Tag: health safety and wellbeing

Maroondah Leader: banking on pokies

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There is ongoing concern regarding the City of Maroondah having the highest ratio of poker machines within Metropolitan Melbourne.  The State Government recently auctioned poker machine licences, whereby bids could be submitted for entitlements to take effect from 2012.

While this process will see a reduction in poker machines from 860 to 770, there is still significant concern around the number of machines within the municipality.  The Maroondah Leader has reported on this ongoing concern:

Maroondah Mayor Alex Makin, who spoke out against the city having the highest ratio of poker machines per adult in Metropolitan Melbourne said the council remained concerned about poker machine numbers.

“We would like to see a further reduction,” he said.  “We have one of the higher levels of poker machines in the state.”

The Maroondah community lost $68 million over the past financial year to poker machines and this is excludes social and wellbeing issues that result from such losses.  The State Government needs to further reduce problem gambling and the damaging effects it can have on our communities.

Maroondah Leader: Pokies hotspot

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Despite ongoing Council concerns, the City of Maroondah now has the highest proportion of poker machines on a per capita basis for people aged over 18 years old.  This high proportion of poker machines has resulted in gamblers losing over $68 million dollars over the past financial year.

The Maroondah Leader has reported on these concerns:

The high ratio has been slammed by Maroondah Mayor Alex Makin.  “This is extremely disappointing and something we want to see reversed,” Cr Makin said.

He said the council was opposed to any further machines in the area and in neighbouring municipalities.

Maroondah City Council has been a vocal opponent to the introduction of further poker machines in the municipality and neighbouring areas due to ongoing concerns over problem gambling. The current figures show that Maroondah has an excess number of machines and it is clear that a balance needs to be found between access and preventing ongoing financial losses and adverse community wellbeing.

Maroondah Partners in Community Wellbeing Committee – First meeting for 2010

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The Maroondah Partners in Community Wellbeing Committee oversees the implementation of Maroondah’s Community Wellbeing Plan.  The plan itself will be officially launched on the 19th of April and was developed through engaging the community and the members of last year’s Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee.

Today’s meeting discussed the launch of the plan and the new Charter which will guide the conduct of the committee.  Members on the committee have been chosen to reflect the priorities of the plan and include health providers, community organisations and environmental groups to assist in its implementation and measuring its progress.

Media Release: Maroondah receives Walktober Award

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Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Alex Makin accepted the 2009 Walktober Highest Level of Community Engagement (Melbourne Metropolitan Council) award this week at a ceremony held at the Department of Transport.

“During the month of October, Maroondah City Council encourages the community to get out and get active during the annual Walking to Fitness month,” said Cr Makin.

“Last year Walktober organisers sent out a challenge to all Council’s, community groups and organisations to “set the pace” by being the local Council area with the most walking events registered with Walktober. Over 600 events, 70 organisations, and 69 local Councils were involved in the Community Challenge,” said Cr Makin.

“I’m extremely proud of our efforts in winning this inaugural award. Council staff and the Maroondah community are to be congratulated for their support of this program which saw 55 walks registered in the 2009 Walking to Fitness program,” said Cr Makin.

“The walks, organised by both Council and community groups, catered for a wide range of interests and capabilities, and included pram walks, bush walks, historical walks, and
all-abilities walks,” said Cr Makin.

“The Walking to Fitness Program directly aligns with Council’s Leisure Services Strategic Plan endorsed in 2009 which aims to support and encourage community involvement in physical activity,” said Cr Makin.

“Walking is a safe, cheap and easy way to get exercise and a great way to get to know members of your local community as well as the Maroondah area,” said Cr Makin.

People who walk regularly tend to feel more confident, happy and relaxed. They also control their weight better, have stronger bones and greater flexibility, have lower blood pressure and reduce the risk factors for developing heart disease and diabetes.

“If you’d like to explore Maroondah on foot or by bicycle, then there are two booklets, produced by Council, that offer plenty of suggestions and advice,” said Cr Makin.

Maroondah’s Parks & Paths brochure has a large scale map detailing walking and cycling paths throughout the city, with information on parks and facilities along the way.

Maroondah’s Walks & Trails brochure has information on twelve specific walks and trails throughout the city, providing information on level of difficulty, access, distance and time, as well as facilities and detailed walking maps.

Both brochures can be found at www.maroondah.vic.gov.au or are available from Council’s Service Centres.

– ENDS –

Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing – final meeting for 2009

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The Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee, meets on a bi-monthly basis to discuss initiatives that improve the health, safety and wellbeing of municipality and its residents. This year’s priority has been the development of the Maroondah Community Wellbeing Plan.

This plan, otherwise known as a Municipal Public Health Plan, is a statutory requirement and is a high-level strategic document that guides the Council in terms of health, safety and wellbeing initiatives and partnerships with other key agencies.

The Community Wellbeing Plan will be formally considered by Council in December, after extensive engagement with service providers and the wider community, through stalls, surveys and interviewing. In addition, the Marooondah Partners will be aligned with the new Community Wellbeing Plan, and hence will be known as the Maroondah Partners in Community Wellbeing Committee.

Nominations through expressions of interest will be sought from service providers and community members. This will empower the committee so that it is able to monitor the implementation of the Wellbeing Plan and suggest recommendations as required.

The Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing has been one of the committees I have enjoyed the most and the adoption of the Plan will provide a renewed focus and direction for the group.

Media Release: Creating a safe community

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Community Safety Month 2009 kicks off in October and there are a number of supporting events planned for the Maroondah community.

Councillor Alex Makin said the month aimed to promote awareness about a broad range of safety matters including crime prevention, personal safety, safe work practices, staying safe during emergencies, and improving the perception of safety.

“Community Safety Month is celebrating its 13th year in 2009 and it’s proven to be a valuable tool in raising community awareness of safety matters,” Cr Makin said.

“This October Council will be hosting several events to showcase the activities it is undertaking and supporting to address community safety issues in a variety of ways,” Cr Makin said.

Some of the activities planned for Community Safety Month include:

  • Portraits of Positive Seniors – a project that aims to break down the negative stereotypes of the older generation while addressing the broader issue of safety by profiling local citizens and focusing on the positive outcomes of community engagement. The project aims to inspire the older generation to keep moving physically, mentally and socially by providing peer-based examples that are realistic, achievable and identifiable. Portraits will be on display at various Council facilities in the second half of October. Phone Council’s Community Safety Officer on 9294 5745 for further details.
  • Launch of Monkami Army in Main St, Croydon – a group of individuals from disability service provider Monkami will embark on a gardening project in Main Street, Croydon from 10.30am on Monday 26 October. The volunteers will help plant and maintain the garden in a bid to further enhance perceptions of safety and wellbeing in the area. Look out for the Monkami Army volunteers the next time you’re in Croydon.
  • Responsible service of alcohol – Council and Good Sports are subsidising a Responsible Serving of Alcohol course on Wednesday 21 October at Richard Silcock Pavilion, Croydon. The course, normally $100 per person, is just $15 for Good Sports members and $30 for non-members. Gain the knowledge and awareness to serve alcohol responsibly.

Community Safety Month is coordinated by the Victorian Safer Communities Network (of which Maroondah is a member), and supported by Victoria Police.

To find out more about Council’s community safety initiatives visit Council’s website at www.maroondah.vic.gov.au.

For further information on Community Safety Month in Maroondah, phone Council’s Community Safety Officer on 9298 4212 or email naomi.dashwood@maroondah.vic.gov.au

Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committe – Discussing the Community Wellbeing Plan

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The development of Council’s Community Wellbeing Plan has been priority of the Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee. The plan, has been formulated through input from the members that are part of the committee, including the Primary Care Partnerships, Eastern Access Community Health, the Department of Health, the Department of Education and Victoria Police.

Maroondah’s Community Wellbeing Plan is a high level strategic documentation that aims to improve health, safety and wellbeing within our municipality. The document will be accompanied by an implementation plan, which includes a whole of council approach to ensure consistency across policy and departmental areas.

The plan is nearing draft status and will be shortly be considered for public exhibition, where the community will have a fruther opportunity to comment on the content of the Community Wellbeing Plan.

Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committe – Reporting on the Community Wellbeing Plan

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The genesis of the the Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee was to oversee the implementation Council’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing Plan. This plan which established the health, safety and wellbeing priorities for the municipality is currently being updated and rewritten as the Community Wellbeing Plan.

During this process the Committee has fulfilled a role in highlighting health, safety and wellbeing issues within Maroondah and works in partnership with external agencies such as Eastern Access Community Health, the Primary Care Partnerships and Victoria Police.

While wellbeing is an all encompassing term designed to incorporate health and safety, it is important that specific concerns are still highlighted and addressed by the committee and its members.

As a result the committee now receives updates from Maroondah’s two safety committees. These committees were formed to address safety concerns within central Ringwood and Croydon and to ensure a cooperative approach between council, traders and services such as Victoria Police.

This provides greater insight into safety initiatives and will help provide an holistic and practical approach to concerns within Maroondah.

Launch of the Outer East Community Food Access Research

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The Outer East Community Food Access Research Project, was a report commissioned through the Primary Care Partnerships and nutrition networks and examined the proximity to fresh and nutritious food to residents living in Maroondah, Knox and the Shire of Yarra Ranges.

While Maroondah is generally well provisioned with access to fresh food, through supermarkets, green grocers, delicatessens and other outlets, there are considerable differences between the prices that are charged for fresh food between each suburb and locality.

This has an impact on residents being able to purchase nutritious food, relative to other needs such as clothing and shelter. The report found that some residents within the community were eating less so as to afford other necessities, such as accommodation.

The launch of the report provides further insight into the health and wellbeing of the Maroondah community and is timely given that Council is currently reviewing its Community Wellbeing Plan.

Maroondah Leader: Council pledge on indigenous policy

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The Maroondah Journal has reported on Maroondah’s Reconciliation Week festivities and the launch of council’s Reconciliation Policy.

Councillor Alex Makin said Maroondah Council launched its Reconciliation Policy during the day. He said the statement outlined four key areas of its commitment to the local indigenous community”

Maroondah’s Reconciliation Policy will be accompanied by an annual action plan to measure council’s progress against the outcomes identified in the plan.

“The council is now looking forward to working in conjunction with residents and relevant organisations over the next four years to deliver on strategies and actions outlined in the statement,” Cr Makin said.

The policy encourages understanding and reconciliation between all Australians, with a focus on education, health and employment opportunities for all people within our community, including indigenous Australians.