LIGHTS: Off to VCAT Again?

Christine Fyffe presented The Shire with multiple letters from Coldstream residents. James Lamour-Reid (Director – Planning, Building & Health) sent the response shown above.

Christine Fyffe has added the following comment:

I am bitterly disappointed for the residents of Coldstream that this issue will not be resolved at the level of council. The plan to have traffic lights installed at the intersection of the Melba and Maroondah Highway is going down the same path of more and more council decisions. They are being referred on to VCAT adding to the backlog of cases in our legal system which will only further delay the commencement of construction.

While I don't want to pre-empt a decision by VCAT, it is my personal opinion that the plan for traffic lights at the intersection of the Melba and Maroondah Highway should already have been approved by council and construction started.

Christine Fyffe MP

I also wish to add my comments on this matter:

Once again The Shire is going to VCAT to settle this dispute costing us rate payers more and more and delaying what the majority of residents want.
One question… Was anyone in Coldstream asked their opinion (by Cr Jeanette McRae or anyone else from the shire) of the Vic Roads proposal before it went to the council meeting of Jan 27 2009 where it was rejected?

What happened to the consultation process this Shire keeps pushing?


please add your comments if you agree or dissagree.

FIRES: Fuel Removal

Jim Child has posted on his blog an article that is essential reading:

Fire Prevention on Private Property
Within the Shire Of Yarra Ranges.

He says:
This matter must be resolved as both the Shire and its Councillors run the risk of serious litigation if a serious bushfire were to occur and lives were lost as a result of poor Fire Preparation within the Shire of Yarra Ranges, which remains one of the most fire prone areas of the world.

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.


Thanks Jim, keep up the good work.

LOCALS: Bruce Rowland

Bruce Rowland is one of Australia's most successful and highly-acclaimed composers. He is well-known internationally, and has an extensive and impressive list of films and awards to his credit and he lives right here in Coldstream.

He won AFI Awards for best score for The Man from Snowy River in 1982, for Phar Lap in 1983 and for Rebel in 1985.

He also won a Penguin Award for All the Rivers Run in 1983, an ARIA award in 2002 for his score to The Man from Snowy River Arena Spectacular, and wrote and conducted the music for the opening of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

Bruce has written scores for over 40 films in Australia and the U.S.A., and his latest film, The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello, was nominated for a 2006 British Academy Award and an Oscar.

Bruce was a member of CIG (Coldstream Improvement Group) and on the group working to get rid of the smell produced by Coldstream Compost and ANL.

Check out these sites for more on Bruce and his music.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Rowland
http://www.brucerowland.com/html/credits.htm

FIRES: Photos by Robert Bethall

Robert Bethall sent in these photos of the recent fires.

The first 3 were taken in Leonard Rd on Feb 8th 2009.
The last 2 are of Coldstream viewed from Lilydale.

A big thank you to all the firefighters who helped at Coldstream under almost impossible circumstances.
Regards,

Robert Bethell.

Pictures:Red Skies

A couple of photos I took some time ago.

LOCALS: Innovation bears fruit for family farm

Tony Spurling, of the family-run Gateway Hydroponics greenhouse in Coldstream, Yarra Valley, Vic, runs a farm-gate store which is a budding showcase for local produce.

About a year ago they discovered a native mite (micro smiris) on their crops. It appeared when they were enduring a plague of sap-sucking thrip, blown in from nearby strawberry farms and the mite began munching on the thrip.

As an added bonus,they discovered it doesn't die off once the threat is consumed as do many other biological controls such as wasps; it simply changes its taste to plant pollen and waits for the next wave of bugs.

In many greenhouses, keen to keep chemicals to a minimum, various insect predators are released as prepackaged eggs to attack specific pests.

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

HISTORY: Coldstream Football Club

Coldstream in the Fifties


picture 1: Len Taylor & Peter Reed


picture 2: Skate connection: Bill, Neil, Marj Cope, Dot Mitchell, Les & Val Sheehan

The Coldstream Football Club was formed originally in 1890. It foundered after one season, but re-formed in 1903, again for just one year. The club was revived in 1911 under the presidency of Halley Supple, and played until the Great War forced a cessation of all competition in late July, 1915.
The formation of a Coldstream Cricket Club in 1949 was the catalyst for the revival of the Football Club. Five of the cricketers, Des Goodwin, Jack Campbell, Peter Reed, John Hagan and Geoff Skate, were playing football for Yarra Glen. Jack was so keen that he would cycle to training there twice a week. But, a local club made a lot more sense.
Geoff's older brother, Les, and their brother-in-law, Kevin Sheehan, also played for Yarra Glen. They, too, could do without the travel, and convinced their mate, Stan Rowan, to join them. Stan captained the Glen, and he and Campbell had represented the Yarra Valley League. Along with another cricketer, Len Taylor, who had played a season for Lilydale Seconds, this was surely the basis of a handy side.

