New soccer pitch for Montrose

Montrose Social Soccer Club will celebrate the opening of its newly redeveloped pitch this Sunday 2 June.

Council has recently completed a major $375,000 upgrade of the number one pitch at the Keith Hume Fraser Reserve as well as some drainage works on the number 2 pitch. These remainder of these improvements will be completed in the coming Spring.

The redevelopment is part of a $800,000 project to revamp the reserve including an upgrade to the pavilion with the construction of additional  change rooms.

Council has been working with the club since 2009 to plan an upgrade of the reserve in line with the growing popularity of soccer.

In 2007 the Montrose Soccer Club, which is almost 40 years old, had just 15 junior members but this has steadily increased to 160 this season.

Sports such as soccer are an important part of promoting the health and wellbeing of our community, which is vitally important to council.

Council has secured $100,000 from the State Government’s Strengthening the World Game Program with the club committing $50,000 and Council a further $650,000 for the project.

Planning is well underway for upgrading the pavilion with construction expected to begin later this year.

The redevelopment is part of Council’s broader commitment to providing for soccer in the region which includes construction of the Monbulk Regional Soccer Facility scheduled to begin  next financial year.

Read More

Winter Burning Off Restrictions

Winter burning off restrictions will begin at the end of next week.

Burning off in residential bushland zoned areas is not allowed during June and July.

The restrictions, under Council’s Open Air Burning Local Law, aim to help minimise the health and amenity impacts of smoke.

During June and July materials are at their wettest and if burnt can create excessive smoke. Burning wet material is prohibited under the local law.

The law aims to find a balance between burning off for fuel reduction purposes and reducing the impact of smoke on neighbours and the environment.

Residents in rural zones can still burn for fire prevention purposes in June and July, but are reminded that burning off is not permitted on Sundays, Smog Alert Days and Total Fire Ban Days.

Residents in urban areas cannot burn off at any time.

To find out more information about the open air burning restrictions in their area, residents can use the interactive tool on Council’s website – www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au

Click on Residents and then Open Air Burning then you can type in your address on the page and the relevant information will come up.

This interactive tool aims to make it easier for residents to understand the restrictions that apply to them.

Winter is the perfect time to consider alternative ways to reduce green waste around the house such mulching, a trip to the tip or requesting a green waste bin from Council.

Residential Bushland Zone includes all or part of the following areas;

Belgrave, Belgrave Heights, Belgrave South, Coldstream, East Warburton, Ferny Creek, Healesville, Kalorama, Kallista, Launching Place, Menzies Creek, Millgrove, Monbulk, Montrose, Mt Dandenong, Mt Evelyn, Olinda, Powelltown, Sassafras, Selby, Seville, Seville East, Sherbrooke, Tecoma, Upwey, Wandin North, Warburton, Wesburn, Woori Yallock, Yarra Glen and Yarra Junction.

Read More

Celebrating Volunteers



National Volunteers Week is in full-swing and Council's Volunteer Engagement Officer Lana of Aged and Disability Services has been flat-out.

Lana coordinates volunteers for Council’s Planned Activity Group (PAG) and Meals on Wheels programs. 

For Lana, National Volunteer Week presents a natural opportunity to celebrate the incredible work and dedication of the 200-plus volunteers she looks after.

 “According to the latest Census data the Yarra Ranges region has statistically higher-than-average volunteer rates,” Lana says.

“Every day I get to see first-hand the level of commitment that our volunteers have within the community.”

Since taking on the Volunteer Engagement Officer role Lana has come across some amazing stories amongst the volunteer-base. The story of one young volunteer in particular stands out.

"Twelve years ago a young man named Ross approached us wanting to volunteer his time and help out in the community. Despite his young age (he was only twelve years old at the time) we got him involved with the PAG program at Sherbrooke Cottage," Lana says.

"Now, as a twenty-four year old, Ross has spent literally half his life volunteering with the program and describes it as a second family.

"He is currently studying and routinely comes straight from an all-night shift at his part-time job to help out at the Cottage without sleeping in between!"

The National Volunteer Week events include a certificate presentation ceremony where volunteers are personally congratulated. A "high tea" and informal mix-and-mingle session follows each ceremony.

Lana enjoys the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the hard work and tireless commitment.

“The dedication to the community displayed by our volunteers is incredible,” Lana says.

