Amendment C112 Goes to Public Exhibition

· Council’s Community Links
· Council’s website
· Department of Planning and Community Development’s website.

My first 170 days!

Well, what a roller coaster ride I have had since becoming a councillor! To start off was a number of high profile council meetings to throw you straight into it! Since then the last few meetings have been very quite!

Many of you may not know what I have been up to so I shall try and give you a bit of a run down of what I have been doing in front and behind the scenes!

I have been trying to meet with many of my local constituents to get a sense of what we really want in our ward, and so far the biggest issues have been, Roads, Zoning, and ah oh yea ROADS! Chandler ward has a large number of unsealed roads and this is going to be my biggest task to try and upgrade our network over the next few years.

Some of you have already contacted me about your road and I have been meeting with Council Officers to try and see what we can do. The Special Charge Scheme is a great way to get your road sealed, this scheme sees the residents paying a portion of the works and the larger percentage the council picks up. Once the road is built, no more money is needed by the residences to pay for maintenance that is now the responsibility of the council. This scheme could see the value of residences increase dramatically, not to mention "no more dust and corrugation!! "

Another project I am looking at is the intersection sealing program which council has. Although this doesn't fix the dust on the dirt roads, it's a start, with sealing of intersections where dirt meets bitumen. For some this is all that is needed, and we could get saround 10 intersections done instead of approx 1km of sealed road.

Our budget is being produced and we are looking at the rates and how we can make it a little less of a burden on all of us, we want to make rate increases the same for the next four years and try and lower them if we can. Now this means some cost savings need to be made in order for this to happen. So we are in the process of looking at ALL areas where we can make some efficiencies. Still have a long way to go so watch this space!

We have made a clear direction to respond to the survey that was recently distributed to all constituents, and from that we have made a rapid change in direction, our intention is to try and redirect an extra 1 MILLION dollars to improve and/or extend our footpath network. So all you Chandler Ward folks, if you have an idea for a footpath, get in fast because this money will go quick!

Councillors have a Ward Fund where we can contribute to community groups and individuals projects to improve our local community. So far I have given just a bit over $8000.00 to these groups

• Monbulk College
• Mountain District Car and Bike Show
• Monbulk Community Quilt Show
• Macclesfeiled Pony Club
• Animal Aid
• Wandin Football & Netball Club
• Rotary Club of Wandin
• Melbourne Breast Cancer Bra Walk
• Golden Memories Karaoke
• Wandin Nth Primary School
• Melb Support Services
• Inner Wheel Club of Wandin
• Oxfam Australia
• Seville Pre-School
• Monbulk Jnr Football Club
• CFA

So I still have some funding left, if you know of a community group looking for some assistance let me know!

A bigger and longer issue I am facing is the Planning Scheme HOLD before you start throwing tomatoes at me, let me tell you I am supportive of change, but only if it will enhance our way of living in the yarra ranges!

I have had a number of requests to look at the Green Wedge Zone, as I have many in the ward wanting to change this. Can I say from the outset, as an individual applicant, It would be extremely difficult to get it changed, but if there are many in the same area wanting change, this can be looked at more favourably.

So hopefully my next 170 days will see some big news come out regarding our budget, strategic plan, and infrastructure in the yarra ranges! Keep me informed of whats happening out there!

Bye for now! "join me on facebook and twitter!"

Monbulk Under 16 Football Team

Was great to present the official Jackets to the Under 16 Monbulk Football team, they looked very professional and something younger players will aspire to! Well done boys and good luck for 2013!

Monbulk Jnr Football Club

It was a great pleasure to attend the presentation of team uniforms to the members of the Monbulk Under 16's Jnr Football club. This is the first time that this has been done for this team. Last year the under 16's side only had around 11 players, but this year they have 29! The team jackets looked great and I am sure that each team member will wear them with pride! Many thanks to Cr's Mcarthy and Child who also chipped in to fund this project!

Burning Off

 

Open Air Burning in Yarra Ranges

In Yarra Ranges you can only burn off in the open air to reduce the level of dry plant material ( bark, leaves, branches) that would fuel bushfires.

Before 15 April 2013

Open air burning is prohibited without a permit from the CFA or the Councils Fire Prevention Officer. For more information please visit the CFA website.

