Tag: Submissions

Media Release: Draft Community Facilities Occupancy Policy and Pricing Policy on public display

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Maroondah City Council has endorsed the draft Community Facilities Occupancy Policy and the draft Community Facilities Pricing Policy for public display.

The policies were presented at the Council meeting on September 20.

Council currently owns or manages more than 100 sports fields, pavilions, halls, meeting rooms and other facilities on behalf of the community.

Maroondah Mayor Councillor Alex Makin said the draft policies were developed concurrently and were directly aligned.

“The draft policies provide a comprehensive framework for the community use of Council owned or managed facilities,” Cr Makin said.

“The draft Community Facilities Occupancy Policy and the draft Community Facilities Pricing Policy will guide the process of determining appropriate occupancy agreements and pricing structures for all Council owned or managed facilities and ensure the agreements are consistent and transparent,” Cr Makin said.

“The draft policies aim to establish clear frameworks so the community groups know what they are paying for, why they are paying and that other users groups in similar situations are contributing in a consistent manner,” Cr Makin said.

“Under the draft Community Facilities Occupancy Policy community groups wishing to use Council owned or managed facilities will have to undergo an assessment to determine the suitability of the proposed arrangement and the length of tenure. Once this assessment has taken place Council will then discuss the rate of rental,” Cr Makin said.

“There are two existing policies relating to the occupancy and the pricing of community facilities, however these policies have not been updated for a number of years. During this time there has been changes to legislation, increased emphasis on risk management and occupational health and safety requirements and changes to the way the groups are using the facilities,” Cr Makin said.

“To meet these new needs Council has also reassessed the pricing structure associated with the use of Council facilities. The current pricing structure has been in place for the past 11 years and was established with the intention that Council could recover an estimated 30 per cent of facility maintenance costs,” Cr Makin said.

“In the past 11 years that margin has dropped significantly and Council is currently recovering on average 3 per cent of maintenance costs for the sporting grounds and 15 per cent for the pavilions,” Cr Makin said.

“Council believes the sporting grounds and community facilities are integral to the development of a strong community, which is why we subsidise and support the many groups which use them,” Cr Makin said.

“We need to have a system in place which allows for the reasonable, transparent and equitable use of these facilities,” Cr Makin said.

The policies cover most Council owned facilities or grounds including:

  • Council Owned Community Halls
  • Community Centres
  • Kindergartens
  • Senior Citizens Centres
  • Sporting Pavilions
  • Sports Grounds and sporting activity surfaces
  • Scout and Guide Halls
  • Facilities managed by Council Committees of Management
  • Maroondah Federation Estate

The draft policies will be on public display until October 26. Those wanting to make a submission must do so before this date. Following consideration of the submissions the policies will be amended where appropriate and Council endorsement will be sought.

– ENDS –

Maroondah City Council Adopts 2010-2011 Draft Budget and 2010-2014 Council Plan

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This evening Maroondah City Council met to debate the 2010/2011 Draft Budget and the 2010 to 2014 Council Plan.  The Council Plan provides an overview of priorities over the next four years to ensure that objectives can be measured and achieved, while the Council Budget reinforces the objectives specified in the four year plan, through the allocation of resources.

Council adopted both the Draft Budget and the Council Plan, which means that both documents are placed on public exhibition. Unlike State and Federal Governments, community members can formally comment on Council’s draft budget and plan through a written submission process. Furthermore these submitters can be heard at a panel hearing that will be held on Wednesday the 23rd of June, with all submissions being taken into account prior to the finalisation of both documents.

Council’s Draft Budget supports a new long-term strategy for Maroondah City Council, whereby the Council will be delivering an operating surplus within the next two years.  Previously, Maroondah City Council was operating at a deficit and was forecast to do so for at least the next five years.  A Council is like any other organisation and cannot continually run at a deficit and would have severely restricted the Council’s ability to invest in community facilities in coming years.

While the Budget maintains existing levels of service to our community, it also includes several new initiatives, including the complete rebuilding of the Ringwood Aquatic Centre into a new $48 million leisure facility. This project, the largest in the history of the City of Maroondah and its predecessor councils, will deliver a a new level of facilities within the municipality, accommodating diving, swimming, fitness and recreational water usage.  The new Aquatic Centre will reinforce Ringwood’s status as  Central Activities District and demonstrate that Council is committed to a vibrant, sustainable and accessible urban centre.

In addition, Council will undertake a structure plan for Heathmont, to protect the amenity of the area and provide certainty for the community in regard to developmental pressures.  Furthermore Council will be undertaking an assessment of community facilities, which will be completed by October.  This assessment will make it easier to identify the availability of community facilities for groups within the community, as well as any shortages of space.

The median rate increase has been estimated at $1.88 per household and while no one likes raising rates, it is critical that we have a Council that has the capacity to deliver positive outcomes for the community both now and into the future.  The Draft Budget delivers a financially sustainable and socially responsible municipality and I encourage the Maroondah community read through these documents.

Special Meeting of Council – Council Budget

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In accordance with Section 65 of the Local Government Act 1989, a Special Meeting of Council has been called to formally consider the 2010-2014 Council Plan and the 2010/2011 Budget.

