Council to ask for monitor

The North Central Review

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May 8, 2018

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By Joshua Wells

AN ONGOING dispute between councillors from the City of Whittlesea has led to a special meeting tonight where it will be requested a municipal monitor be installed.

The potential request to the Minister for Local Government Marlene Kairou would be to install a monitor to make sure governance processes are being followed and provide advice on improvements.

The special meeting was formally announced by Cr Ricky Kirkham, Cr Caz Monteleone and Cr Alanha Desiato on May 1 with all three not present at the ordinary council meeting.

Cr Kirkham said in a statement he believed a culture of censorship had developed.

“There is a culture of censorship where poor decisions are rammed through with no accountability,” he said.

Last week, Cr Kirkham told the Whittlesea Review he was seriously considering the future of his term and the council.

Mayor Kris Pavlidis said she would welcome a monitor to investigate.

“I welcome the request for a monitor. The City of Whittlesea is at an exciting stage of growth and prosperity and requires mature, responsible and transparent decision makers around the table,” she said.

“Council business is being completed at each council meeting and we continue to deliver quality services effectively to our community.

“As Mayor I am committed to chairing meetings that allow decision making to follow democratic processes and where councillors conduct themselves professionally, respectfully and adhere to the relevant code of conduct and legislation.”

In the announcement, Cr Monteleone continued in support of the motion and said the council’s leadership was neglecting the community.

“Proper processes are being thrown out the window at the expense of our community,” he said.

“Decisions are being made with no justification or business case… we need an independent monitor to keep an eye on council governance.”

Cr Desiato said Mayor Pavlidis had ejected more than 100 residents from public meetings which was a concern.

“The community has been denied a fair hearing on issues that matter to them… instead of picking up rubbish council is treating residents like rubbish,” she said.

“I feel voiceless and unable to exercise my elected responsibilities.”

It is understood the monitor motion is set to pass with a number of councillors willing to ask for a monitor for the next 18 months.

One of which is Cr Tom Joseph who said he was hopeful a monitor could clean council meetings up.

“Council’s business is running as usual, however, considering the behaviour of some councillors – like constant disruptions and interjections – a monitor would help,” he said.

Community gutted

Ian Blyth

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May 8, 2018

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THE Tallarook community is gutted following the fire at the weekend that destroyed the town’s Mechanics Institute and irreplaceable memorabilia that the hall contained.

Saturday night was a sad night for the Tallarook community that saw the hall that had stood for 127 years, burn out of control.

The Tallarook Fire Brigade was first on scene and were soon joined by brigades from neighbouring towns. Sadly, the mainly timber building was well alight and was unable to be saved.

Police are not treating the fire as suspicious and authorities believe the blaze was caused by an electrical fault.

The farmers market went ahead on Sunday after it was moved to Railway Place. There are two community musical events scheduled for August and September that were to be held in the hall – the future of these will be determined when the organisers meet.

Mitchell Shire Mayor, Cr Rhonda Sanderson, rushed to the fire on Saturday night and later told the North Central Review the loss of the hall was heartbreaking for the community that has many fond memories of the building and the events it hosted.

“The hall’s historic value cannot be replaced, but the memories and community spirit remain strong for this significant local community gathering place,” Cr Sanderson said.

“Council would like to thank the fire brigades who worked so hard to try to save the building. I’d also like to thank the other services, businesses and individuals who assisted on the night and the committee of management, Farmers’ Market organisers, stall holders and patrons for their support of the alternative market location on Sunday.

“There was such a great show of community spirit to make the market happen. I have no doubt this spirit will continue to shine as we work with the community to explore options to replace the hall in the future and identify alternative arrangements for community events and functions in the meantime,” Cr Sanderson added.

Building inspections were well underway on Monday to determine whether the historic building will need demolishing and whether any heritage aspects of the building can be salvaged. Insurers were also on site.

The building is owned by Mitchell Shire Council and operated by a volunteer committee of management.

