NEIGHBOURHOOD SAFER PLACES - SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA – 22/12/09

AGENDA FOR THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, 22 DECEMBER 2009 COMMENCING AT 6.00PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC CENTRE, ANDERSON STREET, LILYDALE

1. COUNCIL MEETING OPENED
2. INTRODUCTION OF MEMBERS PRESENT
3. APOLOGIES
4. BUSINESS PAPER
4.1 Neighbourhood Safer Places
A report will be circulated on potential adoption of the location of Neighbourhood Safer Places prior to the meeting.
4.2 Neighbourhood Safer Places Plan
A report on an updated Neighbourhood Safer Places Plan will be circulated prior to the meeting.
5. CLOSE

Locals to appear at Royal Commission

On Monday, 14th December, Shire of Yarra Ranges, Cr Samantha Dunn and Janice Gasking from the Dandenong Ranges Community Bushfire Group will be speaking at the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission about the process around the establishment of Neighbourhood Safer Places in the Shire of Yarra Ranges and Township Protection Plans for the Dandenongs.
You can view the proceedings via the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission web site.

Warburton Recreation Reserve Master Plan

Submissions/Comments close on the 8th January 2010.

The Warburton Recreation Reserve provides the opportunity for both passive and active recreation and sports participation. The master plan was initiated following requests from the reserve tenants to improve the playing field and amenities, and in anticipation of nearby major tourist developments such as the Edgewater Spa Resort.

From Council meeting 9th October 2009.
Resolved on the motion of Crs Templer and McRae - That:
1. The Draft Warburton Reserve Master Plan be released for public comment for two months as outlined.
2. A meeting be convened with the owners/occupiers of the commercial properties abutting the Reserve to consider their parking and rear access requirements, prior to finalisation of the Master Plan.
3. Following the above public comment period, the master plan be finalised and presented for formal adoption by Council.
For more information contact Ron Pearce on 9294 6443

YARRA RANGES COUNCIL ENDORSES FIRST TWO NEIGHBOURHOOD SAFER PLACES

YARRA RANGES COUNCIL ENDORSES FIRST TWO NEIGHBOURHOOD SAFER PLACES Wednesday 9 December 2009

Yarra Ranges Council has endorsed the first two Neighbourhood Safer Places(NSP) that may be used as places of last resort in a bushfire emergency – the Monbulk Recreation Reserve and Mt Evelyn’s Morrison Reserve – at last Tuesday night’s council meeting.

However, Mayor Len Cox said it was critical residents were not lulled into a false sense of security, thinking their safety was guaranteed at these places.

“In line with the 2009 Bushfire Royal Commission’s recommendation and newly passed State Government legislation, Victoria’s Councils were required to identify, designate, establish and maintain suitable places as NSPs in their municipal districts,” Cr Cox said.

“The shire has pulled out all stops to make this happen in a very tight timeframe, while legislation and guidelines were being developed.

“However, in its interim report, the Royal Commission also stated that going to a Neighbourhood Safer Places should only be a `Plan B or C’ for residents whose primary bushfire survival plan has failed,” Cr Cox said.

The Royal Commission’s Interim Report noted that safer places “may increase a person’s chance of survival, but still entail some risk, both in moving to them during a fire and while sheltering in them. They cannot be considered, nor should they be described as safe’”.

Cr Cox said in order to be considered an NSP, each potential site had to meet strict CFA criteria regarding its ability to provide some sanctuary from the life threatening effects of a bushfire; such as direct flame contact or radiant heat.

He said the shire had submitted 67 potential sites to the CFA for assessment. Of those, 19 sites in the Dandenong Ranges, identified by the State Government as one of 52 areas in Victoria facing the highest bush-risk this summer, were given priority for assessment.

“While 12 sites met the CFA criteria, nine are not on council land and the council is awaiting confirmation on legal liability and insurance cover on sites not owned and managed by the shire,” Cr Cox said.

“Morrison Reserve in Old Hereford Rd, Mt Evelyn and the Monbulk Recreational Reserve in Moores Rd have been endorsed, however the Belgrave Library, the only other site on council-owned land, has not.

“The Belgrave Library is likely to be closed on catastrophic or Code Red Days and is not available out of hours for security reasons. As an NSP must be available 24 hours a day 7 days a week, this effectively rules out the site,” Cr Cox said.

“CFA Region 13 has said it is continuing to assess the remaining 48 sites outside of the Dandenong Ranges Township Protection Plan area, and will provide the remaining assessment results in due course.

“However, it is important to note that given the topography of our shire, places of last resort will not exist in all communities and are not designed to replace a personal bushfire survival plan.

“It is a concern that some people in the community are calling NSPs `safe places’ and there is evidence that people are already wrongly prioritising these sites into their personal fire safety plans.”

The council will ensure that appropriate vegetation clearance is undertaken on land around endorsed places of last resort, will install and maintain signage and, with the CFA, will undertake an annual assessment of the sites.

Cr Cox said the council would continue to push for the development of Township Protection Plans and the identification of appropriate Places of Last Resort for higher risk communities in the Yarra Valley and Upper Yarra areas.

THIS TUESDAY - Rally to the Shire of Yarra Ranges Council Meeting

NEIGHBOURHOOD SAFER PLACES

MAKE IT HAPPEN NOW

Rally to the Shire of Yarra Ranges Council Meeting on Tuesday 24th

More Info

Fire refuges rejected as CFA plays it safe

Mobile Phone Service - Gladysdale, Gilderoy & Powelltown

A Planning Permit Application before council next Tuesday night, if approved, will pave the way for a much sort after mobile phone service for the commuities of Gladysdale, Gilderoy, Powelltown and other parts of the Little Yarra Valley.
SUMMARY FROM THE COUNCIL OFFICER'S REPORT.
· Proposed 35m monopole, cabinet located at ground level and associated works.
· The facility would form part of the Telstra ‘Next G’ network.
· Advertised and no objections have been received.
· The proposal meets the relevant objectives of the Planning Scheme, in particular the purpose of Clause 52.19 – Telecommunication Facilities and the Shire’s Telecommunications Facilities Policy.
· Approval recommended.

REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY

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