samantha in the press

Keep our park as public land
by Kimberley Seedy
Leader Newspapers
2 Jul 2013



Rates up for services

by Melissa Meehan

Mail Newpapers

2 Jul 2013

Final laps before pool opening

by Chelsea Clugston

Mail Newspapers

2 Jul 2013

Park up for sale

by Jesse Graham

Mail Newspapers

2 Jul 2013

yarra ranges budget endorsed for 13/14

report from the roundtable – 25 jun

At this week’s council meeting we had to consider the adoption of the budget for 2013/14.  The budget was adopted unanimously by council (note Cr Cox and McAllister were absent).

In speaking in consideration of the motion I talked about some councillors who were elected on a platform of no rate or low rate rises. This budget, at a rate increase of 4.8%, has not been able to realise that outcome nor the same level of rate rise as last year’s budget of 4.2%.

However I believe that is recognition by councillors of significant cost pressures we are facing and the continued cost shifting by state government to local government.

As part of our budget deliberations we still need to take into account the capping of many of our fees and charges by state government meaning that we can’t recover the cost for the services we provide. We continue to see an erosion of funding for specific purpose grants, so the money received doesn’t keep pace with the cost to provide the service, libraries and school crossing supervisors are two examples that spring to mind.

All of this is also framed by being the collection agent for the Landfill Levy which we still don’t see applied to local initiatives to reduce waste and work toward zero waste goals. And this time round we will also be the collection agent for the Fire Services Levy and I have no doubt we will be in the firing line over this even though it is a state government levy and they should be the ones collecting it.

I’m pleased to report that Lyster Ward initiatives endorsed as part of our capital program for 2013/14 include:

$60,000         Drainage works on Blair Rd, Belgrave
$25,000         Bus Stop works Belgrave Hallam Rd, Belgrave
$20,000         Footpath construction works, Station St, Belgrave
$50,000         Construction of View Rd, Belgrave (as part of a special charge scheme)
$112,000       Continuation of the shared trail from Lysterfield to Belgrave
$53,900         Continued work on the Feasibility study for the Belgrave Hub
$100,000       Footpath construction works, Kallista-Emerald Rd, The Patch

This is along with the projects outlined in my blog story when the budget went on exhibition. You can read more about them here.

budget released for comment

report from the roundtable - 14 may

Last night’s council meeting saw the unanimous endorsement (note: Cr McCarthy absent) of the council budget 2013/14 and council plan for 2013/17.

The two documents guide Council’s strategic direction and activities in the next term of council and are out as a draft to seek public comment. Council will consider public submissions prior to the budget being endorsed at its meeting on the 25 June.

It is pleasing to see key directions in place for some time at Yarra Ranges reinforced by this current council. There still remains an emphasis on active and engaged communities, quality community infrastructure, protected and enhanced natural environment, vibrant economy, agriculture and tourism and a high performing organisation. I’m very pleased that councillors approved an increase of $1million towards footpath construction for 2013/14, this is yet to be allocated to projects throughout the municipality. Footpath and pedestrian links were key issues highlighted in our recent community survey which attracted over 1500 responses.

There are some key influences that have shaped the development of the budget including the ongoing pressure to maintain and renew the shire’s ageing infrastructure. This is complicated by the fact we have minimal growth in our rate base due to low levels of new development.

Council has committed to implementing a long term asset management program on renewal of over $950million worth of ageing community infrastructure.

There are also increasing community expectations for an expanded range and scope of service delivery, overlaying this is an ageing population, placing increased demands of direct care service provision and with that that the challenge of delivering services across the board where we see ongoing growing costs of delivery.

A further constraint is the capping of many user fees and charges by the State Government, this restricts council’s ability to recover the true cost of proving services in the planning and building area.

With all of this at play council realises that we need to seek a balance when striking the rate rise and meeting our infrastructure and service demands as well as legislative requirements. Our long term financial strategy includes a 4.8% rate increase across the next four years.  

At this stage the budget and plan are out for public comment, you can submit your comments via mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au.

