Upper Yarra Commuity Enterprise - Newsletter

In This Issue:

A walk through time - Upper Yarra Living History – a small but dynamic group dedicated to documenting local history as a shared community resource – has successfully applied to UYCE for financial backing toward its latest project, a documentary entitled A walk through Warburton’s history.
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New Community Grants - The Upper Yarra community is more than $70,000 better off after our August round of community grants approvals. As usual, submissions were of a high standard and reinforced our confidence that locals know what needs to be done – and how to do it.

• UYCEL Sponsorships - UYCEL allocates Community Grants funds on the merit of each application in how it addresses broader community needs. In supporting some projects, however, the Board requires a commercial return for investment – generally in the form of visual branding for our Bendigo Community Bank® Branches.


• The Trail Bike Project - As announced in our April newsletter, UYCEL was pleased to sponsor a local ‘community noticeboard’ for the Trail Bike Project – a Statewide initiative, co-ordinated by the Department of Sustainability and Environment, to help ensure trail bike riders can continue to enjoy using our State forests without disrupting residents’ rights to enjoy living nearby.


• Our first 10 years - Free Family Fun Day next February. After opening as Australia’s 20th Community Bank® on 25 February, 2000 – there are now 237 Branches across Australia – Warburton Branch is presently gearing up for its 10th Birthday Celebrations on Saturday 27 February, 2010.

Upper Yarra Community Enterprise Limited (UYCEL) is a public company owned by 592 shareholders who live in the Upper Yarra or have a close connection to the region.

The company has a board of up to 10 honorary directors.

UYCEL's core purpose is the success of the Upper Yarra Community. It endeavours to achieve this by distributing its profits to worthy community projects and initiatives.

UYCEL's income is generated by its two Bendigo Bank franchises - Warburton Community Bank® and Yarra Junction District Community Bank®

CFA Bushfire last resorts named.

Check out this site:

http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/publications/neighbourhood_safer_places.htm

Places have been listed as last resorts. Please read the article carefully. Make sure you have a fire plan. Listen to the advice given. Be safe.

Fire Danger Period Recommended Dates

Fire Danger Period
- recommended to commence 30th November for Nillumbik,
- recommended to commence Dec 14th for Knox & Yarra Ranges

Subject to change & further consultation. – Please make sure you keep aware and contact your Council if in doubt.

Have you thought about joining the CWA?

WARBURTON COUNTRY WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION

CWA Warburton

November Branch Meeting and AGM

At: St. Andrews Presbyterian Church Hall, Warburton.
(Melways page 290 D4)

Date: Monday 2rd November 2009

Time: 10 am

Warburton Branch of the Country Women's Association of Victoria Inc. hereby give notice that they will be holding their November Branch meeting followed by their Annual General Meeting, on the date and time shown above.
All Welcome -this will be followed by a shared luncheon.

Have you thought about joining the CWA?
We meet on the first Monday of each month at 10am.We are a child friendly group - new members warmly welcomed. Feel free to bring along a friend and join us as a guest - no obligation to join.

Community Meetings Online

Prepare for the next fire season!
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Attend a CFA community meeting to learn about the wildfire risk in your area and how you and your community can turn this awareness into action.

You can find your nearest community meeting by municipality, township or meeting type.

There's a Secret

There's a Secret
That our elders have hidden for generations,

• "LAWN BOWLS"

Come and give it a crack

"Try Bowls Day"

Great Fun for all.
Free Sausage Sizzle.
Just bring yourself, a friend and a flat pair of shoes,
or bare feet.
When: Sunday 25th October 2009
Time: llam-3pm
Where: Yarra Junction Bowls Club
(Behind the Yarra Centre)

The Coolest of Sports.
For more information
Contact: Ph: 5967 1776
or email activeplaces@uych.org.au

Active Upper Yarra Project

Guest speaker at our AGM, Mark Rogers, gave us an insight into the Active Upper Yarra Project.

Sport and recreation plays a crucial role within the Upper Yarra region both as an avenue for exercise, health enhancement and equally as an important means for facilitating social interaction within our communities.
Local sporting and recreation clubs, help to build communities through social inclusion and a sense of connection. Other benefits they provide can also include the development of a sense of local pride. Such celebrations can unite communities; drawing together people of different race, religion and culture; developing a heightened sense of community and local identity.

