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.