REBUILD-REGENERATE-RENEW - A REBUILDING EXPO

The Shire of Yarra Ranges is hosting an expo to provide residents (bushfire affected and others considering renovation) with the opportunity to speak to building experts, local contractors and suppliers to assist them through the rebuilding process. All of this and more in one convenient location.

Date: Saturday 18 July 2009

Time: 10am until 4pm

Location: Lilydale Showgrounds (Mel 38 E4)
27-29 Market Street
Lilydale VIC 3140




Official Opening by Christine Nixon, APM
As Chair of the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority, Christine Nixon, will open the Expo at 10am.


Master of Ceremonies: Actor John Wood



Special guest from SBS Vasili Kanidiadis

Over 80 exhibits featuring trades from plumbing, building, electrical etc and interior & exterior design.

Utility bill changes 'sneaky'

A MAROONDAH MP has criticised the State Government for misinforming residents on major changes to their gas, water and electricity bills.

Kilsyth MP David Hodgett said the bill changes were a "sneaky, sly, crafty way for the State Government to save millions of dollars by not having to pay the concession discount".

Click on the title to read the full story, it could save you money!

CSIRO develops new fire-resistant coating

The new coating has the potential to form thin fireproof coatings on timbers such as weatherboards, and on metals such as structural or galvanised steel. It can also protect brickwork, either as a thin coating or as a render. HIPS can be applied by spray equipment, roller or brush, and cures from ambient temperature to below 90°C.

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

Minutes of the 23 June 2009

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

But here are some extracts:
The following questions were received from Jack Russell:
2. Why are the rates increasing (proposed) by 6.9% - and as being over twice the MAV recommendation to exercise restraint? And why have you ignored your own advice of 10 December 2008?
3. What is the current status of the Master Planning Process in respect to the expenditure of $20 million on improvements to the Shire offices at Anderson St, Lilydale and what planning process is currently in place?

Rebecca McKenzie, Director Corporate Services responded:
2. The Municipal Association of Victoria recognises that Councils will adopt locally appropriate rating strategies that reflect plans for maintenance and renewal of local infrastructure, collective agreement outcomes and other external cost pressures. This Council proposes a 6.9% increase in 2009/10 to act as a vehicle to stimulate the local economy as well as reducing our renewal gap for ageing infrastructure and planned new major projects. As was outlined in the Council’s correspondence to Mr Russell of 18 June 2009, the extension of the Council’s 10 year capital works program will stimulate local construction and help support local jobs. This is entirely consistent with the Council’s letter to Mr Russell of 10 December, 2008 which indicated that the impact of the global financial crisis on local economic conditions would be one consideration taken into account when Council considers the 2009/10 Council Budget and rating strategy.

3. The Council is currently in the planning process and will soon seek to select a consultant to prepare the Masterplan for the project. Total funds allocated to this project is $10.1m – made up of approximately $5.1m in funding carried over from previous years’ budgets, while the remaining $4.995M is new funds. This budget also includes provision for the relocation of the existing Library.


8.4 Adoption of Policy – Protecting Human Rights

SUMMARY
The Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 places a responsibility on
public authorities to ensure that they do not, in their actions, unreasonably limit, restrict or
impinge on the specified human rights of individuals or groups as defined under the Act.
This requirement is in addition to not discriminating against any individual or group on the
basis of a protected attribute under any anti-discrimination legislation (State or Federal).
This paper proposes that Council adopts a Policy on Protecting Human Rights as a symbol
of its commitment to the Charter.

Resolved on the motion of Crs McRae and Avery
That Council:

1. Adopt the proposed policy statement on Human Rights as outlined in Attachment 1 below.
2. Commit to future reviews of the policy statement every four years, within six months of an election.

Attachment 1



PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS POLICY
Yarra Ranges Shire Council is committed to the implementation of the
Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities and to assisting all
people within the Shire to live with freedom, respect, equality and dignity. All
Council decisions, policies and actions will take into consideration and
assess whether, and the extent to which they may limit, restrict or impede the
Human Rights of any person.

Council undertakes that in all its decisions, actions and policies it will only
limit, restrict or impede the Human Rights of any person or group to the
extent that is reasonable, taking into consideration the benefits for the
majority of residents, ratepayers and employees of and visitors to the Shire of
Yarra Ranges.
Further, Council, in all its actions, decisions and policies, will not deliberately
unreasonably limit, restrict or impinge on the Human Rights of any individual
or group.
…………………………………………....
………………………………………….
Cr Len Cox, Mayor
Glenn Patterson, CEO
Date: _____/ _____/ ________

Jeanette McRae's Diary

Cr McRae:

- Attended the Healesville Rotary Annual Changeover Dinner on 11 June.