The region has enormous potential because of its natural attributes to encourage a wide range of activities that cost nothing, are environmentally friendly and promote health and well being. These include bushwalking, river based activities, environmental groups such as bird watching and a host of other possibilities. Not only do these activities promote good health, they contribute to the breakdown of social isolation, environmental awareness and consequently well being.

If you have any sport and recreation activities or related services that you would like to promote on the Active Upper Yarra Sport and Recreation directory or the YV FM RADIO Active Upper Yarra Show, contact Mark Rogers at the Active Upper Yarra Project at the Upper Yarra Community House:
Ph: 5967 1776
Email: activeplaces@uych.org.au

Tonight's Upper Yarra Community Voice - AGM

Glennice Mathers, for the 7th year in a row has been re elected as president of the Upper Yarra Community Voice "Congratulations Glennice". Also congratulations to Ted "Lucky"Walton on winning tonight's door prize.

Glennice & Ted

Ron Hottes, in his true professional manner chaired the Annual General Meeting and congratulated the group on its continued community work.

Ron Hottes

Many thanks to the students of the Upper Yarra Secondary College for their wonderful catering job..........Well done girls.

Francesca Beilharz, Mariko Whyte & Patricia Petry

More on our very informative guest speakers in coming posts..................................Jim

Who is Upper Yarra Community Enterprise?

Upper Yarra Community Enterprise Limited (UYCEL) is a public company owned by 592 shareholders who live in the Upper Yarra or have a close connection to the region.

The company has a board of up to 10 honorary directors.

UYCEL's core purpose is the success of the Upper Yarra Community. It endeavours to achieve this by distributing its profits to worthy community projects and initiatives.

UYCEL's income is generated by its two Bendigo Bank franchises - Warburton Community Bank® and Yarra Junction District Community Bank®
Warburton & Yarra Junction

Since opening the Warburton branch in February 2000, UYCEL has distributed more than $900,000 to community projects and paid $230,000 in dividends to shareholders.

Upper Yarra Community Voice - Commuity Forum

You are invited to our Community Forum
at
The Yarra Junction Bowling Club
Recreation Reserve, Yarra Junction

Wednesday, October 14th at 7.00 pm

Guest speakers:
Victorian Police: Safety in Your Community
UY Community Environment Park: Where are we now?


Open Community Discussion:

How safe is your community?
What matters most to you in our Valley?
What issues are you concerned about?

Supper Provided
ALL WELCOME

The Community Forum will be preceded by the UYCV AGM 7.00 pm

Blog site http://uycv.blogspot.com/

RSVP by October 7th
Helen 0417 402 513 or Glennice 5964 6152 E-mail uycv@netspace.net.au

Yarra Junction Netball Team wins Grand Final

Congratulations to Yarra Junction 11 and under team which won the Grand Final today. This team is mostly made up of students from Hoddles Creek Primary School. Well done girls!!! Go YJ!!!

River Clearn Up Working Bee

Sunday 13th September - River Clean Up - 10 am onwards - meet in Dee Rd BYO Gumboots, Rake & Gloves!! All welcome with a sausage sizzle to celebrate the work completed. Further details contact Roger 5966 2945

Healesville Spinners & Weavers

Today we went to the Healesville Spinners and Weavers group and learnt to use food dye and jelly to dye our own fleece by either boiling it on the stove or using the microwave. Some fascinating coloured fleece resulted. This is a great group of very talented people and I highly recommend that crafters alike check out this gathering on the first Saturday of each month at the Badger Creek Hall from 10 am till 2 roughly ... mind you after our workshop today I think it was well past 4 when we headed home. Contact me for further details.

Township Network Meeting

Tonight we attended the Township Network Meeting and it was a great opportunity to hear about projects amongst the other township and community groups. We heard about water tanks, grafiti cleanup, planting & painting, masterplanning reserves to just name a few. This meeting was invaluable in sharing issues and gaining ideas.

