Mayoral Column 11 May 2015

Published on 11 May 2015

Council donates surplus flood recovery funds

As the flood recovery program comes to an end, Council has decided to donate the surplus funds back into local communities.

As the lead agency responsible for coordinating the community recovery, Council received donations of $1512 directly from community members.

At the end of restoration works, some projects did not require the full amount allocated, which has left Council with a surplus of $16,672.

Given that the funds include $1512 in community donations, it would be inappropriate that the surplus is absorbed as general revenue to Council.

It was proposed at the April Council meeting to redistribute the funds to projects within the Shire.

The community donations of $1512 will be on-donated to the local branch of the Australian Red Cross. The local branch is a charity that actively supports Loddon residents enduring hardship.

The remaining funds will go towards the Pyramid Hill Senior Citizen’s Centre, with the installation of a fence ($10,000) and preparation of a preliminary site redevelopment plan.

Hard rubbish days

Loddon Shire Council plans to conduct its annual kerbside hard waste collection days this month.

Residents of Boort, Pyramid Hill, Mitiamo, Dingee, Serpentine, Borung, Wychitella, Korong Vale, Wedderburn, Inglewood, Bridgewater, Newbridge, Tarnagulla, Laanecoorie and Eddington can place items such as white goods and old bed frames out on their nature strips on Sunday 24 May (not before).

Council staff will start collecting these items on Monday 25 May.

Residents in the Logan area may deposit hard waste at a collection point located on the Logan-Kingower road opposite the Avoca Forest Hotel, while Fenton’s Creek residents can leave their waste at a collection point located next to the Fenton’s Creek Hall.

This hard waste will also be collected from 25 May.

Items should be sorted into piles – for example, metal items, recyclable items and white goods. The total volume should not exceed 1m square in size.

House owners should note that perishables, tyres, oils, batteries, paints and chemicals, car parts, mattresses, TVs, computers, monitors and general garbage will not be picked up.

Council requests that any unsuitable items left behind after collection be removed from the nature strip immediately.

For more information, contact Council’s Building and Contracts Officer Darren Schultz on 5494 1200.

History a hit in Inglewood

Loddon’s first attempt at getting involved in National Heritage Month has been labelled a huge success, with more than 500 visitors strolling through Inglewood at its Our Golden Heritage day.

Nimmitabel (Tivey House), the RSL building, Town Hall, Aurora Lodge and the Courthouse were all open to visitors and residents.

The town was praised for its hard work bringing the event together, and Council was applauded for providing an inclusive event for the deaf community.

We were asked to help assist the deaf community to not only see the heritage buildings, but also listen to a tour guide.

The Shire was asked to supply an interpreter for the 20 hearing impaired people who attended with Deaf Access Victoria.

Deaf Access Community Development Officer Kim Muller said it was important to have interpreters for the deaf community at events.

“Some organisers can be reluctant to pay for an interpreter,” she said.

“Having an interpreter is a way to reduce barriers and make events more inclusive.

“The deaf community don’t consider themselves to be disabled; they consider themselves to speak a different language.”

As a Council we are proud to lead the way in making our region and its events inclusive for everyone.

I want to thank all the volunteers who assisted on the day and in the lead up of the event. I also offer a special thank you to Inglewood’s Denise Gartside and Chris Sharp who assisted the Shire’s tourism department.

A place to chill

The next FreeZa event will be held this Saturday (15 May) at the Wedderburn Mechanics Institute Hall from 8pm to 11.30pm.

It is hoped Loddon’s youth will attend the event, which will have a local DJ to entertain the crowd.

These alcohol and drug-free nights are organised by local student committees and the Shire’s Recreation Officer.

Entry costs $10. For more information, contact the Shire on 5494 1200.