Say YES to jobs for the Yarra Ranges

The 'Say YES to jobs for the Yarra Ranges' Petition is being circulated by the Lilydale Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Please sign the petition and help in away you can to assist the Chamber to have the Yarra Ranges Council withdraw its signup to the Wilderness Society's 'Ethical Paper Pledge' to boycott REFLEX office paper and allow for business growth in our region.

For further info contact Alister Osborn, Lilydale Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Alister.Osborn@aussie.com.au Ph: 03 9739 7777 M: 0418 551 600 F: 03 9739 7477.

PLEASE PRINT AND FAX OR E MAIL BACK

Matthew Guy in the Press

Councils have the power

He told a Warrnambool forum there was a new thrust to allow more local decision-making power for wind farms, coastal planning, rural zones, land supply and other contentious issues.

“We do not want to micro-manage local planning schemes,” he said.

Mr Guy’s commitment to allow shires more flexibility in applications for housing on small rural farming blocks struck a chord with council representatives.

He said the new government would not enforce the “one-size-fits-all approach” of the previous government’s ruling on 40-hectare minimum lot sizes for farming zones.

“We need to make sure farming and food production will continue, but we want to restore confidence and security for towns,” Mr Guy said.

“Flexibility should be the key. Councils should be setting the subdivision rate and then come back to the government with their policy.”

Moyne mayor Cr Jim Doukas said the minister’s willingness to be more flexible would help ease controversy over applications for housing and industry in rural areas including Koroit, Killarney and Kirkstall.

“This is a commonsense,” he said. “It applies to small blocks that already exist around townships.”

Cr Doukas said he felt a round-table meeting between council leaders and Mr Guy yesterday renewed confidence in the ability of councils to make their own decisions without having to handball it to government.

Tax changes bring relief to landowners

LANDOWNERS have welcomed the introduction of reforms to the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution which will force developers to cover the cost of the controversial tax, designed to pay for schools and transport in new suburbs.

Comment:  Great start!

Green Wedge Could Move

PLANNING Minister Matthew Guy has begun an internal review of the green wedge in Nillumbik and other green wedge councils.

The wedges are open landscapes that were set aside more than 30 years ago to conserve rural activities and significant natural features and resources in the growth areas of metropolitan Melbourne. The green wedge audit, as promised during the state election, could result in schools, churches and eco-hostels being built in the zones.

Planning Minister Matthew Guy’s spokeswoman Brownwyn Perry said the internal review of the green wedge was in the preliminary stages, and the full process and timeframe was yet to be established.

‘‘Local councils and communities will be consulted in due course,’’ she said.

 Comment:  Thank you Mr Guy.

Victoria launches new Urban Renewal Authority

Victoria launches new Urban Renewal Authority

Victoria has launched a new Urban Renewal Authority (URA), formed from the existing VicUrban staffing structure.

The state’s Planning Minister Matthew Guy said it is part of their commitments to advance urban renewal in areas such as land north of Williamstown Road, south of the West Gate Freeway in Port Melbourne (Fisherman's Bend), the remainder of the Docklands precinct and other strategic sites like Richmond railway station.

"The URA will have a clear mandate to get on with the job of delivering urban change in strategic locations and will be a key part of the Victorian Coalition Government's commitments to tackle housing supply and housing affordability."

Guy said the URA will also focus on regional cities as well as Melbourne, reflecting the Coalition Government's focus on regionalisation.

A key objective of the URA is to attract private sector investment in strategic locations, to help to progress development and accommodate population growth.

The Property Council of Australia welcomed the new body, after lobbying for such an authority to cut red tape.

Executive director of the Property Council in Victoria, Jennifer Cunich, said: “The Victorian Government has a responsibility to deliver a world class planning system through coordinated delivery for metropolitan, regional and rural planning decisions. All Victorians deserve better outcomes from our planning system into the future.”

“The establishment of the Urban Renewal Authority to coordinate all areas of planning – tax arrangements, public transport, infrastructure, and infill development – is the missing piece in the planning puzzle.”

“Victoria faces major issues over the next few years and it is hoped the Victorian Government, through initiatives such as the URA will address these issues head on.

Victorian Urban Development Authority Amendment (Urban Renewal Authority Victoria) Bill 2011.

Comment: Is Coldstream a STRATEGIC LOCATION?  

What do we need to do to make it one?

Minister ticks | Upper Yarra Mail | Star News Group Local community news

Minister ticks | Upper Yarra Mail | Star News Group Local community news

in part...

The minister has approved the rezoning of one hectare of residential land in Seville to a business zone to make way for the 3394 square metre supermarket with 17 shops, a medical practice, petrol station, car wash and large car park.

Mr Guy said the council recommended he approve the amendment and he did.

“This is an initiative of the council and I will not intervene,” he said in a statement.

Comment: Let's hope the Council will listen to the results of the 3 surveys supporting the expansion of Coldstream and presents a good case to Matthew Guy.