Archive: Boundary Signs
Last Updated 9/5/06
Councillors Bleeck, Evans, Petrovich and Todd Won’t Support Saying “Macedon Ranges Is A Rural Shire Of High Environmental Significance”
(12/9/05 – SP) Same four councillors again refuse MRRA request for shire boundary signs
At last Wednesday’s Finance and Operations Committee meeting, 5 of 9 Councillors (Connor, Dunn, Gee, Guthrie, and Relph) supported MRRA’s request that signs identifying Macedon Ranges’ significance be placed at the Shire’s boundary. The officer recommendation was to refer the issue to the 2006/07 Council budget. The motion carried, on a 5 to 4 vote (moved Cr. Guthrie, seconded Cr. Dunn), was for the matter to go to Council’s budget estimates review due to be held in December.
MRRA Says:
We still feel the same way we did when these same four Councillors originally voted against letting the world know how this community sees Macedon Ranges. Here’s what we said then:
“We ask residents to note well those Councillors who did not support the motion. The signs are intended to simply make a public statement about how Council values the Shire and supports its community. It could now be said that FOUR COUNCILLORS APPARENTLY DON’T VALUE BEING A RURAL SHIRE OR HAVING HIGH ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE, NOR DO THEY SUPPORT COMMUNITY CALLS FOR THESE ATTRIBUTES TO BE PROTECTED. It tells us a lot about the priorities of these Councillors. At MRRA’s September Say NO To Suburbia public meeting, we warned all politicians: If you don’t support us, we won’t support you. There is a Council election coming up in November and to the best of our belief, all 4 Councillors who voted against the signs will be looking for you to vote for them. Think about it.”
Four Councillors Vote Against Signs Saying “Macedon Ranges Is A Rural Shire With High Environmental Values”
(27/6/05 – SP) Councillors Henry Bleeck, Donna Petrovich, Alan Todd and Marty Evans say NO.
Following on from MRRA’s request to Council that signs be added to existing Shire Boundary signs (see Signs on Shire Boundary item below, 31/5/05), at the June 21 Council meeting Councillor Rob Guthrie moved a motion that Council fund entry point signage indicating that Macedon Ranges is a rural Shire with high environmental values. He said it was about letting people know this place isn’t metro Melbourne and is special. Councillor Dunn seconded the motion. Four councillors said NO. Marty Evans said he didn’t know what the signs would say or how many were needed, Donna Petrovich (apparently facetiously) said she couldn’t support ‘rural’ because we are to have Farming zones, Alan Todd said it was a personal thing with him, he didn’t like motherhood or flavour of the month values, or signs, Henry Bleeck said nothing. Tied at 4/4, the motion was carried on the casting vote of Deputy Mayor, Heather Gee. An implementation plan will come back to Council at its next ordinary meeting (July 27th).
MRRA Says:
We ask residents to note well those Councillors who did not support the motion. The signs are intended to simply make a public statement about how Council values the Shire and supports its community. It could now be said that FOUR COUNCILLORS APPARENTLY DON’T VALUE BEING A RURAL SHIRE OR HAVING HIGH ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE, NOR DO THEY SUPPORT COMMUNITY CALLS FOR THESE ATTRIBUTES TO BE PROTECTED. It tells us a lot about the priorities of these Councillors. At MRRA’s September Say NO To Suburbia public meeting, we warned all politicians: If you don’t support us, we won’t support you. There is a Council election coming up in November and to the best of our belief, all 4 Councillors will be looking for you to vote for them. Think about it.
MRRA Asks Council For Signs on Shire Boundary
(31/5/05 – SP) Macedon Ranges is a RURAL shire…
MRRA last week wrote to Macedon Ranges Shire’s Chief Executive, Mayor and Councillors asking Council to erect signs on the Shire’s boundaries announcing to travellers: “You are now entering a rural shire of environmental significance and natural beauty.” Click here to see text of letter sent to Council
Mornington Peninsula ‘Withdraws’ From Metro Area
(23/3/05 - SP) Sign at entry to Shire says ”You Are Now Leaving The Melbourne Metropolitan Area”
Like Macedon Ranges, Mornington Peninsula is an area of State environmental significance. Unlike Macedon Ranges, Mornington Peninsula has State level planning protection through Green Wedge legislation. Recent developer pressure for Melbourne 2030 style urban development has stirred locals into action. We hear that as you approach the Shire from Melbourne, attached the “Welcome to Mornington Peninsula” sign is another sign saying “You Are Now Leaving The Metropolitan Area”. Why don’t we have a similar sign in Macedon Ranges?