[your name]
[street address]
[town, State, postcode]
[date]
Councillor [name]
PO Box 151
Kyneton 3444
Dear Councillor [name],
I am writing to ask you to please reconsider your recent decision to bypass your Community Consultation Framework
in relation to the future management of Hanging Rock.
Hanging Rock is a local and international icon of immense cultural, social, environmental and economic significance.
The Council, as stewards of Hanging Rock, has a responsibility to the local community, and to the thousands of
visitors from all over the world, to ensure the unique character and essence of the Rock is preserved.
The development proposal for the Eastern Paddock, included in the Hanging Rock Development & Investment Plan,
would be a major visual intrusion into the landscape, and would adversely impact the experience of visitors to the
Rock.
[please add some of your own thoughts and experiences with Hanging Rock]
Please reconsider your recent decision, and undertake meaningful community consultation before any further
progress is made. The community deserves to have its say on the aims, scope and scale of any development at
Hanging Rock.
Yours sincerely,
[Your name]
Not sure what else to say?
You may like to include any of the following talking points in your letter:
Lack of community consultation
Council is suggesting that community consultation has happened through the Hanging Rock
Development Advisory Committee
Since September 2011, when AECOM were appointed to develop the Hanging Rock Development
& Investment Plan, the Advisory Committee has met only 3 times, and the development proposal
was not discussed at any of these meetings
On 27th August 2013 the proposal was presented to the Advisory Committee, one day before the
council meeting at which the proposal was voted on
Visual impact
The development will impact on views from the Rock to the north-east. Short distance views to
the west have already been spoilt by inappropriate sub-division
loss of rural atmosphere/sense of isolation/natural environment
HRR is covered by a Significant Landscape Overlay SLO1 that is supposed to protect it as a most
important part of the Macedon Ranges landscape
the development proposal is inconsistent with the direction of the Municipal Strategic Statement
as it will degrade landscape values, natural features and important vistas
Lack of financial justification
HRR has made a surplus or profit in 9 of the last 10 years, breaking even in the other
There has been no justification of why HRR suddenly needs $300,000 per year ad infinitum
State and Federal Government grants for environmental works have not been pursued and
represent an alternative funding source for environmental works
Council’s new concert deal with Frontier will result in increased revenue to Council
Environmental
Hanging Rock is a key stepping stone of remnant vegetation in the Cobaw Biolink and it need to be
buffered by more revegetation, not impinged upon by this major development
the Eastern Paddock has considerable value as a buffer zone for the Rock
MRSC’s Natural Environment Strategy recognizes the need for establishing wildlife corridors and
that “revegetation should occur to increase the size and viability of existing remnants”
Council’s 2008 Koala Habitat Survey recommended “longer term management options aimed at
increasing habitat quality, protection and connectivity” in order to reverse the trend of falling
koala numbers at Hanging Rock Reserve
Powerful Owls breed at the Rock – this is a threatened species listed under the Flora and Fauna
Guarantee Act. Other species listed as threatened under this Act are the Brush-tailed Phascogale
and the Barking Owl. Latham’s Snipe has been nominated
Greater gliders and the Brown Treecreeper are also threatened (DEPI Advisory list)
MRSC precedent of protecting the Rock and its views, in recognition of its importance
refusal of building permit to the previous owners
refusal of permit to Optus for a telecommunications tower on a nearby hill to the north-east
How did the councillors vote?
Councillors who voted in favour of inviting private development of Hanging Rock
John Connor, West Ward
jconnor@mrsc.vic.gov.au
Graham Hackett, East Ward
ghackett@mrsc.vic.gov.au
John Letchford, South Ward
jletchford@mrsc.vic.gov.au
Russell Mowatt, South Ward
rmowatt@mrsc.vic.gov.au
Roger Jukes (Mayor)
rjukes@mrsc.vic.gov.au
Councillors who did not vote in favour of inviting private development of Hanging Rock
Jennifer Anderson, West Ward
janderson@mrsc.vic.gov.au
Henry McLaughlin, East Ward
hmclaughlin@mrsc.vic.gov.au.
Joe Morabito, East Ward
jmorabito@mrsc.vic.gov.au
Sally Piper
spiper@mrsc.vic.gov.au