selby salutes some stayers

On Saturday night I had the great pleasure of attending the Selby CFA Annual Dinner, a great occasion attended by brigade members and their partners. This year saw the awarding of the 50 year service medal to John Peacock, awarded a life membership to the brigade in 1991.

Alan Marks, myself and John Peacock at the Selby CFA Annual Dinner.

John first became a member of the CFA in Belgrave, went on to Kallista and then settled in Selby in 1961 where he remains a member to this day. John recounted the early days of the brigade where a local spud farmer supplied the tray truck to fight fires whilst the firefighters only had knapsacks and rake hoes to do the job.

Fifty years is a wonderful effort from a man dedicated to protecting the local community, congratulations to John on your fifty years.

The night also saw Alan Marks receive Life Membership of the brigade. Alan has been involved with the CFA since 1977 and at one stage was the Group Officer for the region. Life Membership is a terrific way to recognise individual dedication to the CFA and the people they protect.

The brigade, like most across the Dandenongs, has seen an increase in membership of firefighters and auxiliary members too. The camaraderie of the Selby Brigade is outstanding, they are very well regarded in our local community, and their recent efforts to raise funds for Selby Tanker 2 reinforces the high regard the community has for the brigade (see blog).

It was a great night, wonderful to meet new and old members alike and celebrate the brigade’s achievements.

walk against warming – 12 december

Walk against Warming, one of Australia’s largest climate events, is coming to Melbourne, (with events across Australia too). Whilst world leaders are in Copenhagen deciding what to do about climate change this is your chance to send them a message they can’t ignore.

It is time for leaders to take decisive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a safe climate for our future. So it is up to us to show them we care and we want action now.

To rsvp to Walk against Warming click on the image.

Plans this year are to meet at the State Library, walk down Swanston Street to Princes Bridge and then form a human sign SAFE CLIMATE – DO IT!

Details are:
Walk Against Warming
Saturday 12/12/2009 @ 12pm State Library, Swanston Street, Melbourne
For information on walks elsewhere in Australia please go here.

logging our water catchments, it’s still going on

Recently a concerned local resident from Upwey organised Sounds of Change, an environmental awareness raising day at Earthly Pleasures Café in Belgrave. Around 50 people came to hear local artists and speakers.

I, along with Chris Taylor and Keith Sarah of Warburton Environment, talked about logging of Melbourne’s Water Catchments from our various perspectives.

I talked about the motion supported by the Shire of Yarra Ranges council in late 2007 to oppose logging in our water catchments.

“That Council supports a public statement opposing logging of water catchments in Yarra Ranges, and further that Council also makes representation to the Premier, the Minister of Environment and Minister of Water, and I propose that the statement is:

The Shire of Yarra Ranges does not support logging in water catchments.

Council recognises that:

1. Logging has a dramatic and detrimental effect on water yield in catchments.
2. Young re-growth trees need more water to grow thus releasing less water into catchments.
3. Logging reduces stream flow and yields to water catchments.
4. It takes 150 years for water yields to return to their pre logged status.
5. It is poor water policy to continue to log our water catchments.
6. Logging of water catchments adversely affects water quality through increasing sediment as does road construction through logging coupes.

We urge the government to consider a policy of no logging in water catchments.”

Yarra Ranges has the privilege of containing 51% of Melbourne’s water catchments and logging them continues to put Melbourne’s water supply at risk. After Yarra Ranges supported that motion in 2007, 14 other municipalities supported our position throughout 2008. This is an issue I have long been concerned about, click here for a speech I made at a rally in Warburton pre logging season last year.

Post 2009 bushfires, the forest in the burnt areas of our water catchments is in a far more fragile state. The best thing for Melbourne’s water supplies, fauna and flora would be to let the forest naturally regenerate however salvage logging is going on at an alarming rate in our water catchments right now.

I have recently heard that these salvage logging operations are creating fires and it has been determined that logging operations in these regions must stop by midday each day to mitigate the risk of bushfire.

Our communities are at risk of fire by salvage logging operations, already they are stressed by logging trucks continually passing through their townships and now they have the added concern of fire from salvage logging. No longer can we continue to put at risk our water supply and our endangered species. The time has come to close Melbourne’s precious water catchments to logging.

indemnity for nsp’s - a state responsibility

report from the roundtable – 24 nov

I was appalled to learn of the need for a development of a Neighbourhood Safer Places Plan (NSPP) at this eleventh hour in the lead up to fire season (see blog). I was even more aghast to learn that the “Amending Act” the state government introduced to parliament this week would mean that liability for Neighbourhood Safer Places (NSP) would fall to local government once enacted.

I moved the following motion in response to the issue:

“That Council write to The Premier, the Honourable John Brumby MP, and The Treasurer, the Honourable John Lenders MP, with copies to our local MPs, requesting that the State Government provide ongoing indemnity to protect Local Government against any liability it may incur in relation to the use of a Designated Neighbourhood Safer Place by any individual when sheltering from bushfire.”

The liability for NSPs goes well beyond the scope of local government. When we think of a bushfire event it is a state emergency, not only the domain of local government. This liability has been imposed on local government without any consultation.

I have serious concerns about the term Neighbourhood Safer Places, they should be called Places of Last Resort which far more adequately reflects what they are. NSPs are places to go to when all else fails, when you fire plan is no longer effective, there is no guarantee you will survive, in fact you may well perish. Places of Last Resort is a term that far more adequately reflects the purpose of these sites.

Many in the community are regarding NSPs as a ‘fire refuge’, they should not have the word ‘safer’ within their title, it implies something that just isn’t so.

I think if we a genuinely serious about protecting life in the longer term we should be building purpose built facilities to protect our communities. NSPs do not fit the bill.

The onerous responsibility of liability is stark and the amending bill proposes where an NSP is on non council land, any liability for death or injury arising out of its use as an NSP during an actual or threatened bushfire, transfers instead to the relevant municipal council, the owner/occupier wont be liable but the council will be. Council will be liable for any death or injury of a person using an NSP as a shelter from bushfire too.

This is the worst form of cost shifting from state government to local government. This goes way beyond what any municipality should be responsible for. I hope that other municipalities who are at fire risk join with Yarra Ranges to urge the state government to rightfully take on liabilities for NSPs. It is a disgraceful turn of events.

I am pleased to say that the motion was supported unanimously.

neighbourhood safer places

report from the roundtable – 24 nov

I felt compelled to address the issue of establishing Neighbourhood Safer Places (NSP) after a presentation by the Dandenong Ranges Community Bushfire Group where it was said that the identification of NSPs was ‘not happening’.

I assured the public in the gallery that the shire has been working very hard on this issue (to date 63 sites have been forwarded to the CFA for assessment). I explained that as late as the 13th November at 6:08pm (so realistically it may as well be Monday morning, the 16th Nov) council was informed that we now need to develop a Neighbourhood Safer Place Plan (NSPP) as part of the process. In a time where our emergency personnel have been working tirelessly we now find there is even more work for them to do.

It has been imposed on us by state government at a time when we are in the full swing of bushfire preparedness. Not only does council have to prepare a NSPP, it must be endorsed by council, then accepted by the Treasurer BEFORE we can start to nominate NSPs. It also holds up the endorsement of our Municipal Emergency Management Plan which needs to incorporate locations of NSPs. The development of the plan and sign off by the Treasurer will ensure that council receives indemnity from the state government should there be a death or injury of a person using an NSP as a shelter from bushfire or if there is a failure by council to designate a place as a NSP.

The timelines to the fire danger period are looming closer and closer and we find ourselves dealing with yet more bureaucracy around NSPs. I have no doubt that the Dandenong Ranges are the hottest of bushfire hotspots in the state and always have been. I have great faith in our staff and their commitment to seeing an NSPP delivered but am appalled by the lateness of this information. We have much to contend with and this timing is atrocious.

coldstream carved up

report from the roundtable – 24 nov

This week’s council meeting saw five applications for second dwellings in various locations in the Coldstream estate. The Coldstream Neighbourhood Character study shows that the Coldstream community values:
- the rural landscape and quality of the landscape and vistas surrounding the town
- privacy from intrusive new developments and extensions
- retention of existing large trees and providing space for new trees
- the sense of openness and the sense of connection to the landscape of the Yarra Valley.

All of the proposed developments were in areas of ‘least change’ according to council’s adopted Housing Strategy, which indicates these are areas with a minimum lot size of 1,000 square metres. We have been through extensive consultation over the housing strategy, we understand clearly what our community’s aspirations are in relation to their townships.

Every application proposed far smaller lots than 1,000 square metres, varying from 1:446, 1:445, 1:446, 1:434 and 1:446. These lot sizes fall well short of community aspirations for the township as evidenced by recent housing strategy consultations.