The Coldstream Football Club was formally established at a well-attended meeting on February 21, 1952, and a side was entered in the Second Eighteen competition of the Yarra Valley Football League.
But, the cricket ground in Station Street, leased from Stan Kerr, needed to be ploughed, re-sown and fenced, and would be unavailable for the football season. Home matches were played at Yarra Glen.
The 48 year-old honorary non-playing coach from Gruyere provided a link with the original club. Brian Cahill had just married Liz Madden, sister of Jack, Charlie, Bill and Dan who had represented Coldstream from 1911. He had played with the Maddens for Gruyere and Wandin in the 1920s. The other link was vice-president, Halley Supple.

It was all hands on deck, regardless of age, as Coldstream strove to field a team. 46 year-old Percy Ellis, who had played 59 games for Fitzroy (1929-32), Fred Rowe, 49, and Jim Bigham, 42, were the veterans of the side.

The Blues got off to the ideal start, beating Yarra Glen 7-8 to 2-10 in the opening round, with Rowan best afield. Sadly, he was lost to the club when allotted a soldier settlement farm at Birregurra after just three matches. He returned for one more game in round 8, earning his third umpire's vote.

Jack Campbell was the new skipper, but missed the next two games with injury. Follower, Roy Underwood, took over the reins in this time.

In July, Underwood and full-back, Campbell, represented the League in the Second Eighteens side which played Croydon-Ferntree Gully.
But, Coldstream's three-point victory over Toolangi in the penultimate round was just their second for the season. Only percentage kept them from propping up the ladder when the season ended.

Roy Underwood won the best & fairest, Kevin Sheehan was named best utility, and Ian Bennett and Bill Skate were adjudged best under 18.

At the annual meeting In January, 1953, plans were announced for the construction of dressing sheds at the ground.
28 year-old former Richmond Reserves player, Cecil Cook, was recruited from Croydon as captain-coach for the new season. And, the club celebrated the official opening of the new ground in round two with a big win over Yarra Glen.

John Dell and local dairy farmers, the Wines brothers (Arthur, Alan, and Lindsay), made their debuts. Dell, Sheehan and Cook were selected to represent the Yarra Valley 2nd XVIII against the Croydon-Ferntree Gully League.

Coldstream won eight matches and finished fifth, missing the finals by six points. Len Taylor won the best & fairest and was fourth in the League voting.

A fourth Skate brother, Neil, joined the club from Croydon under 16s in 1954 and follower, Fred Lloyd (who married Bill Skate's sister-in-law), also debuted in the opening round. Cook talked his cousin, John Knee, a former Croydon player, into making a comeback along with his younger brother, Peter, and Bill Cameron was another notable recruit.

Cecil Cook (who later kicked 13 goals against Marysville) was again selected in the League side, along with Arthur Wines and Ian Bennett, whose outstanding form in a back pocket would earn him the club best & fairest.

Despite losing Alan Wines and Eric Rowe at various times to National Service, the Blues won ten matches and made the finals for the first time. Unfortunately, they were overwhelmed by Warburton in the first semi-final at Healesville.

Coldstream was on a hiding to nothing in 1955 when the Yarra Valley League insisted that any club with just one team should play in the First Eighteen competition. Len Taylor booted 12 goals, bringing up a career century, as the Blues thrashed Yarra Glen in the opening round. But, a return victory against the Glen was their only other for the season. However, Alan Wines wasn't fazed by the elite company. He was selected in the League representative team and won the club best & fairest.

Coldstream transferred to the Croydon-Ferntree Gully League in 1956 and entered "B" Section. But, the Blues would have to do without the four Wines brothers who had left the district. Home fixtures were played at Mount Evelyn while the Station Street ground underwent further maintenance.

