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St. Arnaud, Charlton, Wedderburn & Surrounding Districts
Est. 1864
18 Napier Street, St. Arnaud. 3478. - Advertising & Editorial Material - Ph.: (03) 5495 1055; Fax.: (03) 5495 1937. Email: ncn@iinet.net.au Published weekly.
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WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 4th 2024.
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Circulating in:- St. Arnaud, Charlton, Donald, Rupanyup, Bealiba, Stawell, Marnoo, Navarre, Dunolly, Wycheproof, Wedderburn, Birchip, Korong Vale, Stuart Mill, Redbank, Avoca & Moonambel.
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Council grants planning permit against Planning Officer recommendation
IN an unusual display of Northern Grampians Shire Councillors voting against a recommendation of the Planning Officer, a planning permit for a dwelling and an alteration to an access road was approved in this week’s Northern Grampians Shire Council (NGSC) meeting. Councillor Eddy Ostarcevic said that the development will improve the surrounding land and therefore should be supported. “The minimum requirement for a dwelling in a farming zone is over 80 hectares (Ha), and even though this development does not adhere to that requirement, I believe that it should be supported. The subject sites in Charlton Road on Title Plan 414810S comprise a total of 23Ha in area and is located within a Farming Zone approximately 1km north of the St. Arnaud township.
Farm Management Plan In a substantial report to Council by Patrick Kennedy Statutory Planning Officer, he summarised the Farm Management Plan (FMP) submitted to support the application that indicates the intention to implement a 36-head Australian Low Line Angus herd on the land. Mr. Kennedy’s report acknowledged that the Department of Agriculture had concerns that the FMP
was unsustainable and the proposed stocking rates were unrealistic. Mr. Kennedy believes that the application fails to comply with state and local planning policies aimed at protecting agricultural land from inappropriate development, including those for Farming Zone.
The dwelling The Planner’s report notes that the dwelling does not have access to sewer and will rely on septic. The dwelling whilst supporting a small agri-business on the land and ongoing general land improvements, is not considered essential for the proposed agriculture and runs the risk of being incompatible with adjacent land uses should nearby industries (both an existing and former piggery) expand or be re-established.
Development is against Framework Plan for St. Arnaud In a separate item on the NGSC agenda was the approval of the St. Arnaud Framework Plan, formerly
known as the Structures Plan. It was noted by the Planner than the proposed development for a dwelling was outside that plan that restricts residential uses on farming land outside the township boundary to support existing and future rural industry/agricultural uses. The application proposes a four-bedroom, including 3 bathrooms and 5 toilets, single-storey dwelling and a swimming pool.
Questions unanswered for Planner The Planner questions whether the dwelling is necessary, as well as • whether rural worker accommodation is necessar y having regard to the nature and scale of agricultural use and the accessibility to residential areas and existing accommodation, and the remoteness of the location. • ad hoc incremental housing on small lots encourages land values to rise • whether the use/development will support agricultural production.
Above: The overall site plan for the development which includes the proposed residence and also the consolidation of the three parcels into one lot. • Whether it will adversely affect soil quality or permanently remove land from agricultural production. • The potential for the use or development to limit the operation and expansion of adjoining and nearby agricultural uses. • The capacity of the site to sustain agricultural use. • The agricultural qualities
of the land, such as soil quality, access to water and access to rural infrastructure.
Risk to surrounding Agriculture In his report Mr. Kennedy conceded that the proposed consolidation of land and agricultural
activities is a positive outcome for using and protecting the land for long-term farming. However, there is still a real risk of the agricultural activity being discontinued once the dwelling is in place as the agricultural enterprise continues to appear to be proposed only to justify the dwelling. • Cont. page 3.
Short lives long remembered by ancestors THE sounds of ‘Wimmera Windharps’ (Bulokes) and ‘Birdsong’ at Swanwater West Cemetery were interrupted by the sounds of the mortal and bagpipes on Sunday 18th August 2024. About 20 people attended a memorial service and the uncovering of a plaque on the unmarked grave of Muriel L awther Campbell and Lachlan Campbell. After more than a century of anonymity their short lives were finally acknowledged and they will be remembered into perpetuity. Lachlan in 1879 died as a result of a premature birth and lived for one day. Muriel died in 1896 and lived for ten days. Lachlan was the son of Colin and Mary Campbell and Muriel
- Contributed their grand-daughter. Colin and Mar y conceived 13 children, 10 who survived into adulthood. Many of their children and their descendants are also buried at Swanwater West Cemetery and others still live at Avon Plains in the original homestead circa 1873. Ava Campbell, greatgreat-grand-daughter of Colin and Mary sang ‘ Flowers of the Forest’ a Scottish folk-song frequently played at Scottish funerals and memorials. Written to mark the
Above: Ava Campbell (5th generation). - More pics page 5. defeat of the Scottish army in 1513 the Battle of Flodden and the death of James IV the melody was first published around 1615. A signboard will soon be erected at
Swanwater West Cemetery due to a community grant from Northern Grampians Shire Council. The signboard will be built by Donald Steel Metal and will
display recent research undertaken by Swanwater West Trust members and assist visitors navigate and locate specific graves. Further research by Donald History Society
will also be on display. The original obituaries make poignant reading and attest to the difficulties faced by pioneer families. There are 235 registered internments at the cemetery at Swanwater West dating from 1877. There are still unmarked and unknown graves and unregistered names on some memorial stones. The children in particular suffered high mortality rates - 41 children and infants are registered burials at the cemetery. Childhood accidents were also common. Trust members thank Northern Grampians Shire Council and Donald
History Group for their assistance and support with the cemetery project and are looking forward to its completion and your future visitation.
Police report St. Arnaud There has been an increase in road collisions of late resulting in serious injuries. Police wish to remind ever ybody to drive safely and to the road conditions. Ensure you plan your trips, get plenty of rest, abide by the speed limits and take breaks when required.