Yarra Ranges Community Link Holiday Hours

 

Yarra Ranges Council’s Community Links at Healesville, Monbulk, Upwey and Yarra Junction will close on Tuesday 24 December at 1pm and reopen on Thursday 2 January.

The Lilydale Community Link, including the contact centre, will close at 1pm on Tuesday 24 December.




 
The Lilydale Link will be open on Friday 27, Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 December Lilydale from 8.30am to 5pm.
 
It will be closed on Saturday 28 December and on all public holidays.
 
On Thursday 19 December, the Community Links at Healesville, Monbulk, Upwey and Yarra Junction will close at 3pm. The Lilydale Link will close at 3.30pm.
 
Call 1300 368 333 for more information.

The councillors and staff wish everyone a merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year.

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Soldier Beetles

If your garden has become overrun by a plague of beetles with a yellow or orange stripe behind their head, don’t be alarmed.

While they are easy to confuse with wasps, the soldier beetle is a harmless insect often seen in plague proportions this time of year.

Despite their numbers, they are not classified as a pest, they don’t bite or sting and pose no risk to humans.

There are no known predators and no known control but don't worry, once their breeding season is over, they will disappear in a matter of weeks.

For more information on pests, plants and other topics of interest check out Council's Greener Living web pages at www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/greenerliving.

 

 

 

 

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Weed Blitz month

Environmental weeds continue to be a blight on the Yarra Ranges landscape, particularly in the hills.

Damp, wet forest environments mixed with a large urban population have helped weeds flourish across fence lines into native forest.

Weeds compete with native plants for light, space, water and nutrients and often have faster life cycles and generate more seeds than native plants giving them the competitive edge.

Weeds can remove vital food sources and nesting places from native animals. Did you know English Ivy can smother and kill even the tallest Mountain Ash?

There are hundreds of weeds in the Yarra Ranges with Blackberry, Broom and Wandering Trad some of the biggest problems. In the hills, English Ivy, Wandering Trad, Sweet Pittosporum, English Holly, Angled Onion and Sycamore Maple are the biggest offenders.

Council and numerous community groups have been working to control weeds for years but this November the Council is urging residents to target weeds in their own backyards.

In partnership with other organisations and community volunteers, Yarra Ranges Council is holding a Wacky Wipe Out Weeds event.

The event will include information stands and performance artists appearing at local markets, a weed blitz free tipping day and a longest ivy plait competition where schools, community groups and individuals can win cash prizes.

The aim is to help educate residents about the scourge of environmental weeds.

The free weed tipping day is on Saturday 16 November with skips available at Monbulk Recreation Reserve, Kallista Community House and Kalorama Memorial Reserve from 9am until 3pm.

Bring your environmental weeds for safe disposal.

A full list of environmental weeds and advice on weed removal is available online at www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/weeds or by calling the the Biodiversity Conservation Team on 1300 368 333.

Due to State Legislation, Council will be unable to accept Noxious Weeds. For details on how to remove check out www.dpi.vic.gov.au/weeds.
 

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Burning Off? Do it Safely

As the weather starts to fine up - but is not yet too hot – it’s a great time to start clearing sections and burn off excess dry material at your property.

But before you start burning off, it is important to understand the local laws and guidelines around doing so.

Restrictions on where and when you can burn off apply depending on where your property is located. You can use our handy “When can I burn off?” tool on our website – simply enter your address to confirm the restrictions that apply at your property.

 If you do get the all-clear to burn off, the local laws team provides guidance on how to burn off safely.

These guidelines include:

·        Burning dry material only – do not burn wet or green vegetation

·        Fires must be supervised by an adult at all times – please do not leave fires unattended

·        An adequate water source (such as a hose, or at least 10 litres of stored water) must be available at the site of a fire at all times

·        Material for burning must be stacked in a pile no larger than one cubic meter (imagine the size of a toppled fridge) at any one time

·        Only one fire can be alight at a time for Residential Bushland Areas

·        Burning off can only be done during daylight hours (between 8am and 6pm)

 

Remember too, to make sure that fires are completely extinguished (with water) at the end of a burn.

 

Embers blown from a smouldering fire can alight nearby trees or vegetation and cause a fire to spread very quickly, so keep an eye on sudden changes in wind condition as your burn draws to a close.

Just a reminder that burning off is not allowed during June and July, during the Declared Fire Danger Period (set by the CFA) or on CFA declared Total Fire Ban days. Please refer to the CFA website during these periods for updates.

