Planning Application No: YR-2010/398

68-70 Station Street,   Coldstream, Construction of a 1.8 metre high (by approximately 148 metre long) Colorbond Fence,

YARRA RANGES SHIRE COUNCIL

MINUTES  

SUMMARY

The application seeks approval to construct a 1.8 metre high (by approximately 148 metre long) Colorbond Fence in a Green Wedge Zone (Schedule 4).

The application advises that the purpose of the fence is to contain livestock.

The application was advertised and 1 petition (with 7 signatures) was submitted to

Council objecting to the application.

It is recommended the application be refused, as the proposed 148 metre long Colorbond fence is both contrary to the objectives of Clause 21.06 (Built Form) and Clause 21.07 (Landscape) of the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme (that seek to protect and preserve scenic rural landscapes in Green Wedge areas) and, has failed to demonstrate how Colorbond cladding better manages livestock on a rural property.

Resolved on the motion of Crs McRae and Dunn

That Council resolve to refuse Planning Application YR-2010/398 for Construct a 1.8 metre high (by approximately 148 metre long) Colorbond fence at 68-70 Station Street (Lot 23

LP8124), Coldstream, and issue a Notice of Refusal subject to the following grounds:

1.     The proposed 1.8 metre high by 148 metre long fence is contrary to the objectives of Clause 21.06 (Built Form) and Clause 21.07 (Landscape) of the Yarra Ranges Planning  Scheme,  that  seek  to protect and  preserve scenic  rural landscapes  in Green Wedge areas.

2.     The grant of a permit would result in a 1.8 metre high fence dissecting the property in an  uncharacteristic  form,  and  introduce  an  undesirable  precedent  of  residential fences in rural areas.

3.     The application failed to demonstrate how and why a 1.8 metre high by 148 metre long Colorbond fence is needed for agricultural uses to manage livestock.

Dumping of fire levy welcomed

Victorian home owners will pay a new tax from July 2012 to fund most of the state's firefighting effort, in a move that has won widespread community support.

At present a fire service levy is charged on insurance premiums, raising almost $600 million a year - about three-quarters of the budgets of the Country Fire Authority and Metropolitan Fire Brigade.

Fire levy to go: Government adopts commission proposal

KAREN SWEENEY

27 Aug, 2010 10:15 PM

 

AFTER a decade of campaigning by rural Victorians, the controversial Fire Services Levy will be scrapped.

The state government announced yesterday that it would adopt a recommendation by the Black Saturday bushfires Royal Commission to replace the levy, which impacts on every Victorian property owner.

It was welcome news for the CFA and the Victorian Farmers Federation who have campaigned for a fairer system for all Victorians.

Opposition treasury spokesman Kim Wells said the government had been dragged kicking and screaming to replace the state’s inequitable insurance-based fire services levy with a fairer property-based system.

This had happened only after 18 months of intense pressure for reform from the state Coalition.

“Labor has known for years how unfair and inequitable the fire services levy has been.

“Everyone but John Lenders and John Brumby has acknowledged that the FSL was a tax that placed a heavy burden on many Victorians, yet Labor has done nothing until today.” 

 

 

First home saver account

If you're saving to buy or build your first home then a first home saver account may suit you. You could take advantage of a government contribution to your savings and a lower rate of tax on your interest or earnings.

FIDO's first home saver checklist can help you decide if this is the right way for you to save for your first home.

Use the first home saver account calculator to work out how to reach your savings goal and compare accounts. You can also check out the Australian Tax Office information about first home saver accounts.

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

SHOW YOUR KIDS THIS LINK

No free ride on interest-free deals

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

Tempted by that new plasma TV or home theatre system, but don't have the money right now? Many major department stores offer interest-free deals that let you take goods home before you pay for them. But you need to think before you leap, because interest-free doesn't mean cost-free – beware the hidden fees and charges that could trip you up.

Download our factsheet: Interest-free deals


No free ride on interest-free deals

Election Mode?

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/response-to-bushfire-royal-commission/11694-government-adopts-recommendation-to-replace-fsl.html

Victoria to dump fire services levy

 Breaking News, 27 August 2010

Victorian Premier John Brumby announced this morning that the state will abolish the insurance industry-based fire services levy (FSL).
Speaking in Melbourne this morning in an official response to the 2009 Bushfires Royal Commission recommendations, he said the Government will heed the commission’s Recommendation 64 to replace the insurance-based levy with a property-based charge.
The new system is scheduled to be in place by July 1 2012.
The favoured method of FSL collection – most probably through local government property rates – will be announced in a government white paper in February.
The move is a victory for the general insurance industry, which has fought for some 20 years to have the levy dropped because it distorts property insurance premiums and in many cases makes insurance unaffordable.
Mr Brumby says his government will also introduce concessions for low-income earners.
Treasurer John Lenders says the Government’s ongoing FSL review will “determine the best model for the new levy”.
Speaking shortly after Mr Brumby announced the move, Mr Lenders said the reform “will ensure that our fire services are funded more sustainably while also taking the squeeze off the cost of property insurance”.
He says the existing green paper process and the royal commission “provided the Government with enough evidence to move to a property levy”.
“However, the royal commission was silent on the fine details of how the levy would operate and our government will work through how such a levy would be applied.
“We want to ensure that the necessary funds are raised to sustain our crucial fire services.”
The Government started the process to determine the best model for the new levy by today releasing a set of policy principles that a new model would need to satisfy. The new model would be:

• A progressive property-based levy;
• Provide the same level of funding as the existing FSL;
• Collect no more revenue than would be collected under the current model; and
• Provide a 50% concession to low income-earners.

