samantha in the press - infrastructure

Pool plan gets OK
Yarra Ranges Weekly
by Elisa Miller
30 November 2010

samantha in the press - planning

More tulip parking
Mail Newspapers
by Russell Bennett
30 November 2010

Tulip farm set to blossom
Yarra Ranges Weekly
by Elisa Miller
30 November 2010

flora and fauna strategy out for comment

report from the roundtable - 23 nov

This week's council meeting saw council endorse the release of the draft Flora and Fauna Management Strategy for an 8 week public comment period.

The strategy has been a long time in the making. It's an important document as it will provide guidance for the protection, management and enhancement of flora and fauna in the Shire of Yarra Ranges.

We're very fortunate in the shire, we have some areas of immense biodiversity with great natural assets and are custodians for a number of endangered species. It's important that we have a strategy that provides an outline of the broad ecological principles that underpin flora and fauna management in the shire and highlight the importance of healthy ecosystems in maintaining biodiversity.

It would be great to hear your views, for more information on how to submit click here.

samantha in the press - planning

What would you like to see built at Chirnside Park's big hole?
Lilydale Leader
by Emily Webb
26 November 2010

help for the pantry

The Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Centre provides a valuable service to those in our community facing hardship and crisis.

Part of those services includes distributing food to those who need it, however the DRERS pantry often runs low. Can you help with some food donations for DRERS? There are always some fast moving items in high demand, it would be great if you could help out with a pantry donation.

Fast moving items include:
100gm coffee
1lt long life milk
teabags
tinned food such as baked beans, spaghetti in sauce, vegetables, fruit, fish and soup
2 minute noodles
cereal
pasta and pasta sauces
sandwich spreads like vegemite, jam and peanut butter
and
toiletries including toilet paper.

You can also help out by visiting the DRERS Op Shop in Belgrave (the one near the Newsagent), this has proven to be another way for DRERS to fund their vital services, which are in increasing demand.

It was terrific to see Bob flying the flag for DRERS at the sausage sizzle at this weekend's Grassroots Community Market - it was a great success DRERS sold out!

Well done to all involved at DRERS, you provide an important and valuable service to those in our community facing hardship.

samantha in the press - fuel reduction

Yarra Ranges Council to conduct planned burns
Leader Newspapers
by Kimberley Seedy
17 Nov 2010

samantha in the press - fuel reduction

Shire clears way for planned burn-offs on council land
Yarra Ranges Weekly
16 Nov 2010

samantha in the press - pokies

Shire stands firm on club plan
Yarra Ranges weekly
by Elisa Miller
16 Nov 2010

samantha in the press - pokies

Magpies lose bid for pokies in Chirnside Park
Leader Newspapers
by Emily Webb
15 Nov 10

celebrating women in the community

The Shire of Yarra Ranges and Swinburne University are joining forces to bring to you Celebrating the Role Women Play in Leadership in our workplaces and communities.

This is will be a wonderful event, featuring keynote speaker Naomi Simson, founder and CEO of online gift certificate retailer RedBalloon and chaired by Professor Shirley Leitch, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Swinburne University.

Naomi is an inspiring and successful business leader, and will provide an insight into her journey to success and the challenges she faced and overcame along the way.

The celebration will also include a panel discussion of local female leaders including Naomi, myself, Jan Simmons (Morrisons House CEO) and local community leader Julie McDonald.

When: Wednesday 17th November at 5:30pm

Where: Swinburne University, LC Building, Room LC 226, 50 Melba Avenue, Lilydale

Cost: $10 - includes drink and canapes, rsvp's essential

for more information click here.

Girl power recharged with inspiring, insightful stories

Yarra Ranges Weekly

09 November 2010

chirnside park golf club

report from the roundtable - 9 nov

At this week's meeting council had to consider a request from the Chirnside Park Country Club that the Minister for Planning become the responsible authority for determining the outcome of the Oakhaven development at the Chirnside Park Golf Club.

Back in September, 2008 council abandoned a planning scheme amendment which would have allowed the golf course to be rezoned to residential to allow an inappropriate development of 450 housing lots, which would have seen the removal of 1,248 trees.

However the Minister for Planning called the matter in and approved the rezoning and a Development Plan Overlay (DPO) to guide the development of the site.

The Chirnside Park Golf Club have developed a new plan for the site which proposes 620 housing lots and have requested that council approve the Minister for Planning as the responsible authority.

