FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
Media Release – Thursday, 9 June 2005

Commitment to Ringwood Congratulated

The Ringwood Transit City Community Coalition (RTCCC) has openly welcomed the announcement of funding towards the Ringwood Station Precinct.

“One of our major concerns was the dire need for drastic transport improvements within Ringwood”, RTCCC Transport and Planning spokesman Alex Makin said. “As such it is pleasing to see that our efforts and those of the broader community have ensured that the needs of Ringwood are truly on the agenda as demonstrated by the commitment towards this study”.

As reported by the Maroondah Leader on the 11th of January 2005, the RTCCC initiated a campaign calling for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station which due the steepness of the current ramps fails to meet the accessibility standards as defined in the 1992 Federal Disability Discrimination (DDA) Act. At 14% of the Maroondah population, the Maroondah municipality has one of the highest proportions of people with a disability within Victoria.

“This study finally has the potential to truly integrate the planning and transport aspects of the Ringwood Transit City Project”, Mr. Makin said. “Provided that improvements, such as increased bus service levels, pedestrian improvements and the redevelopment of Ringwood Station are forthcoming; this will revitalise not only Ringwood but also the troubled Melbourne 2030 planning strategy”.

Survey data commissioned by the RTCCC identified major community concerns relating to pedestrian crossings (Maroondah Leader, 7th of June 2005), bus service levels and difficulties accessing the built environment. The RTCCC recently issued a submission for the Maroondah Integrated Transport Strategy which examined each of these concerns, including a detailed analysis of the economic and social justifications for improvements.

“It is crucial that the broader community through the Community Reference Group (CRG) is provided with genuine dialogue to meaningfully discuss the terms of reference with Maroondah Council and the Ringwood Transit City Advisory Committee”, Mr Makin said.

“We have proved the need for improvements; the RTCCC and myself as a CRG member now look forward to cooperating with all parties involved to ensure a comprehensive and community supported terms of reference so that this study will ensure that long overdue improvements are forthcoming”, Mr Makin concluded.

About the Ringwood Transit City Community Coalition (RTCCC):

The RTCCC was formed to strengthen community participation and stimulate open and honest discussion regarding the Ringwood Transit City project. For further details call 0409 136 213 or visit www.rtccc.info.

ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES: ALEXANDER MAKIN ON 0409 136 213

ENDS