One of the councillors supporting the developments argued that the additional dwellings would create demand and improve bus services, whilst another spoke of VCAT, a recent decision and how a refusal would fail and we had no choice.

What I ask is did that VCAT member live in Coldstream, did that VCAT member understand the expectation of single dwellings within Coldstream, did the VCAT member understand the neighbourhood character of the area, did the VCAT member understand the community’s aspirations for the township?

To suggest that additional dwellings would create demand and mean greater delivery of infrastructure and services is misguided. Experience in the highest growth corridors shows that this is far from the reality. Currently bus services do not come within the Coldstream estate and I do not think that these second dwellings will have any bearing of the level of service currently delivered to the township.

Objectors to all five applications furbished a petition from local residents which contained 596 signatures from local residents, with 686 signatures in total. In a quick reconciliation I calculated that 60% of households within the Coldstream estate opposed the developments.

By the time the third application came up we heard the neighbour speak passionately about what she valued in Coldstream, however her pleas fell on deaf ears. I urged councillors to reconsider, it was terrible to see Coldstream being carved up before our very eyes.

The fourth and fifth applications were for render/colourbond homes, completely out of keeping with the character of Coldstream. In the case of the fourth application I could only say colourbond/render/tin shed poor outcome for Coldstream.

The fifth application proposed a home constructed of colourbond and render coloured Monza Red. It was clear by this stage that a voting pattern had formed and would not be broken, but a red tin shed is a terrible outcome and the events of the night have set a dreadful precedent for Coldstream.

A division was called on each application, in every case the vote was:
For: Councillors Heenan, Warren, Higgins, Cox and Avery
Against: Councillors Dunn, McRae, Cliff and Templer

greenfields for st thomas mores

report from the roundtable – 24 nov

At this week’s council meeting we had to consider the demolition of the Austral Hall at St Thomas Mores Primary School. The hall was included in a recent request to the Minister to apply interim heritage controls.

The school want to construct a grassed area for their students to play which has been funded by the “Building and Education Revolution”. The application was referred to the local historical societies and no objection had been put forward by them or any community member.

The hall, originally built by the community in a day in 1920, was gifted to the local Roman Catholics in 1938, who used the building as a church until the modern day St Thomas Mores church was built. The building has become very dilapidated and for some time has not been used by the school or the community.

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Approximately 200 students attend St Thomas Mores Primary School, they have to go off site to play sport because they don’t have access to a grassed area in their own school.

I was happy to move the motion to approve the construction of the oval and demolition of the Austral Hall. When balancing up the pros and cons, providing open space for children to play figured far more highly to me than a hall that really was separate to the historically significant ‘beauty bend’ and was in a derelict state. The motion was supported unanimously.

selby cfa gets a new tanker

It was with great pleasure that I had the official duty of handing over the community funded Selby Tanker 2 to the Selby CFA. In a project that has been in progress for 10 years the Selby brigade has raised $200,000 from the local community to pay for a new tanker.

Selby is a small town with a population of around 2,500. To raise $20,000 a year speaks volumes for the high regard the community has for its local brigade. The brigade and auxiliary have worked tirelessly doorknocking and sausage sizzling to raise the funds and it was a great occasion to see their efforts rewarded at their annual Fireman’s Fair with a sparkling new tanker.

The new tanker has many more safety features, greater storage capacity and a self contained light tower. It will be a great asset for the brigade and the local community.

it’s all show for the monster petition

The Eastern Transport Coalition’s Monster Petition got off to a great start in the Shire of Yarra Ranges at the Lilydale Show. Community members were keen to sign and send a message to government about the poor or non existent rail services in the east.

This lady was very happy to be the last signature on a scroll from the monster petition, a resident of Chirnside Park, she was keen to support the ETC’s efforts for better public transport in the east.

The government’s Victorian Transport Plan delivers very little for the east, our communities are crying out for better rail and bus services. Last week the issue of lack of rail and high levels of car ownership was highlighted in The Age. How much longer must our communities be burdened with expensive running costs and road congestion as they are forced to own multiple cars due to poor public transport services?

If you’d like to sign the monster petition look out for it at the following venues:

MONSTER PETITION SCHEDULE

Fri 27 Nov Lilydale Library

Sat 28 Nov Lilydale Library

Sun 29 Nov Warratina Lavender Harvest Festival

Mon 30 Nov Mt Evelyn Main street

Tue 1 Dec Mooroolbark Library

Wed 2 Dec Mooroolbark Main Street

Thu 3 Dec Montrose Library

Fri 4 Dec Mt Evelyn Library

Sat 5 Dec Kallista Community Market

Sun 6 Dec Healesville Craft Market

Mon 7 Dec Yarra Junction Community Link

Tue 8 Dec Upwey Community Link

Wed 9 Dec Upwey Community Link

Thu 10 Dec Belgrave Library

Fri 11 Dec Belgrave Main Street (near the Commonwealth Bank)

Fri 11 Dec Belgrave Carols in the Park

Sat 12 Dec Chirnside Park Shopping Centre - tbc

Sun 13 Dec Chirnside Park Shopping Centre - tbc

Mon 14 Dec Off to the City of Manningham

tecoma supermarket, too bulky, too big… and vcat thinks so too

You could not wipe the smile from my face when I learnt that VCAT had upheld council’s decision to refuse the Tecoma Supermarket application.

What a great victory for our community. I congratulate VCAT for listening to community concerns and saying no to a building that was way too bulky and would have left adjoining neighbours and most of the residents of Tecoma with an 11 metre blank concrete wall.

A highly controversial application, council received 531 objections and 16 separate petitions against the application with only 4 letters of support.

Me standing outside some of the buildings that would have been demolished if the application had got the go ahead.

Tecoma is a town that has great hills character, it’s built form is low scale and one of it’s hallmarks is its canopy of trees and open space. It has a population of around 2,000 people and has little capacity for growth.The application was to build a massive supermarket, a building 11 metres high with minimal setbacks, the tiniest of landscaping and 3 storeys high at the rear.

Its interface with the neighbours was atrocious. Not only the direct neighbours would be affected, but the majority of the Tecoma community would be looking at the back of an ugly 3 storey concrete block. I thought it was a complete overdevelopment of the site, it had significant amenity issues; traffic, noise and visual bulk to name a few.

I am so very pleased VCAT upheld council’s decision, if you’d like a copy of the decision email me at s.dunn@yarraranges.vic.gov.au.

tecoma supermarket - vcat agrees

stop press stop press stop press

VCAT have supported council's position to refuse the Tecoma Supermarket application. Great news for the community, particularly those residents who had to contend with an 11 metre blank concrete wall. More details soon.

transition town training off to a great start

Last week dozens of participants joined with Transition Town trainers Janet and Jacinta at Birdsland to learn about energy descent plans and planning for a carbon and oil constrained economy.

It was great to be able to welcome participants to Birdsland, I was also able to report on councils resolution to develop a Peak Oil Response Plan for Yarra Ranges.

Reports back were very positive with three local groups formed in the Sherbrooke, Emerald/Gembrook and Montrose regions to do more work on transitioning our community for an oil constrained, climate change future.

The training was instigated by local Kallista resident, Kristy Henderson, who is part of the newly formed Birdsland Environment Collective. The collective is passionate about Birdsland and are keen to reinstate the heritage orchard and create a community garden.

They have great vision and energy for Birdsland and I look forward to seeing their plans come to fruition.

jo tenner preselected for monbulk

Fundraiser to launch the campaign, this Sunday the 29th in Upwey.

to read on visit

Samantha Dunn for Eastern Victoria

gm crops in nearby berwick - public meeting coming up

fire danger period declared – starts 14 Dec

The CFA have declared that the fire danger period will commence 0100 hours on the Monday 14 December 2009 in the Shire of Yarra Ranges.

After this date no burning off will be permitted.

It's time to get your fire plan in place.

Current CFA policy recommends that residents "prepare, act, survive, be fire ready".

It's essential that you prepare early, discuss it with your family and/or neighbours, but please make a fire plan.

The CFA has some really good information available on their website. The CFA also run local community meetings to raise people's awareness of their bushfire risk, and work with residents to turn that awareness into action. You can find out where your next local community meeting is by visiting this link.

Our fire plan lives on the side of our fridge, but come bushfire season, it's reviewed and placed fair and square on the front of the fridge for all to see. I urge you to go to your local CFA community meeting and so you can make an informed decision to prepare, act, survive, be fire ready.

making a monster of it

Yarra Ranges’ residents will have the chance to make their mark on the historic public transport Monster Petition as it travels throughout the shire over the next three weeks.