A spokesman says the State Government will embark on “a period of thorough consultation to determine the best model and options”.
The new system will be fully in place on July 1 2012 “to honour an undertaking made during the existing review process to the people of Victoria and the insurance industry that the transition would be as simple and easy as possible”.
The spokesman said the Government “will also take steps to ensure that the insurers pass on the full benefit from having the FSL removed from premiums”.

FSL No More

HOT OFF THE PRESS

The FSL (Fire Service Levy) has been scrapped.

This is fantastic news.

Congratulations to the Labour Gov. for finally listening.

There will now be a "tax" on every property in Victoria to fund the CFA and MFB.

In the past the CFA and MFB were largley funded by those who insured their property.  This was unjust and caused people to either not insure or under insure.

Well done Mr Brumby and Mr Lenders

Thanks also to Peter Ryan and Christine Fyffe for pushing hard as well.

This is a great news!

Guide to first home saver accounts

Overview

First home saver accounts offer a tax-effective way of saving for your first home through a combination of government contributions and low taxes.
They’re a special purpose account that is more like a term deposit than a normal, everyday account because you have to keep the money there for a minimum period of time. Once that time has passed and you make the decision to buy or build your first home, you have to withdraw all the money at once and close the account. You need to use the money you save as a deposit or to meet other costs you incur in buying or building your first home.

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

Benefits
There are several good reasons to open a first home saver account. The more money you save, the more the government will contribute – up to a certain limit each year, and there’s also a tax incentive to save money for your home because earnings are taxed at 15%.

Melbourne's urban fringe to hold 134,000 new homes

MELBOURNE is set to burst at the seams in the next 20 years, with 134,000 new homes expected to occupy areas of the new urban growth boundary.

To read the full story click on the TITLE above.

Comment:  Time Coldstream was involved!   Comments welcome.

Melbourne's Water Restrictions to Change

Melbourne households will be able to water gardens at any time and wash cars at home for the first time in four years when water restrictions are eased to Stage 2 from 1 September 2010.

Melburnians will be able to:

• Use a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering can or bucket to water gardens at any time;
• Wash cars at home with either a bucket or a high pressure, water saving hose;
• Water gardens with a manual watering system between 6-8am and 8-10pm on alternate days (If you are aged over 70 you can water between 8-10am in the morning);
• Water gardens with an automatic watering system between midnight and 4am on alternate days; and
• Fill spas and smaller pools, such as children's inflatable play pools.
Watering on alternate days means that even and no-numbered houses can water on even dates of the month, odd numbered houses can water on odd dates of the month, and everyone can water on the 31st. Target 155 will continue under Stage 2 water restrictions. Stage 2 restrictions means there is more flexibility in how water is used. Melburnians are encouraged to employ commonsense and not water during the heat of the day when a lot of water is lost to evaporation.

Family caught in rental squeeze (Lilydale and Yarra Valley Leader, 17 Aug 2010, Page 3)

---

Family caught in rental squeeze
Emily Webb What do you think can be done to ease the rental crisis? Tell us at lilydaleleader.com.au
Lilydale and Yarra Valley Leader
17 Aug 2010

LYNDAL Morter is the hidden face of the rental squeeze that is gripping Melbourne. The Mooroolbark single parent has to leave her home because the rent has increased from $290 a week to $360. Ms Morter said the lease ends on September 20, but she...read more...

Tech Tags: Lilydale and Yarra Valley Leader newspaper NEWS

New lease on strife (Lilydale and Yarra Valley Leader, 17 Aug 2010, Page 1)

---

New lease on strife
Emily Webb
Lilydale and Yarra Valley Leader
17 Aug 2010

AVAILABILITY of affordable rental properties continues to be an issue for Yarra Ranges residents, with an emergency relief group finding the need as great as ever. Anchor chief executive John Devine said the rental crisis was getting worse. ..read more...

Tech Tags: Lilydale and Yarra Valley Leader newspaper FRONT PAGE

Comment:  Free more land and build more houses, that should help!

An Extract from The Yarra Valley Voice

Housing Crisis Puts  squeeze on 

Yarra Ranges

Families  in  the  Yarra Ranges  are  battling a  crippling shortage  of vacant  and  affordable rental  properties.  The  housing  situation  is so  bad  that  prospective  renters  are  now  forced into auction  type situations  paying far more than  the  advertised  rental price just to secure a home. In the Yarra Ranges 88% of private rental homes are now unaffordable for low income families.

The March Quarter 2010 Rental Report shows:

• The median  rent for a two-bedroom  flat is now $235 up

8.05%  on last year

• The median  rent for a three bedroom flat is now $330

up 10.00% on last year

• The median  rent for a four bedroom house is now $370

up 15.63% on last year

Shelter is one  of our most  basic  needs.  Without a home  we lack stability, certainty and a place to take refuge. Adding to the pain, the number  of people  on the  public housing  waiting list increased  by

1,013 in the March quarter to 39,794 families. This is a telltale sign that the current Minister for Housing has  dismally failed to deliver affordable housing.

Long  waiting periods  for public housing,  a  shortage  of affordable private rentals,  unsafe  rooming houses  and  under-funded  housing support  services  are  symptoms  of 11  years  of neglect  under  the current State Government.

MY COMMENT:  It's time to release more land in the Shire to make land less expensive.  Coldstream is well poised to increase in size!