The Council website has fact sheets for the burning off restrictions for urban, rural or residential bushland areas.

 

For more information on burning off -  or to confirm the burning off restrictions at your property – check out the Open Air Burning Off  page or contact Council on 1300 368 333.

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Celebrating Community Safety

October is Community Safety Month and we're taking the opportunity to mark the occasion with a fun and free event in Lilydale next Friday.

If you're free between midday and 5pm on Friday 18 October come on down to the Lilydale Train Station for a community event to celebrate and promote safety within the Yarra Ranges.

The event will feature a free sausage sizzle with coffee and hot chocolate available onsite. Showbags will be handed out and local musicians will be performing live.

A range of Community Safety staff will also be available to answer questions and address concerns from residents around safety in the region.

As well as the Celebrating Community Safety event on Friday 18 October, Council officers and police will be visiting businesses in Main Street, Lilydale to discuss safety in the local community on Wednesday 23 October.

Promoting safety makes a huge difference within the community and contributes towards helping people feel safer and enjoy life. Bring your questions and join us for a fun and informative event!

For more information, please contact Council’s Community Safety Team on 1300 368 333

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L2P Program Community Feedback

Council’s Youth Services L2P program provides driving practice to learner drivers (under 21 years) who do not have access to a supervising driver or vehicle.

Learner drivers who are struggling to meet their mandatory 120 hours are matched with a fully licensed community member to work towards driving practice for their Probationary License. 
All mentor volunteers undertake a selection and training process to become supervising drivers.

Last week we received some positive feedback about the L2P program from community member Jess.

“I have just read an article in the local paper regarding the L2P program and wanted to express how happy I am this program exists!

When I was a learner driver I had to accumulate 120 hours of driving, however my mum was too nervous to take me out driving nor did she have much money for fuel. 

I had to wait until my partner turned 21 so he could be my supervising driver, which resulted in me getting my license a year and a half late and putting off getting into the career of my choice after completing VCE.

Just wanted to say keep up the great work! It's a excellent idea and I'm glad the youths of the Yarra valley are getting assistance.”

We’re always looking for more mentor volunteers, if you’re interested in getting involved please contact Youth Services on 9294 6716.

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Detox Your Home Update

On Saturday September 7, Council held a mobile Detox Your Home drop off service in Lilydale in conjunction with neighbouring Councils.  

The Detox Your Home Program is administered by Sustainability Victoria in partnership with Local Governments.

Interesting stats from the day:

·         1,037 participants attended on the day

·         Residents dropped off an average of 50 kilograms per person

·         78 per cent of respondents were first time users of the service

·         The highest volume of products collected were paint, hydrocarbons and oil

·         Most attendees came from the Yarra Ranges area

·         Approximately 51,970 kilograms of household chemical products will now be recycled for recovery and diversion from landfill

·         About 80 per cent of residents found out about the collection through the A5 flyer provided with the annual waste booklet distribution to residents

 

Council thanks neighbouring Council’s Knox and Maroondah for their support and assistance with the collection!

Detox Your Home is a shared council service to ensure all Victorian residents have access to safely dispose of chemicals, no matter where they live.

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Sustainability Recognised - At Home and Afar...

Council's Learning for Sustainability (or LfS) team works with local schools to teach students about the environment and sustainable living in a fun and practical way. 

And recently, a couple of the programs (which are developed and run collaboratively with local schools) have caught the attention of both the State Government, as well as the international community.

The team's HabitAT Schools program - one of a dozen activities offered under Council’s LfS program - has been named as a finalist in the "Environmental Protection" category of the Premier's Sustainability Awards for 2013.

With the help of customised worksheets and Council resources, teachers and students are encouraged to conduct an audit – or HabitAT Census – of their local area. They then develop a HabitAT Plan tailored to their site and take action that addresses the biggest threats to local wildlife.

The Premier's Sustainability Awards will be held on 22 October. Winners will be selected and presented at the ceremony by Victorian Premier, The Hon Dr Denis Napthine.

But it is not just sustainability fans in Victoria that are recognising the achievements of the LfS team...

Building on the fantastic collaboration between Council and The Patch Primary, the LfS team - along with The Patch's Environmental Educator Michelle Rayner - have been sponsored to present at a conference for the Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO in Okayama, Japan.

Impressively, despite the conference being attended by environmental educators from across Asia and the Pacific, the LfS team will be the only presenters from Australia at the event.

The story of Council’s partnership with The Patch Primary School will also be compiled into a resource that will distributed to the international community in the lead up to the UNESCO World Conference in 2014.

