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No to hipster highway

Council
Community Groups
Health
The North Central Review

March 27, 2018

MITCHELL Shire Council has moved to set up a working party following growing community opposition to the planned Wallan to Heathcote rail trail.

With some 45 per cent of the proposed route currently in private ownership and much of this over private farm land, concerns over biosecurity, land acquisition and loss of privacy have been widely expressed.

Critics of the community consultation process have also raised concerns over the objectivity of the consultants. Pyalong resident, David Waye, described the consultants who conducted the process as “hipsters who were condescending to local residents.”

“The lead hipster was a man clad in cycling Lycra whose main selling point was that the rail trail would result in the local store growing into an IGA supermarket, increasing employment in the town, due to walkers, cyclists and riders dropping in to do their grocery shopping,” Mr Waye said in a letter to the North Central Review (see page 8).

When the matter was discussed at the March council meeting Cr Bill Chisholm, clearly aware of the community concerns, moved an amended motion to establish a working party comprising landholder, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and user groups, to increase community involvement in the process.

The motion to endorse the findings of the feasibility study and matters relating to seeking external funding, along with the forming of the working party was put and carried seven votes to one with Cr Bob Humm, who has previously expressed concerns over farm biosecurity issues, voting against.

“It’s a long term project, 30 years at least, and we should be looking at more important issues in the same detail. We need to concentrate on these important immediate issues now,” Cr Humm said.

Speaking to the North Central Review following the decision Mitchell Shire Mayer, Cr Rhonda Sanderson said that the working party will be a positive step in the process.
“Everyone needs to talk and it important that we find a solution. I believe working together will achieve this. Issues such as the route, biosecurity and potential fire hazards will all be on the agenda,” Cr Sanderson said.

“I also think that it important to realise that at this stage the rail trail is very much at concept stage – it is an extremely long-tern project. As our shire grows, community will expect this sort of infrastructure to be in place but we’re talking very long term – 20-30 years,” Cr Sanderson added.

Cr Sanderson also said that council had no plans to compulsory acquire private land for the rail trail.

The Wallan to Heathcote Rail Trail is projected to be some 78km long, will cost at least $17.8 million to construct. Even with funding for construction coming from other sources the ongoing maintenance will fall to council and ratepayers.

The current route travels through farms, residential and rural properties despite over 70 per cent of the owners consulted opposing the project. Many of the landowners haven not been consulted as yet, despite the route being mapped across their properties.

Sporting clubs call for funding

Sport
Community Groups

The North Central Review

March 27, 2018

By Joshua Wells

TWO football netball clubs are desperate to continue upgrading their facilities, with lights and scoreboards at the top of the list.

Two Macedon Ranges clubs are fundraising for new equipment, with Romsey Football Netball Club after a new electronic scoreboard worth in the vicinity of $50,000, while Lancefield Football Netball Club chase money to install lights at the multi-purpose netball/tennis complex.

Romsey Senior Football Netball Club president Wayne Milburn confirmed to The Free Press the club was looking to upgrade the current scoreboard to offer more at matches and over the summer months.

“We would love to get an electronic scoreboard to go with our newly purchased goal posts,” he said.

“We have one of the best grounds in the region and it would top it off to have this scoreboard… it also allows us to run movie nights through the summer season.
“They aren’t cheap.”

The club fundraised with the juniors clubs, with the Macedon Ranges Shire Council also assisting, to get the new goal posts.

While the Redbacks are on the hunt for a new scoreboard, Lancefield Football Netball Club is hoping for the new lights.

They recently raised $15,000 to fund the new netball/tennis courts, but Lancefield Football Netball Club president Clark Todd said they needed lights too.

“They are 100 per cent important,” he said.

“Lights for the multi-purpose court are paramount and it is good for our community as a whole.

“We have been fundraising but we would like some more help.”
Macedon Ranges Shire could help the club get access to up to $100,000 from the state government.

Sport and Recreation Victoria’s 2019/20 round of the Community Sports Infrastructure Fund is anticipated to be announced in the coming weeks.

Council is looking for preliminary ideas from clubs on project ideas to improve facilities in the shire.

Mayor Cr Jennifer Anderson said she wanted to encourage clubs to get in touch with council’s Recreation Department to discuss their potential projects.

“Increasing participation is the main aim of this grants program, particularly projects that increase opportunities for females and juniors.