Mount Evelyn player, Des Dixon, was appointed captain-coach, but he broke his wrist in round three. New players included schoolteacher, Alan Wilson, from Rupanyip, who recruited friend, Stan Sonsie; Graham Beer; and Laurie Dell from Croydon. Rover, Philip Macumber, was recruited from Lilydale and he and another newcomer, John Ward, both made the League representative team.

Macumber went on to win the best & fairest in a side that won only five matches.
Alan Wines returned as captain-coach in 1957, and follower, Don Sutherland, from Lilydale, and Graham's brother, Neville Beer, were significant signings. But, the Blues again won only five matches, drowning their sorrows on an end-of-season trip to Bendigo.

Wines had taken up residence in Hoddles Creek, and Fred Lloyd had moved to Hamilton as the club prepared for season 1958 under new captain-coach, Brian Lucas from Rutherglen. The Blues had been dropped to "C" Section.

Another broken nose in the opening match effectively ended the career of courageous short defender, Jack Campbell. The Coldstream original, and master of the drop kick, had missed many games through injury, including a broken shin in late 1957.

But, the Blues' ruck was bolstered by Colin Mellors, fresh out of Mount Evelyn under 16s, and the new full-back was Harry Gooden, a former policeman from Malvern Amateurs, who had taken over a local dairy farm. In addition, Barry Barnes and Barrie Madigan, brother-in-law to Haydn Underwood, became the first players to graduate from Des Goodwin's Coldstream Boys Club.

Coldstream picked up classy centreman, Kevin McCarthy, just before clearances closed, and he proved the catalyst for a late bid for the finals. Despite winning just seven games, the Blues snuck into the four and would meet The Basin at Croydon.
They had lost their previous encounter by a goal, and Barnes went off with an injured hand in the second quarter. But, with Lucas playing as a spare man in defence in the final term, the Blues held on by 13 points. Mellors, who had won the League best & fairest, booted five goals, and defenders, Graham Beer, Gooden and Sutherland were impassable.
Unfortunately, Coldstream was overwhelmed by Yarra Glen in the preliminary final.

It was back up to "B" Section in 1959 under new captain-coach, Bill Evans, a former VFA player with Williamstown. Max Buckmaster, from Wandin, and John Temme (Lilydale) were notable recruits, along with Jim Gooden from Landsborough, who was in town to paint brother, Harry's house!

And, the Boys Club was proving a fertile breeding ground. Adrian Barnes, Ray Dell, Tony Skate, Keith Vuarchoz and Graeme Ellis graduated during the season.

Ellis was the younger son of Percy, and went on to become Coldstream's first senior VFL player with a single game for Richmond in 1962. He then played five seasons in the VFA with Waverley and was vice-captain of the Panthers' 1965 premiership team. Dell played Reserve grade for Essendon in 1962.
The Blues won nine matches, but finished a game and percentage outside the four.

Evans topped the club goalkicking with 43, and young Barrie Madigan booted 29 in an impressive second season. Mellors again won the competition best & fairest and would repeat the feat in 1960 and 1962. He played VFL Reserve grade for Footscray in 1961, and later played for East Launceston and Scottsdale in the NTFA.
As the decade drew to a close, Bill, Geoff and Les Skate along with Eric Rowe, Len Taylor and Haydn Underwood remained the hardy originals whose contributions to a great club will never be forgotten.

Taylor would go on to play a club record 348 games and earn playing life membership of the Eastern Football League. Les Skate played 305 games, Rowe 238, Geoff Skate 200 and Underwood 194.

Les coached the Under 16s to the club's maiden premiership in 1963, and the Second XVIII to the Blues' first senior flag in 1972, a team which included Taylor.

Macumber, Mellors and Alan Wines were selected in the Coldstream Golden Jubilee Team in 2002.
Players, Goodwin, Les Skate, Taylor, Campbell, Eric Rowe, Neil Skate, Roy Underwood and Gus Guillerme, long-serving trainer, Les Dell, administrator, Mick Supple, and gatekeeper, Ernie Read, re awarded life membership.

Source UNKNOWN >>> somewhere on the NET!

COMPOST: Fire Rumour

Can anyone confirm if there was a fire at the ANL compost facility last Friday night20/2/2009?

LIGHTS: Coldstream Residents have their say

The picture is of Glenn Patterson (CEO of Shire of Yarra Ranges) receiving the original letters of Coldstream residents from Christine Fyffe MP (Member for Evelyn) requesting council reverse its decision to leave the tree at the intersection of the Melba and Maroondah Highways.

