CELEBRATING 70 YEARS HERITAGE: YARRA RANGES • MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016
Mayor ’s casting vote sends signal
■ YARRA RANGES Mayor, Cr Jason Callanan, has used his deciding vote to send a signal about the support of sustainable forestry in the region. Crs Jim Child and Andrew Witlox moved at last week’s meeting that the Council’s Draft Localised Planning Statement include the words “support sustainable forestry”. The amendment also had the support of Cr Maria McCarthy. Cr Noel Cliff was absent.
Better business in Belgrave ● Braving the icy cold winter weather in Belgrave last Wednesday was Sarkin Boyaci of Small Business Victoria, who joined with Donna Fairweather, Business Development Officer of the Yarra Ranges Council, who had a pop-up information desk in Main Rd, to assist local business operators with accessing information about helpful services.
Powelltown celebrates as Nathan plays 150th
● Tiarne Moody and Debra Moody of Lilydale were at Yea on Saturday as Nathan Moody (right) played his 150th game for Powelltown. The Demons won by five points.
● Cr Jason Callanan, Mayor
Against the proposal to delete the words “transition to sustainable forestry” were Crs Terry Avery, Mike Clarke, Len Cox and Fiona McAllister. The Localised Planning Statrement has been prepared and is proposed to be put out to public consultation. The Statement is an initiative of the Andrews Labor State Government “to identify and protect, through planning, distinct areas of the State which contain highly significant geographic and physical features”. Yarra Ranges is one of four areas in Victoria identified for such a Statement.
State Govt. ‘helps’
The draft Statement “has been prepared with the assistance of a Community Reference Group and the State Government”. The final Statement is scheduled to be approved by the State Minister for Planning. Other changes to the draft statement were unsuccessful at last week’s Council meeting The Statement examines how planning controls are unique in the Yarra Ranges area, and refers to the history of the UpperYarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Regional Strategy Plan adopted by the State Government in 1982. The Statement seeks to underscore conservation of region’s environment features, protection of agricultural land, containment of urban development, and improving the amenity of residents, farming communities and visitors. “The Localised Planning Statement safeguards existing planning policy to preserve and enhance the area for future generations,” said an officer’s report to Councillors. ‘Yarra Ranges will exemplify how evolving needs of a growing community can be balanced without compromising the quality of its natural assets in perpetuity.”
● Cr Jim Child: moved amendment
● Cr Len Cox: opposed the change
LOCAL SCHOOL PRINCIPAL CLEARED OF MISCONDUCT CLAIM: PAGE 3