samantha in the media

Feeding ban voted down, ruffling a few feathers
by David Schout
Yarra Ranges Weekly
4 Jun 2013

Yarra Shire's memo to Abbott
Yarra Ranges Weekly
4 Jun 2013

3MDR Judy Ann and Company
Interview with Judy-Ann

Panel to referee fast food slow burn
by Emily Webb
Leader Newspaper
3 Jun 2013

Planning future under scrutiny
by Kath Gannaway
Mail Newpapers
4 Jun 2013

Hills controversy spills over
Mail Newspaper
4 Jun 2013

No cocky ban
by Emma Sun
Mail Newspaper
4 Jun 2013

Feathers fly as bid fails to fine cockatoo feeders
by Emily Webb
Leader Newspapers
3 Jun 2013

Panel to chew over fast food proposal
by Emily Webb
Free Press Leader
5 Jun 2013

Waging war on weeds
Free Press Leader
5 Jun 2013

Free to feed cockies
by Emily Webb
Free Press Leader
5 Jun 2013

samantha in the media

3MDR Roundabout
Interview with Graham Beal

Yarra Ranges Council rejects plan to fine people who feed cockatoos on private land
by Emily Webb
Free Press Leader
29 May 2013

Track works get back to nature
by Russell Bennett
Mail Newspapers
28 May 2013

samantha in the press

Yarra Ranges Council wants to ban the feeding of cockatoos in the Dandenong Ranges in bid to stop property damage
by Emily Webb
Free Press Leader
27 Feb 2013

Yarra Ranges Council opposes moves by Puffing Billy operators to allow permit exemptions for new building work
by Emily Webb
Free Press Leader
27 Feb 2013

Eastern Transport Coalition blames an oversight for leaving two Monash level crossings out of budget submission
by Tim Michell
Waverley Leader
26 Feb 2013

VicForests happy to talk with Yarra Ranges Council about move to area after ethical paper pledge retraction
by Kimberley Seedy
Lilydale Leader
25 Feb 2013

Belgrave residents this week can have their say this week on plans for a multi-purpose community space
by Emily Webb
Free Press Leader
24 Feb 2013

puffing billy seeks planning scheme exemptions

report from the roundtable – 12 feb

At this week’s council meeting we had to consider a request from the Minister for Planning via the Emerald Tourist Railway Board (ETRB), the board that runs Puffing Billy. The request was to undertake a planning scheme amendment that would see any building and works associated with the ‘normal’ operations of the railway be exempt from planning permits without the need for public consultation.


The issue came about from the most recent construction by Puffing Billy out at the Menzies Creek Railway Station, an enormous zincalume shed, built without any consultation with the neighbours or with a planning permit.


The planning scheme amendment sought by ETRB would mean that no advertising or public consultation would be required to change the planning scheme, it would also mean that the current compliance action and need for a planning permit would cease out at Menzies Creek.

The issue out at Menzies Creek highlights how important public consultation is. The newly constructed shed is reflective silver in colour, far greater in size than anything in the region and there’s no vegetation buffer or screen planting, a resident in the rail corridor would never be allowed to build in that way and many local residents complained to council about the construction.


I had concerns about allowing the amendment without proper process. I think it’s important that the community, particularly those who live along the Puffing Billy corridor have a say about what happens in the corridor and the station precincts. I was concerned about changing the planning scheme first, then consulting residents second. The community who lives along the line understands the importance of the landscape and the environment, I believe maintaining that corridor is a shared responsibility and it is as much up to Puffing Billy to consult residents and go through proper process as it is for residents to apply to Puffing Billy when they seek changes.


Mr John Robinson, CEO of Puffing Billy, presented to council. He advised that Puffing Billy were developing a strategic plan that they would be sharing with council and the community in the future, that the organisation wanted to be transparent and consult with the community over the plan. He said that the railway was vigorously protective of the environment.


It was my view that locals are equally vigorously protective of the environment and that’s why the amenity of the corridor is a shared responsibility. I thought that no advertising was inappropriate and usurped good process.


I congratulated Puffing Billy on the development of a masterplan as a great mechanism to get community and council input to inform any changes to the planning scheme and the direction of the railway into the future.


Council agreed unanimously to write to the Minister indicating:


Resolved on the motion of Crs Dunn and Cliff

That Council write to the Minister for Planning indicating the following:

1. It is Council’s preferred approach to retain the current planning provisions affecting the land managed by the Emerald Tourist Railway Board and that any changes to permit exemptions should be undertaken as part of a detailed master planning exercise that involves public consultation.

2. As an interim arrangement, Council would be agreeable to work with the ETRB and the Department of Planning and Community Development in modifying the current permit exemptions under Clause 53 generally as proposed by the ETRB but modified to address issues raised in this report and in particular:

a. The definition of normal operations is clarified to determine the exact location and area of land where the proposed exemption would apply.

b. Clarify the meaning of the interpretation centre, cafe/kiosk, gift/souvenir shop and define the extent of the station precinct/precincts, or remove them from the proposed exemption altogether.

c. Either through a permit threshold trigger or an alternative mechanism ensure that any building constructed in the railway corridor is designed appropriately to minimise environmental, amenity and visual impacts.

d. In supporting the interim provisions, Council seeks assurance from the Minister that the ETRB will seek community input on a detailed master plan and proposed planning framework for the whole Puffing Billy railway corridor within 12 months of approval of the interim provisions.

puffing billy on the line for 50 years

Cr Samantha Dunn and train driver for this trip, Chris.

