Ferntree Gully Belgrave
CFA brigades raise funds for children hospital
Final road projects announced after funding cuts
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Tuesday, 18 April, 2023
Mail RSL president remembers late father’s story
Nominations open for Sherbrooke Art Society Awards
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A Star News Group Publication
Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
12496493-NG22-21
Bunnies in need of some love The Bluey & Alice rabbit refuge in Cockatoo is seeing an increase in demand for its services, with post-Covid surrenders leaving the shelter overrun. Operate Carolyn McInnes said “cats and dogs are still a major issue, but there are some laws protecting them, but rabbits are classed as livestock, so there’s nothing to stop people constantly breeding”. An Agriculture Victoria spokesperson said the welfare of rabbits; including pet, farmed and pest rabbits, is protected by the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTA Act) and will be covered under the new Animal Care and Protection Bill. Read more on page 16
Bluey & Alice rabbit shelter volunteer Lucas. 329230 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Hills’ ag in doubt By Shelby Brooks The Eastern Dandenong Ranges could be on the brink of an agricultural collapse if management plans are not immediately created for green wedge zones, locals say. The Eastern Dandenong Ranges Association (EDRA) chairman John Wall envisions “dormitory towns, empty paddocks and weed and vermin filled gullies”, as Gembrook, Emerald and Cockatoo’s rural sectors continue to
wait for Cardinia Shire Council to future-proof the area. According to the Department of Transport and Planning, “councils must prepare green wedge management plans because the land and conditions in each green wedge vary”. That would allow for locals to plan how to re-build and sustain more viable agricultural businesses in the area, Mr Wall explained. Yet, Cardinia Shire Council’s management
plan for the Yarra Valley and Yarra and Dandenong Ranges green wedge zone has been waiting 20 years, Mr Wall said. When green wedge zones were first implemented by the State Government in 2003, the Yarra Valley and Yarra and Dandenong Ranges Green Wedge was mapped as including nonurban land within the Shire of Yarra Ranges, the northern hills area of the Shire of Cardinia, and small portions within the City of Knox and the City of Maroondah.
In July 2010, Yarra Ranges Council adopted its green wedge management plan for the zone. The southern portion is known as the Northern Ranges Green Wedge and is within the Shire of Cardinia. According to the Department of Planning, the council has started creation of a Green Wedge Management Plan for the Northern Ranges. Continued page 4
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