Upper Yarra
Tuesday, 25 July, 2023
Monica Kellalea’s sentence increased
Farmers urged to know their limits this Farm Safety Week
Join the Cerini Walk to support the homeless
Hoddles Creek firefighter receives medal for service
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A Star News Group Publication
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12496493-NG22-21
Factory plan set
2:15 (45mins before deadline)
By Callum Ludwig A revived future finally looks to be on the horizon for the old Sanitarium factory in Warburton. The local knowledge of the Warburton Advancement League has been bolstered by the financial backing of owners, the Garry Crockett Group, to prepare the building for a new lease on life. Vice President of the Warburton Advancement League David Pratt has led the charge in a voluntary Project Coordinator role, communicating regularly with Garry Crockett, and said there are a great many hurdles that they had to and still have to be overcome. “As an example, the existing power to the site transformer had failed at Christmas, but to develop something of this size needs approval for 1000kVA transformer to be able to operate the site,” he said. “But we’ve had very successful discussions with Ausnet and they have now provided approval, in principle, to deliver to the site.” The Warburton Advancement League are working with Yarra Ranges Council to try to access a federal government grant to fund a voltage regulator, which would be required somewhere between Woori Yallock and Warburton,
which would benefit the electricity grid in the Upper Yarra from Woori Yallock to as far as Reefton. Mr Pratt said they are also working proactively with the Upper Yarra River Reserve Committee. “We want to work with them to assist us in developing a landscape management and implementation plan so that there is a seamless flow between the developed Edgewater site and the river,” he said. “The community will be able to continue to walk along and be able to enjoy the beauty that is that section of the Yarra River and will look at managing the weeds, managing the ecology without devastating the vegetation.” Ecologists, fauna experts, arborists and arboricultural consultants will also be engaged to create the landscape management plan. The initial $50 million proposal for the Edgewater Spa and Resort with a wine and food centre, was never able to proceed due to a number of regulations, lapsed permits and the Global Financial Crisis. Mr Pratt said once the initial elements are ticked off, they are confident a new planning permit application will have every chance of success. Continued page 7
Ms Boyd in front of the banner made by the school children at Yarra Glen. Picture: TANYA STEELE
‘Toot’ for Tracey, say kids By Tanya Steele A beloved crossing guard has been celebrated by her community at the Yarra Glen Primary School on Friday 21 July. Tracey Boyd has been the crossing guard supervisor at the school for 25 years and the community was encouraged to give her a toot if they drove past the school on the day. Ms Boyd said she did not imagine she
would be at the crossing job this long, buts said it is a great job and she enjoys it. “I enjoy the kids,” she said. Students, family, friends and community members gathered on Friday at the school’s regular assembly to present Mrs Boys with a handmade lollypop stick crafted by the students at the school, along with flowers and a huge jar of thank you notes for her service See more page 13
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