CAMERON WARD COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

HEPBURN STRUCTURE PLAN REVIEW

The Hepburn Planning Scheme contains a ‘structure plan’ for each of the 5 main towns throughout the Shire and these plans, originally prepared in 1998-99, have been subject to review. Included in the Planning Scheme is the Clunes Structure Plan. Any review of the Structure Plans as contained in the Planning Scheme requires an amendment to the Scheme. This involves placing the amendment on exhibition and giving people the opportunity to make submissions.

The structure plans do not include rezoning of any land but they do identify areas where it is proposed to investigate a change of zoning or the use of an overlay (such as a Heritage or Significant Landscape Overlay).

The review of the existing Structure Plans commenced more than two years ago and as part of this review, Community Workshops were held in each of the main townships. Following these workshops Draft Revised Structure Plans and a new set of objectives and strategies were prepared for each town and these were made available for further comment and submissions.

Council has now completed the preparation of the ‘Hepburn Structure Plan Review’ and as part of the Planning Scheme Amendment process; Council will be placing the document on exhibition for a period of not less than two months. Council has also decided that during the two months exhibition period, public workshops will be held in each of the five townships.

At the time of writing, the date for the Clunes Workshop has not been determined but will be advertised in the near future.
 
MOUNT ROMMEL MINING COMPANY

Several residents living in the vicinity of the old Port Phillip Mine have expressed concern regarding the proposed re-establishment of mining operations at this site. The concerns relate not only to such issues as noise and traffic issues but the impact that mining operations could have on the quality and supply of the town’s underground water supply, air pollution and other environmental issues.

So far the Mt Rommel Mining Company has not required Council approval (through the Planning Permit process) to undertake exploratory work although Council, in conjunction with the Department of Primary Industries, were able to restrict these operations during day time rather than in the early hours of the morning. My understanding is that prior to full scale operations commencing, a Planning Permit will be required.

In any proposal of this nature, misinformation and misinterpretation can cloud the facts and it is probably time to have a representative of the Mt Rommel Mining Company visit Clunes to hear about the Company’s plans and to give the Company an opportunity to hear the concerns of residents. With this in mind I have issued an invitation to Mr. Fred Hunt of the Company to visit Clunes in the near future and will advise residents of the details of this meeting should the invitation be accepted.

TREES ALONG CRESWICK CREEK

By the time this Community News is released, the Working Group to consider the removal of trees from the Creswick Creek (near the Bowling Club) and a programme of revegetation will have had its first meeting (I understand it was scheduled for the week ending Friday 29 February).

As indicated in the previous item, this issue has resulted in a great deal of misinformation being circulated and the result (intended or unintended) has been to cause division within the town. I congratulate those people who have nominated for the Working Group and for their commitment to work with the various agencies, the Bowling Club, the CTDA and the ‘Friends Group’ in ‘moving forward’.

SERVICE REQUESTS

To register any issue relating to maintenance of roads, drains, street and roadside trees etc you can contact the Council as follows:

Telephone 5348 1577
Fax 5348 2911
Email shire@hepburn.vic.gov.au

By using these contact numbers you will find that the process of responding to your requests will be much more efficient.

Tim Hayes
Councillor
Cameron Ward