Maroondah submissions to Municipal Association of Victoria accepted

Maroondah City Council has had two important motions accepted by the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) State Council Meeting, which was held on Friday 18 May 2018.

Councillor Mike Symon, Council’s representative on the MAV State Council, said that the two motions carried at the latest meeting show that councils play an important role in advocating for state-level changes that make a difference to local communities.

“The first motion that was carried calls for a proactive approach in solving the current difficulties with recycled waste collection. We are advocating for the introduction of an alternative recycling model, one where industry takes greater responsibility for their packaging and its recycling,” he said.

“There is volatility in the recyclables commodity market, so we need to look for alternatives that continue to encourage the community to recycle but avoid the skyrocketing costs associated with it,” Cr Symon said.

“The second motion that was accepted relates to changes to the Victorian planning scheme that will enable the construction of ‘tiny homes’, which will contribute to greater housing affordability and diversity in Victoria.”

“There is a growing movement, where people are designing and constructing very small energy-efficient homes. We are calling for the Victorian planning scheme to support this trend, as a way of helping to solve the housing crisis,” said Cr Symon.

Motion 1

Container Deposit Scheme (carried)

Motion: That the Municipal Association of Victoria:

Accelerate pursuing with the State Government the introduction of a Victorian container deposit scheme and reinforcing all the financial, social and environmental benefits in addition to the role such a scheme could play in the current recycling market. Motion 2

Tiny Houses – Seeking Planning Changes to Support Housing Affordability and Diversity (carried)

Urges the State Government to amend the Victorian Planning Provisions to better support small affordable housing as it would make a significant contribution to the policy aspirations of the Plan Melbourne and Homes of Victoria.

“The MAV State Council Meeting process is an important forum for change. Local councils are at the coal-face and are in the best position to advocate for change and ensure that state-level decision making takes local communities into account. We’re pleased that our latest motions have received strong support from other local councils,” said Cr Symon