Tuesday, 30 June, 2026
Intersection upgrade to begin in July
Volunteers rewarded for service to community
Bonfire Ceili a hit in Mount Evelyn
See Real Estate liftout inside
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A Star News Group Publication
Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
On your toes! The Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre will stage Anthony Shaffer’s edge-of-your-seat thriller Sleuth from 2 to 18 July, helping mark the company’s 50th anniversary. The plot follows a wealthy mystery writer who lures his wife’s lover into a sinister, psychological game of wits. Director Ian Frost, shifting from his usual comedies, promises a deceptive experience enhanced by Merinda Backway’s modernised, forced-perspective set design. The production honours the theatre’s heritage by reviving the same show staged there 25 years ago. Prepare for “game playing, illusion, elements of uncertainty”. Read more on page 9 Elliot Shute and Timothy Murphy’s characters try to outwit each other in this gripping thriller. (Alexandra Carter, Wanderling Photography)
Keep on truckin’ By Gabriella Vukman The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has overturned a Yarra Ranges Council decision, retrospectively approving the importation of nearly 40,000 truckloads of fill onto a protected Green Wedge property. In its 16 June ruling, the Tribunal determined that the massive earthworks at Greenhaven Pastoral Pty Ltd’s property, located at 199 Victoria Road, Coldstream, were primarily intended to improve agricultural production rather than operate as a landfill. The decision grants approval
for approximately 400,000 cubic metres of soil that had already been deposited without prior planning permission. While VCAT acknowledged there was a legitimate scientific basis for using imported soil to improve moisture retention and pasture production, it found the project had exceeded what was necessary. Tribunal findings revealed excessive fill depths, steep embankments, and works extending dangerously close to the Yarra River floodplain. Consequently, VCAT ordered substantial modifications. The amended permit enforces
a 10-metre buffer from the floodplain, gentler slopes to prevent erosion, and strict environmental safeguards. These include soil testing, erosion controls, and ongoing monitoring by an EPA-accredited auditor to address the minor contaminants, such as concrete and plastic, found in the soil. Yarra Ranges Council, which originally refused the permit in October 2024, expressed deep disappointment. Director of Planning and Sustainable Futures, Kath McClusky, argued the works represent an inappropriate fill disposal operation that threat-
ens the environment. “We believe it weakens the intent of Green Wedge protections in the Yarra Ranges, and we call on the State Government to provide clear regulatory guidance,” Ms McClusky said, adding that the council is currently reviewing its options. The landmark ruling establishes that largescale earthworks using imported fill are not automatically classified as landfill if agricultural benefits can be proven, though such projects remain subject to rigorous environmental regulation. Full story on page 6
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