Mayoral Column 14 March 2016

Published on 14 March 2016

Check water carter registration

With the dry weather showing little sign of easing, water carters have been lining up at the standpipes.

While the majority of trucks filling up are doing so to meet their individual stock and household requirements, a small number are registered to on-sell.

Council has received some isolated reports of unregistered water carriers operating in the Shire, which could potentially put residents’ health at risk.

To ensure the water you’re buying from a carrier is from an approved source, I would encourage anyone buying water to ask the seller to show you a copy of their Council registration certificate.

All carriers selling water require a Council issued registration certificate which ensures the water they are supplying comes from an approved source.

The certification also means the vehicle being used to transport the water has been inspected to meet public health requirements designed to protect your health.

Boort court ready for netball season

In recent weeks you may have noticed our footballers and netballers going through their paces in preparation for the winter sports season.

Boort netballers will be pleased to hear court improvements being carried out at their club in recent months are on track to be finished by the end of the month.

The project’s completion marks the achievement of a broader Shire-wide goal to bring all netball courts within the municipality up to Netball Victoria compliance standard.

This is good news for our netballers, as safety standards are now assured and further opportunities for hosting tournaments and finals events are possible.

While Council contributed $15,000 towards the Boort netball court improvement project, the community rallied together to contribute both financially and practically towards the court rebuild.

It really is a fine example of what can be achieved when Council works hand in hand with a strong voluntary base to make our communities better places to live, work and play.

Inglewood Industrial Estate open for business

Council’s economic development team is firmly focused on attracting industry to each township with the Shire.

We’re one step closer to achieving that goal in Inglewood, with the town’s Industrial Estate complete, and five blocks being offered for sale.

The $400,000 Inglewood Industrial Estate project, which received Council and state government backing, has effectively built a business incubator.

Companies looking to establish a business in Inglewood have the opportunity to buy a block of land complete with infrastructure including a sealed road into the industrial estate, chain mesh fencing, drainage, sewerage and lighting.

Businesses taking advantage of the opportunity are ideally situated half an hour from Bendigo, and with ready access straight up the highway to Mildura heading north.

For further information contact Christine Coombes on 5494 1251.

May the “pool party” spirit continue

Pool parties held across the Shire were a hit, with families flocking to the community events.

Attendance was above and beyond what we hoped to achieve, with the young and not so young making the most of a welcome opportunity to have time out with friends and neighbours.

With the unseasonal hot weather expected to continue, and the spirit of the pool parties clearly in mind, Council has decided to extend its swimming pool season.

All Council pools were scheduled to close on 14 March, however the Boort, Inglewood, Pyramid Hill and Wedderburn swimming pools will now remain open until next Sunday, 20 March.

Unfortunately it is not possible to extend the season at Mitiamo, as regular staff numbers are limited.

I would encourage you to grab some friends, pack a barbecue and make the most of this extended opportunity to see the swimming season out in style.

Normal opening hours, conditions and prices apply.

For further information visit Council’s website at www.loddon.vic.gov.au.