$10.5m upgrade 'overdue'

A DESIRE to improve working conditions for council staff will drive a $10.5 million redevelopment of Yarra Ranges Council's Lilydale civic centre, which was approved last week.

Yarra Ranges chief executive Glenn Patterson said the redevelopment would improve productivity and customer service.

Comment: Let's hope so Mr. Patterson
To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

Fresh phylloxera outbreak in Yarra Valley

Association general manger Richard Howden said an infestation was discovered last week at Domaine Chandon.

Domaine Chandon is situated 50 km east of Melbourne on the Maroondah Highway between Coldstream and Healesville.

Click on the title above to read the full story...

UGB backdown by Madden

Govt reaches deal on growth areas tax

The Victorian government has backed down on controversial plans to slug home buyers an up front tax in Melbourne's growth corridors under a new compromise deal. Four weeks after legislation for the growth areas tax was dumped by the upper house, the government has signed a trade-off agreement with the building industry. The deal will enable the government to charge developers $95,000 per hectare to fund infrastructure in new fringe suburbs instead of ordinary home buyers. And instead of paying the tax up front they will pay 30 per cent when they purchase the land and the remainder in stages as the land is subdivided. The details are outlined in a memorandum of understanding signed by the government, the Property Council of Australia and the Urban Development Institute of Australia. It's the model the opposition had been pushing for. The government will now refer the bill to parliament's Dispute Resolution Committee in the hope of pushing the legislation through the upper house. It says that expanding Melbourne's growth boundaries is contingent on the tax being passed. 'This is a vital issue which needs to be resolved and there have been important concessions made by both sides,' Planning Minister Justin Madden said. 'This agreement enables part of the windfall gains from re-zoning land to be secured for future investment in public transport and other community facilities. 'The changes also assist developers by matching the payments to their cash flow in progressing projects.' Mr Madden said the government had also agreed to speed up the process for preparing precinct structure plans for new growth communities. The committee has 30 days to report back to the parliament before the legislation can be amended and reintroduced into the house. The tax grab had been a thorn in the side of the government, which had already rewritten the legislation once to shift the tax burden from sellers to buyers, amid outcry. Premier John Brumby was left red faced when he claimed to have the building industry on side, when in fact most did not support the charge. When the legislation was toppled in parliament he conceded there was no plan B, instead lashing out at the opposition for blocking measures to accommodate Melbourne's population explosion. COMMENT:about time!  This is a change for the good, but will not help Coldstream expand the UGB at this stage.

Stolen Torana found in Coldstream

A 92-year-old Melbourne woman is celebrating the return of her much-loved car after it was stolen last week.

The 1978 Holden Torana Sunbird disappeared from the carport at Mary Shaw's Ringwood East home and police recovered it yesterday at Coldstream without its number plates.

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

Rumour: POLICE PADDOCKS Sold

Rumour:  POLICE PADDOCKS Sold

There is a strong rumour going around that the police paddocks have recently been sold  AND that there will be houses there soon.  The police paddocks are located at the East end of Coldstream along Killara Rd., and yes, there are dead end roads from the estate leading into it!

I am not aware if it has changed hands BUT what I can say is that this land is in the green wedge zone and there is NO WAY that this council will allow it to become residential. 

As far as I know, this council, will not be changing the UGB around Coldstream in ANY direction or ANY time soon.

Those of us that want to see the UGB expanded will need to  ask Mr Madden (ALP) or Mr Guy (Lib) to make the change because this council WILL NOT!

I met Matthew Guy the other night and he told me that he could see no reason  why the UGB around Coldstream could not be moved.  He mentioned that the rail station could, one day, be reopened.

Make your thoughts known to Justin Madden & Matthew Guy, e mail them!

justin.madden@parliament.vic.gov.au

matthew.guy@parliament.vic.gov.au

Full House

For the first time in ages ALL shops in the "Heart of Coldstream" are in use.  Please support them.

Below are some pictures I took today.

 

Mention that you saw them on my blog and you might get a free SMILE!

