exploring the issue of climate change and the concept of an ecological footprint.

“Featuring a presentation by an Al Gore Climate Ambassador, the workshop will provide a a greater understanding of how our climate is changing and how this will impact our lives and our families,” said Cr Makin.

“It also explains the importance of energy efficiency and how, as a society, our behaviours and attitudes need to become more environmentally sustainable,” said Cr Makin.

“The second workshop, Combating Climate Change at Home, will offer practical advice on what people can do at home to save energy and reduce their ecological footprint. The workshop will cover a wide range of suggestions from something as simple as turning off superfluous lights to incorporating efficient design into buildings and renovations,” said Cr Makin.

“I wholeheartedly encourage the Maroondah community to come along to one, or both, of the workshops. Council has an ongoing commitment to the Maroondah community regarding sustainability issues, because what we do today will have a major impact on the future of our environment,” said Cr Makin.

  • All About Climate Change will be held on Tuesday 20 November, with registrations closing on Tuesday 13 November.
  • Combating Climate Change at Home will be on Tuesday 27 November, with registrations closing on Tuesday 20 November.

Both workshops will be held from 7.00pm until 9.00pm at the City Offices, Braeside Avenue, Ringwood (Melways 50 A7), or bus route 670 along Maroondah Highway (from Ringwood or Croydon Stations – call Metlink on 131 638 for timetable information).

Places are limited to 80 for each workshop.

For further information or to register your place, please call 9298 4261.

Ringwood Chamber of Commerce: 'Grow me the Money'

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This evening’s Ringwood Chamber of Commerce included a presentation from the Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) on the Grow me the Money, an initiative designed to assist businesses in improving their environmental sustainability while cutting energy, water and waste usage.

Like households, businesses also have a need to reduce their environmental footprint, particularly when it can also reduce costs and improve triple bottom line sustainability. 

Grow me the Money allows businesses to track their energy, water and waste usage, which allows companies to reduce their environmental impact through undertaking initiatives that also help to improve their financial sustainability. The program works through providing mentors to businesses, training programs and information on products and services that help businesses reduce their environmental footprint.

For further information on Grow me the Money please visit www.growmethemoney.com.au.