maccas to appeal

I have just received formal notification from the Yarra Ranges Planning Department that McDonalds will be appealing council's decision to refuse their application for a McDonalds in Tecoma.

The legal team for McDonalds confirmed yesterday with our planners that they lodged their appeal in the week leading up to Christmas.

Due to the backlog of applications, this may not appear on VCAT records as yet.

Very soon all objectors to the application will receive notification of the appeal where you will be asked if you want to be a party to the appeal. This is like being an objector through the council process, so if you wish to show VCAT Tribunal Members that you object you should consider being a party to the appeal.

The application was the most contentious Yarra Ranges Council has ever considered with 1,100 objections received and 670 people attending the council meeting.

samantha in the press - planning

Home dream comes true for Kalorama couple
Leader Newspapers
by Kimberley Seedy
21 Dec 2011

Council keeps eye on phone towers
Leader Newspapers
by Kimberley Seedy
21 Dec 2011

samantha in the press - planning

Shire OK's policy for telecoms facilities
Yarra Ranges Weekly
20 Dec 2011

Council overrules bushfire concerns
Yarra Ranges Weekly
by Natalie Kotsios
20 Dec 2011

samantha in the press

New Yarra Ranges mayor outlines mission
Yarra Ranges Weekly
by Natalie Kotsios
13 Dec 2011

samantha in the press - planning

Days left for McDonalds to lodge Tecoma appeal
Leader Newspapers
by Kimberley Seedy
13 Dec 2011

samantha in the press - public transport

New year jeer at hike
Leader Newspapers
by Angus Livingston
13 Dec 2011

carols in belgrave - friday 16th

This Friday, 16 December, locals will be treated to Carols in the Park, organised by Belgrave Region Action Group.

Local artists contribute their time for free and will lead off the performances of many a Christmas carol.

I'm pleased to be able to sponsor the event and provide funding for the community sausage sizzle (and veggie burgers) so the food is free of charge.

Looks like the weather will be warm, bring the family and your singing voice.

When: Friday 16 December from 7pm
Where: Belgrave Town Park (below police station)
Cost: Food and entry free

samantha in the press - community facilities

Yarra Ranges Council to start Monbulk pool upgrade
Leader Newspapers
by Kimberley Seedy
9 Dec 2011

mary tonkin at burrinja

How wonderful to be at the launch of Mary Tonkin's exhibition at Burrinja last week.

The Mary Tonkin exhibition spans the last decade of Tonkin's career, focusing on the works depicting the Kalorama region of the Dandenongs where she grew up and continues to live and paint today.

Mary was awarded the National Gallery of Victoria Trustee's award in 1994 and 1995, the Dobell Drawing Prize in 2002 and the Kedumba Prize for drawing in 2010. Her work is held by the Art Gallery of NSW, the National Gallery of Victoria and several regional and university collections.

It's a beautiful exhibition, well worth going to see. We are very fortunate that we have works of such calibre so close by.

The exhibition is on now and will run through to 26 February 2012 at the Burrinja Gallery, 351 Glenfern Rd, Upwey.

samantha in the press - local laws

No crackers for cockies
Leader Newspapers
by Kimberley Seedy
07 Dec 2011

samantha in the press

Ranges mayoral poll: Heenan holds his card
Yarra Ranges Weekly
by Natalie Kotsios
06 Dec 2011

Race to be Mayor
Leader Newspapers
by Emily Webb
06 Dec 2011

samantha in the press

Graham Warren elected Yarra Ranges Mayor
Leader Newspapers
by Kimberley Seedy
7 Dec 2011

mayor, deputy mayor and committees

report from the roundtable - 6 dec

This week's meeting was to consider the position of Mayor, Deputy Mayor, meetings and appointments to committees and external bodies.

I'd already announced that I'd throw my hat in the ring for Mayor and ended up having 2 other contenders, Cr's Noel Cliff and Graham Warren.

In first round votes Cr Cliff got 2 votes, I got 3 votes and Cr Warren got 4 votes and as there was no clear majority (5 votes) Cr Cliff dropped out of the race.

In the second round of votes I got 4 votes and Cr Warren received the 5 votes to confirm him as mayor for the ensuing year.