- Attended the Healesville Lions Annual Distribution and Changeover Award Dinner. Over $40,000 has been dispersed to local community groups including the CFA, SES and schools.

- Attended the Positive Ageing Forum in Healesville on 15 June which focused on mobility and access issues.

- Attended the Municipal Recovery Community Reference Group meeting on 22 June which has been formed to hear issues that may be missed through other Bushfire Recovery committees.

More Rises

So far we have seen rises in the Fire Service Levy (FSL), Council Rates, bank interest rates and now we find that our water rates will rise.

How much more can we bear?

Read here to find out about this latest rise:

Melbourne households can expect water bills to soar by up to 64 per cent over the next four years, Victoria's regulator has confirmed.

What is Burrinja ?

Burrinja (Dandenong Ranges Community Cultural Centre) Printer Friendly

Burrinja (formerly The Dandenong Ranges Community Cultural Centre - DRCCC) is one of the Shire's pre-eminent cultural facilities located in the former Shire of Sherbrooke offices in Upwey. Burrinja is managed by a dynamic community arts organisation on behalf of the Shire of Yarra Ranges and is a multi-function arts and culture venue offering a range of experiences and events including:

Exhibitions - Local community and professional artists
Performance - Professional and amateur theatre and music productions
Venues for hire - A versatile and affordable range of venues
Events - Artist studios, community events, workshops and courses



Burrinja promotes indigenous art and culture through exhibitions, tours, workshops and selling locally produced aboriginal work through the gallery shop.

Burrinja is also the home of the Shire's Burrinja Collection, a significant collection of Australian and oceanic indigenous artwork donated by Neil McLeod.

Links 1
2


Let's hope the millions spent on the centre is all worth while.

SHIRE has Equal TOP RATE RISE in the STATE at 6.9%

This is the second HUGE increase in the past two years in Shire rates. The increases far exceed inflation and I hope the next few years will see zero increases for both residential and business in the Yarra Ranges.

I see from the list that Yarra Ranges and Frankston were the two highest increases at 6.9% and Moorabool at 2.5 % was the lowest.

The Shire of Yarra Ranges, in its proposed budget,, committed $9.55 million for the Burrinja Community Cultural Centre and $12.9 million to renew aquatic centres in the region.

The complete list (Victoria) can be seen here

Read what the Leader has to say by clicking on the title above.

Let's hope this is the last increase for a while.

P-Plate hoon caught at 161km/h in Coldstream

The 18-year-old’s ute was impounded by police and Sgt Morgan said the young driver could expect to face several serious traffic charges at a later date.

Read the full story by clicking on the title above

That SMELL!

I have had a few e mails sent to me complaining about the smell apparently coming from the Compost Facility at Coldstream. Comments like


"Yep, it's been absolutely rotten here again today as well as many times in the last few weeks. "

"Well for your information the stench had been unbearable here at Coldstream again , the last few days its been a 10 /10 ..."


IT IS ESSENTIAL TO KEEP THE REPORTS FLOWING IN SO AS NOT TO GIVE THE FALSE IMPRESSION THAT THE PROBLEM IS FIXED.
Please keep sending the pong reports to the EPA and Council

Council meeting June 30 Agenda

30 June	Index
	Part 1 - Council Plan 2009-2013
	Part 2 - Council Plan 2009-2013
	Adoption of 2009/10 Budget
	Budget Document
	Capital Expenditure Program Document

Capital Expenditure Program 2009/10 to 2018/19

I note that the Coldstream Community Centre will have air-conditioning installed in 2012/2013 at a cost of about $100,000. The full document can be read HERE. See page 13 of the Capital Expenditure Program.

It's nice to see our rates being spent in Coldstream and for the community.

Save every drop of water

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

Hot, dry season ahead: Bureau

The chance of exceeding median rainfall is between just 35 per cent and 40pc in several patches across southwest WA, SA, southwest Victoria and central Australia.

Don't let the recent rains make you complacent.

Bushfire appeal fund to offer payments for lost holiday homes

Until now, the $375 million fund of public donations to the Red Cross was only available to people whose primary place of residence was lost or damaged in the fires.