Next Wednesday is our monthly meeting and we are making final plans for our AGM and Community Forum for October 14th. We would like to kick start our Strategic Planning with speakers to talk under themes set by our future portfolios - environment, safety .... ummm ... what else!!! We seek input from the Community!!! What issues are of concern? What portfolios should we concentrate on? What values to the community? What networks should be formed?

Join us and tell us your needs so we can work with the community to seek funds for projects to make the Upper Yarra a fantastic place to live, work and play!!!!!

Yarra Junction Netball Team in finals!!!

The Yarra Junction Netball Team has qualified for the finals after their win this morning. This team which is made up of mostly students from Hoddles Creek Primary School played an impressive game and is now through to the Grand Final. Congratulations girls!!!

Dandenong Ranges Community Bushfire Group

Posted Jim:
Dandenong Ranges Community Bushfire Group

Planning Online Enquiries

I have added link to Planning Online Enquires, see right of page..............Jim.

Upper Yarra Community & Environment Park

Planning for this fantastic resource for our community is progressing well. I attended the Masterplan presentation night and it was very informative. A great amount of thought has gone into this to ensure this will be a place to visit. From an area for kids, picnic garden, training facilities, garden demonstration areas, indoor and outdoor exhibits, sustainability research, water waste & rainwater collection ... and so the list continues. Check out the website for further information:

http://www.uycep.org.au/UYCEP/Welcome.html

Rebuild Regenerate Renew

Shire of Yarra Ranges are hosting a conference called Rebuild Regenerate Renew.
Saturday 18th Jule from 10 till 4 at the Lilydale Showgrounds. Contact Mandy Black at SYR.

UYCV Exec Meeting 10th June 2009

The community is advised that our executive monthly meeting will be held next Wednesday 10th June. Please post any issues here by Tuesday 8.00 pm for inclusion in our meeting the following evening. Current issues include work on our Strategic Plan, Shop local idea, Carols back in Junction, Speed Limits either side of YJunction, Planning Activity Report availability, Active Places. This will include our usual report from the Upper Yarra Community Building Initiative. Our projects are taking form and successfully attracting funds to enable great programs and developments to take place throughout Upper Yarra. More information soon.

Secondary Students are reminded of our logo competition. A $100 Bendigo Bank account is the winning prize for the successful student or group of students who enter our "Design our logo" competition. This is a fantastic opportunity to earn some money for your design talents as well as being able to include the design in your folio for tertiary learning. All designs will be displayed. Contact me here for the design brief.

Meeting 13th May

A major issue for our group has been where to meet. We have been very appreciative of the Yarra Centre who have provided the child-care room on a temporary basis. We are all very pleased to learn that Cr. Chris Templaar has provided a grant to enable us to hire a room at the Yarra Junction library for our meetings. This means that on 10th June our executive will meet at the Yarra Junction library at 7.00 pm and all future meetings will be at this venue. All except for the 14th October which is our AGM and always held at the Yarra Junction Bowling Club.

Businesses in Yarra Junction and surrounds. Struggle to come along to our meetings? Want to receive the agenda or minutes to be kept informed? Email your request.

Shop local campaign?? Should this campaign be considered to boost shopping in Yarra Junction ? To support the businesses here who have suffered earlier in the year due to the bushfires.

Remember to pass on to friends, colleagues and family about our blog site to enable us to receive your feedback and consider any issues that may arise in your neighbourhood.

Currently we are working upon our Strategic Plan to set directions for the next 12 months. An integral part of our Strategic Plan is the Upper Yarra Community Building Initiative. This strategic plan will be a wonderful structure to enable our committee to have a foundation to work upon.

Speed limits on the Warburton Hwy just prior and after the township of Yarra Junction. We are continuing this campaignto to extend the 50 kmh zone on eiher side of our township.

What do you think should be a part of our fantastic Upper Yarra Community? What is your ideal community? What does your ideal community look like? What issues or projects should we be aware of or working on? How can we make our community the BEST place to live, work or play? Please send us your views.

Wesburn to get Black-Spot Federal Funding

FEDERAL blackspot funding has been confirmed for five dangerous roads and intersections in the Yarra Valley, Lilydale and Kilsyth.
Last Thursday, Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Anthony Albanese announced the projects as part of the national $144.7 million scheme.
Black spots funded for the area include:
$116,000 to realign road, install splitter islands and a street light and upgrade warning signage at Station Rd and Railway Rd in Wesburn.

