Minutes of the 24/11/2009

The minutes are out.

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

FYI Coldstream Dual Occs

The following was sent to me via e mail to post here to add discussion to the Dual Occ Debate. 

It should be noted that the current "PROPOSED- Adopted Housing Strategy" has only been "adopted" by Council. 

As it has not yet gone through the rigor of the Planning Scheme Amendment process it does not form part of the current Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme.
 

Since this current Housing Strategy falls considerably short of the State Government Planning Policy Framework requirements, this adopted Housing Strategy has "limited weight", as stated in the Planners Reports for the recommendation of these Dual Occupancies in Coldsteam.
 

Clearly those Councilors who approved these applications recognised this, as did VCAT in previous similar Applications For Review both in Coldstream and other areasas it was pointed out in the Council meeting.
 

As also pointed out in this Council meeting, Coldstream has lagged behind other areas which also experienced the same reaction (from the existing residents) when similar developments were approved.
 

Coldstream is now catching up to these other areas.
 

Whilst there is a minority group, who are opposed to the dual occupancies there are still many residents who see the wisdom in this to ensure the ongoing viability of the Coldstream township.

Hope this helps

Rumor

I was told that a dual occ in or near Kelso St was approved without going to a Council meeting.

Can anyone shed any light on this rumor?


Mr A. >>>   Can you post your comment again, there was a computer glitch.

Brumby forced to review Fire Services Levy

Brumby forced to review Fire Services Levy

As many of you know by now I have been asking this to be done for a long time now.  I just hope that Brumby is serious about reforming the system by which the CFA is funded expecially for farmers and businesses.

I wish to thank Christine Fyffe, our local State member, for presenting a speach in parliament regarding this issue.

Below is the full copy of her speach.  She gives me a special mention and I hope that we may find a fairer system to fund the fantastic work carried out by the Victorian CFA.

Title FIRE SERVICES FUNDING (FEASIBILITY STUDY) BILL

House ASSEMBLY  Activity Second Reading

Members FYFFE

________________________________________

26 November 2009 ASSEMBLY

________________________________________

 

Mrs FYFFE (Evelyn) -- I am pleased to rise to make a brief contribution on the Fire Services Funding (Feasibility Study) Bill. Whenever taxation is mentioned in the context of the Brumby government, I am reminded of the lyrics to the George Harrison song, Taxman. I will spare the chamber any attempt by me to put it to a melody, but the song says:

Let me tell you how it will be,

There's 1 for you, 19 for me ...

... If you drive a car, I'll tax the street,

If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat,

If you get too cold, I'll tax the heat,

If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet.

...

'Cos I'm the Taxman.

I know government members know the words; it is their anthem.

I most definitely support the amendments to be proposed by the member for Scoresby to curtail any attempt by this government to secretly put in place an agenda to be able to change powers to investigate any tax. However, in the case of the fire services levy, this is an unquestionably necessary tax. The problem, though, lies in the degree of burden being felt by those who pay insurance, which incorporates the fire services levy, versus those who do not pay insurance but still benefit from the services of the MFB (Metropolitan Fire Brigade).

It is an issue that is of great concern to many in my electorate of Evelyn. Black Saturday resulted in 173 deaths, 6180 injuries and thousands made homeless by an unrelenting fire storm that felt as if we had been plunged into the very depths of hell. In fact I personally felt we had been plunged into the depths of hell. It was a disaster that the state of Victoria was not prepared for. I pray we will not experience a repeat of such devastation during this fire season, which has already begun.

In terms of the fire services levy, the Black Saturday bushfires revealed that 30 per cent of property owners did not have insurance -- in other words, 70 per cent of property owners are carrying the 30 per cent who perhaps cannot afford insurance or who do not want to pay for it. The fire services levy is paid as a percentage of house and business insurance premiums and funds the CFA (Country Fire Authority) and MFB.

Mr Mario Galteri, who has a business in Coldstream, has been passionately campaigning for a system that would see the fire services funded by the state government. Businesses are now being made to pay an increased rate of 68 per cent of the premium while homeowners pay 26 per cent. It is simply not fair when everyone receives the same service.

