Tag: Submissions

Maroondah Journal: New ward plan attacked

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With submissions closing shortly for the Maroondah representation review, the Maroondah Journal has reported on council attempts to disregard community feedback on the review process.

Cr Alex Makin said not everyone agreed with the council’s view.

“Community consultation held in November last year made it clear that the community supported a new ward structure including multi-member wards.

These workshops were conducted by an independent facilitator who stated the following findings based on the feedback received:

  • Proportional representation was viewed as a far fairer system,
  • Single member wards drew little support,
  • No views were expressed that under single member wards Councillors would be more accessible or be closer to the community,
  • Multi-member wards – this structure was favoured by residents,

While it can be argued that the sample size of these workshops was low, the onus was on council to verify these findings and not simply to disregard them.

“It’s simply another tactic of the closed-door mentality that operates in Maroondah.”

It is unfortunate that far too many decisions within Maroondah are being made behind closed doors rather than being debated in open council.

Response Submission to the VEC's representation review for Maroondah City Council

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I have submitted my response submission to the Victorian Electoral Commission’s (VEC) representation review into Maroondah City Council.

It is encouraging that the Victorian Electoral Commission has found that substantial changes are required to Maroondah’s ward structure as demonstrated through the three options brought forward in the preliminary submission.

In providing a response to the three options proposed by the VEC I assessed the models against the issues listed within my preliminary submission to ensure a consistent and systematic approach.

Ultimately it is imperative that Maroondah’s ward boundaries are restructured to combine communities of interest, rather than the current case where communities are clearly being divided.

VEC Preliminary Submission – Achieving a cohesive Maroondah community

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Given that Maroondah City Council has failed to reflect the community’s views in its submission to the Victorian Electoral Commission I have authored my own individual submission recommending multi-member wards, as supported by the community.

It is unfortunate that some councillors in Maroondah have chosen to disregard the community’s view and decided to put their own self interests above the needs of the municipality. The City of Maroondah, with its current single-member wards, has divided our community with suburbs such as Ringwood being separated into differing wards. Likewise, the divisions between Ringwood and Croydon, a situation perpetuated by the current ward boundaries, has prevented a cohesive and united Maroondah.

A restructure of Maroondah so that it consists of three council wards electing three councillors each would remove the arbitrary divisions that currently exist within Maroondah. Three wards would ensure easily identifiable ward boundaries and would combine broad communities of interest leading to a higher standard of representation and community involvement.

The proposed structure outlined in my submission would lead to stronger governance and a higher standard of representation within the City of Maroondah and would be consistent with the VEC’s approach to nearby municipalities that share similar populations to Maroondah. Lastly, this structure would be robust enough to maintain its relevancy over the next eight years and beyond.

The VEC’s preliminary review aims to propose preferred options for Maroondah and is due on the 1st of April. Following this report there will be a round of further community consultation and submissions including a public hearing.

Maroondah Leader: Review to push the boundary

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The Maroondah Leader has reported on Maroondah’s submission to the representation review being undertaken by the Victorian Electoral Commission where the majority of councillors chose to ignore the wishes of the community:

The submission was discussed at the last council meeting when councilors Alex Makin and Maureen Naylor chose to vote against the proposals.

Maroondah City Council held a series of workshops last November in order to gauge public opinion. It is unfortunate that some councillors chose to disregard the community’s input when it did not suit their own aims.

Cr Makin said the recommendations were “contrary to the findings” of public consultation which favoured a multi-member three structure with nine councillors.

The community consultation which included workshops and feedback submissions showed a clear preference towards reforming Maroondah City Council’s ward structures and representation.

“Council has failed to use the opportunity to improve representation within Maroondah,” Cr Makin said.

Preliminary submission to the Victorian Electoral Commission’s representation review into the City of Maroondah closes today. The findings are scheduled to be released on the 1st of April.

Media Release: ETC seeks budget commitments from Federal and State Governments

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In submissions to the State and Federal Governments the ETC has sought co-operation to tackle one of the most significant contributors to rising greenhouse gases and rising petrol prices – private transport.