Council has already taken steps to work with the hall committee and the community to support alternative arrangements for activities at the hall in the short to medium term
A community meeting will be held at 6pm tonight (Tuesday, May 8) at the Tallarook Recreation Reserve Pavilion to provide a community update.

The Mechanics Institute Hall has been used by the community and community groups since it was built in 1891, including as a temporary school while repairs and renovations were being carried out on the Tallarook school.

A tale of two stations

Ian Blyth

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May 4, 2018

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THE car park at Wandong Railway Station is bursting at the seams while just 11 kilometres up the road at Kilmore East, the new car park extension contains – on a good day – one or two cars.

The rapid growth along the Seymour line corridor is putting pressure not only on the capacity of trains themselves, but on parking in places like Wandong.

A survey of V/Line commuters at Wandong revealed a high percentage of Kilmore commuters are boarding the V/Line service at Wandong – the reason being the massive difference between fares to Melbourne at the two stations.

A visit to the Public Transport Victoria website reveals the daily adult fare from Wandong to Southern Cross station at $8.60, while the same fare from Kilmore East is $23.20 – making the 11 kilometre drive financially viable. Even the myki 325-day pass represents a difference of $1294 between the two stations.

The issue at Wandong is that commuter car parking is now spilling out onto neighbouring streets – the most impacted are being the area opposite the station on the Kilmore Epping Road.

The total number of car parking numbers at Kilmore East stations is 166 – with close to 60 of these vacant on weekdays. There are approximately 80 formal commuter car parking spaces at Wandong station, all fully occupied on a daily basis Monday to Friday.

Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes said to the North Central Review that she understood that the Kilmore East station was selected for a car park upgrade based on a state-wide audit of carparks that looked at available land, capacity and demand.

“In 2017, V/Line’s passenger figures show that in Kilmore East there was an average daily passenger count at 268 while average daily passenger count at Wandong was less than half this number, at 132,” Ms Symes said.

“The Andrews Labor Government has invested in car parks across the metropolitan and regional network to make it easier for Victorians to park and ride,” she added.

Member for Euroa, Steph Ryan sees it differently, saying that the Andrews government is failing to keep up with population growth north of Melbourne.

“Mitchell is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Victoria and the government should investigate extending Zone 2 to Kilmore East to alleviate pressure on parking at Wandong,” Ms Ryan said.

“The Labor Government will consider Wandong Station when considering future upgrades,” Ms Symes said.

The North Central Review asked Ms Symes’ office for a comment on the idea of extending Zone 2 to Kilmore East. A response had not been received at the time of going to press.

Bypass is back

The North Central Review

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May 1, 2018

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By Joshua Wells and Ian Blyth

THE Kilmore bypass is back on the government’s agenda with $20 million allocated for land reservation in tonight’s state budget, potentially bringing the community closer to a truck free town.

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes revealed to the North Central Review VicRoads is currently consulting with land owners near the chosen Western Route, north and south of the Kilmore Wastewater Management Facility, to bring certainty to landholders.

Ms Symes said residents had expressed their concerns over the proposed route as discussions have raged for nearly 20 years.

“The community rightly are very frustrated by the process. This has been talked about by the Kennett Government in 1999… people have been talking about it for a long time,” she said.

More like people have been waiting for it for a long time. Since the Kennett years the Bracks, Brumby, Baillieu, Napthine and Andrews governments have danced around the issue.

There was a glimmer of hope eight years ago when Ted Baillieu pledged to build a $130 million bypass to take trucks off the road through Kilmore and Wallan.

Under Baillieu’s proposal, construction on the bypass would begin in the 2013-14 financial year and would be finished by 2017. However the 2014 state election put an end to that promise.

That was until the Minister for Roads, Luke Donnellan, visited Kilmore in March 2016 to confirm the western route.

Since then concepts have change dramatically. There was the brief dalliance with an entry to the bypass at Wandong, several route changes to avoid the GV Water treatment plant at Willowmavin and the virtual removal of Wallan from the plan, with the replacement of a duplicated Northern highway for the latter.

It is important to note that no significant funding has appeared in a state budget for the actual construction of the bypass.

