Mayoral Column 11 April 2016
Published on 11 April 2016
Loddon welcomes pipeline announcement
I was thrilled to be on site with local farmers to hear Premier Daniel Andrews announce the commitment of $60 million from the state government, Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water and land owners for the South West Loddon Pipeline project. Also attending at Ian and Julie Gould’s farm were the Minister for Regional Development and Agriculture, the Hon Jaala Pulford, and the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water, the Hon Lisa Neville.
This project will provide a more secure rural water supply for communities without access to piped water in the region being targeted. It is expected to service 261 farms and 372 rural properties.
Not only has this announcement given hope to farmers who have been carting water for years during this extended dry period, but it will also provide more security for townships and opportunities for rural lifestyle properties.
We are hoping that the federal government will also contribute to the pipeline project, but it is reassuring to hear the Premier promise full delivery of the project.
The commitment of the state government gives me confidence for our conversations with the federal government when I go to Canberra on 19 April where I will be seeking its commitment to this critical infrastructure project for Loddon Shire.
Loddon Community Bash
If you haven’t already made a date with yourself to get along to the Loddon Community Bash this Saturday evening (16 April) do it now.
It’s time to stop carting and get dancing at the free community event centred around the Wedderburn Town Hall and Reef Street precinct between 6pm and 12 midnight.
The free community event, designed to give farmers and their families a much needed break, includes live entertainment and a gourmet BBQ to be cooked up by the Wedderburn Lions Club and entertainment for the children including a jumping castle, large slide and face painting.
The working committee who has pulled the event together has no shortage of community spirit behind it, with representatives from groups as broad and varied as the CFA, VFF, Wedderburn Football, Netball and Hockey Clubs, Wedderburn Community House, Lions Club and other interested community members.
Funding for the event has included $3,500 through the State Government Drought Recovery Fund, $1500 from a VFF Look Over The Farm Gate Fund and in-kind planning and preparation support through Loddon Shire Council.
Community Grants reminder
I’d like to remind residents involved in community organisations that the Community Grants program is open but the applications must be in by Sunday 1 May.
Grants of up to $10,000 are available for equipment, small capital works and community development initiatives.
Application forms can be obtained by logging into Loddon Shire Council’s website at www.loddon.vic.gov.au.
Mobile Library schedule changes
Residents in the Boort, Dingee, Tarnagulla and surrounding areas can take their time choosing a book and chatting to other book lovers with additional time recently being added to their stop.
The changes to the Goldfields Library Corporation Service have been in response to shifting customer demand, with time being added to more popular stops.
Current mobile library locations and stop times within the Shire and its immediate surrounds are as follows: Dingee Mondays 9am to 10am, Bridgewater Tuesdays 9am to 10am, Inglewood Tuesdays 10.30am to 12.30pm, Wedderburn Tuesdays 2pm to 4.30pm, Korong Vale Wednesdays 9.30am to 10.30am, Boot Wednesdays 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 3pm, Tarnagulla Thursdays 10am to 11.30am, Moliagul Thursdays 12 noon to 12.30 pm and Dunolly Thursdays 2pm to 5pm.