The Special Meeting of Council is required to place the proposed Council Plan and Budget on public exhibition to enable the community to formally comment on these proposals.  A  submissions panel, which includes Cr. Nora Lamont, Cr. Rob Steane and myself will be convened on Wednesday the 23rd of June to formally consider any submissions received during this process.

A second Special Meeting of Council will be held on Monday the 28th of June at 7.30 pm to formally consider any recommendations from the committee and the finalised Council Plan and Budget.

While there are a number of challenges over the course of this year, the City of Maroondah’s Council Plan and Budget aims to strengthen the capacity of the Council so that we can meet the growing and diverse needs of our community.

I encourage the community to read through these documents and to attend these meetings.

Delegates' Report: advocacy, fundraising and annual general meetings

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Firstly, I would like to report that the Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee has been reconvened for this year and held its first meeting on the 17th of February.

The primary objective for this year is to oversee the development of Council’s new Wellbeing Plan, which will guide Maroondah’s approach to health, safety and wellbeing initiatives within the municipality. The committee involves a broad cross section of organisations and is well positioned to provide this input.

On the 19th of February I attended a forum on bus services, convened as part of the State Government’s review into bus routes across Metropolitan Melbourne. It is encouraging that the Government is investigating bus routes within Maroondah as there is a need for more frequent bus services and better connectivity across the network. The government has called for public submissions and has extended the deadline for submissions until the 3rd of April. A second workshop will be scheduled for later this year.

I attended two annual general meetings over the past month, including Maroondah Homebiz on the 3rd of March where it is encouraging to see the organisation continuing to strongly represent the growing numbers of small and homebusiness owners within Maroondah. I also attended the Croydon Conservation’s Society AGM on the 12th of March. The organisation is enthusiastically entering its 45th year and maintained a budget surplus over the past twelve months.

Lastly, I participated in a fundraiser for the bushfire appeal through the Rotary Club of Ringwood on the 20th of February, collecting coin donations at the Maroondah Highway and Mount Dandenong Road intersection. I am pleased to say that Rotary raised in excess of $10,000 and would like to thank our community for giving so generously.

Submission – Maroondah bus service reviews

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The State Government is currently reviewing bus services across Maroondah, Knox and the Shire of Yarra Ranges and has called for submissions into the bus network within these municipalities.

The initial deadline for submissions was Friday the 27th of February but this has now been extended until Friday the 3rd of April, since several workshops within the Yarra Ranges have needed to be rescheduled due to the bushfires.

I have completed a submission in regard to bus services within Maroondah, focusing on the need to rectify gaps in coverage, as well as increased frequencies and operating spans.

The City of Maroondah, with a residential population of approximately 100,000 residents, is located in Melbourne’s outer east, 25 kilometres east of the Melbourne CBD.

The City of Maroondah includes the activity centres of Ringwood and Croydon, with Ringwood identified as a Transit City and Central Activity District. State Government planning and transport policies have acknowledged the need for public transport to underpin the designated Central Activity Districts.

Accessibility is of critical importance within Maroondah, since the municipality has one of the highest proportions of people with a disability. As such infrastructure, in the form of bus stops and vehicles need to be accessible so that they can be used by people with a range of mobility aids and disabilities.

Likewise service levels need to be of a standard that does not restrict the mobility of people that are reliant on public transport services and takes into account the urban revitalisation that is being encouraged within Ringwood and Croydon.

Specially, the submission calls for a new bus route along Canterbury Road from Ringwood to Box Hill, and a new route along Mount Dandenong Road providing a direct connection between Ringwood, the Karralyka Centre, Maroondah Hospital and the associated medical precinct.

In addition there is a need for localised services through Warranwood, where houses reside beyond reasonable walking distance to bus services.

The success of the Ringwood to Frankston SmartBus, where patronage has increased by up to 80% due to increased frequencies and service spans, demonstrates that public transport will be utilised if services are direct, frequent, readily available and accessible.

Bus services that travel along Maroondah’s main roads, should have a level of service comparable to the SmartBus network to deliver a comprehensive public transport system within Maroondah.

Lastly there is need for comprehensive bus route reform to ensure that Maroondah’s main thoroughfares are serviced by frequent public transport routes. Localised services could operate in residential areas and connect to these main routes. Such reform will provide efficiency savings on the bus network and will also lessen confusion over bus routes and minimise travel times.

To view the full report, please read my submission made to the bus services review for Maroondah.

Eastern Ranges Retirees – discussing transport advocacy for Melbourne's outer east

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The Eastern Ranges Retirees is a seniors group based at Maroondah Federation Estate and encompassing members from Maroondah, Knox and the Shire of Yarra Ranges.

This morning I was invited to speak at a meeting of the Eastern Ranges Retirees in regard to public transport advocacy and the need for community involvement in seeking public transport improvements.

While there is understandably an emphasis on infrastructure improvements within the growth areas of Melbourne, there is the risk that the outer east will continue to miss out on much needed public transport improvements.

