Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 30 November

Published on 30 November 2020

Thank you

I’d just like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow Councillors for electing me Mayor for the next year.

It is a great honour to once again serve in the role as Mayor and I look forward to working with Councillors, Council staff and the community, particularly as we take steps towards COVID normal.

Additionally, I’d like to acknowledge and thank former Mayor and Councillor Cheryl McKinnon. Cheryl, who decided to not stand at the recent Council elections, served as Mayor for the past three years.

I’d also like to congratulate my fellow Councillors – Cr Gavan Holt, Cr Linda Jungwirth, Cr Wendy Murphy and Cr Dan Straub on their election to Council. I look forward to working as a team for the next four years to serve our community and help advance our Shire.

Vegetation growth on roadsides

I’ve been receiving calls from concerned residents regarding the state of roadsides, particularly the height of vegetation growth. This growth not only causes problems in terms of blocking the view of oncoming traffic at crossroads, but is also a fire danger.

Council started its roadside slashing program six weeks ago with some roads in the northern parts of the Shire now being cut for a second time. The bulk of the issue is with vegetation growth on Regional Roads Victoria (VicRoads) roads. Regional Roads Victoria (RRV) has just commenced its roadside slashing program in Loddon Shire.

Council is very much aware of this issue and is actively pursuing RRV to ensure the problem of excessive roadside vegetation growth on their network is more adequately dealt with.

I also encourage residents who are concerned about vegetation growth on RRV roadsides to contact them on 13 37 78.

Loddon Project webinars

Love your community? Want to help shape the next four years? Why not attend one of five webinars Council will be holding this week as part of The Loddon Project?

The webinars, which will be held for each ward, will discuss your vision for the community, economy, natural environment and services/infrastructure of Council.

On Wednesday 2 December webinars will be held for Wedderburn from 3.30pm to 4.30pm, Tarnagulla from 5pm to 6pm and Boort from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

On Thursday 3 December webinars will be held for Inglewood from 5pm to 6pm and Terricks from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

You can register at www.surveymonkey.com/r/LSCWardWebinar

If you’re unable to get a chance to register, you can also log on five minutes before the webinar.

Links and passcodes for the webinars (and more information) is available from Council's website..

Loddon Adventure Bingo launched

Loddon Shire residents are encouraged to get active and take part in Adventure Bingo.

An initiative from Healthy Heart of Victoria, Adventure Bingo invites residents to collect or download an Adventure Bingo booklet and participate in one of six walks in each of the participating local government areas.

Participants spot points of interest listed in the booklet during their walk and once they’ve spotted three items in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal line, they’ve got Bingo.

The Loddon Shire Adventure Bingo walk is located along the Nardoo Trail in Wedderburn.

Bingo booklets are available for free at the Wedderburn Post Office, Loddon Shire Council Offices in Wedderburn, Wedderburn Community House or online.

A series of weekly prize draws will be conducted until Sunday 13 December, where residents who submit a photo of their completed Bingo card to hhv@bendigo.vic.gov.au will go into the draw to win sporting equipment.

Turning the Page – community book project

Loddon Shire residents are asked to send photos, stories, poems, songs – basically anything that tells your story about life in COVID 2020 for the Turning the Page Loddon Community Book Project.

The project wants to include things that tell us your story about life in 2020. This could be a letter to the future telling your story, or a snapshot of a zoom call with your family – anything that shows what this year has been like for you.

Please email your information to turningthepage@loddon.vic.gov.au by 10 December.

For more information or queries, please email the address above or call 0436 981 382.

Online Fire Safety Essentials program

Loddon Shire residents are invited to join a CFA online Fire Safety Essentials Program on Monday 7 December from 7pm.

The 45 to 60 minute interactive session is designed to help you get a better understanding of the local bushfire risk, of the biggest threats to life and property, awareness of Fire Danger Ratings and Warnings and Advice, and more.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the webinar.

Time to look under the bonnet

Inglewood and Districts Health Service and Boort District Health are inviting blokes to come along to Inglewood, Wedderburn or Boort for a Men’s Pit Stop check.

The Men's Pit Stop takes just 20 minutes. It's mostly questions about your health history, wellbeing and health awareness, and is set in a non-medical environment. It is designed to be comfortable and fun – and is free.

Supported through funding from Respect Victoria, the first Men’s Pit Stop will be held this Wednesday 2 December from 10am to 12pm at Wedderburn Soldiers’ Park and Godfrey Street in Boort.

Next week, the Pit Stop will be held on Wednesday 9 December from 10am to 12pm at Lions Park in Inglewood (opposite Cousin Jacks) and at Godfrey Street in Boort.