Loddon Shire Mayoral Column 6 December 2022
Published on 06 December 2022
Fire Danger Period
Fire Danger Period for Loddon Shire will begin at 1am on 12 December 2022.
This means that fires cannot be lit in the open air without a written permit from the CFA.
Fire Danger Periods are based on local conditions and take into account fuel moisture, fuel loads, grassland curing, weather and rainfall.
Lighting a fire in the open without a permit is an offence and can bring a penalty of over $21,800 and/or 12 months imprisonment.
Barbeques and fires for cooking and warmth do not require a permit, but must be lit in properly constructed fireplaces.
The use of an incinerator, chainsaw/lawn mower, welding/grinding equipment and vehicles that come in contact with vegetation and machinery with an internal combustion/heat engine are permitted provided conditions are followed.
For more information about what you can and can’t do during the Fire Danger Period visit https://news.cfa.vic.gov.au/news/fire-restrictions-announced-for-loddon-and-campaspe
Farmers can find legal guidelines and practical advice at cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/farms
This information is important especially for new farmers, bush block owners or hobby farmers.
To apply for a fire permit visit https://firepermits.vic.gov.au/
Tourism update
Last week the Loddon Shire’s Tourism team visited businesses in the northern regions of the Shire to discuss efforts to attract visitors, particularly over summer.
The team met with several businesses and visited attractions in Pyramid Hill and Boort. This trip formed part of a wider effort to connect with businesses throughout the Shire, recovering from the recent flood event and preparing for a busier summer period.
To stay up to date with tourism in the Shire please visit www.visitloddonvalley.com.au
Staying healthy in heat
Are you prepared and ready for the hot weather?
Sunshine can be refreshing, but nature can sometimes produce powerful heat catching us unaware very quickly and affect our health and wellbeing.
To find out how to stay healthy in the heat this summer, head to
https://www.loddon.vic.gov.au/.../Staying-healthy-in-heat
Young Carers Connect
Young Carers Connect (YCC) is a safe online space for young carers aged 12-25 years to engage with each other and find support.
Sessions run fortnightly in two age groups, 12-17 years and 18-25 years.
Join them for a series of fortnightly sessions facilitated by Relationships Australia Canberra and Region in partnership with the Young Carers Team at Carers Australia.
Young Carers Connect is all about having a laugh, playing games and meeting other young people from across Australia who care for others.
This space has been created especially for you, so join them to share ideas, topics and activities you would like to participate in.
Next session for 18-25 years is on Thursday 8th December at 6pm AEDT.
Next session for 12-17 years is on Thursday 14th December at 5pm AEDT.
To register your interest visit https://racrcanberra.snapforms.com.au/form/ycc-registration-2
For more information, please visit https://youngcarersnetwork.com.au/young-carers-info/young-carers/
Award winning inventor from Logan
Congratulations to Leigh Sutton who claimed top prize in the Australian Mining Prospect Awards.
SafetySpear was designed to better protect underground workers and equipment from the hazards of falling drill rods.
Leigh said that while light weight at only 3.5kg, SafetySpear can easily stop a speeding impact force of 33 tonnes in under a 10th of a second.
To read the full article please see page 3 of the Loddon Herald 1 December edition.
https://issuu.com/loddon/docs/loddon_herald_01dec2022/2?ff
December Council Meeting
Council’s December meeting will be held on December 13 at 3pm in the Loddon Shire Council Chambers, located behind the Wedderburn Council Office, off Peters Street.
You can also watch the Council meeting live via Council’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LoddonShire
To view the December Council Meeting agenda visit
https://www.loddon.vic.gov.au/Our-Council/Agendas-and-minutes/Agendas-and-minutes-2022
Disability Parking
The Victorian Government has made changes to disability parking to create an easier and fairer system for all.
The new Accessible Parking Permit (APP) Scheme will make the application and assessment process fairer, simpler and consistent across Victoria.
To apply for an Accessible Parking permit please visit https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/road-rules/disability-parking?fbclid=IwAR1WI5iZJ8RFaJvGrSYKd0AsQUBHXWSGNGiOZKamo_ZO1UD0fJWBu-68aSM
You can also apply for renewals, replacements and cancellations to your current permit via this process.
If you require assistance through the application process, please contact Council’s customer support team on 5494 2101.