FSL "FLAWED"

Fire service funding 'flawed'

KAREN KISSANE  March 18, 2010 THE AGE

 THE system for funding fire services is unfair because only people who take out home or contents insurance pay for it, the Bushfires Royal Commission heard yesterday.

It was also told that broadening the system would create a different kind of inequity because poorer people, such as age pensioners, would struggle to contribute.

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

GOVERNMENT PANEL JOINS THE CALL TO SCRAP INSURANCE TAXES

The pressure on State Governments to ease the heavy cost burden on insurance policyholders has increased following a call by a Federal Government appointed panel to scrap all taxes and levies.

The Australian Financial Centre Forum, established to examine ways of turning Australia into a financial hub, has joined the Henry tax review and numerous other reviews and inquiries in identifying the taxes as inefficient and unfair.

The report identified the following taxes:

• Stamp duty: Imposed on both life and general insurance by all States and Territories and acts like a “selective turnover tax”. Rates vary from 7.5% in Queensland to 11% in South Australia.

• Fire Services Levy (FSL): A levy of up to 84% is applied to commercial and household insurance in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania.
 

• Insurance Protection Tax: Imposed by the NSW
Government following the collapse of insurer, HIH.
Cannot be passed on to the policyholder and is therefore a
“tax on the company shareholders.”

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

Comment: I have been saying this for years!

Survival miracle after tanker 'flattens' car

THOMAS HUNTER( THE AGE) To read the full story click on the TITLE above. 

March 17, 2010 - 10:02AM

Two motorists were "very lucky" to survive after a tanker flipped on its side and "absolutely flattened" their car east of Melbourne early today, police say.

The Mitsubishi Lancer was driving on the Maroondah Highway near Maddens Lane, Coldstream, about 6.20am when the tanker truck tipped onto its side and crushed the car, trapping its two occupants. 

Police have appealed for witness to the accident to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to call Lilydale police station on 03 9739 2300.

Application to amend planning permit YR2004 164 Coldstream Composting Facility 

 Ref 1:

Ref 2:

Click to read more:

but look at this:

“The proposed new buildings and works require development planning permission but not use
permission…..
We consider that condition 14 ought to be amended to delete the phrase “to the satisfaction of the
responsible authority” rather than that the condition should be removed altogether.
ANL would like to see it removed and replaced with another condition requiring ANL to construct
and carry out the buildings and works depicted in the plans and specifications for tis proposed
improvements. In our remarks in our interim decision of March 2009 we expressed a tentative
view that it was not apparent to us, having regard to what is proposed, and to the site location and
nature of the land, that there was any reason why planning permission for such works should not
be granted. In this connection, we distinguish planning permission for the buildings and works
from environment protection authorisation for them.”

Conition 14 is the main condition that has been used to stop the smell.

I suggest that IF it is to be changed it should read...

We consider that condition 14 ought to be amended to delete the phrase “to the satisfaction of the
residents ” rather than that the condition should be removed altogether.

No Confidence In New Procedures

A meeting was held last night ( as described in previous posts) to discuss the new application by ANL.

ANL basically presented their new model to improve their operation and reduce the odours coming from their site.

Tony King, Bruce Rowland, Maria Rowland and many other locals spoke about what the residents have gone through for the past many years.

The jist of the meeting was that "the residents have no confidence that this change to procedure at ANL will not be any better than the numerous changes carried out in the past."

The meeting ran from 5.30 pm to 9.30 pm and a full report of the meeting will be available soon.

If you were there Please Add Your Comments.

 

The outer limits

  By JASON DOWLING    THE AGE    March 16, 2010

One of the problems, Buxton says, is that Melbourne does not use its existing land close to services well enough. He says the government should consider taxing developers and investors that sit on developable land. Under-utilised urban land costs every Victorian taxpayer hundreds of millions of dollars in additional costs of building new services from scratch on Melbourne's fringe.

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

Comment:  What is better for Coldstream, expansion of the UGB or more dual occs.?  Read the article by Jason Dowling to gain a little insight on this topic.

Meeting map

Mt Lilydale Mercy College Centennial Hall

120 Anderson St

Lilydale

5.30 PM to 9.30 PM

Read previous as well please.

