Development concerns

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September 29, 2020

By Jackson Russell

WALLAN residents have raised concerns about the impact the Draft King and Queen Street Masterplan could have on the future development of the town.

Mitchell Shire councillors voted to put the draft masterplan out for community consultation at the July council meeting for an extended period, which ends on Friday, October 9.

It affects a study area of about 80 hectares, which is bound by William Street to the north, Mittagong Creek to the east, Watson Street and an existing development to the south and Windham Street to the west.

Lauren Kathage and Millie Muhrer told the North Central Review they were concerned about how the draft masterplan would affect future planning permit applications, along with a lack of open space and community infrastructure.

Hidden Valley resident Ms Kathage said she was concerned about the possibility the masterplan could allow developers to bypass council’s usual planning permit processes.

“Do developers just submit a plan to council and council vote on it at a meeting and the community doesn’t get a say because it’s not an official development plan that’s needed?” she said.

A council statement said the draft masterplan included discretionary options for council if a planning application met the rules of the existing Development Plan Overlay.

“If endorsed by council, the masterplan may be used at council’s discretion to waive the development plan process or some requirements, provided the permit is highly consistent with the masterplan and the proposal represents a logical sequence of development,” the statement said.

“All planning permits will be advertised to the community with an opportunity to provide feedback at that time.”

There are also concerns about the availability of community infrastructure in the masterplan. According to the draft report, there is currently a shortfall of community infrastructure and limitations on the potential to augment existing facilities.

While council plans to collect $1.21 million from developers from a community infrastructure levy to improve existing facilities or build new facilities, there is no space set aside in the plan for community infrastructure.

Ms Muhrer, who lives near the masterplan area, said she was concerned about the strain population growth would put on the lack of community infrastructure.

“One segment says we’re going to expand the infrastructure, but the next step is saying that it’s at capacity. So, which one is it?” she said.

A council statement said the funds collected from the levy would be allocated to community infrastructure in Wallan.

“Council undertakes an annual budget process, which takes into account the infrastructure needs for the whole shire to meet the demands of Victoria’s fastest growing municipality,” the statement said.

Ms Kathage said she was not against developing Wallan but wanted to see it developed appropriately.

“It’s not the politics of jealousy, good luck to the landowners, they’re going to make a lot of money but they get all the profit, that’s fine, but we’re going to bear the cost of the development,” she said.

Candidates revealed

The North Central Review

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September 29, 2020

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Nominations are now finalised for the upcoming Mitchell Shire Council election, with eight new faces to stand as a candidate and eight councillors to recontest.

The Victorian Electoral Commission received 16 nominations to fill nine councillor positions across three wards.

The election will take place by mail by October 24.

The south ward is set to be the most competitive despite its reduced area after the ward boundaries were redrawn, with seven candidates to fill its three positions.

The south ward includes Wallan and Beveridge, but Wallan East, including Wallara Waters and Newbridge estate residents are now in the central ward.

All three sitting councillors of the south ward – Bob Cornish, David Lowe, and Rob Eldridge – will recontest. They are joined by Bikram Singh, Visalia Govender, Christine Banks and Neal Langborne.

The central ward, which includes Wallan East, Wandong, Heathcote Junction, Clonbinane, Kilmore East, Kilmore, Willomavin and High Camp, is the only ward guaranteed to have a fresh face.

Five candidates are standing in central ward – Annie Goble and Bob Humm will attempt to retain their positions, with competition from new candidates Louise Bannister, Jasdeep Kochar and Nathan Clark.

Outgoing councillor and deputy mayor David Atkinson chose not to stand again.

The north ward, which now includes Broadford, will be contested by four candidates, including the three sitting councillors.

Carol Tullett is the only new candidate in the north ward, with Rhonda Sanderson, Bill Chisholm and Fiona Stevens recontesting.

The Victorian Electoral Commission will mail ballot packs to enrolled voters from October 6 to 8, containing a ballot paper attached to statements and photos from candidates, a ballot paper envelope, voting instructions, and a reply-paid envelope.

For a vote to count, it must be in the mail or hand-delivered to Mitchell Shire’s election office at the former Killara Children’s Centre at 42/80 Bentinck Street, Wallan before 6pm on Friday, October 23.

