The Let’s Talk About Warby project

The Let’s Talk About Warby project gave Council a detailed picture of the experiences of families, and what they needed to help raise their children.

While the majority of children growing up in the Upper Yarra are thriving and developing well, the available data and community feedback has identified that the developmental outcomes for some are not as strong as we would wish.

This project is a demonstration of Council’s commitment to achieving the outcomes outlined in the Child and Youth Strategy and I look forward to seeing actions emerge that make a positive difference to the lives of young children.

STOP Municipal and Industrial Landfill Levy Funding DELWP/Parks Victoria Initiatives.

I have given notice to the CEO of Yarra Ranges Council that it is my intention to move the following urgent motion at the Yarra Ranges Council meeting to be held on Tuesday 9 May, 2017.

MOTION 
That Council write to the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change requesting that funding generated through the collection of the Municipal and Industrial Landfill Levy be constrained to the purposes for which the Levy was introduced and raising concerns with the Levy funds being allocated to supplement Parks Victoria initiatives not related to the purposes of the Levy.

SUMMARY / BACKGROUND
This motion is urgent because this issue will be discussed at the forthcoming Municipal Association of Victoria State Conference on 12 May and could not be deferred to the next ordinary meeting as this will be after the MAV meeting.
It has been identified in the State Government Budget that funds have been allocated to Parks Victoria for the purpose of providing additional resources to ensure safe and equitable access to parks, which includes the redevelopment of the Parks Victoria website and a new asset management system that will replace the large asset base of Parks Victoria. Funding is also provided to Parks Victoria to start the process of acquiring land to establish three new metropolitan parks in Melbourne’s growth areas, and Anglesea Heath will be incorporated into the Great Otway National Park.
It has been stated that these initiatives will be funded from the Municipal and Industrial Landfill Levy.
The landfill levy which this Council contributes many dollars to annually was established to provide funding assistance to establish waste management infrastructure, support programs for industry, education programs and the resourcing of the bodies responsible for waste planning and management in Victoria. The levy also acts as an incentive to minimise the generation of waste and promote investment in developing alternatives to disposal to landfill.
 It is considered that the items outlined in the budget paper for Parks Victoria do not meet the intent of the allocation of this fund.

Victorian Budget 17/18 - Service DeliveryBudget Paper No. 3 Presented by Tim Pallas MP,Treasurer of the State of Victoria

Assessment of the Economic, Social and Environmental Impact of the Proposed Great Forest National Park to the Yarra Ranges Municipality

THE creation of a Great Forest National Park will have little or no positive impact on the Yarra Ranges region and could see more than 260 jobs lost. The Yarra Ranges Council’s own commissioned $33,000 independent report, says economic modelling indicated the loss of the employment associated with logging and sawmilling would result in a net loss of 264 jobs if timber harvesting was to be banned in the proposed national park. And of course would be larger if the jobs associated with support and transport services are also included. The Yarra Ranges Council’s independent report showed parks and state forests made a “significant” contribution to the Yarra Ranges economy generating more than 2700 jobs but stated the economic impact of the proposed GFNP “is in question” because it would need to generate tourist numbers well above the 500,000 who visit each year NOW. All the ecotourism activities being proposed by the GFNP proposal can be achieved with our present magnificent National Parks and State Forest systems in the Yarra Ranges and without the creation of a Great Forest National Park. ‘The proposed park would have little impact on the outcomes of the Yarra Ranges Council’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy or its Recreation and Open Space Strategy beyond the impact that is generated by the existing Parks and/or State Forests.

CLICK ON IMAGE

Council's decision to commission a report by an independent external consultant on the ‘Great Forest National Park’ proposal.
Yarra Ranges Council meeting minutes 13th October 2015.

Great Forest National Park Assesment Report

VOTE 1 JIM CHILD - O'SHANNASSY WARD.

YARRA RANGES COUNCIL - COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
If you have not received, lost or damaged your ballot material, at this late stage in the voting process it would be best for you to attend in person and vote at the Yarra Ranges Shire Council Election Office, Community Link 110 River St Healesville 3777.
Open till 8:00pm TONIGHT Thursday and 6:00pm on Friday.Call 1300 589 389 For more info.........
https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/YarraRangesElection/#RO

Please remember, to avoid the risk of being penalised for failing to vote..........
Completed ballot material must be posted or hand-delivered to the election office by 6.00 pm Friday 21 October.

Please support the Sponsors of the 2016 Yarra Ranges Living with Bushfire Community Conference.

Melbourne Water - Community Grants Program

Volunteer community groups play an important role in protecting and improving local rivers and creeks. Find out if your group is eligible for funding and how to apply.​​

Click on image for more information

Vacancy - Yellingbo Conservation Area Coordination Committee Volunteer Community Representative

Yarra Ranges Council are seeking an expressions of interest for an exciting and unique opportunity to fill a vacancy as a volunteer community representative to take part in the Yellingbo Conservation Area Coordinating Committee. 
Applicants will have experience as a local landowner and / or be well connected in the rural community.

Please click on image for more information and to apply:

For more info and apply click on image.