 

Some of the projects on the cards for Lyster:

$60,000 – Blair Rd Drainage, Belgrave

$25,000 – Bus stop, Belgrave Hallam Rd, Belgrave

$20,000 – Commence footpath construction in Station St, Belgrave

$50,000 – View Rd, Belgrave construction

$112,000 – ongoing work on the Belgrave to Birdsland trail

$53,900 – Belgrave Hub feasibility study

Included in block funding in the capital works budget:

$7,000 – upgrade of the entry to Selby Community House

$30,000 – major maintenance to Selby Tennis Club Pavilion

$14,000 – major maintenance to Tecoma Preschool

$40,200 – drainage improvements in Belgrave South and Heights

$70,000 – floodway works in Selby

$19,000 – drainage works in Narre Warren East

$35,000 – kerb and channel rehabilitation in The Patch and Belgrave South

$22,000 – intersection sealing in Kallista and Belgrave South

$15,000 – road and drainage improvements, Nation Rd, Selby

$15,000 – road and drainage improvements, Old Monbulk Rd, Belgrave

$351,000 – road resurfacing and repairs for Brenda Gve, Tecoma, Colby Drv, Belgrave South, Georges Rd, The Patch, Kallista Emerald Rd, The Patch and The Patch Rd, The Patch

$24,000 – shoulder reconstruction, Grantulla Rd, Kallista

what should council prioritise?

Yarra Ranges Council has undertaken a whole-of-community survey because we want to know what you think your rates should be spent on and what council's priorities should be. Based on those results a supplementary survey has been prepared on a ward by ward basis.

It would be great for you to participate, it's important to put forward your views.

Below are the links for each ward in Yarra Ranges, click on yours and follow the questions. The survey takes between 5 and 10 minutes.

Billanook Ward:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Billanook-Ward

Chandler Ward:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Chandler-Ward

Chirnside Ward:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Chirnside-Ward

Lyster Ward:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Lyster-Ward

Melba Ward:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Melba-Ward

O’Shannassy Ward:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/OShannassy-Ward

Ryrie Ward:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Ryrie-Ward

Streeton Ward:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Streeton-Ward

Walling Ward:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Walling-Ward

you can help shape the plan - your plan!

Play your part in shaping council's plans for the future

Yarra Ranges Council is currently collecting ideas from the community to help shape our key plans, the Council Plan (2013-2017) and Budget (2013-2014).

The Council Plan and Budget determine the focus of Council's work over the coming four years. It is used to plan for our services, identify specific projects and budget allocations.

It is important that this plan reflects the needs and views of our community. We are asking for your help to complete a short survey. Alternatively, you can express your views using the online discussion.

It's really important we hear from you, this is your chance to input to an important community planning process. A hard copy of the survey has gone out with our quarterly mag, Shirewide, alternatively you can complete the online survey or join the online discussion.

The ideas gathered will be used to develop the Council Plan in the first half of 2013.

Like all surveys there is a deadline, be sure to get your response in by Friday 14 December 2012.

samantha in the press - budget

Rates squeeze
Mail Newspapers
by Emma Sun
16 May 2012


Black news on Yarra Ranges rates
Leader Newspapers
by Kimberley Seedy
16 May 2012

samantha in the press - budget

Yarra Ranges draft budget sets 5.7% rate rise
Yarra Ranges Weekly
by Melissa Cunningham
8 May 2012

budget ratified for 2011/12

report from the roundtable - 28 jun

This week's council meeting was an important one as it considered our annual budget and council plan for the 2011/12 year.

The budget has been before council a number of times and been through a rigorous review process. It's a budget that looks to the future and delivers on important infrastructure as well as human services.

It addresses our asset renewal challenges into the future and has been developed in an environment of declining financial grants, rising costs and continuing cost shifting from state government to local government.

