Upper Kiewa Valley Community Association

Kevin Cosgriff from the Mt. Beauty Parks Victoria Office has forwarded on Notifications about current Planned Burn Details.

Details about these burns are listed on the Forest Fire Management Victoria notice attached and also on the Generic Public Info Map.  You will need to click on these links to get more information.

FFMVic Ovens planned burn program 2021

Generic Public Info Map_Moncrief Gap Tk Burn

• Thee are also several other ways to stay up to date about planned burns that may occur in your area.
• Contact the OVENS District FFMVic team on 03 5731 1222
• Visit Planned burns now and in the next 10 days www.ffm.vic.gov.au/planned burn
• Download the VicEmergency app on your mobile device to receive information abou current planned burning activity
• Visit the VicEmergency website www.emergency.vic.gov.au
• Call the VicEmergancy Hotline 0n 1800226226

The Upper Kiewa Valley Community Association would like to invite interested community members to participate and join our current group.

10 Reasons to Join a Community Group

• • • It’s good for your health.
    • You meet new Friends.
    • You make new Contacts
    • You learn new Skills!
    • It’s good for the Community.
    • You can follow your interests.
    • You can build up your CV.
    • You can learn how to win your Battles.
    • You can make a Contribution.
    • It’s good for the Country.

Several of our Committee members are moving on to other locations and the Committee would welcome new members to contribute to the UKVCA Group.  If this is something you would be interested in, the Committee would welcome you to our monthly meeting which is held in the evening on 2nd Thursday of each month.  Send an email to the secretary at info@ukvcommunity.org.au     The committee would make you most welcomed.  The next meeting is on the 11th March.

Other notices of interest for your information

1.  Environmental Victoria has notified us of Community Environment Grants Packages with grants of up to $50,000 which is available for small and large-scale projects dedicated to preserving Victoria’s biodiversity and waterways.  The possible Grant that would most apply to the Kiewa Valley is the Community volunteer Action Grant.   For more information and to apply, visit       environment.vic.gov.au/grants

2. As a result of the serious and widespread impacts of bushfires, Alpine Shire Council and Bushfire Recovery Victoria (BRV) have coordinated the formation of an Alpine Community Recovery Committee.

The Alpine CRC is seeking expressions of interest  (EOI) for a representative from Bright and surrounds and the Kiewa Valley to join the Alpine CRC.

Community members from a variety of backgrounds and experience are encouraged to apply.  EOIs close 7pm Monday, 22nd February, 2021.  More info is available in the Expressions of Interest Pack.

For more information email the Bushfire Recovery Team at  info@alpinecrc.org.au or call the Alpine Shire Council on 5755 0555

The Upper Kiewa Valley Community Association has received information about some programs  that may impact on or be of interest to our community.

• The Ovens Fire District 2021 Planned Burning Program.  Click on the following links for more information and see map below:
  • • • Planned Burn Victoria info sheet.pdf 2021
      • FFMVic Ovens planned burn program 2021

• Regional Road Victoria have notified UKVCA of of scheduled works to begin mid February, 2021.  Landslip prevention work is planned for the Bogong High Plains Road, the Tawonga Gap Road and the Great Alpine Road.  Click on their bulletin link below for more information.
  • • • Landslips culvert works_ bulletin
• DEWLP have forwarded on their latest Newsletter notifying us of the Community Environment Grants Package which is now available for grants of up to $50,000 for small and large scale projects dedicated to preserving Victoria’s biodiversity and waterways. The category that could apply to the Upper Kiewa Valley is the Community Volunteer Action Grants  – to protect and enhance the natural environment, boost volunteer participation and address threats to biodiversity on public and private land.

For more information and to apply, visit environment.vic.gov.au/grants

In late August the UKVCA, at the request of the Alpine Shire, sought your comments on a suitable name for the trail along the West Kiewa River, now extended to the East Kiewa River, with a planned extension to Damms Rd (refer to the Map below).

We submitted the results of this survey to the Alpine Shire in September and in late November we were told that the Shire required further community engagement, which they would arrange.

This has led to a community survey which has now been presented to our community via the Alpine Shire Council Facebook page.

For those of you who do not access Facebook, the relevant content is shown below.

TRAIL NAMING – Kiewa Valley residents – have you walked, run or ridden along the newly-completed extension to the shared trail along the West Kiewa River from Embankment Drive?

We need your help to find an official name for this wonderful trail!

The path is currently known informally as the Pebble Beach Trail, which reflects the previous end point at Pebble Beach (Corner Pool).

