Shire under fire over fires

By Tania Martin
THE UPPER Yarra and Dandenongs Environment Council has slammed the Shire of Yarra Ranges for ignoring concerns over bushfires in its draft housing strategy.
The council last week approved the strategy after a two-year consultation process.
It received 242 submission and two petitions with many residents raising concerns over the suggestion of increased density in the Upper Yarra region.
Since then the council has put together an issues paper and conducted further community consultation.
The revised draft housing strategy outlines plans for new housing developments in eight centres – Kilsyth, Mt Evelyn, Mooroolbark, Lilydale, Chirnside Park, Yarra Glen, Yarra Junction and Healesville.
The environment council’s Jo Tenner last week questioned the lack of attention to the risks of increasing housing density in bushfire-prone areas.
Ms Tenner said the fire risk had been one of the top concerns raised by residents and it was a concern it had not even rated a mention.
The council last week rejected calls for the strategy to be postponed until after the Royal Commission.
Billanook Ward’s Cr Tim Heenan said there had already been plenty of consultation and that when the planning scheme amendment was advertised there would be a further chance for residents to have their say.