sustainability Archives

Media Release: Ensuring a sustainable financial future for Maroondah

Posted on 30 June 2010 by alex

Maroondah City Council’s Proposed Council Plan 2010-2014 and Proposed Budget 2010-2011 were formally adopted during Council’s Monday 28 June meeting. The documents highlight the key initiatives which underpin the planning and budget blueprints for the Maroondah community.

Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Alex Makin, said the Council Plan set out a broad range of Council activities designed to assist Council and the community move towards the future, as identified in Maroondah 2025: A Community Planning Together.

“The Council Plan clearly details the range of strategies that will be adopted over the coming four years and outlines Council’s commitment to working in partnership with the community to foster quality and sustainable lifestyles,” Cr Makin said.

“There are eight themes within the Council Plan: community; economic development and employment; infrastructure; leisure and culture; natural environment; transport; urban design and development; governance and corporate support,” Cr Makin said.

“The 2010-2011 Budget outlines the provision of financial resources for the coming 12 months, and details how these resources will be applied to delivering the many services Council provides to the community,” Cr Makin said.

FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

“One of the key factors in this year’s Budget is providing the resources to bring forward the operational deficit that has existed in 12 out of the past 14 Council Budgets,” said Cr Makin.

“It is imperative that this Council draws a line in the sand to ensure that ongoing deficits are no longer acceptable. We must move our financial status into surplus as soon as possible to allow Council to be in the position to invest in community facilities and to meet our obligations now and into the future,” said Cr Makin.

“Council has determined that the operational surplus will now be brought forward to the 2012/13 financial year (three years earlier), commencing with the 2010/11 Budget,” said Cr Makin.

“The operating result for the 2010/11 year is planned at a $1.782 million deficit which halves that of the 09/10 Budget,” said Cr Makin.

“It is important to remember that rates and charges provide 63 per cent of Council’s operating revenue, with the remainder sourced from user charges, operating and capital grants and interest,” said Cr Makin.

“The cost of services delivered to the Maroondah community in 2010/2011 is expected to be $91 million, which is an increase of $6.2million over the 2009/2010 Budget,” said Cr Makin.

The Budget is based on a proposed general rate and charges increase of 9.8 per cent.

This increase is made up from:

CPI (taken from the December 2009 quarter)	3%
Infrastructure Levy	2.5%
New initiatives	2.5%
Regional Aquatic & Leisure Centre in Ringwood	1.1%
State Government imposed increase in Landfill Levy	0.7%

For the average ratepayer living in a median priced house in Maroondah this represents a $98.10 increase in annual rates and charges, or $1.88 extra per week.

“Maroondah remains one of the lowest rating councils in Victoria, with figures released this week by the Municipal Association of Victoria indicating Maroondah has the 7th lowest (per capita) rates and charges of 71 Victorian Councils,” said Cr Makin.

“When further assessing these figures, the six lower rating Councils (per capita) are much larger in population than Maroondah, and therefore benefit from substantial economies of scale as well as other sources of income,” said Cr Makin.

“In addition, at an average rate of $549 per head, Maroondah has the lowest rating of all nine Victorian Councils of similar size (90,000 to 120,000 people),” said Cr Makin.

INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES

“Council’s Budget provides the resources to ensure we are able to sustainably provide over 120 services to the 105,000 members of our community, as well as providing resources for a number of new initiatives,” said Cr Makin.

These new initiatives include

$445,000 to provide ongoing maintenance on new capital works projects, such as the new Ringwood multi-purpose shared sports pavilion and all weather synthetic surface
An additional $126,000 in funding to Ringwood and Croydon libraries provides books and computer access for all members of the community, with over 1 million library books borrowed each year
An extra $150,000 to be spent on bushland clearance and fire prevention works in our bush reserves
Additional $250,000 to ensure powerline clearance of trees throughout the municipality
Investment of $50,000 to develop the Heathmont Structure Plan to identify and plan for residential and community needs around this transport hub and shopping precinct
Additional $50,000 on striking new signage throughout Maroondah identifying parks, reserves and buildings, includes pedestrian/cycling signage

LEISURE FACILITIES – MEETING THE COMMUNITY’S FUTURE NEEDS

“The allocation of funding in the 2010-2011 Budget (1.1% of rate increase) will be used to develop the design work and continue the community consultation for the proposed Regional Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Ringwood, which will replace the existing Ringwood Aquatic Centre,” said Cr Makin.

