Category: Port Phillip
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Why am I standing? Because I’m the only local candidate in Montague
I am the only candidate that lives locally in Montague Ward. Local government exists to represent local communities, only a Councillor that lives in the ward can genuinely represent the community they serve. Back in 2010, I was one of Victoria’s youngest politically independent Mayors when I served as a Councillor for the City of…
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Making it Happen: Campaign Launch
This afternoon community members (and their dogs) joined Natalia and I to officially launch my election campaign for Montague Ward. Port Phillip Council needs Councillors that are responsive to the community and act on their concerns. As the only candidate that lives in Montague Ward and being politically independent I am eternally grateful for the…
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Shaping the Future of the Arts in Port Phillip: A Forum with Council Candidates
This evening I attended a Council candidates forum organised by the City of Port Phillip Arts Collective (COPPAC), consisting of Arts Access Victoria, Australian National Academy of Music, Australian Tapestry Workshop, Gasworks, Linden Arts Gallery, MEMO Musical Hall, The National Theatre, Palais Theatre, Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre, Temperance Hall, and Theatreworks. Part of the reason…
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Campaign Launch: Making it Happen for Montague
Join Alex, Natalia, and community members for the official launch of ‘Making it Happen for Montague.’ Together, we will ensure good governance, expand dog-friendly spaces, and rebuild confidence in our Council. Our campaign launch is informal and community focused. Dogs are just as welcome as people, so we hope to see you there! Entry is…
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Montague Ward: Ballot Order
One of the first tasks, once candidates are finalised is determining the ballot draw order as conducted by the VEC. While I personally believe there is merit is randomising the ballot order – it is great to be at the top of the ballot. Ballot packs will arrive between 5 and 7 October and you…
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Nominating for Montague Ward, Port Phillip Council
Yesterday morning I nominated as a candidate for Montague Ward in Port Phillip Council. A return into local government was not something I had envisaged, but Port Phillip needs community led voices to restore good governance. The Council should listen and act on behalf of its community – it should not require a gargantuan community…
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TWiSK: Meaningful engagement would lead to better outcomes says Alex Makin
The online local news publication, This Week in St Kilda (TWiSK) provides an ongoing source of local information and knowledge covering Port Phillip in its entirety. This week TWiSK included an opinion piece that I wrote raising concerns with the City of Port Phillip’s current format for question time: Two-minute questions at Council produce frustration…
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Bark meets Bite: Council backs down on Off-Leash Guidelines
This evening, Port Phillip Council adopted substantially revised Dog Off-Leash Guidelines, removing the punitive and anti-dog narrative that would have resulted in off-leash spaces. The reversal of Council’s approach is a significant win for the community and plans for both current and future needs. This result is only possible due to the steadfast dedication of…
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TWiSK: Pooch petition barks for off-leash space
This Week in St Kilda (TWisK) is Port Phillip’s online source of local news. This week TWiSK covered the presentation of our petition to Council which requests: Now that the petition has been presented to Council, it will be tabled at a Council meeting and then provided with a formal response. Alex Makin, Dog Network’s…
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TWiSK: Dog owners are barking mad about changes to dog off leash spaces
This Week in St Kilda (TWiSK) covers local news across Port Phillip. This week TWiSK has reported on the ongoing concerns our dog community has over proposed Dog Off-Leash Guidelines that will potentially reduce off-leash spaces across Port Phillip. The proposed guidelines do not offer any new dog-leash areas and fail to accommodate future growth…