“I'm glad to have the opportunity to thank them all for continuing to make such a positive difference across the Yarra Ranges.”

Interested in becoming a volunteer? Check out the Volunteer at Yarra Ranges page on our website.

 

Read More

New boardwalk for Belgrave

A brand new pedestrian boardwalk has made the trek from Belgrave to Kallista a whole lot easier.

The elevated boardwalk links Glen Harrow Heights Rd and Bleakley track in Sherbrooke Forest alongside Monbulk Rd in Belgrave.

The project has improved safety with local walkers no longer having to cross Monbulk Rd.

As part of the project, six weed trees and one exotic species were removed and replaced with native planting.

Not only does this project provide a practical link, it also enables the community to get out and enjoy the natural beauty of the region.

Read More

Immunisation Survey

 

The topic of immunisation has been circulating around in the media over the last few days, and some of it has been a bit misleading...

A recent Herald Sun article and piece on the Sunrise program implies that in the Yarra Ranges 236 children aged five years had not had any vaccinations at all. These statistics do not take into account the parents who chose to delay the vaccinations admistered to four-year-old children until after they had turned six, or the children who had received part of the full vaccination program.

The figures quoted were obtained from the National Health Performance Authority and were calculated using information relating only to the 2011-2012 period.

The latest Department of Health quarterly statistics indicate that over the past 12 months our Immunisation team has achieved 90% coverage in the three age groups we are tested on. We’re hopeful that this is an indication that more residents are choosing to follow Victorian recommendations.

The recent media coverage highlights the continuing discussion around immunisation and we are keen to hear your thoughts on the issue.

We have re-opened a survey around immunisation services in the area – a survey we have used in the past to gather the public’s thoughts and experiences in a safe, unbiased and confidential way.

If you would like to contribute to this discussion, please fill in the online survey here

Read More

FloodSafe Week



FloodSafe Week (May 6-12) is Victoria State Emergency Service’s (SES) annual awareness event aimed at educating the community about the risk of flood.



This year’s message is that playing in floodwater is dangerous.

Not only is there a risk of drowning, floodwater itself is filthy, toxic and dangerous as it contains materials like chemicals, faeces, decaying animals, garbage and sharp debris.

Playing in floodwater may look like fun, but it isn’t.

During FloodSafe Week, Victoria SES volunteers will be running events in their community to explain flood risks and outline easy ways to stay safe.

For more information visit the FloodSafe page on the SES website.

Read More

Yarra Ranges Proposed Budget 2013-14 and Council Plan

The Yarra Ranges Council’s proposed Budget for 2013-14 and the proposed Council Plan 2013-2017 will be considered by Council at a Council Meeting on Tuesday, 14 May at 7.45pm.

These important documents provide a draft outline of key projects proposed for completion over the coming year and how they might be funded.

If endorsed by Council on the night, the draft documents and details about the public submission process will be available at Council’s Community Links and online at www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au from Thursday, 16 May for community feedback.

Details about the proposed Budget and Council Plan will also be advertised in The Age on 16 May.

For more information, contact Director Corporate Services Wayne Jack on 1300 368 333.

Read More

Yarra Ranges Positive Ageing Reference Group

Council is seeking expressions of interest from community members to join the Yarra Ranges Positive Ageing Reference Group. This key group will be responsible for supporting the implementation and evaluation of the Positive Ageing Strategy 2010-2015.

Council is seeking community members with broad interests and experience in positive ageing, who are committed to working in partnership with a range of people and agencies to promote positive ageing in the municipality.

There are three vacancies on the reference group we would like to fill.

Call Deb Martin on 9294 6216 for an expression of interest form or for more information.

Expressions of interest close on 31 May, and can be sent to:

Cheryl McInnes, Manager Aged and Disability Services, Yarra Ranges Council, PO Box 105, Lilydale, Vic 3140 or email c.mcinnes@yarraranges.vic.gov.au or phone 9294 6340.

Read More

Young Leaders Program





Yarra Ranges Youth Services is now recruiting for the 2013 Young Leaders Program. If you are aged between 17-25, interested in making a change in the community or want to represent local young people, then this program may be for you!

You will learn skills in networking, event management, public speaking and time management. You will also develop contacts with Council and various organisations, agencies and people in the community. Be the change you wish to see!

Call Amanda Anthonisz on 9294 6716.

Read More