Mayoral Column 1 May 2017
Published on 01 May 2017
Your comments welcome
The April Council meeting resolved to seek feedback from the public on some of our key documents before they are adopted.
After extensive consultation, the draft 2017-2021 Council Plan reinforces the current mission and values, and has a new vision that reflects the aspirations of the community, which is to have a prosperous, vibrant and engaged community.
The consultation process ended up with themes that will help Council achieve the vision.
The themes describing the focus for the next four years are Population, Economic Prosperity, Liveability, Sustainability, and High Performance Organisation.
The 2017/18 Draft Budget is also available for feedback.
Some of the features of the proposed Budget are the continuation of a strong cash position, the continuation of the Community Planning program, projects and initiatives included in Council’s various strategic plans, and no new borrowings, meaning that Council remains debt free.
Council’s rating increase for 2017/18 is in line with the Victorian State Government’s Rate Capping Policy which has been set at 2.0% on the 2016/17 rate income.
For those who are interested in the condition of our roads, Council has also reviewed its Road Management Plan.
The major changes in the level of service provided include the grading frequency of local road sealed shoulders and grading of formed roads.
For narrow seal gravel shoulders, it is now proposed to grade “as identified during the road and street inspections” rather than once a year, and for formed roads, the need for grading will be decided on the basis of customer requests and available resources.
To look at these documents and check closing dates for submissions, go to www.loddon.vic.gov.au and locate Our Documents and click on Documents for Public Comment.
Best-Selling Author and Footballer Matt Zurbo to Visit Dingee and Inglewood
Dingee and Inglewood Library Agencies are excited to welcome best-selling author and footballer Matt Zurbo as part of the High Road to Reading program. Matt will present on his book, Champions All: A History of AFL/VFL Football in the Players' Own Words.
Funded by the State Library of Victoria and delivered in partnership with Public Libraries Victoria Network, 79 events will be held across 47 Victorian locations between April and June.
High Road to Reading will feature more than 30 high profile authors, including Kerry Greenwood, Andrew Rule, John Safran, Judy Nunn, Alice Pung, John Marsden, Andy Griffiths, Toni Jordon, Shane Maloney and Lauren Burns.
Goldfields Library is delighted to bring this fantastic opportunity to Loddon residents to hear from such an accomplished author and footballer, as part of this annual State Library of Victoria event.
Matt will present two sessions:
• Tuesday 16 May, 2pm at the Dingee Library Agency located in the Dingee Memorial Hall.
• Tuesday 16 May, 6pm at the Inglewood Library Agency, located in the Town Hall Hub.
Entry is free and bookings are preferred – phone 5449 2790 or visit www.goldfieldslibraries.com
Share your success to win a Premier’s Sustainability Award
Victoria’s sustainability leaders are being urged to enter this year’s Premier’s Sustainability Awards and share their insights with people, organisations and companies across the state.
Sustainability Victoria is urging community groups, schools, state and local government, businesses and individuals with a commitment to sustainability to enter these Awards.
People are working hard to combat the effects of climate change and improve the environment, and these Awards are a way to recognise them, and hopefully inspire others to think about their own environmental contributions.
The 10 categories in the program cover every type of sustainability work right across Victoria:
• Built Environment
• Community
• Education
• Environmental Justice
• Environmental Protection
• Government
• Health
• Innovative Products or Services
• Large Business
• Small and Medium Enterprises.
As well as awards in each category, the Premier will select two overall winners for the Premier’s Regional Recognition and the top award, the Premier’s Recognition Award.
Entries close Wednesday, 21 June 2017.
For more information about how to enter the awards and to attend an information session go to www.sustainabilityawards.vic.gov.au