 

For more information on the Learning for Sustainability program, check out the website

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Find Your Way - New Tourist Maps

 



New maps and signs in popular Yarra Ranges towns are making life easier for tourists while supporting local business at the same time.
The town signs have been erected in Lilydale, Healesville, Coldstream, Yarra Glen, Warburton, Seville, Woori Yallock, Yarra Junction, Belgrave, Olinda, Mt Evelyn, Kallista, Montrose, Monbulk and Mt Dandenong.
Council partnered with Yarra Ranges Regional Marketing to create the signs.
The maps and signs have a consistent look and feel to help people navigate their way through the Yarra Ranges.
The maps include walking trails, picnic grounds, gardens, play spaces, aquatic centres, petrol stations as well as a list of tourism businesses.
The feedback from local business has been positive with business groups reporting an increase
The maps are available to businesses associated with Yarra Ranges Regional Marketing to use for their websites, map productions and apps.
For more information, contact Economic Development at Council on 1300 368 333.

 

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Stormsafe Week 2013

Be StormSafe before the storm hits

Storms inflicted $1.1 billion in loss and damage on Victoria in 2011 alone. That's $3 million a day or $128,000 an hour. Much of this damage is preventable.

That's why Victoria State Emergency Service (SES) is holding StormSafe Week September 9-15.

StormSafe Week encourages everyone to be better prepared for the threat of storms in the community. This year's theme is "prepare now or pay later", highlighting the simple tasks that, if undertaken before a storm hits, can save Victorians a lot of money in the long run.

Actions to take before storms hit include to:

•   Tie down loose outdoor objects and remove loose tree branches to prevent them flying into property or power lines.
•   Clean gutters, downpipes and drains to stop them backing up and sending water into your house’s roof or drains.
•   Park your car under cover and away from trees.
•   Prepare a home emergency plan and kit.

More information about preparing for storms can be found at www.ses.vic.gov.au/stormsafe

SES volunteers will hold events across the State during the week to inform communities about storm risks and ways to prepare. Information about events in your area can be found on the VICSES website at www.ses.vic.gov.au. 

A quiz will be run on Facebook to find out how prepared you are for storms. Visit www.facebook.com/vicses. 

 For SES assistance during a storm call 132 500. In a life-threatening emergency, call 000.

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Selling Your Car?

If this year's Spring Cleaning routine involves getting rid of your car, you'll most likely be selling it to an eager buyer.

But before you put it out for sale, you may want to consider how you advertise your vehicle...

Did you know, for instance, that it is actually illegal to advertise cars for sale on Council land?

Council's Local Law around advertising cars for sale on Council land has been around for several years, and breaches can attract infringement notices.

The reason for the bylaw is two-fold; not only does it help keep roadsides and nature strips free of potentially dangerous obstructions, it also preserves the natural beauty free of potential eyesores caused by "psuedo car yards".

So if you're looking to flick your car on, consider the alternative options - such as online advertising, or a car yard trade-in - before parking it on Council land.

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Garage Sale Trail 2013 is Coming!

"One big day of buying, selling and old school social networking!"

The 2013 Garage Sale Trail is on it's way and will be held nation-wide on Saturday 26 October. Yarra Ranges is proud to support the event, which promises to be a day full of bargain hunting, de-cluttering and sustainable selling.

As the Garage Sale Trail website puts it:

"The Garage Sale Trail is about sustainability, community, fundraising and creativity!

Garage Sale Trail is a platform for anyone who wants to de-clutter or raise funds for a cause. Garage Sale Trail is for anyone who wants to connect with their community; that's makers and creators, local businesses, households, cultural institutions, charities and community groups."

The Trail gives sellers a chance to de-clutter, do some spring cleaning and raise some cash. For buyers, the Trail provides an ecelectic range of pre-owned stuff for a bargain.

Check out the video below for more on how the Trail works - and keep an eye on this blog, as well as Council's website, Facebook and Twitter for more Garage Sale Trail as the day draws closer!

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Women in Leadership event

Hear Australian netballer Sharelle McMahon and a panel of other inspiring women share their stories at a free event this month.

Sharelle will join a panel including; Yarra Ranges Councillors Samantha Dunn, Maria McCarthy and Fiona McAllister, WNBL player and captain of the Swinburne Kilsyth Lady Cobras Chantella Perera and Metabolic Nutritional and Certified Body Transformation Specialist Annette Shepherd.

