Tag: national general assembly

Media Release: Lighting the way to a greener future

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Maroondah residents are being asked to sign an online campaign, Give Our Streets the Green Light, to lobby the government to fund a changeover to energy-efficient street lighting.

Council has joined the Municipal Association of Victoria and other Victorian councils to lobby the state and commonwealth governments to fund the changeover to new energy-efficient globes.

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

Maroondah Mayor Councillor Alex Makin said the goal was to reduce Council’s greenhouse gas emissions and create a greener more energy-efficient future.

“By changing all local road street lights from the mercury vapour 80W lamps to a more energy efficient lighting it would not only benefit the environment but it would save on electricity costs.

“Council estimates that 36 per cent of its green house gas emissions and 39 per cent of its electricity costs are generated by street lighting,” Cr Makin said.

“Electricity is predominately generated by burning brown coal which results in significant green house gases,” Cr Makin said.

“By making the change 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.

Maroondah Council has been a strong advocate for the campaign, moving a motion at the Australian Local Government Association’s National General Assembly in June calling on the campaign to be adopted as an issue of national significance.

The Give Our Streets the Green Light campaign, organised by the Municipal Association of Victoria, aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 78,000 tonne over the life of the lights. That equates to about 31.2 billion black balloons or 341,917 cars off the road for a year.

Residents can pledge their support by signing an online submission www.greenlightourstreets.org.au or by sending a letter to their local Member of Parliament.

Delegates’ Report: Reconciliation Week, ALGA, Refugee Week and celebrating Guiding

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On the 26th of May I had the pleasure of launching Maroondah’s Reconciliation Week program at Maroondah Federation Estate.  The launch was held on National Sorry Day, which preceded National Reconciliation Week, which was held between the 27th May through to the 3rd of June.

Reconciliation Week  provides an opportunity to recognise and celebrate indigenous culture and as part of the proceedings I had the pleasure of announcing the acquisition of  the artwork Tali, by Indigenous Elder Ray Ken.  Ray’s piece depicts the sandhill country around Watarru, the country of Ray’s grandmother.

The acquisition of this artwork demonstrates Maroondah’s ongoing commitment to Reconciliation, which is affirmed through our Community Wellbeing Plan, as well as our Reconciliation Policy. The artwork will be on display until the 30th of July in the foyer of Maroondah Federation Estate and I encourage you to take the time to view this artwork.

Between the 14th and 17th of June I participated in the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) National General Assembly, which was held in Canberra.  ALGA is the peak body representing local government across the country and I was joined by Cr. Les Willmott, Cr. Rob Steane, Cr. Michael Macdonald and Cr. Paul Macdonald, as well as Frank Dixon our Chief Executive Officer.

I would like to thank these colleagues for providing the time to attend the National General Assembly in Canberra.  A strong presence assists in creating recognition for Maroondah and helps set us apart from the hundreds of Councils that exist within Australia.  I would also like to thank our local Federal Members; Kevin Andrews, the Member for Menzies, Tony Smith, the Member for Casey and Mike Symon the Member for Deakin, who each took the time to meet us in Canberra.  In particular, Mike Symon organised meetings with senior Government Advisors and I would like to thank Mike for this effort.

While the National General Assembly concluded on the Thursday, I remained in Canberra until Friday the 18th of June, to attend the Australian Council of Local Government (ACLG).  This organisation, was a Federal Government initiative, designed to increase collaboration and partnership between Councils and the Federal Government.  I was able to take this opportunity to speak to several members of the Government, where I was able to discuss Maroondah and the need for ongoing collaboration between all levels of Government.

While it is not easy to take a week out of anyone’s schedule to attend a conference, the trip to Canberra was useful and I will be tabling a formal written report at our next Council meeting.

Upon returning from Canberra, I attended two events on Saturday the 19th of June, the launch of Refugee Week and a celebration for the Centenary of Girl Guides. I was joined by Cr. Ann Fraser at both events and we were both able to participate in launching Refugee Week.