Today at Eastland, I formally received the Eastern Transport Coalition’s Monster Petition from Cr Alex Makin, Maroondah’s ETC representative.

The petition will kick off its tour through Yarra Ranges at the Lilydale Show over this weekend before travelling throughout the shire.

The Monster Petition is part of an innovative campaign aimed at putting pressure on the State Government for better public transport across Melbourne’s east.

The Monster Petition was launched at Monash University’s Clayton campus in July and has since travelled through five municipalities, collecting signatures from disgruntled public transport users and community members seeking a fair go for public transport in the east.

It’s an ideal opportunity for Yarra Ranges residents to get behind the ETC’s campaign to improve public transport by signing up to the petition.

By collecting thousands of signatures we hope to show the government that the community is fed up with a second rate public transport system.

While the Monster Petition travels throughout the shire pages from the petition will also be available for signing at the council’s Community Links, libraries, aquatic centres and arts centres.

A list of petition locations and times is available on the Eastern Transport Coalition website.

MONSTER PETITION SCHEDULE
Sat 21 Nov Lilydale Show
Sun 22 Nov Lilydale Show
Mon 23 Nov Lilydale Community Link
Tue 24 Nov Lilydale Library
Wed 25 Nov Swinburne University
Thu 26 Nov Lilydale Community Link
Fri 27 Nov Lilydale Library
Sat 28 Nov Mooroolbark Christmas Fair, St Peter Julian Eymard School
Sun 29 Nov Warratina Lavender Harvest Festival
Mon 30 Nov Mt Evelyn Main street
Tue 1 Dec Mooroolbark Library
Wed 2 Dec Mooroolbark Main Street
Thu 3 Dec Montrose Library
Fri 4 Dec Mt Evelyn Library
Sat 5 Dec Kallista Community Market
Sun 6 Dec Healesville Craft Market
Mon 7 Dec Yarra Junction Community Link
Tue 8 Dec Upwey Community Link
Wed 9 Dec Upwey Community Link
Thu 10 Dec Belgrave Library
Fri 11 Dec Belgrave Main Street (near the Commonwealth Bank)
Fri 11 Dec Belgrave Carols in the Park
Sat 12 Dec Chirnside Park Shopping Centre
Sun 13 Dec Chirnside Park Shopping Centre
Mon 14 Dec Off to the City of Manningham

interested in forming a monbulk landcare group?

Expressions of Interest – forming a Monbulk Landcare Group

The Shire of Yarra Ranges would like to gauge community interest in forming a Landcare Group in the Monbulk area. This has been prompted by a number of residents in the area who have expressed a need to create such a group.

Landcare is a grass-roots, volunteer approach to sustainable land management, that also provides community strengthening benefits. Forming a Landcare Group is a way that neighbours can benefit from the knowledge of each other, as well as free information and training sessions, access to grants, various schemes and liaison with state and local government representatives.

The aim is to see improvements in the environmental condition of natural resources in the area.

Landcare's strength lies in community involvement and will rely on your active support to function. Benefits are certain to outweigh the small amount of time needed by neighbours. I hope that you are able to attend this Start Up Session to get the ball rolling in forming the Monbulk Landcare Group.

When: Tuesday 24th November, 7.30 pm

Where: Monbulk Bowling Club, 11 Moores Rd, Monbulk (Mel ref 124 H1)

Please contact Kim Boswell, the Shire's Landcare facilitator, on 9294 6184 or email k.boswell@yarraranges.vic.gov.au to RSVP or if you would like further information.

multi-agency bushfire briefing sessions

The Yarra Ranges Council, CFA, Victoria Police, Department of Sustainability and Environment and Parks Victoria will be presenting joint fire preparation briefing sessions to inform the community about the actions they are taking to prepare for the coming summer fire-danger season.

All members of the community are invited to attend and will have an opportunity to hear from each organisation and ask questions.

The sessions are designed to inform communities about the work all agencies have undertaken in planning and preparation for this year’s fire season.

Sessions will be held at 7.30pm unless otherwise advised on:
November
25th - Yarra Junction Recreation Reserve
26th - Olinda Community House
December
1st - Upwey High School
3rd - Silvan Fire Station
3rd - Warburton Upper Yarra Arts Centre, Mechanics Hall
8th - Ferny Creek Horticultural Society
8th - Mt Evelyn Community Hall
14th - Healesville Memorial Hall
15th at 7pm - Seville Public Hall
16th - Woori Yallock DSE/CFA meeting room

Meetings will be cancelled on days of Total Fire Ban.

These briefings are not designed to answer residents’ questions about preparing individual properties for the summer season. The CFA is, however, continuing to provide separate Fire Ready Victoria sessions around the region where residents can get information. The local brigades have been very proactive with signage detailing local briefings. If you haven’t been to a local brigade briefing and want to know when one is next on visit this CFA website link.

monster petition coming to yarra ranges

The Eastern Transport Coalition’s Monster Petition is coming to Yarra Ranges. The petition touches down at the Lilydale Show on Saturday 21st November and will be there for the duration of the show. The Monster Petition will make its way around the Yarra Ranges over the next three weeks, for details of where and when visit the ETC’s website.

Me, signing the monster petition at its launch at Monash University in July, 2009.

Because the Monster Petition can’t be everywhere a looseleaf version of the petition will be available at all community links, aquatic centres and shire facilities.

The Monster Petition will be presented to parliament early next year to gain commitments from all political parties to deliver improved public transport services in our region. At the moment the Victorian Transport Plan delivers very little to the East and we want to see that change.

Students from Monash University were keen to sign the monster petition. Monash has no rail links with many students force to drive cars, the car park is a testament to students being forced to drive.

The Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC) represents seven Councils in the outer east and advocates for accessible and integrated sustainable transport in the eastern region of Melbourne to improve liveability and reduce car dependency.

Petition wording:
PETITION To the Legislative Assembly of Victoria
The Petition of residents and businesses in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne points out to the House that the Victorian Transport Plan does not make provision for the extension of much needed rail services and improved passenger facilities to Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Assembly of Victoria seek a commitment from the Government to modify the plan to include:
1.A full and public feasibility study for a heavy rail line to Rowville,
2.A full and public feasibility study for a heavy rail line to Doncaster,
3.A greater commitment to the extension of the Metro rail tunnel from Domain to Caulfield,
4.A full and public feasibility study for an increase in capacity on the Belgrave/Lilydale and Glen Waverley lines.
5.Improved facilities for passengers, particularly at interchanges in central activity districts – Ringwood, Dandenong and Box Hill,
6.Fully accessible public transport facilities and vehicles.

caldicott comes clean

Today I was in Belgrave to listen to Dr Helen Caldicott talk about the dangers of nuclear energy. I helped to sponsor the event, Clean Energy, as a way to increase local knowledge about the nuclear industry. I have been concerned about the ongoing recent suggestions that nuclear power is a solution to climate change in Australia. After listening to Helen it was abundantly clear that nuclear is a very poor solution to climate change.

Clean Energy was a great opportunity for locals to learn about the dangers of uranium mining and the nuclear industry.

Helen talked about the dangers workers face working in Uranium mines and the long term effect it has on the human body. She talked about the cumulative effect radiation has on people and the fact the 40% of uranium supplied comes from Australia. She went on to talk about the accumulation of radiation in the food chain and that the nuclear industry is the most dangerous, carcinogenic industry in the world.

We learnt that there are 440 nuclear reactors throughout the world, 104 of them in the USA, they are all wearing out and are currently undergoing maintenance works to extend their life for another 20 years, but after that their future is unclear. 30% of the spent rods are removed every year and put in cooling ponds which are 2 to 30 times more radioactive than those rods in the nuclear reactor. Uranium becomes one billion times more radioactive when fissioned and a nuclear reactor contains as much radiation as one thousand Hiroshima sized bombs.

I had a great chat with Helen about People for a Nuclear Free Australia, an organisation she founded.

The use of nuclear waste for weapons and the ticking time bomb that is genetic disease are good reasons to find better solutions to power generation across the world.

Dr Caldicott commissioned a report “Carbon Free Nuclear Free”, which documents how the USA could achieve a fossil fuel and nuclear free country by 2050, you can find it at this link.
Helen is also founder of People for a Nuclear Free Australia, if you’d like to get informed about the issues join at http://www.nuclearfree.com.au. I encourage you to learn more.

Nuclear is not a solution to a clean, sustainable future. It is fraught with risks and will not solve the climate crisis.

transition town training will be here soon

Next week a group of locals will join Transition Town trainers, Janet Phillips and Janice Walsh, at the Birdsland Education Centre to learn about energy descent plans and planning to prepare for a carbon and oil constrained economy.

