The Yarra Valley region produces 90per cent of Victoria's strawberry crops, but recent humid and wet weather has left several growers in the Coldstream and Wandin areas with huge crop losses.
To read the full story click on the TITLE above.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Mr Guy We Are Ready!
Comment: Comments in BLUE in above pic added by the COLDSTREAM 2020 group.
We are READY! Click on the picture to get it bigger!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Baillieu Government releases land for two new Melbourne suburbs
- From: Sunday Herald Sun
VICTORIANS hoping to buy their first home will today be thrown a lifeline with the Baillieu Government to announce a plan to slash Melbourne land prices.
Two new suburbs to be announced today - Greenvale North and Greenvale West - will house about 7000 people in 1570 houses on 363ha about 20km from the CBD.
Construction will start later this year on the suburbs, bordering Craigieburn and Roxburgh Park.
Once complete, the suburbs will form a major residential region with views of the Dandenongs and the city. But residents will face some major infrastructure problems, at least in the short term.
The nearest train station is almost 6km away in Roxburgh Park while it's 9km to the closest police station in Craigieburn.
But the Government is planning to build new schools, community centres, sporting ovals and parks in the new suburbs.
Similar suburbs are expected to be announced this year in Melbourne's west, north and outer southeast, to meet an estimated shortfall of 100,000 Melbourne lots.
The Greenvale sister suburbs are part of the biggest land release in Melbourne's history, with about 50,000 new lots to be released on to the market by the end of the year.
The Government will also today announce the approval of two new suburbs in Melbourne's north - the first of dozens to be given the go-ahead in urban growth areas this year.
The blueprint to improve housing affordability is aimed at creating more space for new homes, bringing more developers into the market and reducing the price of land in Melbourne's outer areas.
Planning Minister Matthew Guy said the Government was so determined to drive down land prices it would even consider expanding the urban growth boundary or free up land closer to the CBD.
Mr Guy has ordered the Urban Growth Authority to find more land to meet growing demand for houses.
He says the Government will constantly monitor land prices in growth areas.
And he has asked for land scheduled to come on to the market next year to be fast-tracked this year.
"We're just committed to making land as affordable as possible," he said.
"The problem Melbourne has had for the past 10 years has been that government has restricted land release and this has had an impact on price. It's simple. This Government has to find more homes in growth areas and we have to find more opportunities in inner-urban areas."
Five years ago, the average block of land in a Melbourne growth area cost $133,000.
It now costs more than $200,000 and the Housing Industry Australia last week rated Melbourne the least affordable housing of any Australian capital city.
New figures released yesterday show Victoria's median house price has spiralled through $600,000.
The average Melbourne loan repayment is $3334 a month - more than $833 a week.
Mr Guy said the price would soar even higher unless land supply improved, describing the situation as "dire" and "unsustainable" for young families trying to enter the market. He said the ambitious land rollout, a record release in a calendar year, was aimed at easing the burden on Victorians desperate to buy their first home.
"People want an opportunity to be a first home buyer and at the end of the day, we need to do the right thing by people who want to get into the market," Mr Guy said.
"Otherwise we'll end up with a generation who have been priced out of the housing market because the government has failed to make enough land available.
"And we're determined to not let that happen on our watch."
The move is set to spark a land-buying bonanza as Victorians move to cash in on new parcels up for grabs.
Melbourne's population is growing by about 90,000 people a year but fewer land blocks were released in the last quarter than in the same period six years ago.
In September 1996, there were 3097 vacant lots of land in Melbourne. Last September there were just 866.
The median lot size shrunk from 554 square metres to 495 square metres during the same period.
Mr Guy declared 2011 would be the "year of bringing land to market".
"This is the start of a year of land release, which will fire the first real shot over the bow of housing affordability," he said.
Comment:
Thanks Lyle for drawing this. Coldstream is READY to EXPAND!
