One thing that time in a place will do is provide you with perspective. When I was at school, Belgrave had menswear shops, clothing boutiques, music stores and lots of banks. Time, and the continual growth of shopping centres like Knox and Fountain Gate has meant that this type of retail can no longer be sustained in Belgrave.
I think Belgrave, like many strip shopping areas will continue to struggle, as we try and work out what it is! Is it a township, where locals come to shop for such basics and services as groceries, newsagencies and post office? Or is it going to be a tourist precinct - some sort of adjunct to Puffing Billy?
Speaking with my resident's hat on, I would prefer it didn't become Olinda or Sassafras. I like to shop locally - I like to know who I shop from. Bill's Butchers, Bjelan's Pharmacy and the Queen of Tarts Cafe are great examples of how standout local businesses can be. The Cameo too is a landmark - and to think we almost lost it!
If Belgrave is truly to find its place, some sort of consultation needs to happen - something that includes local businesses, peak bodies, community groups and local residents. We all need to work together to decide what we want from our community.
This would provide certainty to local businesses, as well as providing locals with a stake in the future of their community. I'm going to make a point of speaking to local businesses about what they think - then to as many people as possible about what they want. Perhaps together, we can weave some sort of cohesive vision for Belgrave that meets all our needs.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Some relief for home-owners
The recent rate cut by the Reserve Bank, with follow-on cuts by the major banks will be some relief to the home-owners in Lyster Ward. Shire of the Yarra Ranges stats have home-ownership at above 50 per cent for communities in the Lyster Ward and I know from discussions with people that they've been feeling the strain.
My family, like many people have been feeling the interest rate hikes - so some relief is extremely welcome.
I realise that interest rates aren't within the responsibility of the Shire ( I doubt very much the Federal Government has anything to do with them either, despite what Malcolm Turnbull thinks)! But recognising the stresses that residents are under is one step in providing solutions.
My family, like many people have been feeling the interest rate hikes - so some relief is extremely welcome.
I realise that interest rates aren't within the responsibility of the Shire ( I doubt very much the Federal Government has anything to do with them either, despite what Malcolm Turnbull thinks)! But recognising the stresses that residents are under is one step in providing solutions.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Welcome to My Blog!
The content of this blog will chart my progress, my thoughts and some ideas associated with running for Lyster Ward in the Shire of the Yarra Ranges. Amongst other thoughts that come to mind!
I am a long-time resident of the Belgrave area, and chose to raise my family here. I believe Lyster Ward in particular needs a better deal from Council, and here's why.
Before the Shire of the Yarra Ranges, the Shire of Sherbrooke had a strong local presence, which helped provide strong feelings of identity and belonging for its residents.
I believe this has changed in the Yarra Ranges, as local issues and culture became submerged in larger issues in a much larger shire. This acts to separate and alienate local residents from council - at a time when they need that connection more than ever.
Economic and social pressures are impacting on quality of life in Lyster Ward - and I feel that despite some encouraging signals from Council surrounding 2020, are being ignored or paid lip service to.
Services and infrastructure, and value for money thereof are measures by which a council is counted - and it is this area that it is falling down. Issues like drainage, sewerage, road maintenance and traffic management are in sore need of attention and policy development.
The main roundabout in Belgrave township is one such area in need of attention, where traffic and pedestrian usage has increased markedly. A recent accident involving a car and the Queen of Tarts Cafe brought this into stark relief, as much for the potential for injury as the affect on trade.
The intersection acts to suppress the amount of Puffing Billy patrons who will access Belgrave, as they are discouraged from crossing at the intersection by no provision for pedestrians.
There is also the issue of business in the Lyster Ward, and how much assistance and coordination they get with council. Businesses require the active involvement of council to facilitate their activities - which hasn't happened on any consistent level in Belgrave.
If I am elected councillor, I would initiate a community advisory council with local people and leaders, to enable them to communicate their ideas and concerns directly to their representative. This would also provide me with the opportunity to feedback directly to them on the doings and rationales behind council decisions. This ensures that as councillor, I remain accountable and approachable to residents.
It is essential that councillors remain accessible to all residents - not just those from particular interest groups or fellow travellers. Ensuring that everyone gets a fair hearing is the first step towards making informed decisions on behalf of the ward.
Hopefully this blog will allow residents with their concerns to contact me and voice the issues that concern them directly. I will also be happy to speak to residents either via phone or directly. Leave your contact details on any email you send and will get back to you as soon as possible.
Chris
I am a long-time resident of the Belgrave area, and chose to raise my family here. I believe Lyster Ward in particular needs a better deal from Council, and here's why.
Before the Shire of the Yarra Ranges, the Shire of Sherbrooke had a strong local presence, which helped provide strong feelings of identity and belonging for its residents.
I believe this has changed in the Yarra Ranges, as local issues and culture became submerged in larger issues in a much larger shire. This acts to separate and alienate local residents from council - at a time when they need that connection more than ever.
Economic and social pressures are impacting on quality of life in Lyster Ward - and I feel that despite some encouraging signals from Council surrounding 2020, are being ignored or paid lip service to.
Services and infrastructure, and value for money thereof are measures by which a council is counted - and it is this area that it is falling down. Issues like drainage, sewerage, road maintenance and traffic management are in sore need of attention and policy development.
The main roundabout in Belgrave township is one such area in need of attention, where traffic and pedestrian usage has increased markedly. A recent accident involving a car and the Queen of Tarts Cafe brought this into stark relief, as much for the potential for injury as the affect on trade.
The intersection acts to suppress the amount of Puffing Billy patrons who will access Belgrave, as they are discouraged from crossing at the intersection by no provision for pedestrians.
There is also the issue of business in the Lyster Ward, and how much assistance and coordination they get with council. Businesses require the active involvement of council to facilitate their activities - which hasn't happened on any consistent level in Belgrave.
If I am elected councillor, I would initiate a community advisory council with local people and leaders, to enable them to communicate their ideas and concerns directly to their representative. This would also provide me with the opportunity to feedback directly to them on the doings and rationales behind council decisions. This ensures that as councillor, I remain accountable and approachable to residents.
It is essential that councillors remain accessible to all residents - not just those from particular interest groups or fellow travellers. Ensuring that everyone gets a fair hearing is the first step towards making informed decisions on behalf of the ward.
Hopefully this blog will allow residents with their concerns to contact me and voice the issues that concern them directly. I will also be happy to speak to residents either via phone or directly. Leave your contact details on any email you send and will get back to you as soon as possible.
Chris
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