Link to the full story: Lilydale & Yarra Valley Express

Competition for Secondary School Students - win a $100 Bendigo Bank Account.

Secondary School students in the SYR are invited to enter our Logo competition for a chance to win a Bendigo Bank Account valued at $100. Become the artist behind our logo! This is a fantasic opportunity for the youth to get their creative thinking caps on to come up with a logo for our community group. Your entry would become a valuable piece of work to include in your folio. Should you be the winner, then a $100 Bendigo Bank Account is yours along with the prestige of seeing your design on this blog and in our future correspondence throughout the community. Details will be posted here very soon!!!! We acknowledge the support of our local Yarra Junction branch of the Bendigo Bank.

UYCV Strategic Plan - Defining a new Purpose

UYCV is putting together it's Strategic Plan for the next 12 months. Part of the Plan requires the community group to define a new purpose. The community is asked to consider what they believe would be "preferred aspirational township traits". What features should an ideal community have? Since the release of Council's Draft Plan this may be a golden moment to consider this document whilst putting in place our own document. Are the priorities of our Council in line with what the Community considers should be a part of our townships plan? This will be a focus for our next meeting. Let us know your thoughts.

RISE concert

Check out the following URL for information on the RISE concert. An event not to be missed.

http://www.yarravalleyrises.com.au/rise/home.aspx?docId=693

April 19th from 10 am till 8 pm, great value for the family and all proceeds go to the Bushfire Recovery Appeal.

Shire of Yarra Ranges Bushfire Recovery Newsletter

Check out the following URL for information on "Thanks Mate" an event to be held on Sunday 26th April at Yarra Valley Racecourse Yarra Glen and "Exceptional Hardship Support Grants" for local community heroes who selflessly opened their doors and hearts to assist with food, supplies, shelter and other necessities for those in need.

http://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/files/Community_Newsletter4.pdf

This newsletter outlines other events in April and lists information for the community for the Bushfire Recovery.

April Meeting

Date: 8th April
Where: Yarra Centre

Agenda Items

Business arising from previous minutes:

1. CBI report
2. Active Places
3. Bendigo Bank
4. Bringing Christmas Carols back to Yarra Junction? to be Discussed at April Meeting
5. Logo Design & Competition
6. Blog site http://uycv.blogspot.com
7. Strategy Plan

General Business:

1. Membership of the Yarra Ranges Environmental Advisory Committee

Any further issues, please post here by Tuesday 7th April and, should time permit, we will consider these during our meeting.

Community Building Initiative (CBI)

As the UYCV representative on the CBI we headed for Reefton on Friday to meet with an enthusiastic group of people from all around our community. Representatives from various groups were able to inform us about their current or planned projects. The theme for the evening was based around Community Gardens. We heard about some great examples that are happening and some which would like to happen. Some are happening in the schools in the area and this is really great to get the young children involved. This included examples of then using the produce to cook and make your own lunch. We also heard from the UYCEP group which is modelled upon CERES. We look forward to establishing some kind of network to enable some support for all of the projects happening. How wonderful it would be to be able to create from new and gain the advice from so many with the expertise? And ... we had so many passionate, talented, experienced folks from so many places in our community. We also heard form MERG and their excellent plans for paths to link up work already undertaken. A night of community building and hopefully more to come.

Lights are on at the Yarra Centre

The community may have noticed during the past few weeks that the lights are now on in the carpark at the Yarra Centre. This is fantastic news and the result of your township group and it's continual discussion with the Shire of Yarra Ranges to ensure this work was completed. We have been very patient but are now rewarded just in time before daylight saving finished and the onset of darker evenings. We hope this makes finding your car much easier and safer. These lights along with the speed signs will hopefully make the Yarra Centre an excellent facility for the community in ensuring community safety. For details of programs check out the following page: http://victoria.ymca.org.au/cpa/htm/htm_facility_detail.asp?page_id=2&facility_id=178

Community Development Grants - Applications 09/10 Close on 16th April

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Solar Neighbourhood Meeting

Community Building Initiative Project: Upper Yarra Community Environment Part

Invitation to a Community Information Workshop

Rescheduled Date: Monday, 23 March
Time: 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Wesburn Netball Club House, Wesburn Park
Old Warburton Rd, Wesburn (Melway map 289-C9)


To register your attendance please contact;
Bernie Lobert - SYR Community Projects & Property Officer on 9294 6741
or by email b.lobert@yarraranges.vic.gov. au
The committee of the Park acknowledges the generous support from the Department of Planning & Community
Development, the Warburton Community Bank and the Shire of Yarra Ranges.

