CHRISTMAS in December for visitors to the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges is likely to be seafood and salad, great wines, and luscious desserts.
But in winter … it’s all about traditional fare. Hot roasts and gravy with lots of vegetables. Ham off the bone, turkey, apple sauce, or cranberry and steaming plum pudding with brandy custard.
As the mercury plummets and the winter mists swirl around the tall trees or cloak the valleys, the atmosphere is set and appetites primed for the sort of Christmas fare that you really just can’t enjoy in December.
Winter in July has become increasingly popular over the years.
There are several restaurants throughout the region that put up the tinsel, dust off the Christmas CDs and prime the log fires to recreate the sort of Christmas of Northern Hemisphere Christmas cards and movies that aren’t really quite right in December.
Depending on the venue, there might be a visit from Santa for the kids, a Kris Kringle (or you can arrange your own).
If you are planning a winter weekend getaway, why not incorporate a traditional Christmas lunch or dinner … and who knows, you might even see a bit of snow on the hills while you’re digging into your plum pudding.
Local Tourist Information Centres will be able to provide details of restaurants that have Christmas in July menus.
Be sure to book early, particularly for groups, but don’t be afraid to be a bit spontaneous if you’re just travelling through.
Celebrating the festive season can be a great way to warm up to winter in the villages either side of the Great Dividing Range.

CHRISTMAS in December for visitors to the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges is likely to be seafood and salad, great wines, and luscious desserts. But in winter … it’s all about traditional fare. Hot roasts and gravy with lots of vegetables. Ham off the bone, turkey, apple sauce, or cranberry and steaming plum pudding with brandy custard. As the mercury plummets and the winter mists swirl around the tall trees or cloak the valleys, the atmosphere is set and appetites primed for the sort of Christmas fare that you really just can’t enjoy in December. Winter in July has become increasingly popular over the years. There are several restaurants throughout the region that put up the tinsel, dust off the Christmas CDs and prime the log fires to recreate the sort of Christmas of Northern Hemisphere Christmas cards and movies that aren’t really quite right in December. Depending on the venue, there might be a visit from Santa for the kids, a Kris Kringle (or you can arrange your own). If you are planning a winter weekend getaway, why not incorporate a traditional Christmas lunch or dinner … and who knows, you might even see a bit of snow on the hills while you’re digging into your plum pudding. Local Tourist Information Centres will be able to provide details of restaurants that have Christmas in July menus. Be sure to book early, particularly for groups, but don’t be afraid to be a bit spontaneous if you’re just travelling through. Celebrating the festive season can be a great way to warm up to winter in the villages either side of the Great Dividing Range.