While the CFA is technically able to charge a fee to property owners for their services, as one volunteer, Don Bigham, from the Gruyere CFA said to me -- and forgive me for paraphrasing -- 'We don't want to have to present some poor bugger with a bill when he has just lost everything'.

Since every premium requires GST and stamp duty to be paid, the government is benefiting from the levy without any consideration of the strain that it is putting on business and family incomes. In the case of Mr Galteri, the fire services levy and taxes add about an extra $15 000 to his annual insurance bill. If we have season after season of severe bushfires, funding requirements for the CFA and MFB will soar, putting even more pressure on the backs of the few. As soon as the burden becomes too great, other businesses and property owners will simply stop paying their insurance premiums until the government is left with no alternative other than to meet the entire cost of the fire services. We cannot risk the CFA not being adequately funded in future bushfire seasons.

Clause 6 inserts new section 116A(1) which stipulates that the commissioner can conduct feasibility studies in relation to a new or existing tax, duty, levy or impost in the public interest. This extends the role of the commissioner beyond the administration of the taxation laws. The term 'public interest', as we all know, is a debatable term. In order to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not wasted on knee-jerk feasibility studies, I think the bill could be strengthened by the inclusion of some parameters. I would hate us to reach a situation where feasibility studies are being conducted as a matter of routine.

New section 116B(2) outlines all the items the commissioner must state in the notice when requiring information for a feasibility study. This includes the purpose for which the information is required, the form in which the information is to be provided and the person to whom the information is to be provided. I note that there is no mention of the responsibility of the commissioner to include any information in the notice about the right of the individual to refuse to provide this information.

I am very conscious that there are many speakers wanting to speak on this bill.

I would just like to reiterate that I wholeheartedly support the amendments by the shadow Treasurer, the member for Scoresby. We cannot allow this bill to go through without those changes.

Comments on Dual Occs

Just in case you missed them they are just in the left column near the top.

Click to read them in full.

Samantha Dunn regarding Coldstream

coldstream carved up

report from the roundtable – 24 nov

This week’s council meeting saw five applications for second dwellings in various locations in the Coldstream estate. The Coldstream Neighbourhood Character study shows that the Coldstream community values:
- the rural landscape and quality of the landscape and vistas surrounding the town
- privacy from intrusive new developments and extensions
- retention of existing large trees and providing space for new trees
- the sense of openness and the sense of connection to the landscape of the Yarra Valley.



To read the full story click on the TITLE above or here

Dual Occs: Not Over Yet Part 2

Firstly, I would like to correct the previous post as pointed out by Yvonne:  There were 5 not 6 applications decided last night.

Secondly, on the left of the screen, you can see a section called Recent Comments.  You are welcome to make comments regarding this issue and any other issue, but at present I have not applied moderation to the comments. 

If you wish to make a comment please refrain from foul language and keep your comments civil.  If this fails, I will need to moderate the comment section and comments will need to come through me.  Please respect the "other" view.

Thank you Yvonne and girlpowa for adding your comments.

Dual Occs: Not over yet!

Dual Occs in Coldstream:

Last night at the Council meeting all 6 applications for a second dwelling in Coldstream were approved by council by the smallest of margins, 5 for 4 against.

The meeting was attended by a large number of local residents and finished late into the night.  By the time I left (about 11 pm) only 2 of the 6 applications had been decided. CORRECTION should read 5 applications.

The group presented the council with a petition of over 500 signatures.

Jeanett McCrae was passionate about what she believed in and tried her best to sway the feeling and votes of the councilors against the applications.

I believe the residents have the right to take the matter to VCAT themselves so this is not the end of the matter.

Correction to last post

Dear Mario,

Thank-you for forwarding to our office a copy of an email regarding social security payments for refugees and aged pensioners. 

I have enclosed for your information a media release issued in July 2008 by the then Minister for Human Services, Senator the Hon Joe Ludwig, that deals with the incorrect claims contained in this email. 

I hope this information is of assistance to you.  Should you require any further advice on issues relating to the Federal Government, please do not hesitate to contact our office. 

Yours Sincerely,

Nadia Carretta. 

