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News Bulletin

Bass Coast Local News 12 September 2007

By Bass Coast Shire Council - 20th September 2007 - Back to News

Meeting With Premier Confirmed

A meeting with Victorian Premier, John Brumby, has been confirmed for Thursday 13 September at 2.00pm.

Representatives from Bass Coast Shire Council and the Your Water Your Say action group will travel to Melbourne to talk with the Premier about the proposed desalination project.

On 2 August, Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Allan Bawden, wrote to the Premier outlining Council and community concerns around desalination. On 15 August, Council adopted a resolution calling on the government to release all information related to the development of the water plan.

This motion and the points outlined in the letter will form the basis of discussion at the meeting.

Mr Bawden will also ask that John Brumby honours the commitment by the former Premier to visit the Shire.

Hannah Duncan-Jones has been appointed Planning and Environment Director for Bass Coast Shire Council.

Ms Duncan-Jones was previously Council’s Planning Manager, and has 16 years experience in State and local government.

Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Allan Bawden, said Ms Duncan-Jones was chosen for the position from a very competitive field of applicants.

"Hannah is well qualified for the position having overseen most of the Council’s strategic planning in recent years," said Mr Bawden.

"She also has good relationships with State Government, a strong working knowledge of the issues facing this area and good management skills.

"She has made a great contribution in her role as Planning Manager. We’re confident that she will continue to be a very valuable asset to this Shire."

Ms Duncan-Jones’ qualifications include a Graduate Certificate of Housing Management and Policy. She has strong experience in the delivery of public and community housing and neighbourhood renewal.

Ms Duncan-Jones replaces Andrew Mason, who resigned in June to take up a position with the Department of Sustainability and Environment.

VCAT Date For Linfox Hearing

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) hearing into the proposed Linfox Property Group resort development on Phillip Island will begin on Monday 12 November.

The hearing is expected to run for three weeks.

Council’s Planning and Environment Director, Hannah Duncan-Jones, said Council would be maintaining its stance against the proposed development.

"The revised plans submitted to VCAT in late February by the Linfox Property Group had a number of major changes," said Ms Duncan-Jones.

"Some of the changes include 124 less units than originally proposed, a reduction in the number of villages from three to one, and a changed golf course layout to accommodate the new design.

"After closely considering the revised plans, Council decided that they did not adequately address the initial concerns over the proposal," continued Ms Duncan-Jones.

"We advised VCAT of this at a directions hearing in July."

House Numbers In The Clear

Having your house number clearly visible from the road can be a matter of life and death in an emergency.

Bass Coast Shire Council’s Emergency Management Officer, Hilton Chadwick, said people did not realise how important it is to have your property clearly numbered.

"You really don’t want to wait for an emergency to find out if the numbering on your house, property or business can be clearly seen," said Mr Chadwick.

"There are just too many examples of the problems this causes.

"For instance, just a few weeks ago, the CFA were trying to attend an electrical fire in a milking shed in Bass Coast, and their response was delayed because of the lack of numbering on the road," explained Mr Chadwick.

"Or recently an ambulance driver reported spending a ridiculous amount of time late at night, trying to locate a house where there was an unconscious patient.

"These delays could have had disastrous results."

Mr Chadwick said it was actually a requirement under Bass Coast’s local law that all rural and urban properties have their number clearly displayed and easily seen from the road.

"We recommend that numbers be reflective and at least 75mm high," said Mr Chadwick.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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