From left to right: Michelle, Davey, me and Kristy, all very keen to see our community transition to a sustainable future.

Janet Phillips and Janice Walsh are from Transition Town Mount Alexander, Castlemaine. Both Janet and Janice are recognised by transition town trainers worldwide and come from community development and behavioral change backgrounds.

Originally instigated by local Kallista resident, Kristy Henderson, I was pleased to be able to support Transition Town training for the Dandenong Ranges and establish funding through the Shire’s community development unit.

I look forward to welcoming people to Birdsland next weekend (21st & 22nd Nov) as they embark on their Transition Town journey to build resilience into our local community.

If you’d like to know more about Transition Town Dandenong Ranges you can email Kristy at kmhen7@gmail.com.

clive hamilton hits higgins

Last night I joined with greens supporters across Victoria to launch Australian Greens candidate, Clive Hamilton’s, election campaign for Higgins.

to read more visit:
Samantha Dunn for Eastern Victoria

mobile coverage for little yarra valley

report from the roundtable – 10th Nov
At this week’s council meeting we had to consider the installation of a 35mt telecommunications pole atop Mt Beenak. Often these applications are refused by council due to amenity and proximity to residential areas or sensitive community facilities.

In this case the pole was a welcome addition to the landscape. Mobile coverage is a rare commodity in the Gilderoy/Powelltown region of the shire. The monopole which will be installed on top of Mt Beenak will provide the Little Yarra Valley with much needed mobile coverage. The pole is well sited in a remote location away from sensitive land uses.

The 35mt slimline monopole will be of great benefit to Gilderoy and the surrounding region, it will be painted grey to blend into the environment, and local residents will get access to nextG mobile coverage as well as the many visitors who occasionally go astray in the region.

sounding out environmental awareness

On November 22nd, Earthly Pleasures café in Belgrave will host Sounds of Change.

Sounds of Change is an environmental awareness day involving local musicians and key community members as guest speakers.

The aim of the day is to spread knowledge and awareness about local environment issues to empower people to take action.
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The day features local bands including;
The Jed Rowe band
Charles Baby
Great Earthquake
The Blues Stone A’capella and
Patrick Carr

Speakers include;
Cr Samantha Dunn
Jaxon Barnes
Sarah Rees
Chris Taylor and
Keith Sarah

Speakers will be talking about deforestation in the Warburton water catchment areas, climate change, land management and more.

Details:
When: Sunday 22nd November, 2009 from midday to 5pm ish
Where: Earthly Pleasures Café, 1677 Burwood Highway, Belgrave
Cost: Absolutely free

etc monster petition visits yarra ranges for a day

The Community Safety Expo held today at Lillydale Lake was a great opportunity for the Eastern Transport Coalition’s Monster Petition to make a cameo appearance.

The Yarra Ranges staff are keen to help out with the Monster Petition, here I am with Karen, one of our development and traffic engineers. Karen is very passionate about public transport matters and a keen cyclist too.

People visiting the expo were very keen to talk about their public transport woes and sign the Monster Petition, tallying an additional 235 signatures for today, signatures on the petition to date are over 5,000.

The Monster Petition returns to the City of Maroondah for the Maroondah Festival and will be at various locations up until the 20th November (see the ETC website for more info).

The petition officially commences it’s tour of the Shire starting at the Lilydale Show on the 21st November, watch this space for more info or visit the ETC’s website.

public internet in belgrave south

Residents looking for internet access can now head to the Belgrave South Community House where a fully fledged computer lab offers community members public internet access and basic office software too.

Here is local Friends of Hazelvale Valley volunteer, Anne Elizabeth, surfing the net to identify this handful of weed nasties.

Belgrave South Community House also has PC’s fitted out with keyboards for the visually impaired and a track ball mouse for those with mobility challenges.

If you’d like to know more visit the BSCH website.

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early years plan – what do you think?

During Children’s Week I had the great pleasure of being part of the launch for the Shire’s Draft Municipal Early Years Plan, Help Shape the Future for Children .

The launch was held at the Teddy Bear’s Picnic at Lillydale Lake, children were kept entertained with story time by Eastern Regional Libraries followed by CARP who told the story of the quest to find Brown Bear.

Help Shape the Future for Children is based around three priority areas;
1. All children are healthy, develop well and are active in learning
2. All children are active participants in community life
3. All families are able to meet the social, emotional, learning and health needs of their children

I have been involved with the development of the strategy as the councillor representative on the steering committee. It has been a great privilege to share conversations and experiences with families, service providers and staff working in children’s services.

Help Shape the Future for Children is intended to be a dynamic and interactive planning process that recognises and relies of the contribution of a broad range of people and organisations.

If you, a community group or service you are involved with has an interest in working on community based initiatives around the three priority areas above we are keen to hear from you. We’d also like to discuss options for collaborative action planning.

If you’d like to give council some feedback on Help Shape the Future for Children, visit the Shire’s website. We’d love to hear from you, but make sure you get your response in by the 4th December.

yering station sculpture 09 exhibition - outstanding!

I had the great pleasure of attending the opening of the Yering Station Sculpture 09 exhibition and awards. In it’s 9th year, the exhibition is a eye-catching display of contemporary sculpture.

From left to right: Exhibition judges; Geraldine Barlow, Anthong McInneny & Jason Smith, exhibition coordinator; Savaad Felich and Cr Samantha Dunn pictured in front of the winning entry, Location by Dana Harris.

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It is a great drawcard to our region with people from across Melbourne attending the opening.

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Yering Station is a great space for contemporary sculpture, pictured here is Interlocked by Antonia Villella.

Savaad Felich, exhibition coordinator, has been a driving force in the success of the exhibition, his passion has seen the annual Yering Station Sculpture event become a not to be missed prestigious occasion on the Arts calendar.

Vehicle for Thoughful Observations by Marynes Avila, onlookers were encouraged to tie their own ‘wishing’ knot to add to the piece.

Brolga by Richard Walker.

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I encourage you to go along and enjoy some stunning sculpture in a spectacular setting.

The exhibition runs through to the 6th December at Yering Station, 38 Melba Highway, Yarra Glen.

‘If you go down to the woods…..’ by Genevieve McLean.

berwick says no to gmo

This morning I met with concerned Berwick residents outside a farm growing genetically modified canola.

To read on visit
Samantha Dunn for Eastern Victoria

doing agribusiness in the shire

On Tuesday I went out on tour across the Shire with MPs of the Parliamentary Committee Inquiry into Sustainable Agribusiness in Outer East Melbourne. We spoke to an orchardist and a flower grower and heard about some of the difficulties they and their colleagues face farming in the current climate.

Here I am pictured with Colleen Hartland MP, Upper House member for Western Metropolitan. Colleen was keen to learn about some of the key issues affecting our farmers.

Number one concern was water, farmers frustrated that work on treatment plants would not see recycled water flow their way. Another key issue raised was the interface between rural practices and residential areas. Our farmers have seen residential houses grow up around them and find that many of their normal farming practices have to be modified to take account of the residential amenity.

The Parliamentary Committee took great interest in the key issues in Yarra Ranges. Here we are at Proteaflora where passionate General Manager, David Matthews, talked about his business, his vision for the industry and the benefits of being located in a key floriculture production region.

We heard of a case of a berry grower who cannot start picking fruit until 7am because of residential amenity, however it is much more advantageous to pick fruits early before the heat of the day.

Farm structures were another issue talked about, often producers of food, flowers and plants will use all manner of structures to protect their crops whether that be hail netting, igloos or glasshouses. This can be a source of tension when farms are close to housing.

Other issues included access to labour in peak season and the leaner times. Yarra Ranges is well placed to supply Melbourne with high quality fresh produce. Being only 50 kms away from the city gives us a great advantage and will put us in good stead when costs for freight increase.

The value of agricultural and horticultural production is estimated to be over $650 million and growing in the Shire. The major industries are nursery plants, viticulture and winemaking, floriculture, poultry and pig production, berries, orchard fruit, vegetables and beef production.

run for a safe climate

27 Days
6,000 KM
25 Runners

A team of 25 trained runners from across the emergency services are running a relay over six thousand kilometres to link Australia's communities, agricultural regions, coastal areas, water supplies and ecosystems at great risk through global warming, as well as the great clean energy and climate solutions that are a key to a safe climate future for Australia.

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From the heat of Far North Queensland, to the Coorong lakes in SA and the Victorian Alps, Run for a Safe Climate with more than 20 community events and forums along the route is very likely coming to a town near you!

