Tag: infrastructure

Speaking at the New Community Church Ringwood

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As a Mayor and Councillor , I am often invited to speak to community organisations about the role of local government and the City of Maroondah.

This morning I was invited to speak at the New Community Church Ringwood, which meets twice a week at Maroondah Federation Estate in Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood. As part of the discussion, I mentioned Maroondah’s priorities, including the need for improvements to community infrastructure, additional meeting space and the importance of projects like the redevelopment of Ringwood Station and the proposed Leisure and Aquatic Centre.

I also discussed the way Council works, including the importance of working as a team, given that Council operates similarly to a board of management, where it is is Council that the decision making body, and not individual Councillors.

I welcome the opportunity to speak to groups throughout Maroondah and it is great to see the level of discussion and dialogue that arises out of these discussions.

Maroondah Leader: Maroondah a low-rating council

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The Municipal of Victoria (MAV) is the peak body representing local government and recently compiled the results of Council rates and the impact is has on residents.

As reported through the Maroondah Leader, Maroondah has the seventh lowest rates and charges in Victoria and returning the budget to surplus will reduce rating pressures in future years:

Mayor Alex Makin said the rate increase was needed to reduce the council’s deficit, and delaying the hike would only cause more pain next year.

“The important element of this budget is about getting back into the black, Cr Makin said. “We need to rectify 14 years of a council living beyond its means.”

The Council budget will produce an operational surplus from the 2012-2013 financial year meaning that Council will be financially stable and able to re-invest in community infrastructure.

Cr Makin said Maroondah had the lowest rates compared with municipalities of 90,000 to 120,000 people

Creating a financial sustainable Council means provides to ability to invest in community infrastructure while creating downward pressures on rates within future years. Maroondah City Council, like any business or household needs to live within its means and the 2010/2011 Budget will ensure financial stability for coming years.

Media Release: Ensuring a sustainable financial future for Maroondah

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Maroondah City Council’s Proposed Council Plan 2010-2014 and Proposed Budget 2010-2011 were formally adopted during Council’s Monday 28 June meeting. The documents highlight the key initiatives which underpin the planning and budget blueprints for the Maroondah community.

Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Alex Makin, said the Council Plan set out a broad range of Council activities designed to assist Council and the community move towards the future, as identified in Maroondah 2025: A Community Planning Together.

“The Council Plan clearly details the range of strategies that will be adopted over the coming four years and outlines Council’s commitment to working in partnership with the community to foster quality and sustainable lifestyles,” Cr Makin said.

“There are eight themes within the Council Plan: community; economic development and employment; infrastructure; leisure and culture; natural environment; transport; urban design and development; governance and corporate support,” Cr Makin said.

“The 2010-2011 Budget outlines the provision of financial resources for the coming 12 months, and details how these resources will be applied to delivering the many services Council provides to the community,” Cr Makin said.

FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

“One of the key factors in this year’s Budget is providing the resources to bring forward the operational deficit that has existed in 12 out of the past 14 Council Budgets,” said Cr Makin.

“It is imperative that this Council draws a line in the sand to ensure that ongoing deficits are no longer acceptable. We must move our financial status into surplus as soon as possible to allow Council to be in the position to invest in community facilities and to meet our obligations now and into the future,” said Cr Makin.

“Council has determined that the operational surplus will now be brought forward to the 2012/13 financial year (three years earlier), commencing with the 2010/11 Budget,” said Cr Makin.

“The operating result for the 2010/11 year is planned at a $1.782 million deficit which halves that of the 09/10 Budget,” said Cr Makin.

“It is important to remember that rates and charges provide 63 per cent of Council’s operating revenue, with the remainder sourced from user charges, operating and capital grants and interest,” said Cr Makin.

“The cost of services delivered to the Maroondah community in 2010/2011 is expected to be $91 million, which is an increase of $6.2million over the 2009/2010 Budget,” said Cr Makin.

The Budget is based on a proposed general rate and charges increase of 9.8 per cent.

This increase is made up from:

CPI (taken from the December 2009 quarter)3%
Infrastructure Levy2.5%
New initiatives2.5%
Regional Aquatic & Leisure Centre in Ringwood1.1%
State Government imposed increase in Landfill Levy0.7%

For the average ratepayer living in a median priced house in Maroondah this represents a $98.10 increase in annual rates and charges, or $1.88 extra per week.

“Maroondah remains one of the lowest rating councils in Victoria, with figures released this week by the Municipal Association of Victoria indicating Maroondah has the 7th lowest (per capita) rates and charges of 71 Victorian Councils,” said Cr Makin.

“When further assessing these figures, the six lower rating Councils (per capita) are much larger in population than Maroondah, and therefore benefit from substantial economies of scale as well as other sources of income,” said Cr Makin.

