Comment:  What a complete waste of $140 K .  No wonder our rates keep going up.

We should all chip in and do our bit to keep our street clean and not keep paying others and letting the rates go up and up.

Police should get the taggers to clean up as well.

"Do the grime, do the time".

We have a regulare maintenance crew and with our help the could be used to tackle the bigger jobs.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Keep Our Towns Clean!

Townships around the Yarra Ranges will have a new shine thanks to a dedicated priority response township cleaning crew funded in this year's draft budget.

Council's draft 2010/11 budget, which will be presented for in-principle approval at its May 25 meeting, provides $140,000 each year for the team.

Yarra Ranges Mayor Len Cox said the crew would be on hand to help keep the region's townships clean and attractive.
 

Comment:  My gut feeling is that $140 000 is a total waste of money.  $140K would probably be the wages for about 3 workers.  How can we expect 3 workers to keep our Shire clean?  Who has been doing this in the past?  Is there an income from people caught littering?  

Your thoughts are welcome but read the full story by clicking on the title above. 

Get Ready For A Council Rate Rise

To read the FULL story, please click on the TITLE

Cr Cox said in order to carry out vital community services and continue with the council's asset renewal and development program, an average rate increase of 6.05% was needed.


A further 0.9% will also be added to the average rate increase to cover extensive additional costs of bushfire preparation works

Yarra Ranges council provides more than 150 services including the following (2008/09):


Processed 2274 planning applications
Built 17 new roads totalling 16.3km
Swept 3700km of roads/streets
Registered 22,119 dogs and 7089 cats
Issued 392 local laws permits
Prosecuted 43 dog attacks
Received 198,886 calls at Community Links
Served 166,021 customers at its Community Links
Immunised 13,325 vaccinations at public sessions and 4608 at secondary schools
Provided a grading program for 850kms of the unsealed road network
Cleared 570km of drains
Treated 785sq kms of unsealed roads with dust suppressant
Removed 15,000km sq of graffiti from paling fences
8000 pit inspections and clearing
Carried out 471 private tree inspections
Processed 32,240 customer requests
Counselling for 280 young people
Meals on wheels for 491 clients
Assisted with 10,730 hours of property maintenance to 1543 clients
Provided 36,174 hours of home care to 1366 clients
Welcomed 434,901 visitors to council's nine aquatic facilities
Maintained 64 council ovals and 16 community halls
Controlled weeds at 330 sections of roadside covering 550kms
Hosted 10 business workshop and events attended by more than 700 people
Facilitated 473 programs and activities at the Mooroolbark Community Centre
Facilitated 218 programs and activities at the Montrose Town Centre

Recycling made easier at Coldstream Transfer Station

27 May 2010

Recycling at Council's recovery and waste transfer centre in Coldstream is now even easier thanks to $200,000 worth of improvements at the site.

Work was recently completed to increase the number of unloading bays for residents disposing of recycled items at the transfer centre.

Yarra Ranges Mayor Len Cox said the improvements were completed in response to an increased number of recyclables being collected at the site.

"Residents have become a lot more conscientious when it comes to recycling unwanted household items," Cr Cox said.

"As technology improves, so too does our ability to recycle a larger variety of used goods, including televisions, computers and other equipment, which is a much better alternative to sending them directly to landfill," he said.

Improvements at the transfer centre include an extra three unloading bays for recycling, and an extra two bays for general waste disposal.

Systems for recovery of e-waste have also been improved to provide for the increased number of electrical goods including televisions, computers and other appliances that are disposed of at the centre.

"Improvements at the site will also assist in reducing traffic congestion and queues, enabling residents to unload their recyclables in less time," Cr Cox said.

The Coldstream Recovery and Waste Transfer Centre is located on Ingram Road, Coldstream, and is open from 8.30am to 4pm seven days a week.

Council Recovery and Waste Transfer Centres are also located in Healesville and Wesburn.

9 Wheeler Street, Coldstream : another dual occ comming

VICTORIAN CIVIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL administrative DIVISION

            The permit allows::

·               The construction of a second dwelling on a lot and removal of one tree.

 

A single storey dwelling is to be constructed behind an existing dwelling.  The new dwelling will include two bedrooms and other living and utility areas.  A single space carport is to be constructed on west side of the new dwelling accessed from the existing cross over to Wheeler Street (which would be widened by 2m).  Outdoor living areas for both dwellings will face to the north and west. 

