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Centre of contention

The North Central Review
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Centre of contention

by Joshua Wells

MITCHELL Shire Council has buckled to public pressure and will extend Kilmore Leisure hours to 4pm on weekends.

Council’s action comes after a Kilmore resident slammed the council over approving two fast food outlets but not extending the Kilmore Leisure Centre’s hours. The resident, Sharon Doyle, recently launched a petition to request the council to have the opening hours on weekends extended from a 1pm close to a 4pm close.

She believes the centre is a vital part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle for residents in the region.

“Mitchell Shire organises a sound health service through Nexus Primary Health and has touted itself as being serious about positive health outcomes,” she said.

“Unfortunately, it has decided this year to not extend the weekend opening hours of its pool and gymnasium over the summer period.”

“Mitchell Shire Council has approved the building of two [fast food outlets] in both Kilmore and Wallan and at least two extra liquor outlets.”

“If Mitchell Shire Council is serious about the promotion of health in this area of Victoria, it needs to provide opportunities for healthy activities by opening its own facilities, which are paid for by not only members but rate payers of the municipality.”

The Mitchell Shire resolved to grant a planning permit in May 2016 for the McDonald’s in Wallan, while McDonald’s in Kilmore opened in late 2016. More than 500 people have since signed the petition.

Reedy Creek resident Craig Meggs said a trial period which saw opening hours extended last year wasn’t publicised enough.

“Them [the council] saying low patronage is a huge cop out as nothing has been done to promote the centre,” he said.

“They opened up to 4pm on a trial basis but there was no indication or marketing… we could do with longer opening hours.”

“I think there is an element of health risk. It will benefit the community to know on the weekend they can go there and get active, it can’t be a bad thing and the council has a duty of care.”

Earlier, in a written response to the North Central Review, Mitchell Shire Council Mayor Rhonda Sanderson said the 2017/18 budget did not include extra hours beyond an extension in late January when patronage picks up.

However, at the weekend in a notice to leisure members council advised that “In response to feedback, we’re extending operating hours on weekends starting Saturday 16 December.”

Flavour Gourmet – unique and healthy

The North Central Review
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Flavour Gourmet – unique and healthy

BROADFORD’S Flavour Gourmet combines a gourmet grocery, health food store with a cafe that sells possibly the best coffee in Broadford along with a range of one-off artisan gifts.

Now, four years down the track, owners Mark and Suezanne Dossor can look back at a time of successfully building the business to the point where it is the go to place in the town. Mark and Suezanne have stocked the store with an incredible range of health foods, groceries, herbs and spices, sauces, condiments and local honey. Truly there is something for everyone here.

Flavour Gourmet has gained the reputation as the district’s gourmet provedore.
The duo are proud of the fact they stock and support Australian producers and are committed to continuing the sustainable and ecologically sound supply chain.

One of the great things about shopping at Flavour gourmet is there is no feeling of being rushed as many customers pause for a relaxing cup (or mug) of artisan coffee and with summer well and truly with us a scoop or two of hand made gelati is very tempting.

Flavour Gourmet also offers light meals, cakes, slices and muffins. To add to the depth of product available in the store, there is the expanding gift range (just in time for Christmas). If you are unsure of which item to buy then it is a good idea to settle on one of the gift baskets.

The hampers and gift baskets can include a selection of gourmet items as well as gifts, skin care and jewellery – with the added bonus that they are made to order.

Both Mark and Suezanne have a wealth of experience when it comes to nutrition, groceries and customer service and are more than happy to point their customers in the right direction or order something in if they don’t stock it.

Flavour Gourmet is located at 95 High Street, Broadford. For more information visit www.flavourgourmetfoods.com.au

Family Home with Wallan Views

The North Central Review
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Family Home with Wallan Views

2a Windham Street, Wallan

Set in an intensely sought after pocket in central Wallan, this charming character-filled home sits opposite Wallan Secondary Collage with views overlooking the town.