Want to know more, visit

www.runforasafeclimate.org

Our emergency services workers are our climate front line. They tackle our intensifying fires, floods, storms and the medical fallout of these events. They’re running because they understand the risk and safety issues that global warming is creating and they want to make a difference.

The run is a unique and powerful way to take the Safe Climate message out into the community, so get our there and support our emergency workers in their quest. You can participate or sponsor a runner, become a fan or just spread the message.

These people bear the brunt of the climate emergencies and want to make a difference. Support them today – you can….

1. Attend local run events in your area: http://www.runforasafeclimate.org/get-involved/events
2. RSVP and tell your friends about the Run at at: http://www.runforasafeclimate.org/get-involved
3. Tune into Twitter
4. Become a fan on Facebook
5. Sponsor the run or one of the runners https://www.runforasafeclimate.org/sponsor

community safety expo – 7 November

stop press stop press stop press

Eastern Transport Coalition’s Monster Petition to make a cameo appearance at Community Safety Expo.

The Shire of Yarra Ranges has organised a Community Safety Expo at Lillydale Lake on the 7th November.

The day consists of emergency and safety demonstrations, including police helicopter, fire trucks, Your Emergency Services@Work, Red Cross, Animal Aid, Road Safety, Jaws of Life, water and quad bike safety.

You can get advice about development your Bushfire Survival Plan and try out the CFAs new online tool to assess how safe your home is in a fire.

There’s something for the kids too, they can meet the CFA’s very own Captain Koala, participate in the Passport to Safety activity, go in the CFA’s smokehouse and get down low and go, go, go, theres prizes and much, much more.

Now that the ETC’s Monster Petition will be at the expo, you will also be able to sign the petition to tell government you want improved public transport in the East. If you’d like to know more about the petition click here.

seville supermarket rezoning application

Report from the roundtable – 27 Oct

At this week’s council meeting we had to consider an application for a supermarket specialty shops, petrol station, car wash and car parking in Seville. The application also proposed a rezoning of residential land to a business zone.

I could not support the application. I had grave concerns that the development would be a wholesale transformation of the township of Seville. I asked councillors if we want a retail development of 4,897 square metres in Seville? I didn’t think we would.

Seville is described in our Regional Strategy Plan as a ‘local centre’. These centres have a primary role of providing for daily convenience needs and it is prescribed that they will generally have a floorspace of less than 2,500 square metres. 4,897 square metres is well over this limit. Our Municipal Strategic Statement identifies Seville as a ‘rural township’, essentially a dormitory residential area with small commercial centres servicing local needs. This application is not a good fit with a rural township.

I also had concerns about the blank wall residents on Britton Road would have to contend with, the sheer scale of the development would fundamentally change the scale and character of the town centre and their outlook of the world.

I have concerns that on an already congested road, large volumes of traffic will be generated causing even more delays and congestion on the Warburton Highway.

I cannot agree to rezone residential land so close to a township to business for this sort of overdevelopment, the residential land, which is currently vacant, could be used to develop 11 residential blocks or something like aged care accommodation, a far more appropriate proposition for the site.

If this supermarket application goes ahead it will be the largest supermarket in the Shire of Yarra Ranges, it is a complete overdevelopment of Seville. It is too big, I have concerns about the loss of residential land and I did not think the application had merit to be put on exhibition.

This time round the council voted to seek authorisation from the Minister of Planning to prepare and exhibit a planning scheme amendment to rezone the land and accept the concurrent planning application for the supermarket, specialty shops, petrol station, car wash and car parking.

It was one other councillor and myself who opposed the motion.
(note: Cr McRae was an apology for this council meeting)

dust suppression triples

report from the roundtable - 27 Oct

It was with great pleasure that I moved a motion to triple the amount of unsealed roads treated under the Shire's Dust Suppression Program.

Dust gets into everything, the washing, the windows, residents on dirt roads get covered with dust. Based on the trials of Roadseal 201 residents will enjoy less dusty summers.

The Shire has been trialling a new product and incorporated it into our grading program. This means that rather than treating on 10% of dirt roads in the shire, now 30% of roads will be treated for dust suppression.

Time and time again residents have raised the issue of dust from unsealed roads with me. Now the weather is a lot drier residents start to experience large quantities of dust from October onwards. The recent rains have given residents a bit of a reprieve but in the height of summer roads become very dusty.

It is expected that the new product will improve the stability of the road as well as suppressing the dust from the roads. The program will treat all unsealed road sections that carry more than 150 vehicles a day and will include collector roads.

Councillors supported the motion unanimously.

helen caldicott coming to belgrave – 15 Nov

I was pleased to help sponsor Clean Energy, a forum where Dr Helen Caldicott will talk about why nuclear is not the best option for energy production.

This event will inspire individuals to make a stand and have some input into the direction of their own future.

You will hear how individuals can make a difference
You will hear about the advantages of renewable energy Dr Helen Caldicott will explain why nuclear power is not the best option
You will know how you can make your voice heard

Back in August, 2007 I moved the following motion following an address to Council about opposition to nuclear power plants and nuclear waste from a concerned citizen.

‘That Council move a motion at the MAV State Council calling for the rejection of the location of nuclear reactors across Victoria.’

Clean Energy is an event not to be missed and we are fortunate that Dr Caldicott has agreed to come to Belgrave to speak about this issue.

what: CLEAN ENERGY
when: Sunday 15th November 2009 4pm - 6pm
where: Cameo Cinema, 1628 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave, VIC
cost: Tickets at the door $15 / $10 concession / Cameo card holders (bookings not necessary)
need more info? contact Willem Oudyk - GENI Foundation on 03 9756 7307, 0418 872 400 or

willem.oudyk@genifoundation.org.au

burrinja demolition 2009 ad: a space odyssey

Saturday 31st October & Sunday 1st November
DEMOLITION 2009 AD: A SPACE ODYSSEY
A SUPERNOVA WEEKEND COMMUNITY ARTS FESTIVAL BONANZA!!!

An intergalactic send off has been planned for Burrinja next weekend on Saturday 31st October and Sunday 1st November. Burrinja is soon to be a construction site as the tender is awarded for the construction of a new performing arts centre space.

Emma Johnson, resident artist, has planned DEMOLITION 2009 AD: A SPACE ODYSSEY as a celebration, send off and community arts festival extravaganza. I was pleased to be able to sponsor DEMOLITION 2009 AD: A SPACE ODYSSEY and give Burrinja a fitting farewell.

The weekend’s activities include:

Saturday 31st Oct 10am – 4pm Get into art, music, film and costume with free activities hosted by an elite space team including Alex Legg, Jurek Pajak, Glenn Scolyer, Caroline Mann, Emma Johnson, Isha Molloy, Skeeter, Jess Andrews, Sarah Louise Ricketts, Jenny Hall, Roxanne Hull, Gabby Willmott and even more…..

Saturday 31st Oct 7pm – 11pm
Saturday Night is beanbag night – an evening of experimental entertainment and music from local band TRIACT, byo comfort device for sitting on.

Sunday 1st November 10am – 4pm
Exactly the same as Saturday except at exactly 3:10pm for 6 minutes only participants can run amok squashing and demolishing all the creations.

I look forward to seeing you there to give Burrinja a fitting farewell for now.

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selby spring arts and music festival – a hit

Well done to organisers of the Selby spring arts and music festival. An annual event, now in its 9th year was a wonderful showcase of local art, music and spring flowers. Organisers were kept busy with locals coming to hear and see what Selby had to offer.

Therese Trigg, now a Selby local, played with the Melbourne City Opera Orchestra before deciding to start her own local business.

The All Saints Carlotta Tye Memorial Anglican Church was abuzz with musical performances throughout the weekend and beautiful displays of spring blooms. Whilst the hall was jam packed with works from local artists. It was a great festival and it was wonderful to listen to the Therese Trigg and her trio.

children’s week kicks off at burrinja

Today at Burrinja, Kidsfest Children’s Market and an all day community art project marked the start of Children’s Week. Hosted by Sherbrooke Children’s Centre, the market had something for the whole family. Get into Art was a great opportunity for children to get their hands dirty in the Play with Clay. Children relished the opportunity to create all manner of objects from modelling clay, from toadstools to solar systems, dragons to planes.

A number of activities have been planned across the shire for children’s week including the launch of the Shire’s draft Family and Children’s Strategy on Wednesday 28th Oct at Lillydale Lake as part of the Teddy Bear’s concert.

Click on the image for more details of events across the shire.



I am keen to hear what families think of our draft Family and Children’s Strategy as your input is important to held shape the future for children in the shire. I have been part of the steering group and it has been a great consultative process to date with much input from families, children and service providers.

I look forward to finding out what you think about our draft Family and Children’s Strategy.