Office of the Hon Tony Smith MP

Email misinformation campaign continues to target refugees and age pensioners

Minister for Human Services, Senator Joe Ludwig, has used National Refugee Week to urge people not to become victims of an internet-based misinformation campaign that makes false claims about refugee entitlements.

The myth:

The baseless claims try to create confusion and discontent, alleging that refugees in Australia receive significantly more financial support than age pensioners.

“These claims are completely false and deliberately try to divide our community by gutter wedge politics”.

The campaign, which operates through the internet, emails, blogs and chat rooms, claims that refugees receive $2,500 in welfare payments each month and suggests senior

Australians would be better off as refugees.

“The claims have been repeated in numerous media stories over the past year and the urban legend even has its own Wikipedia page outlining the campaign’s origins in Canada and the United States.

“I’m very disappointed people are continuing to perpetuate these myths – it’s only causing unnecessary concern and angst among both refugee groups and age pensioners.

The facts:

Senator Ludwig said refugees to Australia do not receive higher rates of payment than age pensioners.

“In fact, there are no separate rates of payment for refugees and they are not eligible for more assistance from Centrelink than any other customer,” said Senator Ludwig.

“As with any Centrelink customer, the rate of payments available to a refugee depends upon individual circumstances. As an example, a refugee who qualifies for Age Pension, would receive exactly the same rate as an Australian citizen whose income, assets and relationship circumstances were the same.

“I would encourage anyone who receives these messages to reply and tell the sender they have been the victim of a hoax.”

“These deliberately false allegations also detract from the spirit of National Refugee Week, a time to reflect on the challenges faced by those forced to flee their own countries, hoping to find a better life here in Australia.”

Senator Ludwig said Centrelink would continue to play a key role in helping refugees

establish new lives and a secure home in Australia.

National Refugee Week (June 15-June 21) is this year themed “A Place to Call Home”.

Since the end of World War II Australia has provided a safe haven to more than 700,000 refugees

“It’s never easy to pack up and start a new life in a country where you don’t know the language or culture, even more so if you’ve suffered torture and trauma.

“Centrelink and its teams of specialist such as the Refugee Servicing Team and Multicultural Service Officers understand the challenges faced by refugees. Many of these officers have themselves arrived in Australia as refugees from war-torn countries.

"They work closely with a range of Government and community based organisations to help refugees make their transition into Australia easier.

“Centrelink offers immediate access to support payments and services including interpreters, social workers, psychologists, a Multilingual Call Centre, multilingual fact sheets and brochures in nearly 70 different languages as well as access to English language and literacy classes. Centrelink plays a key role in assisting refugees to find employment”.

For more information about the Refugee Servicing Team or any of Centrelink’s assistance to Multicultural Australians go to www.centrelink.gov.au, call 13 1202, or see the staff at your local Centrelink Customer Service Centre.

Australian Refugee V's Aged Pensioners

Very sad  that our government appears to value refugee's more than our own pensioners most of whom have paid their taxes, been born here or lived here for many years, helped shape us as a nation, a lot have even fought for us to give us the life style and the rights we now value and enjoy... Are you aware of the following? The Australian Federal Government provides the following financial assistance:- BENEFIT AUSTRALIAN AGED PENSIONER OVERSEAS REFUGEE LIVING IN AUSTRALIA Weekly allowance $253.00 $472.50 Weekly Spouse allowance $56.00 $472.50 Additional weekly hardship allowance $0.00 $145.00 TOTAL YEARLY BENEFIT $16,068.00 $56,680.00 I don't know about you, but I think this stinks.      If I was a refugee, why would I look for work? Please forward to all your contacts so that we can lobby for an increase in the aged pension. After all, the average pensioner has paid taxes and contributed to the growth of this country for the last 40 - 60 years. From :  Greg Naylor

Fire Services Levy (FSL) and Insurance Discussion Paper

On 19 November 2009, the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission released a discussion paper on insurance and the funding of fire services through the fire services levy to assist interested parties to comment on issues relevant to the Commission's Terms of Reference.

The paper has been developed for discussion purposes only and should not be assumed to represent the views of the Commissioners.


All responses to the discussion paper will be considered in the development of the Commission's final report due July 2010.


Those who have already made a submission to the Commission on insurance or the fire services levy need not respond as the information provided has already been reviewed by the Commission and will be further considered with other responses. However, previous submitters may raise additional issues if they wish.