Let's hope we get this matter resolved so we can move onto more issues that concern Coldstream residents.

A COMMENT BY TONY:

Tony said...
I wish council would realize that it is often almost impossible to safely exit Ingram Road onto the Maroondah Hwy at weekends. This is even more dangerous because at weekends there is always a steady stream of cars and trailers trying to get to the council recycling center. The number of hair raising dashes across the road one sees is quite alarming. Traffic lights must be installed somewhere as soon as possible to provide pulsed gaps in the flow of Maroondah Hwy traffic.
A trivial debate about the fate an unimpressive lop sided tree rather than urgent action to fix a dangerous traffic situation does little to enhance the standing of council in our community.
Maybe one of the councilors should be made to live in Ingram Road and experience the problems on a daily basis.

LIGHTS: Cr Jeanette McRae responds

Part of an e mail sent to me.

..... it is important for community members to understand that Councillors are trying to achieve the best solution and are working well with Vicroads to achieve this.

People need to be aware that this is not about 'a tree' nor about 'traffic lights' but about obtaining the most appropriate traffic management outcomes.

regards
Jeanette

FIRE: Don't blame greens for backburn policy

In 2007, Mr Gentle told a Victorian parliamentary bushfire inquiry that governments had wound down preventive bushfire practices in national parks and rural communities to "appease green idealism".

Read the rest by clicking on the title.

LIGHTS: Morris Maxwell Has A Say

Morris Maxwell is a long term resident of Coldstream. One of the original members of the Coldstream Improvement Group (CIG).
He ran 3770 News for some time and now is actively involved in the Margret Lewis Reserve.

He writes:

Has everyone involved here given up on trying to complete the highway duplication for this section that was started over twenty years ago?
How many years has the current state member been in office and how many requests has she made to have this duplication completed?
How many requests has the local council made for this duplication?
It seems to me, that a set of traffic lights would just give Vic Roads and excuse to put back the duplication for yet another century.

Also, if Vic Roads are not going to do anything with the extra road reserve and the bridge over the creek (Eastern Drain), then why can’t it be used for something else? Eg it could be used as an extended parking bay for interstate trucks, an area for Sunday markets, fenced off to make a long paddock for grazing, or how about allocating it as an area that could be used for private car sales of a weekend? This last idea might alleviate the problem of having cars to be sold parked in highly visible places where they are not really supposed to be. It could also become a permanent location for a weekend private cars sales market. Of course if we did use it for something, then it might upset Vic Roads and just to spite the locals they might come along and build a duplicate road along it!

Happy highway entering,
Morris Maxwell

Lights: Survey Results

19 February 2009

Council must reverse its decision and give Coldstream their traffic lights

Liberal Member for Evelyn Christine Fyffe has been overwhelmed by an influx of letters supporting her stance to have council reverse its decision to retain a single tree at Coldstream where traffic lights were scheduled to be constructed in July 2008.

Mrs Fyffe has had 207 Coldstream residents send letters to her office requesting that council reverse its decision to retain the tree at the intersection of the Melba and Maroondah Highways.

The letters will be delivered by Mrs Fyffe to council at the first opportunity.

“This sends a strong statement to the councillors of the Shire of Yarra Ranges which they must heed. The residents are fed up with the delays and want a common sense approach to planning which recognises that human safety is a higher priority than the preservation of a single, replaceable tree,” Mrs Fyffe said.

Some of the statements made by Coldstream residents in relation to this issue include:

- “As a Coldstream resident a CFA volunteer and a regular user of both the Melba and Maroondah Highways I know from experience how invaluable the traffic lights at the intersection would be”

- “If there is a decision to be made between the safety of motorists and the retention of this tree there is no decision to be made”

- “If the traffic lights can’t be done at the intersection of the Melba and Maroondah Highways it should be moved to Killara Road”

- “Safety should come first!”

- “Save this one tree, and in time lose many trees somewhere else to make coffins”

- “Residents deserve to be treated better, the volume of traffic on all our roads is increasing every year and still we wait for common sense to prevail”

“Some members of the community suggested that a roundabout would be reasonable alternative. However, I am advised this will not be functional,” Mrs Fyffe said.

“Coldstream residents don’t want council wasting any more time on a project that should have been straight forward. The process of VicRoads having to revise their plans to accommodate this one tree will further postpone construction, and result in a less satisfactory model which won’t solve the problems the traffic lights were supposed to,” Mrs Fyffe said.