AN injured man cowers at the scene of a brutal double murder.
A diamond merchant, his wife and son have been gunned down in front of him and he waits, terrified, for police to arrive.
But is all as it seems?
It is December 1996 and police are called to the vicious slaying at a jeweller in Swanston Street’s century Building, in Melbourne’s CBD.
When officers arrive on the eighth floor diamond merchant, a grisly scene confronts them.
Shop owner Lean Thoeun Pin’s lifeless body is lying on the floor.
His 30-year-old son, Vireyuth Pin, has also been shot dead while his wife, Siveng, has been critically injured.
All three were shot to the head at close range.
One of the dead men was also savagely bashed.
The execution-style murder occurred in the main office area of the quiet jeweller.
The door to the office safe is wide open and a number of precious jewels are missing.
The murder weapon, a handgun, lies nearby.
And a 47-year-old man is trapped inside as the shop’s security doors closed on the gruesome scene.
The man tells responding officers a horrific story.
He was in the store at the time of the murders and blacked out after being assaulted by the killer.
It emerges that the man is Manuel Adajian, a fellow jeweller from Endeavour Hills.
Police believe he could also be the sole surviving witness to the gruesome murder, which appears to be an armed robbery gone wrong.
Officers are keen to interview him about what he has seen but the frightened man has other ideas.
Desperate to escape, he initially tries to slip past police but is stopped so officers can take a crucial witness statement.
The Homicide Squad’s Detective Sergeant Sol Solomon attended the scene and took his statement.
“I escorted him out of the building and down the busy street to the police car,” Det Sgt Solomon said.
“He seemed to be holding up pretty well for someone who had just witnessed a horrific murder and had been assaulted himself.
“But I tried to comfort him, telling him he was in safe hands.”
Det Sgt Solomon drove Adajian to the Homicide Squad’s interview room.
The man told the veteran investigator that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
But Det Sgt Solomon had begun to smell a rat.
“I searched his pockets and found the keys to the safe.
“When I confronted him about this, he said he wasn’t sure how they got there, he must have grabbed hold of them in all the confusion.”
In his other pocket, Det Sgt Solomon made another telling discovery – empty diamond sachets.
“He gave me the same explanation.
“He said he didn’t know what he was doing and may have grabbed it without thinking.
“It was all starting to sound a bit fishy.”
It was then that Det Sgt Solomon received a phone call from a colleague, which would change the course of the entire investigation.
“He was at the lab processing the video tape containing the store’s CCTV footage,” Det Sgt Solomon said.
“He said ‘Sol, please tell me you still have that guy in custody.’
“I told him I did and he said ‘Thank God – he’s the murderer!’
“It turned out the newly installed CCTV system had captured the entire incident.
“When we played it back, we were shocked to see him shooting the victims and stealing their diamonds.”
Detectives initially kept the discovery under wraps and continued to interview Adajian before playing the footage during the interview.
“It surprised me how cool and collected he was,” Det Sgt Solomon said.
“I’ll never forget his reaction: ‘My God, that’s me’ he said. ‘I’m shooting those people.’
“And he certainly was.
“This happened in the days when CCTV was a fairly limited resource in the investigation of crime compared with today.
“So he didn’t expect that everything he was doing was being filmed.”
Despite claiming to have suffered from a mental episode, which left him with no memory of the murders, Adajian was convicted and is serving a 50-year sentence with a non-parole period of 25 years.
The case is one that still sticks in Det Sgt Solomon’s mind.
“It was a terrible homicide,” he said.
“Three members of a tight-knit family shot in cold blood for nothing more than greed.
“I still can’t believe I casually walked out of the building with the murderer thinking he was an innocent victim,” he said.
“You couldn’t make a story like this up.”
* This article has been reproduced with the permission of Police Life and reporter Belle Nolan.

