report from the round table 27th May

A very planning orientated agenda at council last night, a lot of subdivisions to vote on, a dwelling construction and a couple of planning scheme amendments. Yarra Ranges is a very diverse shire and I find I need to have a very good understanding of the issues in the urban, environmentally sensitive and rural regions. The decisions council makes leaves a lasting impression on the shire and is not something to be taken lightly.

I’ve decided this time in my Report From The Round Table to list the meetings and events I've attended as councillor for Lyster Ward in the past fortnight.
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Wednesday
Filmed by a Swinburne student from Selby about the shire’s stance on GMOs
Met with officers to discuss festivals and events in the shire
Met with the community to talk about a masterplan for the Belgrave South sporting precinct
Participated in the development of a campaign strategy to get back federal funds for Burrinja
Thursday
Went to the launch of Open Studios at Burrinja
Friday
Special Council Meeting to appoint Yarra Ranges’ new CEO
Saturday
Spoke at a GMO forum put on by GeneEthics, giving advice to people across Victoria about how to approach their council to become GM free zones
Monday
Another follow up meeting to develop campaign strategy for Burrinja
Met with the community about the Menzies Creek Reserve
Tuesday
Went to the Council Forum, where councillors and officers meet to discuss issues
Wednesday
Attended the Shire’s Sustainable Food Forum
Met with a local sports club to discuss a redevelopment in Kilsyth
Attended an initial planning meeting to discuss my, Cr McRae and Cr Keane’s event to celebrate 100 years of women’s vote in Victoria
Met with concerned community members about the Belgrave toilet redevelopment
Thursday
Went to the Grab-a-Cab Forum at SkyHigh
Attended the planning consultation meeting for Burrinja
Friday
Met with a resident to discuss their application to build a house in an environmentally sensitive area
Spoke at the Forest and Water Forum in Warburton
Saturday
Visited eight local artist studios as part of Open Studios weekend
Sunday
Visited Fernlea House open day
Went to the Scouts Family Fun Day in Belgrave South
Monday
Went to the Belgrave Trader’s Association meeting
Attended the Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service Public Meeting to discuss the future of the service
Tuesday
Met with officers to discuss the Belgrave Planning Project
And finished the fortnight with our Council meeting

One of the stand out things I’ve learnt in the last fortnight is the desperate plight of the disadvantaged and homeless people in our community. I learnt if someone from our community wants to have a free shower in a public facility to do so they have to travel to Wantirna, on a Friday and be there between 9am and 11:30am. In such an affluent society as ours this is a crying shame. I am investigating if I can address this issue locally in the short term, I hope a quick solution can be found.

forests, arts, palliative care, scouts - a busy weekend out and about

What a busy weekend it has been, I started the weekend up at Warburton speaking at a Forests & Water forum put on by the local community.

The Warburton community have been very disturbed by the logging trucks that have been going through the town at a very rapid rate. (This has stopped now as logging doesn’t occur over the wetter months).
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Sarah Rees from the Central Highlands Alliance and me with 'Legacy' a book produced by TCHA to highlight the legacy we are squandering by continuing to log Melbourne's water catchments.
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They cannot understand why our catchments are being logged in a time of water scarcity. Neither can Yarra Ranges Council so that’s why we oppose logging of Melbourne’s catchments.

It has been very satisfying to see that nine other municipalities have joined with Yarra Ranges to oppose logging, with council 9 and 10 being the City of Melbourne and the Maroondah City Council. This represents over 1.2 million Melburnians, I hope the state government is paying attention.

Next stop on this busy weekend was Open Studios, a weekend where local artists throw open their studio doors and welcome the public to talk about their art, their inspiration, their lives. I managed to get round to 8 studios and was warmly welcomed by the artists. It’s a great initiative, a great drive around the Dandenongs and it cements our region as a place of great creativity.


Anne and Helen from Fernlea House with Charles 'Bud' Tingwell and me. Charles spoke about his career from the early days and how it continued after his wife died. Charles cared for his wife throughout her illness but never saw himself as a 'carer', just doing what family does.
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On Sunday I dropped into Open Day at Fernlea House, who provide palliative care services for the hills region. It has been a very tumultuous time for the house, their federal funding was cut meaning the service could only be provided to 30 June. A reprieve was granted after a fair degree of people power highlighted the plight through the mainstream media, with the minister granting Fernlea funding to continue the service in the short term.

