Victoria debates controversial fire services levy

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CLICK ON ONE OF THESE LINKS TO HEAR THE REPORT

 

MARK COLVIN: An old debate came back on the agenda in Victoria today when the State Government launched a review of Victoria's controversial fire services levy. The levy helps pay for the state's fire fighting resources.

Victorians who insure their houses against fire pay different levies depending on the level of fire risk in their area. That means people and businesses in the bush are likely to pay significantly more than those in the city.

Opponents of the current system say it forces some people to make the risky decision not to insure at all. They want a system that spreads the load more evenly.

Read the rest by clicking on the TITLE

Where on Earth is Margaret Lewis Reserve

The picture above show part of a brochure that you may see in your letter box soon.  Morris Maxwell has been a driving force in transforming this area into a beautiful park and walking track since 2002.

Coldstream  Timber & Hardware has been happy to help the Friends of the Margaret Lewis Reserve with the wood shaving walking track.

Now that summer is here why not take yourself and your dog for a walk around the track.

Public input sought on GAIC

Public input sought on GAIC.

Is Justin Madden finnally on the right track?

To read the full story click on the TOPIC, but make sure you read the comments as well.

Dance the night away

The Coldstream dance operated by Yarra Glen Dance is on Saturday, October 31, with the Cordettes. 

 

All proceeds from this and other dances for the rest of this year will go to those affected by the February fires. Coldstream Community Centre, Kelso St, Coldstream. 

 

Cost: $10 a head and a plate for supper. Contact Bill Hayes, 9735 4147.

Victoria Online - Got a Question?

No longer need visitors to Victoria Online rely on simple keyword searches or browsing to find the answer to their questions. With the release of the "Got a Question?" service it is simple to type in a question in natural language - just ask the question as you would if you spoke it - and the system will match it to the best match answer in the Victoria Online knowledgebase.

The system is clever enough to learn as it goes to optimise the chances of getting the answer you need the first time you ask it.

Got a Question?

Try it!

Melba Lights Update

Works are progressing with drainage near completion and kerb and channel

works started with appropriate asphalt works to follow.

Commissioning date expected by the end of December 09 which will depend on

the weather.

Kindest Regards,

Stuart Hamilton

Senior Improvement Projects Officer

EPA woken at 3am

I am informed that someone rang the EPA as early as 3 am this morning regarding the smell.

Just in case you need it, the EPA number is 9695 2777.

No to dual occupancy (Letter to the Leader)

• 26 Oct 2009
• Lilydale and Yarra Valley Leader

IN RESPONSE to Russell Patterson’s letter ‘‘Long-term viability’’: While we agree that there are households that may seek dual occupancy living, perhaps they need to look at areas such as Healesville or Yarra Glen, that are preferred medium-density areas, according to the planning scheme, and have sufficient services and facilities to cope with such development.


You will need to read the rest on page 21 of the Leader of Oct 26 or online at and go to page 21

SMOKEY days Ahead

RESIDENTS in Gruyere, Coldstream and Wandin have been advised that the Department of Sustainability and Environment will be conducting a controlled burn-off at Warramate Nature Conservation Reserve tomorrow.

The 64 hectare burn will be ignited late morning or early afternoon, depending on conditions.

The burn has been planned to help protect a radio communications tower and nearby homes and private property, and will be the latest in a series of planned burns conducted in that area over the past three years.

Smoke is expected to be visible in surrounding areas.

For information on fires or planned burns in Victoria and general fire safety, please contact the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on freecall 1800 240 667. Callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment may call textphone/telewriter (TTY) on 1800 122 969.

Information is also available at http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/fires and for information about fire restrictions, fire bans and fires on private land visit http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au

Read my Leader Comment

To read my comment about Question Time in the Leader click on the title above.

OLD photographs Wanted

COLDSTREAM historian Val Sheehan is now finalising her fourth and final volume of ‘As It Happened’, a book about the history of Coldstream Yering Gruyere and Killara covering the period 1940 to 1959.
While Mrs Sheehan already has a lot photographs of people, places and events, both social and sporting, of that time, she is anxious to hear from anyone who may have additional photographs which could be included in the new book.   

Inquiries:  Mrs Sheehan on 9739 1940. 

PS There is no $ reward!

SYR responds on question time

Above is a copy of a letter from the shire regarding the changes to "Question Time" at council mmetings.  Double click on it to get a readable version.

As part of the review we have explored how we can revise Council meeting procedures, to make sure that we strike the right balance between accessibility and transparency on the one hand and professional meeting procedures on the other.

In my opinion, they have got this wrong!  Transparency has gone!

The revised procedures adopted are consistent with those of many other local authorities.

We do not follow other councils on everything so why this one?

