Wednesday, June 30, 2010

KFT Design Framework Website

VBRRA & Murrindindi Shire are asking communities to particpate in long term planning of townships.

Have your say on the Kinglake Ranges, Flowerdale and Toolangi Community Forum at www.kftplan.com.au

You can sign up to make comments/feedback on areas of concern and what you would like to see in the future for your area.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Flowerdale Community Meeting

Flowerdale Community Meeting
Monday 5th July
Flowerdale Hall, Whittlesea-Yea Road
7pm

Come along to find out what achievements Flowerdale have accomplished, Report from FRC and Government Agencies and discuss any issues you may have

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Early Learning Hub progressing well

Plenty of progress at the Early Learning Hub this week.

The footings were poured last week and this week the walls are being built.



Friday, June 25, 2010

Flowerdale Women's Chainsaw Course

The first of the scheduled Women's Chainsaw classes was conducted over the two Saturdays 12th and 19th of June, and went off very well. The first class focussed on maintenance, fuels, oils, cleaning and checking the saws, chain tensioning, Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing, teamwork, and starting the saws. The second class included a revision session, and then we went on to starting and moving with the saws, setting up and managing the work space, limbing and cross cutting a fallen tree.

The four who completed the course are: Tina Varano, Anna Burgess, Kirran Wilcoxen, and Odette Hunter, and I'd like to extend them my congratulations.

These four will receive a certificate of achievement, although I am not able to grant full accreditation as we are not a Registered Training Organisation.

I'd like to thank the women in the class for their focus, their interest and their keenness to gain the skills associated with chainsaw work. I'd also like to compliment them on their excellent attitude to the safety issues we raised and discussed during the course.

Classes will continue on Saturdays through June and July for those women who originally enrolled, and we will be scheduling further classes later in the year for those who continue to express their interest in the course.
Written by Peter Auty

Feedback for New Community House

The Program Reference Group (PRG) are looking for input/feedback on the new Community House to be built at the old Jarara Site in Silver Creek Road.
The building plans are available here on the Blogspot http://helpflowerdalenow.blogspot.com/2010/06/concept-design-flowerdale-community.html , Hazeldene General Store, Flowerdale Hall/Community House, Flowerdale Hub

The issues identified within the Group for community input are as follows:
1. Playground - size, access, fencing & location
2. Memorial Garden Location
3. Carpark access - location, surface & size, existing slab
4. Water Storage
5. Design of Playgroup area
6. Storage
7. Name of Centre

Email : fchplans@gmail.com with your input.

If you would like to be an observer at PRG Meetings please contact Cris Ruhr, Council Representative for the King Parrot Riding and Chair PRG
via e-mail or mobile:
Email: cruhr@murrindindi.vic.gov.au
Mobile: 0459 066 637

Rebuilding Rental Properties

Rebuilding Rental Properties Flyer

Rebuilding Rental Properties

Wednesday 21 July
Rebuilding rental properties
Landlord forums are being held in Kinglake – come along and tell us what assistance you need
to rebuild your rental property. Hear from experts in property, finance and construction and ask them questions.
Time: 5 – 7pm
Location: Kinglake Ranges Business Centre, Main Rd, Kinglake.
To RSVP or for more information please contact Lily Cortie on 9092 5892 or email
lily.cortie@dpc.vic.gov.au
More details or you can visit: www.wewillrebuild.vic.gov.au

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Fact Sheets from Community Feedback Day

If people were unable to attend the community feedback consultation day last Sunday you can still provide your suggestions by emailing Sarah Martin SMartin@murrindindi.vic.gov.au
All feedback needs to be emailed back by close of business Friday 2nd July.

Fact Sheet Youth Facility KF 1706



Fact Sheet_New Use for Existing Tennis Courts 1706



Fact Sheet Men's Shed 1706



Fact Sheet Fdale Rec Facilities MSC 1806



Fact Sheet Community Garden 1706

Rotary Helps Flowerdale Tennis Club


Written by Flowerdale Tennis Club
Thursday, 24 June 2010

FLOWERDALE Tennis Club has been fortunate to receive financial assistance for its courts development project from Rotary clubs from around Australia thanks to links with the Rotary Club of Yea.

