draft environment strategy out for comment till 7 nov

Yarra Ranges Council’s draft Environment Strategy, out now for public comment.

This draft strategy has been developed through a consultative process that started in November last year.  Council has worked with the community, Yarra Ranges Environment Advisory Committee and Councillors to shape the strategy.

The Draft Environment Strategy looks at the choices and influence we have as Council and as a community in relation to our natural environment.  The structure of the strategy is supported by six goals:

• Our iconic places and their natural character are actively protected
• Our water resources are improved and preserved
• Our native plants and animals are protected and their habitat is enhanced
• Our local economies are strengthened by environmentally sustainable activities
• Our communities are resilient in the face of a changing climate and extreme events
• All who live and work in the Yarra Ranges see themselves as stewards of our environment.

Council’s draft Environment Strategy is available for comment until 7 November. 

We are very keen to hear from as many people as possible so let us know what you think and encourage those in your networks to have their say. It can be as simple as doing the quick poll online. 

For those with more time we have a discussion thread online, people can chat to us directly at one of the public consultation events we are hosting or people can provide a submission. 

The draft document and all the details are available now from our website at here.

community planning comes to the dandenongs

As a change in the way we inform council strategies and support local communities council agreed to a new approach as part of our Council Planning process earlier this year.

Council signed off on the development of a local area plan (or community plan) across the municipality based on four distinct geographic areas, being The Hills, Central and Upper Yarra, Yarra Valley and Urban areas. The local area plan is a document that includes a community's vision and plan to share their future aspirations. Council will support any community wanting to develop a local area plan. Local area plans are owned and implemented by the community. Over the coming years local area plans will help to inform future Council Plans. In the past council has relied on Vision 2020 which has been a great statement of community aspiration but does fall short of reflecting the local issues in such a big and diverse municipality.

In order to support the development of local area plans, Council employs four community development officers, each responsible for a specific region. In the Hills it's Amanda May.

It's a great process to get involved in, and the first opportunity is coming soon to the Hills.

When: 7:00 to 8:30pm Thursday 14 November, 2013

Where: Sherbrooke Family and Children's Centre - 1443 Burwood Hwy, Upwey

Book: yes please - let us know you're coming for catering purposes online here or call Amanda on 9294 6741

So why should community members get involved you ask?

Local area planning offers communities a structure or process that helps to:
• empower community leaders by providing an environment that lets you have a say on issues that are important to you and develop solutions to these issues
• identify local strengths and assets that can be enhanced, rather than focusing on needs and wants
• take the learnings from your neighbouring communities to help you to achieve your vision
• connect your community and develop local partnerships and networks that build pride in the place where you live
• tap into existing skills and experience or learn new skills
• promote the local social, economic and health benefits of your community that make it a good place to live.
 

What is Council’s role?

Council can support communities by:
• participating in meetings
• providing template documents
• being a conduit between the community & Council
• supporting and providing advice on community engagement
• providing support to identify funding sources
• providing demographic data

If you'd like to know more you can contact the Hills area Community Development Officer Amanda on 9294 6741 or a.may@yarraranges.vic.gov.au otherwise I look forward to seeing you on the 14th to talk and listen to all things community aspiration.

samantha in the press

Rowville line upgrades take back seat to north and west rail upgrades
by Angus Livingston
Waverley Leader
2 Apr 2013

Yarra Ranges Weekly 2 Apr 2013



Lilydale Leader 2 Apr 2013

 



belgrave hub survey out

Residents from Belgrave and surrounds will have received a survey in the mail for the proposed Belgrave Multi-purpose Hub Development.  The survey has been distributed to just under 8,000 residents and I'm keen to hear local views on the proposal. The survey is also available online here.

The proposed multi purpose building would be a focal point for the western entry into Belgrave (opposite St Thomas Mores). The hub will form part of Council’s Community Hubs strategy to develop high quality, multi-use, accessible community facilities that offer a range of programs and activities.

We anticipate the building hosting a whole range of services for the Belgrave and hills community which are currently being run at a variety of locations including the Tin Shed, Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief, Youth Services and Inspiro buildings.

A hub will bring everything together in the one place making it much easier for people to access the services they need.

Plans include community meeting rooms which can be hired out by individuals and groups. Outside there will be a community garden and an outdoor art space in a community park setting that reflects the Dandenong Ranges environment.

If you'd like to know more you can talk to council about the plans at two local drop in sessions being held next week.

 

Council Staff will be available outside the Commonwealth Bank on Burwood Highway on Thursday 28 February from 3pm until 5pm. 

They will also be at the Safeway Supermarket on Burwood Hwy on Friday 1 March from 10am until 12pm.

The two drop in dates will just be part of our consultation process along with the survey. Please note due date to return the survey is Friday 15 March.

Community hubs have already been constructed at Yarra Junction, Healesville and Monbulk with plans underway for a hub in conjunction with Japara Community House in Durham Rd Kilsyth and Kimberley Drive, Chirnside Park.
 

Yarra Ranges Council and Inspiro (former Ranges Community Health) are conducting the feasibility study on developing a multi-purpose building in Belgrave.

samantha in the press - planning

Fears over Baillieu's house call
Leader Newspapers
by Emily Webb
4 May 2012

monbulk soccer - have your say

Plans are underway for the new soccer facility in Monbulk and we want to know what you think.

The plans can be viewed at the new Monbulk Living and Learning Centre or at the Soccer Rooms at the Moores Rd ground in Monbulk.

The centre will feature a pavilion, 3 full size synthetic pitches and 1 full sized grass pitch, a training pitch, special lighting, car parking and access road and is located at 115 Old Emerald Road, Monbulk.

The impact of the popularity of soccer has been huge with the local club outgrowing the ground at Menzies Creek. An increase in player and team numbers has seen council commit $4million in our capital works budget to the new facility with the federal government putting $2million towards the project as well.

You can find more information and also look at the plans online by clicking here.

Submissions are due by 31 January, 2011 and can be emailed to mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au or posted to PO Box 105, Lilydale VIC 3140.

belgrave south says what it thinks

Today the Belgrave South community were invited to comment on some proposals for streetscape improvements in the shopping centre on Colby Drive. The shire has been talking about a number of options for the township with key stakeholders, including community, primary school, community house, traders and the CFA.

This is me with Derek Naylor, passionate Belgrave South community member and Belgrave South primary school councillor and Ozlem from the Urban Design Unit. Derek is keen to see a mural painted on the fence behind us.

A key issue in the township is walkability particularly crossing Colby Drive as it is far from optimal at the moment. The most popular project to suggest for broader consulation from the project steering group was the installation of a pedestrian crossing with the inclusion of some community space for people to enjoy.


























The project got some great feedback with community members very supportive of the idea of a pedestrian crossing, new public space and traffic calming along Colby Drive.

If you'd like to have your say but missed out today you can see a 3D model of the project at Belgrave South Primary School and either lodge your feedback form there or the Bakery across the road. You can also contact Ozlem in our Urban Design Unit for more information on 1300 368 333 or email o.akgun@yarraranges.vic.gov.au.