It is important to note that Council welcomes questions from the public at any time and there are many ways in which individuals and groups can have questions addressed by Council - they can call, write or email either their local Councillor or Council officers at any time. Our commitments to prompt response times are outlined in our service charters.

 Looks like we will need to explore other ovenues in asking questions and GETTING answers.

My main concern is that answers will be lost in limbo.  I believe that all qustions and answers should become part of the minutes if requested by the person asing the question.

Compost

Just a reminder that as of this Monday, 26/10/2009 there should be NO new green waste going into the Coldstream Composting Facility as ordered by VCAT.

Howerver, I assume, there will be activity at the site as the existing material is converted to compost and shipped out.

I hope this is the start of the end of the smell residents and workers in Coldstream and surrounding suburbs have had to put up with for a number of years.

I believe that ANL are applying to errect buildings on the site to improve their technology in handling green waste.

All I can say is :  WATCH THIS SPACE

Yarra Ranges bushfire group calls for more free tipping

A COMMUNITY bushfire group says more should be done to help residents clean up before the summer fire season hits.

Yarra Valley residents have responded enthusiastically to a month of free green waste disposal but Yarra Ranges Shire refuses to extend the free period.



During the first weekend, the shire’s landfills reported an increase of up to 400 per cent on the previous weekend, with 160 tonnes dumped in just two days.

However, at last Tuesday’s council meeting, the Dandenong Ranges Community Bushfire Group again requested extra green waste collection services for residents wanting to remove fire fuel after the month of free tipping ends.

Comment:
Get there befor the 8th of Nov or PAY.

Coldstream COMPOST update

On 8 November 2006 the Yarra Ranges Shire Council filed an application for enforcement order in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal seeking orders to abate odour emissions from the Coldstream Composting Facility located at 527-529 Maroondah Highway, Lilydale operated by Australian Native Landscapes Pty Ltd (ANL).

On 25 June 2009 the tribunal made an order granting the enforcement order sought by the Shire, together with orders with respect to the further conduct of the applications remaining before the tribunal.

The enforcement order requires that the receipt of green waste for composting at ANL’s Coldstream Composting Facility must cease by 25 October 2009 (THIS SUNDAY) and that all processed, and unprocessed, material must be removed from those premises by 25 January 2010.

If you see compost material being delivered from next Monday please ring the numbers below.

IT IS ALSO ESSENTIAL TO KEEP THE SMELL REPORTS FLOWING IN TO COUNCIL AND EPA SO AS NOT TO GIVE THE FALSE IMPRESSION THAT THE PROBLEM IS FIXED.

BUT ........ A.N.L. have applied to VCAT for permission to build a series of buildings on the site without going through the normal planning process.

They are also applying to override the E.P.A. and start all over again with the same works authority and an automatic licence issue..

They have been invited to hold a public meeting to discuss these matters but have so far failed to respond..

The Shire will continue to work with the EPA and other relevant parties to achieve a resolution to the continuing odour problem. If you wish to report incidents of the emission of odour from the facility, please contact:·

EPA’s Pollution Watchline on 9695 2777 or 1800 444 004; or·

The Shire on 1300 368 333

LINKS1

LINK2

Dual Occ in Coldstream Rejected by SYR Officer

Judy Cheung from the SYR has refused a permit for a dual occ at 4 Cheviot Av Coldstream.

Location 4 Cheviot Avenue (Lot 212 LP52644), Coldstream
Description Construction of second dwelling & tree removal
Status Refused
Year 2009
Decision Rejected/refused

Comment: I can only assume that this will be decided at VCAT like 5 Belchester.

contract with Animal Aid in Coldstream expired

AN ANIMAL shelter ( Coldstream Animal Aid) that has provided Maroondah Council’s pound services for more than 15 years has lost its contract to the RSPCA.

The contract with Animal Aid in Coldstream expired on September 30.

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

The horror of the blaze beast

By Kath Gannaway

20th October 2009 (Mountain Views)

PHIL Giddens was captain of the Coldstream Fire Brigade in February.

Looking back – and he has done a lot of that – he says two things stick in his mind of the experiences of Black Saturday and the weeks after.

Read his full story by clicking on the title.

Well done Phil and every CFA member.

Shire Out Of Reach

Why is the Shire trying to gag us by allowing only one question per person and a combined time limit of 15 minutes?

Not Happy, Jan!

Madden comes to his senses!

Justin Madden backflip on suburbs tax
Stephen McMahon
From: Herald Sun
Sat Oct 17 00:00:00 EST 2009 Sat Oct 17 00:00:00 EST

A REBELLION within the state Labor Party has forced Planning Minister Justin Madden into a backflip on the controversial growth areas tax.