“Sport provides many health and social benefits to our community, and the more people involved the better. If you have a project idea to help the growth of your club, we want to hear about it,” she said.

Based on previous years, funding categories may include minor facilities, cricket facilities and female-friendly facilities.

Council’s expression of interest process closes noon Monday, April 9.

Council can apply to Sport and Recreation Victoria for up to five (5) expressions of interest on behalf of local sporting groups.

For more information and view contact details, visit
mrsc.vic.gov.au/CSIF

Bottom of the lake

Whittlesea Review
Community Groups
Council

The North Central Review

March 27, 2018

By Brooke Haffenden

A LOCAL resident has slammed council for draining water from the lakes in Laurimar to irrigate the sports grounds at Laurimar Recreation Reserve.

For the past 10 years Robin Gipps has lived in the local area and each year is dismayed by the actions of City of Whittlesea Council officers.

Ms Gipps told the Whittlesea Review she has seen council officers drain the water down to the bottom of the lake on a number of occasions.

“You can see the bottom of the lake, it’s awful. It’s very disheartening to see that,” Ms Gipps said.

“The council have made this beautiful lake only for it to be drained out.”

With many birds such as Black Swans and Pelicans using the lakes, Ms Gipps said she was concerned for the future of wildlife.

Upset about the “irreversible damage” to bird life and vegetation, Ms Gipps contacted Melbourne Water with her complaint and said she wants action now or she’s “going higher”.
“I hope Whittlesea can never pump there again,” she said.

“I used to breed birds and I really enjoy the birds (at the lakes). It’s a part of the estate. I love to walk around and look at the lakes.

“Doesn’t anybody care? Am I the only one saying something?

“I just hope we get a good outcome from this. I hope it doesn’t happen again… And, I hope there hasn’t been irreversible damage. I hope Whittlesea (Council) don’t weasel their way out of this.”

Acting Team Leader, Regional Services (West Region, Maribyrnong), Glen Stewart confirmed that Melbourne Water is working closely with Whittlesea Council to establish a sustainable program of stormwater harvesting from Laurimar Wetlands in Doreen.

“Stormwater harvesting and re-use can help to reduce pressure on our drinking water supply, however an appropriate balance is necessary to ensure that animal habitat and visual amenity of impacted wetlands are also maintained,” Mr Stewart said.

“We look forward to formalising an arrangement that benefits the entire community and preserves the health of the Wetlands, which are home to a range of native plants and animals.”

City of Whittlesea Council Manager Parks and Open Spaces Lisa Pittle said there is a licence to draw water from the lake which is used to irrigate the sports grounds at Laurimar Recreation Reserve.

“The development at Laurimar including the drainage system and wetlands and the lake were constructed and handed over to Council more than 10 years ago,” Ms Pittle continued.

“Capturing and using road surface drainage through a wetland and lake system is a significant way of drought proofing local sports grounds and reusing storm water instead of drinking water.

“The ability to draw water from the lake is set at an approved level and this level has not been reached.”

Ms Pittle added that constructed wetlands are designed to similarly adapt to changing water levels and the level of the water in the lake has dropped due to low rainfall.

Passionate about the cause, Ms Gipps said she will continue to pursue the issue until council can longer pump water out of the lakes.

Split Personality

News

The North Central Review

March 26, 2018

The good news about building on a slope

Clare 256

The Clare 256 is our latest split-level designed home. The versatile design is perfectly adapted to steeper blocks of land. This is good news for potential new home buyers struggling to enter an increasingly strong market.

Big volume builders have skewed the market – corralling their customers onto easier to develop flat blocks of land. This has created a pricing disparity, with less sort after steeper blocks trading at an attractive discount to flatter ones.

We believe the Clare 256 can exploit this opportunity. The split-level design contours the land avoiding the need for a high cost single building pad and unsightly high retaining walls. It can also be a better alternative to more difficult to install stump foundations.

The real attraction is space utilization. Very little land is wasted, with the split level allowing for multiple floor spaces to overlap. The staggered floors also give a stylish backdrop flowing throughout the home.

Our Clare 256 home has the family in mind, featuring a generous media room, study nook and double garage. The home comes with four spacious bedrooms – with the master suite including a well-designed walk-through wardrobe and ensuite.

The kitchen is the hub of the house, with a large butler’s pantry the perfect space for those serious about entertaining. The open-plan living area leads out into an extensive alfresco – a great place to relax and spend time with family and friends in an unobscured backyard.