Click on the title to read the article in full, but I have highlited some important paragraphs.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Coldstream 2020 Update
COLDSTREAM 2020
As you may recall a group has been set up to push for the expansion of the UGB (Urban Growth Boundary) around Coldstream. Two surveys gave this group a great incentive to continue in its endeavour.
The COLDSTREAM 2020 group has arranged a meeting with officers of the Shire on Thursday 3rd of February 2011. We will present the Shire officers results of the two surveys as well as reasons why we believe the expansion will be good for Coldstream.
COLDSTREAM 2020
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Yarra Ranges Council bows to concern - Council - News - Lilydale & Yarra Valley Leader
Yarra Ranges Council bows to concern - Council - News - Lilydale & Yarra Valley Leader
YARRA Ranges Council has bowed to public pressure to further extend the consultation period for a critical piece of policy that will govern its management of trees, forests and wildlife.
The 100-page draft Flora & Fauna Strategy document will now be out for public comment until March 4, after the council granted a further four-week extension to the consultation period.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
yering golf course knocked back by vcat
Yering golf course knocked back by vcat
by Samantha Dunn
Just prior to Christmas VCAT handed down their decision in relation to the Yering Golf Course. VCAT determined to set aside council's decision and not issue a permit.
Back in June 2010, council considered the application, it was very controversial and the vote, which saw the application by Eastern Golf Club approved was 5 votes for, 4 votes against (click here to read more) with Cr's Templer, Avery, Higgins, Warren & Heenan voting for the golf course to go ahead and Cr's Dunn, McRae, Cliff and Cox voting against.
Healesville Environment Watch Inc, Friends of the Earth and Bill Boerkamp took the matter to VCAT and were successful in getting the approval reversed.
In handing down its decision VCAT said there were many aspects of the proposal that were acceptable in terms of policies and provisions and opponents to the golf course did not convince the tribunal on these grounds to reject the application.
However opponents did persuade VCAT to determine that there needed to be more stringent permit conditions with respect to the use of biocides on the site. VCAT also thought that the planning considerations remained unsufficiently resolved in relation to evacation route in the event of flood. It was because of these reasons the tribunal set aside council's approval and refused the application.
Friends of the Earth on learning of VCAT's decision said "Our concerns about widespread pesticide application above the offtake to Melbourne's drinking water were also taken onboard by the VCAT in its decision. Strict conditions around pesticide use, including a rigorous assessment of individual pesticides and a monitoring regime, would have been required if VCAT had approved the development".
in weighing up the merits of the applciation I too had concerns about the chemical cocktail used on golf courses and in this particular case it's proximity to the Sugarloaf Reservoir intake pipe.
I am sure this isn't the end of this one and before long council will see another application for a golf course on site to consider.
Comment: added for your information
Friday, January 07, 2011
INCREDIBLE DEAL!
Only $49 for a Stunning Yarra Valley Full Day Tour! Taste Fine Wines and enjoy a DELICIOUS Lunch at Fergusson’s Winery then head to Eyton Winery for more sampling of the famous drop! PLUS Tour Domaine Chandon and enjoy a glass of Chandon French champagne and a savoury plate while you take in the MAGNIFICENT views! All that plus MORE! Normally $121!
To read the full story click on the TITLE above.
Thursday, January 06, 2011
flora fauna strategy
Attached is a letter from Cait. She has asked me to add it here for general discussion. I do so without comment as I have been too busy to look at this topic. Please read and if you feel motivated, take some action.
Hi Mario!
Happy New year!
I know I've been off the radar and would have been very happy to keep it that way because I'm quite busy, but the relaease of the draft Flora and Fauna Strategy has brought me out.
I'm now very busy writing my submission and talking with others about this horrendous document - even commented on Jim Child's blog a few times - and tried to come up with an idea to get people involved.
I created a flyer that I'll try to pass onto shopkeepers here in Healesville and hopefully they'll hang it in the window of their establishments. I've sent it to Jim who said he'll pass it on so I'm wondering if you could do the same on your end.
