Mountain Views
Mail Covering the foothills of the Yarra Ranges & Murrindindi Shires
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■ Residents fume and fear their home values will fall...
Cost concerns By JESSE GRAHAM HEALESVILLE residents have been fuming about a proposed heritage overlay, which is set to cover more than 100 homes and possibly see homeowners wearing extra costs. But the council said the heritage overlay will have little effect on properties and their prices, and will not prohibit homeowners from developing their land. Yarra Ranges Council is proposing an amendment to the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme, with a heritage overlay set to cover properties through Healesville and Chum Creek. Precincts in the Healesville commercial area along Nicholson Street and in parts of Symons Street will also be part of the overlay. Under the overlay, residents affected would have to apply for a planning permit for building and works, subdivision and demolition on their property. However, the council is still taking public submissions on the proposed amendment, with independent panel hearing dates set for June and July to discuss the amendment before it is approved or refused. According to the council, the amendment is aimed at ensuring development does not adversely affect heritage significance and that heritage issues are considered when development is proposed. Doris Stevens, who is set to have her property included in the overlay, is worried about the potential effects a heritage overlay may have, particularly restrictions on development. “If you have to get permits for almost everything... virtually, your house is not your own anymore,” she said. “I personally don’t think that you should work hard to own a property and then have somebody telling you what to do with it.” But Yarra Ranges Council’s Director of Building, Planning and Health Andrew Paxton said that no permit would
Doris Stevens, at home in Healesville, is concerned over the impact of the Healesville Heritage Overlay. Picture: ROB CAREW be required for routine maintenance and concern to many people at the meeting.” stances, heritage properties continue to repairs on a property. Some residents took to the web to appreciate in value, though this is deHe said that a meeting on Wednes- air their grievances, with a website set pendent on both the specific properties day 2 April was held at which about 50 up outlining concerns with the proposal affected and the state of the property affected residents met with the council and its possible implications on home- market at the time. to discuss the overlay and its implica- owners. Mr Paxton agreed with the stateOne of the key issues raised by the ment, and said that having a heritage tions on the covered land. Mr Paxton said that the overlay group was whether house values would overlay apply to a property will be of no would not prohibit development, chang- fall under the overlay, referencing a “real effect”. ing the appearance of buildings, or even heritage overlay in Stonnington around “Generally, because the Heritage 1999 which saw a value reduction of the demolition of buildings. Overlay does not prohibit any use or about 10 to 15 per cent for 48 affected development, it does not have any real “The heritage overlay requires a properties. planning permit for any new developeffect (on property prices),” he said. However, a report on heritage listment that changes the appearance of the Public submissions on the proposed ings and property valuations in Vicbuilding or demolition. toria, which was published in 2001, amendment will be accepted by the “However, the overlay does not pro- stated that loss in property value did not council until 25 April, with a directions hibit either,” he said. necessarily occur as a result of heritage hearing on the amendment set for the week of 23 June and a panel hearing set “It is important to emphasise council overlays. has the discretion to approve a demoli“Generally speaking, heritage con- for 21 July. tion permit and, historically, this coun- trols do not significantly affect property To view the amendment, visit www. cil has done so in cases where it was values for residential buildings particu- yarraranges.vic.gov.au and search for merited. larly buildings in precincts,” the report “Amendment C131”, visit Healesville’s Community Link at 110 River Street, “No permit is required for routine reads. maintenance and repairs, which was a The report stated that, in most in- Healesville, or call 9294 6147.
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New plan to save possums THE State Government has released a new $11 million plan to protect the endangered Leadbeater’s possum. Making the announcement at Healesville Sanctuary yesterday afternoon (Monday), Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith said the government would accept all 13 recommendations from the Leadbeater’s Possum Advisory Group, made up of the Victorian Association of Forest Industries and Zoos Victoria. Supported by Minister for Agriculture Peter Walsh and local MP Cindy McLeish, Mr Smith said that the plan would provide greater protection for the threatened species. He said that accepting the advisory group’s findings meant altering timber harvest practices in the Central Highlands. “The Victorian Government acknowledges the challenges ahead for the timber industry as the recommendations are enacted, but there is now much needed operational certainty for the future,” he said. The 13 recommendations include doubling timber harvest inclusion zones from the current 100 metres to 200 metres, two years delayed harvesting in areas predicted to have colonies of the Leadbeater’s possum, transitioning to retention harvesting and revising regeneration practices. In two years, the group will review the effectiveness of the 200-metre buffer zone, with the rest of the changes to be monitored and reviewed in four years. - JESSE GRAHAM
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