After major opposition from community groups, farmers and local Labor MPs, Mr Madden reversed the $95,000-a-hectare tax on land in Melbourne's new suburbs so that it will now be paid by property developers rather than landowners.

read the full story HERE

AND FROM The Age

Labor tweaks its new land tax
JASON DOWLING

Billions of dollars in new taxes for much-needed public transport, schools and hospitals in Melbourne's growth areas will be paid by those buying land on Melbourne's urban fringe, rather than by existing landholders as first proposed.
Reference link

My comment: Glad to see that a polly can change his mind. Well done Justin!

Social media across government

Social media such as Facebook, Twitter and other Web 2.0 technologies are now available through various government departments and agencies.

Social media gives government new ways to hear the voice of the citizen and to talk with them in a different type of dialogue.

Victoria Online now publishes various social media pages found across state, local and federal government. Social media includes:


facebook

flickr

MySpace

Podcasts

RSS feeds

Twitter

Video

YouTube

to read the full story click on the TOPIC.

Questions To Council NEW PROCEDURE

I have used the "Questions to Council" a number of times in the past year and I believe that it is a great avenue to get questions answered about how the Shire "thinks".

I have always handed in my questions days in advance so that a complete answer could be provided. In the main, most of my questions have been answered to my satisfaction.

The shire have now changed the system, a change for the worse,and not for the best, in my opinion.

If questions relate to the operation of the Shire or events going on in the Shire then rate payers should be given information if they request it, especially in writing! The new system is as follows:


Questions to Council

Submitting a Question to Council

• Download a hard copy of the Question Form (link below) and post, fax or deliver the completed form to the Shire Offices in Anderson Street or to one of the Community Links OR access the online form (link below) and complete all details on form and submit.
• One question per person per meeting may be submitted.
• Multiple parts to a question will be treated as multiple questions.
• Questions must be received no later than 5.00pm on day of Council Meeting.
• Questions relating to items on the agenda or which are repetitions of previous questions will not be heard.
• 15 minutes maximum each meeting is allocated to Question Time. Questions must be submitted on Council’s Public Question Form. If a question is not able to be answered on the night or if the time limit is reached, a response will be forwarded in writing.
• It is not necessary for a submitter to attend the meeting.

Comment:

It is difficult to ask just one question. Usually one asks a series of questions to make a point.

I would like to see all questions and answers on the next Council minutes. This should not be a big deal as responses will be sent to the individuals that ask the question.

Long - term viability

taken from the Leader
Click on the picture to get a BIGGER picture

The future of the quarter acre block

The State Government last week announced building plans to tackle future growth, potentially spelling an end to the quarter-acre block in favour of high density housing.

Future housing developments will now have to include an average of 15 houses per hectare.

The new guidelines cover all land earmarked for development within Melbourne’s urban fringe.

Planning Minister Justin Madden said the new guidelines would be a cornerstone for growing areas.

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

Preparing on the home front

REMEMBER HOW CLOSE THE FIRES GOT TO COLDSTREAM LAST SUMMER?

THE FOLLWING IS REPRINTED FROM OUR LOCAL LEADER.
tO READ THE FULL STORY CLICK ON THE title ABOVE.




IT IS essential to prepare your home and property for bushfire, even if you don’t plan to stay to defend.

Steps you take now could help to reduce the spread, speed and heat of a fire, and increase the chances your home will survive.

These preparations must begin well before the fire season.

You will have to consider:

1. If you have adequate defendable space and how you will manage the vegetation

2. How your house is best maintained and what improvements can be made.

You must also take steps to reduce the impact of embers on your house.

These are burning bits of twigs, leaves and debris that have the potential to burn down your home.

One of the main causes of property loss and damage is ember attack, but there are steps you can take to reduce this risk.

• Protect underfloor spaces with non-combustible sheeting or metal mesh. This will prevent embers from landing under the house and starting spot fires.
• Cover all external vents with metal mesh to prevent embers from entering your home.
• Protect evaporative coolers with metal mesh screens. You will need to check with your evaporative cooler supplier to ensure the performance of the system is not compromised by installing the mesh.
• Ensure any external timber cladding is regularly maintained and all gaps are sealed.
• Place weather stripping around the inside of doors and windows to eliminate any gaps.
• Make non-combustible fire screens to cover external skylights.
• Fit leaf guards to gutters to prevent a build up of leaves.
• Ensure fuel and chemicals are properly stored in structures.
• Install fencing made from non-combustible materials, such as metal or brick.

Free Trees

Get tree orders in.

RESIDENTS wanting to order trees from the Yarra Ranges Shire Ribbons of Green program have until November.

For indigenous tube stock for planting on public and private land email David Carr, d.carr@ yarraranges.vic.gov.au or phone 1300 368 333.


Lilydale and Yarra Valley Leader

October 13 Council adgenda

Click on the title to go the the shire web page or click on the picture if you have poor eye sight.