350.org in belgrave

Yesterday was the International Day of Climate Change Action organised by 350.org. People across the world in 187 countries organised 350.org events to show their government leaders that they want action and realistic targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions so carbondioxide levels in the atmosphere are brought back to 350 parts per million (CO2 is currently sitting at 387ppm).

I, along with the Southern Dandenongs Community Nursery, was pleased to donate 350 plants to hand out to locals as part of the event.

Belgrave hosted its own 350.org event with locals near and far coming out to write messages on leaves sewn onto a community tree banner.

I spoke at the event and talked about the urgent need for action on climate change now. People are angry and frustrated at the lack of action on climate change and I urged them to channel their passion and energy into changing the political will of government.

Over one hundred people came out to march around Belgrave to show their support to 350.org. I have heard that some believe this is a federal issue, and yes 350.org is specifically targeted at the federal levels of government who will be going to Copenhagen to negotiate world targets to address climate change.

Climate Change is a matter for all tiers of government and requires a whole of government and community response if we are going to see the sort of cuts required to ensure our ongoing wellbeing. It is up to all of us to take action.

belgrave south & heights sewerage gets closer

Today I went along to the community consultations about the proposed sewerage program for Belgrave South and Heights being held by South East Water.

The project has been brought forward on the sewerage backlog program because of the significant environmental benefits it will deliver to waterways and the environment in the region. The sewer system being proposed is called a hybrid system. Most of the system will be pumped under pressure and directed towards Zigzag Road, where it will then become a gravity flow system down to the valley to the existing sewer at Birdsland.

From left to right: Cr Samantha Dunn – Lyster Ward councillor, Gordon Burr – Project Manager Pressure Systems South East Water and Barbara Ferry-Smith Manager Customer Relations South East Water.

Engineers for the project advise that they plan to install most of the pipes by directional boring, rather than open cut trenching as this helps avoid impact on vegetation, however boring could be challenging given the amount of rocky terrain in the region.

South East Water will take core samples every three to five hundred metres to try to ascertain what techniques they will need to use to install the system. I have been told that approximately 30 trees will require removal as part of the project, however I’ve yet to see details about what trees and where. The sewerage project will need to come to council for planning approval.

On day one of the weekend consultation over 200 community members attended to find out more about the program. Residents were very positive about the program, many not believing they would ever see sewerage come to Belgrave South. I congratulate South East Water for their efforts in getting the message out there to community members.

bunkering down

report from the roundtable – 13 Oct

At this council meeting I raised the issue of private fire bunkers. I’ve been very concerned that residents are installing bunkers across the Dandenongs with no clear regulations about their efficacy.

In the Black Saturday fires seven people died in three different locations in fire bunkers and I do not want more to see more people suffer the same fate.

Fire bunker ads are appearing everywhere, with no construction standards in place this is very concerning.

In August the Building Commissioner called for an urgent investigation into fire bunkers, in September the Royal Commission said regulations into fire bunkers can’t wait until they hand down their next recommendations, in October the ACCC announced it was taking action against false claims in relation to bunker safety.

I thought it was important that Yarra Ranges Council added its voice and concern about the lack of guidelines and regulations governing the construction of bunkers and moved the following motion:

That Council write to the State Government, with a copy to local State Parliamentarians, requesting that guidelines and regulations governing the construction and installation of private bushfire bunkers be developed as a matter of urgency.

The motion was supported unanimously.

It is a critical issue for all Victorians in high fire danger regions and it must be given the most urgent attention.

Death fear over Yarra Valley fire bunkers
19 Oct 09 by Bryan Allchin

'Fiery tomb' fears for bunkers
20 Oct 09 by Gilbert Gardiner

Bunker mentality
20 Oct 09 by Tania Martin

selby's map a marvel

This morning I presented the students and teachers at Selby Primary School with the inaugural Best HabitAT Map award as part of the Shire of Yarra Ranges Learning for Sustainability Program.

Me pictured with the dedicated teachers of Selby Primary Schools and Learning for Sustainability officers from the Shire of Yarra Ranges.

Selby Primary School’s winning HabitAT Map entry involved a team of grade 3 and 4 students who called themselves the ‘SWAT Squad’ (Saving Wildlife and Trees). The team of students conducted an audit of their school ground’s habitat value using the HabitAT School Census; a biodiversity audit tool for schools which includes student worksheets and teacher notes made available through the Shire’s Environment Department.

The SWAT Team - Saving Wildlife and Trees.

The SWAT team then began to plan improvements to the quality of their local habitat using the school’s own fauna database and a flora list obtained from the Yarra Ranges Plant Directory on the Council’s website. The plan is an amazing mural including a replica of puffing billy, whose wheel’s detail the many elements required to improve the school’s sustainability. It is truly breathtaking.

Their plan is assisting students to make informed decisions about what to plant to encourage wildlife back into their school grounds.

This 5 metre mural was Selby Primary's stunning entry to the HabitAT Awards.

It was a great pleasure to present the school with a beautiful perpetual trophy, crafted by local scrap metal artist from Yarra Glen, Justin Purser. The school also received:
An enlarged photograph of an aspect of the school's habitat, highlighting the school's success in the HabitAT School Award, plus
$700 worth of materials provided by the Shire's Ribbons of Green program for additional understorey plants or mulch for projects within the school, plus
$400 provided by the Shire's Learning for Sustainability schools program (within existing budget). Each application must specify how the school wishes to spend these funds to enhance on-ground works and/or student learning in the field of biodiversity, plus
A choice between an excursion or incursion run by one of the supporting environmental education partners (including Natural Resource Conservation League (NRCL based at Warburton Water Wheel), Healesville Sanctuary, Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater (based in Macclesfield) and the Learning for Sustainability team (SYR)

The primary school children are very enthusiastic about their environment, their entry into the HabitAT award was outstanding and shows their great passion and commitment to improving habitat on their school grounds. Our future is in good hands.

350.org in belgrave

The 24th October is International Day of Action for Climate Change. I was proud to support a local 350.org event in Belgrave by providing native plants to hand out to passers by.

Current science is suggesting 350 parts per million (ppm) of carbon in the atmosphere is the target needed to avoid runaway climate change. The world’s atmosphere is currently at 386ppm and the Federal Government is using 450ppm as their goal for greenhouse gas reductions. 450ppm is too high and we must strive for lower levels of carbon in our atmosphere.

"we know what the problem is
we have the technology to fix it
but where is the political will?
THE GREENS
Saving the world is a job for everyone"

Kristy Henderson was at the Belgrave Bazaar Market on Saturday encouraging locals to complete a ‘leaf’ in response to climate change. Leaves will be sewn onto a Communal Climate Change Tree Banner. If you haven’t got a leaf and would like one, visit Jane at Local and Global in Belgrave.

I encourage you to come along, the event starts 11am at Belgrave Library followed by parade and procession to James Merlino's office on Burwood Highway. Activities include a BBQ and massive chalk up, there’s also a Best Banner Competition (make your own and prize given out for the best).

It is time to show government that we want action and real targets that will start to address the ever increasing carbon levels in our atmosphere.

fire forum, emerald

Today I attended a bushfire forum held by Tammy Lobato (MP for Gembrook) in Emerald. Speakers included the CFA, Emergency Services Deputy Commissioner, Joe Buffone who spoke about warnings, fire index levels and communication, there were also presentations by DSE and the Shire of Cardinia.

Joe Buffone, talked about the need for a whole of community approach to prepare for the fire season. He also talked about the new warnings and communication strategies for bushfire as well.

The new Household Bushfire Self Assessment Tool available on the CFA website was also highlighted. It is a step by step tool to assess your risk and will help you inform your fire plan.

It is a great initiative, Tammy is holding another forum in the Shire of Yarra Ranges too, details are:
When: 12 noon to 4:30pm, Sunday 18th October
Where:Upper Yarra Arts Centre Mechanics Institute, Warburton Hwy, Warburton (Melways ref: 290 B4 – google maps link)

landcare plants up emerald

Today I dropped in on the John’s Hill Landcare group who were celebrating 7 years of work in the local region. The festivities including planting up behind the scout hall in Emerald, ably assisted by the first Selby Scouts, a walk Hogans Park to see the wildflowers and a talk by John Hick from Trust for Nature about the Trust and about their work on addressing climate change by capturing carbon in new plantings.

The John’s Hill Landcare group are a well oiled machine, after digging holes, a spoon of water crystals go in, then the plant goes in with a weed mat fitted over the top. Here I am on water crystal duties. This planting included grasses, understorey plants and a few canopy trees too.

burning off, how to work out windspeed?

