Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 26 April 2023
Published on 26 April 2023
Lest we forget
It was an honour to attend the Anzac Day ceremonies at Calivil and Mologa yesterday.
I’d like to recognise and thank everyone involved in organising Anzac Day commemorations across the Shire.
These commemorations enable us as a community to come together, pay tribute to and remember the sacrifice of men and women who have served or are currently serving our country during wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
Road updates
Immediate Restoration Works will commence over the coming weeks, as we have awarded $1.37 million to contractors to complete the works. The priority of works is being planned utilising Council’s hierarchy in the Road Management and Road Asset Management Plans. I would like to thank everyone for their continuing patience with respect to the restoration of roads and infrastructure throughout the Shire.
Gravel re-sheets in Jarklin
- Jarklin West Rd
- Ellerslie Rd
- Pattison Rd
- Hollands Rd
- No. 2 Weir Rd
Sealed roads in Fernihurst
- Borung Prairie Rd
- Loddon West Rd
- Boort Fernihurst Rd
Gravel re-sheets Boort
Sealed and gravel roads Dingee
- Tandara Elmore Rd
- Dingee Rochester Rd
- McElwains Rd
Unlocking Loddon's Growth Potential
Loddon Shire Council is looking for opportunities to attract new residents and grow our amazing community. The last census (2021) showed that between 2016 and 2021 more people moved into Loddon than out of Loddon. This is a reversal of the trend found in the previous census. We have seen new housing development, urban subdivisions and a high level of enquiry for residential land as an expression of the growth trend in Loddon.
Loddon Shire has a large supply of vacant urban land in most of its towns, however a lot of this land is currently not available for development. Council has been fortunate to secure a grant from the Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) to investigate opportunities to unlock this urban land for growth.
One aspect of this project is understanding why people to move to Loddon Shire, what they love and what can be improved. This information will allow Council to be responsive in terms of residential development opportunities, and target initiatives to capture growth as well as retain residents. Council would love to hear from people who have moved to Loddon within the past five years, and invite them to participate in a brief survey via our website (www.loddon.vic.gov.au). The survey will be open until 14th May 2023.
It is crucial that we work together to retain our current community members, and continue to foster a welcoming environment to new residents. Council planning staff also welcome input from other residents regarding their thoughts about unlocking residential land within our towns and encouraging population growth. The planning department can be contacted on 54941200 or planning@loddon.vic.gov.au
To complete the survey click here
Australian Citizenship congratulations
Today, I also had the honour of presenting citizenship certificates to our newest Australian citizens. Grazyna Dominowska who is formerly from France, Colleen Houghton, Rose Pavo, Shamica Castro who are all formerly from Philippines and Yan Jiang who is formerly from China.
I’d like to congratulate our new citizens, who made the Australian Citizenship Pledge during a ceremony at the Council Chambers.
Healthy Minds Network Art Competition on again in 2023
Entries for the Loddon Healthy Minds Network 2023 Art Competition are now open.
The competition challenges entrants to explore different ways to raise awareness of mental health issues, to maintain good mental health and wellbeing or to help reduce the stigma around mental health.
The art competition is open to students as well as community members via the competition’s Open Section.The Open Section is open to all Loddon Shire residents aged over 18 years, or residents under 18 who have either left school or are attending school outside of the Loddon Shire area.
The students’ categories include Upper Secondary (years 9 to 12) and middle school students (grades 5 to Year 8). There are also two junior students’ categories – grades 3 and 4, and grades Prep to 2.
The two themes for the Open Age section and Upper Secondary categories are Mental Health No More Stigma and Be Kind to Your Mind.
This category includes literary entries in essay form (between 500 to 1000 words) using one of the two themes. Themes for the middle school students’ category are: Be Kind to Your Mind and Just Don’t Give Up.
The junior students’ categories are a colouring competition (poster provided), with the themes What Makes You Happy (grades 3 and 4) and Believe in You (grades Prep to 2).
All entries are to be completed and delivered to the Loddon Shire office at Wedderburn by Monday 7 August 2023.
To find out more and for entry forms and briefs, visit www.loddonhealthyminds.com.au/events/2023-annual-loddon-healthy-minds-network-art-competition