Police confirm school investigation

Crime
Education
News
The North Central Review

The North Central Review

March 20, 2018

VICTORIA Police has confirmed they are investigating an incident that occurred on Monday at a school in Wallan.

It is believed the Wallan Secondary College was allegedly visited by police following a fight with students.

A spokesperson from Victoria Police said an investigation was underway.

“Victoria Police is aware of an incident that occurred at a school on Duke Street, Wallan and we are making a number of enquiries in relation to it,” they said.

The school has been contacted but is currently unavailable.

More to come.

The rate debate

Whittlesea Review
Community Groups
Council

The North Central Review

March 20, 2018

By Brooke Haffenden

RESIDENTS from the Mernda Retirement Village are taking on the City of Whittlesea in a bid for a fairer valuation process and fairer rates.

Members of the Mernda Retirement Village Action Group, Bain Simpson and Emilio Moreno told the Whittlesea Review that there is an application before VCAT on March 28 challenging the valuation process.

The VCAT application is the next step in the process for the group following a council meeting earlier this month where council moved to write to the Minister for Local Government requesting that differential rating for retirement villages be allowed under Net Annual Value (NAV) rating.

The original recommendation put forward by officers was to maintain the status quo until the proposed new local government bill is enacted which forces all the councils currently under NAV to more to Capital Improved Value (CIV) system which allows for differential rating.

However, this change is not expected to come in force until 2020/21.

During a high tension council meeting, councillors Ricky Kirkham and Mary Lalios moved amendments to the recommendation for a 25 per cent rate concession for residents.

“Here at the City of Whittlesea we have an opportunity to set a precedent moving forward that anyone living at a retirement village will have a 25 per cent discount,” Cr Kirkham said.

Cr Lalios moved to refer a 25 per cent concession on retirement village rates to the 2018/19 budget process. And, offer this concession until the rating methodology is changed.

Some of the councillors opposed the amendment, with Cr Lawrie Cox calling it a ‘simplistic solution’ that does not solve problems.

After a lengthy debate that saw Cr Kirkham removed from chambers, council passed a resolution to send a letter to the Minister of Local Government.

Cr Tom Joseph told the Whittlesea Review that he is hopeful the Minister will favourably consider the request.

“Looking at all the available evidence I am convinced that the way the retirement village residents are rated is unfair. It is unfair because the lease value of their property is rated, which is substantially more than a similar sized property across the road,” Cr Joseph said.

“City of Whittlesea currently follows the NAV system of rating and unfortunately under that system the council is not allowed differential rating for retirement villages which is essentially what the residents of the retirement villages were seeking with their petition.”

Mr Simpson and Mr Moreno said the group was encouraged by council’s conversation regarding their plight, but pointed out that many councils including Maribyrnong, Glen Eira, Yarra City, City of Monash and East Gippsland offer pension concession for rates.

“Clearly the fact that it’s gone through in these other councils means it’s an option that clearly can’t be illegal,” Mr Simpson said.

“However, even if the special amendment was put through, and there was that discount, if the valuation is wrong the discount’s going to mean nothing because if the valuation’s go up we’re back to where we started,” Mr Moreno added.

Mr Simpson said until the group receives a response back from the Minister he will still pursue the VCAT application.

“What we’re talking about is the change from NAV to CIV. CIV enables them to provide us with a differential rate but it doesn’t mandate a differential rate. So you’ve got to win that argument again,” Mr Simpson explained.

Council were contacted for a comment but as the matter is before VCAT were unable to provide a response.

What was that?

Community Groups
News
Weather & Environment

The North Central Review

March 20, 2018

By Joshua Wells

WAS it a gold mine blast, fighter jet, asteroid, an earthquake or a volcanic explosion?

Residents across the Macedon Ranges Shire experienced an unexplained sonic boom at 10am on Wednesday morning, with Macedon Weather still unsure quite what it was.

Reports from Melton, Pyalong, Romsey and various other places poured into experts who were hard at work to determine what caused the sonic boom.

Macedon Weather’s Anna said the group began using their weather networks and tools to pull together data, public theories and even solar phenomenon, but have only been able to come to one logical conclusion.

“There was no logical explanation and we had reports flooding into us… over the next 24 hours we examined all reports and posts which uncovered at least a dozen theories. Many were easily dismissed but two theories in particular had merit,” she said.

