Upper Kiewa Valley Community Association

A community update about the Mt. Beauty West Kiewa River reclamation/rejuvenation project will take place tomorrow (Wednesday, 30th March, 2016) at 5pm.

This project is the culmination of a work managed by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and supported by the Upper Kiewa Valley Community Association, Alpine Shire Council, the North East Catchment Management Authority (NECMA), the Green Army and Landcare.

For further information click on the blue link Press Release below:

DELWP Press Release

Lachlan Campbell, from NECMA has done an interview with 7News today which should appear on TV tonight.  The update and walk starts at 5pm on Wednesday, 30th March.  Meet at the rotunda in the Rotary/Jack Heberle Park at the Kiewa Valley Highway/Embankment Drive by the West Kiewa River Bridge crossing.

Please let any interested friends or community members know.

One of the initial projects on the Upper Kiewa Valley Community Association list was launched in early March, 2016.   The interpretative sign was organised by Mary Pike,  UKVCA committee member.  UKVCA is grateful to the Into Our Hands Foundation, the Mt. Beauty Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Mt. Beauty, AGL and Falls Creek Resort Management Authority who contributed funds for the project.

The sign features a panoramic photograph, labelling the main elements of the valley view, and includes historical material, information about the hydro-electric scheme, material from Falls Creek Management Authority and environmental information.

In the photograph above, Paula and Marty, visitors from Adelaide, appreciated the information.  Next time you pass Sullivan’s Lookout, take time to stop and admire the view and the sign.

A terrific turnout of interested community members attended the recent forum which was addressed by MLA for Benambra,  Bill Tilley, Alpine Shire Staff and Council members, and a representative from the North East Catchment Management Authority (NECMA), and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DEWLP).

For a report on issues raised and discussed at the forum click on the blue link below.

https://www.ukvcommunity.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Community-Forum-March-2016-Report.pdf

TUESDAY, March 8

Cathy McGowan, Federal Member for Indi,  will be visiting Mt. Beauty and Tawonga to honour her election commitment to get out and about in Indi.  Her mobile office is a bright orange caravan and she is inviting people to stop and have a chat about key issues affecting our community.

The Mt. Beauty Listening Post will be in Lakeside Ave., near the CFA Building at 10am.

She will also be a Guest panelist at the International Women’s Day lunch at the Tawonga Memorial Hall.

Upper Kiewa Valley Community Association is hosting the first Community Forum for 2016 on Thursday, 3rd March at 7.30pm at the Senior Citizens Centre, Tawonga Crescent, Mt. Beauty.

The Forum will be addressed by Mr. Bill Tilley (MLA for Benambra), Alpine Shire staff and some ASC Councillors.  Francine Stacey from the Alpine Shire will report on the progress of the CBD and playground upgrades and tell the forum of future plans.  Lachlan Campbell from the North East Catchment Management Authority (NECMA) will report about the removal of willows from the West Kiewa River – why, and how to do it.

This will be followed by a Q & A session and the chance to chat over a ‘cuppa’.

UKVCA hope you will put this date in your diary and come and join in and participate in community progress.

Upper Kiewa Valley Community Association have been notified by Alpine Shire Council that, as part of the upgrade to the town centre, roadworks in the Mt. Beauty town centre will recommence on Monday, 8th February, 2016.

Kerbing works will begin on the corner of Kiewa Crescent and Lakeside Ave.  The contractors then propose to move south along Lakeside Avenue to the Hollands Street intersection.  They will then undertake the kerbing works on the north side of Kiewa Crescent, followed by the kerbing works on the south side of Kiewa Crescent.  The kerbing  works are anticipated to be completed in March.

NOTE:  The new parking on both sides of Kiewa Crescent will be 6o degree angle parking, which is a change from the existing 90 degree angle parking.

More information about this work will be posted on the Alpine Shire Council Home Page in the February project bulletin next week.  On the ALS homepage, click on Services, then click on Major Projects tab (in the drop down menu on the left hand side of this screen).

Congratulations to the 2016 Australia Day Recipients in the Kiewa Valley….

Keith Pike was named the Local Achiever of the Year for the Kiewa Valley.  Keith’s active participation in the Lions Club, the Alpine Shire L2P program, the Mt. Beauty and District Band, the Bright Singers, Team Mt. Beauty Mountain Bikes, Reading for the Print Handicapped on Alpine Radio makes him a worthy recipient.  Keith, pictured here, receiving his Award from Yvonne Sutton, who chaired the ceremony at Mt. Beauty.

The Alpine Shire 2016 Organisation of the Year was awarded to the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club Search & Rescue team which has performed over 80 rescues in the region’s high plains and remote areas  over 30+ years.  Some of the team members, pictured above,  include Jim Gargan, Jarrod Paine, Bill Little, Bob Flower, Tony Keeble, Marty Eriksson and founding member, Bruce Vine.

The Alpine Shire’s Local Young Achiever of the Year was awarded to Kenton Ford of Mt. Beauty.  Kenton was unable to attend the ceremony to accept his Award.  Kenton volunteers as an Adaptive Snowsport Guide with Disabled Winter Sports Australia and attends the DWSA snowsports camps which run every weekend throughout the winter season.  In addition, from his experience presenting a weekly Alpine radio program, he now produces a web-based music program.  He is also a skilled all round skier and was a member of the 2014 Mt. Beauty Secondary College winning Secondary School team.

Visitors and walkers will appreciate the new signs that have been  located along the local Mt. Beauty walking trails.  With a very welcomed grant from the Alpine Shire’s Community Grants program, committee member, Jim Crebbin, has organised the signs and installation of them along the Survey Track, the Pole Track and the Gorge Walking Track.

Jim is pictured here with an old, original sign.  On the new signs, walkers will now be informed of distances and directions on the tracks.	Two families on holidays were appreciative of the new signs;   here overlooking the reservoir on the Survey Track.

Upper Kiewa Valley Community Association would like to draw your attention to the current Alpine Planning Scheme Amendment C39 – Notice of Preparation of an Amendment.

The Alpine Shire seeks community comment on plans, strategies and reports before finalisation.

If you are interested in viewing this notice, log onto  alpineshire.vic.gov.au                               On the Alpine Shire home page, click on the heading “on exhibition and public meetings” under the heading ‘Have your say’ on the right hand side of this page.  It will then open up to a Shire wide Planning Scheme.  Pages 41 and 42 of the report may be of particular interest to Upper Kiewa Valley residents.  Submissions to Council have to be submitted by 15/1/16.

Even in our towns and villages, you will have noticed that rabbit numbers are on the rise in North East Victoria.

Our local Landcare Facilitator has requested that we publicise an upcoming Road Show on the 2016 Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) (pathogenic calicivirus) Road Show.  The Road Show is an opportunity for Landcarers and Supporters to have an opportunity to get the latest on the 2016 RHD Virus with information sessions in Tallangatta and Springhurst.  Click on the link below for venue and RSVP details.

Rabbits_RHDV_Boost_Roadshow_Mitta to Murray V4