Community Cabinet

From the Premier of Victoria web site:
Next Community Cabinet
"We are pleased to announce that the next Community Cabinet will be held in the Yarra Valley on Tuesday 17 March 2009.This event will be the first of several Community Cabinets held over the coming months that will occur in areas that were affected by the recent bushfires. Due to the short notice in arranging this event we are still formulating the programme which will include Ministerial roundtables, site visits and discussions.
Further details will be available on Thursday, 12 March 2009."
Check: Premier of Victoria - Community Cabinet

From Jim Child - Council Watch: Community cabinet comes to the Yarra Valley on Tuesday, March 17

Community Fireguard Groups

We are very lucky to be a part of Milners Rd Community Fireguard Group. This group was founded about 18 months ago and we have met regularly with Serafina from the CFA. Serafina has taken us through a program to inform us about fires, wind changes, weather, how to prepare a fire plan - including detailed discussion of the stay or leave decision, how to create a phone tree and it's use and so much more.

We haved talk about our fears and concerns (oh so many) to attempt to allow us to make informed choices. Serafina has been able to provide the focus and direction for our discussion ensuring that the facts have been clearly understood and that we do not allow emotion to muddy our thoughts.

After recent tragic events, we again met to discuss how we implemented our fire plans and to provide support for each other in a very stressful time. Many issues have arisen and we have welcomed many new people to our group.

To me, it is very clear, that we must continue to keep ourselves informed about living in a fire risk zone and the Community Fireguard Program run by the CFA has been essential for our local community.

Tips from a bushfire survivor

Canberra woman Liz Tilley and her husband John Flannery and children Patrick, now 13, Conor, now 11, and Rosie, now eight, lost their home in Warragamba Avenue, Duffy, in the January 2003 firestorm. They moved back into their rebuilt home in August 2004. She has penned the following ‘tips’, based on her experiences.
As a survivor of the January 2003 firestorm in Canberra, my heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones, homes, pets, and a lifetime of memories in the tragic Victorian fires.
As I sit watching TV news coverage, with my heart racing and my body shaking slightly as I remember the fear, the flames, the heat, the smoke and the knowledge that I would probably not get out alive; I also remember in the days, weeks and months after the fires what support we needed and valued. The victims of the Victorian fires are coping with the loss of homes, possession, pets and property as well as trying to cope with immense grief.
A great relief effort is one that is based on the experiences of previous disaster situations, and yet, after the Canberra bushfires, we were so often "re-inventing the wheel". I just can’t bear to see those victims in Victoria not benefit from what we learned in Canberra.
While the aid agencies will swing into action to do what they do best and the State and Federal government will put their disaster planning into action, how can the Australian public, and the Victorian Relief Effort, help in the best way possible?
What the surviving victims need, both in terms of donations, and physical and emotional support comes will come in phases. Of course, the first weeks after the fire, in the immediate post trauma phase, these needs will be different from what they will need in six, 12 months or two years time.
So, for what it’s worth, here are my tips for a "great" relief:

Please go to Comments to few the rest of Liz Tilley's letter:
Or go to:
Canberra bushfire victim's tips for a great relief
LIZ TILLEY
11/02/2009 5:43:00 PM
Thank you to Anne Jenkinson of the Warburton CWA for forwarding this wonderful letter to us.

Next Meeting of Upper Yarra Community Voice

Next Meeting: Wednesday 11th March at 7pm at the Yarra Centre

Objectives: To keep our community in touch with council decisions and to make known to Council the wants and needs of our wider districts.
To liaise with other township groups, as we all have the same needs.
UYCV Meetings:2nd Wednesday of each month.
Glennice Mathers (President Chairperson) Telephone: 5964 6152.
Email: Glennice Mathers rkandgm2@bigpond.net.au
Postal Address: P.O. Box 478Yarra Junction3797
http://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Page/page.asp?Page_Id=2399&h=0

"Our Mission Statement as a Group is to work together: To make the Upper Yarra area a pleasant, safe and prosperous place to live and work."

