Tag: role of local government

Speaking at the New Community Church Ringwood

Posted on by alex

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.

Delegates’ Report: Dawn Service, youth projects, community facilities and recognising our natural environment

Posted on by alex

On the 25th of April I attended the Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Ringwood Clocktower along with Councillors Ann Fraser, Nora Lamont and Natalite Thomas.  The Dawn Service is facilitated by the Ringwood RSL and I would like to congratulate them on their ongoing involvement and for catering to the growing crowds that gather each year.

On the 6th of May I spoke with the participants within the Young Leaders Program, which is a week long program providing leadership and confidence skills for up to thirty Year 10 students.

The students participate in a number of activities throughout the week and part of the program includes a session entitled ‘Councillor for a Day’.  I was the speaker for this session, where participants discussed the role of local government and I provided an overview of the activities undertaken as a Councillor and Mayor.  The students had many questions around the role of local government and it was fantastic to see an active interest in our local community.

The graduation ceremony for the Young Leaders Program was held on the following day, the 7th of May, and while students may have finished the course, there is a further opportunity to use these skills through the Community Action Project.  The Community Action Project involves students choosing a project that they wish to develop and to deliver positive outcomes for the community.  The skills that were developed throughout the past week will equip these participants with the ability to undertake this project and I look forward to seeing the positive work they will be undertaking in the community.

The Young Leaders Program is one of several activities undertaken through the EVs Youth Centre in Croydon and I wish to congratulate staff and the students for their involvement in the Young Leaders Program.

On Sunday the 15th of May I attended a public forum convened through the Maroondah Interfaith Network.  This group, which was formed in partnership with Maroondah City Council, provides a forum for Maroondah’s faith based communities and aims to provide dialogue between the religious communities within the municipality.

The forum was the first event convened by the Maroondah Interfaith Network and it highlighted that all beliefs hold the same core values of respect and acceptance.  I would like to congratulate the Maroondah Interfaith Network on holding such a successful event and I look forward to their ongoing involvement within the community.

On the 20th of May I had the pleasure of opening the upgraded facilities at Central Ringwood Community Centre, which is a project that was completed in partnership with Council and the Federal Government.  The new facilities will enable Central Ringwood to provide a more accessible centre and to offer additional programs and courses for our community.  This project represents the positive community outcomes that can be achieved when multiple levels of government work together to achieve results for Maroondah.

Lastly, last Saturday on the 22nd of May I attended the Mullum Ward Picnic in the Park along with Cr. Ann Fraser.  It was wonderful to see so many members of our community enjoying the day and this was certainly helped by the pleasant weather that we had.

The Picnics in the Park provide an opportunity to rediscover Maroondah’s Reserves and at BJ Hubbard there was a strong environmental focus given that the Reserve is part of Maroondah’s remnant bushland and home to unique flora and fauna.  Speakers provided information on the environmental significance of BJ Hubbard Reserve and it was wonderful to see such a strong interest in our local environment.

I’ll be tabling the rest of my report.

Media Release: Council opposes proposed planning changes

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Maroondah City Council will write to the Planning Minister and the Local Government Minister to express its serious concern with proposed changes to the Planning and Environment Act (the Act).

Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Alex Makin, said while the changes contained a number of minor administrative improvements, it was worrying that they also proposed a significant reduction in the role and power of councils in local planning issues.

Cr Makin said proposed changes to the Act would further centralise planning powers with the Planning Minister.

“The change that would allow the Planning Minister to appoint a private individual or developers to amend local planning schemes will disenfranchise local communities and signifies a move towards the partial privatisation of the planning system,” Cr Makin said.

“The centralisation of planning powers with the Planning Minister, coupled with several changes to fees, further reduces the position of local government in the planning process,” Cr Makin said.

“The significant increase of the involvement of the State Government in local planning matters facilitated by these changes will undermine community and broader industry confidence in the planning system as the decision-making system becomes potentially more political and uncertain,” Cr Makin said.

Council will outline its serious concerns in its submission to the Planning Minister and Local Government Minister – including the timing of the consultation process for the Planning and Environment Act Reform Bill (held over the Christmas and New Year period).

Council will also express its serious concern that the role of local government as the primary decision maker in local planning matters in Victoria is being continually reduced, and will contact local members of parliament to express Council’s concerns with the changes proposed in the review.

The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has taken a similar stance, with its President Cr Bill McArthur stating that “the erosion of council roles in the planning system means less community input to the decision making process.”

“People are passionate about protecting the character of their neighbourhoods. It’s disappointing that the reforms seek to undermine the important role of councils and existing local planning policies that have taken significant time, cost and care to develop with input from the local community and the State Government,” Cr McArthur said.

The MAV has made a submission on the proposed changes to the Planning and Environment Act, outlining its concerns including the significant proposed changes to councils’ role as planning authority, loss of provisions useful to applicants (such as secondary consents), and the Planning Minister potentially authorising any person to prepare a planning scheme amendment.

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