Our guest speaker is Carole Reid CEO ShipWreck Coast Tourism. With a panel set to answer all your questions. On the panel we have Hon Richard Dalla-Riva, State Minister for Employment, Industrial Relations, Maunfacturing & Trade. Mr Antony Van Eekelen Head of Law, Accounting & Finance at Swinburne and Mr Oliver Beaumont, Principal Beaumont Lawyers.

This is a fantastic opportunity to hear how South West Victoria has been so successful in tourism and ask questions of major players.

LILYDALE’S peak business body has vowed to wage a public campaign against Yarra Ranges Council’s controversial decision to boycott Reflex paper.

In an unprecedented step, Lilydale Chamber of Commerce and Industry members unanimously voted last week to launch a public awareness campaign against the council’s signing of the ethical paper pledge.

Lilydale chamber president Alister Osborn said talks with other Yarra Ranges business chambers had revealed wide support for the campaign.

“The business community is planning to send a strong message to the shire that the boycott was not necessary, should be rescinded and negotiations with VicForests should immediately resume,” Mr Osborn said.

“Other chambers have expressed disappointment at the council’s decision, but want to take the proposal to their members before publicly supporting any campaign.”

It is just the latest fallout since councillors voted on April 27 to join a Wilderness Society campaign boycotting Reflex paper because it uses native forest timber pulp.

Earlier this month it was revealed the boycott had scuttled a plan to move VicForests corporate office and 80 associated jobs to Yarra Glen or Healesville.

The boycott campaign was also recently rejected by 70 per cent of Municipal Association of Victoria members.

However, Yarra Ranges Mayor Terry Avery has refused to give ground and reiterated the council’s strong support for the ethical paper pledge.

The Lilydale chamber’s resolution says the boycott “only serves to promote the Wilderness Society policy to the detriment of the local economy and Yarra Ranges residents”.

It was passed by about 70 per cent of the chamber’s members at the June 1 meeting.

Evelyn state Liberal MP Christine Fyffe said it was clear the council was no longer listening to its constituents.

The chamber motion reads:
1) LCCI requests Yarra Ranges Council to immediately rescind “Reflex Paper Resolution” as it has no relevance to the governance or operations of the Shire of Yarra Ranges. And only serves to promote the Wilderness Society policy to the detriment of the local economy and Yarra Ranges residents.

2) LCCI in conjunction with other Shire of Yarra Ranges business groups will immediately commence a public awareness campaign highlighting why this resolution only has negative consequences for the people and economic future of Yarra Ranges and serves only to promote the political aspirations and social agendas of a small group of people.

VIA: Lilydale & Yarra Valley Leader