Tag: local government

Discussing experiences as a Councillor for the MAV Stand for Council Campaign

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Being an elected Councillor requires an ongoing time commitment coupled with an understanding of good governance and the ability to respond to community feedback. Victorian council elections will be held at the end of October in all local councils with the exception of Brimbank City Council.

The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) provides introductory sessions for prospective council candidates to assist in understanding the role and responsibilities of local government. The sessions include an overview from a neighbouring Council Chief Executive Officer and Councillor to discuss the role of council officers and elected representatives.

This evening I was invited to speak at the information session held at Knox City Council to provide an overview of my experiences in local government and advice on conducting council campaigns. The session provided an opportunity for candidates to discuss the operations of a Council and the role that Councillors undertake within the community. In particular I was able to provide an overview of governance structures for Council to assist candidates in understanding how Councillors can deliver results for the community.

I attended a similar information session in 2005 when I first stood for local government in Maroondah and found that the discussion was useful in gaining an insight into councils. Candidates should be advised to learn about local government and its decision making processes to ensure that they can become effective representatives for their community.

Media Release: Council motions supported at MAV State Meeting

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Six out of the eight motions tabled by Maroondah City Council were carried at the 26 May Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) State Council meeting.

The successful motions related to improving information technology for customer service, general valuations, unfunded superannuation liability, road reserves owned by VicRoads, Tax deductibility for election expenses and building and planning fees.

Councillor Alex Makin, Council’s representative on the MAV, said the State Council Meeting provided an opportunity for each member council in Victoria to submit motions which have significance on a state level for all Victorian municipalities.

“The motions presented are viewed as being of significance across the Victorian Local Government sector, including the Maroondah community,” Cr Makin said.

“Council has a proven record of leading the way in highlighting issues faced by the Victorian Local Government sector. This is reflected by the favourable response to previous motions submitted by Maroondah and passed, often with unanimous support, at the MAV State Council Meeting,” Cr Makin said.

“At its meeting of Monday 18 April, Council approved eight motions to be submitted to the MAV State Council meeting which was held on Thursday 26 May,” Cr Makin said.

“The motions were developed by Council following interaction with the community in the form of various forums, consultation and strategies,” Cr Makin said.

Of the eight motions presented by Council, six were carried.

The motions carried included:

  • That the MAV State Council calls of the State Government to remove the requirement for Local Government to have superannuation cash backed, given the inconsistency between the three tiers of government and given that both state and federal governments carry these amounts on their balance sheets as unfunded liabilities.
  • That the Municipal Association Of Victoria State Council calls on the State government to extend the frequency of general valuations from two to three years.
  • That the MAV State Council calls on the State Government to abolish the prescribed Statutory Annual Increments for both planning and building fees and enable Councils to set their own fees.
  • That the MAV State Council calls on VicRoads to review current funding allocated for the maintenance of arterial roads and associated infrastructure, roadsides and central medians, and if necessary advocate for increased levels of funding.
  • That the MAV convene a working party comprising of Councillors and Information Technology Officers to explore the technological opportunities to provide a one stop shop customer service approach for Local Government communities.
  • That the MAV State Council writes to the Australian Tax Office seeking an urgent review of the current ceiling of $1000 for election expenses that can be claimed by candidates for Council elections.

– ENDS –

Eastern Volunteers Sponsors and Supporters Evening

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Eastern Volunteers as a regional community based organisation, works in partnership with local government and businesses to provide its services to the community.

This evening, Eastern Volunteers held a function to officially thank its business and government partners with their assistance. This included the sponsors of the Annual Fun Run that was held in March, as well as the Multicultural Festival, which will be held again this October.

The function included video presentations from the two public events, highlighting the strong community participation with Eastern Volunteers and the benefits provided to sponsors in supporting these activities.

The 2010 Eastern Volunteers Multicultural Festival:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXZyhK8NTOE]

The 2011 Eastern Volunteers Annual Fun Run:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TwvUsR98Oo&rel=0]

Further partnership opportunities exist throughout this year, including the Business Booster Breakfast on the 8th of August and the Eastern Volunteers Multicultural Festival, which will be held on the 9th of October.

