Most of us were glad to see the end of 2020, felt good about 2021 and looked forward to return to some form of normal. How wrong we all were! 2021 was a year with open and shut, open and shut. Retail, businesses, schools and our many community venues suffered from continual lockdowns. changes.
Today, I look forward to 2022. We may have been in lockdown but things kept going forward via the technology of Zoom. Yarra Ranges Council staff beavered away working on the contentious heritage overlays for many of the historic buildings in Lilydale Main Street. Without that heritage protection owners can bulldoze some of our oldest buildings overnight. Community outcry would be the only check and balance but even that failed with the destruction by neglect of the former Lilydale Fire Station. Something which is totally unacceptable.
Thankfully, the council staff are now finalizing the heritage overlays and will shortly introduce the necessary planning scheme amendment to protect our built heritage and so preserve the heart and soul of Lilydale for generations to come.
My hopes for 2022?
The planning scheme protection of our heritage buildings in Lilydale and surrounds;
The adoption of the Lilydale Structure Plan;
Protection of our wonderful historic street trees which are slowly being killed off by cars parking all day every day right next to their trunks and on top of their vital drip lines.
The preservation and enhancement of our town’s existing, iconic parks – Ron Noble Reserve, Melba Park, Lilydale Recreation Reserve, Lions Park and of course “the jewel in the crown” Lillydale Lake.
State and Federal funding for the building of the Lilydale Bypass as outlined in the Lilydale Structure Plan. I think waiting 50 years is long enough. Now we need action to save our town from being swallowed up by cars, trucks and fumes. It is after all an election year for both the state and federal governments.
I dream of the creation of a revitalized Lilydale township with a tree lined Main and John streets to keep us all cool as we wander around to shop and support our local businesses. Wonderful pockets of green spaces are created where we can meet friends and family and wide footpaths where we can enjoy al fresco dining day and evening or just meet friends for a chat.
Lilydale is a town not a suburb. It is “where the city meets the country” and I hope that in 2022 the community and council can work side by side to lay the foundations for achieving the dreams and aspirations of so many Lilydale residents.
Have a safe, restful Christmas break and return refreshed ready for 2022.