“So far the roundabout (north of Kilmore) is the only thing which has been built to connect to the bypass. People want trucks out of Kilmore and, finally, a significant investment of $20 million demonstrates we are committed to getting on with this and bringing some certainty to the community,” Ms Symes said.

“The land acquisition process is quite lengthy, it is a good sign to have the funding to progress that, but the project isn’t shovel ready yet. This progresses it to the next stage and we will be in a strong position for full project funding… this is something which is on track.”

A VicRoads document obtained by the North Central Review shows two alignments to the north of Kilmore, both bypassing the original route that took in the GV Water wastewater treatment facility. A bypass around the bypass if you will.

The route to the north cuts through farmland before running parallel to Boundary Road and meeting with the existing roundabout at the Broadford road intersection. The second route to the south of the treatment plant cuts through land between Costello’s Road and Willowmavin Road to meet the highway at a proposed roundabout on the Northern Highway.

Roundabout delivered

The North Central Review

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May 1, 2018

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by Jackson Russell

THE Romsey community are winners in this year’s state budget, with the sought after roundabout set to be built at the intersection of Main Street and Barry Street as part of $941 million of upgrades to regional roads across Victoria.

State member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas announced the project, which also includes the construction of pedestrian-operated signals on Main Street outside the supermarket between Murphy Street and Stawell Street, in Romsey on Friday morning.

Ms Thomas said the roundabout is a project she has been working on since she was first running for election and was able to get a commitment for planning money in 2014.

The project has had strong support from the Romsey Region Business and Tourism Association (RRBATA), which sees the roundabout as an opportunity to create and entrance to the town’s shopping strip as well as slow down passing traffic.

roundabout plans — The plans for the roundabout include landscaping upgrades on the corners of the intersection and between the road and service road.

The project is something the Romsey community has been working towards for years and comes after community consultation with both Ms Thomas and VicRoads to understand the community’s needs.

“The road is very dangerous and there are a lot of different road users so VicRoads have been working very carefully with our community to listen and understand the various views that people in the community have,” she said.

“This is a job for the road engineers. They’ve taken on-board all the feedback, they’ve worked with stakeholders and they’ve come back with a design for a roundabout that will be suitable for all road users.”

The upgrade to Main Street comes on top of the safety upgrades currently being undertaken on Melbourne-Lancefield Road which was identified by the TAC as one of regional Victoria’s worst roads.

Funding to make a splash in Whittlesea

The North Central Review

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May 1, 2018

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By Joshua Wells

CITY of Whittlesea councillors have clashed on the Proposed Annual Budget 2018/19 which was approved by councillors last week.

The City of Whittlesea is set to separate waste charges from their rates in a bid to combat the growing concern over the future of recycling in Australia – a concern for a number of councillors.

This option allows council ‘the option to increase the waste services charge by more than 2.25 per cent in future years if the actual cost charged’ by contractors is increased.
Councillor Lawrie Cox called the budget ‘a reasonable’ one.

“This budget is responsible, we need to look long term,” Cr Cox said.

But Cr Norm Kelly disagreed and raised his concerns about future waste charge increases which would not be restricted by the state government’s rate cap.

“I have some concerns about this budget… it is smoke and mirrors, when you look at the waste charges being separated,” he said.

“This could be a mass expense to families who cannot afford it. Ratepayers will be ripped. I am very disappointed.”

Cr Ricky Kirkham called a dissent motion against Mayor Kris Pavlidis after he believed he was not allowed to debate the alternate resolution tabled on the night.

Mayor Pavlidis had moved to implement the budget after discussions had taken place with no amendments to the alternate resolution tabled.

She consulted with senior officials at council who advised her to move on with the meeting.
The dissent motion was seconded by Cr Kelly but was ultimately defeated 6-4 with Cr Kirkham, Cr Kelly, Cr Alahna Desiato and Cr Caz Monteleone all voting for the motion.
Cr Mary Lalios was absent from the meeting.