Thanks to my colleagues, Cr's Cliff, McRae and Heenan who supported my attempt to win the mayoralty. Those supporting Cr Warren were Cr's Templer, Avery, Higgins and Cox.

In other news, Cr Jeanette McRae, successfully gained the position of Deputy Mayor with the support of votes from Cr's Dunn, Cliff, Cox and Avery.

This year I'll be representing council on:
- Birdsland Reserve Committee
- Burrinja
- Eastern Regional Libraries Corporation
- Eastern Transport Coalition
- Fire Management Committee
- Graffitti Advisory Group
- Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee

a comprehensive public transport plan for the east?

The Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC) recently considered the public transport announcements of the current government, and although we welcome a focus on grade separations, increasing the capacity of the Dandenong Line and the Melbourne Metro Tunnel we are concerned that several projects crucial to delivering an integrated and sustainable public transport network in the east are absent.

The ETC represents 1 million residents across the east of Melbourne yet there's little mention of the projects that these communities have told us are important to them.

Although there's feasibility studies underway for Rowville Rail and Doncaster Rail there's no mention of construction of these vital projects, which have been in various stages of planning for decades.

Although good to hear of capacity increases on the Dandenong Line, including nine carriage trains but it will require significant infrastructure upgrades. It's concerning that other lines in the east were not mentioned for capacity increases.
Upgrades of the interchanges at Dandenong, Box Hill and Ringwood stations are well overdue, these interchanges provide critical linkages to the bus network.

The ETC is keen to work with both the federal and state governments to achieve an integrated transport plan that provides better links between rail, trams and buses. Integrated transport and land use planning is crucial to fixing the deficiencies of the past to ensure we have a viable, efficient and well patronised public transport network into the future.

maccas in tecoma, no vcat appeal yet

A collective of community members have joined forces to campaign to stop McDonalds in Tecoma.

Part of their campaign includes a new website: No Maccas in the Hills!

The campaign is encouraging community members to write to McDonalds CEO and Ferntree Gully Franchisee to encourage them not to proceed with an appeal to VCAT. McDonalds has till the 26 December to lodge an appeal, so the battle isn't over yet.

There's still time to write your letter if you feel inclined. The website includes letter writing hints and tips. Don't forget to fill in the poll so the campaigners can get an idea of what actions you've taken so far.

draft local laws - have your say

Earlier this year council endorsed a draft Proposed General Divisions Local Law 2012 for public comment, the draft local law brings together some existing local laws and also introduces some new measures.




The draft laws cover a range of areas including:
- the use of council facilities
- behaviour in public places
- street parties, circuses/events and festivals
- placement and removal of bulk/hard rubbish and rubbish dumping
- feeding of cockatoos
- damage to trees and vegetation
- abandoned shopping trolleys
- electoral signage on public land
- heavy vehicles on private property
- dilapidated buildings and dangerous land
- interfering with council drainage, tappings and stormwater pits
- interfering with watercourses
- gates and openings from private property on to council land
- cigarette butt receptacles
- intefering with road barriers and signage on roads and bridges
- sale of vehicles on roadsides or council land
- noise and nuisance
- collection and disposal of trade waste and other amenity issues

We want to know what you think, you can find a copy of the draft local laws here.

If you'd like to make a submission you'll need to in writing by 16th December to

mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au,

using the comments box here

or mail to:
The Chief Executive Officer
Shire of Yarra Ranges
PO Box 105
Lilydale VIC 3140

Want more info? Click here.

christmas trees, yarra ranges style

To celebrate the festive season Yarra Ranges Regional Museum wants to decorate the museum with 500 individually crafted Christmas trees made out of recycled and reclaimed materials. Everyone is encouraged to participate.

Getting into the festive season in another way. This flash mob group, led by Barb McFarlane, are popping up across the hills villages. Here they are flash mobbing in Belgrave last week.

If you want to facilitate a Christmas tree making program there's a handy template available here.

Once your tree is completed bring it down to the regional museum and add it to the Christmas Celebration Forest. Your tree will be on display until January 29, 2012. The first 500 participants will receive a voucher entitling you to a free native plant.

Want to know more? Click here for details.

You can find the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum at 35 Castella St, Lilydale.