The new dwelling would be constructed using a mix of colourbond and rendered walls and a skillion colourbond roof.  Minor alterations to the roof line of the existing dwelling are proposed.

         The objectors grounds also raised issues about environmental, amenity and native vegetation impacts which were not pressed in oral submissions, but nevertheless were raised in the written grounds.  I find that these are not determinative issues to my decision.  The proposal involves no removal of native vegetation.  Being in an urban setting there were no issues of environmental impact that could be said to have been relevant and the design response in terms of presentation of building bulk, overlooking, overshadowing and setbacks meet the applicable standards under Clause 55 and, as the Council set out, were all acceptable.

               The issue of traffic generation, also raised by the objectors is not a grounds for refusing a permit in this instance.  The addition of one extra dwelling would not see an increase in traffic volume of such significance that the amenity or safety of residents in the street would be detrimentally affected.  No pre-existing conditions were drawn to my attention as to particular circumstances that would warrant refusal of an additional dwelling on this basis. 

The policy context for medium density development

               It has been put to me quite plainly that some residents do not consider Coldstream to be one of the rural towns where medium density should occur as such development would intrude into the overall rural character of the town and it is not supported by local policy.  The objectors rely on various strategy objectives set out under the Municipal Strategic Statement (the MSS) that medium density development in rural towns should be limited to the larger towns with infrastructure and services capable of supporting such development.  It is submitted that such development should be limited to the larger towns of Healesville, Warburton, Yarra Glen and Yarra Junction. 

              In Coldstream, the predominant form of single dwellings per lot will be retained because of the covenants that exist over a large proportion of the lots that prevent more than one dwelling being built.

               In response to a wider view of the policy position, Mr Peel submits that there is no need for this type of diversity in Coldstream.  He relies on data to show a very low percentage of vacant dwellings (2%) and that as older residents move out, due to the lack of social and medical support services, opportunities will arise for new residents to move in.  He also points to the difference between growth rates between Yarra Ranges and the Casey and Whittlesea municipalities. 

             I conclude that in weighing up the relevant policy and site context, there is no ‘in principle’ or policy prohibition to this proposal occurring on this site in Coldstream.  

e mail me at coldstream@eftel.net.au (lower case)  if you would like a copy of the FULL report.

Capital spending protects Yarra Ranges' future

Road improvements, community centres, and environmental initiatives are just some of the projects that will share in Yarra Ranges Council's $38m 2010/11 Capital Works Program.

The council is in the second year of a $272m 10 year program that will see an extra $68.5m spent on asset improvement and renewal.

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

Peter Davies' 20B report on ANL

 go to THIS LINK

look for this box ( on the RHS of the page)

and download the 3.5M PDF file.

Happy Reading :)

ANL 20B public conference attendees

To the ANL 20B public conference attendees - Monday 15 March 2010

Please read below the EPA media release detailing EPA's decision to reject ANL's composting works approval proposal.

You can also view the media release online at EPA's website - http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/about_us/news.asp

Also, Independent Chair Peter Davies' report on the 20B public conference proceedings is available for download in the library at
 http://epaapprovals.com.au/anl



EPA VICTORIA REJECTS COMPOSTING PROPOSAL
25 May 2010

EPA Victoria has rejected Australian Native Landscapes Pty Ltd (ANL)

proposal to re-establish a composting facility in Coldstream.
EPA director environmental services Bruce Dawson said ANL applied for a
works approval to reinstate operations on site, but after careful
assessment and consideration EPA decided not to issue an approval.

ANL proposed to process kerbside green waste at a rate of 40,000 tonnes a
year, in a semi-enclosed facility.

“EPA does not have confidence in this company’s proposal. For the last
three and a half years, this site has continually been at the top of the
list of community complaints and we have received more than 2500 reports
of odour from the company’s operations during that time.

“A number of community objections were received regarding this proposal
and submitters were able to voice their concerns at a public conference
during the assessment process.

“EPA has determined that while the proposal will reduce odour emissions,
it does not use best practice technology. Nor does it have adequate
buffers to prevent off site odour impact.”