Specific capital works projects for the Lyster ward in the upcoming year include:
$12,500 for drainage improvements - Gallagher Street, Belgrave
$55,000 for landslip and drainage works - Fairy Dell Road, Tecoma
$40,170 for drainage improvements - Licence Road, Belgrave South
$51,000 for footpath construction - Broadway, Belgrave
$56,300 for footpath construction - Kallista Emerald Road, The Patch
$150,000 for footpath construction - The Patch Road, The Patch
$25,000 for traffic management - Berwick Road, Narre Warren East
$35,000 for wicket relocation - Narre Warren East
$70,000 for trail construction - Birdsland, Belgrave to Lysterfield
$463,500 for renovation works - Belgrave Pool
$3,227,500 for construction and refurbishment - Monbulk Pool

samantha in the press - budget

Yarra Ranges face 6.9 per cent rate rise
Leader Newspapers
by Emily Webb
23 May 2011

samantha in the press - budget

Rates rise for roads
Leader Newspapers
by Emily Webb
18 May 2011

draft budget released for comment

report from the roundtable - 10 may


This week's council meeting had to consider our draft budget for 2011/12. Many meetings and much work have gone into the development of this draft and this council meeting was to approve it's content for public exhibition and ask for public comment and submissions.


There's a range of things that influence and impact on the budget. Council is acutely aware of the pressures created by the need to maintain and renew our Shire's ageing infrastructure in a municipality that has very little growth in its rate base due to the low levels of development.

Our population continues to age, placing and increasing demand on direct care service provision, whilst the capping of many fees by the state government means that council is unable to recover the cost of many services it provides particularly in the planning and building area.

Every year we see continued cost shifting and the burden of increasing legislative obligations by state government and two examples that come to mind include funding of our libraries where ratepayers pick up more and more of the costs and the cost imposition of Neighbourhood Safer Places.

Increases in the landfill levy, imposed by state goverment had a surprise additional increase on the original known increase of $10 per tonne, in last week's state budget councils learnt that the $40 per tonne charge was to be increased to $44 per tonne (for metro). There had been no prior warning, no ability for the Yarra Ranges budget to reflect the charges.

I am supportive of a landfill levy and its purpose to implement strategies to reduce waste going to landfill, however I am disappointed that the money contributed by Yarra Ranges residents doesn't flow back to the Shire for local waste reduction initiatives.

There's some terrific initiatives in the budget, a beefed up allocation going towards drainage improvements and maintenance as well as an extensive capital works program.

I think its a responsible budget, that meets the demands of service provision and infrastructure challenges whilst setting up a solid long term financial plan.


Councillors voted unanimously to approve the budget for public exhibition.


If you'd like to read the budget or submit comments click here for more information.

budget 10/11 off and running

report from the roundtable – 29 jun

This week council had only one item to consider on its agenda, the draft 2010/2011 budget. It was supported unanimously by councillors.

The $140 million budget earmarks more than $38 million for a range of capital works throughout the shire from road improvements to improvements to open space and a vast array of major projects.

The budget sees council allocate an additional $730,000 to bushfire preparation works. These works include removal of roadside debris for expanded roadside slashing on strategic roads in Township Protection Plan areas as well as preparation and maintenance works at Neighbourhood Safer Places (Places of Last Resort), necessary works to improve community safety.

This year's budget features funding for ongoing critical community services. Support for older-frail residents, families and young people will also be strengthened with funding to deliver a range of programs including:
• $7.8m to support the delivery of aged care services helping older members of the community and people with disability to remain healthy and active in their homes and local communities.
• $7.7m for programs and services directed to families and young people through maternal and child health care, immunisation, youth counselling, events and leadership development.
• $5.9m to support economic and community development—ensuring local economies remain strong and communities and individuals are socially connected. • $3.2m for arts, culture and heritage development

Local projects specific to the Lyster Ward include:
$30,000 to upgrade the toilet at Birdsland Environment and Education Centre – Belgrave South
$15,000 to upgrade facilities at Rae's Park – Narre Warren East
$85,000 to upgrade drainage on Bonham Road – The Patch
$130,000 to create a footpath link between Kallista and Belgrave
$17,000 for Belgrave Lake Park - Belgrave
$163,000 to commence works on a shared trail from Lysterfield Lake to Birdsland – Belgrave South
$90,000 for drainage rehabilitation works on Kaola Street – Belgrave
$51,500 to commence works on the Belgrave Swimming Pool – Belgrave
$836,000 to commence works on the Monbulk Aquatic Centre – Monbulk
$51,500 to develop a business case for the Belgrave Hub

Twelve months ago Yarra Ranges Council announced its largest ever capital works program designed to support the local economy and deliver new community facilities. The $272m 10 year capital works program featured an extra $68.5m to stimulate construction in the region and help support local jobs.

