Last night Yarra Ranges Council met for the 500th meeting since amalgamation. The Yarra Ranges Shire Council was created by the Order of the Governor in Council on Thursday 15th December 1994, and involved the amalgamation of the former Shires of Healesville, Lillydale, Sherbrooke and Upper Yarra. The 500th meeting was celebrated with a Welcome to Country from Julie Coombes, representing our local Wurundjeri people, a speech from the Mayor Cr Tony Stevenson who then invited Cr Len Cox OAM to reflect on the past 22 years and his time as the Council’s first Mayor and of course a there was cake !
Yarra Ranges Council Meeting Tuesday 27/09 7pm at Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Anderson Street, Lilydale. Members of the public are more than welcome to attend. Items for resolution. ......... . Planning Application YR-2018/1143 – 238-240 Maroondah Highway, Chirnside. . Cultural Diversity Policy. . Regional Tourism Review Submission . 2018-19 Annual Financial Statements and 2018-19 Performance Statement - Adoption in Principle. . Tip Pass Policy Renewal. Also: . Items raised through the Chair. . Reports from delegates. Agenda: https://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Council/Council-meetings/Minutes-and-agendas
Council is again calling on the State Government to review the Building Act and simplify its use when it comes to churches and other organisations offering shelter for rough sleepers.
Earlier this year, following on advice from the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) Council confirmed that organisations offering temporary or permanent accommodation for homeless people would be required to obtain relevant occupancy permits to ensure buildings are safe for that use.
Council notified Stable One of these requirements in April and provided them an opportunity to apply for a Temporary Occupancy Permit under Section 64 of the Building Act 1993 for this year and a building permit for the following year prior to the Winter Night Shelter commencing in June.
Following a unanimous Council resolution, Council provided support for the Winter Night Shelter Project.
Additionally it was decided to seek support from other councils and to advocate to the Minister for Planning for changes to the building regulations, to help support community organisations in providing temporary shelter for homeless people.
In response to this the Minister confirmed that any organisation that is wishing to accommodate – temporary or permanent – needs to hold the relevant occupancy permits indicating that the building is fit for occupation and use as accommodation.
Council was made aware on Tuesday that the Winter Night Shelters were still operating.
Unfortunately, based on the previous advice from the VBA, Council had no choice but to ask them to stop operating until an occupancy permit was in place.
Yarra Ranges Mayor, Tony Stevenson said that organisations assisting people who are experiencing homelessness, such as Stable One, face significant building works if they want to continue under the current Building Act.
“In Yarra Ranges, homelessness has continued to grow over the last decade due to a number of factors, such as the increase in housing prices and extreme scarcity of affordable rental properties,” Cr Stevenson said.
“It’s a reality that any person in the community is only a few steps away from experiencing homelessness and though we have some great organisations and volunteer groups working to help people sleeping rough, there needs to be more action at the Government level to help address the causes and provide flexibility and assistance to those working on the ground.
“The Building Act requires fire safety equipment upgrades and essential safety measures to be implemented on a building to make it eligible for a temporary occupation – for groups offering one night of accommodation in a local church, the cost of those works just isn’t feasible.
“While we understand the importance of fire safety measures when it comes to buildings used for accommodation, the act provides little flexibility for groups utilising community buildings for very short term relief services.”
Stable One was established by concerned community members in 2016 to provide shelter for the homeless in partnership with churches located in Yarra Ranges.
The Stable One Winter Night Shelter pilot project first ran in 2017 and on the back of its success the project ran for a second year in 2018. A similar project is planned in 2019.
The shelters are located at seven participating churches in and around Lilydale, each church providing one night’s accommodation per week on a rotating basis for 13 weeks during the winter months.
Last year the shelters provided accommodation for 26 men and women from Yarra Ranges.
“The state building regulations are in place to help protect the community by minimising risks, particularly matters such as health, amenity and fire safety ,” Cr Stevenson said.
“Based on the advice from the Victorian Building Authority, we’ve had no choice but to ask Stable One to stop operating until they have occupancy permits to ensure the health and safety of the occupiers of the building.
“We’re bound by the State Government’s legislation so we hope the Planning Minister looks into a review of the Act with some urgency, so that organisations doing great work with some of our most vulnerable community members have more clarity, flexibility and discretion about how they can continue.
“In the meantime, we’ll continue to advocate in this space with other Councils and provide support and advice where we can to our community groups.”
Checking out the progress of the Yarra Valley Trail Stage 1A Lilydale to Yering. .. Work is currently underway to build more than 40 kilometres of trail, connecting Lilydale with Yarra Glen and Healesville, then across to the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail, creating a valley-wide loop. The Yarra Valley Trail project will draw new visitors to the Yarra Valley as well as increasing the length of stay by offering a new visitor activity. It is estimated to attract 210,000 users annually, generate $16.3 million in economic spend and create 120 new jobs. For more information check out: https://www.rideyarraranges.com.au/ Yarra Ranges CouncilYarra Ranges BusinessCEDA - Warburton ValleyYarra Glen Chamber of Commerce Inc.Visit Warburton - The Waterwheel
With Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Cr Tony Stevenson, Cr Fiona McAllister and Tony Smith MP.
With Chris Thomas, Chair of the Waburton Sports Committee.
On Saturday morning 17th August we were privileged to have the Mayor of Yarra Ranges Council Cr Tony Stevenson turn the sod to officially commence the construction of the Warburton Community Recreation Precinct. It was fantastic to have Principal Damian Marley and students of the Warburton Primary School attend, along with Principle Rod Barnard and students from the Millwarra Primary School their contribution in the design stage was integral to the project. Also attending were Chris Thomas and members of the Warburton Sports Committee who have pledged $120,000 for playground equipment, also Jeff Gill and members of the Warburton Advancement League pledging a further $20,000 to a piece of playground equipment, we sincerely thank these two community organisations for their hard work in raising funds and their generosity to support this truly magnificent community project. A big thank you to the Hon Tony Smith MP MHR for Casey for his support through the Rivers and Ridges Yarra Ranges funding to fund Stage 2 and the completion of the Project. ... Thank you All. PS... Thank you Warburton Advancement League's James McEwan for such great photos.
Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Cr Tony Stevenson turns the Sod.
I feel compelled to respond to this week's social media and press commentary in relation to Boinga Bob's home in Warburton. The Yarra Ranges Council compliance team is committed to working with residents to ensure their properties are safe for themselves, their families and members of the public. Where non-compliant works are identified, compliance officers seek the cooperation of property owners to undertake the building works required to bring their property up to a safe standard. I have been advised by Council officers that on receiving a Works Building Order and Building Notice on his property, Boinga Bob has engaged the professional assistance required to bring his home into compliance. Council, Bob and his building project manager have worked together to identify the issues, clarify the works required to make the building safe, and to establish an agreement to ensure works were completed within set time-frames. Council appreciates the value Bob’s property holds in the hearts and minds of local residents and visitors to the site. The priority of Council compliance officers has been around keeping Bob and the community safe, hence the installation of security fencing whilst works are in progress. The best compliance outcomes are achieved when property owners display a willingness to work with Council to meet building regulations. Taking property owners through a Court process is a last resort, but unfortunately is necessary at times. Happily in this instance, Bob is willing to comply, and it is hoped a positive outcome can be achieved. I thank Bob and his supporters for working with Council to ensure appropriate works can be completed. CEDA - Warburton ValleyI lived in Warburton, Victoria, Australia.Save BOINGA BOBS house!Boinga BobsBoinga BobsBoinga BobThe Warburton NetworkWarburton Advancement League