Election offices operate from 9am to 5pm on weekdays until Wednesday, October 21, until 8pm on Thursday, October 22 and until 6pm on Friday, October 23.

Results will be declared on Friday, November 13.

Mitchell Shire residents will be able to have a ballot pack sent to a different address if they will be away when ballot packs are mailed or if their mailing address has changed since rolls closed on August 28.

Mitchell Shire’s nine candidates are among more than 2000 across the state to fill 622 positions in 298 separate elections.

For more on Mitchell Shire candidates, see next week’s Review.

WR (2020-09-29)

Whittlesea Review

The North Central Review

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September 29, 2020

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NCR (2020-09-29)

North Central Review

The North Central Review

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September 29, 2020

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Hanging Rock reopens

News

The North Central Review

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September 25, 2020

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Hanging Rock Reserve will reopen tomorrow, and its cafe on Sunday, for the community’s enjoyment and just in time for the second week of school holidays.

Restrictions will still be in place to ensure it is a COVID-safe environment, including limits on visitor numbers – the park will close if the maximum number is reached, and some areas will remain closed, including the discovery centre and the top of the summit walk.

The Hanging Rock Cafe will also reopen on Sunday with modified arrangements in place.

Visitors are expected to continue to practice good hygiene, wear face masks, maintain social distancing, and to stay home if they feel unwell.

An increase in facility cleaning will take place.

Usual entry fees will apply.

Equipment boost for CFA brigades

The North Central Review

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September 22, 2020

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By Colin MacGillivray

CFA brigades across the City of Whittlesea have claimed a share of $4.8 million dollars of fire-fighting equipment and training programs distributed across Victoria.

The equipment was purchased with the aid of community donations made during the recent bushfire season.

Brigades were able to request items from a CFA pick list that included equipment such as thermal imaging cameras, remote-area lighting, quickfill pumps and rearview cameras.

Some brigades also received provisions for licence testing to allow more members to operate CFA vehicles.

Among the equipment and training earmarked for brigades across Whittleasea is: a new power adaptor, a portable fridge and a quickfill pump for Arthurs Creek; a thermal imaging camera, a carbon monoxide monitor and a battery-operated chainsaw for Doreen; a thermal imaging camera for Epping; remote-area lighting, a thermal imaging camera and five medium rigid vehicle licences for Mernda; a thermal imaging camera for South Morang; a forward command vehicle and a chainsaw for Whittlesea; a structural thermal imaging camera for Wollert; and remote-area lighting, a defibrillator and a thermal imaging camera for Yarrambat.

Whittlesea Fire Brigade captain Jeff Rowden said a new command vehicle would be gratefully accepted after thieves made off with the brigade’s old one.

“We had our FCV, or forward command vehicle, stolen back in December last year, which was very disappointing,” he said.

“We are in the process of replacing that vehicle as a brigade, so we had a cash grant provided to us through the pick list to help us replace some of the personalised gear that was in it. We also got an electric chainsaw, which we carry in the FCV.

“It’s very handy and was very well appreciated.”

Mr Rowden said the Whittlesea brigade would welcome a full complement of operational vehicles.

“It knocked us around a bit during the fire season with the lack of a vehicle, but we got a lend of one from our group,” he said.

“Due to COVID-19, as a brigade we haven’t been able to replace the vehicle yet, but we’re in the process of deciding what type of vehicle to get and moving ahead with it at the moment.”

More than a third of the $4.8 million total funds came directly from a community fundraiser for the CFA during the bushfire season – $1.8 million generated by private citizen Jodie Silva through a Facebook fundraiser.

Ms Silva said she had created the fundraiser to ensure there was a channel for donations to Victoria and CFA, and she promoted it widely in numerous social media threads.

Mr Rowden said the show of public support for the CFA had been outstanding.

“We definitely appreciate the donations,” he said.

“We only get X amount of dollars from the CFA to run a station and it’s not a lot of money, so we rely on the goodwill of the public to donate money to brigades for certain equipment – especially specialised equipment that we need.

“This year due to COVID we haven’t been able to do a lot of fundraising to get money from the public.

“Whittlesea Fire Brigade normally does parking for the Whittlesea Show and we get donations from the public for that; the Whittlesea Show has been cancelled this year.”