Comprising three robed bedrooms, ensuite, main bathroom with spa, large open plan kitchen with plenty of storage, separate sunken lounge, dining/living area with outdoor access to massive entertaining area.

While outside be surprised by the large rear yard with not one but two sheds for storage. Be quick as a home this good won’t last long!

Terms: 10% Deposit, 30/60-day settlement
Forthcoming Auction: January
Price (Estimate): $390,000 – $420,000
Contact: Sarah Fraser 0408 328 350

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Protecting the region

The North Central Review
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Protecting the region

LEGISLATION was introduced into parliament last week to protect the Macedon Ranges region.

Minister for Planning Richard Wynne introduced a Bill that will allow the shire to be declared a distinctive area, strengthening planning controls and protecting Macedon Ranges from inappropriate development.

Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas said that the Macedon Ranges has a unique history spanning thousands of years and we’re giving it a safe and secure future. This is an important location not just for locals, but all Victorians.

“The Macedon Ranges boasts some of Victoria’s most picturesque settings, stunning wildlife and a renowned food and wine sector,” she said.

The Government will work with residents on the draft Macedon Ranges Localised Planning Statement, ensuring policy reflects the community’s vision for the future of Macedon Ranges.

The statement includes settlement boundaries around townships in the area, ensuring development doesn’t encroach on valued natural and rural landscapes. The settlement boundaries will apply to the townships of Romsey, Riddells Creek, Lancefield Gisborne, Kyneton, and Woodend. They will be subject to the same protections of Melbourne’s permanent Urban Growth Boundary – and will require parliamentary approval to amend them.

The Bill will provide a model for how other parts of Victoria can be protected from inappropriate development. The Macedon Ranges Protection Advisory Committee was set up in 2015 to work with the community and the council on how best to protect what makes the Macedon Ranges special.

The Committee made 12 recommendations that were incorporated into the draft localised planning statement in partnership with the Macedon Ranges Shire Council and the Traditional Owners of the Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and the Wurundjeri peoples.
Minister Wynne said that the landmark legislation would lock down the treasured natural landscapes that should never be encroached on and encourage development in appropriate areas to ensure townships grow sustainably.

“The Macedon Ranges is one of Victoria’s most picturesque destinations and we’ll ensure its renowned beauty and other natural attributes are protected for generations to come,” Mr Wynne said.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council has invited community comment on the draft Macedon Ranges Localised Planning Statement. The draft statement is also available online at planning.vic.gov.au/macedon-ranges-protection.

Court hands down Hume Freeway verdict

The North Central Review
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Court hands down Hume Freeway verdict

By Joshua Wells

SERAN Magraci has been found guilty and fined $1000 for speeding on the Hume Freeway.

The Wallan woman appeared before Judicial Registrar David McCann at the Broadmeadows Courthouse today to fight six different speeding fines late last year. But she maintains she did nothing wrong.

Speaking exclusively to North Central Review, Ms Magraci said she wished the ’20-30 others’ in the Amaroo Road Speed Cameras Facebook group had turned up to fight their cases too.

“Everyone can’t just hope the fine will get dropped if they don’t raise their voice,” she said.

“Today was a good chance to come there and fight for their fines… but then I wonder if some were just saying it to get out of their fines.

“I am still adamant I didn’t speed. I have been driving for one year since my last fine and if I was speeding, I would have been caught again.”

While arguing her cause to Mr McCann, Ms Magraci was asked to produce evidence to prove the Hume Freeway point-to-point speed cameras were not working correctly.

He said since she could not prove otherwise or bring forward any witnesses, the fine must still stand.

Originally, Ms Magraci’s fines totalled $1515 but Mr McCann reduced it to $1000 and ordered the sum to be settled within six months.

Ms Magraci will now wait on VicRoads to find out the fate of her licence.

“I hope I won’t lose my licence but VicRoads will handle it,” Ms Magraci said.

“It would be bad if I did lose my licence for something I didn’t do.”

The Amaroo Road Speed Cameras Facebook group’s petition has attracted more than 200 signatures but so far it has not been tabled to authorities.

