#YRCRangerTweets

Our Local Laws Rangers respond to a wide range of animal related issues across the Yarra Ranges every single day. And now, for the first time ever, residents can catch a glimpse of the team in action... all without stepping away from their keyboard.

From Tuesday, residents will be able to use social media to follow the movements of a Local Laws ranger as they attend to animal issues in the community.

Local Laws ranger Eloise will be using our Twitter account (@yrcouncil) to “live-tweet” her experiences from Tuesday 30 April until Tuesday 7 May.

Tweets composed by Eloise will include the hashtag: “#YRCRangerTweets” 

Residents will also have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss animal-related issues with Council’s team of rangers by including the #YRCRangerTweets hashtag in a tweet.

Follow our Twitter account to keep up with Eloise over the week.

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Changes to Fire Services Levy

The effects of the 2009 bushfires continue to be far reaching with the Royal Commission’s findings changing the way we look at fire management.

From July 1, 2013, the State Government will no longer collect its fire services levy though home insurance premiums. Instead, the Government has developed a property-based levy.

Councils will be required to collect this new levy on behalf of the State Revenue Office. This levy will be charged on rate notices to every property in Victoria.

When you receive your notice in August, you will see the levy listed as a separate charge. The levy will include a fixed component of $100 for residential and $200 for non-residential properties as well as a variable levy rate based on the property’s capital improved value.

There will be different levy rates charged in MFB and CFA areas. The final levy rates will not be known until the State Government’s budget is handed down in May. There will be a concession of $50 for properties owned by pensioners and veterans.

It is important to note that the levy is not a Council charge and revenue will not go to Councils. All money received from this levy will go to the State Government to fund fire services across Victoria.

This change to the way fire services are funded was made following the Bushfire Royal Commission’s findings. The Commission found the current system was inequitable, lacked transparency and discouraged some owners from insuring or fully insuring their property due to the additional cost the levy imposed on premiums.

More information about the new Fire Services Property Levy is available on the Department of Treasury and Finance website at www.dtf.vic.gov.au/firelevy.

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New Preschool Directory

Search the new preschool directory to find a preschool near you.  The directory contains up to date information on sessions times, fees and enrolment details for all preschools in Yarra Ranges.

Visit http://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/preschools for more information.

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National Volunteer Week 13 -19 May - Thanks a Million

Yarra Ranges community groups and not for profit organisations are invited to celebrate and thank the great and many contributions by volunteers to making Yarra Ranges a great place to live, work, learn and play.

Go to the Volunteering Australia website www.volunteeringaustralia.org to download posters, certificates and other useful resources to help you celebrate National Volunteer Week in 2013.

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Introduction to Plant ID and Weed control

This informative session delivered by Council’s Environment Department will help you tell your oxalis from your native orchid! The session covers basic plant identification and how to tell the difference between native, non-native, noxious, environmental weeds, exotics and garden plants.

When: 4 May at 9:30am – 12 noon

Where: Monbulk Community Link, 21 Main Rd, Monbulk.

Bookings are essential. Visit www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au and search ‘plant identification course’ or call Sarah Fowler on 1300 368 333 or email s.fowler@yarraranges.vic.gov.au

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Live Green with LESS Program

Would you like to save on your next electricity bill or have you lately upgraded your TV and don’t know if you’re entitled to a rebate?

Yarra Ranges Council, along with five other councils in the eastern region, is promoting an energy and cost saving program for households.

The program offers installation of a range of energy saving products for free or very reduced cost depending on the household’s needs. Low Energy Supplies & Services (LESS) is the official product installer.

Products on offer include compact fluorescent globes, which can reduce energy costs by $14 per globe per year and water saving showerheads and standby power controllers, which can reduce energy costs by up to $100 per year. Draft-sealing for doors and rebates for energy efficient TVs are also on offer.

An installer will be in the Yarra Ranges during April–May and October–November 2013.
Interested? Call LESS on 1300 781 998 to find out what you may be be eligible for.

The program is available for home owners and tenants. To find out more about the program go to: www.livegreen.com.au

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Living Healthily, Living Well in Yarra Ranges—Have Your Say

Yarra Ranges Council is developing its 2013–2017 Health and Wellbeing Plan and is seeking input from the community. We have developed a health profile which has identified a range of health issues across Yarra Ranges.

Council has a role in supporting its community to lead a healthy life, through the provision of services, facilities and infrastructure—for example, community hubs, parks and open space. A key role for Council is advocacy to state and federal government on the health needs of our community. Council also works with service providers to respond to community health needs and issues.

As a resident, visitor, business owner or service provider in Yarra Ranges, your opinions are important. We are keen to hear about your experience of healthy living in Yarra Ranges. Do you find it easy to eat healthily and stay active? Do you have any concerns about your health or the health of those close to you?

Go to http://yarrarangesviews.com.au/healthy-living to tell us your story. For more information please contact Cathi Walker, Social Planning and Development officer on 9294 6113 .

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Biodiversity Offset Program Wins Award

Yarra Ranges Council was the proud recipient of an Award for Excellence from the Institute of Public Works Engineeing Australia, (IPWEA) Victoria Division recently.

Council’s Biodiversity Offset Program took out the Innovative Practice/Service Delivery category at the annual IPWEA awards.

Council developed the innovative program to resolve issues with the existing state-wide vegetation offset process.

The program provides a new service by developing local and strategic vegetation offsets for residential developments and Council projects requiring a planning permit to remove vegetation.

Residents requiring biodiversity or vegetation offsets can purchase these offsets through Council.

For more information about the Biodiversity Offset Program contact the Environment Department on 1300 368 333.

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