However the house still has a shortfall in funding and an ever increasing need to provide palliative care services in our region. I wish them well in their discussions with the minister and will do as much as I can to support them in their efforts to secure long term funding at a state and federal level.

Me at Lloyd Park, Belgrave South, getting to know the finer arts of firing water cannons, archery, poi making, bridge climbing and all sorts of scouting fun.
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Last on the list of events for the weekend was the Scout’s Family Fun Day in Belgrave South. There were all manner of devices, contraptions and activities for children to participate in and children had the opportunity to experience the many facets of scouting. It was a great event and very well attended.

It’s been a busy weekend, but a great way to experience the Dandenongs (and Yarra Ranges) there’s a lot on offer with a lot to offer!

plug the pipe muster...3 june...more info

TUESDAY 3RD JUNE 2008

LOCK UP THE FARM,

SHUT UP THE SHOP,

TAKE THE DAY OFF

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BRING GRANDMA, GRANDPA AND THE KIDS

JOIN THE CONVOY DOWN THE HUME FREEWAY WITH YOUR UTE, CAR, TRUCK, SEMI

(Placards, signs, revolving flashing beacons on vehicles if you can)

>>>MEET: 10.30AM SHARP KILMORE MAIN STREET AT THE TOILET FACILITIES NEXT TO THE BOWLING CLUB AND OPPOSITE LANCEFIELD ROAD TURN OFF VICROADS P293 REF: O9
>>>BRIEFING THEN DEPART KILMORE 11AM SHARP
>>>ARRIVE: 12.30PM PARLIAMENT HOUSE, SPRING STREET

BYO FOOD & DRINK

Details of where to meet in YARRA RANGES: Dixons Creek, Steels Creek, Yarra Glen

If you wish to join the convoy meet in Yea at 9.30am, in the main street outside the swimming pool.

Alternatively go direct to Melbourne and meet at Parliament House. Look out for me, I'll be there and I hope a huge contingent from Yarra Ranges will be there too!

More info - vist http://www.plugthepipe.com/

community action - save burrinja

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See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.

Who are the three wise monkeys turning a blind eye?
Rudd, Albanese, Garrett?

Me and Cr Noel Cliff at the launch of Open Studios at Burrinja last week.

Burrinja launches a Night of

COMMUNITY ACTION to SAVE THEATRE

Burrinja and the local arts community come out fighting to save performing arts for the Dandenong Ranges. On this coming Thursday May 29, they’ll be holding the ‘Save our Theatre’ Night of Community Action at Burrinja.

I'll be there to show my support, the process used to assess the projects under the Regional Partnerships Program has been atrocious with valid, genuine projects like Burrinja getting the chop. It's a slap in the face to our community who have worked hard over many years to make sure this project gets off the ground.

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Sue-Ann Post, the local comedian with the national reputation, will host the program. The night promises to bring the community together to rally against the Federal Government’s decision to axe the Regional Partnership Program and renege on their promise of $2m to help redevelop the Burrinja cultural centre.

Among the special guest performers giving their time and talent to this great cause are Tracey Roberts, Dave McFarlane, Claptonesque, Michael Connell, musicians from the ‘Classics in the Café series’, Stax and more.

The night will include mystery appearances by "Kevin 07" and the "Federal Hatchet Man".

The night starts at 7pm and runs until around 10pm. Entry is by Donation, with all proceeds going to the performers and the funding action campaign.

from the round table - 13th May

It was a busy night at council this week with a lot of late items up for discussion, sometimes that’s just how it falls. "Late items through the chair" is always on the agenda and enables councillors to bring up any matters not listed on the agenda. Below is a short summary of some the issues raised this time round…

Wood and Water Project
"The Wood and Water Project - Harvesting in State forests supplying water to Melbourne" was set up as a flow from the 21st Century Melbourne: a WaterSmart City report and the Water White Paper. The project is to provide information for the Government to make decisions about the sustainable management of the State Forests that supply water to Melbourne. I sit on the Sustainability Assessment Stakeholder Reference Group and was very concerned to hear that of all the forestry management options being considered for assessment, ceasing logging immediately (2009/10) was not even on the table for consideration. I am concerned as to how government can make a fully informed decision if a full range of options including ceasing logging are not considered. As a result of my concerns I moved the following motion to see if council shared my concerns. I’m pleased to report that council unanimously supported me and my concerns.