Responses to the Fire Services Levy and Insurance Discussion Paper should be provided to the Commission by Monday, 21 December 2009. All responses must include a coversheet.


To facilitate responses, a response template has been prepared. Use of the template is optional.


Find out more about the Fire Services Levy (FSL) and Insurance Discussion Paper.

Comment:
I hope, after all my rants and ravings on this topic some of you may be moved to take pen to paper or finger to keyboard and express your views on this unfair tax.  Click on the link above to express your views.  
Click on the title to go to the original Vic Gov Site.

ANL want to extend their order to remove the compost

Hi All,



I have just found out that ANL have once again appealed a decision by VCAT.


They want extensions until the middle of next year to clear the site, on the grounds that they won't be able to sell all the material by the current date.


In return they offer to trade a 2 week "no operations" period over Christmas.


Hearing is set for 30th of November....

Comment:

WHAT DO YOU THINK? 

SHOULD THEY BE GIVEN MORE TIME? 

HAVE YOU HAD ENOUGH OF THE SMELL?

IS ENOUGH ENOUGH?

586 Maroondah Highway (Lot 2 LP 52644), Coldstream

SUMMARY
· The proposal is for the construction of a second single-storey dwelling at the
rear of the existing dwelling.
· The total site area is 892m² and the proposed dwelling density is 1:446m².
· The proposal is consistent with the relevant clauses of the Yarra Ranges
Planning Scheme as the development will integrate with the neighbourhood
character and it will not result in a significant loss of amenity to adjoining
properties.
· The application was advertised and a total of 16 objections were received on the
grounds of neighbourhood character, lack of infrastructure, increased traffic,
lack of open space and landscaping, loss of privacy and property devaluation.
· The application is recommended for approval (NOD).

9 Wheeler Street

SUMMARY
· The proposal is for the construction of a second single-storey dwelling at the
rear of the existing dwelling.
· The total site area is 869m² and the proposed dwelling density is 1:434m².
· The proposal is consistent with the relevant clauses of the Yarra Ranges
Planning Scheme as the development will integrate with the neighbourhood
character and it will not result in a significant loss of amenity to adjoining
properties.
· The application was advertised and a total of 19 objections were received on
the grounds of neighbourhood character, lack of infrastructure, increased
traffic, lack of open space and landscaping, loss of privacy, loss of on-street
parking and property devaluation.
· The application is recommended for approval (NOD).

18 Cheviot Avenue

SUMMARY
· The proposal is for the construction of a second single-storey dwelling at the
rear of the existing dwelling
· The total site area is 892m² and the proposed dwelling density is 1:446m².
· The proposal is generally consistent with the relevant clauses of the Yarra
Ranges Planning Scheme as the development will integrate with the
neighbourhood character and it will not result in a significant loss of amenity
to adjoining properties.
· The application was advertised and a total of 28 objections were received on
the grounds of neighbourhood character, lack of infrastructure, increased
traffic, lack of open space and landscaping, loss of privacy property
devaluation, and loss of street parking.
· The application is recommended for approval. (NOD)

10 Witham Drive

SUMMARY
· The proposal is for construction of a second single-storey dwelling at the rear
of the existing dwelling and removal of two trees.
· The total site area is 910m² and the proposed dwelling density of 1:455m².
· The proposal is consistent with the relevant clauses of the Yarra Ranges
Planning Scheme as the development will integrate with the neighbourhood
character and it will not result in a significant loss of amenity to adjoining
properties.
· The application was advertised and a total of 27 objections were received on
the grounds of neighbourhood character, lack of infrastructure, increased
traffic, lack of open space and landscaping, loss of privacy and property
devaluation.
· The application is recommended for approval and a Notice of decision to grant
a permit be issued.

