By Kath Gannaway
Around 40 Yarra Ranges residents took advantage of Yarra Ranges Council’s first outreach council meeting held at The Memo in Healesville on 26 April.
The majority, almost unanimously, were Healesville residents, and the theme of the agenda was unsurprisingly a little Healesville-centric.
The Aldi supermarket application was the ‘drawcard’ event, but Ryrie Ward Councillor Fiona McAllister and Mayor Noel Cliff, whose initiative it is to run a number of council meetings in the ‘colonies’, gave the locals an opportunity to showcase their concerns, and their achievements.
HICSA (Healesville Indigenous Community Services Association) Executive Officer, Anne Jenkins, started the meeting with an acknowledgement of Wurundjeri land and later gave a report on the work of the organisation.
Questions related to two issues that are prominent in the town – the Healesville Gateway or ‘old sawmill’ development and the prospects of an aquatic centre.
In response to her question on conditions attached to the Gateway site, Mrs Annette Hill was assured that under a new application for a service station on the Healesville entrance the applicants are ‘committed to honouring all the conditions’.
“This application is separate from the main development for procedural simplicity,” she was told.
Graham Chester asked about progress on a new aquatic centre.
He was told that two existing indoor and outdoor pools were reaching the end of their lives and that a review of council swimming pools was being undertaken.
Discussions over coming months are expected to lead to completion of the council’s swimming pool plan.
Concerns about the proposed Yarra Valley Trail led to councillors reassuring landowners of property along the Yarra River between Eyton On Yarra and Woori Yallock bridge that they would take it back to the forum. Closing date for submissions is 13 May.
Cr McAllister requested that Yarra Ranges Council renew its advocacy for a reduction in speed along the Old Healesville Road to 80km/h.
Presentations were also given by Healesville’s Change the Story group, which has brought a number of government and community groups together to address family violence.
One initiative is a program with Healesville High School and Healesville Fitness Centre, the This Girl Can project, which aims to empower young women.
Future Yarra Ranges Council meetings are destined for Warburton on 27 June, Montrose on 12 September and Upwey on 24 October.