For further information please visit www.easternvolunteers.org.au.

MAV State Council Meeting – May 2011

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The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) is the peak body that represents local government across the State. The MAV represents the interests of local government and advocates on behalf of local councils within Victoria.

The MAV holds two State Council meetings each year, where Councils are able to propose motions and debate the direction of the organisation. This session Maroondah proposed eight motions, of which six were supported by a majority of representatives.

Motions adopted at the MAV State Council meeting help shape the direction of the organisation, with the MAV being responsible for the implementation of these items.

Maroondah Movement for Reconciliation – 10th anniversary luncheon

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The Maroondah Movement for Reconciliation is a community group that was formed in 2000 to promote reconciliation and social inclusion within Maroondah. The group has been instrumental in promoting the importance of reconciliation and an understanding of indigenous culture.

This afternoon I attended the 10th anniversary luncheon of Maroondah Movement for Reconciliation, which provided an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the group, including cultural awareness programs, film evenings and indigenous flag raising ceremonies. As Mayor I was invited to speak on these achievements, where I acknowledged the dedication of former Councillor Jo-anne Taylor, who championed reconciliation within Council.

In 2008, Maroondah City Council agreed to permanently fly the Indigenous Flag at the Council Civic Centres in Ringwood and Croydon. Furthermore Council’s commitment to reconciliation was strengthened throughout this year during my time as Mayor, through the inclusion of the acknowledgement of country at all Council functions and at all Council meetings.

Local government has a key responsibility in promoting social inclusion and establishing a sense of community. Reconciliation promotes an understanding of indigenous culture and helps create an inclusive community. Maroondah Movement for Reconciliation should be proud of its achievements over the past ten years and for continuing to promote reconciliation within our community.

Citizenship Ceremony – November 2010

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One of the highlights in local government and as Mayor is presiding over Citizenship Ceremonies and welcoming new citizens to both Australia and the City of Maroondah. This evening we welcomed 90 new Australian citizens into the City of Maroondah.

Tonight’s citizenship ceremony is the last ceremony for 2010 and my last as Mayor. The speech delivered for citizenship ceremonies is included in this entry:

Good evening ladies and gentlemen,

Maroondah City Council, in the spirit of reconciliation, acknowledges that we are meeting on land for which the Wurundjeri people have been custodians for many centuries, and on land which the Indigenous Australians have performed age old ceremonies.

I am delighted to welcome you all on behalf of the Maroondah City Council; particularly we welcome the 90 adults and children who will tonight receive Australian Citizenship.

I am pleased that so many of you here this evening have come along to support a member of your family or a friend who is participating in this ceremony

Taking up Australian Citizenship is a serious step. It is a symbol of your commitment to the country which you have chosen to make your home.

Just as importantly, the conferment of Citizenship is a symbol of Australia’s commitment to you, as it is the step which makes you full and equal members of the Australian community.

The Parliament recognises that Australian citizenship represents full and formal membership of the Commonwealth of Australia, and Australian citizenship is a common bond, involving reciprocal rights and obligations, uniting all Australians while respecting their diversity.

The Parliament recognises that persons conferred Australia citizenship enjoy these rights, and undertake to accept these obligations:-

  • by pledging loyalty to Australia and its people; and
  • by sharing their democratic beliefs; and
  • by respecting their rights and liberties; and
  • by upholding and obeying the laws of Australia.

The Australian citizenship pledge calls upon new citizens to make a commitment of loyalty to Australia and its people.

As an Australian citizen, you are entitled under Australian law to the same rights that are enjoyed by people born in Australia:

  • You have the right to apply for appointment to any public office, or to stand for election as a Member of Parliament.
  • When Local Government elections are held in the City of Maroondah in the future, you will also have the right to stand for those elections.
  • As a voter, you have the right to help elect Australia’s governments
  • You gain the right to apply for an Australian passport, and to leave and re-enter Australia without applying for a resident return visa
  • and you have the right to protection by Australian diplomatic representatives while overseas.