When the new open air burning local law came into effect a new provision was that no burning be undertaken when wind speeds are greater than 15kph.

But how do you tell?

I have found the easiest way is to check the Bureau of Meteorology’s website and look up the Dunn’s Hill weather station (see link) or for those in the southern reaches of the shire it’s worthwhile checking a local weather station located at Hancock’s Daffodil Farm in Menzies Creek (see link).

In Residential Bushland areas (most of the Dandenong Ranges) burning off for fire reduction purposes is allowed only on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays between 8am and 6pm. Fires must be extinguished no later than 6pm.

Other laws that apply to burning off in Residential Bushland, Urban and Rural zones across the Shire include:

No lighting fires on Sundays.
No lighting fires on Smog Alert Days.
No lighting fires on Total Fire Ban Days.
No lighting fires during the Declared Fire Danger Period without a permit.
Burning off is permitted for fuel reduction purposes only.
Never burn when the wind speed is more than 15km/h.
Fires must be supervised at all times by an adult.
Water supply from a hose or a container with at least 10 litres of water must be available at the site of the fire.
A fire must not cause nuisance through excessive smoke outside of a property boundary or create a hazard on a public highway.
Burning wet or green vegetation and other materials which produce excessive smoke is prohibited.

Don’t know if you live in a Residential Bushland, Urban or Rural zone? Then check the maps in the Shire’s guide to the Open Air Burning Local law, visit this link to find out more.

clean up for fire season - free green waste tipping

Residents can now take advantage of free green waste tipping across the Shire of Yarra Ranges. From the 10th October through to the 8th November residents can take their green waste to Coldstream, Healesville, Wesburn and Lysterfield Transfer Stations for no charge.

I encourage residents to take up the offer to make their properties free of fire fuels. Now is the time we should all be making a concerted effort to remove bark, leaves, twigs and dead undergrowth around our properties.

Over the weekend Selby CFA, along with environmentalists and local residents, raked up fire fuels and then burnt them along the weedier edges of the Selby Park. This is a follow on from the work the brigade has done along Nation Road. This project is being considered as a pilot for other appropriate sites in the shire. It is a great example of agencies, environmentalists and residents working together to make communities more fire safe.

Like many Shire reserves, Selby Park contains some very significant flora and high conservation areas, these areas were carefully raked to remove fire fuels without compromising the environmental values of the site. Here myself, the CFA, Shire and local environmental expert, Darcy Duggan, discuss the level of fire fuel required to be cleared to achieve a reduced fire load without compromising the environment.

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It was a great example of agencies working together to achieve a positive outcome for our community.

sherbrooke community school plans for habitat

Earlier this week I had the great pleasure attending Sherbrooke Community School to see them receive the inaugural Best HabitAT Plan award as part of the Shire of Yarra Ranges Learning for Sustainability Program.

The school was presented with a stunning perpetual trophy and a range of other prizes in recognition of their efforts towards sustainability, through the protection and enhancement of their school’s environmental habitat.

From left to right: Year 11 teacher Denise Dempster, Year 11 student Robert Pergl and Cr Samantha Dunn. Denise has a very keen and committed group of students who have worked hard to plan a wildlife corridor through the school.











The other winning schools, Mountain District Christian School was presented with its award in the HabitAT Action category and I will be presenting Selby Primary School with their HabitAT Map award at assembly on Monday morning (12/10).

The Council’s HabitAT School Awards competition was launched this year as part of Yarra Ranges Learning for Sustainability school program, in partnership with Healesville Sanctuary, Threatened Species Network (WWF-Australia), Natural Resources Conservation League and Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater.

The awards highlight the environmental achievements of Yarra Ranges schools and their work towards improving local ecosystems.

Independent judges, including representatives from Natural Resources Conservation League, Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater and Friends of Leadbeaters Possum, selected the winning schools for each of the three categories: HabitAT Map, HabitAT Plan and HabitAT Action.

Last Tuesday was a fitting day for Sherbrooke Community School to receive its award, being World Habitat Day. Sherbrooke Community School have a great commitment to sustainability and their work on involved protecting some indigenous vegetation the students identified on their school grounds to provide a corridor for wildlife from the Dandenong Ranges National Park to the Sassafras Creek Reserve

They are an inspiration to others and worthy award recipients.

free trees for ribbons of green

If you’d like to participate in Yarra Ranges’ Ribbons of Green program then you have till November this year to order your trees. Indigenous tube stock can be ordered for planting on both public and private land as part of the project.

The Ribbons of Green program has been developed to assist schools and private landholders establish bush style habitat, the program also assists community groups who revegetate council land.

Originally developed to reduce council’s Co2 emissions from our fleet vehicles (heavy and light), the program has developed into a more complex planting program to enrich biodiversity, so not only trees are planted, but valuable understorey plants are part of the program too.

Ribbons of Green is a program that focuses on a myriad of different issues including linking existing habitats, erosion controls, weed reduction and stock shelter.

The program has been immensely successful, this year 75,000 indigenous tube stock was planted on private and public land.

If you are interested in participating contact David Carr on d.carr@yarraranges.vic.gov.au or phoning 1300 368 333.

Free tree guards, stakes and weed mats are also be available to help the plants establish in the ground, as well as advice on how to prepare sites for planting, controlling weeds and selecting appropriate species for different locations.

Applications are assessed on the environmental benefits that can be achieved from the site, so existing vegetation, property size, land use and linkages with state or national parks and waterways will be considered as part of the assessment process.

If you’re interested get your application in soon!

belgrave rec reserve gets droughtproofed

Work is set to begin on a major oval renovation for Belgrave. The works include converting the ground to summer, drought tolerant grasses and improving drainage at the ground.

The old surface will be removed and a new surface constructed then warm season grass will be sown. Warm season grasses require less watering and provide a better quality, longer lasting surface.

The surface needs time to establish so it won’t be able to be used by cricket and football in the short term. However the short term pain will bring long term gains as Belgrave has a more drought tolerant, better quality ground for our community.

rod quantock, oxfam and climate change

Last night I went along to Rod Quantock’s show Bugger the Polar Bears, This is Serious, a fundraiser for the Dandenong Ranges branch of Oxfam. Oxfam spoke about the Sisters on the Planet campaign and showed the plight of Ursula from the Carteret Islands in the Pacific. The islands are being inundated due to sea level rise and Ursula is actively seeking higher ground on behalf of her community.

Rod Quantock's show, although hilarious, addressed the very serious matter of climate change. Rod took us on a riotous journey including an interactive time scale from the big bang through to today, a sample of the mainstream media and climate science in a way only he can. He also shared his passion for passionfruit sponges, only wish I had one to give him!

The Carterets are a small group of islands off Bougainville in Papua New Guinea. The community has built sea walls and planted mangrove trees, but they cannot stop the erosion from eating away the shoreline and destroying their gardens. “We have lost our staple food crop, which is swamp taro. We can grow a bit of bananas, but that’s also going down,” Ursula explains.

Islanders are surviving on fish and coconut. Ursula’s people are being forced to migrate, but she is determined they will have a place to go where their culture and dignity are preserved. She has set up an organisation called Tulele Peisa, or “Sailing the waves on
our own”, to coordinate the relocation. They have secured land in the Tinputz district of Bougainville and are moving forward with plans to build houses.

Ursula’s story highlights the need for urgent action to address our ever increasing rise in greenhouse gas emissions. Rod’s show did the same thing too, in a very funny, yet serious way.

We cannot sit back, we all need to act to ensure those in power know we demand action now, our children’s very existence depends on it.

selby cfa – cleaning up for community

The Selby CFA are being very proactive in the lead up to this year’s fire season. Concentrating in areas where residential properties and bush (reserves and forests) intersect, the brigade has sought permission to conduct burning off activities from the Shire, Parks Victoria and the CFA. I was very happy to support their positive actions.

The Brigade has spent many volunteer hours raking up bark, twigs and dead undergrowth then burning them off to reduce the amount of fire fuel at the residential interface.

Selby CFA cleaning up today on Nation Road where Sherbrooke Forest is on one side of the road, people's houses on the other.

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The brigade is concentrating on Nation Road and Selby Park on the Belgrave Gembrook Road.

It’s a great initiative and once again highlights the commitment of CFA members to their local community – well done Selby CFA!

desal doco coming to dandenongs

Magpie House is showing Out of the Blue, the Bass Coast Desalination Plant documentary. Out of the Blue is made by professional film-maker Jeremy Loftus-Hills and follows the difficulties a community environment group has in opposing a government not prepared to listen.