Action on gender equality

The North Central Review
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Action on gender equality

LANCEFIELD and Riddells Creek CFA brigades and the Lancefield Football Netball Club are part of a new three-year action plan that will empower local brigades and sporting clubs to be more gender equal and family friendly.

Following the success of the pilot program, the partnership received $140,000 from the Victorian Government and has developed a three-year action plan to support their ongoing work.

The action plan focuses on strengthening gender equality, inclusion and fairness in organisations through their participation on the Rural Challenge Gender Equality Leadership Program.

It also focuses on strengthening the partnership’s capacity to support and promote gender equality work.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council Mayor Cr Jennifer Anderson encouraged local brigades and sports associations to start the conversation now and think about signing-up in 2018.

“We all have a role to play in improving gender equity and preventing violence against women and we can do this by working together to make our local brigades and sports clubs more welcoming and inclusive for all,” Ms Anderson said.

Regional General Manager of AFL Central Victoria Carol Cathcart believes the AFL and the CFA should take the lead on actions to improve and promote gender equality in regional and rural areas.

“Sport has great potential to influence social change and promote gender equality. By creating inclusive, equitable and safe environments for men, women, boys and girls, we can prevent violence against women,” Ms Cathcart said.

CFA brigades and sports clubs are encouraged to participate in the leadership program because they are hugely influential places in their local communities, are generally male-dominated and places where strong leaders can drive social change.

Participants attend a series of workshops designed to empower leaders to improve gender equality in their organisations.

The Rural Challenge Gender Equality Leadership Program will run in the Macedon Ranges region in the first half of 2018.

The program was developed by the Rural Challenge Partnership involving Macedon Ranges Shire Council, City of Greater Bendigo, Women’s Health Loddon Mallee, CFA District 2, Sports Focus, Centre for Non-Violence, AFL Central Victoria and AFL Goldfields.

Ten local brigades and sporting clubs from the Macedon Ranges and City of Greater Bendigo participated in the pilot program earlier this year and have started making changes to their organisations.

CFA brigades and sporting clubs interested in participating in the program should contact Jessica Crofts on 5422 0333 or via jcrofts@mrsc.vic.gov.au

Review rates call

The North Central Review
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Review rates call

RESIDENTS from retirement villages from across the municipality are calling on the Whittlesea Council to give them access to fair rates.

On behalf of the residents from Mernda, Plenty Valley and Arilla retirement villages, Cr Tom Joseph tabled a petition at last month’s council meeting asking the City of Whittlesea to take action on rate issues.

More than 700 hundred residents signed the petition objecting to the over valuation of properties in retirement villages and requesting a differential rate be struck. Calling it a serious issue, Cr Joseph moved that council receive the petition and requested a retirement village rate review and a report be prepared.

Mernda Retirement Village Action Group members, Adrian de Ross, Bain Simpson, Emilio Moreno and Frank Constantin, told the Whittlesea Review residents are asking council to value their villas at a ‘level that reflects what a similar sized dwelling on a similar sized plot would be worth in a freehold situation.’

“We want to highlight the fact when valuing the property they are not taking into account other factors. It’s a depreciating asset … we can never sell and go back to the community. We’re not complaining about that but it’s a fact the valuer should be considering,” Mr De Ross said.

“We want them to see and understand the villas are overpriced. Valuations have to get correct value set from the beginning.”

“We have no ownership rights and no titles. It’s the only asset you have that’s a depreciating value and you lease it,” Mr Moreno added.

“We want council to value our units at a realistic figure and apply a differential rate.”

Currently, the City of Whittlesea calculates rates based on each property’s Net Annual Value (NAV) and the action group is asking for council to move to the Capital Improved Value (CIV) rating method and vote in favour of a differential rate which will enable council to set different rates in the dollar for different categories of rateable land.

City of Whittlesea Manager Property, Rates and Valuations Gino Mitrione said council has no plans to change the process and will not change them until legislated to do so.

“This is an issue that has been raised on various occasions over the years and there are currently no plans to change the process,” Mr Mitrione said.