Whittlesea Mayor Cr Kris Pavlidis said that the proposed total budget of $285.6 million included an operating budget of $196.7 million to deliver more than 100 services for the municipality.

It also includes an extensive $88.8 million capital works program for a range of local projects.

Mayor, Cr Pavlidis said the budget would provide a range of upgrades and benefits to the community.

“This budget provides for more than 90 projects including our continued investment in roads and footpaths, new buildings, upgrading ageing facilities, refurbishing libraries, upgrading sports grounds and constructing soccer pitches, tennis courts, pavilions, playgrounds and shared paths,” she said.

“I am confident this budget delivers for our community today, and enables us to invest in a more exciting and liveable municipality for tomorrow.

“One of the most anticipated projects is the $25 million redevelopment of Mill Park Leisure. There is $12 million allocated to this project in the 2018/19 budget. The complete rebuild will include the addition of new fully accessible pools and water play features, enlarged gym and fitness program areas, outdoor fitness, family play and BBQ areas.”

North Ward Councillor Tom Joseph and Deputy Mayor Emilia Sterjova both supported the budget which could bring key works to the north.

Cr Sterjova said she was elated to see Church Street, Whittlesea, allocated $160,000 for improved lighting, something the North Ward councillor has supported for more than a year.

“I am absolutely elated,” she said. “This is going to be such a big success for the community… in the past we have fought for the lighting and the community has constantly given me their overwhelming support for more lights.

“Not one trader told me they were against extra lighting so I think the lights will improve business in the area and traders will open later.”

Meanwhile, the Whittlesea Swim Centre will be given a refurbishment under the proposed budget.

Cr Joseph said it was a good step in the right direction toward a better aquatic centre.
“City of Whittlesea is known for the town of Whittlesea, so it is important we create facilities for the township,” he said.

“People have been crying out for an upgrade of their pool. This funding, for a new building, is a start… but we want to make it better and we have long term plans for this.”

City of Whittlesea residents are invited to submit comments on the proposed budget by 5pm, Friday, May 25.

Budget funds for Kilmore bypass

Roads & Transport

The North Central Review

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April 30, 2018

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By Joshua Wells and Ian Blyth

THE Kilmore bypass is back on the government’s agenda with $20 million allocated for land reservation in tonight’s state budget, potentially bringing the community closer to a truck free town.

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes revealed to the North Central Review VicRoads was consulting with land owners near the chosen Western Route, north and south of the Kilmore Wastewater Management Facility, to bring certainty to landholders.

Ms Symes said residents had expressed their concerns over the proposed route as discussions have raged for nearly 20 years.

“The community rightly are very frustrated by the process. This has been talked about by the Kennett Government in 1999… people have been talking about it for a long time,” she said.

People have been waiting for the bypass for a long time. Since the Kennett years, the Bracks, Brumby, Baillieu, Napthine and Andrews governments have danced around the issue.

There was a glimmer of hope eight years ago when Ted Baillieu pledged to build a $130 million bypass to take trucks off the road through Kilmore and Wallan.

Under Baillieu’s proposal, construction on the bypass would begin in the 2013-14 financial year and would be finished by 2017. However, the 2014 state election put an end to that promise.

That was until the Minister for Roads, Luke Donnellan, visited Kilmore in March 2016 to confirm the western route.

Since then, concepts have changed dramatically. There was the brief dalliance with an entry to the bypass at Wandong, several route changes to avoid the GV Water treatment plant at Willowmavin and the virtual removal of Wallan from the plan, with the replacement of a duplicated Northern Highway for the latter.

It is important to note that no significant funding has appeared in a state budget for the actual construction of the bypass.

“So far the roundabout (north of Kilmore) is the only thing which has been built to connect to the bypass. People want trucks out of Kilmore and, finally, a significant investment of $20 million demonstrates we are committed to getting on with this and bringing some certainty to the community,” Ms Symes said.

“The land acquisition process is quite lengthy, it is a good sign to have the funding to progress that, but the project isn’t shovel ready yet. This progresses it to the next stage and we will be in a strong position for full project funding… this is something which is on track.”