Media: Ruth Barendse 9735 3208

TREES: Council to decide the fate of about 45 trees

At a council meeting set for 24th Feb 2009, our councillors will decide on the removal of about 45 trees throughout the Shire.

A list of trees and locations affected can be seen by clicking on the TITLE above.

Let's hope we dont see these reported in the papers and radio.

Fires: Coldstream Update

..............

Several wineries have also been affected by fire with Punt Road at Coldstream losing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of equipment.

Click on the title to get the full story.

Fires: Water Quality

WATER has been diverted out of some of Melbourne's reservoirs amid fears fire contamination could last for months.

The Maroondah dam holds 22,000 megalitres of water and is currently 43 per cent full while the O'Shannassy holds 3000 megalitres and is 58.5 per cent full.

The dams threatened include the Sugarloaf, Maroondah, O'Shannassy, Upper Yarra and Yan Yean dams.

Read the full story by clicking the title above.

LIGHTS: Vic Roads to provide a brief paper.

Below is a response from Glenn Patterson CEO Shire of Yarra Ranges on the topic of the lights and roundabout.

16/2/2009

Mario,

A meeting between our staff and Vicroads occurred mid last week. The outcomes of yesterday's meeting were:

- Vicroads is to provide a brief paper, outlining the reasons why a roundabout won't work. Our engineers agree that a roundabout is not feasible.

- Vicroads has been requested by our staff to investigate a solution that is a combination of the two options presented so far to see if it's feasible to come up with a 'compromise' design that would see all the trees retained.

It is expected that Vicroads will come back to us within a week once further detailed design is done, following which councillors will consider the proposed solution. I'll keep you informed as this progresses.

Glenn

FIRES: Yarra Ranges speedy start to rebuild

“The shire is ready to support residents affected by the bushfires with help with many things including livestock, building and public health amenities,” Cr Cox said.

Read the whole story by clicking on the title above.

BUT in the Australian

PREMIER John Brumby has warned that work on rebuilding the more than 1800 homes destroyed in the Victorian bushfire disaster could take up to six months to begin.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25059183-5013404,00.html

FIRES: How to Help Wildlife affected by fires

Fires raging throughout Victoria at the moment will be devastating for our wildlife. Any that do survive will have lost their homes and food source for at least 3 months it will take for new growth to cover the charred trees.

Click on the title to go to the full story

FIRES: Survivors share $30m fires payout

Taken from the Herald-Sun.

Click on the title above to get the full story.


FAMILIES affected by Victoria's horrific bushfires will receive thousands more dollars in a crisis grant scheme to be announced today.................
..............

Details of how to obtain the crisis grants will be announced tomorrow.

Fire: Current News from the SHIRE

Rates relief for residents who have lost homes in bushfires

Assistance at hand for bushfire victims

Emergency hay supplies available for fire affected animals

Yarra Glen and Healesville Recovery Centres Activated

Click on the title to go to the SHIRE page.

FIRES: Personal Hardship Grant: Emergency Grant

Emergency grant
An emergency grant of up to $1,067 is available per household for immediate and urgent accommodation, food and personal needs. The amount of each grant is based on need.

http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency/current-events/bushfire/financial-assistance

FIRES: Victorian Volunteer Grants - Bushfire Relief

Bushfire Relief 2009 is a Victorian Government investment to provide practical help to volunteers and local community organisations providing volunteer emergency relief in fire-affected communities.

Community not-for-profit organisations in Victoria providing volunteers to work in fire-affected communities can apply.

Find out more http://www.grants.dpcd.vic.gov.au/Web18/dvcgrants.nsf/allDocs/RWP5A60600BAE7D351ACA2575590028BBC5?OpenDocument

FIRES: Let's get toughf on fires

Robert Gottliebsen
Let's get tough on fire

On television and radio, fire protection people are starting to reveal the mistakes made by well-meaning people in the state government, the state opposition prior to being led by Ted Baillieu, local councils and administrators that contributed to Australia's greatest peace-time disaster. But there is a lot more to be revealed and the great danger is that the many areas of Victoria and Australia that have been endangered by these mistakes have so far not been burned.

