Tag: infrastructure program

Media Release: Soccer pavilion takes shape

Posted on by alex

The Ringwood Soccer Reserve’s multipurpose sports pavilion is starting to take shape with the first of the steel beams being lifted into place last week.

In May 2009, the Federal Government provided $2.9million of funding for the project as part of the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.

Maroondah Councillor Mayor Alex Makin welcomed Federal Member for Deakin MP Mike Symon and to the site last Wednesday to oversee the continuance of works.

“The old stadium and grandstand have been cleared from the site for some time, so it was amazing to see the crane lifting all of the steel beams into place,” Cr Makin said. “As the pavilion take shapes over the next couple of months the community will be able to start seeing the benefits of the new facility.”

“The redevelopment includes a multi-purpose shared sports pavilion with a boxing gymnasium, office space for the Ringwood District Cricket Association, male and female change facilities, car parking, spectator viewing areas and lighting,” Cr Makin said.

“The facility will also feature many environmentally friendly initiatives including the installation of solar hot water units, bladders will be placed under the building to catch storm water runoff which will be used to flush the toilets, solar panels will be used to generate enough power to light and heat the facility,” Cr Makin said.

The playing field will also be upgraded to an all weather synthetic surface. This project was jointly funded by $650,000 of funding from Maroondah Council and Sport and Recreation Victoria.

The completed venue will be home to the Ringwood City Soccer Club, Ringwood District Cricket Association and the MVC Boxing Club. It will also supplement the other major facilities at Ringwood’s Jubilee Park, including the proposed Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure facility.

The pavilion works are expected to be completed in January next year with car parking sealing to commence in February and the synthetic surface to be installed in March 2011.

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Ministerial visit to the Ringwood Aquatic Centre Co-generation plant

Posted on by alex

This afternoon I joined Peter Garrett, the Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts, as well as Mike Symon, the Federal Member for Deakin, in observing the new co-generation plant at Ringwood Aquatic Centre.

The co-generation plant was jointly funded through a $250,000 Federal Government grant complementing Council funding of $200,000. The plant includes two 70kW gas generators, which creates enough electricity to run the centre and to maintain heating for the pools at the Ringwood Aquatic Centre.

Alex with Peter Garrett, the Minister for Environment Protection and Mike Symon, Member for Deakin, at the opening of the Ringwood Aquatic Centre co-generation plant
Alex with Peter Garrett, the Minister for Environment Protection and Mike Symon, Member for Deakin, at the opening of the Ringwood Aquatic Centre co-generation plant

The co-generation plant will be stored off-site during the construction of the proposed multi-purpose Ringwood Leisure and Aquatic Centre and will be returned to the site once the new facility is operational.

The speech I delivered during the visit is included within this post:

Continue reading “Ministerial visit to the Ringwood Aquatic Centre Co-generation plant”

Media Relase: Co-generation plant attracts attention

Posted on by alex

Maroondah Mayor, Councillor Alex Makin welcomed the Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts, the Honourable Peter Garrett to Ringwood last Wednesday.

Hon. Garrett inspected the co-generation plant at the Ringwood Aquatic Centre which was jointly funded by the Federal Government in January last year.

The funding was part of the $300 million Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program. The $450,000 project saw funding of $250,000 from the Federal Government with the remainder allocated from Council’s sustainability budget initiatives.

Cr Makin said the co-generation plant enabled the aquatic facility to generate heat and power simultaneously, and from a single fuel source.

“The plant runs on two 70kW gas generators which create enough electricity to run the centre and to maintain the heat requirements of the pool,’’ Cr Makin said.

“By installing the plant Council is estimated to save approximately $110,000 this year on its gas and electricity bills at the Ringwood Aquatic Centre. It is also estimated to reduce Council’s ecological footprint by 917 tonnes of greenhouse gas, the equivalent of taking 166 cars off the road,’’ Cr Makin said.

With the expected closure of the Ringwood Aquatic Centre in May next year the co-generation plant will be stored off-site and recommissioned for use at the proposed Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure facility.

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Media Release: Council welcomes funding announcement for Croydon Youth Space

Posted on by alex

Maroondah Mayor, Councillor Alex Makin has welcomed the $265,000 of Federal Government funding through the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.

