Maroondah’s Scoot Wheel N Move, is a combined council and community group that consists of people that use mobility aids, with the aim of improving accessibility within Maroondah.

To achieve this aim Scoot Wheel N Move has organised public events, including the Maroondah Mobility Expo and the forum Good Access = Good Business. Scoot Wheel N Move has also been responsible for the highly successful ReCharge Program, where participating businesses provide facilities for people to be able to recharge their electric scooters and wheelchairs. This ensures that people that use mobility aids are able to travel to and from their local shops safely and easily.

Today’s meeting focused on discussing the future direction of the group, including the possibility of increased independence from Maroondah Council. Increased independence would assist in strengthening the group’s advocacy efforts, which is particularly crucial given the redevelopment that is expected to occur in areas such as the Ringwood Transit City during 2008.

It is imperative that accessibility improvements are delivered as the revitalisation of Ringwood takes place. Projects such as Eastland and Ringwood Station, must be accessible from the very beginning so as to ensure an inclusive community and to prevent the need for costly and ineffective retrofitting.

A forum will take place early in the new year to discuss the future direction of the group and its priorities for 2008 and beyond.