The 10 year program will deliver new purpose-built community, cultural and sporting facilities.

It will also ensure council's assets are preserved, maintained and upgraded to provide for our community into the future.

This year will see $13.47m of Council funding spent on major projects across the Shire, including local projects:
$4.82m Burrinja Community Cultural Centre - (part of a $9.6m project including Arts Victoria and Federal Government funding)
$3.43m Sherbrooke Family and Children's Centre & the Upwey Hall (Upwey Children's Services Hub) - (part of a $7m project including state and federal government funding)
$515,000 Olinda Aquatic Centre
$309,000 Monbulk Soccer Facility - (part of a $4.6m project)
$132,000 Monbulk Community Centre redevelopment for furniture and equipment for the nearly completed facility - (as part of a $5.5m project including state and federal funding)
$260,000 Future community projects funded for this year include almost for the development of feasibility studies and concept proposals for new community hubs in Belgrave
$836,000 Monbulk Aquatic Centre

There are still challenges for the future and this budget sets a blueprint for that future. The budget supports Council's priorities for the next four years, these priorities have been identified in the Council Plan.

Council's 10 key priorities are to:

• Implement the bushfire recovery program and respond to the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission outcomes

• Manage our environment and respond to climate change

• Streamline planning approvals and processes

• Upgrade community and sporting facilities

• Improve roads, footpaths and bike trails

• Respond to population ageing

• Improve housing diversity and affordability

• Focus on youth and children

• Support economic development and agriculture

• Create a high performing organisation

budget announced

report from the roundtable – 25 may

This week's council meeting saw the budget released for public comment. It has been a challenging time developing this year's budget. More and more we find the state government shifting costs to local government putting more pressure on ratepayers.

This year's draft budget indicates a rate rise of 7.65% but there are a few factors that come into play to come arrive at this figure. The first is a $580,000 levy for landfill waste, imposed by the state government at the 11^th hour of budget deliberations, this levy represents .7% of the Yarra Ranges rate increase. I'd like to think that the income raised from this levy on behalf of the state is returned to Yarra Ranges to implement waste reduction programs locally and consequently reduce waste costs to residents. How equitably the income from the levy will be distributed to local government remains to be seen.

Another pressure on our budget has been bushfire preparations, the additional works in bushland reserves and roadsides represents an additional .9% on the rate increase. It's vital work that must be done, but it does impact on our budget. Taking away these costs as well as the waste levy, the rate rise comes in at 6.05%. Our neighbouring councils are considering rises of Knox (7.82%), Maroondah (9.8%) and Whitehorse (7.28%). Considering the particular demands in the Shire of Yarra Ranges we have tried very hard to keep the rate rise as moderate as we could.

Yarra Ranges has seen the Federal Government withdraw funding for our landcare officer, it's an important position that council thought was an imperative to continue for the community. To date our land care officer has been instrumental in providing training and support for a number of landholders, community groups and agricultural-based industries. Support has included running workshops, assisting with the development of property use plans - especially for horse properties. These plans focus on the health of the animals as well as the land. The officer has also worked with the nursery and berry industries to help secure about $500,000 in funding for land improvements. It wasn't the sort of program we'd back away from, unlike the federal government.

I continue to be appalled by the lack of funding from Vic Roads towards our school crossing supervisors. When the school crossings program first started in the 1970's Vic Roads contributed 70% of costs whilst councils put in 30%. Now we see the split completely reversed with council putting in 70% and Vic Roads contributing 30%. Yet another example of ongoing cost shifting to local government.

