Wednesday, 30 October 2019

Millgrove River Rd Trail

It was fantastic to be with members of the Millgrove Residents Action Group (MRAG) and staff from Yarra Ranges Council Recreation and Active Living Team to walk the proposed route of the River Rd Walking Track/Trail. This trail will not only provide a magnificent walking experience along the Yarra River it will also provide safe pedestrian access from River Rd to the Millgrove shops but more importantly safe access to the Millwarra Primary School (Millgrove campus).
This project is one of many that have been prioritised in the Millgrove Community Plan. Looking around Millgrove today much has be achieved in line with the plan, an absolute credit to MRAG, Yarra Ranges Council and the Millgrove community.

Beenak Cemetery



So many years since I've been out to the Beenak Cemetery, such a beautiful and well maintained memorial to so many. To me today, walking through the cemetery was a time to quietly reflect on those many local community identities laid to rest here......
Thank you so much the Trustees of the of the Beenak Cemetery Trust.
Read more at: http://www.beenakcemetery.org.au/history.html

Sunday, 27 October 2019

Powelltown, Gilderoy & Three Bridges Emergency Evacuation Exercise

Thank you to all the emergency service agencies, Powelltown, Gilderoy & Three Bridges communities for an outstanding bushfire emergency evacuation exercise. There will be learnings to come out of the exercise that will strengthen our community resilience.
The CFA's Cheif Officer Mr Warrington said the day was about encouraging people to come up with a plan and be prepared to leave quickly when necessary.
"You will not get someone knocking on your door," he warned.
"Plan as if the fire services, the emergency services don't exist, and if we turn up, it's a bonus."

Read ABC story @ https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-26/fire-drill-prepares-victorian-towns-for-summer-bushfire-season/11642522?pfmredir=sm&WT.ac=statenews_vic&fbclid=IwAR06CmdQfC03usZPbCUlC4LJxo8lIc6LUc9LmtcmOQKzWfh0s9LG0jXFlzI





Friday, 25 October 2019

Yarra Ranges Council Annual Report 2018-19

Yarra Ranges Council adopts Yarra Ranges Annual Report 2018-19
22nd October Council Meeting, Yarra Ranges Council adopted its 2018-19 Annual Report, which is now available to the public.
https://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Council/Latest-news/Council-adopts-Yarra-Ranges-Annual-Report-2018-19

Powelltown, Three Bridges and Gilderoy bushfire evacuation exercise.

⚠️ Tomorrow residents of Powelltown, Three Bridges and Gilderoy will take part in a bushfire evacuation exercise organised by
Victoria PoliceCFA (Country Fire Authority)Vic EmergencyAustralian Red Cross and Yarra Ranges Council.
The exercise is about testing preparedness of not only emergency services, but also the community and identifying opportunities for improvement.

Wednesday, 23 October 2019

Powelltown has waited long enough for a Community Alert Siren

Powelltown is situated in one of the most bushfire prone areas of the State and this resilient community needs to have the full suite of warning systems.
At last night's Yarra Ranges Council meeting held in Warburton I moved the following Urgent Motion.
That Council
1. Note the request received from the Yarra Ranges Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee, for Council to raise with Emergency Management Victoria the matter of the proposal from the Powelltown Residents Water Association for a Community Alert Siren in Powelltown.
2. Acknowledge the proposal is considered to be a very important community safety initiative that has the unanimous support of the emergency agencies of the Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee and the Powelltown Community.
3. Write to the Hon. Lisa Neville, Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Andrew Crisp APM, Emergency Management Commissioner, and Cindy McLeish MP, the State Member for Eildon, to advocate on behalf of the community, Council’s support for the implementation of the conversion of the CFA siren at Powelltown to a Community Alert Siren.
The motion was Carried unanimously.
An initial request was made by the Yarra Ranges Municipal Emergency Planning Committee (MEMPC) to Emergency Management Victoria (EMV) for the implementation of the conversion of the CFA siren at Powelltown to a Community Alert Siren in a letter dated 18 August 2016. A further letter was sent following the MEMPC meeting in May 2019 and, while acknowledged, a response to this is awaited. The matter cannot reasonably be deferred in light of the strong media coverage for the upcoming Powelltown, Gilderoy & Three Bridges bushfire evacuation exercise on Saturday 26 October. A resolution of Council in advance of this exercise will enable the Chief Executive Officer to raise the matter with the Minister and the Emergency Management Commissioner and advocate the position of Council, the Yarra Ranges Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee, the Powelltown Residents Water Association and the local community.
Download Urgent Motion: https://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/files/assets/public/webdocuments/council/minutes-agendas/2019-10-22_council_meeting_late_items_agenda.pdf


Sunday, 20 October 2019

Bushfire evacuation exercise


On Saturday 26th Oct residents of Powelltown, Gilderoy & Three Bridges will see an increased police presence in the area. There is no cause for alarm.
Victoria PoliceVic Emergency agencies and residents of Powelltown, Three Bridges and Gilderoy are preparing to take part in a bushfire evacuation exercise on Saturday 26 October.
On the 26th of October:
. Powelltown township will be OPEN for business as usual.
. Through traffic, not participating in the exercise will be allowed to travel through Gilderoy, Three Bridges and Powelltown.
· Local residents have been asked to register to participate in the exercise;
· This is an opportunity for the residents of Three Bridges, Gilderoy and Powelltown to practice their emergency plans.
Yarra Ranges Council Yarra Ranges Business Little Yarra Valley Neighbourhood WHYLD Community Group Warburton Advancement League Millgrove Residents Action Group Connecting 3799 WHYLD Community Group Yarra Junction Lives Reefton/McMahons Creek Community The Warburton Network Vic Emergency Victoria Police Eyewatch - Yarra Ranges Police Service Area Forest Fire Management Victoria DELWP PortPhillip Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning CFA District 13 Little Yarra CFA SES Upper Yarra Unit RedCross


Well done Peter, Mick (Powelly Pub) and the communities of Powelltown, Gilderoy & Three Bridges. .....
Thank you Victoria Police & Vic Emergency Agencies including Yarra Ranges Council.