Cr Mick Van De Vreede, ETC Chairperson said that the seven councils wanted to see the funding criteria for AusLink changed to allow the $3+billion a year funding program to fund urban public transport.

“If we are going to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases we emit and help families avoid the rising petrol prices we need to increase the availability of public transport now. A long term plan to reduce climate change requires a long term plan for the expansion of public transport.”

“In the east this means four broad key projects;

  • Heavy rail connections to Doncaster and Rowville
  • Duplication or triplication on the Belgrave, Lilydale and Dandenong lines
  • Completion and implementation of bus service reviews
  • Improvement of passenger amenity through state of the art transport interchanges in Ringwood and Box Hill

Without immediate action to deliver on these projects residents in the outer east will be unable to do their bit to reduce climate change.”

Councillor Alex Makin represents Maroondah City Council on the Eastern Transport Coalition.

“The Eastern Transport Coalition is calling for the funding criteria for the Federal AusLink program to allow funds to develop urban public transport – and in particular in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne,” said Cr Makin.

“State and Federal Governments must work cooperatively to deliver the public transport improvements necessary to ensure the economic, social and environmental sustainability of our suburbs. The ETC’s budget submissions are a call to action for Melbourne’s public transport system.”

Maroondah Journal: Council backs current set-up

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The Victorian Electoral Commission is currently undertaking a representation review into the ward structure and number of councillors within Maroondah.

The Maroondah Journal has reported on this review, amid the official council submission calling for the retention of the status quo:

Maroondah councillors have urged the electoral commission to retain seven councillors in seven wards. Cr Alex Makin disagrees.

Council’s submission was on the agenda for February’s council meeting and was passed five to two, with myself and Cr. Maureen Naylor voting against the council’s defence of the status quo.

“I am not in favour of the council’s current representation. If it continues down the path of having seven I think it ward boundaries will continue to be confusing for the public. What we need is a simple ward structure”.

The current ward structure within Maroondah divides a number of communities making it difficult for community members to ascertain who their ward councillor is. As an example, it is quite common for me to receive calls from Ringwood residents living in Clocktower Ward since the current structure divides Ringwood.

Cr Makin said he would advocate for three wards and three councillors on the basis it was consistent with what the community desired.

Consultation undertaken by Maroondah City Council, through a series of workshops, confirmed that the community favoured reform through a structure with three wards electing three councillors each. It is disappointing that the council has chosen to disregard the views of the community simply to try and protect the status quo.

Furthermore the current ward boundaries perpetuate a division between Ringwood and Croydon rather than ensuring that council decisions are made with a holistic approach. It is time for the ward structure to be modified to reflect a cohesive Maroondah community.

Given that Council has chosen to ignore the community I will be authoring an individual submission to the Victorian Electoral Commission’s review into Maroondah. Submissions are due by the 4th of March.

MAV TIAG first meeting for 2008

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The MAV Transport and Infrastructure Advisory Group provides policy advice to the MAV board in matters relating to transport and infrastructure.

Today’s meeting focused on discussing the continued efforts for federal funding of public transport, as well as the MAV’s submissions into the Transport and Liveability Inquiry and the Transport Legislative Review. The MAV submissions have focused heavily on the need for stronger integration between planning and transport and for the increased provision of public transport services and infrastructure.

I also had the opportunity of providing an update on the Eastern Transport Coalition’s activities including its priorities over the next year. It is imperative that collaboration continues between the various transport groups to ensure a cohesive approach to the campaign for public transport improvements.

Final Croydon Conservation Society meeting for 2007

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Tonight I attended the final Croydon Conservation Society (CCS) meeting for 2007. The society, which was formed in 1964, is Maroondah’s longest running and largest environmental society and has provided a critical voice for improving sustainability within the municipality.

Tonight’s meeting provided an opportunity to discuss policy submissions, such as input into Maroondah’s planning scheme amendments, and plans for the following year. The redevelopment of Eastland is expected to begin during 2008 and it is imperative that initiatives that improve sustainability are part of these works.

