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The last rose of summer has just about faded, and the weather has given us all a glimpse of other seasons some of us pleased, others not so pleased with the heavy rains..

A great deal of activity has taken place since the Spring edition!

Two very successful events a garage sale in October - $300plus- thanks to Allison & Ian for use of their garden.

Open Garden Day- $500 plus thanks to Emma Sprunt, Kevin & Peg for the beautiful day and great garden walks. We have been able to finally pay all of our legal costs, thanks to your support

The Committee welcomes Allison Martland to the position of Assistant Secretary, other executive positions remain the same. At the January Special Meeting, Chairman Bill Brown proposed six alterations to the Articles of Association. A resolution at that meeting was agreed to by members who had been notified prior to the evening, and Consumer Affairs has been duly notified.

When Council met on November 2nd to recommend only the local heritage planning amendment for the Philippine House and Museum and the small area of land around it.

Council advises the public that the VicUrban plan for 150 house allotments can go ahead, even though the C42 amendment for land to remove flood overlays on the eastern side of the moat have not been approved by the Minister.
The environmental audit has not been completed and one should hope that Council will inform the public of the outcome of noise, pollution matters.

Bill Brown requested a council referendum either at the November 2005 election (saving money) or held separately using money held in reserve from the Village - $93,000.

Another matter which may have involved insurance was the burning down of the international doll display house in August 2004. Small cost when such a significant loss of public parkland is at issue. This was discussed at the November Council meeting request denied.

Once again the option of council calling a public meeting was refused fourth time now!

Council does not inform the public of the costs to fight this community with barristers representing it at both Planning & Heritage Hearings!

The committee will continue to fight on with objections to flawed Council social, environmental and flood planning, heritage and 2030 issues as the focus for lobbying state Ministers, and VicUrban, hoping that someone will stand up for the rights of those affected by Council decisions made in cabinet.

With the exception of community minded Cr Bruce Wilson, who consistently states his objections, Council continues to tell government Ministers, their Departmental officers, and the media that it has consulted widely on this significant issue.

Does anyone remember being asked if he/she would agree to a housing estate on our public parklands before City Council agreed to give the site to VicUrban to develop entering into a Deed of Agreement September 2002?

Our Committee has written twice to request that question time be an option at Council meetings, including a submission following a review of Council Meeting processes in 2004. Nothing was resolved.

A request to have talkback on COGS on AIR met with little or no response – in 2003!

Question time is allowed for at meetings in many other municipalities, why not ours?

Council then expresses concern with the actions of frustrated communities conducting rallies, and writing letters to newspapers, speaking on radio and TV WHAT OTHER OPTION DOES THIS COMMUNITY HAVE TO CHALLENGE COUNCIL DECISIONS WHICH AFFECT THEM SOCIALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY?

Costly legal challenges such as Panel Hearings and VCAT end up costing this community twice over. When Council fights community on social planning issues such as we have had in the past two years costs must be borne through rates.

Jenny states that her concern with the lack of genuine council - community consultation is the incentive to her standing in 2005. Happy to meet with any organisation, Jenny will listen to any issues concerning council.

As all Friends are aware, Parkside Gardens was nominated by the State Government as the winner of the north-east region's "My Favorite Place". August 29th was the public announcement in the Sunday Herald Sun.

Unfortunately, on the same day, the Lions House was burnt out – its uses had been many and varied. Most popularly it was visited regularly as an international dolls display house, and many people of all ages delighted in the beautiful display. Surely there must have been an insured value for this building?

At this time, still no comment from the municipality on this prestigious win. However Bill Brown and the Committee held a special presentation to the Shepparton community of the certificate awarded to the Municipal Winner.

Council has recognised and recommended the local significance of these two buildings which this community has fought to protect throughout the past five years' of debate.

At first the buildings were excluded from the 2001 VicUrban project proposal with the suggestion that both these and the Bangerang Keeping Place could be relocated.!

Sadly, these two buildings will only have a small area of land surrounding and the beautiful waterway setting is to be filled in. Bill McCarthy and, of course Edith Dizon-Fitzsimmons have contributed to every obstacle along the way with written and spoken submissions to all Hearings.

We stand together on this and will continue to lobby for the retention of the magnificent waterways.

Our function held there in late January was, as usual, highly enjoyed.

We continue to work closely with the community at theState Heritage listed Bangerang Cultural Centre towards the future.

For four years we have lobbied state Ministers and Departments to protect our public parkland. We have been ably supported by Local Member Jeanette Powell who has taken our representatives to meet with former Planning and Heritage Minister Mary Delahunty and Executive Director of Heritage Victoria in May last year. Wendy Lovell north –eastern province Member continues to support us.

Jeanette Powell MP continues to take the debate into Parliament, informing the Ministers of the seriousness of the loss of this heritage valued space to the community.

The Committee continues to write to the Ministers and recently has requested that the new Minister for Planning & Environment Rob Hulls meet with our community, and to review the planning amendments and recent heritage recommendations before it is too late to protect this site.

We continue also to write to VicUrban and the Minister responsible for Major Projects, now John Lenders, urging them to revisit this significant matter. "WE FORGE ON TOGETHER".

Watch the 'Shepparton NEWS' on Tuesdays for notification of future activities, currently in the planning stage.

The Meeting is held on the third Wednesday of the month at the Mechanics Institute Wyndham Street Shepparton – Parking at the rear of the building.
Time: 8pm daylight saving and 7:30pm April to November.

Thank you to those who have renewed or joined already. If you have not received a notice, $10 membership was due by 31st January this year.

This could be paid at the Bush Market Stall, or by post to Pat Moran at 5 Gina Crt, Shepparton or to Jenny Houlihan at "The Living Room" Centrepoint Arcade 267 Maude Street Shepparton.