Yea Rotary Club has kindly arranged a donation of $3000 to help provide new nets that will be required for the four new courts.

Flowerdale Tennis Club has been working hard over the past 18 months to raise funds to build four new courts to accommodate its many new members.

The State Government has committed $160,000 towards the project and Murrindindi Shire has been very supportive with funds of $30,000 and other project assistance.

Flowerdale Tennis Club president Jeannette Kamar thanked the Rotary Club of Yea for the kind donation.

She said the club had been overwhelmed by the generosity of many individuals and clubs such as Rotary who were keen to help redevelop sports and recreation facilities for the Flowerdale community.

Yea Rotary Club president Rodney Ridd (third from right) was joined by fellow Rotarians (from left) Julie Lynch, Ruth Konig, John Bett, Don McQueen and David Long to present a cheque to Flowerdale Tennis Club president Jeannette Kamar.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Winter Warmers

Winter Warmers

Friday 25th June 1-4pm

From all over Victoria and NSW people have been busy knitting and donating goods for bushfire relief.

We have hats and scarves in all kinds of sizes and colours, blankets, quilts, clothing, craft books and supplies. Book exchange and cuppa also available.

If unable to attend at that time
please contact Bev on 57865661.

Kinglake West Uniting Church
1050 Main Road

Sunday, June 20, 2010

A Big Night at the Community Fancy Dress Dinner

Friday night saw the Fancy Dress Community Dinner. A crowd of around 150 turned up in a wide variety of costumes.



Cowboys, cowgirls and sherriffs mixed with superheroes, vampires and witches. A lot of famous characters from books were there including the Mad Hatter, Dorothy and Zorro.





There were presentations from the Cricket Club with a special Flowerdale Cake featuring the Tree Logo.



Entertainment was provided by a fantastic live band featuring local Michael Minten on drums.

It was a great Flowerdale night with lots of laughs.

I will get more photos during the week and post them online. Thanks to all those who did so much work to get the night together and make it run so smoothly.

Despite news reports building work keeps accelerating

It was interesting to read the article in the Herald Sun "Bushfire Rebuild Falters". There is no way you would say that rebuilding work is faltering in Flowerdale.

I did a count a couple of weeks ago and counted over 70 complete or on the go between the Flowerdale signs. I am sure I would have missed a few as well.

Every time I drive into town I see the signs of new building work everywhere. For the casual observer it is really noticeable when you drive into the Southern end of town with four in a row that all look pretty close to completion. You also see a really big cluster of activity in Creekside with many that are complete or close to completion.

Driving down Silver Creek, Silver Parrot, Riverside, Goats Rd and Long Gully you realise there is rebuilding activity everywhere.

It is a credit to all who have endured so much adversity since February 2009 that so many have been able to work their way through what is a tough process.

Update on Early Learning Hub

The work at the Flowerdale Early Learning Hub is continuing well notwithstanding some pretty wet weather in the last couple of weeks.

Over the last two weeks the foundations have been dug and last week the concrete footings were poured.

Work is all proceeding well and the target for completion is October.

The latest pictures are below:






Thursday, June 17, 2010

Acting CEO Rob Croxford accepts new role

Acting CEO Rob Croxford accepts new role. Posted on Murrindindi Shire Website 17/6/2010

Acting Chief Executive Officer of Murrindindi Shire, Rob Croxford has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Moorabool Shire Council.

Mr Croxford informed Mayor Peter Beales, Councillors and staff of his decision to accept the position today.

“After discussions with Mayor Peter Beales it is with some sadness that I am leaving the Murrindindi Shire in this difficult time of reconstruction and rebuilding,” Mr Croxford said.

“I am leaving the Council that has developed strong partnerships with State Government, the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority as well as community organisations that will ensure that the recovery and rebuilding continues at a rate determined by our community.

“The new role will be exciting and challenging. The Moorabool Shire has a diverse community and I am looking forward to working with staff and stakeholders.”

