Mayoral Column 10 April 2017
Published on 10 April 2017
Fire danger period officially ends
The days are getting shorter, the mornings and evenings crisper and Autumn is upon us.
Last week, we were advised that the CFA fire danger period for Loddon Shire ends at 1am on 10 April 2017.
All planned burns should be registered on 1800 668 511 to avoid unnecessary response from volunteer fire services.
It is also a good idea to notify your neighbours of your plans too.
Any fire lit in the open air still needs to comply with legislation. For further information visit cfa.vic.gov.au
Dog and cat registrations now overdue
In a column earlier this year, I quoted some figures about how many dogs and cats are impounded by Council each year, and how many of those are able to be returned to their owners.
This is only made possible if your animal is currently registered with Council.
If a cat or dog isn’t micro-chipped and registered they cannot be identified and reunited with their owner.
Renewal of registrations for cats and dogs was due to be paid by 10 April, so if this has slipped your mind, please contact Council now on 5494 1200.
Council Plan to benefit from community input
Development of our next four year Council Plan is well underway.
Following the workshop with community and business leaders in early March, community members were invited to contribute ideas for the Council Plan and vote on them through an OurSay Forum.
Now that this online forum has closed, I am pleased to see that it has resulted in some great ideas to help inform the Council Plan.
A total of 34 ideas were submitted and 137 votes cast.
Some of the top ideas included implementing the Donaldson Park Masterplan, advocating for access to quality childcare, and improving the availability of aged care facilities.
Another workshop was held, this time for the youth in Loddon Shire to contribute ideas, and surveys were also sent out to gather issues important to young people.
The issues that emerged included lack of employment opportunities such as part time work after school and limited career options in the community, limited transport options, having to travel to study and work, and the desire for more entertainment/community events to bring people together.
The next step in the development of the Council Plan will be to provide a draft for public comment, which we are planning to occur in May.
Sign up now for young farmers business boot camp
If you’re a young farmer who would like to better understand and manage business risk, it’s time to sign up for boot camp!
At the end of the three day boot camp, young producers will walk away with a business plan that helps them uncover and plan strategies to build their business.
The program is aimed at supporting young farmers with their heart set on a long and successful career in the sheep, beef and mixed farming industries.
Workshops will be co-delivered by technical experts from Meridian Agriculture and will enable participants to access tools they can directly apply to their own businesses.
Young farmer boot camps will be held in Maryborough and Horsham in June.
Prospective participants must register on Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.com.au
For further information contact Sara Wallis from Agriculture Victoria by emailing sarah.wallis@ecodev.vic.gov.au or phone 5761 1573.