By JESSE GRAHAM
Community ire over Environmental Strategy
A MEETING between farmers and Yarra Ranges Council last week resulted in raised voices and community members saying they had ‘no voice’ for their issues.
However, the council has said they’re listening to the needs of the community and shaping their environmental strategies accordingly.
Some 25 farmers and Yarra Ranges residents met with Yarra Ranges Council staff and Mayor Fiona McAllister at Hoogies in Yarra Glen on Wednesday 12 March.
Organised by Hoogies owner Peter England and local farmer Brett Whelan, the meeting aimed to raise concerns from farmers with the current Environment Strategy, which is being replaced this year.
Yarra Ranges Council’s manager of Environment, David Harper, answered questions about the new Environment Strategy and heard numerous comments and complaints from the farmers.
The meeting quickly resulted in frustrated farmers outlining hardships caused by the current Environmental Strategy, which includes permits for taking down trees – even if they are diseased or dying.
Other concerns were on services such as roads, and interacting with the council, Yarra Valley Water and Melbourne Water on topics such as rivers and waterways on properties.
The overarching argument was verbalised towards the end of the meeting, when one of the attendees told Cr McAllister and Mr Harper that they felt disconnection between the farming community and the council.
“We just feel that you’re (Yarra Ranges Council) very urban, and we’re not,” they said.
Mr Whelan echoed the sentiment, and said that farmers could be left feeling like they were on their own.
“We may be small in number, but we make up a large proportion of the area, and we feel like we don’t have a voice,” Mr Whelan added.
Mr Harper said the meeting and discussion with the community members was a good opportunity to hear the concerns, which would help shape the new Environment Strategy.
“These are things we need to fix, and that’s why we’re here,” he said.
He said the council’s staff had already contacted more than 200 people in regards to the Environment Strategy, and that staff would read each and every comment made on the matter.
Cr McAllister acknowledged the difficulties outlined by the farmers, and helped to make suggestions to the council’s officers, including the possibility of removing certain permit requirements on trees.
She said she was walking away from the meeting with all of the issues raised in her mind, and assured the attendees that the current Environment Strategy was not endemic of the new council.
“It’s a different council, with a different philosophy,” she said.
“We need some balance and common sense.”
Mr Harper said the draft of the new strategy would be available for public comment in around four months, and would then be shaped accordingly.
The council’s Environment Strategy discussions are separated into a multitude of issues, including liveable communities, energy use and climate change, weeds and pests, fire, water and native plants and animals.
Comments can be made by calling council on 1300 368 333, writing a letter to PO Box 105 Lilydale, 3140, emailing mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au, entering a form on the council’s website or taking part in an online forum at www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au.
Submissions can be made until 29 March.
