Behind the Scenes in July

Recent Developments with Government and Local Agencies.

The executive committee continues to work on your behalf to communicate our needs to SYR, State and Federal Government representatives. Since the last General Members meeting the following actions have been taken:

1) Following a meeting at SYR a letter has been sent to Cr Noel Cliff, CEO Shire Yarra Ranges and Simon O’Callaghan, Economic Development SYR, re sealing of roads in each town, bus shelter installation, directional signage and Village Entry signs, we are still waiting on an official response.

2) On request from Jason Wood’s office a list of what concerns we have as a business community was forwarded to Jason’s office. This request will be used by Jason and the Liberal party to develop their policies and pre election campaign.

The issues we raised were:

Fire Ready Villages
• Installation of minimum 10,000 litre underground or above ground water tanks in each village
• Undergrounding of power poles in the Villages

Street scaping and Infrastructure Improvements
• Street Lighting
• Directional Signage for trails and walks, interpretative signage
• Construction of pedestrian walkways along with pedestrian safety improvements
• Street tree planting
• Street paving and furniture reflecting the Villages unique character and Villages style.

Marketing and Events Funding
• Events Funding, Springfest, Luscious Lunches, Masquerade Ball
• Villages map print runs, marketing material
• Village flag installation

Karin’s Walk Olinda

Approximately a year ago Karen the owner operator of The Cuckoo restaurant offered her land
to construct a Tourist Nature Board walk from the bottom of her customer car park through
natural bushland ending in Olinda Village at Credo car park some 500 metres. Funding for this
project is required so was put forward.

3) Meeting was held at CFA Olinda on 5th July with local Community representatives and Kevin Tolhurst, Fire Scientist, Kevin announced his 3 year fully funded Melbourne University study that will provide in depth knowledge of fire risk factors specific to our area. Studies have commenced and when the final report is received it will help to give a fresh perspective on our fire risk status.

4) A meeting with James Merlino is to be held on 5th August.

• We will give James our feedback on the findings of the Royal Commission. This feedback will
contribute to the broader Community feedback which will be used by the State Government
to choose which recommendations made on fire safety will be implemented by State
Government.

• For this meeting we have also requested to receive details of the Regional funding announced by John Brumby which included Sassafras, Olinda and Mt Dandenong, this way we can work to
maximize the benefit of this funding in our area.

5) A meeting with Mark Challis, CEO of Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Regional Marketing was held on the 5th July, he was interested to see what we have achieved so far, we have already isolated projects where we can work together to achieve maximum marketing and exposure to our area.