Resolved on the motion of Crs Dunn and McRae
That Council writes to:
The Premier, John Brumby, the Minister for Water, Tim Holding, the Minister for Environment, Gavin Jennings, Ms Nina Cullen, Director, Public Land Policy, Department of Environment and Sustainability, Ms Mary Crooks, Chair Wood and Water Sustainability Assessment Project, Ms Joanne Wallace, Senior Policy Officer, Department of Sustainability and Environment and Ms Jodi Newcombe, Economist, URS Pty Ltd before the next Stakeholder Reference Group Meeting on the 2nd June, 2008, detailing the case for including as part of the assessments for the Wood and Water Project the option of ceasing logging in Melbourne's water catchments by 2009/10 and including reference to the 8 councils who have recently opposed logging in Melbourne's water catchments.
A Division was called.
For: Crs Heenan, Warren, Smith, Dunn, Avery, Keane, McRae, Cliff and Cox
Against: Nil

Sugarloaf Interconnector Pipeline Project
This project continues to move ahead in spite of a groundswell of opposition and a lack of information supporting the claimed water savings. Council requested that information on the claimed water savings be provided, to date we’re still waiting. In the latest turn of events seismic testing has been taking place in the Toolangi State Forest, there is a great deal of uncertainty as to whether this type of activity is allowed under a “controlled action”, our community needs to know so we hope the Federal Minister for Environment responds swiftly to our request.

Resolved on the motion of Crs McRae and Dunn
That Council writes to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett:
1. Requesting that compliance auditing be undertaken under the provisions of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act in regards to the seismic surveys currently being undertaken, in respect of the proposed Sugarloaf Interconnector Pipeline project, in the vicinity of the Toolangi State Forest.
2. Seeking advice as to the legality of the blasting actions so that our community can be informed.
That this letter be faxed through to the Minister on Wednesday, 14 May, 2008.

That a copy of this letter be provided to the State Minister for Planning and Community Development, Justin Madden.

GM Free Municipality
It was with some concern that our last request to the state government via the Premier to declare our municipality a GM free zone with powers available under section 21 of the Commonwealth Gene Technology Act 2000 was dismissed with the government response being: “With regard to your suggestion that the Government establish GM and Gm-free areas, the Review Panel considered the issue of segregation and concluded that the market is well placed to ensure segregation of GM and non-GM crops should there be sufficient market demand, and that there is no need for Government involvement”. I’m not sure the government understood our request so I thought it was important that we re-request our municipality be declared a GM free zone.

Resolved on the motion of Crs Dunn and Keane
That Council writes to the Premier, John Brumby, to request that the state government use its powers under the policy principle in Section 21 of the Commonwealth Gene Technology Act 2000, to declare the Shire of Yarra Ranges a GM free municipality.

Feed in Tariff Scheme
I was disappointed to hear that the recent Feed in Tariff Scheme announced would only pay out on excess energy fed into the grid. A system like this does little to stimulate the solar energy sector and discriminates against those who are at home during the daytime. Our community wants to do its bit to generate renewable energy <http://www.eps.vic.edu.au/renewablenergy/> but with policy like this in place it makes it very difficult for anyone to calculate their payback period or be enthusiastic about the change over to solar power generation.

Resolved on the motion of Crs Dunn and Keane
That Council write to the Premier, John Brumby and the Minister for Energy, Peter Batchelor, expressing disappointment with the recently announced Feed in Tariff Scheme that will only provide financial return on excess energy fed into the grid, that such a scheme provides minimal and uncertain financial return and does little for the development of the solar industry in Victoria.

Further to that Council supports a Feed in Tariff Scheme that is based on Gross Production Metering Systems, which has a mandated price over a guaranteed time period to provide certainty for investment and provides fair financial returns to solar panel owners and does not discriminate against families, the elderly and those at home during the daytime (home businesses) who consume electricity during the day.