“After mapping the reports that came in, ground zero of the blast wave was around Yandoit, just south of Castlemaine.

“We then followed up a meteor theory by checking across the globe for sightings as three separate sky streaks sighting were seen in the Macedon Ranges around this time. At this point we found significant evidence of meteors burning up in the earth’s atmosphere over Oklahoma City only four hours before the central highlands sonic boom.

“Based on the earth’s rotation and going through the densest portion of the meteor stream, late arriving fragments of the same minor meteor shower could not be ruled out. This theory became the leader but is still not confirmed at this point.”

While the boom has a logical explanation, that did not stop the rumour mill from going into overdrive on social media.

People clambered to get their stories and versions heard by Macedon Weather, but Anna said they always try to ‘keep it real’.

“Many theories were posted into the page including Fighter jets, quarry blasts, Blackwood phone tower issue, [drug related] explosions, Alien landing, Chinese satellite falling to earth, Smeaton and Mt Franklin volcanoes awakening, hypersonic weapons off the east coast… the list could go on but all could be ruled out fairly quickly and some gave us a good laugh,” she said.

“Without more evidence, it will go into the X files as the unsolved ‘Yandoit incident’ but the meteor theory is probable the most plausible at this stage.”

Trains finally funded

The North Central Review
News
Roads & Transport

The North Central Review

March 20, 2018

By Joshua Wells

COMMUTERS along the Seymour line have been given reason to celebrate following the announcement of $235 million of funding on Friday for the North East rail line.

The federal government joined the state government to announce the boost at Seymour Railway Station last week, with new Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormick agreeing to pour in additional funding for the Regional Rail Revival.

Last year, the federal government announced a $100 million upgrade for the North East rail line, which connects to the Seymour line, with the additional $135 million coming on Friday.
The funding will also help fix the Wallan and Donnybrook Railway Stations, as well as upgrade the track to a class 2 standard which could allow upgraded trains to run.

During the announcement, Ms Allan said hoped to put new trains on the line.

“I am also pleased that in addition to the $1.57 billion Regional Rail Revival package, the commonwealth will increase its contribution by $135 million to upgrade the North East Rail Line to a class 2 standard to allow faster, modern trains and give communities along the North East line the services they expect and deserve,” she said.

A steering committee formed between the state and federal governments found the original $100 million fund would not be enough, prompting calls for an extra $135 million which was funded last week.

Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell said in the past the state government had been hamstrung by the slow movements at a federal level but was excited to see the upgrades coming.

“The issue is not new. There are problems with some of the old stations which are not long enough for upgraded trains so now we can finally put new trains on,” he said.

“We have seen thousands of people moving to the area and using the service so now the state has to try catch up.

“There are track works further than Seymour which creates monster problems on the line and there are issues around capacity and speed.”

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes, who was at the announcement in Seymour, said the upgrade would benefit region and its rail network.

Member for Euroa and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Steph Ryan said the investment was welcome news for many rail users in the north east.

“With proper oversight and planning, it will go a very long way to getting our train service back on track,” Ms Ryan said.

“At a state level, The Nationals have promised to replace all the trains on both the north east line and Shepparton lines with a new, long haul variation on the VLocitys within our first term of government, if we are elected to government later this year.”

Alongside the Regional Rail Revival agreement, the Inland Rail deal will allow works to support the development of Inland Rail to create a freight link between Brisbane and Melbourne.

The Australian Rail Track Corporation spent $3 million to begin upgrading seven bridges around the line last week.

Government frees up $235 million for North East rail line upgrade

Community Groups
Infrastructure
The North Central Review

The North Central Review

March 16, 2018

Government frees up $235 million for North East rail line upgrade

WORKS at Wallan and Donnybrook stations can finally begin following a $235 million agreement for the North East rail line.

The two stations are set for a revamp alongside the track they run along.

New Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormick and Victorian Minister for Public Transport and Major Projects Jacinta Allan signed an agreement on Friday in relation to inland rail.

As part of the Regional Rail Revival program, a joint Victorian government and federal government steering committee was established to look at the work needed to upgrade the North East Line.

The steering committee resolved the $100 million committed was not enough to upgrade the track to run new modern trains prompting the federal government to contribute an additional $135 million to upgrade the track to at least a class 2 standard.

More in Tuesday’s North Central Review.