AN injured man cowers at the scene of a brutal double murder. A diamond merchant, his wife and son have been gunned down in front of him and he waits, terrified, for police to arrive. But is all as it seems? It is December 1996 and police are called to the vicious slaying at a jeweller in Swanston Street’s century Building, in Melbourne’s CBD. When officers arrive on the eighth floor diamond merchant, a grisly scene confronts them. Shop owner Lean Thoeun Pin’s lifeless body is lying on the floor. His 30-year-old son, Vireyuth Pin, has also been shot dead while his wife, Siveng, has been critically injured. All three were shot to the head at close range. One of the dead men was also savagely bashed. The execution-style murder occurred in the main office area of the quiet jeweller. The door to the office safe is wide open and a number of precious jewels are missing. The murder weapon, a handgun, lies nearby. And a 47-year-old man is trapped inside as the shop’s security doors closed on the gruesome scene. The man tells responding officers a horrific story. He was in the store at the time of the murders and blacked out after being assaulted by the killer. It emerges that the man is Manuel Adajian, a fellow jeweller from Endeavour Hills. Police believe he could also be the sole surviving witness to the gruesome murder, which appears to be an armed robbery gone wrong. Officers are keen to interview him about what he has seen but the frightened man has other ideas. Desperate to escape, he initially tries to slip past police but is stopped so officers can take a crucial witness statement. The Homicide Squad’s Detective Sergeant Sol Solomon attended the scene and took his statement. “I escorted him out of the building and down the busy street to the police car,” Det Sgt Solomon said. “He seemed to be holding up pretty well for someone who had just witnessed a horrific murder and had been assaulted himself. “But I tried to comfort him, telling him he was in safe hands.” Det Sgt Solomon drove Adajian to the Homicide Squad’s interview room. The man told the veteran investigator that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. But Det Sgt Solomon had begun to smell a rat. “I searched his pockets and found the keys to the safe. “When I confronted him about this, he said he wasn’t sure how they got there, he must have grabbed hold of them in all the confusion.” In his other pocket, Det Sgt Solomon made another telling discovery – empty diamond sachets. “He gave me the same explanation. “He said he didn’t know what he was doing and may have grabbed it without thinking. “It was all starting to sound a bit fishy.” It was then that Det Sgt Solomon received a phone call from a colleague, which would change the course of the entire investigation. “He was at the lab processing the video tape containing the store’s CCTV footage,” Det Sgt Solomon said. “He said ‘Sol, please tell me you still have that guy in custody.’ “I told him I did and he said ‘Thank God – he’s the murderer!’ “It turned out the newly installed CCTV system had captured the entire incident. “When we played it back, we were shocked to see him shooting the victims and stealing their diamonds.” Detectives initially kept the discovery under wraps and continued to interview Adajian before playing the footage during the interview. “It surprised me how cool and collected he was,” Det Sgt Solomon said. “I’ll never forget his reaction: ‘My God, that’s me’ he said. ‘I’m shooting those people.’ “And he certainly was. “This happened in the days when CCTV was a fairly limited resource in the investigation of crime compared with today. “So he didn’t expect that everything he was doing was being filmed.” Despite claiming to have suffered from a mental episode, which left him with no memory of the murders, Adajian was convicted and is serving a 50-year sentence with a non-parole period of 25 years. The case is one that still sticks in Det Sgt Solomon’s mind. “It was a terrible homicide,” he said. “Three members of a tight-knit family shot in cold blood for nothing more than greed. “I still can’t believe I casually walked out of the building with the murderer thinking he was an innocent victim,” he said. “You couldn’t make a story like this up.” * This article has been reproduced with the permission of Police Life and reporter Belle Nolan.

LITTLE LEGEND – LILY WOOD
IT’S time to get serious about your stars Cranbourne.
Instead of the Hollywood sign – which let’s face it has run its course – how about in the hills of Cam Reserve it spells out … LILY WOOD.
It isn’t over the top to suggest Lily’s performance over the weekend deserves such an accolade as the ruck/forward excelled in whatever task she was given by her Cranbourne under-10s coach.
With her best mate Moo – her faithful pooch – watching on with her family at Nar Nar Goon, Lily stood tall and grew into her role as she didn’t leave any stone unturned in an extremely Eagle-eyed effort.
Any time there was a stoppage, there was Lily – ready and raring to jump up and add to her hit-out tally.
Roaming the ground was important for her as well as Lily made important strides up and down the field to follow the coach’s instructions.
Her years in boys football will serve her well when Youth Girls football comes knocking in a few years, but until then Lily remains an integral part of her Cranbourne team’s success and is a extremely deserving ruck addition to our burgeoning 2015 Little Legend line-up.

How long have you been playing footy?
Two years.

What do you like most about playing?
Everything.

What was your favourite moment of the match?
The running like the coach said.

Where do you like to play on field?
I like the midfield and the ruck.

What AFL team do you support?
Hawthorn.

Who is your favourite AFL player?
Jarryd Roughead – because he’s a good player.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
I’m not sure.