“The (bushfire fund) panel can confirm that there will be payments made to people who had a non-primary place of residence,” Ms Tuckey said.

“It’s about making sure we help places like Marysville rebuild.”

Read the story by clicking on the TITLE

Oz Lotto jackpots to record $90 million next Tuesday.

What could you buy with 90 million?

North-south pipeline figures all at sea

A frequent reader of this blog has asked me to include this article from The Age by Melissa Fyfe June 21, 2009

THE basic assumptions used to predict the amount of water to be delivered to Melbourne from the north-south pipeline have "now proven to be wrong", Victoria's top water adviser has admitted.

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

Have Your Say on Melbourne’s Growth Plans

The Victorian Government is seeking comment on the draft report and each of the individual proposals.

The Victorian Government has entered into an agreement to undertake a strategic assessment of the proposed expansion of Melbourne’s Urban Growth boundary under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

The Government has released a draft report on a Strategic Impact Assessment for this program of proposals.

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

Other LINKS : (1), VICTORIA ONLINE >> Delivering Melbourne's newest sustainable communities

The Government is seeking public feedback on its proposals to:

• Revise Melbourne's Urban Growth Boundary and designate land for development;
• Plan the alignments of the Regional Rail Link (west of Werribee to Deer Park) and the Outer Metropolitan Ring / E6 Transport Corridor; and
• Define the boundaries and management of areas for grassland reserves in Melbourne's west.

Gossip is Good!

Science says gossip's good for you Story by CHARLES ONYANGO-OBBO / WHAT OTHERS SAY Publication Date: 8/25/2005

To ordinary folks like me on the streets of Nairobi, an anthropologist is someone like the late Margaret Leakey, or her husband Louis, scouring the bushes in the Rift Valley looking for bones of early humans. We are years behind, because anthropology has moved on to a totally different plane. Two anthropologists, Kevin Kniffin of the University of Wisconsin and David Wilson of the State University of New York, have just spent 18 months studying a subject with absolutely no bones in it, gossip. Yes, gossip. To read the full story click on the TITLE above. Now that you know it's good, SEND SOME!

Cougars

Coldstream Cougars lost today to Upper Ferntree Gully (67 to 128) and now find themselves in fifth spot on the ladder after round 10.

Historic Marker

Some time ago Val Sheenan and I asked the Shire to install an "Historic Marker" in Coldstream so that future generations would be inspired by the rich history of Coldstream.

A brief snippet of history was posted here some time ago and showed what was at the IGA site before it was built. We are happy to say that this project is almost completed and extend our thanks to Jeanette McRae for her help.

Below is a bit of history on our local historian Val Sheenhan

Val Sheehan has been a resident of Coldstream for over 60 years and over the years has built a wonderful collection of historical information on the families of the area. Val is always in demand when requests arrive at the Lilydale and District Historical Society for details regarding past residents.

Val is currently compiling volume three of “As it Happened” – the history of Coldstream, Gruyere, Yering and Killara, which covers the era from 1920 to 1945.

Volume One covered Settlement to 1900 and Volume Two 1900 to 1920. Even though Val leads an extremely busy life she always finds time to volunteer her services. She is a member of the Lilydale and District Historical Society where she spends many days with her own research but also assists as part of the roster of volunteers. One of the other projects close to Val’s heart is the development of the Margaret Lewis Reserve in Coldstream, where a group of local residents have erected stone feature walls as an attractive entrance to the public area.

Mont de Lancey is another cherished part of Val’s life. It is a never ending source of history which Val is able to access and where she is always warmly received for her contributions to the past and present.

Val is not a high profile person and shuns the limelight. Her main passion in life, beyond her close and extended family and friends, is Coldstream and the surrounding district. Her reward is the recognition her publications are bringing to the area, as they are an invaluable resource for the community.

This was written some time ago and the books mentioned have now been completed.

Hunt for Lillydale sex attacker

AN intellectually disabled man who was sexually assaulted at a Lilydale shopping centre then followed his attacker to find a lead for police.

Police are looking for a middle-aged, balding, heavily built Caucasian man with a moustache.

Police said the attacker had an unusual walking style.

Anyone with more information should contact Crime Stoppers


Click on the title to get the full story from the Herald Sun

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

Warning: 30% tax discount email scam
Media release 2009/45 The Tax Office is warning people to be wary of a fraudulent email being circulated that claims to offer a 30% discount on their taxes.