5 Witham Drive, Coldstream

8.4 Planning Application No: YR-2009/644 – 5 Witham Drive, Coldstream – Construction
of a Second Dwelling and Removal of Four Trees
Melway Ref 281 C8 B (7530)
DETAILS
Site Address: 5 Witham Drive (Lot 162 LP 52644), Coldstream
Existing Use: Detached dwelling
Proposal: Construction of second dwelling and removal of four trees
Owner: Crossman Investments Pty Ltd
Applicant: MAP Building Consultant Services
Ward: Ryrie
Zone/Overlay: Residential 1 Zone (Rural Township)
No Overlays
 

SUMMARY
· The proposal is for the construction of a second single-storey dwelling at the
rear of the existing dwelling. Ten trees are proposed for removal; however four
of these require planning permission. Trees to be removed generally comprise
exotics and environmental weeds.
· The total site area is 892m² and the proposed dwelling density is 1:446m².
· The proposal is consistent with the relevant clauses of the Yarra Ranges
Planning Scheme as the development will integrate with the neighbourhood
character and it will not result in a significant loss of amenity to adjoining
properties.
· The application was advertised and a total of 6 objections and a petition
containing 96 signatures were received on the grounds of neighbourhood
character, lack of infrastructure, increased traffic, reduced safety, lack of open
space and landscaping, loss of privacy and property devaluation.
· The application is recommended for approval (NOD).

5 dual occs to be decied at the next council meeting

Council agenda for next Tuesday night is party shown above. 

The shire is having computer problems but I have an electric version of the agenda.  Please e mail me if you want me to e mail you a copy in PDF format.

As you can see, there are a number of applications in relation to dual occs in Coldstream.

Hope to see you there.

Council meeting 24/11/2009

Dual Occs in Coldstream will be on the agenda next Tuesday night at the Council meeting.

Anyone wanting to attend...the meeting starts at 7.45pm at Shire Offices.

Coldstream a Ghost Town? page 2

We do not want a shopping complex such as Yarra Junction, Coldstream and even Coles in Lilydale with un tennanted shops. 
.

Kay writes:
Posted on 11 Nov 09 at 07:22pm

Comment: Coldstream is being hit, left right and centre, out of 17 comments in the paper (online) at least 4 have put Coldstream down.  Are they right?

Coldstream a Ghost Town?

"We think it should be a case of what the community needs, we don’t need another supermarket, pizza shop, bakery, hair dresser, etc. We need restaurants or a bistro to bring the tourists in to Seville, and somewhere for the locals to go. We don’t want a ghost town effect like Coldstream, we need to stop and think about what will benefit our community. We’ve got our water park under construction and there must be other services we can supply to get people into Seville...."

What the commun... writes:
Posted on 12 Nov 09 at 07:45pm

 

Comment: This is the third comment about Coldstream in an arguemnt for a second supermarket in Seville.  Looks like Coldstream is the ugly duckling of the Shire.

 

Brumby blasts Melbourne growth boundary blockers

DAVID ROOD  The AGE     November 13, 2009

Premier John Brumby has branded Opposition moves to block legislation expanding Melbourne's growth boundaries as an irresponsible decision that would increase housing prices by up to $30,000.

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

Comment:  Glad to see governments change thier policies as situations change.  There may be a chance for expanding Coldstream yet!

Why do greens make city-living worse?

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

Andrew Bolt

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 10:21am

 

Both these things cannot happen, or not without a lot of people getting bruised:

MELBOURNE’S urban-growth boundary will not be moved again ‘’in my lifetime’’, state Planning Minister Justin Madden has predicted.
As the Government prepares to introduce legislation within weeks for the controversial addition of 41,000 hectares to the urban area, Mr Madden has told The Age that further outward expansion should not be necessary for decades to come.

And:

A State Government report predicts that by 2036, Victoria will grow by 2.3 million people, with 1.8 million extra people in metropolitan Melbourne ...

Madden’s green blinkers is precisely the kind of thing that has left Melbourne already critically short of water, having added a million inhabitants in the 26 years since it last dared to build a dam.

 

Parliament move to block urban expansion

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

JASON DOWLING  November 12, 2009  The Age

A HUGE expansion of Melbourne's urban boundary is expected to be held up by State Parliament, with the Opposition and Greens poised to block the move.

Planning Minister Justin Madden has released plans for a 43,600-hectare expansion of Melbourne to deliver 134,000 new homes, mostly in the north and west.

Mr Madden has told The Age he expects it to be the last change in Melbourne's boundary in his lifetime.

