Greetings Members and Supporters,
This newsletter is to bring you up to date on various matters currently before the Warrandyte Community Association and to engage more closely with members and supporters.
More Tourism for Warrandyte?
A number of hospitality venues have applications before Manningham Council to expand their facilities and significantly increase allowable patron numbers, along with associated vegetation removal and infrastructure such as car parking.
These applications highlight the tension between developer and business interests on the one hand, and the desire of local residents to protect township amenity and the environment on the other. The desire of businesses to promote and expand tourism has to be balanced by the desire of residents to maintain a village atmosphere and scale and to minimize traffic volume, especially on weekends.
We will keep you posted on developments, but in the meantime, you can find more detail on the Council website by searching for the relevant planning application number. The following are of particular interest.
The Stonehouse Cafe 321 Ringwood/Warrandyte Road which wants to increase its numbers from 75 to 120 and extend its hours to 11pm.
PLA21/0036
Riverlea Estate 2-54 Croydon Road is seeking to more than double its
patron numbers from 150 to 350. This venue is in the Green Wedge zone.
See Planning Application PLA21/0010
Bramleigh Estate continues its incremental increase in size and impact. This venue is also in the Green Wedge zone and is of concern because of the precedent it may set. PLN21/0185 and PLA19/0043
Your comments are welcome.
Taroona Avenue Footpath Upgrade.
Council has announced plans to create a footpath/bike track along Taroona Avenue. We have been contacted by many residents with concerns about the proposal and have asked Council to extend the submission deadline to allow for more community feedback.
Council’s proposal may be trying to do too much with this constrained road reserve. We have suggested that a simpler treatment can meet residents’ needs for improved pedestrian access and landscape protection along with the community’s need for car parking. The current proposal can be viewed on the Manningham Council website., Ref: PL17/027847
Retirement Housing Co-Operative
The Warrandyte Community Retirement Housing Coop Ltd. started as a sub-committee of the WCA and is now a separate organization although most of the Directors are WCA members. It provides independent living on a loan-lease basis for older Warrandyte residents. We have recently completed a submission in response to the Royal Commission on Aged Care and also to an options paper on the Retirement Villages Act, under which it is governed. We are seeking volunteers with an interest in the area or particular expertise to serve as Directors. For further information please ring the Coop Chair, Dick Davies, on 0413 753 622
Warrandyte Market
The monthly Warrandyte Riverside Market is now the most successful and popular in the Eastern suburbs. It is managed under contract to Manningham Council by a sub-committee of Rotary which also includes the WCA, Lions, the CFA and Warrandyte Community Church. The market is run by volunteers and funds generated from running the market help support community groups and various community projects. The WCA’s specific role includes managing the ‘bump-out’ to ensure orderly pack-up and departure at lunchtime. We are always looking for new volunteers to assist for only an hour or two. If you are able to help, even occasionally, please ring Dick Davies, on 0413 753 622.
Excessive Tree Removal
Unauthorized and excessive tree removal continues to be a constant concern, both in Manningham and Nillumbik. If you are aware of these problems, we will take up the matter with our local Councilors Carli Lange (Manningham) and Ben Ramcharan (Nillumbik).
Local Law Review
Nillumbik Council will be undertaking a review of some of its local laws. Local laws respond to issues and community needs and are designed to ensure the actions of an individual or group do not have an adverse effect on others. Community engagement will commence in May and is the first round of consultation.
For further information go to: https://participate.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/local-laws
A Big Milestone: 20 years for the WCA
The WCA celebrates its 20th anniversary this November. A big party celebration is planned. If you have any memorabilia, photos, stories to tell or ideas for the celebration please contact long-standing former President Dick Davies at: dickdockdavies@gmail.com
Upcoming Events
RECYCLE/UPCYCLE DAY at Warrandyte Uniting Church
Date: TBA after current lockdown ends.
Venue: Warrandyte Uniting Church,
cnr Taroona Ave & Westend Rd
RECYCLE
Bring your items to be recycled & reused – TVs, CDs, DVDs, bicycles, computers, ink cartridges, phones, glasses, stamps, material, buttons, batteries, bras, light globes, stationary, children’s games and toys, business and children’s clothes, toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes & more.
UPCYCLE
Huge range of goods for sale – furniture, appliances, books, material and more.
Nab a cheap bargain and save on landfill.
Changing of the Guard
As you probably know, WCA President Carli Lange was elected to the Manningham City Council last year and as a result has resigned as President. The Committee has appointed me as interim President until the next AGM.
Regards
Terry Tovey
President
27 May 2021