sharing sustainable stories

Yarra Valley ECOSS, with support from the Shire of Yarra Ranges, Sustainability Victoria and Warburton Pantry is holding Sharing Sustainable & Affordable Building/Design Stories.

As part of Sustainable House Day (11 Sep), ECOSS will hold the forum at the Upper Yarra Arts Centre in Warburton.

You will be able to pick up some great tips and lessons learnt form local sustainable home builders and designers. What a great way to learn from local Living Sustainably champions.

This year is the 10th Anniversary of Sustainable House day and Warburton Pantry will add to the occasion by providing delicious Yarra Valley wine and cheese.

Bookings essential on yvecossevents@gmail.com, cost $10 per person, click here for more info.

yarra valley artists open up

It was terrific to go to the launch of the group exhibition of Yarra Valley Open Studios at Sticks Winery in Yarra Glen.

Open Studios has something for everyone, from felt artists to jewellers, sculptors to potters and of course many painters it's a great exhibition in a great location.

In its second year, this year's exhibition sees 70 artists throughout the Yarra Valley throw open their doors to let the public into their private studios.

It's a great opportunity to get to know the artist in their space and gain a greater understanding of the creative process.

The group exhibition is open now at Sticks Winery and the weekend of 17^th through to the 19^th of September sees the artists open up their studio's for visitors.

To keep up with latest news find Yarra Valley Open Studios on

It's a great opportunity to see some great art in a gorgeous setting.

samantha in the press – water recycling

Waterproof future

Mail Newspapers

by Kath Gannaway

24 Aug 2010

in the press - recycled water for yarra valley

Pipeline plan to aid farms
Yarra Ranges Journal
by Gilbert Gardiner
17 Aug 2010

recycled water for the valley

report from the roundtable – 10 aug

Council had to consider a report on the Business Case for Recycled Water Pipeline for Agriculture in the Yarra Valley.

It is an important advocacy issue for council. Yarra Ranges upholds and protects the Green Wedge as the food bowl of Melbourne and a prime driver of our local economy. We know as a council that water shortages will be more frequent as the effects of climate change continue to change local weather patterns and rainfall.

We need to start thinking about water security for our farmers now before the situation becomes dire. The business case focuses on recycled water supply from the Brushy Creek/Lilydale Sewerage Treatment Plants to supply growers in the Yarra Valley region.

The environmental benefits are enormous, not to mention the economic benefits. The project would deliver enormous flow on effects for the regional service economy as well as reductions in nutrient flows to the Olinda Creek, Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay.

It is a terrific project, makes good sense, all we need is government to take up the mantle and see it happen for farmers in Yarra Ranges.

rm22 on the line

I had an opportunity to see first hand, the work of the Yarra Valley Tourist Railway Society out at Healesville last weekend. The volunteer railway have done a tremendous job restoring the Walker RM22, an ex Victorian Railways rail-motor, not to mention the great restoration works on the track and bridges too.

Pictured left to right: Adam Taylor – Driver and Committee member, Cr Samantha Dunn – Lyster Ward, Brett Whelan – Vice President and Brett Morton – President with the beautifully restored RM22 in the background.

YVTR are currently testing the RM22 which runs along the line from Healesville for about 4.5 kms towards Tarrawarra over the Watts River and through the tunnel. The group plans to officially launch the RM22 in June and make it available to the public for train rides.

The YVTR volunteers are an impressive bunch, passionate about their railway, they proudly acknowledge the many hours volunteers have put towards the railway restoration and the fact that they have the youngest volunteer base of any tourist railway in Victoria.

They have terrific support from a huge range of local businesses, the Department of Transport and local community members.

The YVTRS welcomes anyone who is interested in participating in various projects to restore the Yarra Valley Railway to be Australia's Premier Broad Gauge Railway. If you are interested in finding out more contact info@yarravalleyrailway.org.au or click here.

nsps for the valley

report from the roundtable – feb 23

Council had to consider the formal designation of three more Neighbourhood Safer Places. Officers have been working through the long list of assessments for NSPs and recommended designation of the Halley Supple Reserve in Coldstream, Queens Park in Healesville and the Powelltown Public Hall.

Councillors formally designated the sites, however in the case of the Powelltown Public Hall, it was subject to conditions. The Hall will need additional works in order for it to properly be considered as an NSP. The works are in the order of $25,000 and the Shire is in discussions with the State Government to ensure funding to allow the hall to undergo basic passive fire prevention upgrades to assist in the defence of ember attack.

I hope the state government provides us with the assistance we need, NSPs have been imposed on us and we shouldn’t be the tier of government carrying the can for them.

heliport halted

report from the roundtable – 22 Sep

At this week’s council meeting, councillors had to consider an application for a heliport at Balgownie Estate in Yarra Glen. I had concerns about the application, so when Cr McRae moved a motion to refuse the application I readily seconded the motion.

The Yarra Valley is one of Yarra Ranges jewels, I'm not convinced that tourists are going to enjoy the tranquility and spectacular vistas of the region with helicopters buzzing overhead 12 times a day.

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I was concerned about the impact on residents and tourists to the Yarra Valley. The Yarra Valley is a place with high landscape values prized by locals and visitors alike and I thought the helipad was an undesirable intensification that would not enhance the region.

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I was concerned for the locals, children and adults, who are still deeply traumatised by the sound of helicopters after the Black Saturday bushfires. Even though this is not a planning matter we need to take into consideration the significant trauma suffered by locals and as a resident of the Dandenong Ranges I know that helicopter activity in Summer means danger.