Following the project to extend the trail, the current end point is now 900m beyond Pebble Beach, with aspirations for the trail to be connected along the East Kiewa River back to Damms Road in the future.

The Upper Kiewa Valley Community Association committee has secured funding to install permanent signage along the trail, and in order to finalise this signage, the trail is in need of a formal name.

The significance of Pebble Beach (formerly Corner Pool) will be recognised in an art installation at the site.

To have your say on three possible options OR your suggestion (Other) please complete the very SHORT survey here:

 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MountBeautyTrail

If you, or someone you know would prefer to complete a hard copy, copies of the survey are available at the Mount Beauty Library.

The survey closes 9am Monday, 25 January.

 We urge you to take this opportunity to suggest your preferred name.

The UKVCA has been waiting for months to finalize signage and the artwork and would like to get it completed as soon as possible.

Mary Pike, Secretary, UKVCA

Overview of the current trail and what is proposed for the future.

As the year 2020 comes to a close, the Upper Kiewa Valley Community Association sends out Season’s Greetings to All.  Thank you for your support and interest in the UKVCA throughout the year.

Here are some DOs and DON’Ts for the last weeks of the year:……

• DO make some time to enjoy the extended walk/shared trail along the West Kiewa River.  The trail is now sealed approximately 900 metres beyond Pebble Beach/Corner Pool.  This work was funded by the Victorian State Government under the “Pick My Project’ program.  UKVCA hope you enjoy this trail.
• If you have overlooked renewing your UKVCA 2020 membership, here are the details:  In person or on-line at the Mt. Beauty Community Bank in Hollonds Street.                      BSB: 633 000     A/c No. 156 980 120   A/c Name:  UKVCommunity Association Inc.     Annual M’ship is $10 per household.  Please put your name on the transaction and email UKVCA with the date and your name:  info@ukvcommunity.org.au
• DON’T forget to prepare your property for summer.  It is essential that your property is cleared of any long and dead grass or vegetation..  In the case of a fire emergency this is the first thing that will be impacted by ember attack.  Alpine Shire does have a Fire Prevention Enforcement Officer.  If you are concerned about a non-compliant property in your neighbourhood, contact Alpine Shire with the details.  This will be forwarded  for investigation, anomymously,  by the Fire Prevention Enforcement Officer.  Send your concerns to info@alpineshire.vic.gov.au
• Finally, DO have an happy, healthy and safe Christmas and New Year.

The Upper Kiewa Valley Community Association continued to work on local issues throughout 2020 and UKVCA thank all those residents who have renewed their membership online or in person at the last 2 Mt. Beauty markets.  Current community issues that may be of interest are:

The Mt. Beauty Pool

The Mt. Beauty pool opens on the 23rd November.  Week day opening hours are from 7am – 10.30 for Lap Swimming Only and from 3pm – 7pm for General Entry Swimming.  Weekend Swimming Opening Times are from 1.30pm to 6.30pm.  NOTE:  Within these hours the pool may be closed for a school booking.  COVID-19 safe plans will be in place.

• Use of hand sanitiser.
• Register your visit using a QR code or on paper at the entrance.
• Wear a mask when you are not in the pool.
• Adhere to 1.5m social distancing.

The Mt. Beauty Tip/Transfer Station

The Alpine Shire is holding a FREE green waste disposal weekend at the Mt. Beauty Transfer station on Saturday & Sunday (November 28th & 29th).  Loads of clean green waste up to 2m3 will be accepted.  (Branches no greater than 200mm diameter and no stumps).

Mt. Beauty BreastScreen Van Visit

UKVCA have received notice of the upcoming visit of BreastScreen Victoria’s mobile van which offers free screens for those eligible over 50.  Breast screens are with a female radiographer, take 10 minutes and you don’t need a GP referral or Medicare card.                  DATES:          Monday 4th January  to Friday, 22nd January, 2021                                           LOCATION: Mt. Beauty Neighbourhood Centre, 1 Tennis Court Road, Mt. Beauty             Bookings:     Appointments are now open and can be made at     https://bookings.breastscreen.org.au    or  by calling the contact centre on 13 20 50     

A final reminder…….

If you have overlooked paying the annual membership, UKVCA would appreciate your support.  Annual Membership is $10 for a Single or Household and $15 for a Club, Organisation or Business.   Renewal can be done at the Mt Beauty Community Bank or on-line.  Details:  BSB 633 000   A/c No. 156980120   A/c name:  UKV Community Assoc. Inc.  Please put your name on the transaction details.  The treasurer would appreciate an email notification stating your name & date of deposit at   <info@ukvcommunity.org.au>