Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 16 January 2025

Published on 16 January 2025

Welcome to the first Mayoral Column of 2025!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year surrounded with friends and family. This year, there is plenty for Councillors to focus on as we start to turn our attention to the development of several key strategic documents including the Council Plan and Community Vision.

The new Council Plan 2025-29 will guide Council’s priorities for the next four years and I look forwarded to working with the community to help shape the future direction of our Shire.

Seeking Community Feedback on the Draft Tourism and Visitors Economy Strategy and Customer Experience Strategy

Draft Tourism and Visitors Economy Strategy

Tourism is a key driver of economic growth in our area, and it is important that we build a visitor economy that is sustainable, resilient, and true to our community’s values and aspirations.

I encourage you to share your thoughts and comments by reading the Draft Strategy and completing the short feedback form. Feedback is open to both the tourism industry and general community. For further information, visit https://connect.loddon.vic.gov.au/

Customer Experience Strategy Survey

Council understands that the key to providing value and meeting the community's needs is by continuously improving how we engage and support the community through active collaboration, transparent communication and adapting to evolving needs and feedback.

Your feedback is important in identifying what is working well and what needs improvement. Council staff will be out and about in the community to have a chat and gather your feedback. Please see details of the upcoming listening posts below:

Bridgewater on Loddon - 20 January 2025 | 10am – 12pm | Location: Main Street
Inglewood - 20 January 2025 | 1pm – 3pm | Location: Champions IGA
Wedderburn - 22 January 2025 | 10am – 12pm | Location: Randall's FoodWorks
Pyramid Hill - 23 January 2025 | 10am – 12pm | Location: Pyramid Hill Store
Boort - 24 January 2025 | 10am – 12pm | Location: IGA Boort

If you are unable to attend in person, please share your thoughts by completing the Customer Experience Survey at connect.loddon.vic.gov.au/customer-experience-strategy

Energy Assistance Program

The Energy Assistance Program is here to help Victorian households navigate the Victorian energy market and reduce costs.

This free, tailored service provides support in areas such as:

apply for eligible concessions and grants
access your retailer’s hardship programs
find, compare and switch energy offers
understand energy bills and address billing errors
provide energy saving and efficiency advice
provide referrals to other services like financial counselling

Participating in the program will give you advice suited to your household’s needs.

This free service can help you save money on your energy bills.

To learn more about the Victorian Government’s Energy Assistance Program, visit www.energy.vic.gov.au/households/help-paying-your-energy-bills

Congratulations Brett Hosking

Congratulations to Brett Hosking who was elected as the President of the Victorian’s Farmers’ Federation (VFF) last month. Brett is a fifth-generation mixed Quambatook farmer who has previously served as the Vice President of the VFF from 2016-2018 and President of the VFF Grains Group. I wish Brett all the best in his new role and look forward to his leadership in supporting Victoria’s farming communities.

Australian Government Mobile Service Centre is coming to Loddon Shire

The Australian Government Mobile Service Centre is coming to Loddon Shire, bringing essential government services to our community. Staff from Services Australia will be available to assist with Centrelink, Medicare and Department of Veterans’ Affairs services.

This mobile service provides face to face support for a range of needs, including:

registering and using the agency’s online services
new claims for Centrelink payments
creating a myGOV account
updating and confirming Medicare and Centrelink information
information on how financial matters may impact on payments
assistance with payment and service options
rural payment entitlements for eligible farmers
non-cash Medicare transactions
enrolling for and issuing new Medicare cards
updating and re-issuing Medicare cards
social work support and referrals

Wedderburn

When: Wednesday 5 February 2025 – 9am to 4pm
Where: opposite the former Newsagency, 62 High Street

Inglewood

When: Thursday 6 February 2025 – 9am to 3pm
Where: near the Inglewood Community Hub, Market Street

Boort

When: Wednesday 12 February 2025 – 9am to 4pm
Where: adjacent to the information centre, Godfrey Street

There is no charge to utilise this service and no appointment is necessary.

To find out more about the mobile service centres, visit www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/mobile-service-centres

Cr Dan Straub

Mayor