No vote from the boys

Source: Wngaratta Chronicle: 17 Nov 08

Preferences reveal sitting councillors’ division

Written by SALLY EVANS.

AN indication of preferences for this month’s Rural City of Wangaratta council election has revealed a division between sitting councillors.

Cr Rozi Parisotto has not included any of her colleagues in the top seven, and has instead formed a ticket with former councillor Kerrin Chambers, as well as newcomers Lauren O’Neill and Malcolm McKay.

In return, Cr Parisotto has been ranked last by rural city mayor Roberto Paino, and second last by councillor Neville Wright.

She is also ninth on Crs Bernard Young and Ron Webb’s preferences.

The bond between Crs Wright, Young, Webb and Paino remains strong, however, after they ranked each other at least in their top six.

Cr Parisotto said there were ill feelings following the release of preferences, particularly as she voted for Cr Paino as mayor.

"To see the way preferences have been given is indicative of the way I’ve been treated on council," she said.

"It’s not based on accountability or experience, but on personality, and I don’t belong to the same club."

But Cr Paino said he set his preferences with the aim of achieving seven independent councillors.

"There’s one ticket and I don’t see that as a right way to go," he said.

"Councillors should be independent, free of any political influence or persuasion, of independent thought and work as a team to achieve the best outcome for the people of Wangaratta."

Amanda Campbell, who was the only candidate not to submit preferences, said she was happy to leave the decision to rural city voters.

"I don’t feel comfortable telling other people how to vote," she said.

Thousands savor King Valley’s sweet life

Source: Wangaratta Chronicle: 17 Nov 08

Wining and dining in the valley, despite tougher economy

Written by JEFF ZEUSCHNER.

TOUGHER economic times didn’t stop thousands of people savoring fine wine, entertainment and cuisine in the King Valley on the weekend.

While organisers said wine sales may have been down a little, almost all of the 18 participating wineries enjoyed slightly better crowds than last year’s La Dolce Vita festival.

"Plenty of people have still come along and really had a good time," said Wines of the King Valley spokesperson, Elizabeth Ellis last night.

"Traditionally Sunday has been the busiest day, but this year Saturday seemed busier.

"Wineries are really happy with the response to the festival, which remains a key tool in the branding and promotion of the wine region."

Everything from games of bocce, gnocchi making to the lively tunes of Frank Politini’s piano accordion helped bring a taste of the sweet life in the valley.

King River Estate’s luncheon with renowned Australian chef Tony Bilson, was again a sell out, with the 120 guests enjoying a magnificent afternoon of fine wining and dining.

Police, who were out in force over the weekend, said drivers had heeded their warnings of playing it safe, with no bookings for drink or speed offences.

End to city’s China visits?

Source: Wangaratta Chronicle - 12 Nov 08

Candidates quizzed on benefits of ‘junkets’

Written by SALLY EVANS.

THE Rural City of Wangaratta may have funded its last trip to China after it was condemned as a junket at a "meet the candidates" night on Monday.

The meeting, organised by the Wangaratta branch of the Victorian Farmers Federation, considered the friendship city relationship with the Wuhzong District and a number of exchange visits between delegates in recent years.

In most cases, ratepayers have foot the bill for airfares and the hosts have covered other expenses including accommodation.

Wangaratta financial counsellor, Alan Gurney, asked the 12 candidates present what the benefits were, if any, of councillors and council staff travelling to China.

"We’re a small town and you’ve got to question the benefit of a councillor going over to China," Mr Gurney said.

"Is it a junket or not?"

Candidate Lauren O’Neill said she didn’t believe that in the current economic climate, and the way people are struggling, council should be spending money on councillors, chief executive officers and partners going overseas.

Cr Rozi Parisotto, who has formed a ticket along with Ms O’Neill, Malcolm McKay and Kerrin Chambers in a bid to win votes in the upcoming election, said the rural city relationship with China has spanned over 11 years, yet she hadn’t seen a strategy or the benefits.

Candidate Lisa McInerney suggested overseas trips should be considered on a case-by-case basis, with more local options being taken into account.

But Cr Bernard Young said the benefits of the friendship agreement have been many and varied, including teacher exchanges for Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE.

"There are already businesses in Wangaratta who deal with the Wuhzong District and China, and they’re obviously not going to declare what they’re doing," he said.

"But they’re happy with that relationship and it’s come about because we have helped build that relationship."

Rural city mayor, Roberto Paino, who was due to travel to China with his wife and council’s chief executive officer last month, only to have the trip cancelled following an earthquake, refuted suggestions the visits to China were junkets.