It's pretty 'revolutional', but when a council believes that the 'natural' environment is more important than human life, it's time to revolt.
If you find it acceptable, can you please pass it on? Even if one shop has it up, it's better than no one being aware.
Thanks!
Cait
English philosopher John Locke believed:
- In the basic goodness of mankind.
- That whenever the lawmakers endeavour to take away the property rights of the People through regulation and penalties, they put themselves into “a state of War with the People, who are thereupon absolved from any farther Obedience…”
English philosopher Thomas Hobbes believed:
- Humans are basically flawed and incapable of doing good.
- Humans need to be controlled and need to submit to a governing body that will have complete domination over the people and area they rule.
- Humans need to be controlled and need to submit to a governing body that will have complete domination over the people and area they rule.
* * * * * *
Which philosopher do you agree with?
The ‘Green’ Council agrees with Hobbes and is intent upon removing your private property rights via the Yarra Ranges Council Flora and Fauna Strategy.
The ‘Green’ Council admits it is incapable of managing the 2% of shire land they are responsible for. Yet this same Council believes it has the power to effectively seize your land through regulation then dictate how you must manage it.
Through the Flora and Fauna Strategy the ‘Green’ Council intends to:
- Prevent the CFA from constructing new roads, tracks and firebreaks.
- Convince you through intense re-education programs to remove all exotic species from your property – no more roses or vegetable gardens for you!
- Indoctrinate everyone into their ‘green religion’ and ostracize those who refuse.
- Limit, if not eradicate, all agricultural businesses through regulation - especially grazers and dairy farmers.
Should this Strategy pass, your property values will plummet and your rates will necessarily skyrocket. For those who own land, you will find it near impossible to sell due to new restrictions and regulations outlined in the Strategy.
Take a stand against tyranny. Get a copy of the Flora and Fauna Strategy, read what you can stomach, then write a submission and say NO!
If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face - forever. George Orwell
Comment: Added for general discussion only.
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
PIGS!
Gav wound up at the Animal Aid shelter in Coldstream just before Christmas and fears were high that new owners might view him as a feast rather than a pet.
To read the full story click on the TITLE above. It's a good read!
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
December Weather Statistics & Coldstream 30 Year Rainfall Figures.
Hi Mario,
I have attached the December weather details as well as my Coldstream rainfall records since 1980.
You will notice that this year ended up the highest for the past 30 years.
Happy 2011 to all your readers.
Cheers,
Robert Bethell
Averages\Extremes for the month of December 2010
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average temperature = 17.5°C
Average humidity = 71%
Average dewpoint = 11.4°C
Average barometer = 1009.2 hPa
Average windspeed = 2.3 km/h
Average gustspeed = 4.5 km/h
Average direction = 244° (WSW)
Rainfall for month = 166.8 mm
Rainfall for year = 1059.8 mm
Maximum rain per minute = 2.8 mm on day 03 at time 13:41
Maximum temperature = 40.3°C on day 31 at time 16:56
Minimum temperature = 4.3°C on day 27 at time 06:15
Maximum humidity = 97% on day 30 at time 07:03
Minimum humidity = 14% on day 31 at time 17:34
Maximum dewpoint = 20.4°C on day 08 at time 11:03
Minimum dewpoint = 2.0°C on day 27 at time 15:18
Maximum pressure = 1025.6 hPa on day 23 at time 00:21
Minimum pressure = 993.0 hPa on day 19 at time 12:51
Maximum windspeed = 35.2 kmh from 023°(NNE) on day 03 at time 13:39
Maximum gust speed = 61.1 km/h from 023°(NNE) on day 03 at time 13:39
Maximum heat index = 38.8°C on day 31 at time 16:24
Avg daily max temp :25.2°C
Avg daily min temp :11.3°C
Total windrun = 1691.0km
-----------------------------------
Daily rain totals
-----------------------------------
13.4 mm on day 1
13.4 mm on day 2
20.8 mm on day 3
11.0 mm on day 7
29.8 mm on day 8
02.2 mm on day 9
03.6 mm on day 11
01.8 mm on day 12
00.6 mm on day 15
07.4 mm on day 17
01.2 mm on day 18
49.2 mm on day 19
09.2 mm on day 20
01.6 mm on day 21
01.6 mm on day 27
Rainfall figures by month since January 1980. The figures at the bottom of the chart show the 30 year average for Coldstream compared to the 90 year Lilydale average; a significant difference.
