Tag: transparency
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ABC 774: Discussing Melbourne rail woes
This evening I was invited to discuss the discuss the ongoing dramas and inconvenience suffered by Melbourne’s rail passengers on ABC’s Radio 774. The interview, which included a number of talkback callers, focused on the endless excuses used by Connex to defend its ever diminishing performance in operating Mekbourne’s rail network. While it is correct…
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Website improvements
I have revamped the design this website to further aid the aim of providing openness and transparency in my role as a councillor for the City of Maroondah. The new design includes streamlined access to the main areas of this website, including latest news items and articles situated within my Internet Journal, such as the…
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Eastern Transport Coalition: Planning the agenda for 2007
A strategic planning session to manage next year’s activities was conducted for tonight’s Eastern Transport Coalition meeting, which marked the final meeting for 2006. The Eastern Transport Coalition has had considerable success this year, with the council advocacy body being able to secure the abolition of zone three and improvements to bus services. These successes…
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Maroondah Journal: Mayoral flap – Peter Gurr voted in as leader at 'open' election
The Maroondah Journal has reported on the events surrounding Maroondah’s mayoral election, where for the first time in Maroondah’s history there was an open process for the position of mayor. A dispute about the openness and accountability of Maroondah Council spilled into the council chamber last week as two councillors battled for the mayoral position.…
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Mayoral Election and Committees for 2007
Tonight Maroondah Council held its statutory meeting for the election of the mayor and council representatives on committees. To increase the level of transparency an open election was held and Councillor Maureen Naylor lost the bid for mayor against Councillor Peter Gurr, with three votes versus four. While I did vote for Councillor Naylor due…
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Community Events and the Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC)
Over the past fortnight I attended a number of community focused events, including the 31st Army Cadet Unit, the eastern suburb group of the Order of Australia, which aims to provide a local meeting point for the recipients of this distinguished award. I also attended a presentation by the Friends of Kolkata, which is a…
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Delegates' Reports
Delegates’ reports are presented at each council meeting to provide an opportunity to report on committees, events and other activities attended by a councillor. These reports consist of two components: A written report that is tabled at each council meeting and which lists the events and committees attended by a councillor; A verbal report, which…
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Maroondah Leader: More work still to be done
The local media plays a critical role through monitoring local and ensuring accountability for residents and ratepayers. It is therefore fitting that the campaign promises made by newly elected councillors are periodically reviewed to ensure that elected representatives are honouring their commitments. This week the Maroondah Leader reviewed the campaign commitments by the three newly…
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Ringwood Historical Society
Tonight I attended a Ringwood Historical Society meeting focused on the life of former Councillor Ben Hubbard, a well respected councillor from the City of Ringwood, and the inspiration behind the name of BJ Hubbard Reserve in Ringwood North. It was fascinating to hear about the life of Ben Hubbard and his boundless passion for…
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Local Government Act 1989
The Local Government Act of 1989 and further amended on 12 December 2005 outlines the conduct of local government within Victoria, including the administration, conduct and election of local councils. The ability to create local laws, charge rates and the specific powers and accountability measures for local councils is also included. The Local Government Act…