Upper Yarra Community Environment Park committee member Grant Eastwood surveys the property that will be turned into a sustainable living facility.By Monique Ebrington
PLANS are underway to develop the Upper Yarra Community Environment Park, Wesburn into a sustainable living facility.
The staged process will be reliant on government and independent funding to turn the seven hectare site, on Old Warburton Highway, into a community learning facility.
The property was once a chicken farm and UYCEP plan to turn the farm house into a learning centre that demonstrates sustainable living through sustainable building, transport, energy production, land management and food production.
Already the committee has received a grant from the Department of Planning and Community Development for an independent consultant to help develop a master plan for the property.
President of the Upper Yarra Community Environment Park Keith Jesse is excited about the project that he says can educate people on how to apply sustainable living techniques to their own homes.
“A lot of people are perplexed as to what they can do to contribute to sustainable living,” Mr Jesse said.
“This centre will hopefully give people two things. The first is the opportunity to discuss sustainable living issues and the second is to creatively develop options for sustainable living.”
The UYCEP committee of management is inviting the public to an information session for the community to learn more about the project and contribute their thoughts, hopes or concerns regarding the project.
“There are lots of exciting possibilities for the site and we want to make sure the community is involved and given the earliest possible opportunity for creative input,” he said.
The community information workshop will be from 6.30 to 8pm on Monday 9 February at the Wesburn Netball Club House at Wesburn Park. Attendees are requested to register their attendance through Bernie Lobert on 9294 6741 or by email b.lobert@yarraranges.vic.gov.au
