Newsletter

Old News

(Sorry about the Oxymoron)

Dec.'02

Dear Members and Supporters
Last week after some lengthy negotiations the environment minister Sherryl Garbutt announced that the Glen Fern Valley bushlands would be funded and reserved in the near future.
This outcome was achieved by the strong support of the local Greens candidate Craig Smith and labour candidate James Merlino.
The long term funding for the site is still to be negotiated, but we now have a good commitment for the next 12-18 months. Our major win has been a commitment for the protection of the land. A copy of the press release from the Minister follows.

"BRACKS GOVERNMENT MOVES TO PROTECT GLENFERN VALLEY BUSHLAND
The Minister for Conservation and Environment, Sherryl Garbutt, today announced that the Bracks Government would move to protect 100 acres of crown land in Upwey and fund the development of a management plan for the land.
The land, bordered by New Rd and Glenfern Rd in Upwey, has been subject to various development applications and sell-off attempts by the previous Liberal government.
The Friends of Glen Fern Valley Bushland, set up last year, has been pushing for the land to be preserved from future development and declared as "reserved public land".
Yarra Ranges Councillor and Labor candidate for Monbulk, James Merlino, said he was delighted by Minister Garbutt's nnouncement.
"This is a major step forward for the protection of the environment in the Dandenongs.
"Everyone associated with the Friends of Glen Fern Valley Bushland are to be congratulated for their efforts in bringing this to the Minister's attention and achieving this great result.
"This is a victory for the local community," Mr Merlino said.
The Bracks Government will fund the development of a management plan for the area, and set up a Committee of Management.
The Committee of Management will be formed immediately, made up of community representatives and representatives from the Shire of Yarra Ranges.
The Bracks Government will match the $50,000 contribution by the Shire of Yarra Ranges for the development and the first stage of implementation of the management plan. The method of allocation of the money will be determined by the new Committee of Management.
The land will be classified at the recommendation of the Committee of Management. If the recommendation is that the land be reserve land, it will be reserved.
"The Bracks Government has listened to the residents of Upwey," said Ms Garbutt. "Now we have acted to protect the Glenfern Rd reserve for future generations, putting a stop to the inappropriate development that took place during the 1990s."
The decision has been welcomed by the Shire of Yarra Ranges and a number of key environmental groups."

Form this base our group can now concentrate on rehabilitation for the site.
To date all these achievements could not have occurred without the support and hard work of our committee, members and supporters. A big THANK YOU to you all.

Please join us on Wednesday the 11th December at 7.30pm to toast the past year,
At Rubys 1648 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave.
Hope to see you there.
Serg Zaccaria
President
Friends of Glen Fern Valley Bushlands
Glenfernbushlands@hotmail.com
Ph 9754 7669 AH
http://glenfernbushlands.tripod.com