When: Wednesday 21st August 2013
Where: Club Kilsyth, Cnr Canterbury Rd & Colchester Rd, Kilsyth
Time: 6.15pm start

The free event will conclude with a light supper.

Places are limited and bookings can be made to Roxann Jenkins 9294 6370 or r.jenkins@yarraranges.vic.gov.au

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Community Safety Plan - Give Us Your Thoughts!

The term “Community Safety” covers a wide range of issues beyond the prevention of injury and crime in the Yarra Ranges. And it was this kind of thinking that led to the development of a Community Safety Plan – a strategy that we want your input on!

Council’s Community Safety team paired up with a number of local health, emergency and social services providers to identify the most pressing Community Safety issues in our region, and formed a Community Safety Steering Committee to come up with some ideas on how to address these. The group’s findings are detailed in the Community Safety Plan.

The six Priority Areas that the plan focuses on are:

·        Alcohol

·        Emergencies

·        Falls

·        Family Violence

·        Roads

·        Suicide

The draft Plan was recently released, and will be available for comment until Monday 2 September. Community Safety affects all Yarra Ranges residents, and we’d encourage you to take a look at the documents and have your say.

 View the Community Safety Plan here

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Help Us Shape the DAMP!

Freddy and Jack

What is a DAMP? It stands for "Domestic Animal Management Plan" and is a document used by Council's Local Laws team to guide their focus on all things pet-related.

A draft version of the DAMP that covers the next four years (2013 - 2017) was endorsed by Council last week, and is now out for public consultation.
Pet owners in Yarra Ranges are encouraged to read the plan, and give us any feedback on it by visiting www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/DAMP

We've also enlisted the help of a couple of furry residents who are directly impacted by the DAMP to help explain some of the plan's key areas of focus.

Check out the first in a series of videos starring Freddy and Jack below. And keep an eye out for more of Freddy and Jack's adventures in coming weeks.

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Weed Trade Day

 

Are you sick of pesky weeds clogging up your garden?

 

If so, we have the event for you!

 

Council is holding a Weed Exchange Day on Saturday July 20. Mayor Jim Child said the idea of the Weed Exchange Day is that residents come along and swap their weeds for a native plant – for free!

 

“Weeds are a big issue in Yarra Ranges – which is why it’s important that Council hold event such as these, to try and reduce the amount of weeds throughout the Shire.

“There will also be plant advice for those who are keen to improve their gardening skills and knowledge.

 

“Free skips will be available on the day for people to put their weeds in. So bring along as many weeds as you have!”

 

The event will be run in partnership with Friends of the Lilydale and Warburton Rail Trail, Friends of Mt Evelyn Aquaduct, Friends of Owls Land, Friends of Water Race and Quinn Reserve and Mount Evelyn Environment Protection and Progress Association (MEEPPA).

 

Lunch will also be provided on the day, so why not come along to this free informative event which promises to be lots of fun too!

 

 

When: Saturday July 20

Where: Cnr Wray Crescent & Birmingham Road, Mt Evelyn

Time: 10am-2pm

Cost: FREE

 

For more information contact Council’s Environment team on: 1300 368 333

Or visit: www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au

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Winter Shirewide out now

Check out the latest Winter edition of Shirewide online

This edition features:

• Budget overview
• Sporting facilities
• Monbulk Town revamped
• Healesville feature
• Monbulk Aquatic Centre
• Library Lobby
• New playgrounds
• No Wrong Door
• Are You Really Ok to Drive?

Shirewide online

You can also fill in the form on this page to receive Shirewide via email.

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Family Fun at Upper Yarra

Families can enjoy a day of free fun activities at the Upper Yarra Family Centre these school holidays.

The Family Expo Day will be on Friday 12 July from 10am until 1pm.

Activities will include craft, music and entertainment, giveways, food, face paint and roving performers.

There will be appearances from Harold the Giraffe and Bookaburra as well as a photo booth, live art, young children’s music workshops, story time and pilates.

The event will showcase the services on offer at the centre.

So put the date in your diary and take a look around the centre while enjoying free entertainment.

 

Check out more about the Upper Yarra Family Centre on Council's website:

 

Upper Yarra Family Centre

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Council Budget Signed Off

Work will begin on a host of capital works projects, road improvements, open space and new community facilities after Yarra Ranges Council signed off on its 2013-14 Budget last night.

Councillors voted to pass the draft budget and council plan following a period of public exhibition.

Council’s 2013-14 budget includes $155.4m of operating expenditure and a $39.5m capital expenditure program.