He described the plan to move the boundary as ''one of the most significant city-shaping initiatives that Melbourne has ever seen''.

The Government has tied the boundary expansion to the introduction of a growth areas tax to help pay the multibillion-dollar bill for new public transport, schools and hospitals in the growth suburbs.

It is believed the Opposition will oppose the new growth areas tax of $95,000 a hectare on new land brought inside Melbourne's urban boundary and is prepared to block the tax even if it means halting the urban expansion.

Opposition planning spokesman Matthew Guy said: ''We have very serious concerns about the current growth areas tax proposal - we offered to negotiate with the Government 10 months ago and that has never been taken up.''

Greg Barber of the Greens said his party was unlikely to support the movement of the urban growth boundary or the new growth areas tax before ''much further scrutiny''.

A joint State Government and Melbourne City Council commissioned report earlier this year estimated the cost of building new houses on Melbourne's fringe to be hundreds of millions of dollars more than building in existing suburbs because of the extra cost of infrastructure.

$778m suburb plan for Bacchus Marsh

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

WEST Maddingley near Bacchus Marsh has been earmarked for about $778 million in new homes.

Victorian Planning Minister Justin Madden last week fast-tracked the rezoning of 171ha of land from Farming Zone to Residential 1.

The area is between Griffith St/Balliang Rd and McCormacks Rd.

Up to 1400 residential lots are expected to cater for 4000 people, creating more than 1200 jobs over time.

Comment:

What's wrong with Coldstream.  Why are we left out?

UGB . Fixed

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

That's it for sprawl: Madden

JASON DOWLING     November 11, 2009  The Age

MELBOURNE'S urban-growth boundary will not be moved again ''in my lifetime'', state Planning Minister Justin Madden has predicted.

As the Government prepares to introduce legislation within weeks for the controversial addition of 41,000 hectares to the urban area, Mr Madden has told The Age that further outward expansion should not be necessary for decades to come.

He said changes in living patterns, with more people wanting smaller attached homes, would help drive consolidation inside the new boundary.

''On the basis of the way people form their households, on the basis of the way people are living longer and on the basis of shifts we are already seeing … I don't believe we will need to make an adjustment in the urban-growth boundary, beyond this one, in my lifetime,'' Mr Madden said.

 Comment:

Looks like more dual occs for Coldstream and no expansion of the UGB!

Coldstream, cheap, empty crappy shops!

Recently there have been many comments regarding a new supermarket complex in Seville.  I could not help but notice what our fellow townspeople think of Coldstream.

First a post from Hope:

I have been living in the Seville area for over 30 years. The township does not need another supermarket in the area. Some other post have mentioned that the IGA is dear and that competition would be good, but as a regular shopper at Seville IGA I have noticed that prices are going down and have been told by staff that they are currently dropping all their prices to match the bigger Supermarkets. They are also having a cafe and a Bank at the front of the IGA.Yes there does need to be some sort of development where the Service station is because it is an eyesore, but do we need or want it to look like Coldstream or Yarra Junction and either have empty shops or crappy cheap shops. Having another Supermarket in such a small town is not going to bring toursits to the area and it is not going to be competition because the big guys will eventully win and knock out all the competition. I know that Seville IGA donate alot of money to the Local schools, CFA and Charities, do the bigger supermarkets? The staff at IGA are always happy and helpful, do you find this at the bigger named supermarkets, i think not. Yes do something there, Craft & Tourist type shops but not a supermarket.


And then a post from John

I say no. Seville should remain a small rural style shopping strip just for the day to day necessities and leave the other shops in Lilydale or Chirnside. Look at the eye sore in Coldstream, what has ‘the specialty shops’ done for the town in the last 25 years. Nothing, Seville does not need any more specialty shops that remain empty or boarded up. Are people becoming to lazy to travel an extra 15 minutes to go shopping. Do tourists go supermarket shopping...No...they come to our Valley for restaurants, wineries, agriculture not to go find more shops. The valley already has a number of tourist shopping hubs and we don’t need any more ie. Healesville, Yarra Junction, Warburton, Olinda, Sassafrass, Yarra Glen. And think of the traffic, one already gets caught in the bottleneck every evening between Wandin and Seville. More traffic you will be banked up to Wandin.