I could not support the request. In summing up my refusal of the request my first response was – you have got to be joking.

The proposal, which has changed significantly since the Minister signed off on the DPO, has not been seen by the community, there has been no opportunity for the community to comment.

It is an outrageous transformation of the proposal, to go to 620 lots, an ever greater vegetation loss, more traffic impacts with an additional 2000 traffic movements generated per day, a reduction in open space down to 20% - without even asking the community what they thought.

Not only was the proposal quite different to the original there was a request to significantly water down the DPO to change the setbacks and create grey areas by using terms like should (rather than must).

The proposal should be part of the local democratic process, the community’s voice must be heard and must be taken into account.

We’ve had enough Ministerial intervention in Yarra Ranges, it seems the Minister would like to make council’s redundant with the changes sought in the Planning and Environment Act.

There must be consultation, the community has a right to articulate its aspirations and must be heard.

There is no role for the Minister play in this matter.

Councillors voted unanimously to not support the Minister being the responsible authority.

samantha in the press - environment

Anger over loss of historic Belgrave tree
Leader Newspapers
by Kimberley Seedy
10 Nov 2010

samantha in the press - speed limits

New speed limits sought
Yarra Ranges Weekly
09 November 2010

samantha in the press - planning

Sawmiller zoned out
Mountain Views & Upper Yarra Mail
by Kath Gannaway
9 November 2010

samantha in the press - volunteers

Seen to be green
Mail Newspapers
by Casey Neill
9 November 2010

spreading the mental health message

While many young people may fill their days with study, sport or socialising, there’s a group of Yarra Ranges teenagers who spend their time spruiking a much more serious message.

The group are doing their bit to break down the stigma attached to mental illness as members of the council’s Youth Services’ program Paying Attention to Self (PATS).

As part of their ongoing campaign to raise awareness of mental health issues, the group has designed a hoodie windcheater. The hoodie has a large question mark on the back with the words “Understanding mental illness” as well as a reference to the PATS group.

These young people are particularly inspirational in their efforts, as they have at least one parent suffering a mental illness.

The group is working hard to breakdown stereotypes that sadly still exist in society, they also provide a wonderful support to each other.

PATS aims to provide education to young people about mental illness, and to help them learn ways to better manage the day to day challenges of having a parent with mental illness.

One of the most important components of the group is the peer connections. Many young people feel alone in having a parent with mental illness, so introducing them to others who understand is really beneficial.

The hoodie was one of a variety of projects designed to provide a talking pointand raise the conversation about mental illness. Other projects have included designing silk flags, mosaics, a photo exhibition and creatinga DVD and a book.

Their energy and commitment to getting the mental health message out there is inspiring.

Young people wanting to find out more about the PATS program can contact Youth Services at Yarra Ranges Council on 9294 6716.

Hoodies a good fit for cause
Yarra Ranges Weekly
by Elisa Miller
09 November 2010

vic greens launch state campaign

To read more click on the image

st thomas more blesses new hall

It was terrific to join with the school community of local primary school, St Thomas More in Belgrave, to welcome the addition of their new school hall

Marg Geason, school principal, has been instrumental in delivering the changes to the school, including overseeing the building of the new school oval.

It was a wonderful occasion, the hall will be a great asset to the school community.

Bishop Tomlinson conducted the blessing, whilst federal member for La Trobe, Laura Smyth, unveiled the plaque

The school choir sung "a Child of Song" and participants were treated to a slide show showing the development of the school over the past year.

renewable energy forum coming to mooroolbark

The Dandenong Ranges Renewable Energy Association is holding a Renewable Energy Forum in Mooroolbark.

The forum will include information on:
Shire of Yarra Ranges Solar Hot Water discount
Shire of Yarra Ranges Community Solar Farm
The Beyond Zero Emissions Stationary Energy Plan, 100% renewable energy by 2020.

Where: Mooroolbark Community Centre, Brice Avenue (Mel ref: 37 H12)
When: 7:30pm, Wednesday 17th November.

samantha in the press - local laws

No cheep answer
Mail Newspapers
by Casey Neill
2 Nov 2010

samantha in the press - roads

Changing lanes
Mail Newspapers
by Russell Bennett
2 Nov 2010

samantha in the press - environment

Silent fall casts pall
Mail Newspapers
by Casey Neill
2 Nov 2010

samantha in the press - local laws

Yarra-Ranges bird scare law won't fly
Yarra Ranges Weekly
by Elisa Miller
2 Nov 2010