Mr Dawson said the fact the site is in an area with unusual topography and
weather conditions which limits odour dispersion also factored into the
decision.

He said an earlier separate decision by EPA not to issue the company with a licence to operate was still being considered by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

regards
Gary Laidlaw
Community and Stakeholder Engagement Unit Environment Protection Authority

ph 9695 2722

community.engagement@epa.vic.gov.au

ANL’s Coldstream proposal canned

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

Comment:  Please go to the link and make a COMMENT there.  Do you agree with ANL etc?

Tuesday, 25 May 2010
Garth Lamb

EPA Victoria has rejected Australian Native Landscapes’ proposal to re-establish a composting facility in Coldstream, saying it “does not have confidence in this company’s proposal”. ANL’s head Pat Soars has said he is “very disappointed with this decision” and is currently seeking reasons for the refusal. The head of Compost Australia, meanwhile, said Victoria is out of step with the other states.

EPA director environmental services Bruce Dawson said ANL applied for a works approval to reinstate operations on site, and proposed to process 40,000 tonnes/year of kerbside greenwaste in a semi-enclosed facility. But “after careful assessment and consideration”, EPA decided not to issue an approval.

“EPA does not have confidence in this company’s proposal. For the last three and a half years, this site has continually been at the top of the list of community complaints and we have received more than 2,500 reports of odour from the company’s operations during that time,” said Dawson.

“A number of community objections were received regarding this proposal and submitters were able to voice their concerns at a public conference during the assessment process.

“EPA has determined that while the proposal will reduce odour emissions, it does not use best practice technology. Nor does it have adequate buffers to prevent off site odour impact.”

Dawson said the fact the site is in an area with unusual topography and weather conditions which limits odour dispersion also factored into the decision. He said an earlier, separate decision, by EPA not to issue the company with a licence to operate was still being considered by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

ANL has 21 days to lodge a review of the latest EPA decision, which would also be heard by VCAT. While Soars was reluctant to comment until he has clarification on the reasons for the decision, he said he was “concerned [about] how Victoria will deal with the potential huge volumes of greenwaste without a viable compost industry”.

Compost Australia head Peter Wadewitz said Victoria is out of step with the other states.

“What I find really confusing is that in NSW and Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia there’s all this outdoor composting going ahead. Victoria is the only state that’s continually trying to drive it inside a box,” he said.

He points out totally enclosed composting facilities – “which have their own issues too” – are much more capital intensive than open air facilities, which needs to be reflected in higher gatefees and higher prices for final outputs, “that you’re not going to be able to sell”.

“Victoria’s already got some of the worst stockpiles around in terms of finished products getting out to market – so it’s a bit confusing.”

Mini to take on Mustangs (Lilydale and Yarra Valley Leader, 25 May 2010, Page 8)

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Mini to take on Mustangs
Alex Munro
Lilydale and Yarra Valley Leader
25 May 2010

GRUYERE’S Lindsay Siebler will take on Mustangs, EH Holdens, Lotuses and even the odd Hillman Imp in his trusty 1964 Mini this month. And the veteran racer thinks he’s in with a shot at victory thanks to the H i s t o r i c Wi n t o n ’ s twisting...read more...

Tech Tags: Lilydale and Yarra Valley Leader newspaper NEWS

Train safety fails (Lilydale and Yarra Valley Leader, 25 May 2010, Page 3)

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Train safety fails
Do you feel safe on the Lilydale line? Go to lilydaleleader.com.au | Alex Munro
Lilydale and Yarra Valley Leader
25 May 2010

A COMMUTER is concerned about Metro Trains’ security procedures after the failure of a Lilydale-bound train’s emergency button when a rock smashed a carriage window. Tony King estimates there were about 50 passengers in the train carriage when it was...read more...

Tech Tags: Lilydale and Yarra Valley Leader newspaper NEWS

Asking for trouble (Lilydale and Yarra Valley Leader, 25 May 2010, Page 19)

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Asking for trouble

Lilydale and Yarra Valley Leader
25 May 2010

POLICE have enough work to do and leaving a car unlocked is asking for trouble and puts more pressure on our police force. It’s only common sense to lock your car and prevent a possible waste of police time. They have more important things to do. How...read more...

