samantha in the press - environment

Trees planted for platy-push
Mail Newspapers
by Russell Bennett
31 May 2011

belgrave heights planting extravaganza

It was terrific to join with the students of Belgrave Heights Christian School, Southern Dandenongs Landcare, Melbourne Water and the Shire of Yarra Ranges in a major planting of the riparian area of Monbulk Creek. The project is part of the Melbourne Water Stream Frontages program.

Belgrave Heights Christian School shares it's boundary with a substantial amount of the waterway and has been working to improve the environment in this area. Highly degraded and covered in weeds the site has had a major transformation.
Led by passionate Environmental Science teacher, Colleen Peele, students from all levels (except the Year 11 & 12's who have exams) came out and helped with the planting. They planted an exceptional 2,300 plants, of which 1,500 were grasses, shrubs and trees on the Apsley Road side of the creek and 800 shrubs and trees on the school side of the creek.

Students had a great time planting, staking and bagging and I have a sneaking suspicion that the younger ones enjoyed the mud too. I look forward to returning to see how the new plantings thrive in this area.

communities & bushfire - a bushfire crc research project

Effective Communication
Communities and Bushfire
A bushfire CRC Research Project

An RMIT University research team is currently learning about how fire agencies talk to communities about bushfire risks and preparation.

Residents of Selby, Belgrave Heights and Belgrave South are invited to participate in focus group discussions. Researchers would like to hear about:
- The threat of bushfire in this area
- How you learn about it
- How you might prepare for it

Sessions are on at:
7:30pm Wednesday 19th Jan
Selby Community House, Wombalana Rd, Selby
or
7pm Tuesday 8th Feb
Belgrave South Community House, Gilmore Court, Belgrave South

You'll need to RSVP, just send an email to:
Alison Hart - alison.hart@rmit.edu.au
Julie Stratford - julie.stratford@rmit.edu.au
or
Keith Toh - keith.toh@rmit.edu.au

all systems go for sewer in belgrave south and heights

report from the roundtable – 8 jun

Council had to consider an application to remove 157 trees and 3 patches of native vegetation to construct reticulated sewerage throughout Belgrave South and Heights.

There was no doubt that it was a complex application, when considering the matter both the range of flora and fauna affected as well as the challenging terrain made the application a difficult one.

South East Water (the applicants) had to apply to remove vegetation on a 'worst case scenario' as many of the construction techniques they will be using will try to avoid removing as many trees as possible. But those who know the area will know about the rocks that float below the surface, which always provide challenges for anyone trying to dig or tunnel.

I have been on site visits to discuss vegetation removal and construction of the sewerage lines. I have also attended the two community consultation sessions run by South East Water (SEWL). I was satisfied that SEWL will do everything they can to retain as many trees as possible. I also look forward to any vegetation offsets required from any vegetation removal being retained in the local region.

When we consider the environmental impacts of failing septic tanks they are immense. Polluting ground and surface water, creating native vegetation dieback and an influx of weeds, not to mention E Coli being released into our streets during storm events from septic tanks.

I think one of the stand out things for me with this application is that in an area that values its environment we didn't have a single objector to the application because the community can see the immense benefits to going to a reticulated sewerage system.

I was happy to move the motion, the reticulated sewerage would give over 800 households in Belgrave Heights and South the opportunity to connect and would have significant benefits to our environment and local waterways. There are far many more gains with this one than losses.

belgrave heights serves an ace

This week I had the great pleasure of being part of the announcement of funding for the Belgrave Heights Tennis Club. For the last three years the club has tried to secure funding to install three Plexicushion courts, this year their calls for help were answered.

The shire was pleased to provide $20,000 towards this worthy project, we are committed to making our sports facilities drought proof. Pictured left to right: Heather Willsher – club president, Kylie Wilkeson – driving force of the club to secure funding, Sean Wilkeson – club professional and junior convenor and Cr Samantha Dunn - Lyster ward.

The State Government announced a $60,000 grant, that, along with $20,000 from the Shire of Yarra Ranges, $54,000 from Tennis Australia and a lot of fundraising from the club, means Belgrave Heights Tennis club will be able to commence the installation of the new hardcourts and also use the new synthetic surface to collect water to use on the two remaining en tout cas courts.

The drought and subsequent water restrictions have made it difficult for tennis clubs to adequately maintain their en tout cas courts, however the upgrade to plexicusion will greatly reduce water requirements of the tennis club and mean that they are far more self sustaining into the future. It will also provide the club with the chance to grow their membership and provide locals with the chance to play on the same surface as the one used at Rod Laver Arena.

sewerage for belgrave south & heights gets closer

Today I went a community meeting held by South East Water, to discuss the implementation of the Sewerage Backlog Program which will see 730 households in Belgrave South have the capacity to connect to the sewer.