“It is important that Council looks to the future to ensure that we meet the expectations and needs of the Maroondah community. A new regional aquatic and leisure facility is an exciting project that will generate enormous community benefit, and ensure significant leisure and aquatic facilities for the Maroondah community into the next 50 years,” said Cr Makin.

“Maroondah is maintaining its position as a lower rating council in metropolitan Melbourne and returning the budget to surplus allows us to deliver exciting projects like the proposed Regional Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Ringwood,” said Cr Makin.

The 2010-2011 Budget and 2010-2014 Council Plan will be available for viewing on the Maroondah City Council website at www.maroondah.vic.gov.au

– ENDS –

Maroondah City Council adopts 2010/2011 Budget

Posted on 28 June 2010 by alex

Unlike other levels of government, local councils are required to place their draft budgets on exhibition to enable comment from the public, prior to the budget being formally considered by Council. This evening Council formally discussed the 2010/2011 Budget, with Councillors resolving to adopt the budget as per the draft that was released last month.

Adopting a budget is never an easy decision and unfortunately Maroondah City Council has been operating with a deficit for twelve out of the past 14 years, including a staggering loss of over $8 million in the 1998/1999 financial year and $1.8 million in the 2004/2005 year. Like any organisation, delivering consecutive losses is not sustainable and diminishes the ability to invest in infrastructure to meet current and future needs.

Maroondah has long required community groups to demonstrate financial sustainability and Council should follow this same advice. As a Council there is a need to deliver operational surpluses to enable investment in community infrastructure and much needed facilities, but this is only possible if Council operates with financial stability.

As a consequence Council had to make the difficult decision of increasing rates by 9.8%, or approximately $1.88 per week, to provide a sustainable foundation for the City of the Maroondah. While this may appear to be large increase in percentage terms, Maroondah has the seventh lowest rates when compared with Victoria’s 79 councils. Furthermore, a review of operations will be undertaken over the 2010/2011 financial year to control cost pressures into the future.

Importantly, the 2010/2011 Budget reverses almost a decade and a half of Council living beyond its means by restoring financial stability, through delivering an operational surplus from the 2012/13 financial year. As a result Council will be in a position to invest in much needed community facilities and will reduce pressures on rates in future years.

The first facility to be improved is the Ringwood Aquatic Centre, which has reached the end of its functional life and as a consequence has faced declining patronage and rising maintenance costs. The 2010/2011 Budget facilitates the construction of a new multi-purpose Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure Centre to be operational by the end of 2013. The Budget supports this vision through the funding of detailed design work and community consultation for the proposed facility, which equates to 1.1% of the overall rating strategy.

The adoption of the 2010/2011 Budget has not been an easy decision and it has been one of the most stressful experiences during my time as Mayor. Ultimately its adoption was the right choice to make, as it ensures a sustainable future for the City of Maroondah by delivering a Council that can live within its means while investing in much needed community infrastructure.. I applaud the five of my Council colleagues who supported the Budget, particularly since it will reduce rating pressures in future years, resulting in lower costs and better facilities for our community.

Maroondah Leader: Pavilion a step-up for sports clubs

Posted on 15 June 2010 by alex

The Maroondah Leader has reported on the opening of the new Pavilion at Glen Park, which is home to the East Ringwood Junior Football Club and South Croydon Cricket Club. The project was managed through Council and funded through a $500,000 Federal grant.

Maroondah Mayor said the building also incorporated some green features.
“The new facility will harvest water from the roof to be stored in a water tank, and connected to the new toilet, as well as solar hot water,” Cr Makin said.

Projects undertaken by Council incorporate sustainability principles to reduce their impact on the environment while also providing improved facilities for our community.