School return row

The North Central Review

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September 22, 2020

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By Colin MacGillivray

MEMBER for Yan Yean Danielle Green has called for the families of City of Whittlesea school students to be patient while waiting for face-to-face learning to resume, in spite of criticism from the Victorian Opposition.

Shadow education minister Cindy McLeish last week took aim at the government’s handling of a return to face-to-face learning for Victorian students, which has included regional schools returning sooner than their city counterparts, including the City of Whittlesea.

Under the government’s COVID-19 roadmap for reopening, metropolitan schools will have a staged return in term four, with VCE, VCAL and students in grade two and below returning first.

There has been a strong call by parents to allow grade six students to return first because it is their final year of primary school.

Ms McLeish, who represents Yan Yean’s neighbouring electorate of Eildon, said the government was reopening schools too slowly.

She called on the government to reopen all Melbourne schools on the first day of term four.

“It’s not just parents, students and school staff that are concerned about the incredible challenges our school students are being forced to endure throughout the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to Daniel Andrews’ second wave,” she said.

“Victorians across the state are concerned about our students being left behind the other states.

“The Liberal-Nationals are asking parents, concerned community members and students themselves to stand up and have their say, and pledge their support to open our schools.”

Ms Green slammed Ms McLeish’s comments as irresponsible and said reopening too soon would worsen the public health risk.

She described the Opposition as ‘out of touch’, saying they voted for an immediate return to school in Parliament last week.

“Either they know so little about schooling in Victoria that they didn’t realise school holidays were coming up, or they’re so mean they expected students to attend school during their holidays,” she said.

“In this pandemic environment, we’re returning students to face-to-face learning as soon as possible and safe in line with the advice from the Victorian chief health officer.”

Ms Green said she could understand the frustration of parents who lived on the borders of metropolitan Melbourne and were unable to send their children to school despite low case numbers.

“It’s exactly where I live. I understand the frustrations, but we want to ensure that students are going to be safe,” she said.

“We saw what happened when we reopened quickly, and we’re not going to do that again.

“When students return to face-to-face learning, it’s going to be safe to do so and we want to make sure it’s for the long term.

“We don’t want to be bouncing in and out of lockdown, so I think it’s best we wait until the next term.

“With 11 cases statewide [yesterday], I think we’re on track to do so.”

Author delves into history of Romsey

The North Central Review

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September 22, 2020

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LANCEFIELD historian and biographer Fay Woodhouse is hoping people will learn about the origin of buildings in Romsey and its earliest settlers from her new book Romsey: an Historical Guide.

Ms Woodhouse has written about Australian social and political history and regularly contributes her work to the Australian dictionary of Biography, and her local paper the Lancefield Mercury.

The author has published 15 books, with her first published in 1997, all covering varying topics including a history of wineries, a community yacht club, the history of Gita and Melbourne’s first yoga school.

“I’ve always loved reading and writing, and went to university as a mature age student to study literature and ended up with an Honours Degree and PhD in Australian history,” Ms Woodhouse said.

“My first book, my honours thesis, was published in 1997. It was a study of the Communist Party Dissolution Referendum 1951 for which I had won several prizes.

“In 2019 I became a volunteer at the Romsey and Lancefield Districts Historical Society.

“We saw a need for an expanded version of Brenda Soraghan’s popular 2013 publication Discover Romsey: An Historic Look at the Making of a Town. I volunteered to write it.”

Romsey: an Historical Guide identifies more than 50 buildings and landmarks in Romsey and documents the history of the families who created its many businesses.

The book is a documentation of Romsey’s 160 years, and an exploration of its rich history, a book Ms Woodhouse said was a ‘must-read for visitors and locals alike’.

“I began researching and writing this book in August last year. I researched and found information about the buildings and places in various heritage studies, business and family files held at the historical society and found information in existing published histories about Romsey,” she said.

“I took photographs of each of the buildings or places and found historic photographs of the same sites for comparison.

“After I had completed the researching and writing the editing process began. Members of the historical society’s committee read the book and commented on it, filling in some of the gaps with information or stories I had not found.

“I am hoping locals and visitors alike will learn about the origin of some of the buildings they see in the main streets and will also learn more about the pioneering families who started businesses in Romsey from the earliest days of settlement.