Every year we see the burden of library costs shift further to local government, yet another area where ratepayers are picking up the costs. Back in the 1970's costs for libraries were split 50/50 between state and local government, today we see council picking up 75% of the costs. This continual shifting of costs puts greater and greater burden on local government every year.

The latest example of cost shifting would have to be costs associated with Neighbourhood Safer Places. On one site alone in Yarra Ranges council would have to spend $100,000 to get it up to scratch to comply as an NSP, yet we see in the most recent state budget the allocation of $500,000 to use across the state. It's a drop in the ocean and goes nowhere near helping local government with the costs of setting up and maintaining NSPs.

The Shire of Yarra Ranges council is committed to its community and continues to provide funding across a diverse range of services, but the continual shifting of costs makes the budget more and more challenging every year.

The budget is out for public comment, there's a lot of great initiatives in there, a full program of capital works to provide our community with facilities, footpaths and roads and additional initiatives to address our greenhouse gas emissions and assist the community to help reduce theirs. Council will consider any submissions to the budget and endorse it on 29^th June, 2010.

budget brushed up

report from the roundtable – 27 Jan

At this week’s council meeting I moved that the revised budget for 2009/10 be exhibited for public comment.

Every mid year the Yarra Ranges council reviews its budget to allow for any emerging needs and to take into account any savings. Most of the ebb and flow of the budget is maintained within the projected surplus/deficit and additional funds are rarely required at the mid year review.

This year is a little different to most. With $1.4 million of additional expense dedicated to support council’s enhanced bushfire preparations for the 2009/10 summer and $220,000 for bushfire recovery costs for which there is no reimbursement back to Yarra Ranges.

There’s also a lot of priority capital works projects and community service works and projects in the mix as well.

With all of these changes it was important and a matter of due diligence that council put the revised budget out for public exhibition and comment. Council will formally adopt the revised budget at its meeting on 9th March after considering any submissions.

budget endorsed for 2009/10

report from the round table - 30th June

Last night saw council ratify the budget for 2009/10. I'm pleased that the following projects have been secured for the Lyster ward.

$80,000 Belgrave Pool Car Park Improvements - Belgrave
$70,000 Birdsland Caretakers Cottage - Belgrave Heights
$32,000 Belgrave Avenue Drainage improvements - Belgrave
$16,000 Belgrave Hallam Road Drainage improvements - Belgrave South
$14,000 Borang Avenue Drainage improvements - Selby
$96,000 Elgin Road Drainage improvements - Belgrave South
$25,000 Belgrave Hallam Service Road Footpath staircase reconstruction - Belgrave
$30,000 Belgrave Recreation Reserve replacement of sleeper seating - Belgrave
$15,000 Minak Reserve - Selby
$385,000 Selby Aura Road improvements - Selby
$115,000 Streetscape improvements - Belgrave South
$40,000 Streetscape improvements stage 4 - Belgrave
$25,500 Monbulk Pool redevelopment - Monbulk
$20,000 Belgrave hub feasibility project - Belgrave
$75,000 Footpath construction Sandells Rd - Tecoma
$25,000 Wellington Road equestrian trail - Belgrave South

The Selby Aura Road in Selby has been crying out for improvements, the project has commenced with funding of $395,000 from the 2008/09 budget and $385,000 from the 2009/10 budget.

Also for construction in Lyster:
Bayview Road Roundabout - Belgrave
$2.4million Monbulk Pool - Monbulk

And for the Dandenong Ranges, a project that I have been very active and passionate about:
$7.4million Childrens Hub - Upwey

The Birdsland Reserve carpark is undergoing significant upgrade works due to funding I secured in the 2008/09 budget.

In our consideration of fees and charges I was concerned about a proposed increase in tree inspection fees which would have seen a considerable hike in the amount charged. I moved a motion to keep the tree inspection fees at their current level which is a much better outcome for residents.

budget 09/10

report from the roundtable - 26th may
The budget for 2009/10 was endorsed by council for public exhibition. This year's budget is a responsible yet progressive budget. It is framed around jobs and our local economy. The budget includes many exciting key community major projects throughout the Shire but also focuses on basic infrastructure needs such as footpaths and roads too.