READ THE REST AT:
http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/Lets-get-tough-on-fire-$pd20090212-P6S56?OpenDocument&src=kgb

LIGHTS: Coldstream Traffic Lights

Christine Fyffe MP has writen to most of the residents in Coldstream detailing her thoughts on the traffic lights in Coldstream.
If, like me, you did not get a copy of this letter please e mail Ruth.Barendse@parliament.vic.gov.au for a copy.

Christine would like you to "vote" to have the decision reversed or maintained.

To see the details presented to council regarding this application go to ITEM 8.9 on
http://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Page/page.asp?Page_Id=3579&h=0

Minutes can also be found on this site.


8.9 Planning Application No: YR-2008/1700 – Corner Maroondah Highway &
Melba Highway – Removal of a Tree on the Road Reserve

SUMMARY
· An application is made by VicRoads for the removal of a Eucalyptus botryoides that
is located on the north western side of the road reservation at the intersection of
Maroondah highway and Melba Highway.
· The tree is proposed to be removed to facilitate the construction of traffic signals as
part of VicRoads Road Improvement program.
· It is proposed that 70 new plants would be planted to offset the tree removal.
· A permit is required for tree removal in accordance with the Schedule to Clause 53
· Approval is recommended for the tree to be removed (Permit).
Moved Cr Heenan
Seconded: Cr Warren

FIRES: Message from Christine Fyffe MP

My deepest sympathies are with all families who have been affected by these horrendous bushfires.

I encourage anyone who wants to help victims of the bushfire crisis to make a monetary donation at the nearest Commonwealth, ANZ, NAB or Westpac bank branch.

While I appreciate that many of you have set aside goods to donate, I have been advised at a number of briefings across the Yarra Ranges that they are well stocked for most supplies and would prefer that people donate money to allow items to be purchased on a needs basis.

The generosity and consideration of all Victorians has been truly remarkable.

Thank you for your support.

Christine Fyffe MP
Member for Evelyn

FIRES: CFA Coldstream

The smoke in the hills near Healesville as seen from Coldstream.

Coldstream CFA are are great bunch of guys and gals, always on the ready to do their job.

I spoke to some of them this morning and gave them our thanks.

Some of them have had little rest or sleep over the past few days.

Well Done!

FIRES: Robert Gottliebsen: "A fire policy disaster"

Haseleu farm photo above

Photos by Mario Galteri

Victoria and Australia are going to be deeply shocked at what will be revealed at the fire Royal Commission, if the Royal Commissioner does the job properly. A number of fire protection officials have not been prepared to speak in public about what has been happening because they knew they would be ridiculed and it would cost them their jobs. In winters gone by, fire protection people warned friends a disaster was possible (although they would try hard to avoid it) and vowed that in the inquiry that would inevitably follow a disaster, they would speak out. No one conceived the scale of the looming disaster.

Read the rest at:

http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/bushfires-$pd20090210-P4U79?OpenDocument&src=ea&ir=4

FIRES: Tuckey Blames Major Parties

OUTSPOKEN federal Liberal MP Wilson Tuckey has blamed the major parties for Victoria's bushfire tragedy, saying it's been caused by politicians pandering to green votes. The savage fires have claimed the lives of 108 people with the death toll expected to rise.

Read the rest at
http://forestsandtimber.com.au/dtn/details.asp?ID=156

FIRES: TOO CLOSE TO HOME

Bill Haseleu's dairy farm pictures taken 9/02/2009. Most of the cows were saved but Bullie the bull did not survive.

Bill told me that all he had in way of clothes was what he had on (see photo 1 & 2). They have moved into their son's (Jurgen) almost completed house on the property. Bill told me that not all vehicles were insured but plans to rebuild his life and property.

FIRES: The Fires come too close.

Leader photographer Steve Tanner travels with Yarra Valley firefighters in Coldstream and Yarra Glen

Check out his photographs here:

http://leader-news.whereilive.com.au/photos/gallery/yarra-valley-wildfires-sunday-morning/

Thanks guys, you do a great job.

Late EXTRA:
Bill Haseleu's house in Tarrawarra Rd was destroyed by fire. I have known Bill and his family for over 30 years and it was a shock to see this happen.

The story was on Channel 7 tonight.

LIGHTS: Cr Jeanette McRae Email

Mario

Thank you for your email of 29 January.

I am happy to provide the rationale behind my vote when application YR 2009/1700 was determined by Council last week.

I want the best possible design solution for my community that achieves improved safety and traffic flows. It became apparent to me based on the report to Council and the dialogue between Councillors that there was a prepared, more appropriate, alternative design.

