Tag: local community

Ministerial visit to the Ringwood Aquatic Centre Co-generation plant

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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

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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.

– ENDS –

Launch of the Redevelopment of Glen Park Community Centre

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Glen Park Community Centre is located in Glen Park Road in Bayswater North and has strong emphasis on community development, as well as providing courses for the local community. The Community Centre was recently redeveloped, through a partnership between Glen Park and SCOPE, to provide an accessible facility that can provide an inclusive environment for all people within our community.

Alex with the Arrabri Ward Councillors; Tony Dib, Paul Macdonald and Natalie Thomas along with Shaune Leane, MLC and Mike Symon, Member for Deakin, at the re-opening of the Glen Park Community Centre
Alex with the Arrabri Ward Councillors; Tony Dib, Paul Macdonald and Natalie Thomas along with Shaune Leane, MLC and Mike Symon, Member for Deakin, at the re-opening of the Glen Park Community Centre

This morning Glen Park Community Centre Council held a Picnic in the Park to celebrate the redevelopment of Glen Park Community Centre, as well with other recent improvements, including the redeveloped Sports Pavilion and the new Men’s Shed. Further improvements, such as a new play space will be completed later this year.

In addition, I was invited to launch the redeveloped Glen Park Community Centre and the speech I delivered is included in this post:
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Media Release: Main Street mosaics add a splash of colour

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A collection of unique mosaic pavers designed by local VCAL students from Swinburne TAFE were unveiled by Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Alex Makin on Tuesday 22 June.

Funded by a Maroondah Council Arts and Cultural Grant and a brainchild of Croydon Main St Traders Association, the mosaics will be placed at the northern end of Main Street at the corner of Coolstore Road and Main Street.

Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Alex Makin said that the students worked closely with a local community artist to create the colourful mosaics that will help to beautify Main Street, Croydon.

“What started out as a project to encourage students to respect cultural works while enhancing their self esteem has turned in to an art piece that can be appreciated by the whole community,” Cr Makin said.

“This is the second collection of mosaic pavers that have been laid in Main Street, with the first patch laid in February this year,” said Cr Makin.

The mosaics are laid onto individual concrete pavers that were constructed by the building department students at Swinburne Tafe.

– ENDS –

Media Release: Meet your Mullum Ward councillors at free BBQ

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People living in Mullum Ward will have an opportunity to mingle with their local councillors during the next Maroondah Picnic in the Park.

Take the opportunity to have a chat with your friendly Mullum Ward councillors Ann Fraser, Nora Lamont and Mayor Alex Makin at BJ Hubbard Reserve in Ringwood North on Saturday 22 May.

“The picnic in the park is a fantastic concept which allows us, as ward councillors, to speak face-to-face with the local community about all sorts of things. It doesn’t necessarily need to be related to Council. These picnics are a good chance for everyone to get to know each other on a different level,” Cr Makin said.

“So if you live in Mullum Ward it would be great to see you at BJ Hubbard Reserve on Saturday 22 May,” Cr Lamont said.

“There will be a free barbecue and plenty of fun activities for the kids. I look forward to seeing you there,” Cr Fraser said.

Mullum Ward is located on the western side of Maroondah and includes most of Ringwood and Ringwood North, half of Ringwood East, and a small part of Croydon and Heathmont.

Head along to BJ Hubbard Reserve in Ringwood North from 11am on Saturday 22 May for Maroondah’s next Picnic in the Park.

April BizConnect Business Breakfast – Assessing Australia’s Economic Conditions

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The BizConnect Maroondah Breakfast Series provides an opportunity to hear from prominent business speakers, with the aim of assisting businesses within the municipality.

The guest speaker this morning was a specialist on foreign exchange and international Economics who discussed Australia’s current economic situation relative to the global economy.

Topics included Australia’s relatively stable economic activity, relative to major global economies and the increasing importance of China as a major trading partner to Australia.

The BizConnect Breakfast Series is one of several events, including networking and training sessions which are designed to assist businesses within Maroondah.

For further details please visit the BizMaroondah website: www.bizmaroondah.com.au.

Please continue reading to view the speech delivered as the opening address for the morning:

Continue reading “April BizConnect Business Breakfast – Assessing Australia’s Economic Conditions”

HE Parker Reserve – Tennis Club Lighting

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HE Parker Reserve located at the end of Heathmont Road in Heathmont is a major sporting facility within Maroondah and is home to Football, Cricket, Netball and Tennis.

This afternoon I launched the lighting upgrade for HE Parker Reserve Tennis Club, a project that was collaboratively funded through Maroondah City Council, the State Government and the tennis club.

The lights for the tennis courts means that the club is able to play night matches, extending the club’s ability to hold tennis sessions into the evening and thus assisting in further growing its membership.

Alex at the launch of new lights for the HE Parker Tennis Club in Heathmont
Alex at the launch of new lights for the HE Parker Tennis Club in Heathmont

The speech I provided at the opening of the HE Parker Reserve Lighting is available within this post:

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Media Release: Ringwood Soccer Multipurpose Pavilion on the way

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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.

– ENDS –

Maroondah Journal: Mayors dismayed over state’s landfill levy hike

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Changes in the State Government’s landfill levy, which will increase from $9 to $30 per tonne will have an adverse impact on Maroondah City Council’s budget and rates.

The Maroondah Journal has reported on the impact this levy will have for our local community:

Mayor Alex Makin said the timing of the new levy was of “serious concern”.

He confirmed the new levy would “likely be covered by a rise in overall municipal rates and charges” and said residents should be prepared an additional rate rise if the government was successful in increasing landfill levies.

Unfortunately the State Government did not provide consultation with the local government sector and the timing of this announcement has meant that councils have had to revise their budgets for the upcoming financial year.

“There had been speculation for quite some time that the government was looking at the landfill levy, so the fact they were looking wasn’t a surprise, but the timing certainly was.

“Why didn’t they provide that consultation with the community?”

The landfill levy, which is raised through the State Government, applies to waste that is deposited onto land at licensed waste facilities in Victoria. Since local government is responsible for waste management, councils will be faced with additional costs due to the increase in the levy.

“Maroondah already has excellent recycling rates, we’re one of the best in the state, so it’s unclear what benefits the community will have with this new levy.”

Maroondah has the second highest recycling rates within Victoria and while the purpose of the levy is to encouraging sustainable waste management, it is not clear what benefit the community will receive.

The Eastern Region Mayors and CEOs forum has written to the Premier seeking a commitment to reconsider the increase and to provide sufficient consultation with the community.

Maroondah Journal: Right off the bat, extra cash for reserve

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Heathmont Reserve is home to the Heathmont Baseball Club, Heathmont Baptist Cricket Club and Gujarati Association Cricket Club and will receive $821,000 to build two new changerooms, a kitchen, a viewing area and accessibility improvements for people with a disability.

The project while largely funded through Maroondah City Council, will receive $240,000 from the Federal Government through the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.

Maroondah Mayor Alex Makin confirmed a $575,000 commitment from the council to make the project a reality.  Cr Makin said the works would make the reserve more inclusive and accessible to the wider community.

“What this translates into for the community is the development of a multi-purpose facility that will help expand social and sports participation for families, female teams and people with a disability.”

The contribution of Federal funding demonstrates the partnerships that can be developed when several levels of government work together for the benefit of the community.