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | April | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
| 1980 | 30.0 | 16.0 | 18.0 | 56.0 | 58.0 | 134.0 | 58.0 | 72.0 | 43.0 | 99.0 | 63.0 | 38.0 | 685.00 | |
| 1981 | 35.0 | 25.0 | 79.0 | 18.0 | 92.0 | 82.0 | 97.0 | 97.0 | 30.0 | 50.0 | 93.0 | 18.0 | 716.00 | |
| 1982 | 50.0 | 1.0 | 45.0 | 84.0 | 52.0 | 58.0 | 22.0 | 23.0 | 55.0 | 59.0 | 17.0 | 46.0 | 512.00 | |
| 1983 | 47.0 | 2.0 | 45.0 | 42.0 | 85.0 | 56.0 | 75.0 | 83.0 | 69.0 | 91.0 | 89.0 | 42.0 | 726.00 | |
| 1984 | 68.0 | 27.0 | 63.0 | 64.0 | 25.0 | 58.0 | 61.0 | 114.0 | 161.0 | 70.0 | 75.0 | 69.0 | 855.00 | |
| 1985 | 28.0 | 15.0 | 38.0 | 103.0 | 81.0 | 91.0 | 68.0 | 102.0 | 63.0 | 63.0 | 124.0 | 176.0 | 952.00 | |
| 1986 | 20.0 | 56.0 | 9.0 | 89.0 | 101.0 | 50.0 | 114.0 | 55.0 | 49.0 | 103.0 | 23.0 | 102.0 | 771.00 | |
| 1987 | 35.0 | 47.0 | 52.0 | 37.0 | 127.0 | 89.0 | 119.0 | 40.0 | 66.0 | 62.0 | 76.0 | 64.0 | 814.00 | |
| 1988 | 99.0 | 20.0 | 49.0 | 17.0 | 79.0 | 81.0 | 64.0 | 61.0 | 76.0 | 60.0 | 128.0 | 109.0 | 843.00 | |
| 1989 | 89.0 | 20.0 | 103.0 | 108.0 | 46.0 | 109.0 | 78.0 | 78.0 | 70.0 | 159.0 | 27.0 | 34.0 | 921.00 | |
| 1990 | 1.0 | 97.0 | 27.0 | 101.0 | 37.0 | 69.0 | 91.0 | 117.0 | 80.0 | 110.0 | 53.0 | 55.0 | 838.00 | |
| 1991 | 75.0 | 1.0 | 36.0 | 50.0 | 32.0 | 155.0 | 124.0 | 128.0 | 151.0 | 30.0 | 32.0 | 140.0 | 954.00 | |
| 1992 | 45.0 | 27.0 | 47.0 | 56.0 | 61.0 | 80.0 | 58.0 | 67.0 | 193.5 | 128.5 | 121.0 | 103.0 | 987.00 | |
| 1993 | 70.0 | 87.5 | 55.5 | 14.5 | 36.5 | 80.5 | 60.5 | 86.0 | 146.0 | 89.0 | 103.5 | 158.0 | 987.50 | |
| 1994 | 59.0 | 34.0 | 18.5 | 68.0 | 37.0 | 60.0 | 36.5 | 40.5 | 77.5 | 40.0 | 77.5 | 13.5 | 562.00 | |
| 1995 | 73.5 | 31.5 | 43.0 | 136.5 | 119.0 | 108.5 | 78.5 | 75.5 | 46.0 | 102.5 | 59.5 | 76.5 | 950.50 | |
| 1996 | 59.5 | 108.5 | 73.5 | 132.0 | 39.5 | 86.0 | 90.0 | 72.5 | 116.0 | 71.5 | 68.0 | 35.0 | 952.00 | |