Stink issue to be raised at meeting

THE stink over a Coldstream compost facility continues with a public conference to be held next week.

A works approval application for the Quarry Rd composting facility is under consideration by Environment Protection Authority Victoria who will host the public conference in Lilydale on Monday, March 15.

In their submission to the EPA, site owners Australian Native Landscapes Pty Ltd (ANL) said the proposed works would result in a ‘‘substantial reduction in odorous emissions’’.

Local resident and opponent of the facility Tony King said life for the residents of the surrounding suburbs was hell.
‘‘It is my opinion that nothing can be done on the present site that will stop the stink,’’ Mr King said.

‘‘You can’t plan for barbecues or any normal family life and visitors make excuses to leave early even when you are indoors with the doors and windows closed,’’ he said.

Mr King said he wanted the facility moved to a remote location.

The compost facility has been embroiled in legal wrangles with The Shire of Yarra Ranges and Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal for nearly five years and residents in Lilydale and Coldstream have called for its closure since it opened in 2006.

ANL has contracts with the cities of Manningham, Knox, Whitehorse and the Shire of Yarra Ranges to process kerbside collected green waste into compost. EPA spokeswoman Ruth Ward said people who made submissions would be invited to attend the conference. Ms Ward said members of the public who had not made a submission could attend the conference as an observer.

REFERENCE: Lilydale Leader
Click on the title above to read the full story...

DO NOT CALL

 Just in case you weren't aware

This is for Australian phone numbers  REMEMBER: Mobile Phone Numbers Go Public next month.  REMINDER all mobile phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sale calls.  YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS    Below is a link where you can enter your phone numbers online to put an end to telemarketing calls.  Don't just delete those calls otherwise you will find that you have been signed up for all sorts of extra services that you didn't want or know about.  Like special chimes, music etc.  https://www.donotcall.gov.au/  PASS THIS ON TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN...

$20,000 per month

She's hot stuff

SHARON McCrohan has gone from tough-talking spin doctor for the state government to well-connected consultant. 

Liberal MP Christine Fyffe claimed in parliament that McCrohan's connections were so great that John Brumby ''insisted'' she be employed by the CFA as media consultant to chief Russell Rees for $20,000 a month. 

McCrohan doused that hot potato, saying she was a subcontractor for Mike Smith, the PR guru hired by the CFA's lawyers, Maddocks. McCrohan is also a consultant for the Magpies, but some folk wonder if this is necessary given well-connected Eddie is chummy with a VIP Magpies supporter called Brumby.

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

Comment:  I wonder if our FSL (fire service levy) is used for this sort of stuff!

on NSP

You NEED to ACT

Click on the paper clippping to get a bigger picture

I got excited

I got excited when I saw this headline!
I thought they were talking about Coldstream.

BUT I WAS WRONG!!!!

It was a different eyesore!

Tip Map

Please enter from Leonards Rd

Exit from  Ingram Rd

Coldstream Tip

Coldstream Recovery & Waste Transfer Station

Address:Ingram Road, Coldstream (Mel Ref 281 E11)
Phone: 9739 1227
Trading Hours: 8.30am - 4pm 7 days a week
(closed Christmas Day & Good Friday)
Disposal Charges: Charged by weight.
Your vehicle will be weighed as you enter and before leaving the centre to determine the charge.
There are different charges depending on the material you are carrying.



Industrial waste, liquid and prescribed waste is not accepted.

Council reserves the right to refuse any material.

All prices are subject to change without notice.

For more information call us on 1300 368 333...

Victorian Government Data Directory

data.vic.gov.au is your online access point to Victorian Government public sector information.You can search or browse to a variety of datasets in different formats, then you can download the information you need.

The data made available via www.data.vic.gov.au is specifically for the App My State competition at this time. Data is still being added to the directory, datasets as at 5 March 2010 will be the final list for the competition. We recommend that you check the site regularly over the next few days.