Federal Government Funding
I was very angry to learn of the axing of funding for the Burrinja Performing Arts Centre Project. This project was due to get funding from the Regional Partnerships Program. On Tuesday night the Rudd Government axed this program and with it funding for Burrinja (see blog entry 14/05). It is important to do all we can as a council to retain this federal funding and I for one will be working hard to ensure we keep the Burrinja project alive.

Resolved on the motion of Crs Cliff and Dunn
That Council support a campaign to retain the Federal Government funding for all projects subject to current funding requests including those within the Regional Partnership Program as well as seeking other sources of funding.

budget cuts burrinja

The Federal budget had an extra sting in its tail when it was delivered last night. It saw the end of the Regional Partnerships Program (RPP) as the program "had fallen short of acceptable standard of public administration, particularly in relation to the assessment of grant applications and the management of funding agreements".

What this means to the proposed Burrinja Performing Arts Centre is a $2million cut from the Federal Government, a significant dent in the project's budget, without it the project will not be able to proceed.

It's disappointing that the audit process for the RPP did not reveal those applications that stood up to public scrutiny. This project was completely legitimate and supported by local and state government. To suggest a lack of acceptable standard of public administration in the case of Burrinja is outrageous, this project has had to jump through many, many hoops to progress to the $9.6million project it is.

I am angered by this decision, our community will be angered by this decision. This has been a long fought project, with many dedicated individuals contributing countless hours to input into its development. And what of the future generations who miss out on the opportunity to be part of a major cultural facility in the region?

Burrinja Performing Arts Centre will make a major contribution to the arts and cultural needs of the local community providing residents, schools and parents with a local major performing arts venue - to take this away from us is denying our community a very necessary facility.

I have no doubt our community will be up in arms when the news hits and I look forward to assisting them in the renewed battle to see this project back on track.

plug the pipe muster

PLUG

THE

PIPE

MUSTER
TUESDAY

JUNE 3rd

AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE 12.00 MIDDAY

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LOCK UP THE FARM, SHUT UP THE SHOP, TAKE THE DAY OFF

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COUNTRY VICTORIA HAS HAD A GUTFUL OF BRUMBY & HOLDING'S BLOODYMINDED STUPIDITY AND DETERMINATION TO TAKE WHAT LITTLE WATER IS LEFT IN THE GOULBURN-MURRAY SYSTEM

WE WILL NOT LET THEM DESTROY OUR ENVIRONMENT & LIVELIHOODS

BRING YOUR UTE,TRUCK,CAR,BIKE TO TRAVEL IN CONVOY DOWN THE HUME HIGHWAY AND TULLAMARINE FREEWAY TO PARLIAMENT HOUSE

ASSEMBLY TIMES AND LOCATIONS ADVERTISED SOON

PLEASE CHECK THE PLUG THE PIPE WEB SITE SOON - http://www.plugthepipe.com/

BRING PLACARDS & SIGNS ON VEHICLES AND TO HOLD

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(my thanks to PlugthePipe for the words)

time for your council to be gm free?

Do you want your council to be GM-free?

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Me and Bob Phelps, Director, GeneEthics Network at a recent forum on GM Canola in Montrose

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GeneEthics are holding a workshop on GM-free Zone Councils. I will be speaking at the workshop to provide advice to people who want their municipalities to be GM free.

Free organic lunch and teas
$s to help you travel if you are far away

When: Saturday May 17, 10am - 4.30pm
Where: 60 Leicester Street, Carlton 3053
Melway ref: Map 2B D10

** RSVP essential: call 1300 133 868 or email info@geneethics.org **

Please attend this free workshop, to help you organise your local GM-free council and learn from the successes of others.

Your strong support is needed to encourage your council to adopt the GM-free policies that Gene Ethics advocates in letters and petitions. Councils will only listen and act if your voices - local ratepayers and residents - are behind GM-free policies.

Already many councils have responded to local GM-free Zone activities, but even these councils can do more! For instance, the Bass Coast, Hepburn and Macedon Shires and the Maribyrnong, Greater Bendigo, Ballarat, Moreland and Yarra City Councils are all reviewing their GM-free status.