Being an Australian citizen also brings responsibilities:

  • You must enrol on the electoral register and vote at elections for Members of the Australian and State Parliaments, Local Government elections and at Referenda
  • You must serve on a jury if called on to do so
  • and you must defend Australia should the need arise

By becoming an Australian, you are showing that you want to have a say in Australia’s future.

However, no-one who becomes an Australian citizen is expected to renounce their cultural identity.

The customs and traditions you have grown up with, are a part of your heritage. It is important that you maintain these links with your past, for this cultural mix is what makes Australia a unique and special country.

Today’s ceremony marks the final stage in your decision to become an Australian citizen, the greatest compliment you can make to the people of Australia.

Australian citizenship is the common bond which unites us all. Australia respects the diverse cultural inheritance of its citizens, and we are honoured that you have chosen to become an Australian citizen today.

With citizenship, comes responsibilities as well as rights. The greatest responsibility is to participate fully in our community, to strengthen the freedom and openness which makes Australia unique.

On behalf of the Australian Government I offer my warmest congratulations and best wishes for the years ahead.

We in Maroondah are delighted that you have chosen to make your home in our City. And I am sure that everyone here today will agree with me when I say that is truly a great place to live.

On behalf of the Councillors of the City of Maroondah, and all its people, I wish you good health, happiness and prosperity, and may you achieve your personal dreams for your future here in Australia.

Thank you.

Media Release: Push to turn Maroondah’s street lighting green

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Maroondah residents were among more than 3500 people to support a Municipal Association of Victoria petition calling on an upgrade to energy efficient street lighting.

Maroondah Mayor Councillor Alex Makin thanked those Maroondah residents who pledged their support to the Give Our Streets the Green Light campaign.

“The petition was calling on the State and Federal governments to partner with local councils to fund the $114 million upgrade costs which come with the switch to energy efficient street lighting,” Cr Makin said.

“The Municipal Association of Victoria delivered the community petitions to the Premier and Opposition Leader ahead of last Friday’s Local Government Climate Change Summit,” Cr Makin said.

“The Municipal Association of Victoria are confident the strong support by 46 councils and their communities will result in a commitment ahead of the state election to contribute some funding to fast-track the changeover to energy efficient street lighting,” Cr Makin said.

“Securing a combined contribution of $45million over four years from the Federal and State Governments would mean that councils could change about 330,000 street lights from 80W mercury vapour lamps to energy efficient globes at a low cost and in a quicker turn around,” Cr Makin said.

In Maroondah the upfront costs of replacing more than 5500 mercury vapour globes currently lighting Maroondah’s streets is about $2million.

Cr Makin said the reason for changing to more energy efficient globes was to reduce Council’s greenhouse gas emissions and create a greener more energy-efficient future.

“Council estimates that 31 per cent of its green house gas emissions and 22 per cent of its electricity costs are generated by lighting Maroondah’s local streets,” Cr Makin said.

“Electricity is predominately generated by burning brown coal which results in significant green house gases. By making the change to energy efficient globes, we can reduce our carbon footprint and work towards mitigating the effects of climate change,” Cr Makin said.

“The sooner the change over the sooner we start making a difference,” Cr Makin said.

– ENDS –

Maroondah Leader: roll out the issues

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The State Election is just over a month away and the Marooodah Leader has canvassed community organisations on the issues facing Maroondah and Melbourne’s outer east:

Mayor Alex Makin said the council’s focus was on funding for the $48 million Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure Centre, but the major parties should also provide an ongoing commitment to Ringwood Central Activities District, preserving local government’s authority over planning decisions and more frequent public transport services.

It is imperative that all parties commit to a shared vision for Maroondah, including Ringwood’s status as a Central Activities District. This requires an ongoing commitment and planning certainty, as well as facilities that serve not only Maroondah but the wider eastern region.

Maroondah Leader: push for commitment

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Ringwood is one of six urban centres identified as a Central Activities District through State and Local Government planning policies. Throughout this year I have worked with my Mayoral counterparts in Greater Dandenong, Frankston, Hume, Maribyrnong and Whitehorse to highlight the need for an ongoing funding and implementation commitment for our respective Central Activities Districts.

