Our locals in the Upper Yarra Valley are a unique demographic and our lifestyle here has a character that will be wiped away by the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination. You cannot have a major Mountain Bike Destination take over an area without totally changing it and we are not Terra Nullius. The Upper Yarra Valley … Continue reading Dominance of a Mountain Biking Culture

Make a submission about the Environmental Effects of the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination Project. This is not just about the effect on our natural environment, but also our social environment, our local amenity, our heritage, other activities in our area. https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/environment-assessment/browse-projects/projects/warburton-mountain-bike-destination?fbclid=IwAR1QAxWKe2uUmA4IG88lXC7X87AC5ka3hX9Q8qbUpsgwOvs-8Xl9VjsjHos    

The residents of Old Warburton were shown the new Masterplan last night. Many trail alignments have been altered. The trail on the Yarra Yarra Gold Sluicing Company Heritage site has been removed. One of the two trails joining the rail trail has been removed and a new trail that looks to be right on the … Continue reading New Masterplan out – 25 July, 2019

"Over the past year I have been contacted by many constituents concerned about the growing popularity of online hospitality services like Airbnb and Stayz, and some of the impacts these services have on the Yarra Valley." https://mountainviews.mailcommunity.com.au/news/2019-06-21/pain-from-short-term-stays/?fbclid=IwAR0x-9On69zyUZ4PQGefXvnanQ8JTuuec7PfZ3A8z3CGBjdwTqvATKAmMp0

Cheap flights, internet bookings, opportunistic businesses and no small amount of status competition is driving record crowds towards popular destinations. In 1995, global tourist arrivals numbered 525 million; last year, they reached 1.4 billion. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/19/after-everest-we-have-to-rethink-the-places-we-are-loving-to-death?fbclid=IwAR2ecwUf3OZAWs8M-C-9X_i1cdNvMe4Ga0zAMhBGTgLhS4F2RX3wzyeR7cI

This article discusses the problems with highly competitive and dangerous sports. https://theconversation.com/more-than-speed-strength-and-winning-the-pleasures-of-slow-sport-cultures-15240?fbclid=IwAR1lNtoXwI3eU5fop1GWpC8zC5Vn_KTJ6hXqznOk06lYOfZaB8j9CseLBMs

"Mountain Biking is a significant threat to our wildlands—both in designated preserves like national parks, wilderness areas, and the like." http://www.thewildlifenews.com/2019/06/18/impacts-of-mountain-biking/?fbclid=IwAR3pzxB-1WTMOz3Nu4KLXTugrPgAm2rWswkinZGC7wq7dormw9-do6lnKNI

As our poorer residents are being transferred to Moe as tourists 'need' our accommodation, it would be nice if people signed this petition about cleaning up the toxic air pollution there. https://www.envirojustice.org.au/call-on-the-epa-to-stop-toxic-air-pollution-in-the-latrobe-valley/?fbclid=IwAR3GHa1G4YMQRn0x7OL6mZlvAuRHcCRuY6o_fhfnaIuUrcwLydhyCiVFnYE

The poor of Warburton and environs are being shifted to Moe as it is getting increasingly difficult to find accommodation here in the Upper Yarra Valley. "Are you seeing more ash and coal dust than usual on garden vegetables, in your garage and around the house and yard?" You’re not the only person who is … Continue reading Yallourn Public Forum – dust and ash pollution and your rights

Unruly AirBnb guests are outstaying their welcome in Healesville, with neighbours fed up with late-night noise, cars parked across their driveways and their gardens being used as toilets by drunks. https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/outer-east/loud-airbnb-parties-obnoxious-guests-reducing-healesville-residents-to-tears/news-story/45360c0b19c6d0c8cfdd7d45d4548251?fbclid=IwAR08Rv5Hb2JNW4ZL85I09HI28GG3gzZQgwiLMAOqmj6ygQeqeEj4WTAUcZ8