| 1997 | 47.0 | 3.0 | 23.5 | 31.5 | 87.5 | 39.0 | 33.5 | 54.5 | 68.5 | 39.0 | 72.5 | 13.3 | 512.75 | |
| 1998 | 54.5 | 84.0 | 22.0 | 54.0 | 101.5 | 116.0 | 59.5 | 40.0 | 42.3 | 82.5 | 70.0 | 66.0 | 792.25 | |
| 1999 | 47.0 | 73.0 | 128.0 | 59.0 | 71.0 | 71.0 | 38.5 | 89.0 | 50.5 | 72.5 | 41.5 | 66.5 | 807.50 | |
| 2000 | 64.5 | 32.5 | 28.5 | 28.5 | 143.5 | 61.0 | 67.5 | 82.5 | 136.0 | 99.0 | 81.5 | 37.5 | 862.50 | |
| 2001 | 31.5 | 18.5 | 70.5 | 78.5 | 21.0 | 73.0 | 20.5 | 84.0 | 53.0 | 125.0 | 76.5 | 38.5 | 690.50 | |
| 2002 | 40.5 | 78.0 | 28.5 | 36.5 | 74.5 | 64.5 | 49.0 | 41.5 | 49.5 | 58.5 | 21.5 | 32.5 | 575.00 | |
| 2003 | 41.0 | 20.5 | 31.0 | 73.0 | 52.0 | 65.0 | 103.0 | 78.0 | 55.0 | 123.5 | 28.5 | 36.0 | 706.50 | |
| 2004 | 62.0 | 13.0 | 32.5 | 56.0 | 49.5 | 95.0 | 52.5 | 91.5 | 106.5 | 77.0 | 172.5 | 59.0 | 867.00 | |
| 2005 | 35.0 | 130.0 | 19.0 | 37.5 | 22.5 | 58.5 | 50.5 | 111.0 | 92.0 | 53.5 | 69.5 | 65.5 | 744.50 | |
| 2006 | 71.5 | 59.0 | 17.0 | 97.0 | 60.0 | 24.0 | 52.5 | 41.5 | 47.0 | 16.0 | 54.5 | 45.5 | 585.50 | |
| 2007 | 20.5 | 72.0 | 69.0 | 18.0 | 73.6 | 91.6 | 84.9 | 31.5 | 37.8 | 17.1 | 72.5 | 111.3 | 699.80 | |
| 2008 | 51.4 | 27.0 | 43.1 | 23.4 | 80.2 | 41.4 | 60.6 | 61.6 | 24.8 | 22.9 | 100.2 | 51.1 | 587.70 | |
| 2009 | 7.0 | 0.0 | 65.5 | 69.0 | 14.0 | 62.5 | 57.0 | 65.2 | 94.4 | 44.0 | 59.5 | 74.5 | 612.60 | |
| 2010 | 60.6 | 40.6 | 82.2 | 66.4 | 54.8 | 84.6 | 58.2 | 130.4 | 66.4 | 150.8 | 98.0 | 166.8 | 1059.80 | |
| 2011 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.00 | |
| Coldstream Ave | 50 | 42 | 47 | 60 | 64 | 77 | 67 | 74 | 78 | 77 | 71 | 65 | 772.47 | |
| Cum Total | 50 | 91.39 | 138.8 | 198.9 | 263.3 | 340.1 | 67.14 | 140.9 | 219.3 | 296.1 | 367 | 432.4 | ||
| Lilydale Ave | 56 | 55 | 64 | 79 | 81 | 76 | 77 | 79 | 84 | 94 | 79 | 76 | 900.12 |
Recorded at:
Coldstream Estate
Wheeler Street
COLDSTREAM 3770
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