LITTLE LEGEND – LILY WOOD IT’S time to get serious about your stars Cranbourne. Instead of the Hollywood sign – which let’s face it has run its course – how about in the hills of Cam Reserve it spells out … LILY WOOD. It isn’t over the top to suggest Lily’s performance over the weekend deserves such an accolade as the ruck/forward excelled in whatever task she was given by her Cranbourne under-10s coach. With her best mate Moo – her faithful pooch – watching on with her family at Nar Nar Goon, Lily stood tall and grew into her role as she didn’t leave any stone unturned in an extremely Eagle-eyed effort. Any time there was a stoppage, there was Lily – ready and raring to jump up and add to her hit-out tally. Roaming the ground was important for her as well as Lily made important strides up and down the field to follow the coach’s instructions. Her years in boys football will serve her well when Youth Girls football comes knocking in a few years, but until then Lily remains an integral part of her Cranbourne team’s success and is a extremely deserving ruck addition to our burgeoning 2015 Little Legend line-up. How long have you been playing footy? Two years. What do you like most about playing? Everything. What was your favourite moment of the match? The running like the coach said. Where do you like to play on field? I like the midfield and the ruck. What AFL team do you support? Hawthorn. Who is your favourite AFL player? Jarryd Roughead – because he’s a good player. What do you want to be when you grow up? I’m not sure.

ALWAYS check your junk mail – you never know what you might find in there… perhaps your son’s state schoolboys’ football invitation.
This was the weird way Magpies midfield powerhouse Connor MacDonald found out he was about to take his local football talents into the national arena.
MacDonald, 12, from Narre Warren South, thought he had been passed over when other players started congratulating each other on making the School Sport Victoria (SSV) under-12 boys’ football team.
But for some reason it was routed to his mum’s junk mail folder by mistake.
“He’s saying ‘Mum just tell me the truth, other people on Instagram are congratulating each other’ and I said ‘mate I haven’t got anything’,” Connor’s mum Georgia said.
“But it was in my junk email all along.”
Connor’s dismay soon turned to joy as he discovered he would get a chance to represent the state at the championships in July, after making it through three arduous rounds of trials.
“It was pretty hard, but luckily I made it through,” MacDonald said.
“I was very excited that I made the team.
“My first training session they put everyone in positions and stuff and I was lucky enough to be read out in the midfield so I’m pretty happy with that – it’s pretty good so I’ll get to run all day.”
An all-round athlete, MacDonald had made the SSV athletics team last year, but making the team for his biggest passion – football – is just that little bit more satisfying.
His one aim is team-oriented as he hopes to be part of the premiership winning side at the end of the carnival.
“I’d just love to win the grand final and if we all play as a team I reckon we’ll get the chocolates,” MacDonald said.
In the meantime he’s running through the centre for Narre Warren Junior Football Club and enjoying his time at his new school – Rowville Sports Academy.
“I didn’t really want to go to a normal school, I wanted to get better at my football and it’s great that I can do that during my school time at Rowville,” MacDonald said.
He especially wanted to thank his parents for their support of his footy dreams.
MacDonald and his side will head to Geelong next month for the SSA Australian Football 12-Years and-Under Championships.

ALWAYS check your junk mail – you never know what you might find in there… perhaps your son’s state schoolboys’ football invitation. This was the weird way Magpies midfield powerhouse Connor MacDonald found out he was about to take his local football talents into the national arena. MacDonald, 12, from Narre Warren South, thought he had been passed over when other players started congratulating each other on making the School Sport Victoria (SSV) under-12 boys’ football team. But for some reason it was routed to his mum’s junk mail folder by mistake. “He’s saying ‘Mum just tell me the truth, other people on Instagram are congratulating each other’ and I said ‘mate I haven’t got anything’,” Connor’s mum Georgia said. “But it was in my junk email all along.” Connor’s dismay soon turned to joy as he discovered he would get a chance to represent the state at the championships in July, after making it through three arduous rounds of trials. “It was pretty hard, but luckily I made it through,” MacDonald said. “I was very excited that I made the team. “My first training session they put everyone in positions and stuff and I was lucky enough to be read out in the midfield so I’m pretty happy with that – it’s pretty good so I’ll get to run all day.” An all-round athlete, MacDonald had made the SSV athletics team last year, but making the team for his biggest passion – football – is just that little bit more satisfying. His one aim is team-oriented as he hopes to be part of the premiership winning side at the end of the carnival. “I’d just love to win the grand final and if we all play as a team I reckon we’ll get the chocolates,” MacDonald said. In the meantime he’s running through the centre for Narre Warren Junior Football Club and enjoying his time at his new school – Rowville Sports Academy. “I didn’t really want to go to a normal school, I wanted to get better at my football and it’s great that I can do that during my school time at Rowville,” MacDonald said. He especially wanted to thank his parents for their support of his footy dreams. MacDonald and his side will head to Geelong next month for the SSA Australian Football 12-Years and-Under Championships.