The theme for 2010 Refugee Week is Freedom from Fear, reflecting on the experiences that refugees have faced prior to their arrival in Australia. The launch for Refugee Week, was held at Maroondah Secondary College and included a cultural exchange of food, dance and music, many of which was delivered by students from the school.

I also had the pleasure of launching Maroondah’s updated version of the Guide for Migrant and Refugees, which has been revised following its original production in 2007. The new booklet was created through a partnership between many organisations, including Victoria Police and it is great to see this collaboration resulting in a useful guide for Maroondah’s emerging communities.

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.

The 2010 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.

I will be in Canberra during the week of the 14th of June to participate in the National General Assembly and to meet Federal Members of Parliament to discuss the priorities of Maroondah City Council.  It is important that Maroondah is well represented at a Federal level and I would to thank Maroondah’s CEO Frank Dixon, as well as my fellow Councillors, Paul Macdonald, Michael Macdonald, Rob Steane and Les Willmott who will be joining me in Canberra.  During this time we are planning to meet several Members of Parliament where we can discuss Maroondah’s priorities and the need for ongoing collaboration between all levels of government.

Maroondah Leader: Council push on demands

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The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) is the peak body representing each local council across Australia.  Each year ALGA holds a national assembly, whereby Councils can submit and debate motions to help shape the priorities and advocacy undertaken by the organisation.

The City of Maroondah has proposed several motions consistent with the themes of population, productivity and participation, which are central to this year’s ALGA National Assembly:

That this National General Assembly calls on the Commonwealth Government to financially support the upgrade of infrastructure within large Metropolitan Activity Centres to cater for the increased population growth by 2050.

That this National General Assembly calls on the Commonwealth Government to ensure that any possible changes to the funding of health care services, particularly the area of Home and Community Care (HACC) and Maternal and Child Health services, does not impact on current funding arrangements with Local Government.

That this National General Assembly calls on both the State and Federal Governments to provide financial assistance for the roll out of Energy Efficient Street lighting.

The Maroondah Leader has reported on the motions proposed by the City of Maroondah:

Mayor Alex Makin said the council wanted to ensure that changes to the funding of health care services did not impact on current funding arrangements with local government.
Many Victorian councils deliver home and community care, as well as maternal and child services, Cr. Makin said. “The commonwealth must be alerted to the need to protect their financial interests and community wellbeing with any changes to the system.”

The Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly will be held in Canberra from the 14th to the 17th of June.

Media Release: Council to present three motions at ALGA conference

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Maroondah City Council will present three motions to the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) National General Assembly in Canberra from 14 to 17 June.

Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Alex Makin, will make the presentations on Council’s behalf.

“The three motions to be presented on behalf of Maroondah are seen to be of national significance, particularly as issues such as population growth and climate change need to be approached at the national level in the interest of all Australians,” Cr Makin said.

At its meeting of Monday 19 April, Council approved the three motions for submission.

“The first motion calls on the ALGA National General Assembly to encourage the Federal Government to financially support the upgrade of infrastructure within large metropolitan activity centres to cater for the projected increase in Australia’s population by 2050,” Cr Makin said.

The second motion requests that the ALGA National General Assembly call on the Federal Government to ensure that any possible changes to the funding of health care services, particularly in the area of Home and Community Care and Maternal and Child Health services, does not impact on current funding arrangements with local government.

“As Victorian councils are involved with the delivery of these services, the Commonwealth must be alerted to the need to protect their financial interests in any changes to the system,” Cr Makin said.

Cr Makin said the third motion requested that the ALGA National General Assembly call on state and federal governments to provide financial assistance for the roll-out of energy efficient street lighting.

“Implementing energy efficient street lighting is the single biggest issue for Councils trying to reduce greenhouse emissions and meet greenhouse reduction targets,” Cr Makin said.

“There are substantial changeover costs associated with the introduction of new energy efficient street lighting and this presents a significant barrier to the uptake of this technology,” Cr Makin said.

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