The region is zoned Green Wedge, land that must be protected for its environmental or agricultural values, in this case this is a significant agricultural region of the shire and I cannot see how a stand alone helicopter operation can be considered as operating in conjunction with an agricultural activity. To me this is the baseline for measuring applications in Green Wedge, if the use is not compatible with environmental or agricultural purpose then it probably isn’t a good fit.

The application is not complimentary to the area, it is intrusive to the community and tourists who visit a green and tranquil place and we want it to stay this way.

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Councillors voted unanimously to refuse the application.

yarra valley open studio hits the ground running

Yarra Valley Open Studios was a great success over this weekend. I found myself travelling from McMahons Creek, where I visited local artist Christine Goode right through to Julia Peddie, a painter, in Healesville. I also popped in on the Marysville artists showing their work at the Church St Gallery.

Julia Peddie, painter from Healesville with one of her works. Julia's works have great depth, built up layer upon layer. She now finds herself moving on from a focus on bushfire to regeneration which is the subject of this piece.

Artists were excited about the success of the Open Studio weekend, their visitor books overflowing with entries and positive feedback. I look forward to seeing this event become a regular entry on our annual events calendar. Well done to all involved.

thanks mate

Today saw the running of the Thanks Mate Handicap at the Yarra Glen Racecourse as part of the thankyou event for emergency service workers and volunteers. Thanks Mate was put on by the Shire of Yarra Ranges and the Victoria Police as a way to recognise the outstanding efforts of our emergency services during the recent bushfires.

"To all our emergency service workers and volunteers - thanks mate."

I was very pleased to be there and had the great priviledge of awarding winning connections of Fly Half with their trophy for first place in the Thanks Mate Handicap.

yes – we are open for business

The recent tragic bushfires in Yarra Ranges have been devastating and their effect will be long felt in our community. However there is a very real economic threat here and now for our local businesses and the locals they employ due to the major bushfire disruption in the area.

Many businesses in Yarra Ranges rely on the tourist trade, the Yarra Valley has been a prime tourist destination for visitors near and afar. The response from the Australian public to help those in bushfire areas has been overwhelming and generous, now is the time to contribute some of that generosity locally and come back to Yarra Ranges for a visit to help support our local economies.

Now is the time to come back, we welcome visitors to the Dandenong Ranges, the Yarra Valley, Healesville and the Warburton Valley.

Even in the Dandenong Ranges, another key tourist destination, visitors and locals have been missing, concerns about bushfires the key factor. On my local shopping trips traders have reported to me they are struggling, the streets are quiet and usually flourishing townships are like ghost towns. I hope that now the threat of bushfire has subsided locals will return to the Dandenongs, Healesville and the Warburton Valley and help support local traders who are really starting to feel the pinch.

I understand that visitors want to keep their distance, be respectful and don’t want to been seen as rubber neckers, but now is the time to come back to the Yarra Valley, the Dandenongs, the Warburton Valley and Healesville – we need your business and we welcome all visitors back to our wonderful region.

YES - we are open for business!

national day of mourning

latest hours for relief centres

Healesville Recovery Centre
Healesville Memorial Hall
Main Street
Healesville

Yarra Glen Recovery Centre
Yarra Glen Memorial Hall
Cnr Anzac Ave and Bell St
Yarra Glen

Healesville and Yarra Glen recovery centres are open:
Monday–Friday 10am to 5pm
Saturday–Sunday 10am to 2pm

Over 2,571 people have registered for assistance at the two relief centres since February 7th. At the moment a large number of shire staff from the building services, public health and local laws teams are out on site assisting residents in the fire affected areas. The staff have put in a tremendous effort to assist residents through this tragic time.

cfa community meeting - yarra glen

A community meeting will held on Monday February 9 in Yarra Glen at 10:30am at the Yarra Glen Memorial Hall, Cnr Bell St and Anzac Ave, Yarra Glen (MEL Ref 274 K1).

Myself along with representatives from the Shire, CFA, Police and DSE will be in attendance.

The Shire will provide advice about emergency relief services available to residents affected by the fires.

My thoughts and prayers are with all who have suffered through this terrible tragedy.

emergency relief in healesville

Today I attended two community meetings called by the CFA, the first in Healesville, the second in Yarra Junction. Representatives from the Shire, CFA, Police, DSE and DHS were there, along with approximately 500 community members at each meeting. The meeting were held in response to the fires through the Yarra Valley and the Upper Yarra regions of the Shire.

An Emergency Relief Centre has been set up at the Healesville Memorial Hall for those people who have evacuated their homes or need assistance. It will remain open until further notice, last night around 80 people stayed at the hall.

The Shire is meeting with the DHS and local agencies to coordinate services for community members who are affected. Services include counselling, accommodation, bedding, food, assistance with Centrelink services and financial support. The Healesville Emergency Relief Centre will provide a one stop service and provide advice and relief for those who have suffered.

Hot showers are available at the Healesville pool and the Healesville RSL and towels, soap and toothbrushes will be available. Cold showers are available at Queens Park.

Animal Aid in Coldstream have opened their doors to deal with animals in distress and the Lilydale Showgrounds are available for community members who want to store their horses/horse floats, cattle/cattle trucks, etc.

There is a team at the Healesville Emergency Relief Centre to provide emergency assistance including grants through the DHS. If you are in need please go the Healesville Memorial Hall Emergency Relief Centre where the team will be able to help you.

Healesville Emergency Relief Centre
Healesville Memorial Hall
Main Street Healesville
MEL REF 270 C12

My thanks go out to all those volunteers who have contributed their time towards dealing with this emergency. They are doing a terrific job and their efforts are very much appreciated.