KILMORE EAST- MURRINDINDI COMPLEX SOUTH

Awareness message at 6.00pm Wednesday 4 March 2009
Residents in the Yarra and Warburton Valleys need to be aware that although rainfall and today's milder conditions have significantly reduced the threat, fire activity continues in the area. No properties are under threat. Crews returned to the fire line today, however access was severely restricted in many areas by muddy tracks, fallen trees and debris. Firefighters will focus on clearing park and forest tracks over the next few days. The crews will also patrol and black out any smouldering logs and stumps on the edge of the fire.

Agenda Council Meeting - Tuesday 10th March

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Jim Child's comment: Tecoma Supermarket - My Prediction

Community Meeting Tonight at Warburton

WARBURTON

Community Meeting (public)

Wednesday 04 Mar 2009 6.00PM-7.00PM

Warburton Mechanics Hall - 3411 Warburton Hwy, WARBURTON

For more info please ring: 03 8739 1300

Upper Yarra Schools Closed Tomorrow 4th March.

3 schools will be closed on Wednesday 4 March:

• Milwarra Primary School - Millgrove Campus and Warburton East campuses
• Warburton Primary School
• Wesburn Primary School
  

Licensed children's services
2 licensed children's services will be closed on Wednesday 4 March:

• Millgrove Preschool
• Warburton Preschool

Please check Dept Edu Web Site

Extreme fire and storm warning - Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

Extreme fire and storm conditions are predicted across the entire state for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
All Victorians, no matter where you live, need to be alert to increased fire risk and bad weather conditions.
All residents should monitor fire and weather reports and be ready to activate their fire plans.
While every attempt will be made you may receive little, if any, official warning of fire.
All residents choosing to leave their properties need to leave early.

Bushfire Awareness message at 5.15 pm Monday 2 March 2009

Residents in the Warburton Valley including communities in the vicinity of Launching Place, Yarra Junction, Wesburn, Millgrove, Warburton, Warburton East, McMahons Creek, Reefton, Gladysdale, Hoddles Creek, Yellingbo and Big Pats Creek need to be aware that fire activity continues behind control lines in the area.
No properties in the Warburton Valley are under threat at this time.
DSE and CFA are reminding communities in the areas surrounding the fires to activate their bushfire survival plans. For those choosing to leave this evening, the Relief Centre at Lilydale showgrounds will be opened at 6pm. Please be aware of increased traffic on the roads with people choosing to leave as part of their bushfire survival plans.
The Relief Centre will open at Lilydale showgrounds at 6pm this evening.

WARBURTON Community Meeting Tonight

WARBURTON
Community Meeting (public)
Monday 02 Mar 2009
6.00PM-7.00PM
Warburton Mechanics Hall - 3411 Warburton Hwy, WARBURTON

Enquires: 03 8739 1300

Upper Yarra Valley Solar Neighbourhood

From just $1,895* after the Federal Government's $8000 rebate. *For 50 houses in a solar neighbourhood

The ekoenergy solar neighbourhood offer is a new way of bringing solar to market. It relies on the bulk purchase and bulk installation of solar panels within a limited geographic area. By being more efficient in the buying and installation significant savings are made and these are passed on to their customers.

• The solar neighbourhood is a community offer. By purchasing together, significant savings can be made
• The solar neighbourhood is a very efficient way of installing solar.
• By installing many systems in a limited area travel time is reduced and installation efficiencies can be gained.
• The solar neighbourhood is a way of buying quality solar systems in bulk and therefore getting the best value.
• Quality is not compromised.

For further information contact the Upper Yarra Valley Solar Neighbourhood Coordinator:

Paul Colcheedas: paulc@tsn.cc

Phone: 0402 478 077

Please visit and register at http://www.rezeko.com/

Depositing of Green Waste at Council sites - Free

From last Tuesday's Council meeting.