NOOSA Council held a third touring Information Night at Council Chambers, with locals on Wednesday night raising an array of issues including same-sex marriage which was again thrown onto the agenda.
Local architect and equal rights activist Robin Bristow along with fellow supporter and activist Alex Baker asked Noosa Councillors whether they personally supported same-sex marriage.
Councillors Sandy Bolton, Frank Pardon, Frank Wilkie and Joe Jurisevic all agreed they supported equal rights across all platforms, while Cr Tony Wellington said he had previously lobbied for equal marriage rights and was a supporter of same-sex marriage.
However, speaking on local radio this morning, Mr Bristow said the general response from attendees at the information night was not supportive.
“I got the feeling from what the rest of the public had to say, they were very uncomfortable discussing this matter,” he said.
“They were not in favour of the council looking at issues outside the scope of council. So I can see why the council is worried. We have an older, conservative community in Noosa and they generally tend to be unaccepting of these kinds of things which is even more the point why the council should act on this.”
Mr Bristow has previously asked the council to support a movement by local governments to petition the State and Federal governments to support same-sex marriage.
To date, more than 40 councils throughout Australia have joined the movement including Byron Bay, which was the first council to do so.
Until last night, the Noosa Council and councillors had remained silent on the issue, choosing to not comment.
Speaking with the large group of local residents, council CEO Brett de Chastel said the council’s refusal to comment on or support the same-sex movement isn’t the first or only movement the council had refused to carry.
“We are approached regularly with all sorts of requests for many different issues,” he said. “This isn’t the first one we have not supported.”
Mr de Chastel said the council was in a “re-building” stage and was busy focusing on issues the council had control over.

NOOSA Council held a third touring Information Night at Council Chambers, with locals on Wednesday night raising an array of issues including same-sex marriage which was again thrown onto the agenda. Local architect and equal rights activist Robin Bristow along with fellow supporter and activist Alex Baker asked Noosa Councillors whether they personally supported same-sex marriage. Councillors Sandy Bolton, Frank Pardon, Frank Wilkie and Joe Jurisevic all agreed they supported equal rights across all platforms, while Cr Tony Wellington said he had previously lobbied for equal marriage rights and was a supporter of same-sex marriage. However, speaking on local radio this morning, Mr Bristow said the general response from attendees at the information night was not supportive. “I got the feeling from what the rest of the public had to say, they were very uncomfortable discussing this matter,” he said. “They were not in favour of the council looking at issues outside the scope of council. So I can see why the council is worried. We have an older, conservative community in Noosa and they generally tend to be unaccepting of these kinds of things which is even more the point why the council should act on this.” Mr Bristow has previously asked the council to support a movement by local governments to petition the State and Federal governments to support same-sex marriage. To date, more than 40 councils throughout Australia have joined the movement including Byron Bay, which was the first council to do so. Until last night, the Noosa Council and councillors had remained silent on the issue, choosing to not comment. Speaking with the large group of local residents, council CEO Brett de Chastel said the council’s refusal to comment on or support the same-sex movement isn’t the first or only movement the council had refused to carry. “We are approached regularly with all sorts of requests for many different issues,” he said. “This isn’t the first one we have not supported.” Mr de Chastel said the council was in a “re-building” stage and was busy focusing on issues the council had control over.

