Posted 24/11/14

MRRA  Established 1995.  Included in the National Library of Australia and State Library of Victoria archives in 2009

Macedon Ranges Residents’ Association Inc.     Regn. No. A0034439T

Media Release

24/11/14

Political Parties’ Positions on State Level Protection for Macedon Ranges

Of the three sensitive areas protected with State policy in the 1970s, today Dandenong Ranges and Mornington Peninsula have State policy protection, Macedon Ranges has none.

At this election, all three major parties promise to correct this omission and are supporting State level policy protection with Statement of Planning Policy No. 8.  This recognises the desperate need for State level protection, and the critical importance of Policy No. 8 to this area and community.

Macedon Ranges Residents’ Association Secretary, Christine Pruneau, said: 

“Labor (with thanks to Brian Tee and Macedon candidate Mary Anne Thomas) has announced the strongest protection which includes legislating – making it law – to protect Macedon Ranges, with Statement of Planning Policy No. 8 as the basis of that legislation.   This would at last provide Macedon Ranges with the same type of legislation and policy protection enjoyed by the Dandenong Ranges and Mornington Peninsula.” 

“The Greens (with thanks to Macedon candidate Neil Barker) have confirmed their full support for State level protection, and for Statement of Planning Policy No. 8 being State policy for Macedon Ranges.”

“The Liberal party (with thanks to Upper House candidate Amanda Millar), pledges to make good its promise to protect Macedon Ranges Shire with Statement of Planning Policy No. 8 as State policy, by taking charge of the Localised Planning Statement project botched by Council.” 

Ms Pruneau added:

“State level protection is long overdue, and this promised support is a great and very welcome outcome for Macedon Ranges.”

“However, after the disappointments of waiting 15 long and damaging years for protection, we are not going to be quiet or go away, and will literally be counting the days, until permanent State level protection for Macedon Ranges is in place.”