Resolved on the motion of Crs Cliff and Dunn
That Council waive the $10 charge applicable to the depositing of green waste at Council sites for the period until 15 March 2009.

Green Waste Disposal
Resolved on the motion of Crs Dunn and Cliff
That Council:
1. Investigate:
(a) The provision of a weekly green waste bin service over the fire danger period.
(b) Alternate ways for residents to dispose of fire fuel loads.
2. Review the success of the current bundled green waste collection.

A local warned council - Fire Prevention on Private Property

Discussion Paper on:
Fire Prevention on Private Property
Within the Shire Of Yarra Ranges
by
Rick Houlihan
July 2008

The following is an extract from Rick Houlihan's paper presented to the Shire of Yarra Ranges Council on Tuesday 8th of July 2008.

"Conclusion . Due to the precedent which has been set by the actions of the Compliance Department, the Shire will need to either amend Clause 53 or run the real risk that Fire Prevention Works in the Rural and Bushland Areas of the Shire may not occur this season, apart from the mowing of non native grass, the removal of fallenbranches and twigs, and cleaning gutters.

Some residents may apply for a permit, they may even get it in time to carry out the works prior to the Fire Season, but only if the Planning Department improves its current record of the time taken between lodgement and decision on a Planning Permit. Most will just wait for a Schedule 15 notice, which will place a large extra workload on the Shires Emergency Management Department.This in turn will require additional contractors to enable the works to be carried out within the time restraints stipulated by the Shires Fire Prevention Officers. In the meantime this will place additional pressures on the CFA who up until now have been working closely with the Shire in encouraging residents to act early and reduce the real risk of Bushfire which exists in the Shire of Yarra Ranges.

This matter must be resolved as both the Shire and its Councillors run the risk of serious litigation if a serious bushfire were to occur and lives were lost as a result of poor Fire Preparation within the Shire of Yarra Ranges, which remains one of the most fire prone areas of the world."

Please follow this link to view paper: http://www.uych.vic.edu.au/?q=node/24

Please read this very interesting paper and forward your comments.

YARRA JUNCTION FOOTBALL CLUB CENTENARY YEAR

We need your help with the the names of past players (contact details) and highlights of careers.
Please go to the Eagles web site for more information.

http://www.sportingpulse.com/club_info.cgi?c=1-6211-81074-0-0&sID=116452

Yarra Valley on alert

Lilydale, Yarra Valley Leader - MONDAY 9.55: RESIDENTS in the upper Yarra Valley have been advised to implement their bushfire survival plans. At 9.30am the CFA issued an alert message for the communities of Warburton, East Warburton, Reefton, Wesburn, Millgrove, Yarra Junction, Gladysdale, Powelltown, Launching Place, Don Valley, Hoddles Creek, Woori Yallock, Yellingbo, Seville, Wandin and McMahons Creek.
``Even though the fire is not posing a threat, the communities in the Warburton, Warburton East and Big Pats Creek areas should be alert for increased smoke and ash in the area of Acheron Valley,’’ the CFA website reads.
While at 8.30 an alert message was issued for residents in the Smiths Gully, Yarra Glen, Yering, Steels Creek and Dixons Creek areas.
The CFA has advised residents to be aware of possible increased fire activity because of weather conditions over the next 24 hours and to be aware of possible high levels of traffic on the roads.

http://lilydale-yarra-valley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/yarra-valley-on-alert/

Welcome

Greetings to all. This is the first blog of a great adventure. The Upper Yarra Community Voice is a group of people committed to making the Upper Yarra a fabulous place for all of us to live, work and play. We endeavour to gain feedback from the community. However as we all have very busy lives with work, family and other commitments, it is very difficult for us to gather the feedback. It may also very difficult for you (our community) to attend meetings for these reasons - or else you may not have the ability to travel to one of our meetings.

This endeavour is our attempt to reach all of our community and to gather feedback. Currently we re working upon our Strategic Plan - the direction our committee should take for the next couple of years. Should you have any issues of concern that you would like to post and consider then let us know here.

Lastly, recent events have been very difficult for many people in our magnificent Yarra Valley and I do hope that the wonderful Yarra Valley community spirit is supporting you in these times.