UNTIL 2012, the Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park was home to the Mountain Swainson-pea.
But just two years ago, that changed.
The beautiful purple flowering native is now considered extinct in the wild in Victoria.
It is a listing that has prompted conservationists, landholders, and government agencies to work together to bring back the flora for future generations to enjoy in Victoria.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and the North East Catchment Management Authority (NECMA) have this winter reintroduced around 50 Swainson-pea seedlings as part of a Chiltern Re-introduction Field Day.
“The aim of the field day was to bring together agency staff and private landholders involved in the project to re-establish (Mountain Swainson-pea) in secure sites across the north east where the species was once historically abundant”, DELWP’s senior biodiversity officer Glen Johnson said.
“Today was the first step with further plantings to occur on public and secure private land sites within the region.
“Friends of Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park and Parks Victoria are supporting the project while Trust for Nature and NECMA have been terrific in identifying and involving keen private landholders in the project.”
The plant is also known as the Small Purple-pea due to the colour of its flowers, and was once widespread prior to European settlement.
Now it has gone from Victoria, surviving plants in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory have helped contribute to re-introducing the species.
Around 120 seedlings have been produced and raised by the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, with over 500 planned for next year’s expanded program.
“Re-introducing this native legume into Victoria is an important part of maintaining and enhancing the state’s rich biodiversity as it is a ‘nitrogen fixer’ in soil fertility in native ecosystems.”

UNTIL 2012, the Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park was home to the Mountain Swainson-pea. But just two years ago, that changed. The beautiful purple flowering native is now considered extinct in the wild in Victoria. It is a listing that has prompted conservationists, landholders, and government agencies to work together to bring back the flora for future generations to enjoy in Victoria. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and the North East Catchment Management Authority (NECMA) have this winter reintroduced around 50 Swainson-pea seedlings as part of a Chiltern Re-introduction Field Day. “The aim of the field day was to bring together agency staff and private landholders involved in the project to re-establish (Mountain Swainson-pea) in secure sites across the north east where the species was once historically abundant”, DELWP’s senior biodiversity officer Glen Johnson said. “Today was the first step with further plantings to occur on public and secure private land sites within the region. “Friends of Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park and Parks Victoria are supporting the project while Trust for Nature and NECMA have been terrific in identifying and involving keen private landholders in the project.” The plant is also known as the Small Purple-pea due to the colour of its flowers, and was once widespread prior to European settlement. Now it has gone from Victoria, surviving plants in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory have helped contribute to re-introducing the species. Around 120 seedlings have been produced and raised by the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, with over 500 planned for next year’s expanded program. “Re-introducing this native legume into Victoria is an important part of maintaining and enhancing the state’s rich biodiversity as it is a ‘nitrogen fixer’ in soil fertility in native ecosystems.”