“All residences in the City of Whittlesea are valued using the same process in an effort to be fair and equitable. The state government has recently proposed several changes to the way rates are calculated, including requiring all councils to move to assessments based on Capital Improved Value.”

“The City of Whittlesea plans to continue its current rating process while these matters are being discussed at a state level.”

The Mernda Retirement Village Action Group has written to the State Valuer General, local Members for Parliament, Minister of Local Government and opposition leader Matthew Guy.
The group also advised they are considering lodging an appeal with VCAT regarding the rate valuation process.

Teacher hands $10,000 gift to his school

The North Central Review
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Teacher hands $10,000 gift to his school

By Joshua Wells

STUDENTS in Year Five and Six at Wandong Primary School will receive a generous Christmas gift this December – $10,000 donated by a teacher.

The school were stunned when Primary teacher Bradley Moedt announced he had won a competition to win $10,000 through X-Drive Australia and confirmed every cent was theirs.
He entered the competition explaining what he would do with the cash which endeared him to a voting public who declared he was a worthy winner.

Mr Moedt said the students of his school needed the cash injection more than he did.

“I would have loved the $10,000 but the kids need this so much more than me,” he said.

“They will be able to explore the world from the classroom and become global citizens. We are very spoilt in Australia and we aren’t quite aware of that so I hope this helps them develop an idea.”

“We can get them more technology so they can further their understanding of the world and life. It all goes to them.”

The generous gift was inspired after Mr Moedt noticed the students could greatly benefit from more funding.

The school’s community came together to rally for the funding and garnered public support.

Kooknapped in Kilmore East

The North Central Review
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Kooknapped in Kilmore East

By Joshua Wells

A COMMUNITY group in Kilmore East has been left bewildered following the theft of their kookaburra statue recently.

The Kilmore East Recreation Reserve had its famed animal taken recently, a blow to the community members who helped fundraise to erect the park’s centrepiece.

Kilmore East Recreation Reserve Committee Management chair John Dixson said he could not understand why somebody would take the kookaburra.

“It is very disappointing, the community put effort into this reserve and to see this happen is most unfair,” he said.

“This has significant impact; it is the community spirit which seems to get destroyed.”

“Bring it back. There are lots of reasons why it ought to be here and no reasons why it should not be here.”

The police have been notified and are on the lookout for the thieves.

The group is hoping the statue is returned so they can re-erect the bird as soon as possible.

Debate rages over Hume Freeway speed cameras

The North Central Review
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Debate rages over Hume Freeway speed cameras

By Joshua Wells

PUBLIC opinion is divided on what is actually happening on the Hume Freeway, with some motorists claiming they have been unfairly fined.

Wallan woman Seran Magraci is today fighting in the Broadmeadows Magistrates Court after she allegedly received six fines in late 2016 after driving through the point-to-point cameras.

Debate has raged on about what is actually happening on the Freeway, and regular freeway driver Scott Carpenter said he had put thought into why people were being fined.
“Was pondering this again,” he said.

“I travel the Hume [Freeway] most days in both directions and have never received a fine.

“If there is a fault in the system, how does it single out just some non-speeding drivers and not others?”

A group on Facebook named Amaroo Road Speed Camera was started recently where it appears a slew of drivers were receiving the same 108km/h fine, some more than once.
Others spoke of family members who have used the roads every day and not once received a fine.

Joanne Walsh said she wondered if people slowed down on the highway, raising their average speeds in the point-to-point system.

“Does anyone know if the point to point cameras also take into account the varying speed limits?” she questioned.

“Between Beveridge and Craigieburn the speed limit changes from 110 to 80 to 100 km/h, so I would assume anyone not slowing down to 80 would receive a fine, even if they didn’t exceed 100 further on.”

While this question was a common one raised, others believed it was due to people’s lack of awareness on the roads.

Jenny Tucker said she thought all the cars zipping by her car probably would be fined.

“I see plenty passing me while I am doing the speed limit and my theory is most people fined probably are speeding and deserve it,” she said.

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