What Other Candidates Said

Posted 21/3/07

State Planning Protection In Macedon Ranges: What Is It, and Why Is It Needed?

MRRA's presentation on the issues confronting Macedon Ranges, and what it needs to survive

Here's What Other Candidates Said

YES Country Alliance Moratorium On All Changes Until Studies Finished (18/11/06 - SP)

"The Country Alliance position at this stage is to opt for a moratorium on all changes in the Macedon Ranges until we are fully informed of all the issues. We would would want all the studies that were initiated to be recommenced and completed before we made any decision. We also have deep concern about developing areas that maybe better left as farming and conservation. The only approved development would be to provide for the needs for the current residents. I know this is vague but we cannot promise to favour a particular point of view without knowing what the majority of the Macedon residents want and before we know the full impact etc. I hope this helps you and if we are elected you can be assured we will do everything in our power to provide a common sense solution."

MRRA Says:

Thank you Country Alliance, your support is warmly welcomed.

YES Andrew Robinson, Democratic Labor Party Supports State Level Protection And Protection Of Water Catchments (18/11/06 - SP)

"Thank you for clarifying the queries I raised during the phone conversation we had on the 14th. In light of this discussion I believe there are issues that have not been properly addressed by the state government with concern to "State level protection of the Macedon Ranges" and so I would be in favour of supporting a resolution that retains the unique character of the Macedon Ranges and prohibits any development that is detrimental to the area, or has a negative impact on the water catchment capacity. I look forward to speaking with you after the 25th. Regards Andrew Robinson."

MRRA Says:

Thank you indeed, Andrew, for your support for protection in Macedon Ranges.

YES Greens Back State Level Planning Protection in Macedon Ranges "Sustainability In Macedon Ranges Means No Over-Development. The Greens Support That" (14/11/06 - SP)

After meeting with Greens representatives in early October to discuss the need for restoring State level planning policy and controls for Macedon Ranges, MRRA last week issued a press release announcing Greens' support for that level of planning protection. Upper House candidate for the Northern Victoria Region, Jennifer Alden, headed up the Greens' delegation that met with MRRA. Jennifer said, "We acknowledge that the Macedon Ranges is a discrete and special area that Is not only environmentally sensitive but in need of specific State-level planning protections for its rural land and towns. On this issue we are in agreement with the Macedon Ranges Residents Association." Click here to see MRRA's Press Release.

MRRA Says:

It is a breath of fresh air, after the Bracks government's stubborn refusal to recognise Macedon Ranges' plight and provide protection, to find that others can see the problem and the need to fix it. We would like to sincerely thank the Greens for working with MRRA to produce this very welcome result.

YES Steve 'Jack' Medcraft, Independent Supports Protective Policy for Macedon Ranges (14/11/06 - SP)

Yes I support such a policy however there have to be safeguards built into it that don't leave landowners holding onto property that might be very well for the public but which is costing the owner a heavy financial burden to have it preserved and protected. Rob Hulls has to be brought into line with the other two areas you mentioned.

MRRA Says:

Thank you Steve (Jack) for supporting policy protection for Macedon Ranges.

YES Dave Barry, Independent Fully Supports State Planning Protection & Interim Protection (14/11/06-SP)

Some fairly worrying material - it is obviously a very complicated issue with a whole range of implications and considerations with various interest groups obviously having different viewpoints. I guess the striking thing to me, were the comments (which I absolutely agree with) from the ex Minister Mr Hayes. I fully support the notion that State Planning Protection be given to the Macedon Ranges, that a Macedon Ranges Strategy be developed via genuine consultation with concerned parties, and that interim protection should be put in place until such a strategy is adopted. I wish you success with your efforts to preserve a unique part of Victoria which if left much longer could well be diminished for future generations.

MRRA Says:

Thank you Dave for fully supporting protection for Macedon Ranges and its community.

YES Stefano de Pieri Independent Committed To Strategic Approach To Manage Pressures On Regional Communities From The Expanding Urban Fringe - Sympathies Are With Us (18/11/06 - SP)

“Thank you for the opportunity to respond to your concerns. The Stefano de Pieri Group is absolutely committed to a strategic approach to planning, which is the only sensible way to manage the pressures falling on regional communities from the expanding urban fringe. At last the recognition that climate change is occurring, with many unforeseen consequences, such as supply of water and managing energy requirements, also means a serious re-think on how planning is addressed in areas such as yours. I look forward to discussing your issue with you and assisting in a satisfactory outcome if I am elected to Northern Region. I understand your frustration and my sympathies are with you. Stefano de Pieri"

MRRA Says:

Thank you sincerely for your support and sympathy, Stefano.

YES Dianne Hadden, Independent Confirms Support for State Level Planning Protection Dianne has already said she supports it, and has already called for the Bracks government to act, including re-instating Statement of Planning Policy No. 8. She hasn't changed her mind... (14/11/06 - SP)

MRRA Says:

MRRA first met with Dianne in 2004, and met again with her earlier this year to put the State protection issue. She has been both supportive and active, taking the issue to parliament and writing a number of times to the Minister for Planning calling for State level planning protection to be given back to Macedon Ranges, including re-instatement of Statement of Planning Policy No. 8 as State policy. Rock-solid support. Click here to see MRRA's Press Release.

YES Laurie Whelan Independent Supports Sustainable Planning And Development To Protect Rural Landscapes And Amenity (18/11/06 - SP)

"I have a strong belief in sustainable planning and development to ensure the protection of rural landscapes and amenity. My experience from dealing with a range of planning issues during my six years as councillor representing the large Eppalock Ward in the southern part of the City of Greater Bendigo gave me a broad understanding of the local and state level planning frameworks. The complexities of planning schemes and protection of natural features and landscapes require good planning processes and consultation with local and regional stakeholders."