The Shire of Yarra Ranges has asked State and Federal Ministers to extend the GM bans and label all GM foods as well as ask the Premier to declare our municipality a GM free zone. see posting Tuesday, February 26, 2008 for wording of council's resolution

Come to the GM-free workshop and find out how to get GM-free activities really moving in your area. Volunteer to be your local contact. Gene Ethics can link you with others in your area who share your concern.

Call 1300 133 868 or email info@geneethics.org to join the local GM-free Zone campaign and to attend this exciting workshop!

there's no place like home

There's a lot of critical issues affecting the Shire at the moment, it's easy to find yourself completely immersed in the issues without taking time out to smell the roses.
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Autumn is a magnificent time in the Dandenongs, the autumn colours, the community events, the chilly nights, the chestnuts.....

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The brilliant colour of Belgrave's Cherry Trees

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Art exhibitions at Burrinja (me and artist Tiffany Bishop at 'A Mother's Cry') - watch this space for info on Open Studios or visit http://www.burrinja.org.au/arts/Content/open_studios/open_studio_frame.htm.
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The great train race - 3000 runners vs Puffing Billy

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The Chestnut Festival in Kalorama

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The magnificent surrounds of Jorgensen's Manor, one of Belgrave's National Trust buildings (now Earthly Pleasures Cafe)

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The colours of autumn in Belgrave

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The Dandenongs - why would you live anywhere else?

pipeline going down brumby's drain

There has been much news about the Sugarloaf Pipeline of late, much of it centred around what a flawed project it is. I couldn't agree more.
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How many more times does Premier Brumby have to hear how stressed the Murray Darling Basin is, before he puts a stop to the North South pipeline project?
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On a recent trip I needed to drive the length of the Melba Highway from the Shire of Yarra Ranges through to the Murrindindi Shire and beyond. I was impressed by the number of anti pipe signs on properties along the entire length of the highway.
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There is no doubt that there is serious community opposition to this project and with good reason. We are still to see any evidence of claimed water savings.
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Excerpt from YARRA RANGES SHIRE COUNCIL MINUTES -12/02/08
Sugarloaf Interconnector Pipeline
Resolved on the motion of Crs McRae and Dunn
That:
1. The State Government and Federal Government be advised that we oppose the construction of the Sugarloaf Pipeline Interconnector project until claimed water savings can be demonstrated.
2. A report providing a synopsis of the environmental, social and economic impacts for the Shire be prepared by officers and presented to the next Council Meeting.
A division was called.
For: Crs Dunn, Avery, Keane, Cliff and McRae
Against: Crs Smith, Warren, Cox and Heenan

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It is hard not to be cynical about Seymour being on Stage 1 water restrictions. I was shocked to see people watering their gardens in the middle of the day and then saw the signage confirming that Stage 1 water restrictions apply to Seymour. Lake Eildon is at 14% capacity, Seymour is not awash with water. There is no spare water for Melbourne. .

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Toolangi State Forest is yet another loser, a 30 metre wide construction zone is required, all this vegetation will go, this is a very high price to pay for a pipe that will have no water running through it.

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There are much better options for water for Melbourne, lets hope that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will immediately implement his pre election policy statement * "in almost all of our cities we still waste more water than we should, with million of litres of storm water literally going down the drain. The combined volume of waste water and storm water discharged from households in each of Australia's major cities is far greater than the volume of water demand at each location. This is one of the areas where Labor hopes to encourage local innovation".

* Labor's National Plan to Tackle the Water Crisis - Election 2007 Policy Document.

8th council signs on to oppose logging in catchments

The eighth metropolitan council has just joined with Yarra Ranges by opposing logging in Melbourne's Water Catchments.

Earlier this week the City of Kingston resolved:

1. Council does not support logging in water catchments because:
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.
2. The Victorian Government be urged to consider a policy of no logging in water catchments.


The eight councils represent 979,000 Melburnians, we are all very concerned about water supply and we all recognise that logging in water catchments poses a threat to our city's water security.

Congratulations to the City of Kingston for recognising this as a key issue for your constituents.