The meeting was well attended by the community with over 200 people crowded into the Progress Hall.

Recognition of failing septic tanks and their contamination of our environment and waterways has seen the project brought forward in the backlog program.

The project will see 18,000 metres of pipe laid and will take 12 months to complete. The works will be undertaken in stages with residents given the opportunity to connect as soon as they can, although they have up to 12 months to connect.

The project will consist mainly of drilling with only some open cut work, the intention of South East Water is to minimise environmental damage by using these construction techniques. A large percentage of the pipe used in the project will be only 63mm in diameter with pipework for those on pressure systems measuring 125mm.

The project is seeking a planning permit and is currently being assessed by the Shire. It is a complex application and will take some time for officers to assess. It will come to council for a final decision given the extent of the project.

If you would like to more about the project call the South East Water Community Liaison Officer on 1800 055 465 or email belgraveheights@sewl.com.au.

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.

belgrave heights christian school thriving

Today I went to the official opening of the Belgrave Heights Christian School Student Discovery Centre, VCE Centre and Computer lab. It is an impressive new building, made possible with Federal Government funding, but even more notable was the commitment of families and teachers and the great sense of community that flows throughout the school.

Part of the official ceremony was a step back in time to hear the history of the school told by those at the forefront of seeing it happen. It was terrific to hear stories from Lyn Thompson, one of the parents 26 years ago who had a vision to start a school in the local area that taught children her values. Joining Lyn to tell the story was her mother Isabel Bell, who was instrumental in starting a Christian School in Sunshine and provided key support and assistance to Lyn in her endeavours.

We then went on to hear Lyn’s daughter Adi contribute her part to the story. The Thompson family went on to give a stirring rendition of the Finn Bros song ‘Wont Give in’. It was quite magical hearing the family sing together.

From humble beginnings the school has grown into a wonderful place for students to embrace learning. In 1989 there were 36 students enrolled, at its lowest point in 1996 the school only had 7 students, but due to the hard work of local families and school councillors enrolments have slowly built up and the school finds itself in the position of offering prep through to Year 12 with 322 students under its wing.

It was terrific to talk to students about their experiences, they clearly love their school and all it offers and have a passion for learning that will hold them in good stead for the future.

emergency fire relief centre for the dandenongs

In response to the fire today (23/02) in the Dandenong Ranges the Shire has set up three relief centres for residents who have decided to self evacuate. They are located at:

 Kilsyth Basketball Stadium, Pinks Reserve, Liverpool Road, Kilsyth (MelRef 51 G8) - STOP PRESS THIS CENTRE NO LONGER IN USE AS OF 10PM 23/02 DUE TO LACK OF DEMAND

 Knox Regional Netball Centre, in conjunction with the City of Knox, entry via Kevin Ave off Burwood Highway (MelRef 73 J4) THIS CENTRE STILL IN OPERATION

 Cardinia Cultural Centre, in conjunction with Cardinia Shire, Lakeside Boulevard, Pakenham (MelRef 215 H5) STOP PRESS THIS CENTRE NO LONGER IN USE AS OF 12PM 23/02 DUE TO LACK OF DEMAND

A relief centre was opened last night for residents in the Upper Yarra corridor (Warburton, Wesburn, Millgrove, etc) at the Lilydale Recreation Reserve, Main St, Lilydale, (MelRef 38 E5) until further notice.

I visited there today, at that stage over 250 residents had registered at the centre, many armed with tents to camp out overnight. Although the centre was very busy, with residents making contact with DHS, Red Cross and Vic Police, evacuated teenagers were taking advantage of the Lilydale Pool next door with young children enjoying the jumping castle.

I cannot speak highly enough of the effort put in by the Shire’s staff. At the centre were staff from Social Planning, Statutory Planning, IT and a myriad of other areas all helping out to assist our community, it is an effort way beyond the call of duty and very much appreciated.

bushfire benefit – belgrave heights

A bushfire benefit has been organised for this Friday, 20th February to raise funds for bushfire victims, live dance music is being provided courtesy of Grumpy Dog.

When: Friday 20th February 7.30pm
Where: Belgrave Heights Progress Hall
Colby Dve, Belgrave Heights
(Melway 84 F3)
Cost: Adults $20, Children under 12 $2

Bring: Something to Eat & Drink & Glasses