8.4 Adoption of Policy – Protecting Human Rights

To see the complete document titled 8.4 Adoption of Policy – Protecting Human Rights that has a number of fellow bloggers up in arms please click here.

I suggest that the complete document be read to see the reasons for the recommendations as outlined in a previous posts and related comments.

Human Rights

Linked posts from others are posted to promote discussion. They are not always my views.
Comment from a fellow blogger regading an item on the next Council meeting.
To read the full story click on the TITLE above.


Greg Naylor said...

The Yarra Ranges Shire Council is completely out of order - and certainly outside of International law on Human Rights - by undertaking that "in all its decisions, actions and policies it will only limit, restrict or impede the Human Rights of any person or group to the extent that is reasonable".

If they were talking about civic liberties, it might be fair warning that they may be curbed (as in terrorism threats or something), but they are not! They are talking human rights ... as in the right to food, the right to clean air, and the right of free passage.

If your council thinks it can take away human rights - in any form - you need a new council and we need to complain to the human rights commission.

June 19, 2009 12:44 PM

New Plantation along Maroondah Highway

These are "BEFORE" pictures.

Avenue of trees

You may recall that some time ago the Shire was going to spend some money on planting trees to capture carbon dioxide and I asked the Shire if some of these trees couls be planted along Maroondah Highway.

Well we have some good news, and some 200 to 300 plants will be planted on the east side of Maroondah Highway and the area will be cleaned up in the process.

This year 60,000 trees will be planted in the Shire this year for carbon sequestration and biodiversity enhancement.

The "avenue" was not possible as the west side "belongs" to Vic Roads.

I would like to thank Glenn and Jeanette for their input and help. I will post some photos soon.

PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS POLICY

TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING

Yarra Ranges Shire Council is committed to the protection and preservation of the Human Rights of its residents and ratepayers, employees and visitors to the Shire. All Council decisions, policies and actions will take into consideration and assess whether, and the extent to which they may limit, restrict or impede the Human Rights of any person.
Council undertakes that in all its decisions, actions and policies it will only limit, restrict or impede the Human Rights of any person or group to the extent that is reasonable, taking into consideration the benefits for the majority of residents, ratepayers and employees of and visitors to the Shire of Yarra Ranges.

Further, Council, in all its actions, decisions and policies, will not deliberately unreasonably limit, restrict or impinge on the Human Rights of any individual or group.

Victorian Climate Change Green Paper

Linked posts from others are posted to promote discussion. They are not always my views.

The Victorian Government has released a Climate Change Green Paper - the next step in our comprehensive response to climate change.

The Green Paper outlines in detail the risks facing our state and the likely impacts of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, and also proposes ways Victoria can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to the impacts of climate change and become a leading low carbon economy.

This release also starts a four month public consultation period, which will lead to the development of a Climate Change White Paper.

To do this, we need feedback from individuals and organisations
- see how to have your say.

Guide for Firewise Developments is Now Available USA

The guide, now available on the "Resources for the Homeowner" page at www.firewise.org, provides developers of new communities and residents of existing community associations a tool they can use to integrate Firewise concepts into design and development, as well as their covenants, conditions and restrictions and architectural rules.

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.
NOTE: is a USA publication.

The guide, which references National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards for fire protection infrastructure and fire-resistant construction and landscaping, is expected to be a useful tool for community associations throughout the U.S.

Feeling Cold?

At 7 27 this morning it was minus 0.7 C and has risen to 0.3 by 8 50 am
Now you know why its cold!

Click on the title to get the temp NOW! any time of the day or night.

Foster's vineyard sell-off

Linked posts from others are posted to promote discussion. They are not always my views.
To read the full story click on the TITLE above.


Properties in Victoria are situated in the Glenlofty, Glenrowan, Sunraysia districts and in the Yarra Valley.

Footy

Go Coldstream!

Gossip >>> Got any >> Pass it On

I am running out of thing to write so if you have some news or gossip please e mail me at:
coldstream@eftel.net.au

Even things like>

Lost 'n Found
Wedding milestones
New neighbours
Special functions
Weddings

Regards
Mario

WANTED

Who was the lady on the 3AW rumor file this morning reporting the knicker nicker.

Whoever you are, you were fantastic.
(e mail me in confidence) and post your report! It was a blast!