A VicRoads document obtained by the North Central Review shows two alignments to the north of Kilmore, both bypassing the original route that took in the GV Water wastewater treatment facility.

The route to the north cuts through farmland before running parallel to Boundary Road and meeting with the existing roundabout at the Broadford road intersection.

The second route to the south of the treatment plant cuts through land between Costello’s Road and Willowmavin Road to meet the highway at a proposed roundabout on the Northern Highway.

Family Home of Grand Proportions

News

The North Central Review

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April 30, 2018

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Wallan, 135 Roulston Way

What a home! If a large home with plenty of living space is what you are after you cannot go past this; you will be pleased to find that every room in the home is of grand proportions.

The brilliant floor plan is zoned for comfortable family living; towards the front of the home you will find a generous study and formal lounge room, through to the main hub offering open plan family/dining and kitchen with stunning slab Cesar stone bench top, 900mm stainless steel appliances, ample bench space and cupboards plus a huge butlers pantry! Opening out to an extensive undercover alfresco/rumpus overlooking the rear yard.

Upstairs there is a TV/multi-purpose room and 4 bedrooms; the master suite complete with parents retreat and large private alfresco, built-in robes and stylish ensuite with double basins, generous shower and bath. Other features include double remote garage with rear single roller door access to yard, gas ducted heating, cooling, ducted vacuuming, bamboo hardwood flooring, dishwasher, huge laundry with garage access and downstairs powder room.

This home is not to be missed. Call today to inspect.

Price:
$650,000 – $710,000

Contact:
Sarah Fraser 0408 328 350

Land Size:
730m2

Open for inspection:
Thursday, May 3rd (5.00 – 5.30pm)
Saturday, May 5th (12.00 noon – 12.30pm)

Anzac services

The North Central Review

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April 24, 2018

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DISTRICT Anzac services and marches will be conducted throughout the district on April 25, 2018. The following information has been provided by the respective organisers.

Broadford

March and commemorative service. Step off is at the corner Hamilton and High Street at 9.30am sharp followed by the service at the cenotaph in the park. The wreath laying will be followed by a reception at the Broadford RSL.

Doreen (Laurimar)

The dawn service will be held at the War Memorial adjacent to the primary school grounds commencing at 6am.

Kilmore

Kilmore RSL Sub-branch will host a dawn service will commence at the memorial in Hudson Park at 6am. An Anzac Day March will follow later in the day at 10.45am. Step off is at the corner of Union and Sydney streets and the march will proceed to the memorial in Hudson Park. A service will follow the march at 11am and after by light refreshments in the Memorial Hall.

Lancefield/Romsey

In Romsey a wreath laying service will be held at the Romsey Cenotaph commencing at 7.30am.

In Lancefield the commemorative service at the High Street memorial at 8.30am followed by morning tea provided by the Lancefield Neighbourhood House.

Pyalong

Commemorative service will be conducted in the Pyalong Memorial Garden at 11am. Marchers should assemble at the Pyalong General Store at 10.45 am. The ceremony will include, Highland Piper, Catafalque Party, Pyalong School Choir singing a Maori song and poetry and other readings. Following the ceremony all are invited into the Pyalong Community Centre for refreshments.

Seymour

Dawn Service will commence at 6am at the Seymour Memorial Hospital Gates. The march steps-off at 5.30am. Breakfast will be available following the Dawn Service. (Gold Coin Donation is kindly requested) Breakfast will be at the Seymour RSL. The Anzac March will commence at 9.30am Step off is behind Thrifty Link Hardware, (some vehicles will be available), and following the March. A commemoration service will follow the march at the Anzac Avenue cenotaph.

Tooborac

A dawn service will commence at 6.30am at the Tooborac War Memorial. This year the stories of two local sodiers will be highlighted along with poetry readings and recognition of the 50th anniversary of a local soldier in the Vietnam War.

Wallan

The Wallan Dawn Service commences at 6am, followed by a Gun Fire Breakfast (gold coin donation). The Anzac Day March and Service commences at 9am, followed by light refreshments and the Field of Remembrance and WW1 Veteran Profiles will be displayed from 6am to 3pm.