“Once the manuscript and photographs were finalised I then gave it to the local Lancefield graphic designer Craig Longmuir. Craig designs the Lancefield Mercury and had designed my previous two books.”

Ms Woodhouse said she had already started work on her next book, which would be a historical guide of Lancefield.

To purchase the book, people can contact Romsey Lancefield and Districts Historical Society secretary Shirley Kishere on 0402 248 540 or Fay Woodhouse on 0427 042 753.

Neighbourhood houses support residents

The North Central Review

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September 22, 2020

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THE Lancefield and Romsey neighbourhood houses have extended a message of thanks to the community after generosity and support flooded in from residents during COVID-19.

The neighbourhood houses collaborated during the first wave of the pandemic in March, and formed a response initiative to assist communities – The Lancefield Romsey Community Support initiative.

Romsey Neighbourhood House member Kathryn Chai said the initiative enabled the community group to distribute more than 1700 meals to the community.

“To say that times are tough and that many have been severely impacted by this pandemic would be an understatement,” she said.

“With so many financially impacted through loss of work, reduced hours, slowing down of business, having to self-isolate or quarantine due to health requirements and feeling isolated and disconnected from family, friends and community, this initiative has been more important than ever in supporting our communities and looking after each other.

“With the amazing generosity of the community, individuals and local businesses, we have been able to cook and provide in excess of 1700 frozen meals, deliver food parcels, conduct weekly friendly chats and provide additional support through referrals to other agencies.”

The initiative has relied solely on the generosity of Lancefield and Romsey residents, as no government funding has been provided.

“To date, all of this has been done without any formal emergency relief funding from local or state government – this has been possible through food and monetary donations from our generous community and volunteers assisting with cooking, food deliveries and keeping locals connected through friendly chats,” Ms Chai said.

“Lancefield and Romsey, we are in awe of the beautiful community spirit and resilience you have shown.”

The initiative is ongoing, meaning people who are struggling can still ask for support.

“If you would like to help us continue to support our communities, food donations can be made at the Romsey IGA, Lancefield Townhouse, Lancefield and Romsey Neighbourhood Houses, in the FoodBank boxes, and all other donations can be made by calling 0491 243 996,” Ms Chai said.

“If you or anyone you know could do with a helping hand during this time, please do not hesitate to call 0491 243 996. Lancefield Romsey Community Support is a community initiative, by the community, for the community.”

Economic strength a priority for candidate

The North Central Review

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September 22, 2020

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Economic strength a priority for candidate

FOUNDER and chair of the International Women’s Federation of Commerce and Industry Diana Abruzzi will run for Macedon Ranges Shire Council in the upcoming elections.

Ms Abruzzi lives in Woodend and is renowned for her passion to achieve her goals, and her compassion towards women struggling to find economic opportunity and dignity.

Ms Abruzzi plans to stand as a councillor in the west ward, and said she wanted to battle the economic storm caused by the pandemic.

Living in Macedon Ranges Shire and believing charity starts at home, Ms Abruzzi said she had always felt compelled to play her part where possible.

This led her to instigating overseas trade missions to the Macedon Ranges to foster economic development and new business opportunities for local residents.

Ms Abruzzi said she had developed an insight to the issues and challenges facing residents and businesses across the shire.

“It’s now time to take on the new emerging challenges facing local government and local businesses, and fight for the economic survival of where I live in the Macedon Ranges,” she said.

“If the Macedon Ranges hopes to move forward and prosper in these disturbing economic times, we need to specifically favour the needs of small business; focus on our core community services only to address the rising costs of living; and release the spirit of entrepreneurship to have a go without fear, if we are to survive and thrive. To do all this I need to run for local council.

“If elected my absolute determined focus will be on fighting for people’s freedoms, securing jobs for economic wellbeing, delivery efficient council services, a safe and secure community, and encourage entrepreneurs to let rip and fly.”

Ms Abruzzi said she wanted to bring her business and government contacts, organisational experience, people skills and determination to council to help the Macedon Ranges be the most accountable, dynamic, safest and liveable region in Victoria.

People can contact her by emailing diana.abruzzi@bigpond.com or call 5427 4527.