Maroondah Leader: Cash goes fairway

Posted on 15 June 2010 by alex

Council recently renovated the Club rooms at the Dorset Golf Course through combined State and Federal funding. The Maroondah Leader has reported on the results of the project, which received $295,000 from the Federal Government and $56,000 from Coucil.

Mayor Alex Makin said the revamp was a “marked improvement.”

The project included a redesign of the building’s interior, new kitchen facilities and sustainability improvements through solar panels and water tanks. The funding also included a renovated driving range. The Dorset Club is home to a range of community groups, including the Dorset Lady Bird, the Dorset Golf Club and the Dorset Ladies Golf Club.

Media Release: New sporting pavilion for Glen Park

Posted on 9 June 2010 by alex

Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Alex Makin welcomed the opening of the Glen Park Sports Pavilion, as one of many projects that will complete Council’s Glen Park Future Directions Plan.

Officially opened on Wednesday 9 June by the Mayor and Mr Mike Symon, Federal Member for Deakin, the new multi purpose pavilion will benefit sporting clubs and Glen Park Community Centre user groups.

“This facility is home to East Ringwood Junior Football Club, catering for 200 families of all abilities and backgrounds, and currently fielding eight teams ranging in ages from Under 8s to Under 16s,” said Cr Makin.

“The Club is expecting 10-15% growth in the next 12 months with many Auskick participants waiting in the wings to join the junior teams,” said Cr Makin.

“The facility is also home to the South Croydon Cricket Club, and serves as their second ground, with two senior teams and four junior teams, one of which is a female team, using the facilities during the cricket season,” said Cr Makin.

“On behalf of Council and the facility users, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Federal Governement for its contribution of $500,000,” said Cr Makin.

The new multi purpose sports pavilion comprises:

2 change rooms – which can be converted into 4 smaller spaces
Large storeroom
3 metre verandah providing shade for spectators and to assist in cooling the building
Accessible toilet facilities
Kiosk and store

“As part of Council’s commitment to sustainability, the new facility will harvest water from the roof to be stored in a water tank, and connected to the new toilet facilities for flushing. Solar hot water has also been installed,” said Cr Makin.

“I would like to thank the Glen Park Community Centre for initiating the application for the upgrade to the facility and working with Council to see the project rhough to fruition,” said Cr Makin.

Recent improvements to Glen Park, as part of Council’s Glen Park Future Directions Plan (2008), include:

The Men’s Shed
Glen Park Community Centre redevelopment (officially opening in July)
Tennis Court upgrade
A new community playspace to be completed by the end of the year

– ENDS –

Launch of the Dorset Golf Course Redevelopment

Posted on 8 June 2010 by alex

The Dorset Golf Course is Trawalla Road in Croydon and is one of two public golf courses located within the City of Maroondah. The course was opened in 1983 and is an 18 hole course on a 45 hectare site.

As part of the Federal Government’s economic stimulus package, Maroondah City Council was able to secure funding to redevelop the club rooms, which failed to meet accessibility standards and were in need of restoration.

Alex with Mike Symon, Member for Deakin and Senator David Feeney at the launch of the new Dorset Golf Club Rooms

This afternoon I was joined by Senator David Feeney to officially open these extensions. The copy of the speech is included within this post:

Continue reading “Launch of the Dorset Golf Course Redevelopment”

Ringwood Croquet Club – Celebration of court works

Posted on 23 May 2010 by alex

The Ringwood Croquet Club is part of the Jubilee Park Sporting Precinct and offers both social and competitive croquet. This afternoon I attended the Club to join the celebrations of their court resurfacing works and kitchen renovations.

The Club undertook these court renovations through Council’s third/third/third grants program, which provides funding for infrastructure projects on Council land. The third/third/third program shares the costs of these projects between the Club and Council with the final third being offered as a loan or through Government or other agencies.

The new court surfaces use a summer grass that requires less water than the previous surface. In addition the Croquet Club has installed water tanks reducing their dependence on mains water and improving the sustainability of the Club. It is encouraging to see the Ringwood Croquet Club supporting water conservation initiatives and having such a strong commitment to sustainability.