Meet Matthew Guy

Click on the image to get a biggger poster

Comment: I AM NOT A LIBERAL MEMBER or LABOUR or GREEN

Coldstream Weather Report

Averages\Extremes for the month of February 2010

 Average temperature     = 21.0°C

 Average humidity        = 65%

 Average dewpoint        = 13.2°C

 Average barometer       = 1015.7 hPa

 Average windspeed       = 3.9 km/h

 Average gustspeed       = 6.6 km/h

 Average direction       = 150° (SSE)

 Rainfall for month      = 40.6 mm

 Rainfall for year       = 101.2 mm

 Maximum rain per minute = 3.8 mm on day 11 at time 16:38

 Maximum temperature     = 36.3°C on day 09 at time 14:54

 Minimum temperature     = 7.1°C on day 23 at time 06:38

 Maximum humidity        = 96% on day 24 at time 07:54

 Minimum humidity        = 16% on day 02 at time 17:45

 Maximum dewpoint        = 22.7°C on day 09 at time 14:14

 Minimum dewpoint        = 1.3°C on day 24 at time 15:27

 Maximum pressure        = 1026.6 hPa on day 25 at time 10:30

 Minimum pressure        = 1004.6 hPa on day 14 at time 17:27

 Maximum windspeed       = 24.1 kmh from 158°(SSE) on day 15 at time 14:24

 Maximum gust speed      = 40.7 km/h from 00°( N ) on day 19 at time 09:48

 Maximum heat index      = 38.5°C on day 09 at time 14:14

 Avg daily max temp :28.6°C

 Avg daily min temp :14.7°C

 Growing degrees days :307.8 GDD

 Total windrun = 2581.2km

Thanks Robert

Who should pay for the NSP?

YARRA Ranges Council wants the State Government to foot the bill for the massive costs involved in setting up Neighbourhood Safer Places (NSPs) across the shire. 

Comment: I agree, and if you do too click on the TITLE above and make a comment to the local paper.

I think it should be funded via the FSL (Fire Service Levy), a pet topic of mine!

Neighbourhood Safer Places (Coldstream)

Resolved on the motion of Crs Dunn and Cliff
 
That:
Halley Supple Reserve, Coldstream

1. The Shire of Yarra Ranges Council endorse the area as described and detailed
within the Halley Supple Reserve NSP Site Assessment Report which is located
within “Halley Supple Reserve, Coldstream” as a designated Neighbourhood Safer
Place.


I hope you all know where the reserve is!

Housing Amendment Update

Taken from the minutes of the last council meeting.

The following question was received from Rob Williams:

Can Council please advise when the Housing Amendment, which was approved by
Council at its meeting on December 8, 2009, will be forwarded to the Minister for
Planning, with a request that he authorise the preparation and exhibition of the
Housing Amendment?

Andrew Paxton, Director Planning, Building & Health responded:

Council officers have been working with the Department of Planning and Community
Development in the preparation of the exhibition maps and finalising changes to the
Municipal Strategic Statement to incorporate the Housing Policy.

We anticipate lodging with the Minister the formal planning scheme amendment with a
request to exhibit by the end of February, with the authorisation to exhibit subject to the
Ministers approval.

Author's footy tribute a rally cry for Marysville

A COLDSTREAM retiree has paid tribute to a late mate by writing the history of the Marysville football club that they both loved.

Bill Metcalfe is determined to resurrect the club, which folded 27 years ago, saying it could re-unify the town that was razed, with 34 dead, on Black Saturday.

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

Out'n about with McRae

Cr McRae:

- Attended the Sugarloaf Pipeline Project Control Group meeting where concerns were raised, following a tour along the pipeline alignment, regarding regeneration and rehabilitation along the Sugarloaf Pipeline where there is a 94% failure rate.

- Attended the meeting about the River St Poplars in Healesville on 22 February. She asked that her thanks be passed onto Paul Mechelen, Trees Co-ordinator for his efficiency in his response to questions asked.

- Attended with the Mayor, the ANZAC Avenue Memorial dedication and unveiling. She asked that her thanks be passed onto Keith Park, Project Officer Environment & Engineering for his work with the RSL in establishing the memorial.

Taken from the latest council meeting