Shire

By Kath Gannaway
YARRA Ranges Council has given the go-ahead to the development of a Community Environment Park in Wesburn.
A 7.4 hectare shire-owned site next to the old Wesburn Transfer Station (tip) has been set aside.
Councillors enthusiastically endorsed at their 23 October meeting the concept of a CERES-style park and agreed to provide the Upper Yarra Community Environment Park (UYCEP) committee of management with a free five-year lease of the land as part of a partnership agreement with the shire.
Council funding of $12,000 will also be referred for consideration to the 2008-09 budget as part of the agreement.
Other partners involved in pulling the project together include the Upper Yarra Community House and the Upper Yarra Community Building Initiative.
Keith Jesse, president of the new committee, welcomed council’s endorsement of the concept, predicting the UYCEP would become the jewel in the crown of the Shire of Yarra Ranges.
“It’s an exciting development for the shire and will be a community facility which will enhance the development of sustainable living in the shire,” he said.
Mr Jesse has worked at CERES in Brunswick for 15 years.
He said the concept of the Upper Yarra Community Environment Park was modelled on the centre which was recognised as a dynamic sustainable living community that also held cultural events and festivals, organic food markets, environmental education and training programs.
“We will have some of these things, but will also have to be cognisant of the planning overlays,” he said, referring to the Green Wedge status of the property.
The site has, however, an existing permit for a “Horticulture and Business Training Park” from its previous use by the Upper Yarra Community House which has run training programs there, and council recognised the permit as an existing use.
“There will be a strong emphasis on practical knowledge here, the sort of programs people can do to live sustainably in their own households,” Mr Jesse said.
There was also a strong emphasis in the council’s recommendation that the project should have broad community involvement. Among the groups represented on the new committee are members of the Warburton Community Bank, Swinburne University, Bridge 3799, Little Yarra Steiner School and independent local residents with strong credentials in organic farming, horticulture and environmental consultancy.
O’Shannassy Ward Councillor Monika Keane is also on the committee.
She said the project was an exciting new opportunity for businesses, organisations and residents in the Upper Yarra to be involved in a very hands-on way with a valuable and innovative new local project.
“It’s exactly the sort of project the council supports but it’s not something we’ve gone into lightly,” Cr Keane said.
“The council wanted to make sure there would be good governance, so with the CERES type centre we are confident it will be successfully run.
“From my perspective we have had a very good facilitative role and feel it has a very positive and exciting future.”
Mr Jesse said the next step was to develop a business plan and a master plan for the project which he said aimed to harness the creative energy and vision of the local community in the development of sustainable living solutions.