Tech Tags: Lilydale and Yarra Valley Leader newspaper OPINION

RATE RISE BLAME GAME

Blame state for rates hike, says Yarra Ranges mayor

24 May 10 @ 07:30am by Alex Munro

THE Yarra Ranges Council will be forced to slug residents with increased rates after the State Government failed to provide enough cash for projects such as the set-up of Neighbourhood Safer Places.

Yarra Ranges Mayor Len Cox said the council would have to increase rates more than they wanted, due to government cost shifting.

But he was unable to give a precise figure while the council continued to debate the hike in rates last week.

The increase will be announced at tonight’s (May 25) council meeting. 

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

Comment: How much more can we afford to pay?

Didn't we have a massive increase last year and the year before?

The Shire could look at cutting some projects back or delay their introduction.

COUNCIL BUDGET: Millions to the environment, climate change plan

25 May 10 @ 07:03am by Alex Munro

THE Yarra Ranges Council will plough millions of dollars into projects such as upgrading street lights to energy efficient bulbs in an effort to boost its green credentials.

The raft of budget environmental measures was announced last week, ahead of tonight’s (May 25) expected endorsement of the draft budget.

Spending includes $800,000 to help reduce council’s carbon footprint and $1.5 million for upgrading public lighting.

Mayor Len Cox said council would save about 1400 tonnes of greenhouse gas per annum by upgrading public lighting.

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

EPA V ANL

Please find attached a copy of the EPA's decision for the ANL Works Approval application advising they have determined to refuse the application.

This gives ANL the right of appeal to VCAT.

Regards, Kim

VCAT Must Love Coldstream

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT LIST

VCAT REFERENCE NO. P3315 2009

PERMIT APPLICATION NO. YR – 2009/676

To use and develop land adjacent to the former Coldstream railway station for a rural store that provides agricultural products and seeds to farmers. The development includes a portable building to be used for an office and the remainder of the land would be used for the storage of agricultural products.

Council opposed this application largely on the basis that it is an office. In accordance with the third strategic planning direction above, offices are best located in an existing commercial centre. If the use was an office, or a retail premises, I would be in agreement with Council. An office or a retail premises would in my view, be inappropriate in an isolated location, remote from other commercial enterprises and outside the urban boundary of the township.

# However, in my view it is not an office, but a rural store. It is appropriate to locate such uses in rural areas rather than in urban commercial centres. The use requires large turning circles to accommodate heavy trucks. It also needs to have convenient access to farming properties in Yarra Ranges and Moorabool. This site provides that accessibility, given its proximity to both the Maroondah Highway and the Melba Highway. Coldstream is located within the broadacre farming area, and is in close proximity to the intensive farming areas shown on the rural farming areas map in clause 21.04.

# The second ground for Council’s refusal is the contention that the use is inconsistent with the inclusion of the land in the public use zone (transport). Council submitted that only uses directly associated with transport should be permitted to locate in this zone. I find that this is a particularly narrow interpretation of the purpose of the zone. It is like saying that only dwellings should be located in the residential 1 zone, or only shops should be located in the Business 1 Zone.

# One of the zone purposes is to provide for uses that are consistent with the intent of the public land reservation, that being transport. In my view, the storage and redistribution of bulky materials is entirely consistent with the zoning of the land for transport. There are many examples of the synergistic co-location of transport infrastructure and storage. One example is the co-location of freight companies around the Port of Melbourne. Another example is the relocation of many large storage and freight companies and distribution warehouses in close proximity to the Western Ring Road. Many freight companies seek to take advantage of the easy access to the freeway network. Transport, storage and distribution are part of the same general activity.

Geoff Rundell

Member

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Comments By VCAT on 10 Witham Drive Coldstream

Below are some comments made by Christina Fong, Member (VCAT) on the reasons she permitted a dual occ at 10 Witham Drive.  It should also be noted that these comments can apply to most of the other sites as well.

The site is in the Residential 1 Zone. Dwelling use is as-of-right in this zone. Urban consolidation, making efficient use of existing infrastructure and channelling urban type housing into urban areas are themes of the Scheme.

Clause 21.04 broadly categorises residential areas of Yanra Ranges into Metropolitan Residential Areas, Foothills Residential Areas and Rural Townships. Whilst this policy specifically mentioned the larger metropolitan centres such as Lilydale and Chirnside and larger rural townships such as Healesville and Yarra Glen where higher density is encouraged, it is silent on the next tier of rural townships.