I think we would be better served to have more people living in Seville to support the local businesses we already have. Develop that space into a retirement village with a medical centre and construct a walkway across the highway giving access to the shopping strip and freeing up traffic flow through the town.

Comment:
 
I hate to say this but the comments about Coldstream are true.  What do you think?
 
 

Vic for hottest start to November since 1902

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

Victoria may this week record the hottest start to November in over a century, the Bureau of Meteorology says.

With a top of 34 degrees forecast for today and 32 degrees for tomorrow making it four days in a row of over 30 degrees, Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Terry Ryan said we have to look back to 1902 for a comparably steamy start to November.

Left-hand turning lane

Turn backing

By Kath Gannaway10th November 2009 02:00:35 AM

VicRoads has rejected a call for a left-hand turning lane into Madden’s Lane.

 

Yarra Ranges Council is backing calls for a left-hand turning lane from Maroondah Highway into Maddens Lane in Coldstream.

Coldstream resident David Barton has called for the turning lane but VicRoads has said there is no evidence it is needed.

Mr Barton recently wrote to Roads Minister Tim Pallas stating that the current arrangement was unsafe and questioned why the intersection had been ignored in the recent $6.2 million upgrade of the highway.
 

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

Council Agenda Nov 10 2009

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

Fire Service Levy FSL is a UNFAIR

REF: Fire service levy to affect insurance 

Article from:  The Australian

 

THE Brumby government has been warned that imposing levies on property insurance policies to pay for fire brigade services is making premiums unaffordable and driving people away from protecting their homes and businesses in high-risk areas.

The National Insurance Brokers Association says the fire service levies and additional GST and stamp duty charged on them can more than double premiums for some commercial properties in bushfire-prone areas. "Clearly, there is in Victoria a very large section of the public that do not protect their property by insurance," the association said in response to a Victorian government green paper.

 Also: Fire-service levy row flares

Peter Hunt

November 4, 2009

THE Victorian Government and Opposition have refused to guarantee they will announce policy alternatives to the state's controversial fire services levy before the next election.
Last Friday, Victorian Treasurer John Lenders announced the Government would conduct another review of the levy on property insurance, used to fund the Country Fire Authority and Metropolitan Fire Brigade.

• Should the fire services levy be scrapped? Vote now
• Have Your Say in the form below 
• Editorial: Come clean on fire levy policy

Comment:

What more can I say about this UNFAIR TAX?

Please VOTE by going to this link:  

Should the fire services levy be scrapped? Vote now

For each $10,000 of premium country businesses and farmers pay to their insurers, they must also pay a terrorism tax of $200, the fire services levy of $8570, GST of $1880 and stamp duty of $206, bringing the total to $22,710.   

That's $10,000 to the insurance company and $12,710 to the Governments!

Government housing figures are wrong

THE Victorian Government's policy is to maintain 15 years' supply of residential land. The move to expand the urban growth boundary (UGB) attempts to achieve this and the Housing Industry Association supports the Government in its aims.

But the proposed expansion will not accommodate our state's rapid population growth and growing demand for housing over the long term. HIA research suggests there will be a shortage of up to 50,000 dwellings in 20 years. That can only mean one thing: higher house prices.

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

Comment:

Those of us that believe that Coldstream's UGB should be expanded will like this article.

HOGS on a Coldstream mission

Well worth a read

HOGS on a Coldstream mission

Coldstream upgrade misses a left

AN ANGRY motorist says VicRoads has overlooked a dangerous Coldstream intersection after upgrades to the Maroondah Highway.
David Barton commutes daily to Coldstream Airport from his home in Marysville, and takes a short-cut to work via Maddens Lane each day.

“There is no left-turn lane - it’s a problem because when you’re going to turn left, you have to sit half off the road and half in the lane,” Mr Barton said. “You then have the cars overtaking on the double white lines.”
Read the rest of the story here:

Comment:

Not only do we miss a left but we miss a few rights as well. 

Ever tried doing a right out of Killara Rd onto Maroondah Highway?

Or from Station St?

Let's hope the Melba Lights fix these problems a bit or we may need lights between Killara and Station Streets as well!!!!!