It’s been awhile since we touched base but rest assured, we have been pressing on with things behind the scenes and just want to pass on what we’ve been up to.

After the Public Meeting at the Greenvale Recreation Centre on 8 September 2011, Olga and I attended the Public Council Meeting, which was held on Monday 12 September.  The issue was once again brought to the attention of the Council members and Council offices.  Adem and Ros (both Greenvale residents and Councillors of Aitken Ward).  Adem moved a motion That Council does not pursue further inclusion of the land known as Attwood Employment Land within the Urban Growth Boundary through Government’s Logical Inclusions Process.  Further, that Council refers the future of the land to the Hume Integrated Growth Area Planning (HIGAP) – Hume Corridor process commencing in 2012, which would include community consultations with the Greenvale and Attwood residents regarding their views for the future of the land.  Ros seconded this motion and it was carried. 
 
It is important to note, that the findings from the Growth Areas Authority “that this land should not be recommended into the Urban Growth Boundary at this stage” is only a temporary reprieve. THIS DOES NOT MEAN IT WON’T BE LOOKED AT AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. 

The owners of this land (some of which is owned by Hume City Council) will continue to pursue future development on this land because lets face it, without future development on this land, it’s not worth a cent to them. These land owners want to cash in on their investments at our expense, they didn’t buy it to be worth nothing, so our voices still need to be heard.

Over the last fortnight Logical Inclusion Hearings have been (and are still) being conducted for all parties, both for and against the development, to have their say. This hearing will continue until the 3^rd of October and then the mediators have approximately 6 weeks to come to their decision.  The panel/mediators will consider what potential or impact this development may have on the area and what, why and who will best benefit.  The panel is an independent body and they are taking both sides of this matter and affected parties into major consideration.  Olga, David, myself and a few other local residents attended the hearing last Thursday to voice our concerns on behalf of all the residents.  Once a verdict has been reached we will inform you of the outcome and relevant information.

We still need residents to sign up to our newsletter, which can be found here.  More importantly, the best thing you can do is to spread the word!!  Tell a friend, a neighbour or anyone that this future development may affect.  If you're registered on the newsletter we can automatically send updates directly to you and keep you involved in our next plan of attack if need be!

If you haven't already, please send a letter or email to those on the council who need to hear your voice. Click here to find out how.    Just make sure you cc. us a copy to saynotocommercial@hotmail for our records and for future reference.

We will report future updates to you once we have word.
Thanks for your continued support.
 
Regards
Megan and Olga