I personally have observed a near collison between a vehicle entering Maroondah Highway from Melba Highway and the tree almost opposite on the southern side of Maroondah Highway. I believe that if we need to provide two lanes for the traffic proceeding in a easterly direction that this should be accommodated from the southern side and reduce known target vegetation rather than a significant landscape tree of which I am not aware of target issues. However, this option was not before Council for determination - our consideration was around the removal of the significant, in the Coldstream landscape, tree.

Our Chief Executive Officer, Mr Glenn Patterson has organised for further discussion with VicRoads which I believe will result in a collaborative and acceptable outcome. Both VicRoads and Council are eager to co-operate to resolve the traffic management issues at this intersection.

It was unfortunate that you were not able to attend the Council meeting so that you could have heard first-hand the discussion around this application. You then may have realised that we seek to be as informed as possible and obtain the most appropriate outcomes for our community when making our decision.

regards

LIGHTS: Spot the HELLO tree

Well did you see it?

LIGHTS: Jim Child's Comments

Look and read about what Jim Child thinks about the TREE!

http://jimchild.blogspot.com/2009/01/fatality-waiting-to-happen-coldstream.html

LIGHTS: Cr Dunn's reasons

http://crdunn.blogspot.com/2009/01/report-from-roundtable-27-jan.html


Read what and why Cr Dunn voted the way she did. Then you decide!

HISTORY: Some Old Pictures

The HOTEL
1868
William & Mary Ann Hussey occupied a 6 room house with a beer parlour . Later this would have 14 guest rooms. A Spirit licence was granted and the hotel was called the Sportman’ s Arms.
1889
“The Lodge” township was renamed Coldstream when the railway went through.
1933
Burnt down and a temporary bar was built.
1934
Temporary bar burnt down.
1980
Supermarket complex built.

This picture shows the Melba Library.

The HALL

1891

The Hall was built by William Park
1918

Renovations took place with community support and a generous gift from Dame Nellie Melba adding the Melba Library. It was listed as a Mechanics’ Institute.

1966
Destroyed by fire and now a vacant block.

LIGHTS: as on 3AW Radio

Wed 4th Feb 2009
A link to the leader.
Read the comments too.

http://lilydale-yarra-valley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/traffic-lights-out-as-council-puts-tree-first-in-coldstream/



Tue 3rd Feb 2009



Below is a transcript of what was said on Melbourne radio today, 3AW with Ross and John.
Transcript 1
Ross Stevenson and John Burns


Item:
Regular Segment: Rumour File -
Caller -Talking Tree says the Shire of Yarra Ranges councillors have prevented a dangerous intersection in country Victoria from being upgraded as a tree would have to be removed, despite VicRoads offering to replace it.


Interviewees: Caller Talking Tree


ROSS STEVENSON: And Talking Tree, we'll make you last.


CALLER: Morning. A bunch of tree-hugging leftie councillors have yet again stopped a major upgrade for a dangerous intersection in country Victoria because one lousy tree would have to be taken out.
One of these sheilas in the shire's - get this - tree taskforce, reckons the tree says hello to visitors. Even though VicRoads have offered to put in 70 replacements trees, the intersection can't be upgraded.
JOHN BURNS: Which particular council are we talking about, Talking Tree, that's full of sheilas and tree-hugging, greenie lefties?
CALLER: Shire of Yarra Ranges.
ROSS STEVENSON: Thank you, and where's the tree? I want to go and talk - have this tree talk to me.
CALLER: Well, it says hello to visitors, Ross, and it's at the corner of the Melba and Maroondah highways.
ROSS STEVENSON: In fact, we've had a reporter out on the scene, Talking Tree, would you like to say hello to the tree?
SOUND EFFECT: Hello.
JOHN BURNS: [Laughs] Prince Charles is the most famous person, he talks to animals - talks to plants.
ROSS STEVENSON: Talks to plants, yes.
JOHN BURNS: Are you familiar with that intersection that our last rumour filer was talking about, Talking Tree, which one, the corner of the Melba and Maroondah highway?
ROSS STEVENSON: Is that not where Dame Nellie Melba has a house?
JOHN BURNS: That's where her house was. Sorry, yeah.
ROSS STEVENSON: You turn left to go to Mount Buller.
JOHN BURNS: That's right.
* * End *