"I’ve been on one of those visits and you don’t have a minute to yourself," he said.

"Commercial trade opportunities do exist, but it’s not for us to be transparent about those negotiations.

"If we’ve been able to introduce people to the market in China, then we’ve done a good job."

But Mr Gurney was not convinced of the benefits, and said the outcome of the overseas trips should not be subject to confidentiality.

"There’s got to be transparency," he said.

"If someone (from council) goes over, they’re accountable to bring information back for the community.

"But it’s done behind closed doors and what the benefit was, we don’t really know."

RCow rates move against St John's units

Source: Wangaratta Chronicle 12 Nov 08

Council move to cash in on St John’s has residents up in arms

Written by PhilIp Nolan.

A PROPOSAL to impose individual property rates at St John’s Terrace has shocked and angered elderly residents.

The Rural City of Wangaratta is currently investigating the possibility of imposing rates on the 216 "independent living" units, despite the fact the village was declared rate exempt when it was first set up back in 1968.

And claims by council officers that the proposal is little more than "a preliminary investigation" have done little to placate worried residents.

St John’s Village chief executive officer, Joe Caruso, said his board was firmly of the view the units should remain rate exempt, while Ken Jasper (MLA, Murray Valley) has also backed the residents, saying a move to impose rates would be "very disappointing".

All residents are aware of the council proposal, and have been actively contacting sitting councillors with a view of winning their support.

Eric Van Leeuwen, a former long serving Shire of Oxley secretary and current St John’s Terrace resident, said the council proposal had caused a lot of concern among residents.

"People have moved into the village for security and peace of mind," he said.

"Many out here are on pensions and the prospect of an extra cost burden on them is a real worry.

"The residents have been emailing and ringing councillors, but the response we have been getting is the matter is in the hands of council officers.

"We are being left in the dark, and it is very disappointing that councillors don’t seem to be supporting us."

The council’s business services director, Ray Park, confirmed yesterday that an investigation into the legalities of the situation was under way.

"The issue came up during the recent revaluation of the city," he said.

"We have had discussions with St John’s and they maintain their stance that the village has always been rate exempt.

"There are a number of issues involved, and we are going through the process of examining all of those at the moment."

However, Mr Caruso was in no doubt that the village was legally on firm ground.

"The decision to make St John’s rate exempt was endorsed by the old Shire of Wangaratta on August 21, 1968, and that was for 16 independent living units," he said.

"It was based on a legal opinion by the late Arthur McSwiney, and it has been that way ever since.

"The first we heard of this was when council contacted us wanting to carry out valuations of all the homes.

"It was pretty obvious then what they were thinking.

"The board is very firm in its opposition to any change to the current status.

"Our independent living units are part of a wholistic, three tier approach to aged care, which we provide as a not for profit, charitable organisation.

"We are a lot different in that respect to other privately operated retirement villages."

Mr Jasper confirmed he had received representations from village residents and had also had preliminary discussions with the village board.

"I am certainly concerned at the implications for residents, many of whom are on pensions," he said.

"My view at this stage is it would be wrong to impose residential rates on them."

Not in Farm Zone

Source: Wangaratta Chronicle - 30.10.08

Council knocks back plans for boutique vineyards: fears a residential ‘enclave’

Written by philip nolan.

A PROPOSAL to establish a nine lot subdivision which would include three boutique vineyards on the Beechworth-Wangaratta road has been knocked back by the Rural City of Wangaratta.

Council’s planning officers feel the proposal could impact on existing agricultural uses and may also result in a residential "enclave" in what is a farming zone.

Beechworth Vineyards owns the 471 ha area of land and uses it for grape production.

Council’s infrastructure services director, Stephen Onions, told last week’s council meeting that the proposal was to create a nine lot subdivision with all lots above the required 40ha size.

Boutique vineyards would be established on three of the lots.

Mr Onions said, however, that the proposal would introduce a number of dwellings which would have the potential to create a rural residential "enclave" which was contrary to the purpose of the Farming Zone.

He said that 15 objections had been lodged when the first proposal was put to council, and the new amended proposal now being considered had drawn a further four new objections with none of the original objections being withdrawn.

Objectors felt that the development of the lots would impact negatively on the security of water supply to surrounding land, that concentrated lifestyle blocks would hamper legitimate farming enterprises and that there would be increased traffic.

All objections were supported by council staff and councillors adopted the recommendation to refuse the permit.