Where:
Magpie House, 48 Main Street, Upwey

When:
7:30pm Saturday 10th October

Cost:
by donation

transition towns: dandenong ranges

adapting our communities to climate change and peak oil

I was pleased to help facilitate funding for this important community strengthening workshop. I was approached by some interested community members about funding for Transition Towns training. I was keen to support the workshop, make cost of the workshops more affordable and see the training delivered locally. Many people have expressed an interest in Transition Towns and Energy Descent Plans for townships across the Dandenongs.

Kevin and I at the Tecoma Community Garden, Kevin is the most amazing recycler I have ever come across. This arbour he created is made of old ladders which were being thrown away. The Tecoma Community Garden gives people the opportunity to garden in a social and caring environment and is a practical way to play a role in Transistioning your Town.

This workshop is both a practical and informative introduction to the logic and framework of the Transition Towns model. This grassroots international movement builds localised and resilient communities in response to climate change and peak oil. The workshop is both informative and experiential, weaving together practice and theory, and the transition required at both the personal and community level in order to build a resilient and sustainable community.

When:
Saturday Oct 31st & Sunday Nov 1st, 2009
9:30am - 5:30pm, both days

Where:
Birdsland Environmental Education Centre, Birdsland Reserve, McNicol Rd, Belgrave

Cost:
$55 / $35 concession
Limited spaces available
Advance bookings & payment required

RSVP by 25th October to Kristy Henderson at kmhen7@gmail.com

photos for 350.org

The Alternative Technology Association (ATA) is taking part in the 350.org International Day of Climate Action by organising an online photo gallery of sustainable living. They are collecting 350 photos of people living sustainable lives to be shared online in an image gallery from October 24.

All you need to do is take photos of yourself / family / friends with your favourite sustainable technology or activity. It could be you taking public transport to work, showing off your new solar hot water system or water tank, or your household having a vegie dinner.

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Send your photo direct to

350photos@ata.org.au. Be sure to include your first name and the location of the photo. If you'd like to know more visit the ATA Global Day of Action site.

For more info on International Day of Climate Action around the world join 350.org

stop press...stop press...Local events for 350.org are being organised, watch this space for more info...

heliport halted

report from the roundtable – 22 Sep

At this week’s council meeting, councillors had to consider an application for a heliport at Balgownie Estate in Yarra Glen. I had concerns about the application, so when Cr McRae moved a motion to refuse the application I readily seconded the motion.

The Yarra Valley is one of Yarra Ranges jewels, I'm not convinced that tourists are going to enjoy the tranquility and spectacular vistas of the region with helicopters buzzing overhead 12 times a day.

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I was concerned about the impact on residents and tourists to the Yarra Valley. The Yarra Valley is a place with high landscape values prized by locals and visitors alike and I thought the helipad was an undesirable intensification that would not enhance the region.

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I was concerned for the locals, children and adults, who are still deeply traumatised by the sound of helicopters after the Black Saturday bushfires. Even though this is not a planning matter we need to take into consideration the significant trauma suffered by locals and as a resident of the Dandenong Ranges I know that helicopter activity in Summer means danger.

The region is zoned Green Wedge, land that must be protected for its environmental or agricultural values, in this case this is a significant agricultural region of the shire and I cannot see how a stand alone helicopter operation can be considered as operating in conjunction with an agricultural activity. To me this is the baseline for measuring applications in Green Wedge, if the use is not compatible with environmental or agricultural purpose then it probably isn’t a good fit.

The application is not complimentary to the area, it is intrusive to the community and tourists who visit a green and tranquil place and we want it to stay this way.

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Councillors voted unanimously to refuse the application.

vision 2020, reviewed and ratified

report from the roundtable – 22 Sep

At this meeting council endorsed and adopted our Community Plan Vision 2020. Vision 2020 was first developed in 1999 and represents the aspirations of our community and what they envisage in the future for Yarra Ranges. We have just been through a review process to check in with community that the vision still represents their aspirations.

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From the review came the identification of ten community priorities and it is no surprise to me that Ecological Sustainability tops the list. Other priorities include:

Connecting the community
Council’s role – good governance
Affordable and sustainable housing
Farming
Youth and children
Ageing population
Transport
Localising the economy
Mental and physical health.

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What really impresses me about this review of Vision 2020 is the amount of children involved in the review, I believe for the first time. 196 children participated in a survey and artwork program with a further 31 participating in a children’s workshop.

It is an impressive document, a true vision for our community and council will use it to guide us in all our activities.

etc talks train failures

Earlier this week I attended the Select Committee on Train Services public hearing to give evidence on behalf of the Eastern Transport Coalition. The committee was set up to inquire into the factors leading to and causes of failures in the provision of metropolitan and V/Line train services.

Boarding data shows a clear commuter preference for express trains, with maximum loads on these trains and "stopping all stations" trains carrying significant lower loads. The failure of the system to provide adequate express services represents further failure in the system, whilst infrastructure, single, double or triple tracks are a major determinant of system capacity.

For the ETC there are two key factors that have caused a failure in the provision of train services
Failure to invest sufficient funds since 1960
Failure to plan for new extensions and increases in capacity of rail over the same time

The failure is evidenced by
Overcrowded services on existing lines
Total reliance on inefficient buses to undertake trunk operations in under serviced areas (Rowville / Doncaster / Yarra Ranges)
Inability of the system to cope with increases in patronage
High car ownership levels in the outer east

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This can be resolved by
Capacity increases on Belgrave, Lilydale, Cranbourne, Pakenham and Glen Waverley Lines
An extension of heavy rail from Huntingdale to Rowville
A fixed heavy rail line to Doncaster

For 50 minutes I spoke on a range of issues in relation to train services and their failures in the East, the discussion also turned to bus services, the bus service reviews and better integrated public transport services across the east of Melbourne.

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For Yarra Ranges key points included increasing the capacity of the Ringwood/Belgrave/Lilydale lines, track duplications and triplications and over used car parks along the rail lines. Also up for discussion was the lack of integration between buses and trains, particularly evening peak services.

awesome ornithorinkids

Today I went to learn more about our local platypus population in the Monbulk Creek. The Southern Dandenongs Landcare Group had organised Awesome “Ornithorinkids”, a chance for children to learn about what they can do to help our platypus in the wild.

Part of the children's activities was naming this friendly platypus, in the end she was dubbed 'Tilly'.

The afternoon was full of activities with children getting their face painted, making platypus, colouring in, playing games with the help of the Len Jeffrey Pre School from Belgrave South.

Low flows of Monbulk Creek are a likely contributor to the drop in platypus numbers in the Monbulk Creek.

Dr Rod Armistead spoke to the group about the water quality of Monbulk Creek, recent platypus activity and platypus counts that have seen a drop in the local population. Rod talked about how important it was to make sure platypus had good habitat and food sources. He also spoke of the danger of rubbish to platypus, particularly plastic, fishing line/nets and elastic/hair bands.

This is Rod and I in front of a section of Belgrave Lake where a significant infestation of Willows has been removed by the Melbourne Waterways Alliance. Platypus numbers are most likely at sites where substantial numbers of native trees and shrubs grow on the banks. It won't be long before natural regeneration will see this part of the waterway return to good health.

Part of the day included a walk to inspect the recent willow removals in the Belgrave Lake (see blog). Willows create an impenetrable mat which prevents platypus from feeding in that part of the lake, their leaves contain a chemical that has an adverse effect on water quality so they are bad news for our local platypus.

From left to right: Merlin Brown - Friends of Monbulk Ck Colby Drive, Hilary Doulton - Belgrave South Community House, Darcy Duggan - Southern Dandenongs Landcare Group, Cr Samantha Dunn - Lyster ward, Jackie Glenn - Southern Dandnongs Landcare Group, Vicki Boyle - Southern Dandenongs Landcare Group and Anne Elizabeth - Friends of Hazelvale Valley. All passionate about our environment and committing many volunteer hours to the task of making our environment weed free and in good health.

It was a great day out and we all got some tips about how to spot our local platypus and the part we can play in making sure their ongoing survival. Well done to the SDLG, it was a great learning experience for young and old alike!

yarra valley open studio hits the ground running

Yarra Valley Open Studios was a great success over this weekend. I found myself travelling from McMahons Creek, where I visited local artist Christine Goode right through to Julia Peddie, a painter, in Healesville. I also popped in on the Marysville artists showing their work at the Church St Gallery.

Julia Peddie, painter from Healesville with one of her works. Julia's works have great depth, built up layer upon layer. She now finds herself moving on from a focus on bushfire to regeneration which is the subject of this piece.

Artists were excited about the success of the Open Studio weekend, their visitor books overflowing with entries and positive feedback. I look forward to seeing this event become a regular entry on our annual events calendar. Well done to all involved.