Libs look at growth boundaries

YARRA Ranges Council will soon have the chance to review the urban growth boundary within the shire. 

State Planning Minister Matthew Guy has revealed councils in designated non-growth areas such as the Yarra Ranges will soon be invited to make submissions on the location of the urban growth boundary in their municipality. 

‘‘I am not directing any boundary change and no council is being forced to have any movement should they not want it,’’ Mr Guy said. 

If the council wants to make changes an advisory committee will examine proposed boundary movements and make a recommendation to Mr Guy. The move has been welcomed by the Coldstream 2020 group, which is pushing to expand the green wedge land. 

‘‘This is very positive — the previous government wouldn’t even talk about it,’’ group spokesman Mario Galteri said. 

There is more than 237,000ha of green wedge land in Yarra Ranges, including that surrounding Coldstream. 

Comment:  Coldstream residents have asked the Shire to expand Coldstream.  Let's hope they take the message to Matthew Guy soon.  

There is a planned meeting with Mr Guy later this month with the council.