Media Release: Proposed Budget and Council Plan on public exhibition

Posted on 12 May 2010 by alex

Maroondah City Council has released its proposed Budget for the 2010-2011 financial year. It underpins the released 2010-2014 proposed Council Plan, which is the blueprint Council follows to achieve the community’s vision as set out in Maroondah 2025 – A Community Planning Together.

Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Alex Makin said both documents would go on public exhibition to provide the community with the opportunity to offer any feedback or forward written submissions.

“The proposed Budget outlines the provision of financial resources for the next 12 months, and details how these resources will be applied to delivering the many services Council provides to the community,” said Cr Makin.

“In determining the level of rate income, Council carefully considers all sources of non-rate income, such as government grants and fees and charges; what capital works and services are required throughout the year; and the long-term vision, aspirations and needs of the community,” said Cr Makin.

As in previous years, Council ensures financial sustainability in accordance with its rolling 10 year long term financial strategy. Council has always kept its rate income at the lower end of local government when compared with other like Victorian Councils, however the result of this approach has meant that Council operations would not come into surplus until the 2015/16 financial year.

“The 2010/11 budget provides that this operational surplus will now be brought forward to the 2012/13 financial year (three years earlier) and will require an associated comprehensive review of operations to ensure Council maintains its high community satisfaction scores as well as streamlining efficiencies,” said Cr Makin.

The Budget is based on a proposed general rate and charges increase of 9.8 per cent. This increase balances a range of community enhancements (2.5%), annual Infrastructure Levy (2.5%) with CPI increases of 3 percent. It also takes into account funding for the new landmark Regional Aquatic and Leisure Centre (1.1%) to be built at the current Ringwood Aquatic Centre site, as well as funding the State Government imposed Landfill Levy increase (0.7%).

For the average ratepayer living in a median priced house in Maroondah this represents a $98.10 increase in annual rates and charges, or $1.88 extra per week.

“The community enhancements identified in this year’s Budget include an additional $126,000 in funding for libraries, $150,000 for fire hazard reduction in our bush reserves, an additional $250,000 to ensure powerline clearance of trees throughout Maroondah and $445,000 to fund ongoing maintenance for new capital works completed in recent years,” said Cr Makin.

“We are also putting $50,000 towards developing a Heathmont Structure Plan which will identify and plan for residential and community needs around this transport hub and local shopping precinct,” said Cr Makin.

“Council is also managing the impact of a 233 (two hundred and thirty three) per cent increase in the State Government Landfill Levy, an increase of $400,000 for 2010/11, resulting in a total cost of $570,000 per annum,” said Cr Makin.

“Council’s established policy is to fully recover all waste and recycling costs through the application of a Garbage Charge, which this year will see an increase to offset the increased costs of the State Government Landfill Levy,” said Cr Makin.

The new garbage charges will be $204 – based on a 120 litre bin (an $11 increase on last year) and $172 – based on an 80 litre bin (a $9 increase on last year).

Council introduced a Municipal Charge in 2004-2005 which is equal to the amount of the contribution it is required to pay to the Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board (MFESB). This is designed to add transparency to the rating structure and to emphasise the impact of costs to Council over which it has no control.

For 2010-11 the total MFESB cost to Council has stabilised at $905,880. Given the increased number of property assessments since last year, the amount proposed per property will reduce slightly from $20.15 last year to $19.90 for this coming financial year.

“Council has prepared a very responsible Budget which maintains our services to our community, and also takes into account a number of major external costs and reductions in funding from both the State and Federal Governments,” said Cr Makin.

“It also ensures that we are not only maintaining and upgrading our infrastructure, but that we are taking into account future needs of the community and providing the facilities to meet these. The new Regional Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Ringwood will be a landmark project for the Maroondah community, providing a state of the art aquatic and leisure facility that will meet the growing demand into the future,” said Cr Makin.

“As always, our ongoing challenge is to balance the needs of our community, maintain the quality and level of our services and manage the ever increasing costs that Council must incorporate,” said Cr Makin.

The Maroondah community are invited to view the proposed Budget and Council Plan at Council’s Service Centres, Ringwood and Croydon Libraries and Council’s website at www.maroondah.com.au.