Box Hill, Broadmeadows, Dandenong, Footscray, Frankston and Ringwood have all been identified as Central Activities Districts, but yet only Dandenong has received an implementation plan and ongoing investment from the State Government.

The State Government’s ten year funding commitment for Dandenong, which will see $550 million invested into the revitalisation of the urban centre, demonstrates what can be achieved when there is joint commitment between State and Local Governments.

All of Melbourne’s Central Activity Districts deserve a similar commitment and the Maroondah Leader has reported on this regional cooperation, which stretches across Metropolitan Melbourne:

“With the exception of Dandenong, there’s been no long-term funding or planning commitment to the CADs,” Cr Makin said, noting that Greater Dandenong Council was backing the other CAD councils’ call for funding.

Ongoing investment and commitment to Melbourne’s Central Activities Districts will provide amenity improvements and deliver a range of educational, employment and community opportunities throughout Metropolitan Melbourne.

This will provide mini-cities within Melbourne and complement the the role of CBD throughout these urban centres. The City of Melbourne has also been working with the Mayors of the Councils containing Central Activities Districts and it has been fantastic to see an ongoing commitment to this unique alliance.

Unlike Dandenong, where there is a 10-year implementation plan for the investment of about $550 million, just one major project in the Ringwood Central Activities Districts has been allocated money – the $39 million bus interchange.

Cr Makin said plans for other parcels of government-owned land in the area, including the railway station and surrounds remains unclear.

While the Central Activities Districts are dispersed throughout Metropolitan Melbourne there are common issues that unite each of the urban centres, including the need for an ongoing commitment and implementation plan from the State Government.

Cr Makin said government departments have done a lot of work but there hadn’t been the necessary “political buy-in” and leadership was necessary to send a stronger signal to investors.

Each of the Central Activities Districts Councils have identified key projects that would deliver improved facilities and services, with transport interchanges being common across each of the urban centres.

It is clear that public transport improvements, both in regard to interchanges and service frequencies, are critical for the success of each Central Activities District. There is a need for greater level of community facilities with Ringwood Station and the proposed Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure Centre forming Council’s two key priorities.

The formation of regional partnerships has been one of the highlights of my year as Mayor, each of Melbourne’s Central Activities Districts has its own strengths and it is imperative that the State Government support these centres through an ongoing implementation plan and funding certainty.

Maroondah signs Agreement of Mutual Support with Eastern Councils

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One of the areas that has been lacking in local government has been cooperation across councils to work pro-actively as a region.   While there are some regional groupings in existence, there is a need for a more focused and proactive level of cooperation across the region.

This afternoon I joined my counterparts in Knox, Manningham, Whitehorse and the Shire of Yarra Ranges to sign an agreement of mutual support, which means that the five councils will work cooperatively on areas that have been identified as a priorities across the region.

The agreement aims to:

  • Lend support of the Council’s activities as considered appropriate in matters of common interest or mutual benefit
  • Be mindful of and take up opportunities to include other councils in activities that can provide economic, social and environmental benefit across the municipal boundaries
  • Work cooperatively and pro-actively to provide a collective voice for the region in matters where a collective voice will give greater weight to regional issues and solutions
  • Not replicate the activities of existing bodies, forums or like associations that already provide a collective voice for the councils covered by the agreement.
Alex with the Mayors of Manningham, Knox, Yarra Ranges and Whitehorse signing an agreement of mutual support
Alex with the Mayors of Manningham, Knox, Yarra Ranges and Whitehorse signing an agreement of mutual support

The structure of the agreement ensures that the member Councils will work cooperatively and not duplicate the efforts of other bodies, ensuring that it will be focused on making a difference towards the region. Initial priorities include advocacy for public transport improvements and regional facilities, whereby that the councils work together to deliver the best possible outcomes for the community. For example, each of the five member councils have provided letters of support in regard the proposed Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure Centre, reflecting its significance to the region.

The signing of this agreement signals a more collaborative approach between the Cities of Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Whitehorse and the Shire of Yarra Ranges, ensuring that we work together to achieve collective results for the eastern region.