Moorabool Shire, located 80 kilometres West of Melbourne is a commuter settlement, popular tourist destination and centre of a large agricultural industry made up of 64 localities, hamlets and towns.

“Importantly I want to thank Murrindindi Shire Council staff who have worked tirelessly in the aftermath of Black Saturday,” Mr Croxford said.

“Their strength, compassion and unmitigated commitment to the rebuilding and recovery process has been inspiring and is yet to be fully appreciated by those not closely association with the Council.

“I have made many friends and strong networks across the Shire and in the northeast region and I look forward to maintaining those relationships.”

Mr Croxford will take up his new appointment on 26 July 2010.

GMCA Works

GMCA Works

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Fancy Dress Community Dinner Bus Service

The Fancy Dress Community Dinner, Live Band and Cricket Presentation is on this Friday night 18th June. Meals from 6pm, Live Band 8pm onwards.


BUS NOW AVAILABLE

(Please consider using this service on offer if you are going to drink rather than getting pulled up by the police for drink driving)

1ST RUN:
5.45PM SILVER CREEK (BUS STOP)
5.50PM CREEKSIDE DRIVE (2ND ENTRANCE BUS STOP)
5.55PM RIVERSIDE DRIVE (1ST ENTRANCE BUS STOP)
6.00PM HAZELDENE STORE (BUS STOP MAIN ROAD)
TO REC RESERVE

2ND RUN:
6.15PM STRATH CREEK STORE

3RD RUN:
7.00PM SILVER CREEK (BUS STOP)
7.05PM CREEKSIDE DRIVE (2ND ENTRANCE BUS STOP)
7.10PM RIVERSIDE DRIVE (1ST ENTRANCE BUS STOP)
7.15PM HAZELDENE STORE (BUS STOP MAIN ROAD)

BUS WILL ALSO DROP OFF AFTER THE NIGHT

BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL TO ACCESS BUS SERVICE ON THE NIGHT
PLEASE PHONE FLOWERDALE COMMUNITY HOUSE 57802664 OR PHONE HENRY 0427808435

Monday, June 14, 2010

Tree Assessment Flowerdale by MSC

Trees in the attached reports will be inspected in a community assessment on June 30 2010 Silver Creek, Silver Parrot and Forest Rds will meet at 1.00pm at Silver Creek Rd.

Broome Rd and Long Gully please meet at the Hazeldene Store at 3.00pm.

If you have any further queries please contact me on 5772 0711 or via email CAllingham@murrindindi.vic.gov.au

Broome Road

Forest Road Report Long Gully Report

Silver Creek Road2 Report

Silver Parrot Road Report

Long Gully Report

Theives Steal from Community Project

Sometime between the hours of 3.30pm Saturday 12 June and 4pm Monday 14 June a Yamaha 6.3KW Invertor Generator and a Onga Pressure Pump were stolen at the #1 Creek Timber Project Site on Whittlesea Kinglake Road (near the corner of Extons Road)

The #1 Creek Timber Project is being hosted by the Kinglake Ranges Mens Shed. The items stolen were donated to the Mens Shed for use by the community at this important project, the value of these two items is around $7,150. The pump and generator were connected to the Toilet & Water facilities for use by the particpants of the project. This project is designed to train community members with new skills as well as supplying the community with milled timber to be used for rebuilding and community projects. Bollygum Park, Mens Shed and Parks Victoria will be using the milled timber.

To gain access the thieves cut through the fence, and then cut through thick gauge security wired container. Both items were bolted to a concrete slab and the bolts were cut to then remove the items from the site. Precise planning would have been required. If you saw any vehicles at the site between Saturday 12 June and Monday 14 June, or you see the items, or are offered these items for purchase please immediately contact Sgt. Macdonald at the Kinglake Police Station on 5786 1333.

The items stolen were:

Yamaha EF6300iSE 6.30KW Invertor Generator. Serial No: 310190

Onga Pressure Pump w/Regulator JMM100


Thursday, June 10, 2010

Mens Get Away
The Community Consultation Feedback Day 20th June at Flowerdale Primary School has now been updated & finalised see new flyer with all projects being covered.