MRRA Says:

Thank you Laurie, for your support for protecting rural landscapes and amenity.

YES A Liberal Government Will Protect Macedon Ranges & McHarg Ranges: Announcement By Ted Baillieu Yesterday in Macedon, Will Provide State Strategy, State Policy, State Legislation, No Wind Turbines In This Area. (18/11/06 - SP)

The Liberal Party yesterday pledged that, if elected on November 25, it will give Macedon Ranges and the McHarg Ranges (near Pyalong and Baynton) State level planning protection. In part the Policy released yesterday said "The Macedon and McHarg Ranges need proper planning safeguards and to be recognised for the areas' State significance... the two areas... demand protection but are now under threat from insensitive and inappropriate development." Ted Baillieu said a Liberal government would "move quickly" to protect the Ranges from inappropriate development and is committed providing similar protections to Macedon Ranges as are provided to Yarra Ranges - protection by legislation and State level policy. Statement of Planning Policy No. 8 - Macedon Ranges and Surrounds which, under the Bracks government, has languished and been mainly ignored as a Local Policy, will at last be restored to State policy under a Liberal government. Click here to see Ted Baillieu's press release. Click here to see the policy "A Liberal Government Plan to protect the Macedon and McHarg Ranges"

MRRA Says:

To pilfer Martin Luther King's words, will it be a case of "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"?

The Liberals' package would mean we in Macedon Ranges could again protect our towns from suburban influences and over-development, and protecting water catchments, landscapes, conservation, recreation and tourism values would again become the primary focus of planning decisions. At a minimum, this announcement at least means there is at least hope. Hope of some sanity instead of the development madness the Bracks government is forcing into a fragile area that is already beginning to disintegrate under the pressure, and onto communities that don't want it. Now, there really is an alternative to the absolute blackness of Macedon Ranges' future under the Bracks government's mindless suburban agenda.

There was a strong sense of deja-vu at the Liberal launch yesterday. 30 years ago the Hamer Liberal government gave Macedon Ranges its own State planning policy: Statement of Planning Policy No. 8. The Policy's objectives were to resist metropolitan development pressures, keep towns rural, preserve farmland, strictly limit development in elevated, significant landscape and water catchment areas, and protect the area's importance as a major recreation and tourism destination and as a natural contrast to Melbourne's urban environments. Macedon Ranges lost that State policy and its protective planning scheme (which put the policy into practice) under Labor. Yesterday Ted Baillieu and David Davis, and Liberal candidate for Macedon Robyne Head, vowed a Liberal government would give it back.

After almost 3 years of trying to convince the Bracks Labor government to act on its promises to protect, MRRA was stunned and delighted by the breadth of the Liberal commitment yesterday. It is what MRRA has asked both the Labor party and Liberal party to provide. Of the two, only the Liberal party has recognised our desperate need for protection.

And yet, MRRA has found there is wide-spread, cross-party support for action to preserve Macedon Ranges. Most other candidates at next Saturday's election have confirmed they too support either State level protection or work being done to protect the area's significant natural attributes, landscapes and amenity.

MRRA reps Neil Manning (President) and Christine Pruneau (Secretary), along with local resident and former State MP for Gisborne, Seeker Athol Guy, were at the launch to witness the historic announcement. Athol, as the then local member , strongly advocated in the 1970s for the introduction of Statement of Planning Policy No. 8. Another who was also involved in the 1970s told MRRA they never thought "we" would ever have to fight for the Policy again. Neither did we. Thank you, Ted and Dave.

YES Rob Guthrie (People Power) Won't Rest Until Macedon Ranges Is Again Protected - Major Influence Over Why He Is Standing (18/11/06 - SP)

"The government may not care about Macedon Ranges, but I do, passionately. I care about the contribution this unique area makes to the liveability of Melbourne; the drinking water it produces for communities and cities throughout the region; its rare richness of resources, features and assets that benefit all Victorians; and most of all I care about the permanent damage that is being done because of the Bracks government’s treachery. I make a rock-solid promise to voters that I won’t rest until Macedon Ranges is again protected from the destructive suburban invasion and over-development the Bracks government is pushing on us."

MRRA Says:

Thank you Rob Guthrie, for your support and for your efforts over time in trying to persuade the government to change its mind.

YES People Power Fully Supports State Protection (18/11/06 - SP)

"People Power fully supports the restoration of State policy and specific State-level planning strategies and controls to protect Macedon Ranges from over-development".

MRRA Says:

Marvellous response, People Power. Thank you so much.

YES Socialist Alliance Party Supports Restoration Of Policies And State Planning Strategies And Controls To Protect Macedon Ranges From Over-development. (18/11/06 - SP)

The Socialist Alliance is very supportive of nearly all proposals to protect state and national forests and indeed any public land from overdevelopment. We would support, if elected, the restoration of policies and state planning strategies and controls to protect the Macedon Ranges from over-development. We support an end to old growth forest logging and believe that water catchment areas should be protected from industrial, forestry and where appropriate residential use, thereby eliminating a major source of reduced flows to dams."

MRRA Says:

Thank you, Sue Bull (who responded on behalf of the Socialist Alliance) for your wonderful support.

Christian Democratic Party (Fred Nile Group) - no response

Family First - no response

National Party - no response

John S. Camilleri - no response