8.5 Councillor Code of Conduct

SUMMARY
The Local Government Act 1989 provides that each Victorian Council must adopt a Councillor Code of Conduct which is required to be reviewed within 12 months of an election.

Council’s Code of Conduct has been reviewed and amended as applicable in accordance
with the Act and is now presented for formal adoption


8.6 Councillor Expenditure and Donation Policy

SUMMARY
Section 75 of the Local Government Act 1989 requires that Council must adopt and maintain a Councillor Reimbursement Policy, relating to reimbursement of expenses for Councillors.

Council has maintained such a policy since 2002 when the Councillor Expenditure and
Donation Policy was first introduced. The Policy has been periodically reviewed and
amended as appropriate since that time.



SUMMARY
The Tree Management Plan (TMP) sets outs Council’s assessment framework and
operational procedures for the management of the tree resource located on Council controlled land and roadsides throughout the Shire. The plan reflects current practice which ensures that Council’s policy of retention, protection and enhancement of its tree resource is maximised.

Yarra Valley residents told to hand in their guns

A WEAPONS amnesty is in place for October.

Residents wanting to surrender any unwanted or illegal firearms or other weapons can hand them in at any police station until October 31.

Deputy Commissioner Ken Jones said weapons must be transported safely and directly to a station, or officers could collect the weapons, provided the person signed a notice of abandonment.

Reference: to read the full story click on the TOPIC.

Fran Retires

NEW PLANNING GUIDELINES TO SHAPE OUR FUTURE SUBURBS

From the Minister for Planning

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

Prepared by the Growth Areas Authority (GAA) in consultation with local councils, developers and agencies, it’s hoped the new guidelines will provide:
• A structure for all new suburbs to enable walking distance to a local centres, transport and jobs;
• Creation of one new job for every new household (by creating business close to home), with a wider range of jobs nearby;
• Development of a sense of place and community to attract a broad range of residents and employers;
• Increased housing density with an average of 15 houses per developable hectare;
• Broader housing choice, from large family homes to one-person units and home- offices; and
• Sustainable living, with a new efficiency check to test developers’ plans against key performance measures relating to cost, land, and water use.


To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

Comment:
Is this the way of the future?

The new PSP Guidelines are available at www.gaa.vic.gov.au

Snake in Coldstream

A COLDSTREAM woman turned the tables on a snake that bit her while mowing the lawn this morning - using the mower to take revenge.

“(She) spotted the snake and has sought revenge running it over with the mower.”


Wildlife Victoria vice-president Manfred Zabinskas, who is also a licensed snake catcher, said snakes were a protected species. “It’s not appropriate to take matter into your own hands and kill the snake,” Mr Zabinskas said.


Was the woman right to take on the snake?
Click on the title to make a comment in the Leader Newspaper

Historic Event

The pictures above show (I believe) the first official Dual Occ project in Coldstream since the estate was established some 30 years ago.

September Stats

Averages\Extremes for the

month of September 2009

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Average temperature = 11.5°C

Average humidity = 67%

Average dewpoint = 4.9°C

Average barometer = 1012.2 hPa

Average windspeed = 3.7 km/h

Average gustspeed = 3.8 km/h

Average direction = 346° (NNW)

Rainfall for month = 122.0 mm

Rainfall for year = 442.1 mm

Maximum rain per minute = 7.6 mm on day 26 at time 19:34

Maximum temperature = 26.6°C on day 12 at time 15:15

Minimum temperature = -0.1°C on day 14 at time 05:34

Maximum humidity = 87% on day 04 at time 03:43

Minimum humidity = 18% on day 12 at time 00:13

Maximum pressure = 1054.8 hPa on day 14 at time 04:05

Minimum pressure = 993.2 hPa on day 22 at time 01:46

Maximum windspeed = 94.3 kmh from 00°( N ) on day 30 at time 15:17

Maximum gust speed = 94.3 km/h from 338°(NNW) on day 30 at time 15:16

Maximum heat index = 26.1°C on day 29 at time 13:28

Avg daily max temp :17.7°C

Avg daily min temp :6.8°C

Max Fire Weather Index : 19 Day 30 (Moderate)

Total windrun = 2560.4km

Frost days= 1

-----------------------------------

Daily rain totals

-----------------------------------

01.0 mm on day 3

02.0 mm on day 4

00.5 mm on day 5

00.5 mm on day 6

03.6 mm on day 7

19.7 mm on day 8

02.1 mm on day 9

00.5 mm on day 10

00.5 mm on day 11

01.6 mm on day 13

12.9 mm on day 17

03.1 mm on day 19

10.4 mm on day 21

01.0 mm on day 22

05.2 mm on day 24

21.2 mm on day 25

07.6 mm on day 26

26.0 mm on day 27

02.0 mm on day 28

00.5 mm on day 30

Regards,

Robert Bethell.