INTERVIEW 2

Ross Stevenson says there is an intersection upgrade at a local shire that is being stopped due to the presence of a gum tree. Stevenson introduces Mario Galteri, owner, Coldstream Timber and Hardware. Galteri says the tree is right in the middle of the proposed intersection upgrade and it will probably fix a lot of safety issues and traffic issues if the intersection went ahead.
Interviewees: Mario Galteri, Owner, Coldstream Timber and Hardware


ROSS STEVENSON: The Rumour File this morning told us that up Coldstream way, that the local shire - that there was an intersection upgrade that is being stopped due to the presence of a gum tree that reportedly spoke to local councillors. I don't know whether that's a fact or not, but the Local Council does not want the tree cut down, which means that the intersection cannot be upgraded.
Mario Galteri is one of the owners of Coldstream Timber and Hardware, good morning, Mario.


MARIO GALTERI: Good morning, Ross.


ROSS STEVENSON: This is the intersection over the Maroondah Highway and the Melba Highway...


MARIO GALTERI: It is, yes.


ROSS STEVENSON: ...which contains the house once occupied by Dame Nellie Melba, does it not?


MARIO GALTERI: The house is still there, but she's not there.


ROSS STEVENSON: No. Tell us about what's planned for the intersection, and what role the tree plays.


MARIO GALTERI: Well the tree's right in the middle of the proposed intersection upgrade, the intersection is probably going to fix up a lot of safety issues, it's going to fix up a lot of traffic issues, even getting out of Coldstream Timber and Hardware on a Friday afternoon, when everybody's going off holidaying, it takes about five minutes to get out of the driveway.
The CFA have been asking for some sort of safety campaign for quite a while, we've had a number of casualties there, about 13 in the past few years, it's just a nightmare.


ROSS STEVENSON: Okay, so it needs to be upgraded, and what's the role of the tree?


MARIO GALTERI: The tree is just sitting there.


ROSS STEVENSON: What sort of tree is it?
MARIO GALTERI: It's a...


ROSS STEVENSON: Gum tree?


MARIO GALTERI: ...Southern Mahogany Gum, nothing spectacular, it's only about 20 or 30 years old, as far as I'm aware, it's in a nice position, it's a nice tree, but what comes first, safety or one gum tree?


ROSS STEVENSON: Why does the tree have to be cut down, why can't they just upgrade the intersection, and leave the tree there?


MARIO GALTERI: Well apparently if they - any other proposals will cut into other peoples' land, and all that sort of stuff.


ROSS STEVENSON: So is it the - what, is the ownership of the land the problem, or is the problem that they just want to preserve a 20-year-old Southern Mahogany Gum?


MARIO GALTERI: That's it, they just want to preserve that one tree that says hello to people as they come in, but...


ROSS STEVENSON: Who's the they, by the way, Mario?


MARIO GALTERI: They? They are four councillors. By the way, the actual council body actually proposed the highway to go through, but four councillors, and one with a casting vote, decided that no, we don't like what...


ROSS STEVENSON: That sounds to me Mario, like there's seven councillors.


MARIO GALTERI: No, there are eight, one was away, and one had a casting vote, because she was mayor at the time.


ROSS STEVENSON: What about the allegation that one of the councillors says that the tree talks to her?


MARIO GALTERI: Yeah, I thought that was a bit strange, but she's a greenie, she's part of the Green Party.


ROSS STEVENSON: Okay. Good news is that Chainsaw Bob is about to come into the studio [laughs]. We'll see whether he has a view on the 20-year-old Southern Mahogany Gum, at the intersection of the Maroondah Highway.
Anyone with a view on the subject, 96 900 693, come and join us. Mario, thanks for your time.


MARIO GALTERI: Not a problem, love your show.


ROSS STEVENSON: Good on you, Mario.




INTERVIEW3

Caller Tom says the shire of Yarra Ranges is the most inept council in Victoria when it comes to trees and they do not follow their own planning scheme.
Interviewees: Caller Tom


ROSS STEVENSON: We welcome now from The Daily Tom, Tom has a 10 second editorial on the tree. Go, Tom.

CALLER TOM: This is just the Shire of Yarra Ranges, through and through the most inept council in Victoria when it comes to issues like this. They have a planning scheme that they don't follow themselves and they put trees before building developments.

ROSS STEVENSON: And almost exactly 10 seconds, Tom, beautifully expressed.