“Council welcomes the ongoing partnership with the Federal Government, and the $265,000 will go towards the establishment of a new Youth Space as part of the Croydon Parklands Future Directions Plan.

“Council is currently undergoing extensive community consultation in relation to a new skate park within the Youth Space. The area could also include a half basketball court, stage and shelter and fitness equipment.

“To date we have surveyed young people at secondary schools, at Maroondah Festival, during Youth Week in May, at 3-Ply skateboarding events, we have held workshops with Swinburne students and there is an online survey on Council’s Youth Services website.

“As part of this consultation two locations have been identified – the site of the current skate park in Norton Road or the site of old playground near tennis courts in Croydon Park.

“Council will undergo further consultation with the community before announcing the preferred location.”

Maroondah City Council’s Budget 2010-2011 has allocated $372,000 in 2011-2012 towards the project.

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Media Release: Golf course upgrade tees off at Dorset

Posted on by alex

A major upgrade to Dorset Golf Course has been completed in a partnership between the Commonwealth Government and Maroondah City Council.

Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Alex Makin welcomed the new facilities at the official launch on Tuesday 8 June.

“This project, which is a partnership between Maroondah City Council and the Federal Government includes new community facilities, a golf shop and practice facilities,” said Cr Makin.

“The project was made possible thanks to a $295,000 grant from the Federal Government under the Department of Infrastructure’s Community Infrastructure Program, and a $56,000 contribution from Council,” said Cr Makin.

“The works will enhance the experience of those who use Dorset Golf Course, with an accessible entry to the building, all-access amenities, and an increase in the size of the community meeting room, with improved community facilities,” said Cr Makin.

“The old driving range has been renovated and remodelled providing improved practice bays and hitting nets,” said Cr Makin.

“Additionally, the works have included the installation of water harvesting from the roof into a water tank, which in turn is connected to the toilet facilities for flushing,” said Cr Makin.

“Adding to the environmental credentials of the upgraded building will be the installation of a series of solar panels to generate electricity for on- site use,” said Cr Makin.

“Maroondah is home to many top class sporting facilities. The upgrade works to be undertaken at Dorset Golf Course are a great example of the commitment of Council to continue providing high quality recreation opportunities for the community’s enjoyment,” said Cr Makin.

Dorset Golf Course is owned and operated by Maroondah City Council and is one of six major leisure facilities offering leisure and recreational opportunities to the Maroondah, and wider, community.

Nestled at the foot of the magnificent Dandenong Ranges, Dorset Golf Course was built in the early 1980s and opened to the public in 1983. Golfers can enjoy a picturesque par 69 course, over 5000 metres in length, with practice green and nets.

For more information on Dorset Golf Course or the other five major leisure facilities visit www.maroondahleisure.com.au.

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Media Release: Ringwood Soccer Multipurpose Pavilion on the way

Posted on by alex

Work is now under way on a $3.5 million redevelopment of Ringwood Soccer Stadium in Jubilee Park.

Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Alex Makin, said site preparation had begun and construction work would be visible over the next month or so.

“Council has been working for some time on plans to redevelop the Ringwood Soccer Stadium, which is part of the Jubilee Park sports complex in Ringwood,” Cr Makin said.

“This major project has seen the demolition of the old Ringwood soccer facilities to make way for the construction of a modern, multipurpose shared sports pavilion for the entire community to enjoy,” Cr Makin said.

“The new pavilion – to be known as the Ringwood Soccer Multipurpose Pavilion – will feature male and female change facilities, associated car parking and lighting,” Cr Makin said.

“Various male and female sports codes will be catered for and the pavilion also includes a boxing gymnasium. These facilities will complement the new, all-weather synthetic surface playing field following the completion of the building works,” Cr Makin said.

Council and Sport & Recreation Victoria have provided funding of $650,000 for the all-weather synthetic surface to be installed on-site. This is in addition to $2.9 million Federal Government grant under the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program – Strategic Projects.

“This is great news for the Ringwood City Soccer Club, and for the Maroondah community as a whole,” Cr Makin said.

“Council is delighted that work is progressing as planned on a modern facility that will serve the community for many years to come,” Cr Makin said.

Construction of the Ringwood Soccer Multipurpose Pavilion is expected to be complete in December 2010.

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