Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 2 August 2023

Published on 02 August 2023

Mayor-Dan Straub

Women in Small Business – Balancing Work and Home life

Partners in Wellbeing presents Women in Small Business: Balancing Work and Home Life, an evidence-based webinar series aimed at small business owners who want to connect and share experiences with other like-minded women who juggle family and work. 

Join Wellbeing Coaches Jane Lazzari and Julie Fletcher as they facilitate interactive group discussions with women in small business around topics and themes that have been informed by webinar participants. Each webinar agenda will revolve around a topic that has been directly informed by small business owners who attended previous webinars.

Webinars are every Wednesday

16 August to 13 September from 12.00pm to 1.00pm

For more information or to register visit bit.ly/3q3vUll

Nominations for Australia Day 2024 awards now open

Nominations for the 2024 Australia Day awards are now open. These awards celebrate the achievements and contributions made by outstanding members of our community.

Council is receiving nominations for the Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Group/Event of the Year awards.

Nominations are also open for the Community Services Award. The award is presented to a resident from each Council Ward who provided an outstanding contribution to the local community during the current year of noteworthy service to the local community over a number of years.

These awards celebrate the achievements and contributions made by outstanding members of our community who, through their efforts, make us feel proud to be Australian.

Nomination forms and further information is available from: www.loddon.vic.gov.au/Our-Council/Ceremonies/Australia-Day/Australia-Day-awards or by emailing australiaday@loddon.vic.gov.au

Nominations for the awards close on Friday 20 October 2023.

Australia Day competitions

As part of its Australia Day celebrations in 2024, Loddon Shire will be holding competitions for colouring (Prep to Grade 2), a photographic competition (Junior, Senior and Open categories) and a Literature Competition (for Prep to Year 12).

The topic for the competitions is “Australian Way of Life”.

The competitions are free to enter. Entries close 5pm Friday 20 October 2023.

For more information go to: https://www.loddon.vic.gov.au/Our-Council/Ceremonies/Australia-Day/Australia-Day-competitions

Onsite Wastewater Management Systems (OWMS)

OWMS (including septic tank systems) are used on residential, community and business premises in unsewered areas. They treat, recycle, or dispose of wastewater from bathrooms, kitchens, and toilets.

Poorly installed or maintained systems (especially older systems) can pollute nearby creeks and rivers, contaminate land and give off offensive odour. If you own or use an onsite wastewater management system, there are laws that apply to you.

You must: 

  • operate the system correctly, such as not overloading it
  • make sure the system does not overflow
  • notify your local council if there is a problem with the system.
  • maintain the system in good working order (this doesn’t apply to renters).

If you’re a landowner, it’s recommended you get your system serviced regularly. You must also provide information to renters about how to use your system.

Council permits for installing or altering a system

Before you install a new system, or alter an existing one, contact your local council to apply for a permit. Failure to get a permit can result in a fine. Councils regulate systems up to 5000L capacity. Larger systems are regulated by EPA.

Read more about how to manage your OWMS here: https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/environmental-information/water/about-wastewater/how-to-manage-your-own-septic-system or by calling 1300 372 842. 

Road updates

Loddon Shire Council has successfully awarded an additional four packages of flood restoration works totalling $1,036,856. Restoration works are contracted to be completed by 30 November 2023.

Gravel Resheets Bridgewater North

  • Gravel resheets Bridgewater Road North
  • Culvert Old Bridgewater Serpentine Rd

Gravel Resheets Wedderburn

  • Gravel Resheet Old Boort Rd
  • Culverts Old Boort Rd

Gravel Resheets Korong Vale

  • Maxwells Lane, Korong Vale
  • Hamiltons Lane, Korong Vale
  • Woolshed Flat Rd, Woolshed Flat
  • Hewett Rd, Korong Vale
  • Eucy Rd, Korong Vale

Grave Resheets Serpentine

  • Creek View Rd
  • Foleys Rd
  • Longs Rd

Volunteer grants

The Volunteer Grants program is an initiative of the Coalition Government, continuing our commitment to assist volunteers and encourage volunteering.

Volunteer Grants support the work of local community organisations by enabling the inclusion of vulnerable people and providing supports to increase participation in volunteering.

Grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 are available to eligible not-for-profit community organisations to support the efforts of Australia’s volunteers.
If you or your organisation’s staff are at least 40% volunteers & you are in the electorate of Mallee, I encourage you to complete the attached Expression of Interest form by Thursday 7th September 2023.

For more information about the grant and eligibility, please go to the Government’s GrantConnect website https://www.grants.gov.au/Fo/Show?FoUuid=7b57b89b-ac76-4fc9-ac36-0cfa6523f0c3

2023/24 Volunteer Grant Opportunity Guidelines https://www.annewebster.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1.-2023-24-Volunteer-Grants-Grant-Opportunity-Guidelines.pdf

To submit an expression of interest https://www.annewebster.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Expression-Of-Interest-AW_Volunteer-Grants_2023-24_Mallee-1.pdf

Flood Recovery updates

Much to the delight of canoe enthusiasts, the canoe launcher on the Serpentine Creek

at Durham Ox has been replaced after the previous launcher was swept away in the

October 2022 flood.

Repairs and refurbishment of the Durham Ox hall, which was flooded in October 2022, are nearing completion. The repair works are made possible through the insurance Loddon Shire Council holds over the building on behalf of the volunteer Committee of Management.

As part of the flood rebuild, the Newbridge Tennis Courts are currently having new fencing reinstalled and resurfacing of the courts which will occur in September or October.

I will be attending an upcoming Flood Recovery Committee meeting next Thursday. We’ll be receiving updates from various agencies involved in the recovery process, and I am particularly interested on the presentation from Financial Rights Legal Centre which helps advocate for flood affected residents. There will also be a presentation from the North Central CMA on a community drain project, along with the latest data comparison from the October 2022 and 2011 floods.

I recommend that you stay informed with our Flood Recovery Newsletter which is featured fortnightly in the Loddon Herald newspaper or accessible on our website https://www.loddon.vic.gov.au/For-residents/Community-Flood-Recovery

Community Satisfaction Survey

Council’s performance is graded annually across a number of different platforms and service areas. JWS Research conducted the survey and had responses from 400 Loddon Shire residents. These results provide Council with valuable information to help shape our services.

If you are interested in reading Council’s Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey report visit www.loddon.vic.gov.au/Our-Council/Community-Satisfaction-Surveys

 

 

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