Tag: southern rocycling

Heatherdale Community Action Group – first meeting for 2007

Posted on by alex

The Heatherdale Community Action Group has resumed meeting for 2007 amid further civic disobedience from Southern Rocycling.

Maroondah City Council is pursuing these matters as well as conducting ongoing monitoring of Heatherdale Road. Southern Rocycling is facing court action on the 8th of March in regard to violations under the Health Act and Planning and Environment Act, furthermore the EPA is proceeding with a hearing currently scheduled for the 14th of March.

I urge the Heatherdale community to contact me should they be concerned about the activities of Southern Rocycling.

Maroondah Journal: On deaf ears

Posted on by alex

Southern Rocycling has proceeded with concrete works on a residential block at 61 Heatherdale Road, which is leased from SPI PowerNet.

The Maroondah Journal has investigated these actions, amid Southern Rocycling disregarding abatement notices to cease the concreting works.

Loughnan’s Hill War Councillor Alex Makin said Southern Rocycling had to learn to cooperate with the community and follow the council’s guidelines.

He said the company could not do anything with the land as it was zoned residential.

Maroondah City Council has issued planning notices requiring Southern Rocycling to remove the concrete within 14 days. Failure to comply leaves open the possibility of further legal action against the company.

Heatherdale Community Action Group (HCAG) End of Year Celebrations for 2006

Posted on by alex

The Heatherdale Community Action Group (HCAG) has had a tremendously successful year through forging ongoing dialogue between residents, council and myself as the ward councillor for Loughnan’s Hill (which includes the eastern side of Heatherdale Road).

In particular the successful prosecution of Southern Rocycling for violations of the Health Act and the Planning and Environment Act by Maroondah City Council has demonstrated that the amenity of Heatherdale must be respected. While this prosecution has sent a strong message monitoring will continue and further potential noise violations will be investigated.

Maroondah Journal: Southern Rocycling on defensive over 'unsightly' fence

Posted on by alex

The Maroondah Journal and Whitehorse Weekly have both reported on further issues regarding Southern Rocycling, including the failure to seek building permits for building and fence works.

Whitehorse residents are up in arms about Southern Rocycling’s alleged failure to be a good corporate citizen by erecting what residents describe as a “big, black and unsightly fence without a permit.”

Maroondah City Council is investigating issues surrounding Southern Rocycling’s failure to seek building permits.

Maroondah’s city development director Trevor Welsh said the council became aware a fence was being constructed at Southern Rocycling and sent its building inspector to investigate.

“It was found that a fence had been build and in fact fully constructed without a building permit. The council has service a notice to SPI PowerNet, the owner of the property, to give reason why the fence should not be demolished in 30 days.”

Southern Rocycling as part of the broader Heatherdale community needs to heed the lesson from the recent court case and start taking resident considerations into account.

Maroondah councillor Alex Makin said Southern Rocycling did not have building permits for a number of constructions it had completed.

“I urge Southern Rocycling to start cooperating, and apply for building permits with they are required.”

As evidenced through the recent court action Maroondah City Council is willing to act when entities fail to comply with the relevant requirements.

Delegates' Report: EVRC, Heatherdale Road and the ETC

Posted on by alex

I echo comments in regard to the Eastern Volunteer Resource Centre and the community service the organisation provides. In regard I will be tabling their Annual Report, which was presented at their 30th AGM.

On the 13th I attended a meeting of the Heatherdale Community Action Group. This group, which represents the residents of Heatherdale, continues to grow and flourish with each meeting as the interests of the group diversity to cover the overall community. I am pleased to report that the group has been appreciative of council’s efforts in regard to Southern Rocycling and labelled the verdict of the recent court case as a ‘very successful win’. The verdict was obviously a victory for both residents and council alike and it is great to see that these efforts are being appreciated by the Heatherdale community.

The Eastern Transport Coalition met on the 14th and I am pleased to say the campaign for fair fare zones is continuing. It is planned to undertake a survey to ascertain the extent in which people drive to avoid paying the additional slug of a zone three fare.

In response to a question put to council a fortnight ago I also raised the issue of parking at Croydon Station. The Eastern Transport Coalition as a regional body will be pursuing this matter with the State Government and Connex to seek not only additional parking but also a more functional bus network to provide an integrated service to get people to and from Croydon Station.

Another issue I raised was the current lack of hourly bus services on a Sunday along Maroondah Highway. After much advocacy the state government pledged to provide an hourly Sunday service for bus route 670, which connects Ringwood, Croydon, Chirnside Park and Lilydale along the Maroondah Highway.