“In addition, at an average rate of $549 per head, Maroondah has the lowest rating of all nine Victorian Councils of similar size (90,000 to 120,000 people),” said Cr Makin.

INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES

“Council’s Budget provides the resources to ensure we are able to sustainably provide over 120 services to the 105,000 members of our community, as well as providing resources for a number of new initiatives,” said Cr Makin.

These new initiatives include

  • $445,000 to provide ongoing maintenance on new capital works projects, such as the new Ringwood multi-purpose shared sports pavilion and all weather synthetic surface
  • An additional $126,000 in funding to Ringwood and Croydon libraries provides books and computer access for all members of the community, with over 1 million library books borrowed each year
  • An extra $150,000 to be spent on bushland clearance and fire prevention works in our bush reserves
  • Additional $250,000 to ensure powerline clearance of trees throughout the municipality
  • Investment of $50,000 to develop the Heathmont Structure Plan to identify and plan for residential and community needs around this transport hub and shopping precinct
  • Additional $50,000 on striking new signage throughout Maroondah identifying parks, reserves and buildings, includes pedestrian/cycling signage

LEISURE FACILITIES – MEETING THE COMMUNITY’S FUTURE NEEDS

“The allocation of funding in the 2010-2011 Budget (1.1% of rate increase) will be used to develop the design work and continue the community consultation for the proposed Regional Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Ringwood, which will replace the existing Ringwood Aquatic Centre,” said Cr Makin.

“It is important that Council looks to the future to ensure that we meet the expectations and needs of the Maroondah community. A new regional aquatic and leisure facility is an exciting project that will generate enormous community benefit, and ensure significant leisure and aquatic facilities for the Maroondah community into the next 50 years,” said Cr Makin.

“Maroondah is maintaining its position as a lower rating council in metropolitan Melbourne and returning the budget to surplus allows us to deliver exciting projects like the proposed Regional Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Ringwood,” said Cr Makin.

The 2010-2011 Budget and 2010-2014 Council Plan will be available for viewing on the Maroondah City Council website at www.maroondah.vic.gov.au

– ENDS –

The 2010 National General Assembly of the Australian Local Government Association

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The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) is the peak body representing local government at a national level.  Each year the organisation holds a National General Assembly, where Councils across the country nominate motions to influence the priorities and initiatives undertaken by ALGA.

This year Maroondah proposed three motions to be debated at the National General Assembly, covering the need for the Commonwealth Government to provide funding for infrastructure required to meet ongoing population growth, as well as support for replacing existing street lighting with energy efficient lights.  A third motion calling for funding certainty for Home and Community Care Services (HACC) has already been achieved given that the the Commonwealth Government has committed to protecting arrangements for Victoria.

Maroondah’s motions were successful and it is encouraging to see Councils across the country supporting each other in calling for the best outcomes for our community and the nation. One of the advantages of ALGA is the dialogue between local councils and the Commonwealth, with several Members of Parliament, across all political parties, speaking at the conference.

Attending the ALGA Conference in Canberra is a time demanding task and it is encouraging to see several of my colleagues recognising the importance of a strong Maroondah presence at the National Assembly and during discussions with Federal Members of Parliament.  Maroondah’s CEO Frank Dixon, as well as Councillors Michael Macdonald, Paul Macdonald, Rob Steane and Les Willmott joined me in Canberra and I thank them for their attendance.

While we were in Canberra we took the opportunity to meet the Federal Members of Parliament, which include Maroondah within their electorates and I would like to thank Mike Symon, the Member for Deakin, Kevin Andrews, the Member for Menizes and Tony Smith, the Member for Casey for their time.  In addition, we had the opportunity to speak to several Ministers and senior advisors and Canberra serves as a useful opportunity to discuss Maroondah’s priorities and the need for further collaboration and partnerships between multiple levels of Government.

All levels of government need to work together to deliver the best possible outcomes for our community and Maroondah’s presence in Canberra helped to convey the need for this partnership and collaboration.

Media Release: Golf course upgrade tees off at Dorset

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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.

– ENDS –

Launch of the Dorset Golf Course Redevelopment

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The Dorset Golf Course is Trawalla Road in Croydon and is one of two public golf courses located within the City of Maroondah. The course was opened in 1983 and is an 18 hole course on a 45 hectare site.

As part of the Federal Government’s economic stimulus package, Maroondah City Council was able to secure funding to redevelop the club rooms, which failed to meet accessibility standards and were in need of restoration.

