Electrifying news.
I have been urging Manningham Council to take up an offer of an $11,000 grant from Sustainability Victoria towards purchase of an electric car: total Council outlay required: around $27,000.
The idea has so far been rejected on grounds of being non-cost-effective. As I see it, the impact of rising fuel prices and carbon credits will very soon make all-electric cars very cost-effective indeed. We only need to think a little ahead and prepare for a post-oil carbon economy.
Ross Blade of Castlemaine (that’s him with me and one of his cars) is currently producing modern all-electric conversions at a steady rate for a market of visionary individuals and local governments. This is the sort of pro-active Australian inventiveness that needs to be encouraged. What better way for Manningham and our Council to show we are thinking ahead of the game: our Mayor driving to all engagements in an all-electric car powered by wind and solar power?
(For myself, I am going for something a little more retro: the 1963 Karmann Ghia sports that my son and I are currently converting. Want to talk more about electric conversions? Contact me.)
PUBLIC TRANSPORT, NOT TOLLWAYS
Manningham is the only municipality in Melbourne NOT to have either tram or train services. (Many other Melbourne suburbs of course have both.) 
Better public transport is central to any strategy to address the impacts of climate change and imminent oil shortage. As an overview of what may be achieved across Melbourne, have a look at the Greens comprehensive strategy www.thepeopleplan.org.au. Locally there are ways to meet the immediate needs of Mannigham residents.
Let me outline what this would mean locally:
-
Priority support for the extension of the No. 48 tram to Doncaster.
Ditto, a rail or light-rail along the Eastern Freeway median. A bus system subsidised not (as at present) on the basis of miles covered (those rambling routes through the backstreets) but on the basis of numbers of passengers carried. Dedicated bus lanes on all arterials. Regular 15 minute bus services (no timetable needed) with services synchronised to meet train services. Extended evening/night and weekend services to make the system relevant to (especially) young people and demand outside standard ‘office hours’. Such extended services have been shown to actually generate demand in cities like Vancouver and Perth.
This sort of seriously upgraded bus service is particularly needed in Warrandyte, Wonga Park and along the axis of Reynolds Road. I have participated actively in all of the recent consultative forums conducted by Department of Transport and the Eastern Transport Coalition. Manningham Council has already made substantial and consistent representations on the need to improve public transport in our city. As a Councillor, I intend to add my voice very strongly to those representations.
THE HEALTH OF THE YARRA
Our Manningham creeks are crucial for the overall health of the Yarra. The e-coli count rises dramatically from where the river enters the municipality to where it leaves at Bulleen. You can safely swim most summer days at Warrandyte – many do. However, by the time the river reaches Templestowe and Bulleen, the E-coli count is usually well above the level for safe swimming. Three Yarra tributaries have been identified as major sources of contamination:
-Gardiner’s Creek
-Brushy Creek
-Mullum Mullum Creek
-Koonung Creek
We need to do something about this. Completing the sewering of Park Orchards and Warrandyte is a major priority. Equally important is reduction of contamination of our stormwater, and in the amount of stormwater that runs into the Yarra. Appropriate and simple roadside management systems can capture and filter stormwater through natural processes: making water available for irrigation of local parks and gardens, and protecting the Yarra as a major environmental asset of Manningham
HOUSING FOR MANNINGHAM RETIREES
David Ellis (and Ivan Fulton, another member of the voluntary Board) talk retirement housing with local political reps Brian Tee, Danielle Green and Ryan Smith
Manningham has a higher-than-average number of older residents (37% aged over 50 compared to 30% for Melbourne generally). In the particular case of Warrandyte, a strong community spirit means older people are reluctant to leave behind their friends and families when they move into retirement accommodation. I have had the privilege of serving on the Board of an active volunteer initiative: the Warrandyte Community Retirement Housing Co-operative. The Board has secured land in Warrandyte for a community retirement housing project.
Our local political representatives have been supportive right across party lines and local service clubs and individuals have offered welcome support. This has been a real community effort and it continues. I am glad to be part of it.
Have you something you would like to contribute on this topic? I’d be pleased to hear from you. Contact me.
FREEWAY? TOLLWAY? No Thanks...
As noted on the home page, the state government has (again) flagged the option of extending Eastlink through the open areas of Warrandyte, Park Orchards and Donvale. While no clear detail has been given, the projected line appears to follow the open areas adjacent to the Mullum Mullum Creek – a popular recreation area and an important part of our Green Wedge. It is extraordinary that no-one on our outgoing Manningham Council has spoken out against this. Meanwhile the petition we (myself and a few invaluable supporters) organized with help of supportive local businesses has garnered close on 3,000 signatures. It will be presented in Parliament by Greg Barber MLC mid November.
If the state government persists with talk of this ‘option’, you can expect me to continue to forcefully counter it from within Council (if, with your help, I am elected.)
Sewer program: Park Orchards, Warrandyte, Park Orchards, Donvale, Wonga Park.
The Yarra Valley Water ‘Backlog’ program is taking a long time to be implemented - or even to be planned. Work has yet to begin in Donvale – and Park Orchards is not scheduled until 2013 or later. Residents in unsewered areas have been left in limbo - in many cases uncertain whether or when to commit to upgrading onsite treatment of greywater/blackwater.
Two considerations:
i) While reticulated sewering is an environmental benefit it can also open up the way to further development and subdivision.
ii) As we adapt to ongoing dry conditions, waste-water should not be wasted. As far as practicable small regional/ local treatment plants should enure it is retained locally for use in safe applications – for example watering sports-grounds and public gardens. ‘Third pipe’ provision (water for non-potable uses on private properties) should also be front of mind in planning for wastewater management.
For those with a stake in this issue, the Park Orchards Ratepayers Association have convened a public meeting at Domeney Reserve rooms Tuesday November 18 (7.30pm) . I look forward to meeting any constituents that attend.
Update: (I attended the meeting along with around 250 others: a clear demonstration of the value of community organisations like Park Orchards Ratepayers Association. It would be fair to say that a majority of the people there either did not want the (compulsory) sewer program to go ahead or had serious reservations about it. Several queried whether the $50 million could be better spent – for example in assisting residents to upgrade onsite treatment systems where necessary and keeping treated water for use on site. I will definitely be following this matter up when/if I am elected to Council.)
 Horse riding is a great activity for children and adults alike, building physical fitness, responsibility, appreciation of the outdoors and affinity with these sensitive animals. I’d like to see more areas made available for this beneficial activity, especially in development of circuits and destination trails. Need to protect indigenous vegetation and habitat? That goes without saying. We can do a lot more to link our reserve lands and roadside reserves to provide for horseriders without compromising any of the existing uses.
Walkable & ‘bikeable’ Communities: Alder Reserve Access Link.
An active group of residents and local schools are lobbying for a short pedestrian/bike access link to connect Alder Reserve in Park Orchards to the Mullum Mullum Creek Linear Park (currently being completed in stages). This would have the advantage of opening up pedestrian/bike access to Park Road (and buses on that route) as well as providing a healthy and eco-friendly alternative for school children many of whom are currently driven to school (you know the drill!) I am in favour of the idea; current Council strategy sees it as ‘not a priority’. Why not? Manningham needs to start seriously planning around the concept of 'walkable' (and 'bikeable') communities.
For more on the local initiative to get walking/cyclingpaths in Park Orchards: http://members.optusnet.com.au/mmtrail
|