The recently adopted planning scheme amendment, C58 for the Ringwood Transit City, includes a section on promoting sustainability within the transit city. This will encourage new developments to not only include footpaths, where required, but also to improve water and energy usage, through the use of water tanks and energy efficient designs.

For more information on the Croydon Conservation Society please visit www.croydonconservation.org.au.

Media Release: Youth in councils – a critical situation

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MEDIA RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
Thursday, 30 August 2007

Youth in councils – a critical situation

In an individual submission issued over councillor remuneration, Cr. Alex Makin has highlighted the lack of youth participation in local government and called for higher councillor allowances to ensure more representative local councils.

“The call for higher councillor allowances must not be seen as a grab for cash. While it is true that I am calling for higher allowances, I am doing so to ensure a greater level of commitment and a healthier balance for both councillors and the community,” Cr. Makin said.

The State Government has called for a review into councillor allowances with submissions closing the 1st of September. Currently Victoria’s councils are on a three tired system providing up to $12,000, $15,000 or $18,000 per annum for councillors. Councillors elected within the City of Maroondah receive $15,000 per annum.

“It is distressing that youth participation within councils is extremely low with just 7.8% of councillors aged under 35, despite the fact that over one quarter of our population is within this age group,” Cr. Makin said. “The current rates of remuneration are partially responsible for this, since it is extremely difficult for younger people to make a positive impression within their careers while balancing other commitments. This is contrasted against older people who generally have stable careers, assets and family, making it much easier to fulfil council duties on the current remuneration provided.”

Cr. Alex Makin has supported the rates proposed by the Municipal Association of Victoria which would provide three categories allowing up to $19,933, $24,204 or $28,475 per annum dependent on the budget capacity of the respective municipality.

“Councillors spend on average the equivalent of 20 hours per week on council duties and the allowance should reflect this commitment. While there may be some current councillors who fail to provide the necessary work, the fact is the current remuneration is deterring committed individuals and particularly our youth from stepping forward,” Cr. Makin concluded.

About Alex Makin:
Alex Makin was elected in November 2005 as the Councillor for Loughnan’s Hill ward in the City of Maroondah. Alex, currently the youngest councillor elected within the history of the City of Maroondah and just one of several councillors Victoria wide aged under 30, has a keen interest in sustainability, including public transport, planning and community engagement.

ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES: CR. ALEX MAKIN ON 0408 311 645

Submission: Councillor Remuneration Review Panel

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The State Government has announced a review into councillor remuneration, as part of this process I authored a submission encouraging to examine the need for stronger youth represention with local government:

Given the time commitment councillors provide, it is fair and reasonable to look at a level of remuneration that allows elected officials to adequately manage council, work, family and other commitments.

It has been estimated that the majority of councillors undertake between 11 to 30 hours per week on council duties and as such it is reasonable to view the commitment to council as a significant time component. Given this commitment and the current remuneration provided, it is unsurprising that youth are significantly under-represented as councillors given that younger people are often beginning to undertake significant career and family commitments.

While it would be wrong to entice candidates into council purely due to the remuneration provided, the current quantum may in fact be deterring committed individuals and particularly our youth from seeking election.

In 2005 I was elected as a Councillor for the City of Maroondah and am one of the few Victorian councillors younger than 30 years of age.

While I understand that both the Municipal Association of Victoria and the City of Maroondah have issued submissions, I believe that there is the need for a submission that explicitly explores the challenges facing younger people in local government.

Speaking from my own experience, I can testify to the challenges that the role provides particularly in regard to balancing career, family and other commitments. While such commitments are not exclusive to younger people, the effects are often more prominent for younger age groups. There may be councillors who are not putting the work into the role, but this is not a path I have wanted to take. In fact, I can confidently and honestly state that I have and will continue to represent my community to the fullest of my ability, despite ongoing competing demands for my time.

Lastly, I would like to state that while I am writing in support of higher remuneration this is not a grab for cash. People should not enter politics or local government due to remuneration, but it is reasonable to expect fair compensation to ensure that competing time demands can be managed and to maximise the ability to represent the community.