Projects such as the redevelopment of Ringwood Station, track improvements along the Belgrave and Lilydale lines, new rail lines and tram extensions as well as further bus improvements are urgently required for Melbourne’s outer east.

Community groups have a critical role to play in encouraging governments to invest in public transport improvements. The bus service reviews represent an opportunity for the community to advocate for service frequency and operating span improvements to the bus network and submissions have recently been extended to Friday the 3rd of April.

In regard to infrastructure improvements there is a need for ongoing community advocacy to ensure that projects such as the redevelopment of Ringwood Station are delivered. Ringwood Station currently fails disability access standards, with many people choosing to avoid using the station due to this difficulty.

It is clear that the funding commitment for the station redevelopment must be expanded to ensure the creation of a Station that is safe and accessible and integrated through pedestrian, bus and bicycle facilities.

Review of Bus Services – Community Workshop

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The State Government is progressively undertaking sixteen reviews of bus services across Metropolitan Melbourne and has begun to examine bus routes within Maroondah, Knox and Yarra Ranges.

As part of the review process, the State Government holds two rounds of workshops, with the first series designed to provide feedback on the issues experienced with bus services.

Tonight’s workshop, which was held in Ringwood, began with background on the demographics and the current standards of bus services within the region. It was concerning that a number of services still do not adhere to the State Government’s minimum service standards.

Participants had the opportunity to discuss areas of improvement, with frequency improvements and operating spans being strongly supported, as well as the need for new routes within Warranwood. Mount Dandenong Road and Canterbury Road.

The feedback received from tonight’s workshop, and through written submissions, will be used to guide the State Government’s recommendations into bus routes across Maroondah, Knox and the Yarra Ranges.

The second round of workshops will be held in approximately six months time to discuss the recommendations from the review.

Maroondah Leader: Push for Maroondah to go carbon neutral

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The Maroondah Sustainability Strategy has reached draft status and was endorsed for public exhibition at the last Council meeting. Public comments and submissions can be made about the strategy up to the 1st of December, whereby this feedback will be considered when the policy is finalised at a future council meeting.

The Maroondah Sustainability Strategy will guide the council’s approach to energy, water, transport and resource usage for the next four years and it is therefore critical that the document sets proactive environmental targets.

The Maroondah Leader has reported on the Draft Strategy, including its carbon neutral target of 2020:

Cr Alex Makin, who also voted to support the draft plan, said the council should set an interim target to ensure it reached its 2020 goal.

Currently there are no interim targets to measure council’s progress towards reaching carbon neutrality. While I personally believe that the target should potentially be brought forward to 2012, it is also imperative that interim goals are established to guide council budgets and to measure progress towards becoming carbon neutral.

Back in the year 2000 the then council set a target of reducing energy consumption by 20% by the year 2010. Unfortunately due to the lack of interim targets this was largely forgotten until public pressure along with myself, Jo-anne Taylor and Maureen forced the council to recommit to this goal.

It is therefore essential that any carbon neutral target includes appropriate interim goals to measure progress and keep council accountable for its performance in meeting this objective.

Maroondah Journal: Footpaths set for upgrade

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The Maroondah principal pedestrian network has reached draft status and was placed on public exhibition at the council meeting held on the 21st of July, This means that the community can now comment on the document and identify any additional parts of Maroondah that require footpaths.

The Maroondah Journal has reported on the document and the opportunity to further refine the network through community submissions:

Cr Alex Makin said walking played an important role in encouraging people’s participation in the community. “The principal pedestrian network will go a long way to improving walking options through local neighbourhoods for Maroondah residents.”

The principal pedestrian network aims to identify the locations within Maroondah that require footpaths. The areas that have been identified include streets that link public transport stops, schools, shopping precincts, health centres, as well as sporting and community facilities.

Once the final plan is adopted, council will implement a funding program to construct footpaths in these areas to assist in encouraging walking as a sustainable and accessible form of transport.

Copies of the principal pedestrian network are available from customer service centres or the Maroondah City Council website.

VEC Panel Hearing for the Maroondah Representation Review

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Tonight, the VEC held a public panel hearing as part of the process into Maroondah’s representation review, providing submitters with the opportunity to speak in support of their written submissions.

As part of the ten minute allocation for submitters, I elaborated on the issues raised within my written submission, including the fact that Maroondah’s current single member ward structure and any proposed alternatives unnecessarily divide our community. The fact that there are significant discrepancies between the number of candidates within each ward, such as eight in Eastfield compared to uncontested elections in Wyreena, demonstrates in part a diminishing interest in the current ward structure and a failure of these wards to adequately connect with the community.

Larger wards encompassing broader communities of interest, along socio-demographic, as well as geographic similarities, will also help ensure a whole of municipality approach towards issues. This will be of increasing importance as councils tackle significant issues such as climate change, accessibility and transport, which affect the entire municipality and not just a specific ward.

A new ward structure, that unites rather than divides our community and provides residents and ratepayers with clearly defined ward boundaries will provide a higher level of governance and democracy for the City of Maroondah.

The VEC is due to present its final recommendation on Monday the 19th of May.