Wandong

The Wandong Heathcote Junction Commemorative Committee invites the community to attend the Anzac Day service commencing at 12 noon at the Wandong Memorial Site. All are welcome to lay wreaths or poppies at the service. The service will be followed the opening of the walk through the wars display and a gold coin donation sausage sizzle. Tea coffee and cold drinks also provided.

Whittlesea

The Anzac Day ceremony will commence with assembly at the Whittlesea Bowls Club at 2pm. The march will step-off at 2.30pm for the march to the war memorial. Wreath laying will be conducted at the Arch and Second World War memorials and at the Soldiers’ Memorial.

Budget battle

Ian Blyth

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April 24, 2018

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ROADS and a return to an operating surplus underpin the 2018-2019 Mitchell Shire Council draft budget.

With roads one of the community’s top priorities, the draft budget includes $7.07 million for road maintenance and road projects – an increase of $1.22 million from the previous budget.

Road improvement projects valued at $3.82 million will be the main component along with $60.91 million to deliver services and operations – however not all councillors agree with the cash carve up.

Cr Annie Goble welcomed the focus on roads and footpaths as she moved that the draft budget be adopted for public exhibition.

“It is pleasing to see the allocations for roads and footpaths – clearly we have listened to the community and included what our residents see as priority items,” Cr Goble said.
However Cr David Lowe was quick to disagree stating that he did not like the budget and it was created badly.

“We did not sit down together, it was created ward by ward and there are priorities that i had no say in determining,” Cr Lowe said.

“We cannot ignore the inequity between the wards. The South Ward will pay 40 per cent of the rates with a 20 per cent return – all the critical expenditure is in the north,” he added.
Cr Rob Eldridge agreed saying that the budget was based on renewal of assets.

“If you don’t have any assets then you won’t get any money. I am for equity and the budget does not deliver that,” Cr Eldridge said.

“I don’t agree with Cr Eldridge’s asset comments – roads and footpaths are what the community has been asking for and the budget has delivered in those areas,” Cr David Atkinson said.

As the debate swung very much to a south versus north discussion, Cr Bill Chisholm also leapt to its defence saying that budgets are historically a hard thing to agree on.

“Like Cr Goble, I welcome the inclusion of roads and it is also significant that our small towns are recognised – this has not happened in the past,” Cr Chisholm said.

Cr Goble closed the debate saying that she was ‘stunned’ by the three South Ward councillors’ comments.

“I am shocked and stunned that the three South Ward councillors oppose the budget. It looks like grandstanding to me and I am saddened by it,” Cr Goble said.

The matter was then put to the vote with Councillors Chisholm, Atkinson, Stevens, Goble, Atkinson and Humm voting for and Councillors Lowe, Eldridge and Cornish voting against.

When announcing the draft budget community consultation sessions, Mayor Cr Rhonda Sanderson, said that it was difficult to prioritise projects across the shire considering the needs of new communities, growth areas, urban areas, smaller townships and rural areas.

“We’ve been mindful of these needs across the municipality in preparing the budget. We’ve also considered the substantial funding investment we’ve had in recent years through programs like the Growing Suburbs Fund which has helped deliver more than $18 million in projects in Beveridge, Wallan, Kilmore and Broadford in the last three years,” Cr Sanderson said.

Session will be held in Wallan on Tuesday, May 1 at 7pm at the Family and Children’s Centre. Kilmore on Thursday, May 3 at 7pm in the John Taylor Room and in Seymour on Monday, April 30 at 7pm in the Chittick Park Community Place.

There will also be a councillor consultation forum in Pyalong on Wednesday, May 9 from 7pm at the Pyalong Recreation Reserve Supper Room Hall.

Copies of the draft Budget are available at www.engagingmitchellshire.com or in hard copy at Council’s Customer and Library Service Centres in Broadford, Kilmore, Seymour or Wallan.

Submissions can be made online or in writing and need to be received by 5pm on Wednesday 23 May.