Councillors redirect pay rise to the people…

SOUTHERN Downs councillors have decided that now is not the time to give themselves a pay hike.
But ratepayers will still have to wear the $15,000 cost of the salary increases after SDRC Mayor Peter Blundell “forgot“ to dispute the rise in an appropriate timeframe, making the amount automatically part of this year’s council budget.
Just days out from handing down the 2015-’16 budget and a dead-certain rate rise for landowners, councillors yesterday voted against a 2.3 per cent pay rise claiming “it wouldn’t be a good look“.
A 2.3 per cent increase to their annual allowance was recommended by the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal from next week (July 1) but doesn’t have to be taken and is not linked to any performance measure.
Cr Jamie Mackenzie was particularly opposed to a pay rise, stating that it would cost ratepayers about $15,000 a year.
“It is simply not correct for councillors to get more funds at this time when our financial situation is dire,” Cr Mackenzie said.
“To not take it (the salary increase) is better than cutting back on services and infrastructure projects and it all helps to curtail borrowing or raising rates.
“The money would be better applied as a grant to support a struggling community service, on dilapidated gravel roads, to sports fields or parks or maybe an off-leash area for dogs.”
At its monthly meeting yesterday (Wednesday), councillors unanimously voted down the pay increase, following Cr Mackenzie’s strong objection to it.
The rise would have bumped up Mayor Peter Blundell’s pay about $2750 to come in at $120,226, while Deputy Mayor Ross Bartley would have earned $75,141, both including superannuation.
Under the rates, Cr Bartley would have increased by $1962 and the other councillors by $1436.
CEO David Keenan confirmed the council had failed to dispute the pay rise before the tribunal’s three-month cut-off, so would still have to budget for the increase.
Cr Mackenzie questioned the mayor on why the pay increase talk hadn’t come six months earlier.
“Why didn’t the mayor honour his public undertaking to formally consider the increases in January this year?” Cr Mackenzie asked.
“If we didn’t object in 90 days, the rules say it is an automatic increase.”
The mayor confirmed it had been an error on his behalf.
Councillors voted to move the 2.3 per cent increase to other activities in the operational budget.
The council budget will be handed down next Thursday.
Southern Free Times was going to print at the time of yesterday’s council meeting but we will bring you all the details online this week, including council’s proposal to raise commercial and residential subdivision fees as well as recommendation to spend $145,000 on council’s community mobile library project.

Councillors redirect pay rise to the people… SOUTHERN Downs councillors have decided that now is not the time to give themselves a pay hike. But ratepayers will still have to wear the $15,000 cost of the salary increases after SDRC Mayor Peter Blundell “forgot“ to dispute the rise in an appropriate timeframe, making the amount automatically part of this year’s council budget. Just days out from handing down the 2015-’16 budget and a dead-certain rate rise for landowners, councillors yesterday voted against a 2.3 per cent pay rise claiming “it wouldn’t be a good look“. A 2.3 per cent increase to their annual allowance was recommended by the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal from next week (July 1) but doesn’t have to be taken and is not linked to any performance measure. Cr Jamie Mackenzie was particularly opposed to a pay rise, stating that it would cost ratepayers about $15,000 a year. “It is simply not correct for councillors to get more funds at this time when our financial situation is dire,” Cr Mackenzie said. “To not take it (the salary increase) is better than cutting back on services and infrastructure projects and it all helps to curtail borrowing or raising rates. “The money would be better applied as a grant to support a struggling community service, on dilapidated gravel roads, to sports fields or parks or maybe an off-leash area for dogs.” At its monthly meeting yesterday (Wednesday), councillors unanimously voted down the pay increase, following Cr Mackenzie’s strong objection to it. The rise would have bumped up Mayor Peter Blundell’s pay about $2750 to come in at $120,226, while Deputy Mayor Ross Bartley would have earned $75,141, both including superannuation. Under the rates, Cr Bartley would have increased by $1962 and the other councillors by $1436. CEO David Keenan confirmed the council had failed to dispute the pay rise before the tribunal’s three-month cut-off, so would still have to budget for the increase. Cr Mackenzie questioned the mayor on why the pay increase talk hadn’t come six months earlier. “Why didn’t the mayor honour his public undertaking to formally consider the increases in January this year?” Cr Mackenzie asked. “If we didn’t object in 90 days, the rules say it is an automatic increase.” The mayor confirmed it had been an error on his behalf. Councillors voted to move the 2.3 per cent increase to other activities in the operational budget. The council budget will be handed down next Thursday. Southern Free Times was going to print at the time of yesterday’s council meeting but we will bring you all the details online this week, including council’s proposal to raise commercial and residential subdivision fees as well as recommendation to spend $145,000 on council’s community mobile library project.