SNAP, SEND, SOLVE

Here is a quick way to communicate with the Shire using your SMART phone.

If you see a problem, for example, a fallen tree over the road, then this app should make it easy to report.

get more details here:

Comment:  I have not tried it yet so any comments welcome.

A COLDSTREAM girl was left heartbroken after callous thieves took off with her scooter while she was buying an ice cream.

Tessa Normington, 10, was at the Coldstream milkbar on April 19 at 4.15pm when she saw two teenage girls take her scooter and helmet.

Tessa had left her scooter outside for only a few minutes while she went in to buy an ice cream.

Her mum, Julie Normington, said her daughter was ‘‘screaming and hysterical’’ when she saw the girls take her scooter.

Ms Normington and Tessa drove around for an hour afterwards looking for it and reported the incident to Lilydale police who are investigating.

Ms Normington said she was angry at the people responsible and described the act as ‘‘pretty low’’.

‘‘Tessa has mild autism and she exercises a lot, it’s part of her stress relief to teach her independence, and for someone to take her scooter, it’s a kick in the guts,’’ she said.

Ms Normington is hoping the people responsible hand the scooter back to police and apologise.

In a gesture of goodwill, Chirnside Park Kmart donated a brand new scooter and helmet to Tessa, which she is now happily riding.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Lilydale Constable Cathy Butler on 9739 2300

Well done Cathy

Yarra Ranges draft budget sets 5.7% rate rise

YARRA Ranges councillors will vote on a 5.7 percent rate increase at tonight's council meeting.
The council meeting will consider the draft budget for 2012-13.

Councillors were remaining tight lipped about the pending budget but Cr Len Cox did reveal to the Weekly that the carbon tax and landfill levy would add an extra 1.5percent to the rates, expected to increase by 4.2 percent.

BY MELISSA CUNNINGHAM

08 May, 2012 04:00 AM

 

Read the rest here.

Comment: how much more can we tolerate?

Yarra Ranges opens door to taller buildings

TRIPLE-STOREY buildings will be encouraged by Yarra Ranges Council in parts of some suburbs and rural towns.

Under a C97 amendment passed last Tuesday, the council will allow these buildings in parts of Lilydale, Kilsyth and Mooroolbark and in towns such as Mt Evelyn, Yarra Junction, Yarra Glen and Healesville. These 'consolidation areas' will have higher-density residential development up to 11 metres tall.

read the rest here

Yarra Ranges gets short shrift on planning

YARRA Ranges Council has called on the state government to "fully consult" the community on proposed planning exemptions for public housing, aged care homes, broiler farms and walls on boundaries.

The state government proposal, if implemented, would mean that public housing and aged care homes could be built anywhere in the shire it deemed fit. The applications would not be forced to follow the council's planning scheme and all applications for these projects would be exempt from council approval.

Cr Jeanette McRae, who moved the [alternative] motion at last Tuesday's council meeting, said she was concerned that residents hadn't seen the planned changes and wouldn't have a chance to make input.

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COMMENT: YOU CAN NOT HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.  COLDSTREAM COMMUNITY VOTED TO HAVE IT'S BOUNDARY EXPANDED BY A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY CR MCREA.  HOWEVER, SHE SAW FIT TO VOTE AGAINST ANY  UBG EXPANSION WHEN IT WAS PRESENTED AS A MOTION TO COUNCIL BY CR COX.