While some Sunday services were provided on this highly patronised route there is currently a three-hour gap in the middle of the day. The Eastern Transport Coalition will be requesting the fulfilment of the government’s commitment made in 2005 to deliver a proper hourly Sunday service.

Heatherdale Community Action Group 'celebrating a successful win'

Posted on by alex

The Heatherdale Community Action Group Inc. (formerly the Heatherdale Road Action Group) continues to grow as it strives to represent the Heatherdale community.

Tonight’s meeting included the Manager of Property and Rates from Whitehorse who explained the process of revaluations and a State Emergency Services (SES) volunteer who spoke about the Nunawading SES and the service they provide. The role of Victoria’s SES cannot be underestimated as it responds to emergencies such as floods, severe storms, earthquakes, road accidents as well as search and rescue. It is great to see the Heatherdale Community Action Group inviting speakers who are able to provide details on what is an essential service for Victoria.

The meeting also covered the recent court case and adverse finding against Southern Rocycling. I am pleased to say that the community was appreciative of council’s efforts calling the verdict a ‘very successful win’.

The court action, which was the first such case against Southern Rocycling, demonstrated that the concerns shared by the community were real and that they had a genuine grievance.

I thank the Heatherdale community for their patience and dedication in regard to Southern Rocycling.

Eastern Volunteer Resource Centre (EVRC) AGM

Posted on by alex

This afternoon, immediately after the court action against Southern Rocycling, I attended the Eastern Volunteer Resource Centre’s (EVRC) AGM. EVRC has this year celebrated 30 years of service to the community and is still serving the community by providing assistance to residents in need and coordinating volunteer services.

With the current strong leadership and dedicated volunteers, EVRC is well prepared for the next twelve months and beyond.

For further information on the Eastern Volunteer Resource Centre (EVRC) please visit www.easternvolunteers.org.au.

Southern Rocycling before the Ringwood Magistrates' Court

Posted on by alex

This morning the case against Universal Metals Pty Ltd (trading as Southern Rocycling) in regard to breaches of the Maroondah Planning Scheme and the Health Act 1958 was heard before the Ringwood Magistrates’ Court.

While Doug Rowe, the Director of the company, did not attend court, Universal Metals did plead guilty to the breaches of the Maroondah Planning Scheme and the Health Act that occurred due to the noise associated with the delivery of pig iron back in January this year.

While no convictions were recorded, the Magistrate fined Southern Rocycling $6,000 and Doug Rowe $1,000 in addition to being required to $5,000 of Council’s court costs.

While the monetary amount may be seen as being low, the penalties prescribed in the Health Act ($1000 a day) are controlled by State Government legislation. The fact that the magistrate found in favour of council demonstrates that residents had a legitimate concern in regard to the excessive noise that was caused by Southern Rocycling in January of this year.

This verdict should act as a deterrent not only to Southern Rocycling but also to other operators who adversely affect the amenity of their community.

I would like to once again thank residents for their patience and cooperation in securing this successful verdict and for the residents who attended the hearing. I hope this result will ensure that they are provided with peace and quiet throughout the night.

Stop Montrose Quarry Expansion AGM

Posted on by alex

Stop Montrose Quarry Expansion is a non-profit community organisation that was formed in 2004 in response to stop the continued expansion of the Boral Montrose Quarry. The expansion of the quarry would mean further adverse health, amenity and noise impacts to residents and businesses that are close proximity to the site.

I was invited to speak and conduct the formal proceedings for the group’s AGM where I spoke about my community involvement within the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) as well my time as an elected councillor in prompting the use of the Health Act in relation to Southern Rocycling.

There is no greater reward that being able to empower a communityand I hope that STOP achieve great success over the next year.

Heatherdale Community Action Group Inc.

Posted on by alex

Tonight marked the inaugural meeting and election of office bearers for the Heatherdale Community Action Group.  The Heatherdale Community Action Group marks a new chapter for the former Heatherdale Road Action Group as it seeks to protect and enhance the liveability, amenity and environment in and around Heatherdale Road.

While the focus on community concerns stemming from Eastern Recycling and Southern Rocycling will continue the newly incorporated group will also provide a broader focus on issues relating to Heatherdale Road.

The Heatherdale Community Action Group must be congratulated for its incorporation and continuing its strong and active involvement in issues affecting the Heatherdale community.  I look forward to continuing to represent the concerns of the group within council.

Southern Rocycling is due to face the Magistrates’ Court on the 7th and 8th of September in regard to the excessive noise issues made by the movement of pig-iron steel back in January.