A 4.8% average rate increase is needed to enable council to provide the 120 plus services and carry out important projects.

This year’s budget focus is on renewing ageing infrastructure while continuing to improve council efficiency and deliver quality services.

The Yarra Ranges is such a large municipality with diverse needs and infrastructure that is ageing and needs to be replaced or upgraded.

This year Council will spend $8.8m supporting the aged and those with disabilities, $9.5m providing programs for families and young people as well as $3.2m supporting economic development and $4.1m on art, culture and heritage.

The capital works program includes:

·        $8.9m for roads

·        $4.3m for open space including playgrounds, parks and trails

·        $12m for major projects including the Regional Netball Centre, Monbulk Soccer Facility, Olinda Community Sports Pavilion.

·        $3m for buildings

·        $3.9m for plant and equipment

·        $1.8m for drainage

·        $2.7m for footpaths

·        $0.9m for townships.

 

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Warburton Mountain Bike Feasibility Study

Our Recreation Services team is currently working with World Trail to potentially set up a network of mountain biking trails around the township of Warburton.
As part of this project, World Trail is seeking input from the community, especially those who are into cycling and mountain biking.

If you've got a few minutes and want to have a say, we'd love to hear from you.

We've set up an easy-to-follow survey so that you can let us know what you think. It shouldn't take more than ten minutes and your feedback will help shape the project as things develop.

You can complete the survey here.

The survey is open until 11pm on Sunday 7th July 2013.

For more information contact Ben Bainbridge, Executive Officer Recreation Services for Yarra Ranges Council on (03) 9294 6758

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Young Leaders needed

Are you a Yarra Ranges young person looking to develop your leadership skills?

 The Young Leaders program is kicking off on July 1 and looking for young participants.

The young people needed to be aged 16-25 and live, work or study in the Yarra Ranges.

The program’s theme for this year is “Be the Change” and we are looking for young people who want to get involved in their community and make a difference.

 This program offers an opportunity for young people to learn some really useful skills that will benefit them and their community.

If you think you'd be right for this program or you know someone who would, contact Samantha Ruckle in Youth Services on 9294 6716 or email s.ruckle@yarraranges.vic.gov.au

 

 

 

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Council supports World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Wearing purple for WEAAD

Last Friday, Council's Aged and Disability Services team decked themselves out in purple gear to promote World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (which fell on Saturday 15 June).

Elder Abuse is defined by Seniors Rights Victoria as "any act which causes harm to an older person and is carried out by someone they know and trust such as family or friends."

Abuse can be physical, sexual, psychological, financial or social and the definition includes neglect.

Between one and five per cent of older people may experience Elder Abuse, however cases are often not reported or discussed within the community.

An ageing population (one quarter of Victoria's population will be over 60 years old by 2030) is likely to mean an increase in Elder Abuse cases in future years.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) seeks to "lift the rug" on this problem by highlighting the nature and prevalence of the issue, and offering support for those affected.

Council's Aged and Disability Services officers are also involved in the Elder Abuse Awareness Network (EAAN) and supports the work of Seniors Rights Victoria, who operate a free helpline and offer support services to victims of Elder Abuse and their families.

If you are concerned and would like to discuss any issues, please contact Seniors Rights Victoria on 1300 368 821

Further information of Elder Abuse can be found on the Victorian Health Department website.

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Skate and BMX plan review

Do you like to “Pop an Ollie” after school? Or maybe you “grind” your way through weekends.

If that’s the way you roll, Yarra Ranges Council needs your opinion.

We are reviewing our Skate and BMX Plan and want to hear from schools, community groups, parents, users and spectators as part of its consultation process.

The revised Skate and BMX Plan will provide us  and the community with a clear direction on the future development of Skate and BMX facilities in the Yarra Ranges.

Extreme sports like skating and BMX riding are one of the fastest growing areas of recreation participation in Australia and young people in particular are passionate about it.

 

We are keen review our plans to ensure we are providing the best skate & BMX facilities we can so we are surveying people on their views. There are prizes up for grabs for participants.

Find the survey at www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/SkateBMX.

Young people can also have their say at three local events these school holidays.

Council and Simply Skate have joined forces to run a mini Skate, Scooter and BMX event series;

·        Lilydale Skate Park on Friday 28 June from 3.30-5.30pm,

·        Upwey Skate Park on Tuesday 2 July from 2-4pm

·        Yarra Junction Skate Park on Friday 12 July from 1-3pm.

 For more information on the review contact Recreation on 1300 368 333.

 

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