The budget is framed with a backdrop of the most devastating tragic event in Yarra Ranges, the February bushfires.

It mirrors the actions of the Federal and State governments in that it is focused on building things, creating jobs and supporting communities in a difficult economic time.

It goes a long way to addressing the infrastructure gaps in the Shire and includes long overdue emphasis on issues such as weeds, an issue that is raised constantly by my constituency.

I think the Shire has dropped the ball on weeds in the past and it is good to see that this budget has significant amounts and new programs to address this most urgent and pressing issue. I hope by putting our money where our mouth is, it will provide a bit of leverage and see other levels of government coming to the party on weeds in Yarra Ranges. It must also be remembered that increased programs results in increased local employment opportunities too.

It's an exciting budget, progressive in its aims and it will certainly deliver positive outcomes for our community.

report from the round table 24th June

The Budget.....

Last night’s meeting saw the budget ratified for 2008/09. This year’s budget continues to have significant funding for the environment and council’s climate change commitment. I am very pleased that council is providing discrete funding (for the first time) for our Learning for Sustainability program. I have been aware of this program through my involvement with the Birdsland Environmental Education Centre and thought it was about time council put some desperately needed funding towards this great initiative. This program is currently underway in 70% of the shire’s schools and is a great mechanism to teach children (and the broader community) about sustainability.

Over the next few weeks I’ll talk about various initiatives that have been funded including our community education officer and local laws officer who have been funded specifically for the introduction of the Shire’s new Burning Off Local Law.

I’m also very pleased to see funding for the commencement of the Upwey Children’s Services Hub, something I have fought long and hard for.

However for this report I’ll focus on the specific capital works items for the Lyster Ward*, these include:
$10,000 For maintenance of the Heritage Caretaker Cottage at Birdsland, Belgrave Heights
$16,700 Selby Community House to complete the multipurpose shed
$70,000 Drainage improvements for Glen Rd, Belgrave
$5,000 Drainage improvements for Glenharrow Heights Rd, Belgrave
$12,000 Drainage improvements for Mountain Flat Road, Narre Warren East
$6,000 Drainage improvements for Osborne Avenue, Belgrave South
$13,000 Drainage rehabilitation for Colby Drive Belgrave South
$348,142 Road improvement special charge scheme for Courtney’s Road, Belgrave South
$211,961 Road improvement special charge scheme for Priors Rd, The Patch
$395,000 Road rehabilitation including kerb and channel for Selby Aura Rd, Selby
$25,000 Lockable Gate barrier for Kerr’s Lane, Lysterfield
$20,000 Investigation and Feasibility study for bridge replacement in Narre Warren East
$20,000 Township improvements for Belgrave South
$120,000 Streetscape Works (stage 4) for Belgrave
$29,500 Township improvements for Tecoma
$50,000 Car Park improvements for Birdsland, Belgrave Heights
$70,000 Installation of demonstration garden at Birdsland, Belgrave Heights
$10,000 Rehabilitation of vegetation at Minak Reserve, Selby
$50,000 Menzies Creek Reserve improvements, Menzies Creek
$36,000 Wellington Road Equestrian Trail, Belgrave South

$1,075,000 Monbulk Aquatic Centre improvements, Monbulk (plus $450,000 from 07/08)

Also to be completed in Lyster (these works started in 2007/08):

$393,000 Road improvement special charge scheme for Braeside Avenue, Sherbrooke
$315,000 Road improvement special charge scheme for Old Menzies Creek Road, Selby
$435,000 Construction of a roundabout for Belgrave Gembrook Road, Belgrave

* Lyster Ward includes the townships of Belgrave, Belgrave South, Belgrave Heights, Selby, Tecoma, Kallista, The Patch, Menzies Creek, Lysterfield, Sherbrooke, Narre Warren East, Emerald (part) & Monbulk (part).

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.