Submissions for the proposed Budget and proposed Council Plan will be received at the Maroondah City Council Offices, Braeside Avenue, Ringwood until 5pm on Friday 14 June 2010.

The community consultation process will continue at a meeting to hear and consider any submissions on both documents at 7pm on Wednesday 23 June 2010 at Maroondah City Council Offices, Braeside Avenue, Ringwood.

At a Special Council Meeting on Monday 28 June, Council will adopt the Budget and Council Plan, which may include any recommendations raised as a result of the submissions.

During the public consultation period (15 May to 14 June 2010) residents and property owners may obtain further information by appointment.

For queries about the Council Budget please contact Council’s Financial Services Unit on 9298 4323 and about the proposed Council Plan contact Council’s Planning and Performance Advisor on 9294 5588. Alternatively, please visit www.maroondah.vic.gov.au/ProposedBudget2010.aspx

Delegates’ Report: Annual General Meetings, Promoting Harmony and Recognising Achievements

Posted on 22 March 2010 by alex

February and March have both been busy months with the opening of new facilities, annual general meetings and awards.

On the 19th of February I had the pleasure of opening the revamped Keystone Hall, located in Croydon. The project, which received Council and Federal funding, is a multi-purpose facility that houses several groups, including Croydon Little Athletics and the Croydon U3A. The facility includes accessibility improvements, as well as sustainability initiatives, through the installation of water tanks.

On the 4th of March, the City of Maroondah was officially presented an Award for achieving the Highest Level of Community Engagement during Walktober. Walktober is an event held each October, whereby Councils, community groups and organisations are encouraged to organise walks to promote sustainable transport and community wellbeing.

I would like to extend my congratulations to Maroondah’s Leisure Services Department for working collaboratively with community groups and registering 55 walks during Walktober.

Further details will be presented during tonight’s agenda.

On the 9th of March I had the pleasure of opening Maroondah City Council’s International Women’s Day Breakfast. 2010 marks the Centenary of the Girl Guides and we had the privilege of hearing from two speakers from Girl Guides Victoria, including local Guide leader Billee Henry who spoke passionately about the organisation and the opportunities to provides its members.

On the 16th of March I had the honour of opening the Lighthouse Foundation’s Home for Mums and Bubs in Heathmont. The Home will provide a home for two homeless young mothers and their babies, providing a nurturing environment, combined with holistic support, counselling and education. I look forward to welcoming the residents of the home into the Maroondah community.

On the 17th of March I assisted in the preparations of the Ride2School program at Croydon West Primary. Ride2School is a program that aims to encourage walking and cycling and it was great to see so many students participating in the program.

The 18th of March saw the coming together of many organisations, including Maroondah Council, Eastern Regional Libraries, Centrelink, Department of Justice, Maroondah Police and Mission Australia to hold a festival marking Cultural Diversity Week and Harmony Day.

The event was held at the front of the Ringwood Library and saw the space come alive with songs, dance, story telling and face painting. Many members of our community participated in the festivities and it was fantastic to demonstrate the key message of Harmony Day, by showing that Everyone Belongs in Maroondah.

Lastly, on the 16th of March I attended the Central Ringwood Community Centre’s Annual General Meeting and the Annual General Meeting of Yarrunga Community Centre on the 17th. Both Community Centres, are overseen by a voluntary committee of management and it is great to see that they are both continuing to meet the needs of the wider community, through social groups, adult education and child services.

Yarrunga Community Centre AGM

Posted on 17 March 2010 by alex

Yarrunga Community Centre opened in 1996 and is a not-for-profit community organisation, located in Croydon Hills. Like other community centres within Maroondah, the organisation is overseen by a voluntary committee of management,. with operational decisions delegated to the staff.

Tonight’s annual general meeting included a presentation from a Whitehorse sustainability ambassador, who spoke of initiatives to reduce water consumption, particularly through developing a sustainable garden.

Yarrunga has a strong focus on sustainability and recently installed solar panels to reduce its environmental footprint. In addition the Centre is planning to install water tanks to reduce the Centre’s usage of potable water.

Yarrunga offers a diverse range of activities, including adult education, social programs and an Early Learning Centre. For further information please visit www.yarrunga.org.au.