Alex with Mike Symon, Member for Deakin and Senator David Feeney at the launch of the new Dorset Golf Club Rooms
Alex with Mike Symon, Member for Deakin and Senator David Feeney at the launch of the new Dorset Golf Club Rooms

This afternoon I was joined by Senator David Feeney to officially open these extensions. The copy of the speech is included within this post:

Continue reading “Launch of the Dorset Golf Course Redevelopment”

Media Release: Central Ringwood Community Centre upgrade unveiled

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Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan will join Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Alex Makin, to unveil a series of upgrades to Central Ringwood Community Centre on site tomorrow (20 May).

Cr Makin said the $200,000 upgrade would improve the experience of centre users.

“This project has led to the creation of a new area for community groups and the refurbishment of the existing hall, including painting. The installation of new stage stairs will be undertaken soon,” Cr Makin said.

“Other features of the upgrade works include the addition of an all-access toilet and baby change area for playgroups. A new pathway and entrance door to the centre’s lower level activity rooms have also been constructed,” Cr Makin said.

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government contributed $200,000 to make this project a reality.

Central Ringwood Community Centre is a Council-owned facility administered by a committee of management.

“The recent upgrades come as wonderful news for families of the 105 children who attend the centre’s playgroup each week and community groups who use the venue,” Cr Makin said.

“They have given the centre a new lease on life and ensure that user groups will continue to enjoy high quality facilities,” Cr Makin.

Log on to Council’s website at www.maroondah.vic.gov.au/CommunityCentres.aspx to find your nearest community centre.

– ENDS –

Media Release: Proposed Budget and Council Plan on public exhibition

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Maroondah City Council has released its proposed Budget for the 2010-2011 financial year. It underpins the released 2010-2014 proposed Council Plan, which is the blueprint Council follows to achieve the community’s vision as set out in Maroondah 2025 – A Community Planning Together.

Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Alex Makin said both documents would go on public exhibition to provide the community with the opportunity to offer any feedback or forward written submissions.

“The proposed Budget outlines the provision of financial resources for the next 12 months, and details how these resources will be applied to delivering the many services Council provides to the community,” said Cr Makin.

“In determining the level of rate income, Council carefully considers all sources of non-rate income, such as government grants and fees and charges; what capital works and services are required throughout the year; and the long-term vision, aspirations and needs of the community,” said Cr Makin.

As in previous years, Council ensures financial sustainability in accordance with its rolling 10 year long term financial strategy. Council has always kept its rate income at the lower end of local government when compared with other like Victorian Councils, however the result of this approach has meant that Council operations would not come into surplus until the 2015/16 financial year.

“The 2010/11 budget provides that this operational surplus will now be brought forward to the 2012/13 financial year (three years earlier) and will require an associated comprehensive review of operations to ensure Council maintains its high community satisfaction scores as well as streamlining efficiencies,” said Cr Makin.

The Budget is based on a proposed general rate and charges increase of 9.8 per cent. This increase balances a range of community enhancements (2.5%), annual Infrastructure Levy (2.5%) with CPI increases of 3 percent. It also takes into account funding for the new landmark Regional Aquatic and Leisure Centre (1.1%) to be built at the current Ringwood Aquatic Centre site, as well as funding the State Government imposed Landfill Levy increase (0.7%).

For the average ratepayer living in a median priced house in Maroondah this represents a $98.10 increase in annual rates and charges, or $1.88 extra per week.

“The community enhancements identified in this year’s Budget include an additional $126,000 in funding for libraries, $150,000 for fire hazard reduction in our bush reserves, an additional $250,000 to ensure powerline clearance of trees throughout Maroondah and $445,000 to fund ongoing maintenance for new capital works completed in recent years,” said Cr Makin.

“We are also putting $50,000 towards developing a Heathmont Structure Plan which will identify and plan for residential and community needs around this transport hub and local shopping precinct,” said Cr Makin.

“Council is also managing the impact of a 233 (two hundred and thirty three) per cent increase in the State Government Landfill Levy, an increase of $400,000 for 2010/11, resulting in a total cost of $570,000 per annum,” said Cr Makin.

“Council’s established policy is to fully recover all waste and recycling costs through the application of a Garbage Charge, which this year will see an increase to offset the increased costs of the State Government Landfill Levy,” said Cr Makin.

The new garbage charges will be $204 – based on a 120 litre bin (an $11 increase on last year) and $172 – based on an 80 litre bin (a $9 increase on last year).

Council introduced a Municipal Charge in 2004-2005 which is equal to the amount of the contribution it is required to pay to the Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board (MFESB). This is designed to add transparency to the rating structure and to emphasise the impact of costs to Council over which it has no control.

For 2010-11 the total MFESB cost to Council has stabilised at $905,880. Given the increased number of property assessments since last year, the amount proposed per property will reduce slightly from $20.15 last year to $19.90 for this coming financial year.