What a fine celebration it was, the 50th anniversary of the re-opening of the Puffing Billy line.

Locals and visitors joined to celebrate the occasion with a ride on Puffing Billy to Menzies Creek.

The view from the Trestle Bridge, this must be one
of the most photographed bridges in Victoria.

Puffing Billy is a key tourism destination in Victoria, with around 260,000 visitors per year.

It was terrific to share the occasion with the many volunteers that help to keep the railway going.

Cr Samantha Dunn at Menzies Creek station
enjoying the day's festivities.

samantha in the press - libraries

Train tells the story of steam
Mail Newspapers
31 May 2011

erl, puffing billy and literacy

It was terrific to see a packed Puffing Billy full of children celebrating Library Week.

The "Story Train" celebrates the benefits of books with a trip from Belgrave to Emerald Lake where children on board enjoyed a range of activities centred around reading.

The program is part of the Shire of Yarra Ranges Early Literacy Project and is supported by the wonderful staff at the Eastern Regional Library Corporation.

storms across yarra ranges

In the last 24 hours the Shire of Yarra Ranges has received over 400 calls about flood/storm damage. This afternoon the Shire's MECC (Municipal Emergency Coordination Centre) was activated.

The spillway at Belgrave Lake Park was flowing at an enormous pace, Monbulk Creek has suffered significant flooding.

















Roads across the shire are closed (click here for Vic Roads information) due to trees down, flooding and landslip. This is the Belgrave Gembrook Road, unpassable this morning due to trees down. I urge people to take it easy on the roads if you're out and about today.

Some roads are still flood affected, this intersection at McNicol Rd and Station St, Belgrave is not traversible

Although unconfirmed there have been reports of approximately 50 houses being impacted by flash flooding or flooding.










































This pothole is over one metre deep and around ten metres long, I urge people to take great care when driving on unsealed roads in the region.

A number of landslips have been reported as well and are currently being inspected to determine the size and scale of the slips.

Areas most impacted in the Shire include Belgrave, Upwey, Lilydale, Mooroolbark, Kilsyth, Healesville and Badgers Creek.

Clematis Creek, like all of our waterways, has burst its banks and is flowing across the road. Puffing Billy volunteers assisted the clean up. Happy to have something to do as Puffing Billy isn't running today due to fallen trees and landslips on the line.

Reports of damage to council infrastructure and roads are being prioritised for a response.

CFA and SES Volunteers are being kept busy with traffic management and storm damage clearance, I'm thankful for their tireless contribution to our community.

If you need to contact council please call our 24 hour call centre number on 1300 368 333.

samantha in the press - cycle paths

Pedalling Belgrave

Leader Newspapers

by Kimberley Seedy

13 Oct 2010

click on image to read on

great train race

What a terrific day for the 2009 Great Train Race. In its 28th year, the fun run sees runners pit themselves against Puffing Billy. The race attracts people from across Melbourne and this year the race was fully subscribed with 3000 competitors hitting the local streets.

This year I chose to watch the race from the iconic trestle bridge in Selby. It is quite an amazing sight to see so many people running along the road under such a famous Victorian landmark, particularly when Puffing Billy makes his way across the bridge.

In past years local traders have reported an increase in trade for Belgrave and given the magnificent autumn day I’m sure they would have been plenty of trade today. It is one of the larger events in my ward, the local CFA volunteers were out in force to assist with road closures along the route whilst residents lined the roads to give some extra encouragement to competitors.

Runner 4039 was in the lead at the 2km mark, I’ll have to watch the news to see if he retained his position.

puffing billy release draft environmental management plan

On Friday I went to the release of a Draft Environmental Management Plan for the Puffing Billy rail corridor. It is a timely release given the explosive stage weeds have reached along the Puffing Billy line.

Puffing Billy has always been one of the most spectacular train rides, not only for the nostalgic experience of steam travel, but because of the magnificent natural scenery along the rail corridor. Anyone who has travelled across the trestle bridge and experienced the view of the cool temperate forest of the southern Dandenongs will know how significant the natural environment is to the Puffing Billy experience.

As a dweller along the track I have noticed that the quality of natural vegetation along the corridor has been severely compromised by the invasion of weeds to the point that in some places there are only weeds.

This Draft Environmental Management Plan is a very positive step forward for Puffing Billy, everyone who lives along the rail corridor and the tracts of public land that abut the rail corridor. The plan looks to conserve and preserve the natural and cultural values within the corridor. It will also drive environmentally appropriate relationships between the railway and the community.

Council has been investigating a shared trail (walking and cycling) to connect Belgrave to Menzies Creek alongside the Puffing Billy track by undertaking a feasibility study. Whilst still in draft stage I am hopeful that we can move ahead with the concept of a shared trail beside the track and if I am re-elected to council in November this is a project I will be pursuing.

Wouldn't it be great to see a Belgrave to Menzies Creek trail too?

I am concerned to read in the Draft Environmental Management Plan actions around the public use of the corridor, namely to “survey access tracks to determine usage patterns and identify opportunities to close tracks where viable” (pg 34 - 4.1.4.5).

The community needs more walking tracks not less and I think that closing tracks currently in use would be a backwards move. If tracks exist alongside the rail corridor it means people are using them. Tracks that aren’t used grow over very quickly.

This is the start of the Emerald Cockatoo trail, some 7 kms long. It's a terrific example of what can be achieved.


Puffing Billy are inviting comments from the public on the plan by 30 November 2008. If you would like a copy of the plan contact the Emerald Tourist Railway Board on 9757 0700 or email Christine Dixon on info@pbr.org.au.