Flower Dale Community Feedback Day_FlyerFINAL[1]

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Flowerdale Placing of Noticeboards

Flowerdale Placing of Noticeboards

Report on the Urban Design Framework Meeting

KINGLAKE RANGES, FLOWERDALE AND TOOLANGI

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND DESIGN FRAMEWORK

MEETING AND WORKSHOP

Held on Sunday 6th June, 2010 at the Flowerdale Hall, more than 50 people attended the discussion to determine our community’s issues and priorities. The Workshop was attended by many Community members, by Kerry O’Neil and representatives from VBRRA, by representatives from the MSC and DPCD, by Noel Matthews from AECOM and by the Flowerdale Recovery Committee.

WHAT IS THE DESIGN FRAMEWORK?

The Urban Design Framework is designed to develop a long term planning process for the Flowerdale Valley, and to continue to review and revise the plan as circumstances change over time. The UDF looks 20+ years to the future. The UDF was started a few years ago and held up by the fires of February 2009.

URBAN DESIGN AND BUSHFIRE RECOVERY

The UDF does not interfere with Bushfire Recovery. Recovery continues and is centered primarily around replacement of lost assets and on post-fire community improvement projects, so it’s great to know that bushfire recovery does not have to wait for the UDF to be finished.

PURPOSE OF SUNDAY’S MEETING

The meeting was held to re-confirm the real issues which people in the Flowerdale Valley see as vital to the long term planning for our community. This was done by small group workshops which later fed their ideas into the main group. The aim was for the people of the Flowerdale Valley to have an active and vocal role in long term planning.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE FLOWERDALE VALLEY?

It is interesting that the major issues had not changed since before the fires. In some way, almost all the issues are inter-linked. Here are the major issues which emerged:

Communications

came up as a huge issue and covered things such as Community Connectedness, TV, Internet and Phone Reception, mail services, “One Town one Postcode”.

Travel

including transport services, road & bridge quality, roadside maintenance, bike safety, walking and bike tracks etc was discussed in detail and raised as a very important long term consideration for planning.

Population Growth & Employment

were very high on the priorities list, as they directly impact on the flavour of our community, on our children’s ability to stay in the Flowerdale Valley, and the infrastructure needed to support changing population.

The need for more Public Spaces

was very evident from the feedback and was identified as a serious long term issue for the Flowerdale Valley.

The Environment

including potable water strategies, waste management systems, roadside control, weed management etc was a recurring theme during the meeting.

Two messages came loud and clear from the meeting –

  • One was that, for people to have confidence in long term planning, there is a need to see immediate evidence of action relating to “jobs on the books” right now. A clear example of this is the Bike/Walking Track which is a piece of existing infrastructure in desperate need of repair.
  • The second message which did resonate strongly was that, while development and population growth are inevitable, the community would like to see growth, infrastructure and employment opportunities linked to the character of the Flowerdale Valley as it exists now.

It was great to attend another meeting which showed clearly that our community is united in our long term vision for the Flowerdale Valley. And a huge “thank you” to Mike at the Hazeldene Store who provided the yummy soup and bread for lunch.

Sony Youth Program - Flowerdale

Thanks to Sony & Salvation Army our Youth of Flowerdale are enjoying the music program every Friday afternoon.
Watchout Flowerdale here comes the new musicians of the town as there are some very talented youth in music & singing.


Sony Music Youth Program - Flowerdale
Food Safety Handlers Course
First Aid Level 1 Course
Do you have a Working with Childrens Check? If you do & would like to help out at the Jnr Youth Group which is run once a fortnight please contact Tanya Hallett (see flyer for contact details).
Or if you don't have Working with Childrens Check but would like to get one & help out forms are available at any Post Office or contact Tanya. Once you have applied please contact Tanya to add your name to list of parent helpers.
Flowerdale Junior Youth Group Year Dates 2010
PR Media and Website Development Workshop

Business Changing Direction Seminar

Business Changing Direction Seminar

Flowerdale Community House Progress Report

Flowerdale Community House Progress Report

Office Manager Position - Kinglake

Kinglake Office Manager

Building Contract Workshop - Kinglake

Building Contract Workshop

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Australian Safer Communities Awards

Australian Safer Communities Awards
The Office of the Emergency Services Commissioner is calling for nominations for the 2010 Australian Safer Communities Awards that recognise outstanding projects and initiatives in preventing, planning, and responding to emergencies and disasters.