“Council has prepared a very responsible Budget which maintains our services to our community, and also takes into account a number of major external costs and reductions in funding from both the State and Federal Governments,” said Cr Makin.

“It also ensures that we are not only maintaining and upgrading our infrastructure, but that we are taking into account future needs of the community and providing the facilities to meet these. The new Regional Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Ringwood will be a landmark project for the Maroondah community, providing a state of the art aquatic and leisure facility that will meet the growing demand into the future,” said Cr Makin.

“As always, our ongoing challenge is to balance the needs of our community, maintain the quality and level of our services and manage the ever increasing costs that Council must incorporate,” said Cr Makin.

The Maroondah community are invited to view the proposed Budget and Council Plan at Council’s Service Centres, Ringwood and Croydon Libraries and Council’s website at www.maroondah.com.au.

Submissions for the proposed Budget and proposed Council Plan will be received at the Maroondah City Council Offices, Braeside Avenue, Ringwood until 5pm on Friday 14 June 2010.

The community consultation process will continue at a meeting to hear and consider any submissions on both documents at 7pm on Wednesday 23 June 2010 at Maroondah City Council Offices, Braeside Avenue, Ringwood.

At a Special Council Meeting on Monday 28 June, Council will adopt the Budget and Council Plan, which may include any recommendations raised as a result of the submissions.

During the public consultation period (15 May to 14 June 2010) residents and property owners may obtain further information by appointment.

For queries about the Council Budget please contact Council’s Financial Services Unit on 9298 4323 and about the proposed Council Plan contact Council’s Planning and Performance Advisor on 9294 5588. Alternatively, please visit www.maroondah.vic.gov.au/ProposedBudget2010.aspx

State Government 2010-2011 Budget Breakfast

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The State Budget was delivered on Tuesday, and while several funding streams have been announced, including further funds for sporting and community facilities, there little new initiatives allocated specifically to projects within Maroondah.

The Budget Breakfast has hosted by James Merlino, the Member for Monbulk and the Minster for Sport, Recreation, Youth Affairs and Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs, with the Treasurer John Lenders providing an overview on the Budget.

One of the most disappointing aspects of the Budget was the lack of further funding towards the redevelopment of Ringwood Station. The Treasurer spoke extensively about how the State Government is implementing its various plans and while this is certainly positive, it is disappointing that there is not a long-term plan involving the Central Activity Districts across Melbourne.

I asked the Treasurer a question requesting that the Government deliver a plan for Melbourne’s Central Activities District, which would provide confidence and investment certainty within these areas. While Councils, like Maroondah, can deliver Masterplans and Precinct Plans to envisage the desired character of the area, there is a need for State Government investment to provide much needed infrastructure for the designated Central Activity Districts.

The top priority for Ringwood is the complete redevelopment of Ringwood Station, a project that thus far has not been identified in the State Government’s Transport Plan or its planning initiatives. While the State Government has committed #39 million to the redevelopment of the bus interchange and station forecourt this will not resolve the fundamental issue of accessibility and the lack of passenger amenities.

Maroondah Council and the community support the transformation into Ringwood as a Central Activity District, it is now time for the State Government to demonstrate its commitment towards this vision through funding the complete redevelopment of Ringwood Station so it becomes an accessible, integrated and safe transport interchange.

Maroondah Journal: Council burden may increase

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Local government has extensive reporting requirements to a myriad of State Government departments and agencies.  Recently however, the State Government has requested that the Essential Services Commission consider additional indicators and reporting requirements for local government.

The draft report from the Essential Services Commission has suggested an additional 65 indicators, which would cost up to an additional $40,000 in Council’s budget.

The Maroondah Journal has reported on the impact these indicators would have on local Government:

Maroondah Mayor Alex Makin said the proposal would “add nothing” to Maroondah in terms of service delivery or extracting the best value from ratepayers’ dollars.

“While Maroondah appreciates the necessity and benefits of compliance, it’s come to a stage where enough is enough, as costs spiral out of control.”

The City of Melbourne in conjunction with Councils across the state has developed an alternative framework to the recommendations made by the Essential Services Commission. Maroondah City Council is currently considering supporting this alternative, as it would provide a measurable and relevant set of indicators for the local government sector.

“If the council is forced to work within the Essential Services Commission’s proposed reported framework then money to enable compliance would have to be sourced from Maroondah’s budget,” Mr Makin said. “These funds could be better directed to providing vital infrastructure projects and services for the Maroondah community.”

It is important that any performance indicators are relevant and measurable across the sector and it is hoped that the Essential Services Commission will revise its recommendations in response to the feedback from local government.