The review site, although not located in one of the larger townships where higher density is specifically encouraged, meets the assessment criteria for additional housing in this policy: it is a fully serviced lot, located in a township that provides commercial and community facilities, served by public transport; and the impact of the proposal on the built environment of the township minor.

Review applicants criticised the proposal as one that is not compatible with the existing neighbourhood character of the area: one of single dwellings_ Design response to neighbourltood character is not about maintaining the status quo of an area, but whether a proposal is respectful o: this character.

The development will be visible from the backyards of adjoining dwellings_ Being visible is not a reason to refuse the application. Further, it meets Standard B 18, the corresponding standard in Clause 55. As such, the objectives of the clause have been met without the need to refer to decision guidelines of that clause.

Survey results

You may recall a survey conducted between Jan 19th and 27th April 2010 on your viewson dual occs in Coldstream.
In this survey 2 questions were asked being:-

Question 1:- Did they know what a Dual Occupancy was?


Question 2:-
Did they agree with Dual Occupancy in Coldstream – providing an opportunity to give their own opinion as follows:-


*Yes *No *Undecided *Don’t Mind/Care either way

The results are shown below:

Yes’s                                              188 Residents 10 Business’s

No’s                                                174 Residents 3 Business’s


Undecided’s                                   84 Residents 6 Business’s


Don’t Mind/Care Either way      91 Residents 2 Business’s


Those who didn’t want to know about it              12 Residents

The results of this survey clearly show that:-

Approx 1/3 of the estate agrees with Dual Occupancies,
(188 residents)

Approx 1/3 of the estate doesn’t agree with Dual Occupancies
(174 residents)

Approximately 1/3 of the estate doesn’t mind either way, or are undecided, or don’t want to know about it
(187 residents).


SORRY THIS WAS LEFT OFF BY MISTAKE

Total participation

     b/wn 19^th January &

     27^th April 2010      549 Residents 21 Business’s

Plus Inaccessible sites   3

(High fences and gates)

Not Home           14

(several attempts having been made to obtain their opinion at various times throughout day and evening without success) 

(These calculations do not include the objectors)  which goes to stating that the Coldstream Community Action Group do not represent the entire Coldstream Estate in their objection to Dual Occupancies within the area.

9 Kelso St >> Another Dual Occ

9 Kelso St Coldstream

Coldstream Dual Occs Coming Think n fast!

SUBJECT LAND 4 Cheviot Avenue, Coldstream

Just a few comments from Dr S. Mainwaring, Member VCAT.

It was argued by the objectors and to some extent by the Responsible Authority that Coldstream is not a location where medium density development was encouraged. In particular it is the only rural township location which is not identified as being a preferred medium density area in the Planning Scheme. In this regard the Tribunal finds there is no prohibition contained within the Planning Scheme as it now stands of medium density development in Coldstream. I note that there is a single dwelling covenant over some 58% of the lots within the township which serves as a limit on the extent of future development.

I find in the present circumstances that given the size of the lot and the modest nature of this proposal for a single storey two bedroom dwelling there will be no challenge to the nature of the rural township so valued by local residents. The proposal has on the other hand the potential to positively contribute to the viability of commercial and social activities within the township without having any negative impact on the valued character and amenity of the town.


In coming to this conclusion I accept that the township has some very special qualities. It is however my view that the kind of development proposed here will not challenge the special nature of the township.



With respect to concerns raised by objectors regarding the number of driveway crossovers and matters of traffic volume and safety. I find the increase in traffic associated with this development will be minimal. Furthermore, the occupants of the new dwelling will be members of the community and will be aware of the necessity to take care on the roads within the township. It is also noted that the layout of the proposal enables vehicles from the rear dwelling to exit the site in a forward direction. I am further of the view that there is no issue with the second driveway and note that second driveways into lots are not unusual within the township. Furthermore that the proposed site has a street presentation that is wider than the average making it more capable of accommodating a second driveway which in any event is well within the ResCode provision for the proportion of street frontage that can be taken up with crossovers.


In conclusion it is my view that the fears of the residents are misfounded and that developments of this sort that preserve the streetscape character and generally speaking are modest in their scope will have the potential to add to the health of the township without changing its character.


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