The awards are organised nationally by the Attorney-General’s Department. They are designed to encourage best practice and innovation across Australia's emergency management sector, business, local government and community organisations that are making our communities safer, stronger, more resilient and better prepared to respond to any emergency situation.

If you know of a project in a bushfire affected community that should be nominated for the awards, please encourage them to submit an entry for their contribution to community safety and resilience in the emergency management context. Entries close 2 July 2010. Further information about the awards program and judging criteria is available from www.oesc.vic.gov.au

Rob Gordon to Visit Flowerdale

ROB GORDON IS COMING ...

Since the fires renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Rob Gordon has been talking with communities about the critical stages of recovery.
Now it’s Flowerdale & Hazeldene's turn!!

COME ALONG:

WHEN: TUESDAY JUNE 15TH 2010

WHERE: FLOWERDALE HALL

TIME: 7PM - 9PM
Light Supper Provided

ALL WELCOME!!

Rob worked with the Canberra Bushfires, Bali bombings and other large scale disasters. He has great first hand experience; please come along and hear him speak in person, locally.

NUMBERS ARE PREFERRED FOR CATERING PURPOSES. PLEASE RSVP BY MONDAY 14TH JUNE TO EITHER:

Leanne Pleash, Hub Captain, Flowerdale Community Service Hub:
E-mail: leanne.pleash@dhs.vic.gov.au
Phone: 5780 2704
SMS: 0400 399 061

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Electric Vehicles Workshop

A small but enthusiastic crowd attended the Electric Vehicles workshop at the Recreation Reserve on Saturday 5th June.

The workshop was facilitated by CERES, who brought their Electric Van to show us how it all worked.

There was a heap of points discussed included the current state of the New Electric Car market, conversion of existing vehicles, the power required to run the vehicles, recharging infrastructure, the range, saftey issues and plenty more.

From the information provided it seems that 'pure" electric vhicles will really hit the market in a big way from 2012 with most of the major manufacturers working on electric vehicles.

There was also a representative of the Geelong Electric Vehicle Enthusiasts club who took us through how the Geelong group work together to convert existing vehicles to electric vehicles. As the day went on there was a lot of enthusiasm to have an electric vehicle conversion as a project for the mens shed.

There was also quite a bit of discussion about solar energy and there are quite a number of people in the area who have become fully self sufficient using solar.

Thanks to CERES and the Geelong EV club for making the trip and sharing their knowledge.





Community Dinners continue to grow

Community Dinners have been held each fortnight at the Flowerdale Recreation Reserve since October. The dinners were set up to allow people in the Community to get together and have a bit of fun while sharing their experiences and challenges.

From a relatively small start the dinners have become a key part of the social fabric of the town. It was something that Bob and Ann Dixson, from Greensburg mentioned when they visited Flowerdale, as an important part of the recovery of their town after the tornado in 2007.

These days when i come into town on the weekend of the dinners everyone is talking about how good the dinner was.

The talk around town right now is the Fancy Dress Dinner to be held on the 18th June. This will no doubt be the biggest community dinner so far so make sure you get thinking about your costume and turn up for what will be a fantastic night.

It is also great to see how the Community Kitchen at the Recreation Reserve has become such a useful Community asset and makes a great contribution to the recovery.

Flowerdale Education Hub on the Move

The building at the Flowerdale School to create the Education Hub is moving well.

A big sign at the School shows the plan and an artist's impression together with an expected completion date of October 2010.







It is good to see the progress being made and I will take photos each week so we can have a time lapse series of the hub being built from the ground up.