After 1.00am on 15 April

Please enter your street number and name only to find out when you can burn off. Please do not enter your suburb name into the search. When your details are displayed, click on the link to find the burning off requirements for your area.

DSE Planned Burns in my area

Yarra
Expires 10/04/2013 11:00 am

Smoke may be visible in the following locations as well as from surrounding areas:
Badger Creek, Balnarring, Bittern, Cambarville,Chum Creek, Coldstream, Don Valley, Gruyere, Hastings, Healesville, Launching Place, Lilydale, McMahons Creek, Merricks North, Millgrove, Mount Martha, Mornington, Moorooduc, Mount Evelyn, Mount Toolebewong, Reefton, Seville, Seville East, Silvan, Somerville, Tarrawarra, Tuerong, Tyabb, Wandin East, Wandin North, Warburton, East Warburton, Woori Yallock and Yarra Junction.

What To Do:

Be aware of planned burns happening in your local area and stay clear of areas where burns are taking place.

If you are experiencing any symptoms that may be due to smoke exposure, the Department of Health advises people to seek medical advice or call “Nurse on Call” on 1300 606 024.

Additional Information:

Road users are advised to take extra care as road travel may be hazardous due to low visibility from smoke.

Traffic management will be in place where smoke may affect local roads.

Drivers are also asked to be alert to fire vehicles in burn areas and fire crews working close to roadsides.

Road Closures:

Check www.traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au

Park Closures:

Please refer to Parks Victoria on 13 1963 or visit http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/

Stay Informed:

For information about planned burning in Victoria visit the DSE website at www.dse.vic.gov.au/burns or the Country Fire Authority (CFA) at www.cfa.vic.gov.au or call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on freecall 1800 240 667.

Callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment can contact VBIL via the National Relay Service on 1800 555 677.

For up-to-date information about air quality visit www.epa.vic.gov.au/air/bulletins

If you have a smart phone you can download the free CFA FireReady application to see planned burns on a map.

Keep informed by listening to ABC Local Radio, commercial radio stations or watching Sky News TV.

Information about fires is available at www.cfa.vic.gov.au or by calling the VBIL.

Footpaths, Footpaths, Footpaths!

I need to find out where we want footpaths in the Chandler Ward. After our shire wide community survey one outstanding response was "more footpaths". As I am new to the role, I need your help to tell me where you want footpaths. Maybe some old footpaths that could be upgraded or fixed? I can only identify a limited number of areas that could benefit from a footpath, but would like your input. PLEASE TELL ME!!!!

Design and Construction Program

Amendment C126 - Design Guidelines for Town Centres

Council has prepared an amendment to its planning scheme to introduce design guidelines that will set out the preferred form of new development for various town centres in Yarra Ranges. The town centre refers to the main cluster of shops and other commercial buildings found in most suburbs and towns.

The proposed design guidelines will be contained in a series of new planning scheme controls called Design and Development Overlays (DDO’s). These proposed overlays will not increase the need for planning permits.

The design guidelines are intended to ensure that new development will fit in with its surroundings and improve the overall appearance of the town centre. They will be considered during the assessment of planning permit applications to construct new buildings or to make significant external alterations to existing buildings.

The design guidelines will make it easier for applicants to understand and consider Council’s design objectives before preparing their development proposal.

For further information please click here

Registering Your Pet

Dogs and Cats over the age of three months must be registered with Council. To register a new pet, fill out the application form on this page and take it in person to any of our Community Links. Please note that all animals must be microchipped and proof provided before a registration will be accepted. You will be given a lifetime tag to place on your pets collar. A renewal notice, which can be paid online or in person at any Community Link, will be sent to you and is due on 10 April each year.

Want to know how many animals you can have? Find out here.

Registration Renewals can be paid:

Online

Through our eServices

POST Billpay

Click on the link below to pay via POST billpay online or call 13 18 16. You'll need our billpay code (2319) and your reference number (located next to the billpay logo in the payments section of your renewal notice) to process the payment.

POST Billpay

In Person

You can pay in person at any of our Community Links or at any Australia Post Office.

By Mail

Make cheque payable to Yarra Ranges Council and cross not negotiable. Detach payment slip from your renewal notice and mail to

Yarra Ranges Council
PO Box 105
Lilydale, 3140

If you have any enquiries about animal registration or renewals, please contact the Local Laws team on 1300 368 333 or email us.