Tuesday, 1 April, 2025
Casey: an election battleground, says expert
MEHG commended in State history awards
The final week: Council’s CCTV stance revealed
See Real Estate liftout inside
PAGE 3
PAGE 16
PAGES 18 - 19
PAGE 23
A Star News Group Publication
Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
Like coming home Mount Evelyn watercolour artist Donna Legg has been welcomed into the team at Mont De Lancey as its first artist in residence. Describing it as like a feeling of coming home, Donna said it has been such a positive experience so far, especially with the encouragement of friends, family and of course the team at Mont De Lancey. Jill Sebire, president of the historic homestead, said it has breathed new life in the gallery space, making it a win-win for everyone. To read more, turn to page 20
Watercolour artist Donna Legg feels at home in her new artist in residence role at Mont De Lancey. (Stewart Chambers: 468222)
‘Balanced budget’ A “living within our means” budget, with the three per cent maximum rate increase applied, has been drafted by Yarra Ranges Council for the next financial year. The newly released draft budget is open for community consultation until late April, but debate about the rate rise has already ensued within
the council chamber. Councillor Mitch Mazzarella said he “can’t justify to my communities and to the people of the Yarra Ranges” a further rate rise if “services are not efficient”. Mayor Jim Child and corporate services director Vince Lombardi told Star Mail, however, that the rate increase was a means of continuing to deliver services and provide infrastructure upgrades
to the community. “To still give quality in those services that we provide, we have to do it within the parameters of the three per cent,” Cr Child said. The urban budget for 2025-26 was very much focused on road, footpath and drainage construction and rehabilitation, with some proposed funding for playspace and reserve renewal. Some of the key funding features of this bud-
get across the shire include $17.9 million for 39 road resurfacing and sealing projects across the Yarra Ranges; $3.9 million for drainage works as part of the forecasted six year plan; $7.7 million on renewal and improvement works for recreational, leisure and community facilities and buildings; and $13.9 million for parks, open space and streetscapes. To read more, turn to pages 4-5, 7 and 9
PHYSIOTHERAPY - REMEDIAL MASSAGE - CLINICAL CLASSES - REFORMER PILATES MOUNT EVELYN Shop 2, 18 Station Street P: 9736 2565
OLINDA 1542 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road P: 9751 0400
CHIRNSIDE PARK 3/282 Maroondah Highway P: 8899 6377
BOOK YOUR NEXT APPOINTMENT ONLINE www.formandpractice.com.au/book-online
12735093-JV01-25
By Mikayla van Loon
Shop 4/260 Main Street Lilydale
Ph: 9100 3600 12723183-AV42-24