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Vernon News

Coldstream Shopping Mall?

Staff say developer hopes to begin next year

After decades of residents wondering if it would ever happen, the look of a proposed shopping mall in Coldstream may be changing. The developer, Trintec Enterprises, appears to be considering a longer list of tenants for the proposed mall on Sarsons Road, near the North Okanagan Regional District headquarters.

District staff are working on an amended bylaw to allow a library, a transportation depot and taxi dispatch offices to be included. Councillor Maria Besso says she's heard nothing so far about big ``anchor'' stores but, given the state of the economy, is not surprised.

Chief Administrative Officer Mike Stamhuis says the developer appears hopeful the project will go forward next year.

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Boundary review on the cards - Real Estate - News - Knox Leader

Boundary review on the cards - Real Estate - News - Knox Leader

PARTS of the urban-growth boundary around Knox are to be reviewed for the first time in a decade after an offer to the council from the State Government.

But Planning Minister Matthew Guy has made it clear the process is not open to public submissions.

It’s the first time the opportunity has been given to the council since the boundaries were introduced in 2002.

But the council will only investigate the possibility of including the sites if the Government extends the deadline for submissions.

Three land owners have approached council seeking their sites be considered for inclusion within the boundary.

Council officers recommended two of those sites - the Waverley Golf Club in Rowville and parts of the Salvation Army site in The Basin - be further investigated for possible inclusion within the boundary. A submission from developer Federation Corporate requesting inclusion of land it has under purchase agreement at 1 Dobson Lane, The Basin, was not supported by council officers because, among other reasons, it did not clearly explain the future use of the site.

All councillors, except Cr Adam Gill, backed officers’ recommendations with some changes and now all relevant land owners will be asked to prepare documentation for council on why their land should be included.

Council officers will prepare a further report on whether the sites should be included in the boundary. If council decides to make a submission, it would then be considered by a State Government-appointed independent advisory committee. Any changes to the boundary are signed off by the Planning Minister.

VFF wants fire service levy scrapped

THE Victorian Farmers Federation wants a fire services model based on people’s buildings and motor vehicle registrations, not the size of a property.

The VFF has called on the state government to release an interim paper outlining the government’s preferred model for funding the fire services, and an impact analysis.

VFF farm business and regional development chairman Peter Tuohey, a Pyramid Hill farmer, said Victorian farmers had a strong interest in the fire services model.

“We have been calling for the removal of the fire service property levy from insurance for over ten years and we want to make sure the new model does not disadvantage farmers,’’ he said.

“The VFF model is to fund fire services with a charge on building asset value and a small charge on motor vehicles registrations. This is the fairest option to fund the fire services and reflects the property protected.’’

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VFF seeks release of interim evaluation of Fire Service property levy model

THE Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has called on the State Government to release an interim paper outlining the government’s preferred model for funding the fire services along with impact analysis.

Peter Tuohey, VFF Farm Business and Regional Development Chair, said the government needs to give Victorians the opportunity to comment on the preferred model before legislation is released.

“Changing the funding model for fire services is a major reform and there should be an interim paper released with the preferred model,” Mr Tuohey said.

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Animal Aid: Coldstream shelter gets OK for $5m revamp

ANIMAL Aid will add a few more creature comforts in a $5 million redevelopment at its Coldstream shelter.

The project was granted a permit by Yarra Ranges Council last Tuesday week.

Cr Jeanette McCrae encouraged councillors to support the proposal after she called for an alternate motion at the council meeting. The motion was unanimously passed.

To read the full story click HERE.